Newbie Report--Day 4--July 4th
Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:11 pm
We slept through Jouvert. Well, I did wake up at 5:00 and heard it raining, and thought that it probably didn't phase the revelers.
We had scheduled a day sail today, so we headed into town early to ensure that we had a parking space. We saw people already seated in their streetside chairs at 8:00 AM and I understand the 11:00 parade didn't start until 1:30!
We went to JJ's for breakfast. Most people seemed to be still up from the night before. JJ's was serving just as much beer as breakfast. The table next to us was having eggs and beer. I don't drink, so I don't know how that would taste, but it doesn't sound good!
Music was still playing and the carnival booths were open so we browsed a bit without the crowds. Layne bought an ankle bracelet.
We got our gear from the car and went to wait on the beach for Captain Phil. I had read mixed reviews of Captain Phil and the Wayward Sailor, but it was a great trip for newbies like us as well as the honeymoon couple who went along with us. He is particular about things on his boat, but hey, it's his boat. He was really good in working with Layne who still had a little snorkeling anxiety. He had the rest of us in the water and checking things out while he and Tarn, his first mate, both worked with Layne. Turns out, the girl just needed a swim belt for some extra confidence. We all swim, but I think it just helped her to relax and focus on snorkeling.
We explored the reef along the west side of Lonvango. Great Elkhorn coral and a friendly turtle were the highlights.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658894681/" title="P7040150 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/265 ... c7cf68.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040150"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659728626/" title="P7040166 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/265 ... 91f770.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040166"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658912963/" title="P7040185 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/265 ... c329e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040185"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658907835/" title="P7040180 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/265 ... c2c8ca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040180"></a>
I was last to get back in the boat, and I dropped my fin just as I was handing them in. Phil went back in after it. He's a lithe and spry diver for someone turning 70 this year and having had his eye removed and a prosthetic put in just last December. The islands must keep you young!
We sailed towards the north side of the island and stopped for lunch--crab salad sandwiches, slaw, melon and chips. After we ate, Phil showed us some of his photos and gave us a little tale on sea creatures, the octopus, etc. That was when I got a little queasy. Lunch, the rocking of the boat, looking down at the photos, whatever, it got me. I went up and sat on the bow of the boat and I was fine.
I skipped the next snorkel to sit on the bow. Everyone else but Tarn and I went in. I sat and watched some huge pelicans and sea gulls diving where some guys were spearfishing nearby. After about 10 minutes, we saw Layne and the honeymoon bride swimming back. Neither of them could handle the birds diving around them. Greg, the groom, and Phil saw a nurse shark right after that, so it was a good thing that Layne was back on board.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659746410/" title="P7040200 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/265 ... 3e57a6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040200"></a>
We had some brownies for dessert and sailed the rest of the way around Lonvango before heading back to Cruz Bay. We were barely back in the bay when the music from town hit us. The bass was thumping. We settled up with Phil and took the dingy back into town.
Hint for other newbies--when they tell you to get to town early to park, make sure you ask how you're going to get out! We had parked at STJ car rental, but found the street that Lime Inn is on was closed. We backed up the street and headed around by Gallows Point. It took us a while, and once I think we were really in a driveway rather than a street, but we eventually made our way down. We figured it would be easiest to just grab dinner at Starfish rather than figuring out how to get back into town for dinner. We bought some steaks (okay quality) and sweet potatoes to bake. Luckily I found some leftover stuff at the villa and whipped up a marinade. Dinner by the pool and I knew we were done for. We had planned to go back into town for the fireworks, but sun, sailing and snorkeling wiped me out--again. Had some coconut ice cream and played cards instead.
We had scheduled a day sail today, so we headed into town early to ensure that we had a parking space. We saw people already seated in their streetside chairs at 8:00 AM and I understand the 11:00 parade didn't start until 1:30!
We went to JJ's for breakfast. Most people seemed to be still up from the night before. JJ's was serving just as much beer as breakfast. The table next to us was having eggs and beer. I don't drink, so I don't know how that would taste, but it doesn't sound good!
Music was still playing and the carnival booths were open so we browsed a bit without the crowds. Layne bought an ankle bracelet.
We got our gear from the car and went to wait on the beach for Captain Phil. I had read mixed reviews of Captain Phil and the Wayward Sailor, but it was a great trip for newbies like us as well as the honeymoon couple who went along with us. He is particular about things on his boat, but hey, it's his boat. He was really good in working with Layne who still had a little snorkeling anxiety. He had the rest of us in the water and checking things out while he and Tarn, his first mate, both worked with Layne. Turns out, the girl just needed a swim belt for some extra confidence. We all swim, but I think it just helped her to relax and focus on snorkeling.
We explored the reef along the west side of Lonvango. Great Elkhorn coral and a friendly turtle were the highlights.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658894681/" title="P7040150 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/265 ... c7cf68.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040150"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659728626/" title="P7040166 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/265 ... 91f770.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040166"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658912963/" title="P7040185 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3069/265 ... c329e3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040185"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658907835/" title="P7040180 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/265 ... c2c8ca.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040180"></a>
I was last to get back in the boat, and I dropped my fin just as I was handing them in. Phil went back in after it. He's a lithe and spry diver for someone turning 70 this year and having had his eye removed and a prosthetic put in just last December. The islands must keep you young!
We sailed towards the north side of the island and stopped for lunch--crab salad sandwiches, slaw, melon and chips. After we ate, Phil showed us some of his photos and gave us a little tale on sea creatures, the octopus, etc. That was when I got a little queasy. Lunch, the rocking of the boat, looking down at the photos, whatever, it got me. I went up and sat on the bow of the boat and I was fine.
I skipped the next snorkel to sit on the bow. Everyone else but Tarn and I went in. I sat and watched some huge pelicans and sea gulls diving where some guys were spearfishing nearby. After about 10 minutes, we saw Layne and the honeymoon bride swimming back. Neither of them could handle the birds diving around them. Greg, the groom, and Phil saw a nurse shark right after that, so it was a good thing that Layne was back on board.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659746410/" title="P7040200 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/265 ... 3e57a6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7040200"></a>
We had some brownies for dessert and sailed the rest of the way around Lonvango before heading back to Cruz Bay. We were barely back in the bay when the music from town hit us. The bass was thumping. We settled up with Phil and took the dingy back into town.
Hint for other newbies--when they tell you to get to town early to park, make sure you ask how you're going to get out! We had parked at STJ car rental, but found the street that Lime Inn is on was closed. We backed up the street and headed around by Gallows Point. It took us a while, and once I think we were really in a driveway rather than a street, but we eventually made our way down. We figured it would be easiest to just grab dinner at Starfish rather than figuring out how to get back into town for dinner. We bought some steaks (okay quality) and sweet potatoes to bake. Luckily I found some leftover stuff at the villa and whipped up a marinade. Dinner by the pool and I knew we were done for. We had planned to go back into town for the fireworks, but sun, sailing and snorkeling wiped me out--again. Had some coconut ice cream and played cards instead.