More Fun Serendipity

Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner Fundraiser in Cruz Bay

It is Friday night and we have a group in camp.  I took the time today to do a  “big cleaning”  of my Hermitage and I am glad that I did.  You cannot imagine cleaning here.  You clean top to bottom and within twenty four hours (may-be sooner) the spider webs form and the mildew sets in.  It is a constant battle.  So today, I took the upper hand!  And I am glad that I did because the Hermitage is … Oh.. so pleasant tonight.   Food, not so good.  Not wanting to venture into the dining hall with all kinds of activity; I settled for a banana (very ripe) and a granola bar and some leftover pulled pork sandwich (which by the way tastes like liverwurst … something I never have been drawn too)  and a rum and ginger (when I leave here… I may never drink rum and ginger again… it is truly an island habit)  Tomorrow morning, I will make up for it,  and find something more appealing to eat, if possible,  and those, my friends,  are the eating habits at Viers.  Not, how you say… DINING…

The group that is here were at camp about a month ago and they do their own thing.  Consequently, it is easy to recede into a reclusive state and kind of become invisible.  So, I think I nested today for a reason and it a perfect move.   I am going to enjoy the weekend “on my own” but here.  And that is a lovely way to spend the last weekend before all kinds of people start arriving on Tuesday.  It is not that I could not be assertive about participating with this group, and Zoe encouraged me to do so.  However, it is my energy bank that determines my behavior at this point and though I might be energized by participating; it is at such a low ebb that I cannot initiate the engagement.  It is a good barometer of involvement depending on what your objectives might be in the future.  

As I left you, I was headed for a pre-thanksgiving dinner in Cruz Bay complete with steel drum and reggae bands.  We arrived somewhat early, to find that tables had been set up in the middle of the street right in downtown Cruz Bay.  The dinner was a fundraiser the Love City  Pan Dragons steel drum band, which is a group of local St John kids. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtdXV6CRcDg   We had not quite been sure of the location but it sure was easy to find!  We stood on the sidelines for a bit not wanting to be the first to sit and eventually the tables began to fill in and the steel drum music glided on air in and around the purple tables and us.  It is very gently music, fitting for the climate.  There was an incredible spread of food.  We expected that it would be local foods but to our surprise was traditional Thanksgiving fare with the addition of fresh fish.  I was disappointed for Zoe, because it left her few veggie options.  We enjoyed the food and the music, though the band broke for dinner and then in the second set played many of the songs that they did in the first set, holding off the reggae band for too long.  We were, however, incredibly impressed with the talents of the kids and the conductor.  Some of the kids were real performers and used the totality of their body to share the rhythmic beats. 

We were also interrupted several times by some real quick downpours.  I was impressed by two local women with umbrellas poised who just sat as if nothing was happening, eating their dinner and enjoying themselves.  I think umbrella is an art form at this time of year here.  At one point we actually got under the table with some people (volunteers from Maho that I had met when I was there) that were sitting with us.  We joked around about drinking each other under the table.  How could you pass that up?

There was a long intermission after the kids ended their concert.   It was way too long.  The reggae band, Inner Visions  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG3xFvM-nJM&feature=related) did not seem to be heading the call to come up to the stage.  It was our guess that they were having visions of their own somewhere and we thought this particularly because the aroma of reefer was everywhere.  Such a familiar aroma here.

Finally, they started but by then the crowd had filtered away.  There were a few determined dancers in the street, many of them challenged by merely standing.  Other’s just apparently really needed to dance.

Zoe and I decided to call it quits and drive back to Viers.  I faced a new challenge of driving “all the way” as they call it here, in the dark of night.  It is hitchhiking lingo for going all the way to Cruz Bay or Coral Bay.  I was pleasantly surprised to find street lights on ninety percent of the stretch back and no formidable problems.  One more notch in my belt!

The next day I was coming back into Cruz Bay to drop Zoe at the ferry…so I was getting a lot of driving practice during the weekend.  I decided to take the long way home via the north shore since it has the three most difficulty very steep hairpin turns.  I maneuvered these very well.  I have surely earned my St John Wheels

I stopped at Shipwreck for a burger on the way home.  As I ate my burger, I was introduced to a pirate game called “Shut the Box”.   This game is not easy and it could be very addictive.  It you were a pirate, I am sure there were bets involved,  along with lots of rum and most likely loss of life.   As I ate and played… I realized that I was eating a burger that came from the same food delivery as camp!  It was then I decided not to pay for another burger on this island but wait until I get back to the states.  Probably the same kind of food delivery there… may-be there will be burgers no more.  I doubt it.. I’ll make my own.

