Seventeen more days in paradise, final

[liamsaunt]

Part one: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21301

Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=21315

Day eleven (Sunday): Maho again.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3714652620/" title="Maho right side by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2639/371 ... 2b567d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Maho right side"></a>

I didn’t really take any pictures today. The beach was really, really crowded, and very noisy. I guess we made a mistake by heading to Maho on a Sunday. We only stayed a few hours and then retreated back to the quiet of our villa.

Later that evening we headed to the Beach Bar for the forum gathering. The kids were hungry and needed dinner so I didn’t socialize as much as I normally would. In fact, I don’t think I even met everyone who was there! I remember Silverheels, Betty of St. John Dreams blog, Colleen, Coden, John and Sue Brandi…I know I am forgetting a bunch of people. Sorry!


I also want to mention how nice the people at the Beach Bar are. The kids ordered dinner while we were there, and they were out of the chicken that Caili wanted. The Beach Bar chef went across the street to the Banana Deck and borrowed chicken from them so he could make her the dish she requested. So nice, and above what was necessary. Both kids liked the food here very much. Liam devoured his entire burger!

There was no sunset this evening, which was too bad, but it was nice to meet the forum folks.


Day twelve (Monday): Gibney

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051303724/" title="7 gibney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/605 ... a0e5bc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 gibney"></a>

We were able to snag one parking spot for John’s jeep at Gibney. We dropped all the gear off at the top of the hill and then I drove my jeep to Hawksnest and snorkeled back over to join everyone on Gibney.

Gibney had nice calm water, which meant it was time for the semi-annual underwater handstand battle. I think it is obvious from the photos who was the champion this time:

John:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050753597/" title="7 john handstand by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/605 ... 85bd15.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 john handstand"></a>

Becky:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050753775/" title="7 becky handstand gibney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/605 ... 27699d.jpg" width="500" height="376" alt="7 becky handstand gibney"></a>

I took Liam snorkeling (John stayed on shore, stewing in his defeat, mwa-haha!). We found a West Indian sea egg:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050753437/" title="7 gibney west indian sea egg by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/605 ... 6b6a64.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 gibney west indian sea egg"></a>

Large school of blue tang:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050753339/" title="7 gibney blue tang 5 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/605 ... 0a6a9e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 gibney blue tang 5"></a>

A school of baby jacks, with larger jacks surrounding them:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050752975/" title="7 baby jacks2 gibney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/605 ... 7416ba.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 baby jacks2 gibney"></a>

Elkhorn:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051303824/" title="7 gibney elkhorn by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/605 ... 8569ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 gibney elkhorn"></a>

The rest of the day was just spent relaxing on the beach and swimming, until it was time to head back to the house for sunset. Tonight’s sunset was not as glorious as other evenings, but it was still pretty:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050753855/" title="7 monday sunset 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/605 ... 4985dd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="7 monday sunset 2"></a>

Day thirteen (Tuesday): Gibney again!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051305286/" title="8 gibney 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/605 ... 9761e4.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="8 gibney 2"></a>

When we arrived, we were able to park both cars at Gibney, but that didn’t last long. Liam had some kind of weird rash on his chest and legs that started stinging, so John and I took my jeep to the Marketplace and consulted with the pharmacist for remedies. Can I just say how helpful and friendly the people at Chelsea Drug are? The pharmacist really took the time to listen to what the issue was and then handed us the various things she thought would help. So nice.

So we ended up with the same drill as before: one car at Gibney, one car at Hawksnest. We didn’t snorkel today (other than snorkeling from Hawksnest to Gibney with Liam’s medicines haha). We just spent the day lounging in the water, building sandcastles, and reading books. Traveling with a group this large led to a complicated beach setup:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6057437805/" title="7 gibney setup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/605 ... 1dd5ea.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="7 gibney setup"></a>

I am not used to hauling this much stuff!!

