Trip report: another week in paradise, part two

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:35 pm

Part one: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... =1&t=24715

Day four

Even Caneel Bay is not immune from the roosters that annoy people island-wide. One took up outside our door and made it his task to get us up and out of bed by 6:30 AM. Thanks a lot, Mr. Rooster.

Today we decided we were going to do some serious snorkeling. We started out in the sun at Scott, to warm up:

Then we patrolled Scott, Paradise, Cottage Point, and Caneel to see what we could find. A trumpetfish, hiding against fan coral:

Brain coral:

Corals showing signs of bleaching:

Staghorn:

Elkhorn:

Arrow crab:

Chromis:

Grunts:

Southern stingray:

Green turtle:

I don't have my fish id book with me so...maybe grey snapper? Feel free to correct me.:

We headed back to Scott and spent the day

And then went in to town for dinner at Zozos. View from the restaurant level:

Appetizer of burrata:

And gnocchi with pesto and crabmeat:

Entrees of mahi and jumbo shrimp:

Then back to Caneel. Late night dock views:

Another great day.

Day five

Another early wakeup, this time not courtesy of Mr. Rooster, but instead Mr. Donkey, who took it upon himself to stand outside our door and bray at the top of its lungs for about five minutes. Gee, thanks Mr. Donkey.

We ended up getting a later start than usual because it was very overcast. Eventually we decided to go into town and do some shopping and have lunch rather than waiting around for it to be nice at the beach.

I am an impatient in-person shopper (I buy 99% of everything I purchase online and so does John) so we didn’t stop too many places: Caravan Gallery to drop off my Krall Salt Pond Bay bracelet that needed repairing, Donald Schnell, where we added some dinner plates, a large serving bowl, and a necklace for me to our growing collection of his ceramics, St. John Spice for a visit with Ruth, Ron, and Curly, and then a couple of jewelry stores in an unsuccessful hunt for an age-appropriate necklace for my niece. After that I was all shopped out so we headed to Waterfront Bistro for lunch.

View from the Bistro on a rainy and overcast day:

The stress of all that shopping required some drinks to relax

:

Then we shared some very lightly fried calamari, not at all greasy. The sauce was nothing special, it actually tasted like the sweet Thai chili sauce you can buy in the Asian section of the grocery store:

Then John had the fish tacos

And I tried the seafood pizza

We went back to Caneel after lunch and spent the afternoon floating at Turtle Bay

Then we headed over to Caneel Beach for the sunset

Sunset libations

This sunset was particularly good

Wow

After sunset we headed back into town for another dinner at Fatty Crab. I had given John a new camera for Christmas and at some point during the day he discovered that it had a “food” setting, so he decided he wanted to take the pictures of tonight’s meals. Here is his first and only effort, assorted vegetables from Josephine's farm, tempura style:

OK….John’s a very good underwater photographer, but his food photoing needs some work!

I was relying on John to take photos tonight, and didn’t have my camera, so no pictures of the rest of the meal. We had the fish sliders again, the roasted mahi again, and we tried the ramen as well. Another good meal at Fatty Crab.

Final installment tomorrow. I would have finished today, but my last batch of photos didn't load into flickr for some reason...

pswlrw · Post by **pswlrw** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 2:55 pm

Becky, I always look forward to your trip reports and you never disappoint! Thanks for sharing.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 3:26 pm

Where is the "LIKE" button

Pia

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 4:13 pm

Pia wrote:Where is the "LIKE" button

Pia

Like

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 5:23 pm

Ahhhhh... I feel better now! John's picture is too funny!

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:14 pm

enjoying your reports.....

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:18 pm

The next best thing to being there, is reading a trip report from you. Thanks!

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:26 pm

Your underwater pictures are to die for liamsaunt! I am definitely getting a new underwater camera!! Look fwd to the grand finale....

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:38 pm

Great as always Becky! Thank you for sharing!

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Thu Jan 31, 2013 8:47 pm

Breathtaking sunset! Thank you!

betsyv · Post by **betsyv** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:08 am

Great TR.
Your underwater photos are very nice. What kind of camera did you use?
Thanks for sharing. It really helps with the wait, to see how much fun everyone else is having.

Agent99 · Post by **Agent99** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:34 am

Your reports are always terrific. A couple questions- that spicy tuna poke looks really good! Was that the restaurant where they have the breakfast buffet? Do they serve sushi now in the more casual Beach Bar Restaurant? Also, your photos are always fantastic and these night shots are so crisp. Did you use a tripod? IWhat camera ? Thanks for the report!! Julie

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:17 am

Agent99 wrote: A couple questions- that spicy tuna poke looks really good! Was that the restaurant where they have the breakfast buffet? Do they serve sushi now in the more casual Beach Bar Restaurant?

The sushi is served out of the more casual Beach Bar restaurant. It's available every day except Monday from 11-3 and then again from 6-9PM. It is really tasty!

Betsyv, the underwater photos are either taken with a Canon D20 or a Nikon CoolPix. I think the Nikon takes crisper shots than the Canon D20, so if I had to choose one I would pick that camera. I think they are around the same price.

Julie, the night shots are taken with a Canon D60. No tripod, I wanted to bring one but could not fit it in my luggage!

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:50 am

Lovermont wrote:The next best thing to being there, is reading a trip report from you. Thanks!

I second this statement!

I am really looking forward to trying the sushi. We are going to Honeymoon one day and I know what I am having for lunch.

GotToGetAway · Post by **GotToGetAway** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:21 am

I'm curious if you still rented a jeep since you stayed only at Caneel for this trip? I was considering staying at Caneel for a few days for our 10 year anniversary. Seems like the beaches at Caneel are enough to occupy your time, and taxis would work for meals out.

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