10 more days in paradise, final

[liamsaunt]

Part one here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=19357

Part two here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=19384

Saturday:

We finally got around to snorkeling Waterlemon. The current was pretty strong today, which hampered visbility a bit, but it was still a good snorkel.

Waterlemon Cay

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519180145/" title="Waterlemon cay 5 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/251 ... d53712.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Waterlemon cay 5"></a>

Sea star:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450853498/" title="waterlemon sea star 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/545 ... cfde10.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="waterlemon sea star 2"></a>

Turtle:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450246037/" title="waterlemon turtle with sharksuckers 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/545 ... b6e81e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterlemon turtle with sharksuckers 2"></a>

Snapper:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450244717/" title="waterlemon snapper by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5176/545 ... d0f8cc.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="waterlemon snapper"></a>

Stoplight parrotfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450244313/" title="waterlemon stoplight parrotfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/545 ... 776db8.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="waterlemon stoplight parrotfish"></a>

Trumpetfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450244461/" title="waterlemon trumpetfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5298/545 ... beb88a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="waterlemon trumpetfish"></a>

We swam around Leinster Bay for a while looking for eagle rays to no avail. We did come across the funny sight of a turtle using one of the anchors for the boat buoys to scrape the algae off its shell (at least we assumed that is what it was doing). It would work its shell down the whole length, scraping back and forth, and then swim around and do the other side. Interesting to watch.

On the way back from Waterlemon, we decided to stop and do the Leinster shore snorkel. What a great snorkel!

Leinster shore snorkel site:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450859142/" title="leinster shore snorkel by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/545 ... e617d0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leinster shore snorkel"></a>

Tang and others:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450860626/" title="leinster school best by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5179/545 ... 4dd520.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leinster school best"></a>

Flamingo tounge:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450858986/" title="leinster flamingo tounge by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/545 ... 33bec1.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="leinster flamingo tounge"></a>

Fan coral:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450860358/" title="leinster purple fan coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5256/545 ... 0d100c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leinster purple fan coral"></a>

Hawksbill:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450859682/" title="leinster little hawksbill 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/545 ... 309226.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="leinster little hawksbill 2"></a>

Smooth trunkfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450248557/" title="leinster smooth trunkfish side view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/545 ... df16f0.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="leinster smooth trunkfish side view"></a>

Sleeping nurse shark:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450248857/" title="leinster nurse shark 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5095/545 ... 44952e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="leinster nurse shark 2"></a>

Spotted drum:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450248029/" title="leinster spotted drum by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/545 ... 223d05.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="leinster spotted drum"></a>

My only caution to those thinking about this snorkel is that there is a current, and also the area where the coral is located is very shallow. Basically, you have to explore the corals without moving your feet at all, just letting the current drift you down the shoreline. When I needed to maneuver for some reason, I used my arms. If you kick your fins you will definitely hit the coral. Coming back, you are against the current, but if you push out to sea away from the coral, there is a ledge there where it is much deeper, and you can kick back along the length of the beach to the entry point. That area is interesting to explore too—we found lots of blue chromis, a HUGE school of big ballyhoo—the biggest I have seen, many groupers, etc. No eagle rays though, darn.

Back to Gallows for the sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450861882/" title="sunday sunset sailboat 7 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5059/545 ... f3eb33.jpg" width="500" height="245" alt="sunday sunset sailboat 7"></a>

And then to dinner at Asolare. I think I might be done with Asolare after this trip. Everything was fine, it just wasn’t particularly interesting. It is entirely possible that I might have been coming down with restaurant fatigue by this point. I’ll just leave it at that.

Sunday:

No restaurant food today. I cooked a breakfast. Toast topped with Josephine’s microgreens and a poached egg. There is some bacon in there too:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450252625/" title="eggs josephine closeup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/545 ... 7841a6.jpg" width="500" height="437" alt="eggs josephine closeup"></a>

Then we headed back to beautiful Francis Bay:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450252933/" title="francis 2 view 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/545 ... 108ac4.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="francis 2 view 2"></a>

Our first sighting was a huge octopuses garden. It had about 50 conch shells around its cave. We stayed around for a while, watching hermit crabs battle each other for the empty shells, but the octopus itself never came out of its cave. We could only see one tentacle and occasional one eye. Octopus hiding:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450864770/" title="francis 2 octopus by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/545 ... 3d1bcd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="francis 2 octopus"></a>

More things we saw. Arrow crab:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450254129/" title="francis 2 arrow crab 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5098/545 ... 1f4666.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="francis 2 arrow crab 2"></a>

Large turtle with sharksucker:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450257693/" title="francis 2 myrtle 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/545 ... 325bbb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="francis 2 myrtle 2"></a>

Duo of turtles:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450256633/" title="francis 2 turtle duo by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/545 ... f5abe9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="francis 2 turtle duo"></a>

We spent the whole day here, just relaxing and reading and swimming. When Francis is not buggy, and it is a clear day, it is one of the most peaceful places to hang out.

Back to Gallows for yet another stunning sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5451280124/" title="last night sunset sailboat 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/545 ... da6525.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="last night sunset sailboat 2"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450867794/" title="sunset glow by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/545 ... ea49de.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sunset glow"></a>

And then I made dinner. Salad of Josephine’s arugula with riobola stuffed mortadella:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450868328/" title="mortadella salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5092/545 ... 021d33.jpg" width="500" height="303" alt="mortadella salad"></a>

Farfalle with tenderloin (for John only), arugula, and peas:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450868422/" title="beef pasta by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5013/545 ... 3aeb16.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beef pasta"></a>

Another wonderful day on St. John.