A full day at the sunny beach led to an exhausted child at 6:30 PM:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051305380/" title="8 sleeping caili by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/605 ... 426503.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="8 sleeping caili"></a>

We did wake her up for the beautiful sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051305466/" title="8 sunset 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6068/605 ... 641b7a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="8 sunset 2"></a>

And then enjoyed a delicious meal of cilantro-chile butter topped grilled local mahi mahi with Jospehines greens:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050752373/" title="7 mahi with salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/605 ... 44b3ff.jpg" width="500" height="298" alt="7 mahi with salad"></a>

Day fourteen (Wednesday): Waterlemon

After missing out on the Great Lameshur and Cinnamon cay snorkels, I told my sister she was on her own with the kids at Leinster Bay and headed out with John and Sean. We swam from Leinster beach out to the cay. There is a lot to see along the rocky shoreline on the way to the cay. Here are some sightings:

Octopus hiding in his cave. Look closely to see his eye:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051306996/" title="9 waterlemon octopus one by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/605 ... 77147e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="9 waterlemon octopus one"></a>

Second hiding octopus. You have to look even harder to see this one!:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050756151/" title="9 waterlemon octopus 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/605 ... 1466cb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="9 waterlemon octopus 2"></a>

Peacock flounder:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050755971/" title="9 waterlemon peacock flounde by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/605 ... e855ae.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="9 waterlemon peacock flounde"></a>

And, unfortunately, a lionfish.:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050754443/" title="9 waterlemon lionfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/605 ... 7b8db7.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="9 waterlemon lionfish"></a>

I had tried to get markers in town, but everyplace I checked was out. Hopefully somebody got this bugger out of there. We watched for a while and it is obvious how the other fish don’t recognize what a threat this fish is. There was seargant majors and tang hanging around with the lionfish, with no idea that they were likely to be lunch!

Moving on, we found a hawksbill turtle. We found six different hawksbills on our way to the cay:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051305738/" title="9 waterlemon turtle close up by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6196/605 ... 4ed796.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="9 waterlemon turtle close up"></a>

Once at the cay, we had the place to ourselves. There was not one other person snorkeling! The currents were not bad at all. Corals at the cay:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050754993/" title="9 waterlemon coral forest by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/605 ... 01435e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="9 waterlemon coral forest"></a>

Grey angelfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051306304/" title="9 waterlemon grey angelfish (2) by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/605 ... 67fb27.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="9 waterlemon grey angelfish (2)"></a>

Snapper:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050755063/" title="9 waterlemon snapper 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/605 ... 7cf762.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="9 waterlemon snapper 2"></a>

Flamingo tounge:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050754769/" title="9 waterlemon flamingo tounge by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/605 ... 0cb3fb.jpg" width="281" height="500" alt="9 waterlemon flamingo tounge"></a>

After our very long snorkel we headed out for another lunch at Shipwreck Landing. No pictures this time, but I enjoyed the beer-battered mahi sandwich, and of course Liam and Caili had second servings of the frozen chocolate-raspberry pie.

Back to the house for sunset. We hung out on the deck taking pictures:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051306536/" title="10 picture taking by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/605 ... 9a76ca.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="10 picture taking"></a>


It was a beautiful sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050756235/" title="9 wednesday sunset best by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/605 ... b72db2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="9 wednesday sunset best"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051306408/" title="10 wednesday sunset best 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/605 ... 7df4ce.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="10 wednesday sunset best 2"></a>


Day fifteen (Thursday): Trunk

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3713881499/" title="Trunk Bay iverlook by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3492/371 ... a280da.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Trunk Bay iverlook"></a>

We set up on the far left side of the beach, away from the crowds.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288475989/" title="Trunk cay by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/328 ... 8f1ea7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trunk cay"></a>


Snorkeling on the left of the cay was kind of crowded so we headed around the back. I was glad we did because we encountered a huge school of fry and some tarpon over there. Unfortunately, the water was very stirred up and the photos didn’t come out.

On the way back we snuck a peek at Windswept beach:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051307562/" title="10 windswept beach by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/605 ... 619e1a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="10 windswept beach"></a>

I’m planning on swimming over there on our next visit, when we don’t have the kids with us. It looks awfully pretty.

