USVI-On-Line

part one
part two
part three
part four
part five
part six
part seven
part eight

It's time to wrap this thing up. It's been a month and a half since I've been home.

June 9, 2010

This was the last full day of snorkeling for us. We rented gear at Concordia and it was due back by noon(ish). I say noonish because I really doubt they would care if it was back at 1pm or 2pm, especially if we asked them.

But based on the rest of the week, we usually got done snorkeling before noon anyways. We decided we would go back to Francis for our last snorkel. Last time we were there, the first full day of the trip, we heard about a spotted eagle ray and a bunch of turtles hanging out out in the grassy parts. Of course we heard this after we had already snorkeled. So a week later we thought we'd try our luck again.

We got there pretty early (little before 9am) and the beach was empty.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4786727824/" title="Good Morning Francis Bay by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/478 ... 2f7f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Good Morning Francis Bay"></a>

Grabbed one of the picnic tables far down the right side in the shade and then immediately got in the water. Somehow after a week of snorkeling I still had trouble getting my fins on gracefully. Lots of falling over. Lets get to the photos.

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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4802087060/" title="Little Rocks by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/480 ... 9febeb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Little Rocks"></a>
was trying to get the fish hiding under the rocks, but i just got the rocks

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455261/" title="Live Conch by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/480 ... 3f96ae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Live Conch"></a>

I was swimming along not really paying much attention to the deeper water when I heard a really loud scream. I looked up out of the water and my gf was already out of the water. Sweet there must be a shark! I gotta get a photo.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4802087228/" title="Great (BIG) Barracuda by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/480 ... 9d4907.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Great (BIG) Barracuda"></a>

I go back under and see the biggest barracuda I've ever seen swim by. It was definitely around 4.5-5 feet long and very well fed. Apparently it had sort of "popped" up in front of my girlfriend. I've had that happen to me at Waterlemon before, but the barracuda wasn't this big. I have to admit I was slightly disappointed it wasn't a shark

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455405/" title="Shelf Life by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/480 ... 4d004b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Shelf Life"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455501/" title="Urchins and Fish by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/480 ... e8ed70.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Urchins and Fish"></a>
I'm more afraid of Urchins than sharks or barracuda

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455567/" title="Fishies by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/480 ... d4df24.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fishies"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455637/" title="Flounder by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/480 ... f5db1f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Flounder"></a>
Flounder

Here's the big turtle we heard about the week before
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455735/" title="Huge Green Turtle by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/480 ... 3c021c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Huge Green Turtle"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455823/" title="Huge Green Turtle by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/480 ... bbfefc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Huge Green Turtle"></a>

A smaller turtle
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801455917/" title="Small Green Turtle by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/480 ... 2b1f27.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Small Green Turtle"></a>

We were about to give up on finding the Spotted Eagle Ray when it sort of just showed up.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4801456013/" title="Spotted Eagle Ray by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/480 ... f0f596.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Spotted Eagle Ray"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4802087954/" title="Spotted Eagle Ray by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/480 ... c00fa8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Spotted Eagle Ray"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4802088032/" title="Holly Free Diving by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/480 ... 2dff62.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Holly Free Diving"></a>
Might be my favorite underwater shot from the whole trip.

some video
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We were pretty tired at this point so we got out. I was determined to get some Pelican photos before we left. Luckily they always seem to be active.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4789453777/" title="Brown Pelican by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/478 ... a0e09f.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Brown Pelican"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4802233876/" title="Brown Pelican by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/480 ... 056d85.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Brown Pelican"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4812282076/" title="Brown Pelican by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/481 ... f0c7b6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Brown Pelican"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4812282174/" title="Brown Pelican by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/481 ... 52aa8d.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Brown Pelican"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4811657331/" title="Francis Bay Pelicans by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/481 ... 78f86a.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="Francis Bay Pelicans"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4812282136/" title="Pelicans Diving by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/481 ... 7cae5e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Pelicans Diving"></a>

and a final shot of Whistling Cay before we headed out to return the gear.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmhouse/4796108395/" title="Whistling Cay by matt house, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/479 ... 70db_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Whistling Cay"></a>

We drove back to Concordia via the smoothie truck and returned our gear. Then we went to the Tourist Trap for lunch again. That place is so good it's hard not to stop there.

Got some more pool time before going to Miss Lucy's for dinner. They have great brunch and their dinner is just as good, if not better. The breeze and view in the evening is pretty hard to beat. Highly recommended for dinner if you can't make it for brunch.

