Now part 3 is finally ready, it take some time for me, sorry

BEACH BAR, TRUNK BAY, FRANCIS BAY

Today it’s Sunday. Have planned to go to miss Lucy for brunch (on my list). Hb and I look at each other, so nice to have our breakfast on the deck- our rye bread from Denmark, not much left, and egg and juice, then toast, jam, cheese, coffee for hb and tea for me - should we stay here instead? Yes! Also know that hb is still thinking about the problem with no electricity to Hot Tube, hb is a handy man, can nearly always solve problems like this. But where is this damned junction box? Not in any closets where we normally would have it. Perhaps underneath the house? Some constructions there, house built on a slope. Hb goes around looking everywhere, no junction box to see. Cannot understand it. So we have to call Tracey, but using our cell phone is very expensive. Know that there are maximum prices for what the companies are allowed to take for phone calls between different countries, but only in EU not in USA. Decide to find a public phone in Coral Bay on our way to the beach. Cannot find one, ask, go to the places people tell, but no phone, only the boxes, where the phones should have been. OK. Let’s go to Cruz Bay. So glad that this is necessary. Wish to go to the Beach Bar to see what happens on a Sunday. Like to see if some forumfriends perhaps have a meeting. Hb thinks it’s foolish to go to Cruz Bay just for that. Understand him, difficult to explain an outsider that you want to look after “friends” you have never seen, some of them with odd names. Sometimes I forget, say: ” look here (one of these forumnames) tells that…”, “Who???” Eeh. Have to rephrase: “I have read in the forum that…”. Come to Cruz Bay, find a phone, very loud music nearby, difficult to hear anything, but put the coins in and cross our fingers that Tracey is at home. She is. Fine. The junction box is behind a painting in the living room!! We laugh, none of us have thought of that, but of course, why not, good idea! Hb asks if there are other things behind the paintings, hidden for pirates perhaps? Lunchtime. Where to go? See J.J Texas, is on my list as a cheap, nice place, we go there. Order chef’s salad and cokes. Salad good, coke is served in a glass. Hb’s glass nearly empty now, and the waitress fills it up. Hb hasn’t ordered that. Happens again. A new way to do it here? Must be included in the price that you can drink more than one glass. My glass is nearly empty too, but waitress doesn’t see me, only hb. Hmm! Order coffee. Just terrible, lukewarm. So what about the Beach Bar, is not so far away and it’s nearly 4 o’clock? Hb accepts. Go to Beach Bar, have a Bushwhacker. Ah! Looking curiously at all people. No one wear any sign about a forum, but perhaps this woman is a forum member, or perhaps this man? Want to be anonymous, but at the same time think it could be funny, if someone see that we are Danish and perhaps asks: Are you Linne? Nothing happens. But at least I have seen one from the forum. The day we had our jeep, I want to see, if the famous Ruth was in her shop and perhaps had some postcard. Hb dared not leave the jeep with our entire luggage, so I went alone. Saw a woman. “Are you Ruth”, “Yes, I am”, “I’m Linne from the forum, want to say hello to you”. Could see that she probably not knew my name, so I said “I’m the Danish girl”. Don’t think that helped her. Told her that I have asked, if she had Neat Sheets. She knows the Neat Sheet, says that she has been told that they do not produce them anymore, she has to take 500 pieces, if she shall buy some. Can understand that it will be difficult to have 500 Neat Sheets in her shop, filled up with other things! Ruth doesn’t have postcard, go to shop nearby. Buy postcards, but have to buy stamps on the postoffice, don’t know how much a postcard to Europe need. Postoffice: A sleepy looking woman behind the desk seems to be free, but she doesn’t look at me. Try with a good morning (have read that you need to say that to get a smile), but no smile. Perhaps it was wrong to say good morning? Don’t know when it changes to good afternoon? She looks up. Tell that I need stamps for postcards to Denmark. She goes to another room, now back again looking in a big map for a very long time. “Cost 87 ”, (think it was this amount). “Ok, I will like to buy 8 of them”. Now she gets really big problems, searches in many different maps, apparently she cannot find such a stamp, discus the case with a man for a while, searches and searches again and finally very slowly finds 7 stamps at 84 and 7 stamps at 3, not 8 as I have asked for. Perhaps only few tourists from Europe on STJ? (Later on when I have to buy some more postcards and stamps in Coral Bay, they told me that 87 is the price for a letter, a postcard is cheaper!). But back to the Beach Bar. The music begins, and surprisingly for us it’s a white woman, who seems to be the leader of the band. Plays good , has music in her body, look at her movements! Our glasses are nearly empty now, and I’m near to suck up the bottom of the glass, just to be sure I get it all. Hb asks, if we shall go to the beach now, fine, I’m longing for a swim and apparently no “friends” here. Goes to Trunk Bay, have seen it before from the road. So beautiful! Easy to understand that Trunk Bay is mentioned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Snorkel the trail. Only another couple and us on the trail. Better than expected, have read that there are not so many fish more due to all the tourists. Don’t know. Still many colourful fish to see. Hb wants to take a photo with his new underwater camera, has to let go of his hand. Normally join hands with hb when snorkelling, relax better then, feeling more safe, hb knows that. Also means it’s easier to communicate, just a press in the hand and point if something special are seen. But of course, not so easy when you have to take a photo. Nice swim and snorkelling. Up to the Neat Sheet, relax for a while. Ok, lets go home to our pretty house and see, if hb can get the Hot Tube in function. In the jeep. Nearly sunset. Could be so nice to sit on a beach seeing the sun goes down. Near Francis Bay. What about here? Fine, let’s go down to the sea? But what happens now? We are being attacked. Run for our life. What in Heaven’s name was that? Cannot see or hear anything. Realize that it must be the so-called No-see-Ums! Such a funny name. No-see-Ums, I smile, when I pronounce it: No-see-Ums. First time in this vacation we have problems with bugs. Have been so nervous reading about the bug situation in spring, mosquitoes just love me. Have different types of bug repellent with us, but until now - never used it. Hb has none bites, I a few insignificant. But no sunset in Francis Bay! No-see-ums!!! Home again, really enjoy it here, no problem with the Hot Tube after a click in the junction box. Dinner? What about having a GTI, then a piece of grilled meat, a baked potato and some salad? OK. And a little cake for me, love something sweet after dining. What now? Of course, a bath and then stargazing in the Hot Tube.

