St. John, Virgin Islands

At the end of a bumpy offroad drive up the twisty driveway,
our Coral Bay rental unit awaited.

The amazing view of Coral Bay and the mountainside from our porch.

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Each morning we enjoyed breakfast in front of sunny Coral Bay.

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View of the harbor.

Friendly geckos were everywhere.

... even in our barbecue grill!

Grilling on the deck.

Looking out at the mountains from the big deck.

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Maho Bay

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Kate.

Jon.

Rooster.

Salt Pond Bay

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The afternoon crowd strolls in.

Hike to Ram Head

Looking back at Blue Cobblestone beach with Concordia Bay Eco-tents in the distance.



Kate looks on to Ram Head.

Kate hikes past huge cactus on the way to Ram Head.

Cactus closeup!

There were many cactus plants.




Gazing out from the Southernmost point of St. John.

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A Quick Jog to the Salt Pond and Drunk Bay

The salt pond. I'd rather swim in the beach.

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A closer look at that salt buildup.


More cactus spotted on the way to Drunk Bay.

Drunk Bay is known for figures made from coral that washes up on the beach. Can you spot any?

Francis Bay

A pelican takes flight at Francis Bay.

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The pelican is too fast for Jon!

Trunk Bay

We arrived at Trunk Bay at 9am, before the crowds. The underwater snorkel trail hugs the side of the islands on the right. I snorkeled around both of them and saw a sea turtle and a great barracuda.

Cinnamon Bay

Afternoon lounging on Cinnamon Bay.

Ruins at Cinnamon Bay

Ruins from an old bay rum amd sugar plantation.


Sittin' on a still.


Kate skips through the bay rum forest.

The East End

Haulover Bay was a rocky strip of beachfront with excellent snorkeling. I saw a baby octopus and a sea turtle! We had to watch our step — there were many spiny sea urchins and delicate sea fans everywhere.

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A quick snack stop at Vie's for conch fritters.

Waterlemon Cay

A short hike brought us to Waterlemon Cay.
We both swam out to the island and saw plenty of fish.

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There I am on island, and then swimming back to shore.
I try to not fall in the water.

Annaberg Ruins

An old Dutch windmill.
An old stove.

Kate looks out from the ruins.



Looking out onto the British Virgin Islands from the Ruins.

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Another view of the British Virgin Islands.

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Kayaking the Coral Bay

Kate paddles out of Coral Bay.

The waves were pretty choppy on the way out.

We land at a small stretch of beach.

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Sail to Flanagan Island and Hurricane Hole

Kate, Kiwi the dog and our skipper Rick.

Aboard "Long Distance" a Pearson 40, skippered by Rick and Robin Gallup.


A stop at Flanagan Island for some snorkeling and lunch.
We saw a stingray, brilliant coral and plenty of fish.

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Snorkeling the mangroves at Hurricane Hole.

Chilling out by the mangroves with some homemade rum punch.

Back at Skinny Legs on the dock, we cheers our Presidentes on President's day!

Cruz Bay

Looking down into the densely populated Cruz Bay,
a mess of streets packed with touristy restaurants.

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Driving Around St. John

Happy to be driving a Jeep.

My license plate back home does not have fish on it.

Ups and downs around St. John.

There were many dips in the roads. Each one had a good sense of humor.

These asses were blocking the road.

Ferry between St. John and St. Thomas

Cars and trucks load up on the ferry.


The crew insisted there was room for one more, so I squeezed our Jeep into the very last spot as we shoved off.

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Looking out at other islands during the half hour ferry ride.

Our Jeep got doused with the waves along the way.

We had to seek shelter back in the Jeep.

Driving on St. Thomas. Don't forget to stay on the LEFT side of the road!!!

One night in St. Thomas

Kate surveys the cluttered housing, cruise ships and touristy bustle from our room on St. Thomas.
Can you count how many cruise ships there are?

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Sunrise the next morning.

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The only iguana I'd see on the whole trip. Unfortunately, this one is carved out of wood.

So long, Virgin Islands.