Monday. mostly clean up from the weekend UVI group,  and Tuesday, clean up continued,  were both quiet days and I looked forward to our invitation from Lyndie, and the viewing of the ski trip to the North Pole.  I had showered and dressed and was waiting for Jamie and thought may-be I should not have gotten him into this but he was ready and we found our way to their island home.  The driveway was a treacherous at they get around here but the payoff is always the view and it was truly spectacular. On the way out of the driveway Jamie did “ a several point turn” with the truck to avoid backing since he said a mistake can “have big consequences around here” and to which I replied… “yeah, like death. ”

Lyndy and Heinz  had built this house over several year periods,  quite awhile ago and now go back and forth between here and Lyndonville, Vt.  There was an expansive wrap around deck that made you wonder how they got the huge lumber up the hill.  The house was stark and beautiful.  We were served wine and snacks and given an introduction to  the video.  Hienz had done the video and narration and Lyndy did the music.  It was beautifully done.  They told us that it was actually four adventures that we would be seeing (I silently flinched thinking Jamie was going to kill me since he had plans to go out afterwards).  We all were totally captured by the presentation, them reliving every minute, I am sure,  and we were reduced to five year olds watching these two do the most amazing things including riding a Russian trawler thought the ice caps of the artic, skiing to the North Pole, climbing the highest most northern peak while camping for fifteen days on the ice and finally actually finding discovering the northern most island!  So, they have set foot on a piece of land that no one else has ever seen.  When they arrived at the North Pole they took a picture of their GPS device with the coordinates… since that is the only way you tell you know you are there!  The horizon shows the curvature of the earth and they announced they were standing on the very top of the earth.  Wicked!!   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnIO2K5v7wo)

Afterwards we talked a bit and they were full of questions about us.  When we finally left, Jamie and I agreed that we had both fumbled when telling them about our “adventures” that seemed so insignificant by comparison. Lyndie also mentioned that she had sky dived a couple weeks ago since she had never done it.  They met each other as pilots and they both purchased and fly hot air balloons.   She is actually turning 80 on Tuesday and I plan to call her and wish her Happy Birthday.  They both are truly inspirational, but I particularly find her to be.  They are full of life, healthy, happy and a bit crazy, self-proclaimed! 

The next day was particularly long.  Days now with no event in them, seem much longer than they did initially.   Thursday we had to go pick up the other truck at the repair shop (two drivers needed for this)  and so I asked if I could go check out Jumbie beach and that was approved!  Jumbie beach is a cute little beach but by the time I got there was no sun to speak of.  Now, this was a good fine in retrospect because if you wanted to spend a day on the beach you would get a good dose of morning sun and then have shade all afternoon.  Since sun was what I was after.  I moseyed on down to Cinnamon Bay, rented a float and floated for awhile.  Then I headed back to Viers and stopped at the Tourist Trap.  I needed to get back by six for a call from my family so I just got a sandwich to go but ran in to Ann.  Ann, I met on the plane coming down and she and her husband have a house right near the Tourist Trap and Concordia.  They invited me to join them and with them sat Wayne, who manages Concordia and Roseanne, who works at Concordia.  We got in to a great discussion about volunteering with them next year and I told them I would come over this week sometime.  The Tourist Trap seems to be a happy hour location for Concordia employees, volunteers and those who live adjacent to Concordia and Salt Pond.  And, it has good food and a fun atmosphere. 

Back at Viers.. I had just missed my call from Mar but she was calling back in ten minutes.  I got the call and talked with everyone… Mom, Sal, Mar, Steve, Matthew and Sarah.  It was brief but so nice to hear their voices!!

Thanksgiving morning arrived on schedule.  Jamie and Kelly had worked in the dining hall all of Wednesday while I was gone.  They made three pies, stuffed the turkey,  etc. and there was very little to do on Thanksgiving day.  I worked some and then went down to the water to try out the camp kayaks.  They are short and stout and require a lot of work to keep them going in a straight line.  But my motivation was to tie to a mooring in the bay and lay in the sun!  I paddled to the mooring… tied up and laughed to myself to think of all the huge vessels that have tied to that mooring and now I lay there on a yellow, six foot, sit on top kayak!  No one to take a picture… damn!  But I am sure you can picture it.  The bay has several mooring but none taken.  This surprised me as I would sure some fancy boater would want to have turkey day on their boat!  I think they were all moored on the north shore since that had been super busy when I was over there the day before.

Tonight, Friday, there are 36 kids in camp.  So solitude has blossomed into pretty much full chaos.  It is raining right now which may keep them quieter tonight or it could work the other way.  They ring the bell for breakfast a 6am… so it will be a different atmosphere for the next couple of days.    AND then… lots of people will be arriving for the Grande finale at Viers.

Oh, and the ladies from D.C. left on Monday but I have an invite to go visit.  They left clothes behind which I packed up to send them and the day I was going to do it… they called in the morning for just that.  I told Sheila she owed me a beer for the package and paying for the four Viers postcards she took… but the package was more than expected.. so she now owes me a Cosmo! ha ha ha

Keeping you posted….

"Road Trip" (Road Town, Tortola, BVI)

It is Saturday afternoon, November 19.  I have been here a little over two months now!  The last time I went anywhere for two months was across country when I was twenty something!  This continues to be quite the experience.

