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Saturday, August 14, 2010

It's finished

It's all done... Tomorrow, I wake up in Kansas.  It's been a great 6 months... bye



My Yin and Yang


See you tomorrow from the  Cul de Sac...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Snorkeling in the British Virgin Isles


Fish are fish and they don't really know much about National boundaries.  So almost all of the fish we saw were similar to the ones we see in the US Virgin Isles.

Except this guy... Never saw him in the American Isles...


Beautiful colors and a whispy tail and extra large feathery fins...


Hard to tell, but this lady is about a foot long...


But, glad to see my favorite fish makes occasional visits across the pond.  The bright clear weather helps really make the colors on the parrot fish pop...


So we'll just call this lady my favorite British fish!

Monday, August 9, 2010

The Baths - Our second trip to England



The baths on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.  This is one of the trips we have planned since we got here.  Saved it for our next to last weekend.


The baths has nothing to do with cleanliness, the refer to the huge granite boulders that dot the beach and provide natural tidal pools, arches, mazes and scenic grottoes that are open to the sea.


The Baths were "discovered" by Christopher Columbus, and Virgin Gorda was named by him.  It is now one of the most visited attractions in the British Virgin islands.


Everybody gets buggy eyed at the amazing unique look of the beach!  Or maybe this fellow's eyes are still bugging out from 1997 when Tyra Banks filmed a famous cover shot for the Sport's Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.


Our tour included time to swim in the clearest water I have ever seen... An amazing blue green color.


Here's Jackie...

And don't get too excited, but there were enough wet T-Shirts to get a contest starting...



The Baths are a "must do" if you get the chance to visit.  Everywhere you look, it's a different picture postcard.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Rainbow over red Hook

I can't decide which Photo I like better...


Thursday, August 5, 2010

Many 17th Century Buildings to See



There are lots of beautifully restored buildings and places in "town" (Charlotte Amalie).  This beautiful alleyway is all 17th century buildings, restored to a wonderful tourist attraction of shopping...


Some places just look 17th century.  A restoration project in progress.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

What do the tourists buy???


There's a store of all Pirate stuff...


Lots of T-Shirt joints...


Booze is cheaper than anywhere else in the world... You can take 5 bottles home.


And of course, duty free shopping with over 200 jewelry stores.

Something for everyone!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010



There are over 200 jewelry stores alone in Charlotte Amalie.  Counting all the restaurants and T-shirt shops, there are more than 300, all within just 3-4 city blocks.

How do they do it???

The alleys have been restored.  Some are little more than stucco paved walkways.  But the very prettiest is the PALM PASSAGE.


If you make it this far, there is a place called Fish Face in the passage.  Worth a look, a little boutique, but also a gallery of AMAZING ocean creature photography.


Always shaded, the passage has a great bar, perfect for a stop during your diamond frenzy.


Nice contrast to the bustle and un-restored look of Main Street...

Monday, August 2, 2010

Dollar Cab



The "Dollar Cab"... Actually costs $2, but that's what it's called.  Think the local bus service.

Circles the island, hop on hop off.  Open air safari cab, 16 seats.  Just wave your hand and they stop, push a button and they stop to let you off.

No set schedule, they just have dozens of these.  Wait a few minutes and one will come by.


Not always the most scenic views, but gets you around the island cheap.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Charlotte Amalie for the Afternoon


Only 2 weeks left... Starting to feel nostalgic, had a BEAUTIFUL day, so I thought I would take my last set of "town" pictures...


Even the alleys are beautiful, and convenient rum bars everywhere!


Meeting the needs of pirates for over 500 years.


Here's the bargains, including T-shirts 4 for $10 (just buy them at least a size or two bigger, they will shrink)


All the cool kids get at least one beaded braid in their hair while they are here.


And the tink tink tink of the steel drum band carries for blocks!


Over 200 jewelry stores... And duty free Booze!

Friday, July 30, 2010

It's flowering season for the trees




Don't know what kind of trees these are, but they sure make the island pretty!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

the Palm Trees get a Trim


Here's the befores (durings actually)


And here's the after...  I think they took a little too much off the top, but it'll grow out

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Blackbeard's Castle



Not much history, but nicely restored, and there are big bronze statues of pirates everywhere...


And the star is this 20 foot tall Blackbeard himself!

And look at these beautiful blue skies finally... After over a week of rain.