Time To Go

Our last day began like the first – truly enjoying being with our friends.   

We loaded up Suki, their beach vehicle, and headed over the mountain into Cruz Bay for a going away breakfast.  We pulled up at Cruz Bay Landing, and I was feeling a little melancholy about our pending departure.  I struggled with what I wanted to drink.  It is morning so…  Coffee…  No No it is going to be a long day… hydrate… water… Hey, you are still on vacation a Bloody Mary that is what you need.  Oh, what the hell, one each please – I could not go wrong.

 

I am not sure if Cruz Bay Landing’s Bloody Mary is as good as what I remember of JJs, their predecessor, but hands down the food is much better.   

We opted to take the ferry directly Charlotte Amalie.  Our bags were stacked on the deck, and we decided to also stay outside for our trip.   Wanting to catch our last view of the island, the dark clouds did not concern us.   Then I felt a drop, than another one, and then with a violent wave and scream from a crewman the Captain of the ferry took off.  Accelerating as soon as he could we left St John in the pouring rain with a wake.   The rain lasted only for a few minutes and the wind dried our clothes by the time we reached St Thomas. 

 

 

2014

2004

Since 2004, we have had a tradition of going to Café Amici next to A. H. Riise in St Thomas as part of our return home journey.  They have always served great brick oven pizzas that would keep me full enough to avoid an airplane box food.   The server informed us that many of the ingredients for the pizzas and some menu items were not available because today was their last day.  Café Amici had been sold.  The new owners plan to reopen, but with a fine dining theme.   We wish them well, but our tradition ended with a White Margherita pizza.  So now full from lunch and my melancholy compounded with the news of Café Amici's pending closure we headed to the airport.  

On a glum cloudy afternoon in the islands, we returned to pouring rain in Virginia at 1 AM. 

 

 

However as we pulled into the driveway we both had smiles on our faces and love in hearts because we knew that we will be returning to St John at least once more before the year ends. 

Hmmm… Mystery Holes

A few entries ago, the blog featured  “Janet the Tarantula Whisper”.   With just a few pokes of a long blade of grass she made an ugly arachnid come to the surface.  When our friend told the story initially of how to make them appear, I think everyone of us thought it was a legend.  

I guess you really cannot have an Urban Legend on island – so it must be an Island Story.  Well that story has now been confirmed as fact!

And of course everybody knows while you sit on the beach watching a hole, eventually a little sand crab will make an appearance.  

 

Sometimes more than one will pop up and scamper back and forth along the surf line.  They are harmless, but menacing looking fellows.   I never know which I enjoy more to watch – the quick little sand crabs or the small children running after these elusive crustaceans.

Now the mystery…  We decided to hike over to North Haulover to check if it was calm enough to snorkel.  It is a very short walk from the road to the beach through the brush.  Along the way there is some marsh land where a homemade bridge of boards makes the transit easier.    Not far from the bridge we stumbled upon some mysterious holes.  Larger in diameter than a softball, there were multiple holes along the path.  Logically, I deduced they were mongoose holes, however if they were they would be flooded by the marsh after a heavy rain or by a rising sea.  

 

The only thing that I can absolutely guarantee about these mystery orifices is that Janet, the Tarantula Whisper, will not be poking any sticks down these holes to see what pops up. 

 

Fun Fact:  Janet swims much faster than she runs!

My Oh My!

Before I say anything I must tell you that I have broken two underwater cameras this week.  I have snapped pictures and watched a big bubble form over two different cameras.  I am very sorry that there are only a couple pictures and neither one captures the beauty we saw.  Suffice it to say it was some of the best snorkeling I have done in a very very long time.    

Today was a first as we head to the Mangroves in Hurricane Hole.  The growth hangs over the water and that is the great snorkeling.   This is not a snorkel for the weak of heart.  At some points my belly was inches from the bottom.

OK… No smart a$$ comments… we were not in 4 feet of water.  As you snorkeled toward the shore Snapper, small fish, and some pretty mean looking Barracudas were hiding within the protection of the roots.  Simply put:  AMAZING!

 

After a quick lunch at Skinny Legs (Best Hamburgers on the Island) we headed over to Haulover Bay.  The snorkeling reminded us of Puerto Rico in the late seventies.  The life returning to the reef was a pleasant surprise.  My Oh My… what a wonderful day!