We have two guests, women, Shiela and Patricia from D.C. for five days.  They are not new to St John but new to staying here.  They have been off each day on day trips.  Zoe and I joined them on a birding expedition that the National Park offers on Friday mornings at Francis Bay.  I have never been bird watching before and it was terrific.   Afterwards, Zoe and I had breakfast in Coral Bay at Sylvia's Clean Plates.  This is the second time I have had breakfast there and both times had coconut pancakes, very delicious.  We are in the midst of a coconut binge here at Viers, thanks to Zoe.  She collected a bunch and Jamie helped her crack them and Zoe spent most of the day getting the coconut meat out, grinding it up in the cuisinart and then squeezing it through a cloth.  We all tried that.. it was like milking a coconut!  This resulted in lots of juice that Zoe let sit for about two days so that it would separate.  The goal was coconut oil and it actually ended up more like a suave.  Zoe conditioned her hair with it and I am going to try it.   Susan made coconut macaroons which were outstanding.  We all munched on coconut meat just raw which this also  is very good… kind of nutty tasting. 

Bill and Susan departed today.  They were to stay at Viers a month but due to a health issue, Bill needed to go home sooner.   I drove them in to Cruz Bay to catch the ferry for STT this morning and it was not the way they wanted to end their trip.  However, as Jamie said, “this is not the place to be sick”. 

We have nine guests in camp from University of Virgin Islands.  We had to prepare their cabins and this was the first time I have done that task i.e. for a group.   Now I can add “chambermaid” to my job functions at Viers! 

We also have two new volunteers as of last Wednesday, Zack and Kelly who were volunteering at Concordia for two weeks.  Jamie picked them up hitchhiking and arrangements were made for them to come here when they left there.  They are field biologists and have worked in the National Park at the Outer Banks during summers.  They are in their twenties.  They have been given the task of rescreening and repainting the screen frames in the dining hall and they are doing a great job.  We welcomed them with a group dinner on Wednesday night that Jamie and Zoe prepared.  It was heavily vegetarian and incredibly good.  Jamie did supply a bottle of wine to go with it that was also incredibly good… of him.   Zack and Kelly also brought Damian, who was just spending one night.  He is the son of the National Park Director for the Virgin Islands and has grown up living in National Parks all over the country… How cool is that?  We had a wonderful dinner together and I rallied for it because I had just returned froma three day excursion and getting back that last day is always exhausting.

My outing was to Tortola,  a British Virgin Island.  Sunday night I went into Cruz Bay and stayed overnight at the St John Inn.  I  needed to be in Cruz Bay to get a 6:30 am ferry to STT and then an 8:30 ferry to Tortola BVI.  I was determined to use the passport that I “expedited” before I left at least once while I was here.   

The St John Inn ( http://www.stjohninn.com/) was fine for my purposes.  It is very close to the ferry dock and so very convenient and no hills to climb.  They only had a suite available and I was wondering what exactly made it a suite but the answer was that it was two rooms, though small.  It was very clean and well decorated.  My “suite” was right off the office and when I tried to leave the room the door got stuck because the veneer was coming off it.  The manager and I spend a bit of time screwing it back together to insure that I could get out of the room!  Just another “typical you never know quite what to expect and go with the flow”  moment that are so frequent in the islands. No need to fuss about things because it really gets no results.

 I showered and went to dinner downtown at the Limetree Inn (http://limeinn.com/) which is one of my favorite restaurants… though others are gaining on it. I watched some TV!  As usual there was nothing that interesting to watch.  I got to bed early because I had an early and long day ahead of me.

I was so concerned about the alarm not going off that I got very little sleep and finally got up at 5am.  About 5:30 I opened my door to the office where a young girl sat at the desk (the night manager) who was more than a little surprised to see me up so early.  I explained that I was catching a ferry and she thought I was way too early, which I was.  It was still pitch dark outside. So I went back in my room and watched TV for a bit and left the Inn at about 6.  I got a cup of coffee at JJ’s  and then boarded the ferry.  It was actually a neat experience as the sun started to come up and to watch St John recede as we headed toward Red Hook.  I left the ferry and the Safari bus was at the stop. The Safari bus is better than the Vtran.  They cost a buck and run all over STT.   I jumped on and we were headed toward Charlotte Amalie for the Tortola “fast ferry”.  I arrived at the second ferry and the desk was not yet open and when I looked at the clock it was 6:55!  I still cannot figure out how I got from one place to another in less than a half hour.  This seems impossible to me but as I reviewed it in my mind I concluded that is what happened.  If you were trying to do this; I don’t think you could pull it off.  The thought actually crossed my mind that I had been in a fatal accident on the ferry and I was walking around as a ghost as I am sure you have seen in a number of movies.

Now I had an hour and a half to wait.  I walked back a few blocks trying to find something open to have a little breakfast and found a latte place… a latte and bagel… excellent.

