Still on Island Time TRIP REPORT/part 2
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:56 pm
The rest of our trip we stayed at the Westin, where we have stayed before. We stay there on points so we consider it a good deal! While we were there we took a tour of the new time-share buildings. The units we toured were the upper hillside that are to be complete this month. They are beautifully appointed and we thought quite spacious. Our room was lower hillside and altho work was going on every day, we were never bothered by it...of course we were gone most of every day!
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/westin.jpg">
Our days consisted of driving to the beach du jour and usually snorkeling...we visited:
In general we thought the water was a bit colder than our previous Feb trips, and at times rougher/cloudier. We would check out the north shore and then go to the south shore if we didn't like the conditions. The day we went to Lameshur the water was rough so we opted not to snorkel and instead hike. We noticed many people using various wet suits and to be honest that probably was a good idea.
All of Caneel's beaches except Saloman and Honeymoon
Francis...good snorkeling.
Waterlemon...great snorkeling, went around the cay...lots of starfish on the swim on the way to the cay. Many , many barracuda, and I saw a shark which I was told by a local sounded like a black tip...WAY COOL! About 4 or 5 ft! It was a silvery, gray color and not the same shape as a nurse shark. I couldn't get my husbands attention as he was ahead of me and I didn't want to yell, so I didn't linger too long. We genuinely appeared surprised to see one another( Well I WAS!)and neither of us bothered w/ the other. It didn't scare me, but, maybe it should have?
Salt Pond...good snorkeling on left toward blue cobblestone
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/beach.jpg">
Maho..didn't stay long...rough, and cloudy conditions
Lameshur...didn't snorkel but decided to hike instead...more on that later
Round Bay...nice conditions around pelican rock...warmest water on island. Saw that yellow footed bird someone else was talking about on another post...still not real sure what that was.
Reef Bay..feet in the water at end of trail.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/asolare1.jpg">
We find driving on island part of the overall experience...LOVE IT!!!!
Restaurants:
Asolare: new favorite! 2 great meals. Love this place and wonder why we avoided it before. We thoroughly enjoyed entrees of lamb, filet mignon, duck and tuna. Appetizers of sushi rolls, shrimp tempura, tuna tartar, thai coconut soup.......hmmmmmmm....and a lovely apple strudel dessert. Definitely on the list to return here!
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/us.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/asolare2.jpg">
Paradiso: we were good til the entrees...appetizers were good, entrees of Mahi were poor, tasteless, dry and disappointing
ZoZo's: this was our 3rd attempt to like this place as we have had good food in the past but some strange experiences. SO...we ate at the upstairs bar and found this was "our" way to like it here. Food was fantastic and bartender/server was perfect. In our opinion this is a great way to enjoy zozo's.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/zozos.jpg">
LaTapa: very good as always...we have never been disappointed here.
Morgans Mango: We ordered a bunch of appetizers and no entrees...loved it! We liked the atmosphere...fun and funky, open air, caribbean casual.
Other food:
Deli Grotto: good sandwiches freshly made...cuban panini, Portobello mushroom, Italian,
Starfish: Ted's sandwiches to go, good
Baked in the Sun: Best sandwiches we had. We got 3 sandwiches to go on our departure day and enjoyed them as that day went on...perfect and NOT airport food!
Shipwreck Landing: We both had the fish and chips and liked it
These 2 were irresistible !
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/dogs.jpg">
Skinny Legs: Again we both had the mahi sandwiches and liked them.
Starfish Wine/Liquour store: Nice upscale addition...lots of cheeses as well as oils and finer ingredients for cooking. They had samples of Ted's food which was a nice touch. A pleasant woman told us that Ted has recently signed a 1 year contract so it seems to be a good working combination.
We went to St John Spice for spices to bring home as well as a few souvenier trinkets...didn't get to meet Ruth or Ron.
Hikes:
Ram Head: We went somewhat late, noonish? And it was good. Must have been sometimes overcast, no oppressive heat, and the hike was not bad. Spectacular view once on the end and some rugged other sights along the way. Blue Cobblestone beach is impressive...love the sound of the water retreating back thru the stones.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead4.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead1.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead3.jpg">
We made it and thanks to the very handy gorillapod we have proof. I am so glad we did this hike!
