USVI-On-Line

Day 5- Wednesday

Today Bug drove me to Trunk Bay at 7 am because I had mentioned how I love it there early. Cypress went with us too. (Thanks girls!!)
We stopped so Bug could get Johnny Cakes. We were the first ones at the beach. I went out to snorkel alone and Bug and Cyp were watching me from shore. They told me not to go all around the cay so that they could see me.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2044940422/" title="STJ Nov 07 179 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/204 ... 98110a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 179"></a>

Well, it was very rough and cloudy and it was quite a work out. I didn't feel unsafe, but it wasn't the early morning snorkel that I remembered from June. I still saw some stuff, but not too much.
Then we sat on the beach for awhile.

Bug's feet:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2066750967/" title="PB050066 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2026/206 ... 5f933e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PB050066"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2069629275/" title="PB050067 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/206 ... feed82.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PB050067"></a>

We met up with the other three and went to Frances. We had some company of about 5-6 donkeys. They seemed to know that we had food and we had a hard time getting them to leave.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045883132/" title="STJ Nov 07 182 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/204 ... 0c6201.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 182"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045102461/" title="STJ Nov 07 197 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2145/204 ... cf8281.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 197"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045102455/" title="STJ Nov 07 195 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2355/204 ... 2c5d5f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 195"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045904484/" title="STJ Nov 07 204 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/204 ... daaefd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 204"></a>

We met up with BOATSRUS and gang at Frances.
This isn't a great picture, but it is their "floating bar".

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045904496/" title="STJ Nov 07 213 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/204 ... 2e00c3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 213"></a>

Cypress, VaGirl and I went snorkeling on the left side.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045128929/" title="STJ Nov 07 227 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2290/204 ... eb8363.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 227"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045904506/" title="STJ Nov 07 224e by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2077/204 ... 475978.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 224e"></a>

This trip was VaGirls first time snorkeling and she did great!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045904514/" title="STJ Nov 07 226 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/204 ... a9a3f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 226"></a>

Then we had some cocktails while hanging out in the water.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045883148/" title="STJ Nov 07 190 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/204 ... 01a0e5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 190"></a>

We went back to the villa and in the pool. It was a gorgeous pool.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067539296/" title="IMG_0811 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/206 ... f37634.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0811"></a>



In the evening we went to Morgan's Mango for dinner and met Ruth there. We had a great dinner and it was a lot of fun. I had Mahi Mahi. The mango daiquiri was great too.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045128973/" title="STJ Nov 07 237 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/204 ... 2461b2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 237"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045128985/" title="STJ Nov 07 236 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/204 ... 643512.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 236"></a>

When we got home everyone went to bed. I lurked on the forum for awhile, then went out on the deck and looked at the scenery and then went to bed.


Day 6- Thursday
We started the day with a non-alcoholic beverage at Donkey Diner.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2068838056/" title="IMG_0818 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/206 ... 976934.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0818"></a>

Then Lisa, Bug and I did the discover diving with 6 paq scuba. We did this a Haulover North (I think).
It was this beach. Sorry, no other pictures of that, unfortunately.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067638002/" title="PB040012 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2282/206 ... 2ddd69.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PB040012"></a>

It was great! I have wanted to scuba dive for 35 years and never did it. I love snorkeling and I could never get my husband or any other family or friend to do it with me.
At the end of our beginner dive, Colette said that there was room on the boat to go out on a dive tomorrow. I wanted to go, but couldn't convince the others. Bug wanted to wait and go with her hubby in April.
I was going to think about going alone...

The others did some snorkeling while we did our dive. They went to Vie's beach.

