USVI-On-Line

Day 13

PSA announcement from me. Take your trash top the dumpster every day. Do not be lazy and use the outdoor trash cans provided by Destination St. John to store your trash. That is all I am going to say about that.

Today we went back to Cinnamon Bay, which turned out to be an excellent choice. The water was calm and it was not windy.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519844938/" title="cinnamon cay 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3049/251 ... 0bb967.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="cinnamon cay 2"></a>

Out to snorkel the cay, where we found lots of big corals, parrots, tang:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519844386/" title="Cinnamon blue tang by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2283/251 ... 3683d0.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Cinnamon blue tang"></a>

filefishes, snappers, etc. Best sightings included a spotted drum:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519848400/" title="cinnamon spotted drum 5 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2016/251 ... 19b001.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="cinnamon spotted drum 5"></a>

Bermuda chubs:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519843180/" title="cinnamon bermuda chub 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/251 ... 4ddc40.jpg" width="500" height="394" alt="cinnamon bermuda chub 2"></a>

barracudas, ceros, huge schools of sergeant majors, flamingo tounges:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519023369/" title="cinnamon bay flamingo tounges by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/251 ... b5f56a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="cinnamon bay flamingo tounges"></a>

and two huge grey angelfishes.

We walked over to Little Cinnamon:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519096929/" title="little cinnamon beach 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/251 ... 2aeb9d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="little cinnamon beach 3"></a>

and found the plane:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519920012/" title="little cinnamon plane by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/251 ... 90b2a3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="little cinnamon plane"></a>

took a picture of the rock monster:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519964358/" title="rock monster by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/251 ... fc456e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="rock monster"></a>

and explored the rest of the beach. The reef here is dead, but there are still some fish around.

Skinny Legs for lunch. The mahi was tasty, and John enjoyed his burger.

Back to the house for the usual...pool time, book time, etc.

Tried again for Sweet Plantains but they were still closed (GRR). Shipwreck Landing was packed so we went to Aqua Bistro. We sat in the back area and enjoyed the live music. The calamari appetizer was a little bland, and the sauce was bitter, but the main dishes were good. I had a local tuna rare seared with a ponzu sauce and some soba noodles and seaweed, John had mahi with couscous and orange butter.

Back to the house for the usual...deck time, cocktail, etc.

Day 14

Went to Miss Vies.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519930076/" title="miss vies beach by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2080/251 ... 792f24.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="miss vies beach"></a>

It was nice to sit in a lounge chair for a change (I was already transitioning to Caneel, I think!). The beach was more crowded than I expected, but that's fine. In for a snorkel. It was a little cloudy, but further from shore it cleared up. We saw a barracuda right away and then found a giant helmet.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519931894/" title="miss vies helmut by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/251 ... c09099.jpg" width="488" height="500" alt="miss vies helmut"></a>

The reef, further out from shore, is pretty good. Not too many fish, but lots of coral.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519930244/" title="miss vies brain coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2149/251 ... 376058.jpg" width="393" height="500" alt="miss vies brain coral"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519112641/" title="miss vies pillar coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2155/251 ... f65e91.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="miss vies pillar coral"></a>

We found an octopus' garden, but no octopus, darn.

Look out for urchins!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519113505/" title="Miss Vies urchins by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2163/251 ... 06181d.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Miss Vies urchins"></a>

Lunch at Miss Vies was a bit of a disappointment. I don't know if it was just too crowded, but everything was kind of overcooked. Oh well!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519113049/" title="miss vies snack shack by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/251 ... 9c70c6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="miss vies snack shack"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519111017/" title="Miss Vies garlic chicken by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2069/251 ... d58934.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Miss Vies garlic chicken"></a>

We had some pretty funny nature sightings today. On the way out to the beach we encountered donkeys in the road that would not get out of the way! One of them stood in front of the car while the other one came up to my window. No food for you, donkey, even if you do look like you could use some (and a bath!)!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519045467/" title="east end donkeys by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/251 ... cc37bd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="east end donkeys"></a>

On the way back we encountered a mongoose battling an iguana in the middle of the road! They were biting at each other's faces! I was not fast enough to get a picture, but it was really cool to see.

