USVI-On-Line

Up early-ish and mailed our boxes home. We are on the backside of vacation now. Got a Hercules pate for breakfast and the ladies shopped for hats at St John Spice. I was patient.

The wind was deliciously slack today. The perfect day for Haulover North. And it was perfect. The coral is huge and gorgeous. We saw a scrawled filefish, cuttlefish, a black durgon and more. It was great. Haulover South was busy but we never saw anymore than two groups at a time on the north side.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/billvt/4482968214/" title="Scrawled Filefish by nayr48, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/448 ... e91546.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Scrawled Filefish"></a>

We recovered our senses and headed over to Vies for lunch. What a pleasant lady.

We returned to the villa and pooled it. Light dinner and it has just started to rain. A nice cooling rain. It has been hot.

By the way, I just took some time to read Flip-flop's trip report. After all I am on vacation. If I hadn't already started my daily reports I don't think I would have. These little notes and pictures pale in comparison to Fip-flops. Thanks. Even being here, your reports were fun to read.

I love your little trip reports and pictures. For those of us who won't be on STJ for a while, they are great! Thanks for taking the time to post.

Question on snorkeling at Haulover North. When we snorkeled it, we didn't see much. Which way did you go once you hit the beach from the path? Your pic and description makes me want to try it again. Always in search of the premier snorkeling experience.

You enter the water slightly to the right of leaving the path. Watch carefully for urchins in the rocks. We always snorkel the left or west side. I've seen and heard of others working the east or right side. Today we snorkeled maybe a quarter of a mile or more working our way west. Sometimes the fish spotting can be a little slim but the coral garden is always a good show. Don't give up on it too quickly, be patient and lurk. There aren't many rewards for speed snorkeling. Also pick a calm day when the winds are slack. Good luck.

Love your live reports. It seems all folks are either on STJ now or headed there soon. I'm so jealous as we aren't there and are living in BROWN Colorado which is very unusual for CO this time of year. Had some snow yesterday even.

All of you enjoy and I'm there in my memory!