After a wonderful snorkel what did we find, but Angel Rest had dropped anchor in the bay and drinks were plentiful.  I might have already said it, My Oh My… what a wonderful day!

 

We ended the evening at Concordia Eco Resort for open mic night.  It was the last one until next season.  Many of St John’s finest joined in to make it a great night of music.  Even one of the performer’s mom joined in to make it a very special night.  All the performers joined together to do a great cover of “The Wait”

 

 

Our trip is coming to the end, but it has been an amazing week.

Let the fun begin!

With the race over it was time to celebrate.  We signed up for the after party on Island Sprit to JVD.  I am always happiest under sail and this day trip allowed us to have the wind in our face headed for a fun location – Jost Van Dyke.  It is one big boat!
 

The harbor was a happening place!  I thought we were in peak season.  From One Love to the Soggy Dollar the bars were slammed.

 

Not my most favorite visit to Jost, but hey it is Jost where everyone always has a good time.

 

The sail home was very relaxing, and with everyone’s tongues loosen the conversations were great and for some the activities on island was just a little too much.

 

There is just something about being on the water under sail.
 

Clearing customs we headed over the hill the other side.   There were lots of donkey checkpoints, but cleared every one of them.  I have to admit the view as you come down the mountain is some kinda nice.

 

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Update…  Well we crunched the numbers and discussed at great length at JVD about the purchase of the million dollar view.  Janet and I were willing to come up with  the first .1 million, but our retired friends on a fix income would not come up with the other 1.5 million.  So I guess the deal is off.  Damn we were so close to having this a view. 

 



Race Day Wrap Up

Before the first rooster could crow, we were up and movin’.  Our friends were volunteers for the race and were dropped off at Cinnamon Bay, and then back over the hill to Maho.  We were greeted by a whole host of noseeums.   I guess it was too early for the mosquitos.  Race preps began with all important number being assigned.

Then it was time to line up and to get away from the noseeums....

 

The started a few minutes past 8 with 70 some green caps running into the water.  They were followed by waves of swimmers each wearing a different color to indicate their distance and level of assistance.  The water was like glass at the start, but shortly after all the swimmers were in the water the wind picked up.   Janet said it was very much a different swim than two years ago.  The sea conditions made it more difficult.  Along the way she spotted a turtle, starfish, and a nurse shark.   Once again the Beach to Beach Power Swim was a very positive event for all.

 Towel Boy was there for the finish once again.

 

Tomorrow it is Jost Van Dyke for a post swim party and snorkel.  The KG crowd gathers to chat about their adventure today and the party tomorrow,

 

 

Flash.... The Race is on - And the Finish!

Start time was at 8:06 Atlantic Standard Time!

Towel boy at finish line with a chair in the shade and towel ready.

 

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And the finish!

 

No official time yet, but she had a great swim.  Towel boy was there for her support.

We are pretty sure she had a small time improvement, but did not place.

The swim was harder this year, but she felt strong on the finish.

A turtle, starfish, and a small Nurse Shark were all spotted along the way.

Showtime!

Not much time to write anything because it is off to bed!  Why so early you ask?

It is SHOWTIME for Towel Boy!

We spent most the day at the East End enjoying the sights and the conch fritters at Vie's.
  My Favorite Picture of the Day for your enjoyment.

We did do some real estate shopping on the East End.... We found a lot that we are considering spilitting with our friends.  We are still working the numbers, but what is this view worth?

Yep it is a million dollar view!

 

 

A great day for a Hats

The lazy days of a vacation found us chillin’ on Francis Bay. 

 

 

Janet did get a good swim in from Francis Bay over to the far side of Maho.

 

 

 

However for the most part we just hung out on the beach.  There was one exciting nature moment when a 3 to 4 foot barracuda found its lunch right in front of us.  The prey trying to escape at one time made it to the beach, but an incoming wave returned it to the awaiting barracuda.  Sorry no pictures, but it was amazing thing to watch the "Circle of Life" event in front of us.

 

After the excitement of the attack we went back to chillin’ and taking in the beauty of the day.

Janet… Tarantula Whisperer

We went to Coral Bay Organic Gardens, better known as Josephine’s to snag some fresh greens and arugula for a salad.   

We were looking at all the beautiful plants and herbs when Sally stopped us and pointed to a hole in the ground.  

