A Fond Farewell

We had a wonderful last day of our journey in St. Thomas.  At least it the last day of our cruise.  The cross island drive took us through the not so picturesque parts of the fabled port and we also so a lot of remaining hurricane 2017 damage. 

A fund raiser for the school we had passed that is still rebuilding.

When we arrived at the gravel parking lot we walked in a long straight line across a messy area that was used for storage until we came to a very long dock.  Our boat, Dancing Dauphin, was moored at the far end. 

We set out of the small harbor propelled by the outboard motor of the gleaming white ship.  Once we were out into the open water and the bright blue sail was rigged, Jody gave us a talk about the history of the islands.  And some funny stories about the lesser known ones.  After pointing out where the Caribbean ended and the Atlantic began we bounced over the rough seam of the seas.

 A private home on St. Thomas.

 

When we arrived at the buoy off Honeymoon Beach we had the option to jump in or ride the dingy to the shore.  I took my towel, phone, water, and sunglasses and hopped aboard the little grey rubber dingy.   Elva stayed on the cat with some of the others.  I enjoyed the beach very much.  It is not the soft ‘sugar sands’ of the Florida Panhandle but rather crushed shells, but not as sharp as coquina the St. Augustine is.  I loved swimming in the cool water of the sheltered Caribbean Beach.  Since I wasn’t buddied up with anyone I pretty much stuck close to everyone.  I had grabbed a noodle when leaving the ship and basked in the comforting feeling of water, wave, and sun.

 That is just my shadow on the water.  

The bottom was about 15 feet below and you can see some small rocks resting on it.

I took some pictures with my phone in its new water proof case so I hoped that worked. There was just enough wave action however that I couldn't stay afloat and take under water shots at the same time.  You will have to use your imagination.  And there was not really anything to see except the sand beneath the sparkling aquamarine waters. I didn't see a single fish until I was going up the boat steps to re-board an after about an hour and a half.

As we sailed away the girls put out rye bread pieces, sliced cheeses, cut watermelon and oranges, and chocolates!  The champagne and rum punch began to flow.  Going over we had juice and water and soda because no alcohol could be served before swimming or snorkeling.  So we sure made up for it on the way back.  I discovered I also liked a Champagne Floater.  This was icy rum punch with about an inch of champagne added to the top.  Funny.  When I saw the wine bottle it was Cook’s. The whole morning was such fun and so different for me.    Can’t wait until I can do it again!

 Honeymoon Beach behind me in the beautiful St. John's National Park.

 The Ritz Carleton Hotel on St. Thomas.  I believe Christine and Mac spent their honeymoon there and surely made their way to the same beach I had just visited.

The bus ride back was shorter, less ‘scenic.’  We each took a quick shower and rinsed out our suits.  Then up to the AquaVit for a bite to eat.  I had a slice of tender sirloin and fruit.  Before you knew it we needed to go back out to meet our included tour. This was a tour to Mountaintop the historic viewpoint.  The steep and winding road provided a couple of stopping points along the way.  The view at the top was nice and there was a large shopping area and banana daiquiris for sale.  We have had so many free drinks this trip I did not feel any urge to buy one.

A view towards the spectacular, popular, and public Meghan's Bay.  

A gentleman donated all that land under two conditions:  it would not have homes, hotels or commercial properties developed.  It would remain under government control for public use, and it would be named for his only daughter!  The government does charge a small fee to help with    upkeep and maintenance. It is probably the most popular cruiser site to see and for swimming.

Our new friend Carol was with us on our bus, another jitney safari.  We had a nice time but now as we parted each time with friends we had to say goodbye and not mean see you later.

I had started packing and now finished up except for the last minute things.  What I am wearing on the plane tomorrow I wore to Chef’s Table tonight.  The menu was the title Sweet & Salty highlighting these ‘best friends’ of tastes.  The menu was paired with ‘witty pourings’ of five different wines.  The six of us had Eric as our waiter again and he always makes it nice.  He is very good at what he does and genuinely seems to enjoy it.  This we all agreed was maybe the best meal we have had there.  Scallops and Veal Tenderloin were featured.  The meat was not sliced and or pounded but a deliciously double marinated and very large and tender chunk of melt in your mouth veal.  I have never had it served this way before.

 Elva and her brother Allan ready for dinner.

The Sea Scallop presentation.  

For me, Chefs Table was all about how the food looked.  Many of the things were not to my taste because I am an old fashioned and picky eater.  Everyone else loved it all!  This meal was the favorite!

 Dessert with a puffed pastry 'hat' that was like fine threads of baked straw.

Dinner was followed by more fond farewells, a little more finishing up like checking bills and checking under beds, filling out comment forms and generally feeling ready to go yet wanting to stay!

What a wonderful experience from start to finish.  A few little, very small, things that we didn't like but so insignificant in the overall picture of being among the lucky few to travel the Amazon River and to do it in style!