Back to the villa for laundry, pool time, book time, packing, etc. I found another scorpion, this time on the wall where our luggage was being stored. I let this one live.

Finally, dinner at Sweet Plantains, and it turned out to be worth the wait. This was my favorite meal of the whole trip! We started with awesome martinis made from local guavaberries:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519169185/" title="sweet plantains martini by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3012/251 ... 565141.jpg" width="336" height="500" alt="sweet plantains martini"></a>

and a sampler plate of saltfish cake with mango sauce, tilapia seveche with tostones, and Jamaican jerked chicken wings. YUM! For dinner we both had mahi--mine in a golden curry and John's in a red curry. Both came with plantains and rice, and it was soooooooo good! You should really try this restaurant!

Back to the villa for our last night of listening to live music from Coral Bay on the deck.

Day 15



Up at 6:30, packed and say goodbye to La Mer. We decided to kill some time before heading over to Caneel so stopped at the Donkey Diner for breakfast. We had some omelets and the first coffee of our trip!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/2519859088/" title="donkey diner breakfast by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2191/251 ... 942446.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="donkey diner breakfast"></a>

We got to Caneel at about 10 AM and were able to drop our bags. Our room was not ready yet but we were not expecting it to be. So, we headed into town to stock up on water and visit the Donald Schnell studio, where I convinced John that I NEEDED one of his lamps for my birthday present. Back to Caneel, the room was still not ready, so off we went to the beach...

I'd love to have one of those lamps! Is yours up yet?

They just keep getting better and better

I just knew, being the food person you are, that you would love Sweet Plantains. So glad you got to enjoy it.

Another fine installment! We thought about snorkeling over to see the plane at Cinnamon, but from your picture, it doesn't look like what I thought it would. Too bad you didn't get a pic of the mongoose v. lizard. I would have liked to see that! Who won?

Still no octopus?

PAGirl, it's coming...I did not have time to input the entire report I wanted to post before leaving for work. I have it in my inbox so if I have a slow afternoon I'll clean it up and post it today.

MaryBeth, no, it is not installed yet. The guy that does my electric work was supposed to hang it on Saturday but he got waylaid. Once it is up I will take a picture of it and show you.

17thHole, yeah, the plane is not that exciting, really. Plus, like I said, the reef there is dead. The beach is beautiful though. Nobody won the mongoose-iguana battle. They both took off into the bushes shortly after we pulled up.

Maryanne, I would have gone back every night to Sweet Plantains, I think, if they had been open earlier in our trip. I really thought the food was that good.

Fantastic pics, fantastic TR.
But tell me: did you have Mahi-mahi every day in your vacation, either lunch or dinner??

Linne

When is Sweet Plaintains open?

I went there 3 times last trip and would have gone more... and had to recreate my favorite dishes from there once I got home. I love that place.

As always, enjoying your great trip report and photos. I am especially looking forward to your review at Caneel. We're returning again in October - can't wait!

I love Rose and Prince at Sweet Plaintains.
I think someone told me once that Rose gave them a receipe.
I love her curries.........she is such an amazing cook.
I love La Tapa in Cruz bay and Sweet Plaintains in Coral Bay.........

linne wrote:Fantastic pics, fantastic TR.
But tell me: did you have Mahi-mahi every day in your vacation, either lunch or dinner??

Linne

It sure seems that way, doesn't it? I love mahi mahi, and it is rarely available here in MA, so I stock up on it when we are on St. John.

liamsaunt wrote:Finally, dinner at Sweet Plantains, and it turned out to be worth the wait. This was my favorite meal of the whole trip! We started with awesome martinis made from local guavaberries and a sampler plate of saltfish cake with mango sauce, tilapia seveche with tostones, and Jamaican jerked chicken wings. YUM! For dinner we both had mahi--mine in a golden curry and John's in a red curry. Both came with plantains and rice, and it was soooooooo good! You should really try this restaurant!

I have wanted to eat there forever! I adore curry dishes but my peeps....well lets just say that none of them like anything even remotely adventurous or in their words "exotic." Sucks to be me. What's a sushi loving girl to do?

I just stayed up way past my bed time to catch up on your reports so far. It was worth every minute!