Monday
ahhhh. Our last full day on the island and the best as well. We rented an inflatable dinghy from Noah's little arks from 9-5. The roads here are twisting and turning straight up the mountains so beach hopping by boat is ideal. We started our journey by heading to the farthest point, Waterlemon Cay. It is a small, mostly rocky cay known for it's snorkeling. We saw beautiful fish, lots of coral and both Scott and I saw turtles. Scott also had his first parent call during our lunch when Zach announced that he had to poop. Now the Cay is all of 20 ft and there are no trees and snorkelers everywhere. He very admiraly took Zach aside and dug a hole. Poor Z.
Next we headed to Anna point where we had seen a dive boat anchored. The water was a bit deep but I explored anyways while Scott and the kids stayed on the boat. Cole was very impressed with my scuba roll backwards off the dinghy. Coral was beautiful but not many fish.
Next, Scott tried snorkeling at whistling cay.
Then we popped into Maho for provisions- all of this snorkeling works up an appetite. I should mention too that Zach tried a mask/snorkel for the first time. He was so cute. He would only pop his head in long enough to see minnows but he was thrilled! He came a long way this week swimming and now to have both boys snorkeling was really a treat.
Our last stop was back to paradise aka Solomon beach. It is far and away our favorite and going by boat saves a 20 min hike. We spent our last couple of hrs playing in the water and enjoying the sand. We savored every min and took some final family pics before setting off.
Back on land, we changed clothes and Cole and I set off on a quest for shark tooth necklaces. We were successful and the boys wore them proudly. Dinner at Banana Deck, delicious Mahi and finished with a banana split.
Back at Maho (Zach passed out in the car). We read Harry Potter and listened to the sounds of the band playing echoed from the pavilion.
Oh, I should mention that we nearly hit a wild donkey on the road as we were driving home.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
SUNDAY
Had a wonderful day with the Sins family, friends from Weston. We met in the morning at Trunk Bay. They have 3 children, 2 boys both the same age as Zach and Cole and a daughter age 9.
After the men snorkeled In the underwater park (buoys mark out the boundaries of the park and underwater are signs illustrating the fish/plants in that area. Around 1pm it started to rain so we dashed to the snack shack. After lunch, we followed them back to the Westin. The rest of the day was spent watching the kids play in the pool (complete with water fall). Then we showered and changed for dinner. Mind you this was supposed to be my one hot shower of the week. Sadly, the faucet was mis-marked and I did not have the presence of mind to turn it to cold to get hot, so Zach and I shared yet another cold shower. :(
We all went to the beach cafe on the marina and the kids ate while the adults drank. There were 4 talking parrots on display that the kids got a real kick out of. Then we brought them up to the suite to watch a movie while we dined. The food was great, especially the $20 mozzerella and tomato salad lol It was a wonderful day spent with friends and one we will cherish.
Sent from my iPhone.
After the men snorkeled In the underwater park (buoys mark out the boundaries of the park and underwater are signs illustrating the fish/plants in that area. Around 1pm it started to rain so we dashed to the snack shack. After lunch, we followed them back to the Westin. The rest of the day was spent watching the kids play in the pool (complete with water fall). Then we showered and changed for dinner. Mind you this was supposed to be my one hot shower of the week. Sadly, the faucet was mis-marked and I did not have the presence of mind to turn it to cold to get hot, so Zach and I shared yet another cold shower. :(
We all went to the beach cafe on the marina and the kids ate while the adults drank. There were 4 talking parrots on display that the kids got a real kick out of. Then we brought them up to the suite to watch a movie while we dined. The food was great, especially the $20 mozzerella and tomato salad lol It was a wonderful day spent with friends and one we will cherish.
Sent from my iPhone.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
SATURDAY
Moving day. Got up this morning, made some oatmeal for breakfast and started packing up the tent. Cole and I managed to hammer open another coconut, which Scott was able to finally open for us. Nothing like fresh coconut. So yummy. While packing the tent up, Cole occupied himself climbing trees and racing giant hermit crabs down the path.
After checkout, we headed over to Francis Bay since we had 3 hrs to kill before check-in at Maho. The beach was fairly crowded for a while but thinned as the day went on. We saw several pelicans dive-bombing for lunch as we ate our lunch. Swimming was great and both kids are officially fishes. Zach has been doing great screaming to anyone within earshot that he can swim and would they like to watch! Each day he has improved. Cole is swimming better and better too. Surfing waves, snorkeling and today played water frisbe. It was fun despite the rain. Yes, rain. So not in the brochure! Lasted about 20 min, broke For a while, even sporting the sun and then rained again off/on. The day ended with an attack of no-see-ums and a mad dash for the car. Not my favorite day to date.
