Fun in the Sun Part 1

Rhonda · Post by **Rhonda** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:21 pm

May 29th - This was our 11th trip to the USVI. The first 4 we stayed on STT & the last 7 we have stayed on STJ. This was our 6th time at Samuel Cottages. Our day started at 2:00 a.m., since Super Shuttle was picking us up at 3:15 to take us to DFW airport. I didn't even mind the early hour because I knew at the end of the day we would be in paradise. We flew U.S. Airways to STT. We tried to use AA miles for the round trip but couldn't make it work out, so we only used miles on AA for the return portion of the trip. We arrived at the STT airport at 3:30 & the Constantin's, from Amalie Car Rental, were there to meet us. We signed some papers & were off. They are wonderful people & I would highly recommend them if you rent on STT. We stopped for some groceries & then took the 6:00 car ferry to STJ. I felt the peaceful, relaxed feeling that I get each time I see the island come into view. We unloaded the jeep & headed to the Beach Bar for something to eat & drink.

May 30th - Our mornings always started with coffee & watching the birds. We decided that Francis & Maho would be the beaches for our first day.

Francis Bay

Maho

May 31st - Caneel Bay was the beach of the day.

June 1st - Today we went to my favorite beach - Salomon. We parked outside of Caneel & walked.

Trail to Salomon

Salomon Beach

Part 2 will be snorkeling at Denis, Salt Pond, Gidney, & S. Haulover.

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:40 pm

Yea Rhonda!
Wonderful part 1! Great pictures above and below and I've never seen 3 turtles at the same time . . . or even 2! Lucky you! So far, so fun! Ready for part 2 please~

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 7:18 pm

Great start. I've never had afrancis so empty. Good for you!

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:11 pm

It was so nice to meet you both...Im looking forward to more pics...

Hawaii · Post by **Hawaii** » Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:23 pm

Your pictures are wonderful! Love the underwater shots. Can't wait to read your next part. We are returning for our second trip with our family next summer so reading trip reports keeps me going.

ColumbiaSCTraveler · Post by **ColumbiaSCTraveler** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:55 am

The TR is off to a great start!
I LOVE how calm Maho and Francis are.
Ready to see those turtles in a few more days!

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:50 am

Great pics! Enjoying.....keep the reports coming!!

How long does it take to hike to Solomon from Caneel? We went to Honeymoon once, but I don't remember the time.

Gr8Escape · Post by **Gr8Escape** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:32 pm

Wow - I love those underwater pictures. The colors are great, thanks for sharing

Rhonda · Post by **Rhonda** » Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:08 pm

Thanks everyone for the nice comments.

Jan & Mike, I think it took us about 30 minutes to walk from where we parked which was outside of the Caneel grounds. Once you get past Honeymoon the trail is steep & rocky in places but we didn't really have a problem.

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Thu Jul 26, 2012 6:21 pm

Not sure how i missed this but great start to a trip! Wonderful pictures!!

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