We stayed at Trunk quite late and didn’t have anything in the house for dinner so decided to go out. We ended up at Cruz Bay Prime because 1. It was close to the house and 2. We knew they could handle Liam’s allergies. Other than the fact that the restaurant was very warm inside, we had a nice meal. All of us had snapper and grouper, with the exception of Caili who ordered a steak. Everything was very nicely prepared. No pictures, as it was dark enough inside that I would have had to use my flash and I don’t flash in restaurants.

Day sixteen (Friday): Gibney again!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051305204/" title="8 gibney gibney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/605 ... cbce53.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="8 gibney gibney"></a>


Gibney was the kids’ favorite beach, so we headed back for our last day.

Once again, we were able to park both Jeeps at Gibney, but a complication arose. No food for adults! So, John and I once again took my jeep into town to find lunch (cue ominous music). We tried to go to Sam and Jacks but a big backhoe was blocking the road and digging, so we went to Deli Grotto. We came back to Gibney and my spot was still there, so John had me hop out to help him angle in. I came around the side of the car to hear HISSSSSSSSSS wth?? The tire was deflating like someone had stabbed it! I am sure it was my fault but I really don’t know what I did! Front right tire. John was able to get it sort of in place before it was to the rim. Then, dead tire! So then of course we had to take his car out of his spot and go back to town to tell the guys at Cool Breeze about the flat.

The guys from Cool Breeze were so nice, I told them about the tire and they said they’d come right out and fix it. So nice. We came back to Gibney and the original spot was still available, but John could see cars parked below and didn’t want to deal so he dropped me off with the food and headed to Hawksnest to snorkel back. I came down the hill to find Gibney packed! There were seven rental cars that had driven down the road and parked by the community house. Liam told me that someone came out and told those people not to park there and they ignored him.

I was really annoyed at this point, but Caili brought me right back in to the vacation. She finally decided to not only put her face in the water, but to snorkel! We sat in the shallows for a bit, testing her mask and getting her situated, and then she was off! She took to it like a fish. Yahoo Caili!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6057985866/" title="11 caili snorkels (2) by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/605 ... d5c368.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 caili snorkels (2)"></a>

We saw ballyhoo:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050756993/" title="11 gibney ballyhoo by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/605 ... c62ee5.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 gibney ballyhoo"></a>

Butterflyfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050756913/" title="11 butterflyifish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/605 ... 526fc3.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 butterflyifish"></a>

Red hind:


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051307942/" title="11 closeup red hind by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/605 ... edd39b.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 closeup red hind"></a>

Blue-headed wrasse:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050756611/" title="11 blue head wrasse by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/605 ... 84d95e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 blue head wrasse"></a>


Flamingo tounge:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051307736/" title="11 gibney flamingo tounge by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/605 ... 3edfe2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="11 gibney flamingo tounge"></a>

Caili made it all the way to Littlest Hawksnest:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6057438221/" title="11 cailis beach by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/605 ... 428f42.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="11 cailis beach"></a>

Once she started, that was it. She and Liam spent the rest of the time snorkeling together.

At the end of the day I went to get my sister out of the water, and found her snorkeling with a HUGE permit!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050757145/" title="11 gibney permit 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/605 ... 056ee1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="11 gibney permit 2"></a>

When I asked her why she didn’t call to us, she said “I figured you see these all the time!” Humph.

We stayed at Gibney so long that we missed the sunset (if there was one). We had had some really lovely ones earlier in the trip though so that was OK.

Day seventeen (Saturday): travel day.

Last day for now. We thought we had a late checkout, but the villa manager called at 9:20 to say that they just remembered someone was checking in that day and we needed to be out as close to 10 as possible. Ack! Packing was so much of a frenzied affair that we ended up forgetting one of our suitcases at the house! (Luckily I remembered at the airport and the property manager mailed it to me). After that chaos we headed in to town for one final ramble around.