Maho seems better than I remembered. We have VIP A tent this time (no idea why the VIP tag) but it seems cool. Not the view we had before but the floor is ONE piece! That means less critters in/out! Woo hoo!
Had dinner here in the pavilion and marveled at the 3 young boys and 2 parents playing Totally Gross- a wonderful fact card game with gross dares. Perfect for any boy. After eavesdropping and giggling, we were invited to play. The game broke up shortly after Cole had to imitate a fly eating (they eat, throw up their food and eat it again). After dinner we watched part of the family movie Happy Feet.
Raining now as I lie in bed. I am however lying on a real mattress with a real sheet and Internet! Who knew Eco-tents could feel luxurious?
We are meeting friend tomorrow at the Westin. Torn between spending a day with cabana boys and piña coladas vs taking them away from their poshness to another beach. We'll see where we end up.
Bon soir!
After checkout, we headed over to Francis Bay since we had 3 hrs to kill before check-in at Maho. The beach was fairly crowded for a while but thinned as the day went on. We saw several pelicans dive-bombing for lunch as we ate our lunch. Swimming was great and both kids are officially fishes. Zach has been doing great screaming to anyone within earshot that he can swim and would they like to watch! Each day he has improved. Cole is swimming better and better too. Surfing waves, snorkeling and today played water frisbe. It was fun despite the rain. Yes, rain. So not in the brochure! Lasted about 20 min, broke For a while, even sporting the sun and then rained again off/on. The day ended with an attack of no-see-ums and a mad dash for the car. Not my favorite day to date.
Maho seems better than I remembered. We have VIP A tent this time (no idea why the VIP tag) but it seems cool. Not the view we had before but the floor is ONE piece! That means less critters in/out! Woo hoo!
Had dinner here in the pavilion and marveled at the 3 young boys and 2 parents playing Totally Gross- a wonderful fact card game with gross dares. Perfect for any boy. After eavesdropping and giggling, we were invited to play. The game broke up shortly after Cole had to imitate a fly eating (they eat, throw up their food and eat it again). After dinner we watched part of the family movie Happy Feet.
Raining now as I lie in bed. I am however lying on a real mattress with a real sheet and Internet! Who knew Eco-tents could feel luxurious?
We are meeting friend tomorrow at the Westin. Torn between spending a day with cabana boys and piña coladas vs taking them away from their poshness to another beach. We'll see where we end up.
Bon soir!
Friday, February 19, 2010
FRIDAY
Went food shopping at Starfish. Bought necessities for lunch/breakfast. Never fails to amaze me food prices. If I can attach you will see small bag shredded cheese for $10. Ouch.
Today started fairly well. Enjoyed cooking egg burritos at our tent thanks to grocery shopping. Missed my morning coffee. As Zach and I headed for the bath house this morning (a stone's throw from the beach) we poked our toes onto the sand and found a coconut looking fairly ripe, free for the taking. We brought it back and smashed it on a jagged rock while Daddy made breakfSr. After much woman-power, we finally broke it open and all enjoyed fresh coconut with breakfast. Scott also met up with the tree primers, who he refers to as body-of-gods, who took a machetti to a green coconut and gave it to Scott to try the milk. He said the green coconuts are good for bread.
We also heard our neighbors exclaim that there was a 5ft iguana in our tent site. Everyone in our site area dashed to see him scurry around in the brush and ultimately scale a tree.
This morning the hoopla was over a small scorpion in a dish tub. Wish I had passed on that one. I never knew scorpions and tarantulas were native to the island. Ignorance is bliss. Thank goodness we brought our own tent that zips!
The bad news is Zach woke up with a sun blister on his ear. Poor thing. It doesn't hurt but we are trying to find zinc to cover him up.
Had oatmeal for breakfast and found another coconut. Mmmmm. Packed lunch and today and are now headed for Salt Pond on the other side of the island. Also stopping to inquire about a rental dinghy for the day. Booked it for Monday.
Headed in car to Salt Pond and stopped at Skinny Legs for lunch. Great burgers, or maybe it was the drinks. It's a local dive that promises "same day service." lol
Sent from my iPhone.
Today started fairly well. Enjoyed cooking egg burritos at our tent thanks to grocery shopping. Missed my morning coffee. As Zach and I headed for the bath house this morning (a stone's throw from the beach) we poked our toes onto the sand and found a coconut looking fairly ripe, free for the taking. We brought it back and smashed it on a jagged rock while Daddy made breakfSr. After much woman-power, we finally broke it open and all enjoyed fresh coconut with breakfast. Scott also met up with the tree primers, who he refers to as body-of-gods, who took a machetti to a green coconut and gave it to Scott to try the milk. He said the green coconuts are good for bread.
We also heard our neighbors exclaim that there was a 5ft iguana in our tent site. Everyone in our site area dashed to see him scurry around in the brush and ultimately scale a tree.
