USVI-On-Line

Day 7 - Just another perfect day in paradise...

We were zonked out from the trip to the BVI's the previous day but I managed to drag myself from bed to go to Trunk with my family (I wish that all days I was dragging myself awake for such a "chore"). I decided to leave D in peaceful slumber and go it alone with the fam.

We headed out to Trunk fairly early, found a great parking space and staked our claim on a lovely stretch of sand. My dad is not a huge fan of the water but he kept himself happy and busy by wandering around photographing the scenery. Even though it was pretty early there were a bunch of people clustered around where the snorkeling trail began.

I had heard that the snorkeling was not so great here because of the traffic but we all still wanted to check it out. We headed out and although I was expecting to see some dead coral, I was sad to see it just the same. That said - it still beats the snorkeling in many places that I have been. There were massive schools of tiny silver fish that my mom and I had fun watching as they moved in their graceful dance.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813364151/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1353/813 ... 53f7b3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Trunk Bay"></a>

While there were a lot of people in the water, I must say we never felt crowded. We floated around for a while just enjoying hanging out together until we stumbled upon a HUGE barracuda that I am still cursing myself for not getting a picture of - I'm telling you it was THIS BIG, oh wait, I guess that's far more effective in person...anyway - trust me it was big. We headed into shore and just hung out for a while enjoying the scenery and great conversation. There is nothing like the sand on that beach, so soft and sugary...What a great beach to just hang.


After a while we headed back as several members of our group were headed home that day and I wanted to see them off. They dropped me off at the villa and we made plans to meet up later for dinner. I walked into the great room to 3 very sad faces. J was on the phone trying to figure out if they could somehow work out staying another day, no one wanted to leave. They couldn't work it out and after some sad goodbyes and promises to return next year they were on their way to their walk of woe.

That night we met my fam for dinner at Zozo's. I have always heard great things about this restaurant and I have to agree that the ambiance and service was great. To be honest though, we weren't crazy about the food. I'm no stranger to gourmet food so I don't think the dishes were over my head...they were good, just not great. I got the beef tenderloin and everyone else chose either the tuna or the mahi mahi. I will say that I think the calamari was excellent, great pesto aioli. Maybe we caught them on an off night or maybe I just had built them up too much in my head, who knows? Still it was a lovely dinner. My fam was leaving the following day and I was just so happy to hear that they had enjoyed their visit to STJ and that they too wished that they had booked "just one more day..."

Day 8 - Did someone say Shark? It's on.

So, word on the street today was that there was a small (1-2 foot) reef shark hanging out at Caneel. We were all excited about this possibility but JP was leaving today and he had to grab some souvenirs for family or risk death upon return...I was impatient to scout out the shark situation (read: bratty) so they dropped me off at Caneel first and then went to do some quick shopping. I was excited! It was so on. All my training all week had prepared me for this...I hoped. I did pause for a few quick minutes on the way in to check out the ruins.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813407923/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/813 ... d65c86.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel Bay Ruins"></a>

I met up with B & G at Caneel, G was in the middle of his scuba certification lesson so B and I hung out for a bit discussing snorkeling strategy. Moments later it began to rain. We didn't care and just covered up our stuff and jumped in the water. We cruised over to the rocks on the far right of the beach. Immediately we spotted a beautiful stingray.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813364297/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1043/813 ... f6c5f7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel Bay - Showers"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813364515/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1386/813 ... c25620.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel Bay"></a>

B is an experienced scuba diver and she is the best snorkel buddy! She pointed out several things I would never have spotted on my own including a lobster and a puffer.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813407385/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1048/813 ... 4601c4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel Bay Lobster"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9873290@N05/813364715/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1146/813 ... f0d2a8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Caneel Bay"></a>

It was pretty cool snorkeling in the rain, although the water got pretty cloudy and my confidence started to waver. This wasn't in the plan, I was supposed to see the shark...not the shark see me!! Thoughts of Shark Week on the Discovery Channel loomed in my head until I realized how silly I was being.

