USVI-On-Line

It rained Saturday night and we woke up to a beautiful rainbow! Today is the day we go to the BVIs! Jerry rented a boat with a captain from Ocean Runner!








As we were leaving to meet the boat I saw this great big caterpillar!



We finished up the paperwork that we had pre-filled out the night before and met Tony our Captain. The first place we stopped was Congo where we did a drift snorkel. The water was so clear, the coral was healthy and the fish were plentiful!



























Next we moved on to customs at Tortola. Tony took care of everything while we waited in the boat.

All done we headed for the Indians! I don't know what I expected but it was amazing! Before we got out of the boat Tony warned us about the fire coral, which I could have done without. I ended up a little freaked out when I started heading towards shallower water and decided I would just go back to the boat and take a few pics from there. Before I could go too far Kenneth met up with me and asked where I was going. When I told him he swam with me farther away from the island to deeper water. Apparently Elizabeth was thinking that I had drowned or something! Too funny! I am a strong swimmer but I just didn't want to be washed against anything called fire coral! I did get some great pictures after I went back!
























Our next stop was at the caves on Norman Island. They were smaller than I expected but still had some interesting new things to see in them. The colors were beautiful and we even saw a few fish that don't like the light! I really think that will be the closest I get to night snorkeling! Too claustrophobic for me!





































By now we are whipped and in need of a rest! What more perfect a place than Foxy's Taboo! There were a lot of St John locals there that day and it seemed like everyone knew each other but us! It was a fabulous meal and really great drinks. I don't remember what I had but there was a shot of something really good and a drink made by Foxy's daughter that the bartender said she was the only person that could make it. Maybe someone here remembers what they are! Both were to die for and I had quite a buzz by the time we headed back to the boat! Before we left Kenneth did a little t-shirt shopping for the folks at home!









Back in the boat we are headed to Jost and the famous Soggy Dollar bar! There was a man playing guitar and singing. He was really good! Everyone had painkillers except Elizabeth who had her Carib. After a while and a little more shopping we headed to One Love for another round of drinks before we had to go. Tony joined us here. He had been visiting with friends while we went to Soggy Dollar.

By now it is time to head back to get gas and get to Customs before they close up for the day! We made it! What a wonderful day!

The carnival was getting started and we were exhausted so we missed the forum get together at the Beach Bar and headed to Starfish for spaghetti and meat sauce fixings. Kenneth had offered to cook dinner so we wouldn't have to go out! We had a wonderful dinner and drinks on the deck! What a perfect end to a really fantastic day!

I'm sorry I didn't take too many pictures once we ate at Foxy's Taboo but there was no way! I was really buzzing but I promise it was beautiful!

My little add ons:

Just want to mention that that rainbow was two sided, and it was the first time I had ever seen a two sided rainbow - way cool!

When we got to Ocean Runner, they weren't the friendliest people and we were worried that we made the wrong choice, but we were wrong. Tony was AWESOME! He asked us what we wanted to do and understood that we did not want to be rushed out of any places so he just waited till we were through everywhere...except at Jost where we could have stayed alot longer.

My version of the Indians is that we all went into the area where the cave is that you can swim through and Jerry swam through while Kenneth and I were waiting. Cat showed up while Kenneth and I were trying to decide whether or not to go through. Kenneth decided to swim over, and I was still trying to make up my mind while Cat was next to me. I went down to try and gather my nerve and came back up to ask Cat if she was gonna do it. When I got to the top, Cat was no where to be seen. The area was surrounded by coral that went all the way to the top of the water in most places so I am spinning in a circle looking for her thinking she drowned or something. Kenneth asks where she was and I said I didn't know. He swam back over and went to look for her. When we found them Kenneth said he caught her trying to go back to the boat. We all died laughing! I mean, in like a split second, Cat was gone.

I agree with Cat about the Caves. I had been dying to see them for years but was a bit disappointed that they didn't go in very far. I am glad that I saw them but have no desire to go back to them.

We contemplated going to Willie T's but opted not to since you can't jump off anymore. We asked Tony where the best place to eat was and he said that the best quality was Foxy's Taboo, but it wasn't the fastest. We opted for quality and I am telling you that the flounder sandwhich I had was the BEST fish sandwhich I had the entire trip! It was one of the specials that day. It was ironic that I ate flounder being that I had seen a peacock flounder when we snorkeled Congo.

As for White Bay, we moored in front of One Love because it was too crowded down by Soggy Dollar and when I looked down at Soggy Dollar, I was dissappointed to see it was so crowded. We went there briefly, I did have Carib but did try Jerry's painkiller so I knew what the original pain killer tasted like. When they were ready to go down the beach to One Love I was more than happy to leave as I don't like crowds and I felt like I was in Panama City during Spring Break. One Love was MUCH more my speed.

I hated to leave White Bay once we were down at the quite end. The water there is so beautiful as was the water by Foxy's Taboo. I loved the flats over there.

It was a VERY full day and I am glad we did it the way we did it. Tony was awesome and I had always wanted to see the Caves and Jost Van Dyke so now I feel content. I wouldn't mind going back to the Indians and One Love and maybe stopping somewhere along St. John that you have to get to by boat but can pass on the Caves.

We talked about going to the forum gathering but were all too tired to be social - next time though.

Also, I can't tell you how thankful I was that Kenneth wanted to cook spaghetti - first of all his spaghetti is awesome and secondly, I couldn't have sat in a restaurant that night.

nothintolose

p.s. I love Carib and can't get it here so that's why I keep opting for it over the island drinks we can (and do) make at home. Jerry makes an awesome Pain Killer

Thanks for a great report. What a perfect way to start a Monday morning. I love your pictures!

I do agree about Foxys Taboo. In our last 2 weeks trip to STJ/BVI the very best meal we had, was in Foxys Taboo.

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Sounds like another terrific day! Thanks for sharing.

What a great day! Thanks for the report and your pictures are wonderful! We have virtually no pictures of White Bay because we were too "relaxed" to remember to take them. Next time we go, I'll be snapping pictures as soon as we arrive before heading up for a painkiller!

Cat,
Thanks for all of your reports. I started catching up on the reading last night when I got home, but I was too tired to post a reply.
I loved your pictures and I really love that rainbow!

Thanks guys! I let me know if I am putting in too many pics and I will edit some out of future reports!

Hey Cat & Elizabeth! I just love the picture of Kenneth underwater with his mask on. Those BLUE eyes!! All your pictures are awesome, like your report!

Great story and pics! I love the color commentary from Nothintolose.

I've been printing this out and reading it on the DC subway, riding the "Orange Crush" Line. People have reading over my shoulder and asking questions - photos do catch the eye.

Sounds like a wonderful trip and you managed to Nothingtolose to relax a bit.

"Women who behave rarely make history?" I need to stop by Lafayette!

Cheers, RickG

Yeah, Rick, I really needed to get down there and relax. It had been so long since we took a trip (STJ the month before Katrina hit) that I REALLY needed that trip. Only problem is, it's unleashed a monster because I am ready to go again! Anywhere

nothintolose

p.s. one good thing was that I was worried I wouldn't want to come back here after leaving and for reasons hard to explain, I was glad to be "home" - not that I didn't love my trip but New Orleans IS home to me and I know that for sure now.

Rick, I love that Elizabeth is adding to my report! She did the one for our last trip and I added comments then!

If you get to my neck of the woods you definitly need to let me know!

RickG wrote: I've been printing this out and reading it on the DC subway, riding the "Orange Crush" Line. People have reading over my shoulder and asking questions - photos do catch the eye.

At least you are not on the Fire RED line. Man, what's with all the fires and smoke!