This morning the hoopla was over a small scorpion in a dish tub. Wish I had passed on that one. I never knew scorpions and tarantulas were native to the island. Ignorance is bliss. Thank goodness we brought our own tent that zips!
The bad news is Zach woke up with a sun blister on his ear. Poor thing. It doesn't hurt but we are trying to find zinc to cover him up.
Had oatmeal for breakfast and found another coconut. Mmmmm. Packed lunch and today and are now headed for Salt Pond on the other side of the island. Also stopping to inquire about a rental dinghy for the day. Booked it for Monday.
Headed in car to Salt Pond and stopped at Skinny Legs for lunch. Great burgers, or maybe it was the drinks. It's a local dive that promises "same day service." lol
Sent from my iPhone.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
WEDNESDAY
Our first day was a long one. Had breakfast at the restaurant on site- slow but decent coffee. After much quarreling, we finally headed to Cinnamon Bay. No bread in the general store so lunch was 2 take-out hot dogs and 3 ice cream push-up bars. I had an ice cream for my lunch. Lol.
So what is roughing it? Can I wear eyeliner if I don't brush my hair? Where is the line?
When we were at the beach, there was a man pruning the palm trees! It was his job to scale up the palm (no ropes or safety harnesses) with a bottle of water and a machetti. He then hacked until the fruit and all leaves minus a top sprout were let loose. Interesting job.
The beach was great. Lots of waves for fun. Beach was gorgeous butt we nixed the second sunscreen application and some of us kook like freak shows.
Showers after the beach. We did bring a sunshower which we heated at the beach and made the water too hot! Go figure. We also had no way to hang it and had to take turns outside each others stalls holding the line. That and showering with both kids was interesting.
Our neighbors in the tents around us are all from east coast. There are 21 people in our section from Walpole! Too funny.
Had dinner at Margarita Phils ( best frozen lemonade ever ) but I was careful to share the large drink this time. Last time I had a large margarita there I passed out in the car! Also had amazing tuna seared tacos! Yum.
Bed by 9:00. New day.
Sent from my iPhone.
So what is roughing it? Can I wear eyeliner if I don't brush my hair? Where is the line?
When we were at the beach, there was a man pruning the palm trees! It was his job to scale up the palm (no ropes or safety harnesses) with a bottle of water and a machetti. He then hacked until the fruit and all leaves minus a top sprout were let loose. Interesting job.
The beach was great. Lots of waves for fun. Beach was gorgeous butt we nixed the second sunscreen application and some of us kook like freak shows.
Showers after the beach. We did bring a sunshower which we heated at the beach and made the water too hot! Go figure. We also had no way to hang it and had to take turns outside each others stalls holding the line. That and showering with both kids was interesting.
Our neighbors in the tents around us are all from east coast. There are 21 people in our section from Walpole! Too funny.
Had dinner at Margarita Phils ( best frozen lemonade ever ) but I was careful to share the large drink this time. Last time I had a large margarita there I passed out in the car! Also had amazing tuna seared tacos! Yum.
Bed by 9:00. New day.
Sent from my iPhone.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
TUESDAY
Sigh. Here at last! Took 12 hrs door to door. Started at 7am with cab to Logan and then flee to Puerto Rico. Then puddle-jumper to St Thomas, pick up rental car (thank goodness luggage fit in trunk!) Once we finally arrived at St Thomas airport, Scott swears he saw Vin Rhames from the Green Mile. No pics unfortunately.
So, we picked up our car, drove an hr to red Hook to ferry and made the 6:00 with 2 min to spare. Got dinner, set up tent in the dark and called it a night.
So, we picked up our car, drove an hr to red Hook to ferry and made the 6:00 with 2 min to spare. Got dinner, set up tent in the dark and called it a night.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
SUNDAY PRE-TRIP PACKING
Ok, so 2 days left. We leave for St. John on Tuesday morning for a week of... (get ready for this) CAMPING! Now we are talking bring your own tent, knife, bug spray, sunscreen, towels, sheets etc camping (in case you thought packing for a family of four was already a challenge).
We are staying at Cinnamon Bay and have no idea what to expect (although we have been to the beach there as tourists). Thus far, a part of me is still in denial. Not that I am used to luxury hotels (far from it) but we have never camped more than 2 consecutive nights before and only on the Cape.
So now my head swirls with what to bring and what to buy for 5x/price on the island. So far I have rum on my list....
We are staying at Cinnamon Bay and have no idea what to expect (although we have been to the beach there as tourists). Thus far, a part of me is still in denial. Not that I am used to luxury hotels (far from it) but we have never camped more than 2 consecutive nights before and only on the Cape.
So now my head swirls with what to bring and what to buy for 5x/price on the island. So far I have rum on my list....
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