For lunch we all went to Vie's and had chicken and conch fritters.
2 different pictures to make sure we are all in it.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067495362/" title="DSC_2108 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2284/206 ... eb2850.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_2108"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067495348/" title="DSC_2106 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/206 ... 01dda0.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="DSC_2106"></a>

Then we went to Sloop Jones and some of us did some shopping. The clothing is hand painted and some of it is painted with rum.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067539280/" title="IMG_0824 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/206 ... 9bdf7e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0824"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067539316/" title="IMG_0823 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/206 ... 46f048.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0823"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067539312/" title="IMG_0822 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/206 ... 5a4a74.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0822"></a>

That was the first time I had been to the East end of the island. I loved the views.

Back to the villa and went swimming.
I thought it over and decided to go ahead on the scuba charter tomorrow. The other women convinced me to do it. I may never get this chance again...

VaGirl was thinking that maybe Kenny Chesney was on island. We had a view of his house from our deck. She was waiting to see some lights on and wished that we had binoculars.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2067638004/" title="PB040016 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/206 ... 35bba0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="PB040016"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045141763/" title="STJ Nov 07 272 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2317/204 ... a3050d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 272"></a>

Pretty good sunset again:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045942010/" title="STJ Nov 07 290 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/204 ... 1670c0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 290"></a>

So, we headed to town to maybe find Kenny. We went to Woody's and had a drink and some had a snack.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/2045942014/" title="STJ Nov 07 292 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/204 ... 2ff2ba.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="STJ Nov 07 292"></a>


We never found Kenny so we went back to the villa and sat outside and had a few more drinks.
Bed early again??

DELETED

Hey Seanile great report! I did the intro dive with Colette too and don't think another person could have gotten me as comfy in the water. This trip no dive for me. But when the kiddos are a bit older I plan to get certified. My husband loves to dive.

Also, interesting about your trunk snorkel. I noticed our last day at the VI Visitor Center a sign up saying the trunk snorkel trail was closed due to swells. I had never noticed that before, wonder if that was what you saw that day too.

Wow, looks like you all were having fun. Those pictures of Sloop's were cool. Never saw that view before.

How was Vie's? I hear people lately say they have eaten there, but not really how good it was? I really want to know about the conch fritters, I love them, if they aren't just all filling.

Did you go down on her beach? What did you think about the ride way out there-fun,not that bad, wouldn't want to be way the heck out there, etc?

Thanks for the reports. I know it must take alot of time, especially putting in the pics. Great job!

Sorry, reread your report, yeah you went to Vie's beach. Any stops at Haulover or down to Pelican Rock?

I love all your pics. Thanks again for the report.

Ooooh, lovely, lovely, lovely...I feel like I am there with y'all!!

When are we going to start planning SOTB 2008????

These reports and pics are awesome! Funny how snorkeling can be great and not so great one time from the other. I to did the morning snorkel at Trunk was the only one out there. It was the perfect day for it nice and calm, but I swear there were less fish than previous snorkels there than in the summer.

Love all the pics great job

Sounds like another action packed day! Looking forward to hearing about your dive boat experience.

it's great to hear about your trip, thanks.

Great report and pics. Can't wait to hear about your dive!

Coden wrote:When are we going to start planning SOTB 2008????

ditto that!

The only thing that surprises me is that you all go to bed early! I know how it is though after a long day at the beaches...all the food and drinks and shopping. A girl just needs her beauty sleep
Great job sea-nile! Looks like so much fun. Keep me posted on any 2008 plans.

Ksea wrote:The only thing that surprises me is that you all go to bed early! I know how it is though after a long day at the beaches...all the food and drinks and shopping. A girl just needs her beauty sleep
Great job sea-nile! Looks like so much fun. Keep me posted on any 2008 plans.

We are starting to talk about 2008, so be on the look out for a post about it! Maybe if you come we can stay up later. I can't sleep much when I am there anyway!

Oh no I'd be right behind the rest of you headed for bed early! I like to get up early on STJ and get going but I can't stay up late like I used to. I just had it in my head that you would be up late every night. I will look for the post about 2008!

Great report! I'm getting excited because we leave for STJ in about a week & a half - woo hoo!!