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead2.jpg">
Final page up next....
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/westin.jpg">
Our days consisted of driving to the beach du jour and usually snorkeling...we visited:
In general we thought the water was a bit colder than our previous Feb trips, and at times rougher/cloudier. We would check out the north shore and then go to the south shore if we didn't like the conditions. The day we went to Lameshur the water was rough so we opted not to snorkel and instead hike. We noticed many people using various wet suits and to be honest that probably was a good idea.
All of Caneel's beaches except Saloman and Honeymoon
Francis...good snorkeling.
Waterlemon...great snorkeling, went around the cay...lots of starfish on the swim on the way to the cay. Many , many barracuda, and I saw a shark which I was told by a local sounded like a black tip...WAY COOL! About 4 or 5 ft! It was a silvery, gray color and not the same shape as a nurse shark. I couldn't get my husbands attention as he was ahead of me and I didn't want to yell, so I didn't linger too long. We genuinely appeared surprised to see one another( Well I WAS!)and neither of us bothered w/ the other. It didn't scare me, but, maybe it should have?
Salt Pond...good snorkeling on left toward blue cobblestone
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/beach.jpg">
Maho..didn't stay long...rough, and cloudy conditions
Lameshur...didn't snorkel but decided to hike instead...more on that later
Round Bay...nice conditions around pelican rock...warmest water on island. Saw that yellow footed bird someone else was talking about on another post...still not real sure what that was.
Reef Bay..feet in the water at end of trail.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/asolare1.jpg">
We find driving on island part of the overall experience...LOVE IT!!!!
Restaurants:
Asolare: new favorite! 2 great meals. Love this place and wonder why we avoided it before. We thoroughly enjoyed entrees of lamb, filet mignon, duck and tuna. Appetizers of sushi rolls, shrimp tempura, tuna tartar, thai coconut soup.......hmmmmmmm....and a lovely apple strudel dessert. Definitely on the list to return here!
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/us.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/asolare2.jpg">
Paradiso: we were good til the entrees...appetizers were good, entrees of Mahi were poor, tasteless, dry and disappointing
ZoZo's: this was our 3rd attempt to like this place as we have had good food in the past but some strange experiences. SO...we ate at the upstairs bar and found this was "our" way to like it here. Food was fantastic and bartender/server was perfect. In our opinion this is a great way to enjoy zozo's.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/zozos.jpg">
LaTapa: very good as always...we have never been disappointed here.
Morgans Mango: We ordered a bunch of appetizers and no entrees...loved it! We liked the atmosphere...fun and funky, open air, caribbean casual.
Other food:
Deli Grotto: good sandwiches freshly made...cuban panini, Portobello mushroom, Italian,
Starfish: Ted's sandwiches to go, good
Baked in the Sun: Best sandwiches we had. We got 3 sandwiches to go on our departure day and enjoyed them as that day went on...perfect and NOT airport food!
Shipwreck Landing: We both had the fish and chips and liked it
These 2 were irresistible !
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/dogs.jpg">
Skinny Legs: Again we both had the mahi sandwiches and liked them.
Starfish Wine/Liquour store: Nice upscale addition...lots of cheeses as well as oils and finer ingredients for cooking. They had samples of Ted's food which was a nice touch. A pleasant woman told us that Ted has recently signed a 1 year contract so it seems to be a good working combination.
We went to St John Spice for spices to bring home as well as a few souvenier trinkets...didn't get to meet Ruth or Ron.
Hikes:
Ram Head: We went somewhat late, noonish? And it was good. Must have been sometimes overcast, no oppressive heat, and the hike was not bad. Spectacular view once on the end and some rugged other sights along the way. Blue Cobblestone beach is impressive...love the sound of the water retreating back thru the stones.
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead4.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead1.jpg">
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead3.jpg">
We made it and thanks to the very handy gorillapod we have proof. I am so glad we did this hike!
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~carlycof/ramhead2.jpg">
Final page up next....
