Michigan Girls trip report part four
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:50 pm
Part one: http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... hp?t=23005
Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=23006
Part three: http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... hp?t=23007
04/15/12 full day five
Very windy this morning, but that helped today feel nice and comfortable. Started out with Sunday Brunch at Miss Lucys.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
I had the smoked salmon scramble and Sherry had the sweet potato hash. We shared an order of pina colada pancakes. The food was awesome, and the pancakes were sinfully good. Bloody Marys to wash it all down.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
Decided to head to Jumbie today, as pretty much all of the beaches were rough anyway. The path down to Jumbie is so pretty, it's nice to enjoy the walk to and from the beach rather than just endure it.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
The surf was high, but that made for some great background music and fabulous breaking wave photos
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0087"></a>[/img]
The water temp was not bad, and I really enjoy the shoreline there, as Sherry can be in full sun while I can be in the shade and we're still relatively close to each other. Took a nap and read for most of the day, pausing occasionally for picture taking and once to take a swim.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(3)"></a>[/img]
No snorkeling today, it was too rough.
After the surf started moving up to cover most of our section of beach, we decided to head into Cruz Bay for the afternoon. After killing some time at the Parrot Club, we made our way up to Fatty Crab for dinner. To start out we shared the salt and pepper squid and the Fatty sliders - both were good, but the sliders were awesome. Next came Sherry's black pepper mussels and my duck with coconut rice. Both were amazing. Packed up a lot of this food for later as we didn't want to be too full for dessert. Sherry had the lemon bar and I had the Panna Cotta, which I had been anticipating ever since seeing a photo of it here. It totally lived up to the anticipation. Sooooooo good, I practically licked the bowl. I was so taken with it, I totally forgot to even try Sherry's dessert - she assures me it was very good.
04/16/12 - last full day
Up early this morning, knowing it was our last full day. Decided on Francis today, as the surf was still quite high and I had read that Francis was a little better protected. Got there really early (not quite 8AM) and were the second ones there. *Aside* This seems to be our thing this trip, we're constantly the second ones to arrive at whatever beach we head for.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(5)"></a>[/img]
Anyway, it was a bit wavy there, but not horrible. After setting up all the way down to the south end, we decided to walk to the north end and snorkel back. Shortly after getting my mask on, I saw a turtle pop his head up nearby so I went that direction. Cutest little sea turtle with very vibrant colors. He was very curious and friendly and I swam with him a long time.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... T0034"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... T0035"></a>[/img]
After reluctantly moving on I came across two rays side by side and watched them awhile. The rest of the snorkel back showed lots of rays were out today (not THE ray of course) and plenty of fish. Another turtle came to play and I saw lots of baby versions of the fish I had been seeing all week. Went back up to our chairs for a bit, then got bored and decided to do some more snorkling around the rocks on the south end. The surf had picked up quite a bit at this point, so visibility wasn't great, but not terrible. Found another turtle, several more rays and fish and one eel. Unfortunately, as I dived down to get a photo, I realized too late that the camera had shut itself off and by the time I got it back on he had retreated under a rock ledge. I should mention that I get a little claustrophobic next to big rocks and don't like to get super close or hang out there very long.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(5)"></a>[/img]
Back up to the beach for a snack and nap. After waking, we decided to walk the Francis Trail. If you're a lazy hiker like me, this is the trail to do. The first section is all new wood walkways with a couple overlooks to the salt pond.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
I was a little annoyed with myself that I hadn't brought along my telephoto lens so I could zoom in close to the cute little crabs that live on the edges - next time. After the walkway is a very mild walk up, which ends in two nice benches over looking the salt pond out to the water beyond. After this comes a really spectacular ruin of an old plantation house. Love how you can still see the floor tile pattern here and the architectural details.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
An easy walk from here back to the beach. After one more quick snorkel we decided to move on - it had gotten really crowded, Manta madness I guess. Drove over to Annaberg for the ruins there, which were very interesting and photogenic.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0235"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0151"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0191"></a>[/img]
Then into Cruz Bay to top of the rental car's gas and grab a smoothie. Next we headed back to the cabana to get ready for dinner and to *sigh* get some packing done. Dinner was Shipwreck Landing. We started with conch fritters and deviled crab - they were fine, nothing amazing (I much preferred Aqua Bistro's fritters) I then had the Ginger Salmon and Sherry had the Adobo Mahi Mahi. Again, they were tasty, but not really "over the top" good. The highlight of the meal was definitely our shared dessert of flourless chocolate decadence cake. It was really really good. Back to the cabana to finish our packing as we are up at 4AM to get ready to leave
04/17/12 Walk of Woe
Up at 4AM, to drive across the island, return the rental car and catch the 6AM ferry. Everything went as scheduled, and we had plenty of time at the airport to catch our 9AM flight, something we had been concerned about. Blah, blah, blah, boring travel and back home to Michigan by 7PM. Next up - review of places and services.
Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=23006
Part three: http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... hp?t=23007
04/15/12 full day five
Very windy this morning, but that helped today feel nice and comfortable. Started out with Sunday Brunch at Miss Lucys.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
I had the smoked salmon scramble and Sherry had the sweet potato hash. We shared an order of pina colada pancakes. The food was awesome, and the pancakes were sinfully good. Bloody Marys to wash it all down.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
Decided to head to Jumbie today, as pretty much all of the beaches were rough anyway. The path down to Jumbie is so pretty, it's nice to enjoy the walk to and from the beach rather than just endure it.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(4)"></a>[/img]
The surf was high, but that made for some great background music and fabulous breaking wave photos
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0087"></a>[/img]
The water temp was not bad, and I really enjoy the shoreline there, as Sherry can be in full sun while I can be in the shade and we're still relatively close to each other. Took a nap and read for most of the day, pausing occasionally for picture taking and once to take a swim.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(3)"></a>[/img]
No snorkeling today, it was too rough.
After the surf started moving up to cover most of our section of beach, we decided to head into Cruz Bay for the afternoon. After killing some time at the Parrot Club, we made our way up to Fatty Crab for dinner. To start out we shared the salt and pepper squid and the Fatty sliders - both were good, but the sliders were awesome. Next came Sherry's black pepper mussels and my duck with coconut rice. Both were amazing. Packed up a lot of this food for later as we didn't want to be too full for dessert. Sherry had the lemon bar and I had the Panna Cotta, which I had been anticipating ever since seeing a photo of it here. It totally lived up to the anticipation. Sooooooo good, I practically licked the bowl. I was so taken with it, I totally forgot to even try Sherry's dessert - she assures me it was very good.
04/16/12 - last full day
Up early this morning, knowing it was our last full day. Decided on Francis today, as the surf was still quite high and I had read that Francis was a little better protected. Got there really early (not quite 8AM) and were the second ones there. *Aside* This seems to be our thing this trip, we're constantly the second ones to arrive at whatever beach we head for.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(5)"></a>[/img]
Anyway, it was a bit wavy there, but not horrible. After setting up all the way down to the south end, we decided to walk to the north end and snorkel back. Shortly after getting my mask on, I saw a turtle pop his head up nearby so I went that direction. Cutest little sea turtle with very vibrant colors. He was very curious and friendly and I swam with him a long time.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... T0034"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... T0035"></a>[/img]
After reluctantly moving on I came across two rays side by side and watched them awhile. The rest of the snorkel back showed lots of rays were out today (not THE ray of course) and plenty of fish. Another turtle came to play and I saw lots of baby versions of the fish I had been seeing all week. Went back up to our chairs for a bit, then got bored and decided to do some more snorkling around the rocks on the south end. The surf had picked up quite a bit at this point, so visibility wasn't great, but not terrible. Found another turtle, several more rays and fish and one eel. Unfortunately, as I dived down to get a photo, I realized too late that the camera had shut itself off and by the time I got it back on he had retreated under a rock ledge. I should mention that I get a little claustrophobic next to big rocks and don't like to get super close or hang out there very long.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(5)"></a>[/img]
Back up to the beach for a snack and nap. After waking, we decided to walk the Francis Trail. If you're a lazy hiker like me, this is the trail to do. The first section is all new wood walkways with a couple overlooks to the salt pond.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
I was a little annoyed with myself that I hadn't brought along my telephoto lens so I could zoom in close to the cute little crabs that live on the edges - next time. After the walkway is a very mild walk up, which ends in two nice benches over looking the salt pond out to the water beyond. After this comes a really spectacular ruin of an old plantation house. Love how you can still see the floor tile pattern here and the architectural details.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... 20(2)"></a>[/img]
An easy walk from here back to the beach. After one more quick snorkel we decided to move on - it had gotten really crowded, Manta madness I guess. Drove over to Annaberg for the ruins there, which were very interesting and photogenic.
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0235"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0151"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77562199@N ... _0191"></a>[/img]
Then into Cruz Bay to top of the rental car's gas and grab a smoothie. Next we headed back to the cabana to get ready for dinner and to *sigh* get some packing done. Dinner was Shipwreck Landing. We started with conch fritters and deviled crab - they were fine, nothing amazing (I much preferred Aqua Bistro's fritters) I then had the Ginger Salmon and Sherry had the Adobo Mahi Mahi. Again, they were tasty, but not really "over the top" good. The highlight of the meal was definitely our shared dessert of flourless chocolate decadence cake. It was really really good. Back to the cabana to finish our packing as we are up at 4AM to get ready to leave
04/17/12 Walk of Woe
Up at 4AM, to drive across the island, return the rental car and catch the 6AM ferry. Everything went as scheduled, and we had plenty of time at the airport to catch our 9AM flight, something we had been concerned about. Blah, blah, blah, boring travel and back home to Michigan by 7PM. Next up - review of places and services.
