USVI-On-Line

Monday 5/25 What is that terrible sound?!? I forgot to turn the alarm off on my cell phone, and the day is off to an early start. We headed in to Starfish Market for breakfasts, lunches and a few dinners for the week. Spent around $100, figure we’ll be back for more later. Some food items are similar to home in cost; some are at least 30 to 50 percent more. Back at the villa, we unload groceries and load up the beach chairs and cooler for our maiden trip to the North Shore. First stop, Mongoose Junction. What a very cool place! We have to make a point to come back to The Tap Room, at least. We rented our snorkel gear from Hurricane Alley and headed out for our first trip on North Shore Rd. Beautiful, fantastic views form the overlooks of Cruz, and Caneel bays. Using Gaffin’s book as our guide, first stop Gibney Beach. Several people suggested this beach for a wedding site. Bad day to visit, a group of locals had the house reserved and the beach was crowded. Back to the Jeep, we drove through the parking lot of Trunk – way too many cars and people for our taste. On to Cinnamon, where we would spend the day. Beautiful beach and very good snorkeling around the Cay. Unfortunately, we both had difficulties with our snorkeling masks leaking around the glass. Julie gave up in short order, and I being much more comfortable in the water (and stubborn) decided to stick it out. I eventually emptied the mask only when the water filled up to enough to make my eyes burn. Big mistake on my part. Salt water was continuously going up my nose and into my sinus’s, leading to a nasty infection for the rest of the week. We left the beach as the sun was going down and the mosquitoes were coming out. We continued east to Coral Bay for a stop at Skinny Legs. The horseshoe pits were right up my alley. Felt like a hillbilly bar in the Caribbean. Cleveland Browns and Indians flags hanging in the bar too! In the parking lot after a shopping stop, Julie runs into what appears to be a mother and son pair of wild donkeys.



After a little petting and a photo op, its back Centerline Rd., up to the overlooks for more photos. Then once again, into Cruz bay for a stop at the Beach Bar, which is quickly becoming our “neighborhood watering hole”. Second day in a row, we run into the couple from NYC! After a few drinks and several games of Connect Four, they offer to be witnesses at our wedding and serve as video / photographers! What fun!



We then proceeded home to the villa to grill chicken sandwiches.



A stiff Cruzan 151 and coke later, and good night St. John!

That's so cool that they offered to be witnesses...Everyone is just so nice down there, aren't they? You feel like you've known them your entire life!!

Yep, they were a real nice couple. They'll pop up again later in the trip report.... We exchanged contact info and hope to stay in touch. Just takes a little effort. Julie and I made friends with 5 Germans in Mexico in 2003. They have all come to visit us several times and we've been to Germany twice!

Really? You drink 151 Cruzan and coke? -- I have to admit that even way back when we used to get a lot of young Navy boys trying to get drunk I can't remember anyone ever drinking 151 proof rum as a cocktail - we did use it to flambe' Bananas Foster or as a floater on a Fruity drink though.

Is this the secret ingredient that all the Forumites have been using to "get it"?

Well, we are uhhh....professionals. We have a kegerator in the basement that is never empty for more than 24 hrs. I didn't realize we were doing anything unusual, we're not usually liquor drinkers. We managed to kill the whole bottle in 6 nights and a couple of afternoons by the pool though. Puts ya right to sleep, let me tell ya!

Sounds like you two know how to vacation! It is fun to meet people on vacation, isn't it. You already have something in common right off the bat. We met two wonderful British couples on VG in Feb. and have kept in touch via email. They have vacationed together for the past 50 years and it was so interesting to hear their stories.

Wonder if the 151, applied topically, won't clear out that sinus infection? (Ouch!) 151s and Cokes won't be unheard of in our group.

Bring on the wedding!

Sounds like our vacation styles are similar. Isn't it wonderful to meet new friends on vacation? We have several life-long friends that we've met camping or on vacation.
Looking forward to hearing about your wedding!

I have some friends who are huge cruisers and for a Christmas gift, they gave me a bottle of 151 they got in St. Thomas.

I have NO IDEA what to do with it. I like to drink, but if grain alcohol was my thing, I wouldn't be frequenting the liquor store with all the 'shine around here.

One of the girls I traveled with in November said she makes rum runners and painkillers with 151 floaters, but I haven't done it yet. I think you might also need it for voodoo juice.

Sounds like y'all had fun, and I can't wait to hear more!