Back to Concordia to start packing. The rental car has to be back by 10am the next morning! Ahhhh!

------------------------------------------------------------

June 10, 2010

We got up stupid early and finished the packing we didn't do the night before. Took showers, cleaned up the tent, put the dirty linens in the bin by the camp store and checked out. I wasn't expecting it but I got 20% off my stay for being a Friend of the VINP. So we got 20% off the rental car and 20% off the tent. Sweeeeet.

We stopped at Big Bens for one last breakfast. Delicious food and friendly people, as always. We ran into a couple people we'd seen around the island after being there for 10 days. That's always nice, especially when they're locals that remember you.

Next we made the drive over to Paris to return the car. No problems. Got a ride down to the ferry dock but we had a couple hours to kill. So we sat in the park and took turns watching the bags while the other person went into various shops. I grabbed some spices and coffee at St. John Spice and the gf picked up a hook ring somewhere....with my wallet...

This is when I realized we were low on cash for our return trip home. So I went over to the bank to get cash and then got a sandwich to go from Deli Grotto.

Finally got the ferry and then got to the airport with no problems. Checked in at the Spirit desk but only got one boarding pass for our return trip that was supposed to have 2 flights.. Whatever lets just get home. I was glad I bought a sandwich because the food options in the STT airport are absolutely awful.

No problems on our flight from STT to FLL. However one of the flight attendants was acting very odd. Forgetting parts of the safety demo, and then forgetting what city we were flying to. Our flight from FLL to DC was supposed to be at the same gate on the same plane so we didn't really take notice when our flight wasn't announced before landing. We got off the plane and asked the crazy flight attendant what to do about the flight to DC since it's supposed to be the same plane/gate. "I don't know". ummm ok. So we got out to the gate an asked the people there, and then notice that the flight to DC has been cancelled. Awesome! Of course they can't help us at their desk so we go out to the main ticketing desk where we saw a line of several hundred people from 5 other cancelled flights. Nothing to do but get at the end of the line. 4 hours later we had vouchers for dinner, breakfast, lunch and a free hotel. Also a new flight home on US Airways the next morning. We got to the hotel and were relieved when the manager at the desk asked if a king bed was ok . A king bed and AC after 10 days of camping in hot, humid air? yes please.

Got up early Friday and called to reschedule my allergist appointment that was supposed to be at 830 in Baltimore. Next available appointment is in August We really just wanted to get home at this point. Got free breakfast, then got to the airport and got free snacks using our voucher. Got on the plane, got home. Got my car out of parking (paid an extra day due to all this). Then had to drive home from DC to Baltimore in Friday afternoon rush hour traffic Two hours later we finally got to relax.

Til next time. Never using Spirit again. Will stay at Concorida or Maho again for sure.

Fin

Fabulous ! have realy enjoyed your tr's & photo's, Love the video's & your right about that shot being your fave, snorkeling above ray is Spectacular ! Great photography Thanks for sharing

As usual, great photos. I swear the TT puts crack in their food to keep you coming back. We love that place!

Glad you had a fab time and thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us!

Very much enjoyed all parts of your report. Those Spotted Eagle Ray shots & video are especially treats to look at... for me, anyway. Thank you very much for sharing!

Great photos and video. Thanks!

WOW Matt- amazing photos again! What zoom did you have for those pelican shots? I was just deciding to NOT bring my big zoom this trip and now I see these shots..... looks like the big backpack is coming out! Just not sure I can get as close to your perfection. WOW.

I've really enjoyed your reports and photos! Thanks for taking the time!

Thanks everyone! It was a great trip even with the few headaches. It was nice to go back through all the pics and rattle my brain for the details of each day.

SOonthebeach wrote:WOW Matt- amazing photos again! What zoom did you have for those pelican shots? I was just deciding to NOT bring my big zoom this trip and now I see these shots..... looks like the big backpack is coming out! Just not sure I can get as close to your perfection. WOW.

I had a Canon 70-200mm f4L with me. I only brought a 17-40, 50mm and 70-200 with me on the trip. Then each day I only brought one lens along because I did not want to change lenses on the beach. So most of the week I had the 17-40 on for the beach landscapes, but the last day I brought the 70-200 specifically to get pelican shots. The Canon 70-200 f4L is know for being really sharp, light and cheap compared to other Canon zooms.