I boarded the fast ferry finally and was on my way to the British Virgin Islands… Road Town… Tortola that took about ninety minutes.

It was an enjoyable ride.  I arrived and walked around Road Town… found a great shop called The Gallery (http://www.thegallerybvi.com/)%20and promised them if I won the lottery… I would be back.   The shop had things from many local artists and they were all so beautiful.   I also spend at least a half hour in the Sunny Caribee spice shope ... You will not find a better selection! (http://www.sunnycaribbee.com/ )I had lunch at Pusser”s Outpost  (http://www.pussers.com/t-road-town-pub.aspx) and bought some gifts that, of course, included the famous Pusser’s Rum and so did lunch.  I had grog  , “the real thing”.  Here is the recipe:  (http://www.pussers.com/t-grog-recipe.aspx) After paying a $5.oo custom’s tax (so many fees…so little time) I boarded the ferry for STT at 2:30pm.  I was sitting on the top deck and we had a major downpour, these happen frequently here.  I was under a small roof so I stayed outside and was rewarded with a magnificent rainbow that faded into the ocean on both ends.  This is the land of rainbows because of these brief heavy downpours, followed by brilliant sunshine.

Customs in STT took quite a long time.  We were asked if we had food items.  The people in front of my had a bag off snacks and a cooler which they went through meticulously and when I made a wisecrack about it… the customs man said he should arrest me just for making jokes!  He then told me just how serious the matter was and that one ham sandwich had caused an epidemic that killed hundreds of people.  Live and learn!  The worst part of this was that I forgot that I had half of my lunch in a doggie bag and I had said I had no food items.  I am thankful that they did not find it.. or I just may have been arrested. 

I had decided before I left to stay in STT when I got back because I knew I would be weary.  As I began to walk to the Galleon House (where I stayed on my first night in STT), (http://galleonhousestthomas.com/)  the skies opened up again.  I had a little rain jacket on but there was no escaping it.  I got drenched to the bone and just gave into it.  I reached the hotel and was so happy to take a hot shower and change into dry clothes.  I actually did not go out but ate the contents of my doggie bag for dinner and enjoyed the view from the room,  a very pretty room that had been newly decorated.  The next day I met the new owners as of August who are renovating.  I actually reserved the very same room for my last night in STT before I fly home.  The only disadvantage to the renovation is that the price will probably go up and it has been a very reasonable and nice place to stay when you are arriving or leaving here.  However, don’t go there with a lot of luggage!  There are many stairs and no one to help you carry bags up!  I learned this the hard way the first time I stayed there and a couple who was staying there that night also learned the hard way.  I had breakfast with them the next day and found out that they live in Tortola (she was originally from Vermont) and have guest Agape Cottages (http://www.agapecottages.com/) in Cane Bay.  I went online and found out the rates… and though they are reasonable and well located it seems… would be steep for me traveling alone.  I did log the information for future reference as I now am in the habit of doing.

I decided not to hurry back to Viers since the Vtran never seems to come until late afternoon anyway.  Instead, I decided to go visit Blackbeard’s Castle ( http://www.blackbeardscastle.com/ ) This is a restaurant and inn where Jayne and I used to stay as a treat the night before we came home from our St John vacations.   I was astounded to find out that it has been purchased by a corporation, the hotel, the restaurant and several adjacent acres which have been deemed an “historic area”.  As I tried to enter the courtyard I was asked to pay a fee of $14, which I declined.  There were at least three tour buses loading people off and into the area.  The bus loads of people created an amusement park atmosphere.  I wondered if you had to pay the fee to have dinner at the restaurant or stay at the inn?  I spoke with a man, who felt it his job to defend the fee by telling me about the purchase of the land etc. etc.    I found it a bit sad, because it seemed more like a money making scheme than a well motivated endeavor.  The only saving grace, I guess is that it looks very well maintained. 

I found out that the ferry I was waiting for from Charlotte Amalie was probably not going to show and proceeded to jump a Safari to Red Hook where they run regularly on the hour.  I got back into Cruz Bay and actually did not have to wait long to catch the Vtran bus.  On the way back on the bus, I tried to use my flip video camera to capture the roller coaster ride complete with sound effects but I just don’t think you can capture this any other way than by actually riding it!  You are just feeling lucky when you get to your destination each time you ride.

I walked from the stop back to Viers and was joined by two donkeys.  Donkeys frequently walk the roads here adding to the excitement of driving.  Donkey, goats and today I was three cows in the road on my trip to Cruz Bay and one was the biggest cow I have ever seen!  The donkeys and I walked together and I took pictures of them and even some video. They were not bashful and walked right up to me.  I imagine they were looking for food and that tourists probably train them to do so.  I was not quite sure if they can get nasty but they did not.  I was actual stalling to try and get a ride from a passerby but did not until I was about 300 yards from the camp entrance.  Bummer… I had to do the hills and puddles.

