Sunset Sail Photo Blog

Sunsets were a big part of the trip so we grabbed a group and took a sail on our second to last day. This is the photo blog. 

White Knuckle Wednesday

Travel Gear - H&M Bathing Suit and Ray Bans. 

We finished the paperwork and signed the safety waiver - I officially put my life in the hands of another. We rented a jeep for the day, they hand over the keys and you cross your fingers. 

In the USVI's the cars are the same but drive on the opposite side of the road. "Stay left" was our mantra. Instead of saying hello, we greeted everyone with the salutation "stay left!" to which they pleasantly replied, "Stay left, mon!" Driving in St. John is exhilarating for the driver and terrifying for the passenger.

We turned left out of Caneel Bay and my white knuckle Wednesday began. The steep hills and severe turns had me squeeing the whole way. Our mission was to beach hop and we loaded the cooler with olives, cheese and beer and threw our snorkel gear in the back. The first stop was the rocky beach of Annaberg, an old sugar mill ruin. We had Travelers ADHD and I got hungry so this trip lasted about as long as the hour hike and then we bolted for Francis Beach. Francis was less crowded and less rocky, but again, A quick snorkel and lunch break and then we were off for Coral Bay.

Snorkeling Francis Beach

We jumped in the car for the longest leg of our trip, Coral Bay. The most transient of areas in St. John but still plenty to do and see. We steered straight for Vie's, a sandwich shack off the beaten path offering soft drinks, beer, conch fritters, hot dogs, and Johnny Cakes. We grabbed a johnny cake and ventured out to the campground/beach. Here we stumbled upon Angels Rest, a floating bar/unofficial welcome center for the islands. We purchased a $5 dollar coke with the option of free rum. A snorkel-up bar with a gorgeous view and questionable clientele.

Angels Rest

Island Hopping - day 3

How does one explore the other islands? We hemmed and hawed over this issue but were set on seeing Jost van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Do we charter a private boat? Well, we were on a budget. Maybe we could find other couples that are looking for a similar excursion and split the cost? Good luck with that. A group charter...?  We called it "the cattle boat". Let's Go! 

The boat pulled up to the Caneel Bay's dock, it was packed. We squeezed in with another honeymooning couple and a family of about 12.  Attitude is everything, with breakfast and a "Pain Killer" on board, we were in good spirits and ready for a full day of hiking, snorkeling and boating. 

We hit Virgin Gorda first and started with a hike through the batholiths (The Baths), giant igneous rock formations that shift one centimeter each year.  As you will see below, the top left photo is rather famous, not because we are pictured but because this is the same spot that Tyra Banks had her premiere photo shoot.  

After a 2 mile hike, with frequent stops for the children and grandparents who lagged, we stopped for a swim  and then hopped on the boat and headed to Diamond Bay for a snorkel. Snorkeling was uneventful but here's a photo to prove we did it:

Lunch was a little more fun. We pulled into Tortola for a bite to eat at a nondescript restaurant called Pussers. The food was terrible  but the view was amazing. We imbibed with Tortola Cat and drank in the view, watch the video below.

From our experience, you get on a cattle boat once in your life.... and never again.