USVI-On-Line

Just returned from a 7 day stay at Caneel. Was our first time back in 14 years. Since our honeymoon, and now left wondering how quickly I can get back. Pure heaven...

This will be an abbreviated report of some "Bests Of", as I am waiting for our underwater photos to come back from Kodak Sea processing.

Best Restaurant:
Sweet Plantains...I had to start with this place, as I am still wanting to go back for more. It has everything. great food, great atmosphere in Coral Bay, great service, and two wonderful owners. It is, by far, the best restaurant on the island.

Best Beach:
Cinnamon Beach. This one was a hard one. Scott Beach in caneel was almost a tie. Cinnamon had some of the best snorkeling, although, any beach we hit had something different to offer.

Best Hike:
Reef Bay Trail
I know most people don't rave about the hikes on the Island, but if you've never had the opportunity to try, you can hit certain amazing views, and get a very good workout.

Best Bar:
Skinny Legs...Just love that dive bar feel, and the staff is very friendly if you are friendly to them, even though they are Red Sox fans

Best Bartender:
John at the Caneel Bay Bar. Great Guy from Seattle. Made the best drinks on the island, and a pleasant personality.

Best RoadSide animal:
The smelly cow on Centerline just below Chateau Bordeaux. Stopped at night to take her picture from the jeep, and her stench immediately filled the jeep.

Once I get my pics, I will post some more info.

As a fellow Caneel honeymooner and repeat visitor, I understand your "how quickly can I get back feeling"

We are looking forward to trying Sweet Plantains next trip.

Thanks for the report. How full was Caneel? When we go next month, I'm hoping for upgrades. That will only happen if it is not busy. We think Caneel is the best. SRT

Thanks for the report.
I can't wait to see your pictures. What is Kodak sea processing? Do they edit them for you?

As far as the upgrade question, this was the only black-eye of the trip. I had made a request (through my travel agent mind you) 6 months in advance for Scott Beach or Hawksnest on caneel, as it was the scene of our honeymoon 14 years prior to, and that this was both or 40th birthdays, as well as our first time away from 3 kids in the same amount of years. When we arrived, we were assigned room 14 on Caneel Beach. Beautiful beach, but if you know Caneel, room 14 is 20 feet away from the open air restaurant, and smack dab in the middle of the most kid populated beach. They couldn't move us, so I was very pissed early on, but tried not to let it ruin my vaca. We were up and out of the room by 7:30 every morning to hike an hit a new beach anyway.

Point is, if they are busy, and you aren't a celebrity, be happy with the room you have. 99% of the rooms are in great locations, well, maybe with the exception of room 14. Ha.

As far as Sea Processing, this is my first time using it, so wait for my post with the results. Kodak claims that the process uses a blend of digital and traditional silver halide technology to optimize underwater prints, putting the same life and color in the print that the photographer saw on the dive.

I think it compensates for all the blue light in the picks which gives them that dark look. You need to take your film to a participating dive shop, and they handle from there. I am dropping my pics off tonight.

Will keep y'all posted.

I tried the Sea Processing a few years back with a disposable underwater camera. I had such poor results with regular processing that I thought I would give it a try. It wasn't cheap and I wasn't as impressed with the results as I expected to be. It could be the quality of the original pictures and the quality of the photographer!

Hope yours are more impressive!!

Tracy

That is one memorable cow!

Looking forward to more...

Scramm, I'm dreaming of a return too. We were there the week before you.

I was told no one gets upgraded at Caneel but we actually ran into one couple who were celebrating their 25th anniversary and somehow got bumped to Cottage 7. We had a garden view room and it was fabulous just the same.

Thanks for your reply. Wow, what an upgrade it would be to cottage 7. SRT