My ride as it turns out are a couple in their 80’s who are the oldest people to have skied to the North Pole.  I know this because we picked up the woman yesterday, hitchhiking.  Her name is Lydia. She was walking home and was not doing well on the shaded roads with increasing traffic now that tourist season is picking up. 

AND, she called today and invited us over on Tuesday to see the video of her expedition.  This should be a blast… looking forward to it.  AND, they are from Lyndonville, VT and she frequently comes to Hanover, NH and so I said we would have to get together in my neck of the woods sometime and I am going to make sure that happens.

I also met a shop owner in Coral Bay, who built an interesting house that is a bunch of pods.  I asked her if she rented it and she said no, but did I want to housesit?  I was all over it.  She knows Randy Brown well (the Viers Administrator).  She took my contact information and also told me she has a brother she visits occasionally in Lebanon, N.H.  I had some lunch at the Shipwreck (another favorite of mine), which is adjacent to the shops and then went back and offered my house up as a place to stay if she comes to visit sometime and wants her own place.  I said “I had places I could go”… I have no idea what will come of these connections made…but who knows… it is fun making them.

Please note:  I am pretty aware of what information I give people and just who I choose to give what information.  I even started an email account just for this trip.  So, not to worry …. you do have to be careful.

Tonight Zoe and I are headed in to Cruz Bay to see a youth steel band concert and have a pre thanksgiving Caribbean dinner at the park.  The tickets were $15 and it should be fun.  Zoe flies home tomorrow for the real Thanksgiving.

We at Viers have planned a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for Thursday… but it  is going to be different that is for sure.  It will be Jamie, me, Zack, Kelly, Ranger Dave and another park ranger.  I was kidding around that we could all Skype our families in…. when I really wish I could actually fly mine in!

Keeping you posted!

Week of Surprises - Part III

Continued...

I was going with Zoe and Randy to the University of Virgin Islands to the agricultural fair on Sunday and at one point was prepared to do that and be back on St John for the 6pm wine tasting affair.  So, I drove my rented jeep back to Viers and packed for leaving on Sunday, going to the UVI and then meeting Cathie and Ed at Sapphire Bay.

Randy wanted me to meet he and Zoe at the car ferry since they were bringing the camp truck to STT and it was easier and more efficient.  I had to return my jeep, make sure Pat knew I was not coming, go to the ATM etc.  and I did not want to hold Randy and Zoe up.  So I did all my things and then decided to walk over to the car ferry just to see if by chance I could get on and I just made it… the ferry was actually offshore but backed up and one of the boat crew escorted me on to join Randy and Zoe.  A new experience, the car ferry and one worth considering as you can get better car rental deals on STT. 

We got to UVI, which I think is a really pretty campus.  The fair was well attended.  There were great crafts, lots of information, great sale of local plants and a terrific spread of local foods.  It was incredibly hot and though I would have loved to sample foods… I just had no appetite.  I met a native STT woman who is a massage therapist and is very passionate about having an education program on STT for massage therapists… hmmmm.  She wants to get together and I think I will do this.  Randy and Zoe were having a great time taking it all in very slowly and I was intent on continuing on and spending a little time on my own in STT.  So we parted ways and I made my way to Charlotte Amalie by foot and by Safari bus…

Then  I hiked to Havensight Mall  (http://www.havensightmall.com/) to find a bookstore that Randy told me about.  I am desperate for some good reading!  It was quite a walk and I was really hot and by now even hungry.  I had a drink and chicken wings at the Fat Turtle (http://www.fat-turtle.com/) which was a great little place in the Yacht club and just rested and relaxed.

I then found the bookstore.  When I entered it… it actually smelled like a real bookstore! You may never have noticed.. but you would here.  I spend a half hour and identified two books and purchased them and was just so excited.  I decided to walk all the way back to Charlotte Amalie because I really enjoyed the walk along the harbor and it was easier to get a cab from there.  I easily got a cab with a woman cab driver who told me to sit in the front passenger side of the van.  She was originally from Trinidad and now heavily into bible studies and was working on assignment to give her first sermon.  We got into this kind of electric conversation about god and the environment and at the same time were trying to find Sapphire Bay Resort (I guess there are two).  When we did find them and she dropped me off… I was generally distracted and left the bag with the books in the cab!  I had also gotten some snacks and dessert that were in the bag.  She was gone and I was so disappointed.  I thought may-be she would drop them off at the office or the gate…but upon checking, not so.  I did think I had some good content for her first sermon!