SALT POND BAY, DRUNK BAY, LITTLE LAMESHUR

Today we will go to Salt Pond Bay. Pam from F. F. & F. tells that it’s a beautiful spot and with great snorkelling, plenty of fish. Go to Skinny Legs first to deliver some postcards in Connection. Surprised, see Tracey in her shore, normally closed on Mondays. Tracey sorry about the case with the junction box, has already made a new note to the information book. Don’t be sorry, it’s only one night, we had the problem. Doesn’t matter. Ask Tracy to make a short leather necklace to me. Never wear jewelry, but sometimes a necklace. Have hoped that it was possible to find a sort of hook necklace as a memory from STJ, but haven’t seen any. Want to bring some sandwich with us to the beach. Go to Mosquito Bites but it doesn’t seem, as if they made sandwich here now. What about Donkey Dinner? Looking as if it’s closed. See a sign about Aqua Bistro. Should we try there? Go to Aqua Bistro, not many people to see, ask a man, who looks as if he is in charge, answers, that we have to ask the bartender. OK, we will. Ask the bartender, if we could have 2 sandwiches, he answers, that he has to ask. Asks a man sitting at the bar, if we could have 2 sandwiches, and finally we succeed. What about something to drink while waiting? OK. I just want a coke, hb a beer. Get into conversation with the bartender, starting with the usual where we are from question. Bartender tells that he stays near Little Lameshur, and how to come there. Perhaps we will, but first Salt Pond. A short walk, and here we are. A new beautiful beach, not to believe. Hungry now, let’s see the sandwiches. Delicious!

Snorkelling, many colourful fish, also see 2 eagle ray and a small stingray, no turtles or octopuses, which I have hoped. Haven’t seen so many of them before. Admire the coral formations, but like our experience the day with NH II, not really impressed. Think our problem is that we once had such a fantastic snorkelling trip by a coral wall in the Read Sea. Never, never forget it. And when we are told that a place has great snorkelling, we think, it will be nearly the same. Have also visited other places with great snorkelling, so it’s not so easy to beat! But our Red Sea experience is 12 years ago, the corals could, as it seems here, have lost some of their colours. Don’t know. Have read that it’s a problem all over the world, perhaps due to sunblock. So I have to feel guilty too!
But just love this beach! Should we try the trail to Drunk Bay, just to see? Could be fun, but what about our things, when we are away? Don’t think that thieves will be on Salt Pond Bay, let’s go without them. Take the trail. So interesting. See the salt pond and admire the funny cactus.

What a surprise to see Drunk Bay. So totally different from what we have seen before on STJ. Waves and cliffs, absolutely fascinating but don’t dare to take a swim here. Funny with this figures people have made of corals and stones.