She told us that she had learned that these holes were tarantula homes and if you took a long blade of grass and poked it down the hole you could entice the critter to the surface.  Janet reached for a blade of grass as I laughed and walked away.  I could see another adventure like looking for snipes or a bucket of prop wash.  I was sure Sally just found a gullible sucker.

 

Janet had barely stuck the grass in the hole when a scream could be heard and I turned to see her doing the “oh sh#t” dance.  She had a tarantula snatch hold of the blade and did not want to let go.  I am not sure if even Sally believe the story of the tarantula  holes, but we are all believers now.

 

 

Janet is not only a distance swimmer she is now known as a Tarantula Whisperer  

 

BTW - Josephine's arugula is like no other.  If on island go visit her, but do not start poking holes unless you are ready to run.

There is no place like Maho....

We were up early and ready for our day.  The weather is good, with a slight haze on the horizon.  A quick walk up the driveway revealed the beauty of Coral Bay.

 

By 9:30 the Green Flash was loaded on the car and we were headed to Maho, after a quick stop at Pickles to grab some lunch items.  We were one of the first to arrive at Maho and staked out a great place.  The mosquitos are still in force, but morning to mid-afternoon they are only a nuisance - After 3 PM, it is time to leave the beach.   

It is hard to describe the beauty of Maho, so it is best to leave that to a picture.

 

 

We settled in for the day enjoying the beach.  Snorkeling was just ok.  The water on the surface is beautiful, but underwater it remains stirred up from last week's rain.  It did not stop us from sighting a family of turtles.  These creatures always amaze me with their gracefulness in the sea.  The highlight of the day was to see the smiles on a young Scottish couple as they saw their first turtle. 

 

The Green Flash also got some water time as the ladies headed to explore Francis Bay and see if they could eyeball our December villa.

 

 

As the 3 PM time approached we fled from the beach as the buzz of the black menances became louder. 

 

Cruz Bay for drinks and dinner at Rhumb Lines, where we met up with another swimmer from the George.  To bed early with a voice in my head saying, "there is no place like Maho... there is no place like Maho....

We made it!

Rising at 3 AM we headed to the airport with anticipation. At last we will be back on our favorite island - St John. We did have a long layover in Charlotte Airport, but it allowed for Janet to enjoy a massage. Nothing better than to get your lower back rubbed into competition condition. Towel boy guarded the luggage while gently moving back and forth in one of the world famous white rocking chairs that CLT airport offers to their travelers. I sure wish women's clothing and shoe stores would offer rocking chairs.

Our plane landed 20 minutes early!  Our seats were next to the door on a 757-200, and with only carry-on luggage we breezed through the airport and were off to the Red Hook Ferry in a flash!  The 4 PM ferry pulled into Cruz Bay and we found our friends waiting for us with a smile, sign and a painkiller.  It really does not get much better for a day of travel.  Good Seats, Rocking Chairs, Massages, No Hassles, with Friends and Painkillers awaiting your arrival.  If there was a downside to the day it would be that in my hurry to exit the plane,  I left my book for the next customer in seat 4F.

We decided to head straight to Coral Bay vice lingering in in Cruz Bay.  Before we left we had order a Polar Cooler.  The cooler advertised it could keep items frozen for an extended time in 100 degree heat.  So with meat, which is available on island but at a price, we decided it prudent to head directly to the other side - Coral Bay. 

 

Taking the North Shore Road, the long way, one could immediately feel the day of travel slip away.  There has been a lot of rain of late so the island is rich and green.  Of course we had to make the perfunctory stops at the overlooks.  To this day I remember this view the first time in 1979 and still today it is alway breathtaking - Trunk Bay Overlook.

 

 

Even using a phone to snap the shot, it sure is beautiful.   Continuing on to Coral Bay we pulled off again to snap a shot of our favorite beach on island, and the starting point for Janet's Saturday swim.  Once again with a phone, not a camera, the raw beauty of this place still evident.

 

 

Our friend's bungalow is just perfect for a year sabbatical.  Overlooking the Bay with a large screen porch a peaceful night of laughing and catching up was enjoyed.  We did slip out to Shipwreck Landing for a nice dinner and a Presidente (that one was for you Beerman).  We called it a night to try to regain some of the sleep lost from the night before.

 

Oh yeah - Big Shout Out for Polar Coolers.  Everything arrived fine and had not even started to thaw.