I met Cathie and Ed and there place was lovely.  What a great view of now St John starting to twinkle in the night.  We went out to dinner, came back and had lively conversation until later than I have stayed up in awhile.  In the morning Ed made a great breakfast and then I started my trek back to Viers.  I made the 11 o’clock ferry out of Red Hook and then once in St John waited for three hours for the bus!  The bus ride was memorable.  The driver was just outrageous… driving with one hand and wheeling around at breakneck speeds (which here, again, is about 35pmpr). She was having a rip roaring conversation with the woman seated behind her, and THEN, answered her cell phone!  As she did I caught her eye in the mirror above her head and she actually tilted it as if to say… don’t catch me talkin’ on the phone while drivin’!  About ten minutes later we came upon my first major traffic accident on St John.  A cement truck had toppled over into the rut on the side of the road.  Now, it had been coming the other way and, if just by chance, we had been coming up the hill while it had rounded the corner coming down the hill…. well… I think you get the picture.  This was an interesting moment on the but which was a mix of natives, tourists and transplants all witnessing the accident in awe and bonding in the same thought.  It is moments like this when you feel your sameness rather than your difference! 
Once again, I trusted in the greater spirit and did make it to Salt Pond and then hiked my way back to Viers.  Tonight, I am quietly resting in my Hermitage, writing to you,  with tree frogs chirping and breezes blowing through my windows.

Tomorrow!  Back to banking hours for the next adventure ….

Sweet dreams

Keeping you posted!

Week of Surprises - Part II

Be sure to click on "Dory" above for a little fun!

Continued…

Thursday was again a pretty cloudy day.  I had sent messages to Cathie and Ed that I would be around camp if they were trying to reach me. I washed the outside of the office building and redid window washing.  Friday, was a very dreary day and  I spent six hours going through miscellaneous computer devices (monitors, keyboards, mice etc) that had been laying around to see if they worked, since there is a special day to take electronic items that do not work coming up next week.  It was a good activity for a rainy day. 

I had planned to work on Saturday as well, and I started about 7:30… Both Randy and Jamie were headed toward Cruz Bay to drop off the “old truck” for repairs.  I got call from Cathie telling me they would be on the 10 am ferry to St John if I wanted to meet them.  So, I quickly showered and changed gears and caught a ride in with Jamie and left a message on Cathie’s cell that I was on my way in to town and I would look for them in the park across from the ferry.  As we pulled in, there they were.  We sat for a bit and I proposed that I would rent a jeep and take them on an island tour (once again sliding in to my tour guide mode).  They said they would split the cost of the jeep rental which was even better!  We got the jeep and headed off around the island. 

We headed toward Coral Bay first, and stopped at the infamous Skinny Legs  “where you may not want everyone to (http://skinnylegs.com/) know your name”!  We explored the small shops, which I highly recommend, as they have a lot of the merchandise you see elsewhere for a much more reasonable price.   We then went out past the stables (a riding place which I never knew was here) an into East End territory of the rich and famous.  I had driven there one time when I first came to St John… but I had forgotten that this is, without a doubt, the steepest, curviest, hills on St John.  I was feeling very confident driving and I am sure Cathie and Ed were wondering if I was up to the task.  As I drove the east end, I too, wondered but tried to hide my wonder.  I did it and it was a great accomplishment.  Each day I feel more able to drive comfortably here without ever being overconfident… you need to be on the defensive at all times. 

We then proceeded to Viers, where I gave them a tour and drove them, in now, my rented vehicle through the huge puddles… and then on to Shipwreck for a late lunch.  By then we were starved.  We then went to the North side of the island… Maho Bay, the Annenburg  Sugar Mill Ruins(great view off that end of the island which includes Tortola BVI).  We stopped at all the photo ops looking back at Maho, looking over the world famous Trunk Bay beach, stopped at Cinnamon Bay National Campground   As it was getting dark we entered (http://www.cinnamonbay.com/) the also famous, Caneel Bay Resort  for a cocktail in the beach bar complete with a grea (http://www.caneelbay.com/)t view sitting with fans cooling us in the evening humidify, tiki torches lit magically around us and looking out onto the water and the now twinkling in the distance, St Thomas. 

We relaxed and enjoyed the moment and then headed toward Cruz Bay and last site… Mongoose Junction in St John.  Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed, since we are still on the cusp of “high season”.  BUT, the one store that Cathie had seen advertised and wanted to go in, was open and so we did go there.  Then to the ferry dock and a parting of the ways but not without making plans for me to meet them again in St Thomas at Sapphire Bay Resort and Marina (http://www.antillesresorts.com/2sapphirebeach.htm) where they were staying.  It turns out that they had won a week’s stay!  They invited me to stay overnight and how could I resist?  Again, that feast or famine… I was going to have to decline the invitation to serve wine in the villa….

To be continued…..

Keeping you posted!

A Week of Surprises

Monday, November 07, 2011

Another week has passed and this one was full of surprises.  The weather has remained cloudy, rainy and intensely humid.  There have been some sunny periods but the humidity makes the hotter than it was the month of October…. but no complaints.  I am pretty acclimated to it though it does make me  tired feeling.  The last time that I bussed it back to camp, I had met Pat from SC.  She called and asked me to meet her in Cruz Bay on Wednesday about 3pm and said she had rented a jeep.  So, I worked extra hours Tuesday and Wednesday morning Randy said to take the truck to Coral Bay and leave it there and hop the bus.  When I got out of the truck and started walking down the street I found myself looking down at what I thought was a $100 bill!  It was soggy and dirty but the find was a great way to start the day! 