The rain soon cleared up and we ran into some friendly people on rafts spread the word that they had seen the shark the previous day, just swimming around like I would imagine happy sharks do. The search continued but sadly no luck. Next time little buddy, next time. Just one more reason to add to the growing list of reasons to come back.

I really loved Caneel, it was a cool place to spend an afternoon, the beaches are plentiful and the ground were gorgeous. I left the property with thoughts of booking one night here either at the end or the beginning of our next trip, their ferry service seems like a bonus too. We dropped JP off for his own walk of woe back home and headed back to the villa to enjoy some pool time. D cooked us up a great romantic dinner and we spent a great night just enjoying the sunset and watching the lights over St. Thomas.

Coming up...so uh...how about we just buy a boat and start our own snorkel tour biz???, saying goodbye (for now) and one night in STT.

Thanks again for everyone's nice comments, writing these reports really has helped to keep this wonderful trip alive in my mind.

Great reports,Do we have another St.John addict?
Seems So!

Great report thanks

Good stuff. I'm not a big Zozo's fan, especially for a big group. Dinner at the bar for two is nice. I think the food at La Tapa is consistently better.

Cheers, RickG

great report. congratulations again.

You've got me feeling sad that you have to leave. Great reports. Thanks for sharing! Ali~

Don't you love how when it rains you just cover everything up and head for the water? It cracked us up since everytime it rains here everyone has to get out of the water immediately!

Great report and pictures!

Awesome pictures and report!

Great reports! Sounds like you got it, you will return I'm sure. For now hang with us on the board it's a great way to stay pumped for the next trip.

Enjoying your St. John experience....thanks again for taking the time to share it with us.....mia

Thanks Laura -

I thoroughly enjoyed your trip report and the pictures of the stingray, lobster and puffer were great. Look forward to more trip reports from you in the future. Congratulations on the wedding too!

Tracy

Laura, your report and pictures are great! I especially like the puffer.

When we were at Caneel in June we saw the shark--he was about 2 feet long, a baby black tip, I think, just off the beach. John got a pretty good picture of him that I posted in my report.

Great reports and pictures. I especially like the sting ray shot and as for the lobster – the only place it would look better is on my plate.

I was going to do a “My version” of your report – but I think folks are getting tired of them. Any way, Congrads on your wedding and may you and your hubby go back to STJ many more times.

Great report and photos!

FlaGeorge - I, for one, love your soap opera recaps. keep em coming.

By special request:

The continuation of “As the Newbie Turns”

As we last left our “Dynamic Duel”, they were sneaking back into the U.S. with their bellies full of Painkillers so that they would not have to pay duty on the rum. Their livers were officially designated as the over-flow containers.

Our “Heroin Bride” ditches her new hubby to go play with her family on Trunk Bay. Again, she attacks the underwater world and runs into thousands of bait fish. She thinks this is kool – but what eats bait fish – big fish. And who do you think she runs into – yep, the biggest barracuda in Trunk Bay, “Barron Barracuda”. How big is this Cuda – it’s HUGE, but there is no photographic evidence to back the claim. But we’re family here, so I believe her.

At last, several of her entourage have to leave the island and subconsciously she’s thinking – “It’s just me, the island and fish galore.” “Oh ya – and new hubby”.

Then our “Heroin Bride” hears in the back alleys of Cruz Bay that there is a under age shark roaming around Caneel. So she sweet talks the friends and family into dropping her off at Caneel so that she can hunt this little guy down. Our newbie has taken to the waters of STJ like Nemo. She swims, swims, swims – finds a floating rug (sting ray) and a nice size bug (lobster). But our under age shark give her the slip.

Where will the “Dynamic Duel” end up next? Will “Little Guy Shark” sneak up on her? Does the bug (lobster) hide in his hole or end up on her plate.