I didn't have to bring a huge backpack along either. The bag I brought with me was a Think Tank Urban Disguise 40. It's the size of a laptop bag, looks like a laptop bag, but carries quite a bit of camera gear. It was used as my personal item on the planes. Then for the beaches I had an REI Flash 18 backpack that we carried a lot of our beach stuff in. I would stuff 2 towels, a baggie of sunscreen/bug spray etc, some snacks, underwater camera, extra shirts and my DSLR inside a dry bag. I left the rest of my camera gear inside the Think Tank bag which was hidden inside the eco-tent. The REI bag is small and light and packed down very small inside my carry on.

Thanks for the compliments I really appreciate them. I'm looking forward to reading other people's reports to get my St. John fix now that mine is finally done.

Thanks for the info Matt! I am going to look up both of those bags. I have a giant backpack that gets bulky, but I usually throw my camera in a smaller bag for the beach. I shoot with Nikon, but have very similar lenses- a 17-55/f2.8, a 50mm/f1.8, and a 70-200/f2.8 Those are the main three I like to bring, although I also have a 12-24 wide zoom and a fisheye that's sometimes fun, mostly for shooting close-ups of people The f/2.8s are a little heavy, but I do love them. I consider shooting with them a mini arm workout. I think your pelican shots have convinced me to bring the big one to see what I can get. Great idea about one lens a day- I have had to have the camera cleaned professionally once due to sand and even a little water Only tough decision is when we go out on the boat for the day, but I think the 17-55 wins that one.

I plan to submit picture TR's and maybe a video from our tip in a few weeks, but I already know my shots will not measure up to your amazing ones! Thanks again for the inspiration!

Thanks for posting your report and pictures. Frances Bay is one of my very favorite spots to snorkel. Its as flat calm and smooth as a lake when we've been there, which makes it so nice for snorkeling.
Love the eagle ray pics. It always feels like an extra special treat when we get to see one.
You might try the studios at Concordia if you want a little more space. We stayed in an oceanfront studio one year and really enjoyed it. Not fancy at all, but a big room with full kitchen.

I also want to thank you so much for all reports and photos. I have enjoyed everyone of them. Your photos are fantastic. Love the pelican shots.

SOonthebeach wrote:Thanks for the info Matt! I am going to look up both of those bags. I have a giant backpack that gets bulky, but I usually throw my camera in a smaller bag for the beach. I shoot with Nikon, but have very similar lenses- a 17-55/f2.8, a 50mm/f1.8, and a 70-200/f2.8 Those are the main three I like to bring, although I also have a 12-24 wide zoom and a fisheye that's sometimes fun, mostly for shooting close-ups of people The f/2.8s are a little heavy, but I do love them. I consider shooting with them a mini arm workout. I think your pelican shots have convinced me to bring the big one to see what I can get. Great idea about one lens a day- I have had to have the camera cleaned professionally once due to sand and even a little water Only tough decision is when we go out on the boat for the day, but I think the 17-55 wins that one.

I plan to submit picture TR's and maybe a video from our tip in a few weeks, but I already know my shots will not measure up to your amazing ones! Thanks again for the inspiration!

mmm the 2.8s are heavy, but so nice. I hope you have some luck with the wildlife. That was the only reason I brought the 70-200. But it turned out to be good for some distant landscapes as well. So I am definitely glad I brought it. I'm sure you'll bring back some amazing photos!

B&J in VA wrote:Thanks for posting your report and pictures. Frances Bay is one of my very favorite spots to snorkel. Its as flat calm and smooth as a lake when we've been there, which makes it so nice for snorkeling.
Love the eagle ray pics. It always feels like an extra special treat when we get to see one.
You might try the studios at Concordia if you want a little more space. We stayed in an oceanfront studio one year and really enjoyed it. Not fancy at all, but a big room with full kitchen.

Francis was a great place to snorkel. So calm. Another calm spot was Gibney. I was considering the studios for a future trip, especially since they built some nice looking new ones. But the price starts creeping up to cheap villa territory with those. It's definitely a consideration though.

Maggy wrote:I also want to thank you so much for all reports and photos. I have enjoyed everyone of them. Your photos are fantastic. Love the pelican shots.

Thanks! I'm glad people enjoyed them, even though they were spaced out over a few weeks. I enjoyed posting them

Thanks so much, Matt, for taking the time to post your reports! We enjoyed them very much, as well!!!

Great trip report. Pictures are awesome.

Sorry about your flights home.

Nice report! thanks! the pictures were outstanding, great job!