I then was offered a ride from a woman who turned out to be a massage therapist who has been on island for twenty years, lives on a boat in Brown Bay with her husband and is off to Costa Rica for a 500 hour massage course.  Then she and her husband will be sailing to Australia.  The plan has been in the works for a long time.  She gave me her card and also told me there was a Buddhist temple on St Thomas which is on my list of things to go explore. 
I spent the day in Cruz Bay sending some cards, doing some errands and was going to the local library to check it out.  I arrived there to find it closed, bummer, so that will have to wait until another day.

At 3 I met Pat who was coming in from the Reef Bay hike led by park rangers and she had met Mike and Wanda who are volunteers at Concordia (see Maho Website) which is part of Maho Bay camps but on this side of the island.  Pat offered to give them a ride back to Concordia since we were headed that way to Salt Pond to snorkel but we stopped at the Marketplace first for everyone to get anything they needed.  Mike and Wanda gave us a tour of their digs when we got to Concordia and by this time it was a little after five so we decided to forgo the snorkeling and just go out to dinner at Aqua Bistro (http://www.aquabistrostjohn.com/) in Coral Bay.  I have been there three times now and it is high on my list.  There is a great chef.  We shared fish called wahoo…done to perfection and each had salads along with, of course, rum drinks.  We had great conversation and after dinner she delivered me home to Viers… having to drive her rented jeep through the rough terrain of the Lameshur Bay road complete with puddles that now are threatening to reach the floor boards!  We need to dry out soon!  A great day all around. 

Pat’s craiglist find for accommodations were fine but she had decided to find a place in Cruz Bay and tripped into this little villa in town but she had to agree to let her villa be open during a wine tasting that was happening on Sunday evening and kind of host and pour wines.  She told me she would see if I could come and help out too and it seemed like it might be interesting.  She called to let me know the owners were fine for me to come.   So, I thought I would plan on going into town on Sunday to do that. 

In the meantime… I was waiting to hear from Cathie and her husband Ed from back home who were down in St Thomas on vacation… and I had told Pat that that might change plans….. it is feast or famine here!  Nothing has been going on and all of a sudden.. all this activity. 

I am going to stop here… so that I don’t post too much at one time. 

I know that this is difficult to read in this vertical column type of format.  I tried to make some adjustments.  You cannot see as much of the background picture but  hopefully it is easier reading!

So… look forward to the rest of this past week’s adventures in the next post which will be tomorrow or the next day….

To be continued….

Keeping you posted….

Two Night Trip to Maho Bay Camps

Monday, October 31, 2011

Last Thursday I got up to a day off, in fact two days off, which turned into three days off!  Fish was going into Coral Bay where there was to be a cultural fair and offered to give me a ride in.  The trail I was hiking over to Maho Bay Camps  is called the Johnny Horn Trail and it leaves from the center of Coral Bay. 

I found the beginning of the trail to the right of the church which was actually a road at the very beginning.  The road went straight up and the trail sign stated “some steep hills”.  I climbed straight up for about twenty five minutes taking breaks as needed.  I had frozen two water bottles and took nice cold drinks to hydrate. It thaws pretty quickly!   This trail/road goes through a “residential area” i.e. some folks are building or have build homes on the hillside.  Just about every house is on a hillside in St John!  At the very top of this steep incline was a little sign that said “Sweet Honey on the Rocks” and indeed a sweet little house perched there that I am sure had a great view.  Then the trail descends at the same steepness for about twenty minutes and is a gut (definition) so very rocky.  Then the trail levels out with just beautiful views of the ocean and other islands.  In the middle of the woods I came upon a side that said “No hunting crabs” which made me laugh… You don’t see that in New England!  The trail ends up rounding Leinster Bay which is the trail you take from Maho to go to Waterlemon Cay (the must do snorkel spot that I have mentioned earlier).  You also pass a beautiful ruin of an old plantation; there are so many on this island.   I expected the trail to be longer and more challenging than it was, so I was pleasantly surprised.  The hardest part was walking up the also steep driveway to Maho Bay Camps at the end in the heat.  I arrived and got settled into my tent cabin and grabbed some lunch at the camp store which I enjoyed in the Pavillion overlooking the ocean.  Maho serves a great breakfast and dinner but no lunches.  I had cheese, fruit and a Mango Beer.  Then I changed and went for a brief swim and snorkel and hit the jackpot.  I had been wanting to see an octopus and there were a group of people saying that they were seeing one.  I swam over and everyone was pointing at it but for the life of me, I could not see it and I was not sure what I was really looking for.  I must have stared for ten minutes and the others swam away… then I finally saw its two little eyes and a weird shape wrapped around some rocks at the base of a large rock.  It camouflages well as many sea creatures here do.  I was elated!