A lunch at Banana Deck is a sometimes tradition for us. Spicy mahi wrap:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050757205/" title="12 banana deck spicy mahi wrap by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/605 ... 2c2cec.jpg" width="500" height="282" alt="12 banana deck spicy mahi wrap"></a>

Mahi sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6050744141/" title="12 banana deck mahi sandwich by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/605 ... afec10.jpg" width="500" height="302" alt="12 banana deck mahi sandwich"></a>

And then it was off for some last minute shopping. We parked the men in the Tap Room, and the ladies (and a reluctant Liam haha) went shopping. I upgraded my beat-up hook bracelet to a new and shiny one from Caravan, and bought Caili a child-sized one at Vibe. I also bought a STJ charm necklace at Bamboo.

Speaking of Tap Room, the guys there have created the coolest aerial map of St. John! Cheech (I think, I was only in there briefly), told John that it took them six months to create. And you can buy it online!

http://globaldesignvi.com/st_john_map

Check it out, it is really cool.

Time to go….we met Dohm’s water taxi and headed off. Had a good view of the ferry being lifted off Great St. James on the way:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6057986100/" title="12 goodbye ferry by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/605 ... 2bf1bd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="12 goodbye ferry"></a>

We were really happy that all of our guests enjoyed St. John as much as we do. That said, John and I are hoping to come back this winter for an adults-only trip. We will see! Until next time, thanks for reading!

John and Becky

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6051299138/" title="4 gs photo by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/605 ... bd2d_m.jpg" width="240" height="183" alt="4 gs photo"></a>

[nothintolose]

Awesome Becky! Thank you so much for your awesome trip report!

[onthelake]

Thanks ... Great report and pics!

[PA Girl]

I am so glad your niece got to experience snorkelling.

Our group looks worse than than on the beach. We don't take more than coolers, gears and snorkel stuff but we still look like beach bags exploded all over the place.

Underwater pictures are fantastic as always.

We use Dohm's with our group too. Definately the way to go when you have four+.

[parafins]

I always love your trip reports!Anytime I see your name i'm on it.Thank you for sharing.If anyone needs Lionfish markers,stop in at Maho Bay Campground.They have them there.

[Nancy_B]

Becky,

Great trip report and so glad all went well with your newbies.

I love your line about 'I do not flash in restaurants' - made me laugh

Thanks for taking the time for another great report!

[JJShaw]

I enjoy reading your reports...But I gotta ask..how on earth do you find all those Octopus? We never have that kinda luck..

[Nancie-Pa]

Thank you Becky and John! As always,your TRs and pics are the best!

[sandollar]

Hi Becky, A magnificent trip report and photos: the underwaters, sunsets, and beach scenes can't be beat! The final snorkle opportunity in which your niece fully accomplished was heartwarming! You and John did a great job handling the day-to-day events as well as the surprise (groan) moments too. I'm sure you already know you missed a small earthquake tracking from DC through Boston and on to New Brunswick as well as Irene. Any flight delays?

Thanks so much for sharing with all of us!

[Coden]

Fantastic report and great pictures!! Thanks for sharing your trip with all of us, makes me homesick and it was great meeting you and your family at the BB.

[lark22]

Excellent report, as always! Congrats on winning the handstand contest...

[BuffaloGal]

Great report. I love your pics and your insight. I was almost cheering when your niece started snorkeling. It's a given that kids always wait till the last minute to discover something new they love, right?

[cindygad]

So sorry to have your trip report come to and end.I always get excited for each installment.

I am looking forward to trying to make fish look just half as good as yours when we are there on our next trip.

Your pictures are wonderful.

Gibney one of our favorites as well.

How lucky your family was to get to explore St John with you.

[mnfun2bme]

Becky receives a perfect 10 on her handstand from the MN judge!

[mnfun2bme]

Hi there... absolutely loved your reports. The pics were stunning.
What type of underwater camera is that? How about the land camera?

P.S. Does the underwater camera come with octopus radar? *grin*