Monday:

Last full day, BOO.

We slept in a little bit this morning then went to Waterfront Bistro for an early lunch.
Mahi sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450667961/" title="waterfront bistro mahi sandwich by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5258/545 ... 595b32.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterfront bistro mahi sandwich"></a>

Fish tacos:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5451278544/" title="waterfront bistro mahi tacos by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/545 ... b801f6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="waterfront bistro mahi tacos"></a>

After lunch we headed over to Cinnamon Bay:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450668353/" title="cinnamon bay 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5173/545 ... 76a9f2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamon bay 2"></a>

I decided I didn’t feel like snorkeling the cay, so we just lounged in the water, and stayed until around 5 PM.

Coming back via North Shore, we were amazed at how many cars were parked at Trunk Bay so late in the day. They were all up the road and even in the overlook. Seeing someone in a wedding dress at the overlook with a bottle of champagne made it click” today was Valentine’s Day! We looked down and saw all the couples gathered on the beach for the annual vow renewal. If we had remembered about all this earlier, we would have gone too, but instead we just clicked our Patton rings together and headed back to Gallows in time to experience our final sunset of the trip:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450670725/" title="real last night sunset with wine by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/545 ... c2779f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="real last night sunset with wine"></a>

And then we went back to La Tapa for our final dinner. We were seated at a table next to a light, so I have photos of this delicious meal, even though it was dark (I refuse to take flash photos in a restaurant). This was a prix fixe Valentine’s meal at $69/person, which included all the food you see here plus a glass of champagne. Gratuity was also included in the cost.

Baccala amuse bouche (the other option was pork belly):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450670847/" title="la tapa baccala amuse by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/545 ... 363c68.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa baccala amuse"></a>

Flying fish with saffron aioli:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5451281956/" title="la tapa flying fish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5140/545 ... 4079d8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa flying fish"></a>

Chipotle gambas:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450671053/" title="la tapa chipotle gambas by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/545 ... 5c29d7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa chipotle gambas"></a>

Short ribs with paparadelle and mint:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450671487/" title="la tapa short rib with papparedelle by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/545 ... 7eb983.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa short rib with papparedelle"></a>

“Paella” with seared tuna and shellfish

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450224127/" title="la tapa play on paella with seared tuna by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/545 ... 2ab8d3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa play on paella with seared tuna"></a>

Tropical fruit bread pudding with toasted coconut ice cream:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5451282740/" title="la tapa tropical fruit bread pudding with toasted coconut ice cream by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/545 ... 4d724a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa tropical fruit bread pudding with toasted coconut ice cream"></a>

Passionfruit cheesecake:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5451282376/" title="la tapa passionfruit cheesecake by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/545 ... 04efcf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="la tapa passionfruit cheesecake"></a>

YUM.

Tuesday:

This trip was not long enough! We came very close to deciding to stay until the following Sunday but could not get a reasonable deal on changing the airfare—it would have cost an extra $600/person.

So, we went in to town, returned the car, and picked up sandwiches at Deli Grotto. Our ferry was not until 1 PM and Gallows graciously extended us a late checkout, so we ate our food sitting out on the deck, taking in the view for one last time.

Goodbye Gallows

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5454862884/" title="gallows point by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5097/545 ... 908080.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="gallows point"></a>

Goodbye St. John! (for now…)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5470454817/" title="st john from the air 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/547 ... 897252.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="st john from the air 2"></a>

St. John February 2011 Favorites

Beach Francis
Restaurant (dinner) La Tapa
Restaurant (lunch) Shipwreck Landing
Snorkel sighting Spotted drum
Snorkel spot Leinster shore


Until next time, thanks for reading!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450668799/" title="cinnamon bay heart by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5177/545 ... 69bdb8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamon bay heart"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/5450670199/" title="last night gs by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/545 ... 4de8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="last night gs"></a>

[pswlrw]

Great report, as always!

[FinsUp]

Becky, you gave me goosebumps with this report!! The tapping of your rings started it and they just continued!! Thanks so much for taking us along with the memories..awesome report!! Until next time

[augie]

I'm glad that you were able to get away from the rotten weather that you had back home, and doubly glad that you shared your trip with us!

As usual, great pictures and information.

Can't wait to read about your next trip...

[mbw1024]

for spur of the moment it sounds like a great time! I wish I was going to La Tapa tonight! Miss it there!

[Lovermont]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I needed that.

[Kealani]

Wonderful report as always- The tapping of the ring made me wonder how many couples have special pieces from traveling there. I never take my hook off except airport security- but Hubby and I have watches that we bought to remember one of our trips which now occurs to me is rather ironic

[Tracy in WI]

Great, as usual! Thanks so much for letting us all live vicariously through you - well needed!

[SusanNJ]

Awesome trip report!!! You never disappoint - thanks for sharing

[byado18]

Thanks for the great trip report and pictures!

[PA Girl]

Another winner! Your pictures seem particularly great this time.

[hoosierdaddy]

Thanks for the report. Great pictures as always. Love the sunsets.

[bevm]

Great report and pictures Becky....I know that "not ready to leave feeling" all too well....

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Fabulous report! Thank you for taking the time to post and share your pix which, by the way, are amazing.

So glad you were able to escape the horrible weather and enjoy STJ and all that goes with it...

Last minute trips truly are a gift.

[stjchica]

LOVE reports with pics included. Great job. Makes me want to leave work, get on a plane, and put my toes in the sand....*sigh*