Later, I was trying to decide if I wanted to stay at Maho for dinner or go in to Cruz Bay and DINE for a real treat.  ( Spy Glass  http://spyglassvi.com/index.html).  It's for sale... Want to move to the islands?I thought if I pass the shuttle area and it looks like some folks are going in… I will hop on and sure enough there was a family of four headed in to town.  Sarah and her three children, Savanah, Calvin and Mateo were great company and though we parted for dinner we ended up back together looking for a cab  and finally found one.  Fretts shuttle was not headed back to Maho for another hour or so and we did not want to wait if another option arose.  We got back and went to our respective tent cabins and agreed to meet for breakfast.  They were going to do the underwater trail at Trunk Bay which is most famous but  I was set on spending the day lolling around the beach right there at Maho which I did and fully enjoyed.  We had fun at breakfast and off they went.  I rented a yellow raft for $7/day and floated around for most of the day… did some snorkeling and saw some very large squid and a tarpin. At about 4 or so,  my new family of friends came bounding on to the beach.  Trunk Bay had been closed due to high waves… there was a big wind that was stirring up the ocean.  In fact…there was hardly any beach at Maho for most of the day since the waves were washing up so high.  They made the best of the day and were ready for some swimming.   We planned to meet for dinner which we did and once again… It was Prime Rib at Maho which is one of the reasons that I chose to be there on a Friday … they really do it up. I really enjoyed dinner… it felt great to be with excited kids full of enthusiasm for this place.  They also finished off half of my prime rib… it was huge and they each ate a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for dessert.  I did get a bite!
During my two day stay, I also met a variety of volunteers that are my age.  I had always had the impression it was kids in their twenties and I guess that is true during the summer but October and November bring those that are retired.  The stay is a month which is just right.  I had good conversations and was invited back for Thanksgiving dinner which I guess they really do well at Maho.  They were actually having a pumpkin carving contest on Saturday for Halloween. 

On Sunday, I wanted to get back to Viers to put at least a couple work hours in.  Hamilton(who I know), a local well known figure, gives island tours and my new friends were going with him for an all day exclusive tour for the four of them.  I was offered a ride to Salt Pond (the bus end of the line stop) that I should have taken but I was not checked out and I did not want to hold them up.  I really should have hustled my buns!  Instead I took the 10:15 shuttle into Cruz Bay intending to take the Vtran bus back to Salt Pond.  It was about 11 and I thought the next bus would be 11:25…no show.  When it did finally show about 12:15 the driver said he would be leaving town at 1:25, ugh!  I was itchy to get back.  I began talking to this woman named Pat who was also waiting for the bus and had just arrived on the ferry.  She had been in Tortola for a week on a boat with a male traveling friend.   She is from Hilton Head and she is retired and my age.  She had spent the week sailing on this boat for $180 for the week!  Now she was headed to a rental here on St John that she had found on Craiglist.  I must say I was a little taken aback by her adventuresomeness… and wondered if she would be safe.   As we talked we both thought may-be with two of us we could get a ride our way.  Around the corner came this guy, Matt who I had meant a couple of times – he waits table at JJ;s right at the ferry dock.  I think I mentioned him earlier in my blog.  Very nice guy and he was picking up two young women (who knows how they had connected but it was the girl’s last night here and they were ready to party)  I asked him where he was headed and he said he could give us a ride part way to another bus stop.   Long story short – we got a couple of rides but I ended up in Coral Bay waiting for the bus anyway!  It was like playing leap frog with the bus all the way home…. But before I caught the bus… I ended up reconnecting with Sarah and the kids at Skinny Legs which I knew was on their tour for lunchtime.  I also saw Hamilton and told him I should definitely have taken him up on his offer for the ride!  I walked back to camp and got there about 3:30.. with no energy left to work.  Zoe had wanted to go to this farmers marked in St John on Sunday and I was going to go with her but we canned it because it would be a lot of time and transportation getting there.  So since I was going to put in a full day on Sunday… I just relaxed for the rest of Saturday.

Tonight is Halloween.  There is a big bash at Skinny Legs… the local and infamous bar in Coral Bay…

The big news from New England had been of your early snow fall this past weekend… if it makes you feel any better it has been rainy here today.  I am enjoying the sound of it right now… it is comforting BUT I do hope it is not bringing in the “big rains of November”  that are common here!

Happy Halloween!

Keeping you posted!



 Jumbie  is a type of mythological spirit or demon in the folklore of some Caribbean countries commonly believe in this creature. The belief is also held by practitioners of Obeah, a form of mystical wizardry that encompasses traditional African beliefs Different cultures have different concepts of jumbees, but the general idea is that people who have been evil are destined to become instruments of evil (jumbee) in death. For more info go to the following website:

http://repeatingislands.com/2009/10/28/moko-jumbie-stilt-dancing-rooted-in-the-ancient-traditions-of-african-slaves/