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Haven’t the time to make one ourselves, don’t like to be away from our stuff too long. Everything is here. As expected - nothing stolen. Take another swim. Perhaps we should try Little Lameshure also? The way to this beach is dirty, as we have been told, but again a beautiful beach, know I repeat my selves, but so it is. On with the snorkel gear, let’s see what we can find here! Not much! Cannot be compared with Salt Pond. Back to the Neat Sheet. The missing entertainment in the water we have in the air. Can never be tired of looking at the pelicans, like a Japanese kamikaze pilot they go directly against the target.
Home again. The dinner is the usual. Not so fancy! We really like the gas grill here. So easy. As nearly everybody in Denmark we have a Weber charcoal grill, think that charcoal is the best, but now we are changing our mind. Should we buy a gas grill also? And now it’s time for Hot Tube and stargazing.

ANNABERG, WATERLEMON

Have seen that there is a cultural demonstration on Annaberg from 10 a.m., where a guide will tell about the place, and it should be possible to taste a “Dumb Bread”. Want to see and try that. But at 10 a.m., there is nobody to see. OK. Island time! Wait about half an hour. Nothing happens but other people are going around looking at the ruins. So we do the same. Perhaps it’s only in the season, there is a guide. Have a map with drawings and explanations about, what the rooms in the ruins have been used for. Strange to go around trying to imagine the life here, and knowing that it’s a Dane, who has had it built, and it’s named after his daughter. So far away from home! Also know that when STJ has the big slave revolt in 1733, the slaves killed the couple, who lived here and their 3 children while they were eaten their breakfast. Hair-raising to read about this revolt, but also hair-raising to know how the slaves were treated!

Still no guide to see, let’s leave and go to the school. Did not find it at once, but now we see the sign. Meet a young white man, who works with reparation of the steps. Who has hired him? Doesn’t ask. The school was built in 1844 and the position is chosen, because at this time this area was the most populated on the island. Not to see today! Know that the building was only used as a school for some years. After the slaves were emancipated 4 years later, things changed. People moved, many to Cruz Bay and Coral Bay. OK, no more ruins today, let’s end up with the Moravian Church in Coral Bay. Walk around here. Talk about how big influence this church has had. But now we have to see a beach soon! So hot. It’s lunchtime so why not have one of the famous burgers in Skinny Legs? But we are nearly out of cash. We have to shop a little, so at first we go to the Love City Market not so far away from the house. Have seen that they have big letters on the door about ATM. Do not really believe that it means that you could have cash money - such a small place- but surprisingly we see a draw machine.” Is it in function?”, “Yes” Still not convinced. “Can we have cash money here”, “Yes”. OK, we try. A message on the machine tells, that in USA you have to pay a fee for drawing money. The same by us, we know. Try to withdraw 275 dollars, think it will be maximum. A message tells that maximum here is 60 dollars. 60 dollars! You cannot do much on STJ for 60 dollars. Have to wait, not totally broke.

Go to Skinny Legs, talk with Tracey about what to do when leaving tomorrow. Tracey tells, she has some money for us. Cindy want her to give us the deposit back now, knows that both of us have to pay fee, if she transfer the money later, have tried it, when we transferred the money to her. Fine, we are saved, money in our pocket again! Ask Tracey, if she knows an English girl, Pia, living in Coral Bay, think her husband sell properties, but not sure. Want to send her a greeting. Tracey don’t know her. Perhaps her name isn’t Pia, could be a forum name (actually I have wondered because Pia is a common Danish name). No, doesn’t help. Tracey don’t think she knows her. OK. Have cheeseburgers in Skinny Legs. Very good. But now to the beach!! Want to go to Water Lemon. The man on the boat to STJ, who helped us with our luggage, told that Water lemon was the top. We go, hoping that the trail isn’t too difficult. So hot, but luckily there is some shadow when walking. On our way to Water Lemon all people we meet, say hello to us. “ Hi, guys”, “Have a nice day, guys”. Hb and I smile, have heard it before “Come on, guys, “Let’s go guys”. Those crazy Americans! Us, a ruby wedding couple, guys? So funny. Never thought that I should be one of the guys. Cannot wait to come out with the gears, but I’m a little nervous, hb wants to go to the little island, Water Lemon Cay, but Pam tells in her book that there can be current, and I’m not a strong swimmer. Ask a young man, just returned from snorkelling, how it was. No problem if you wear fins! Off we go, no problem to swim, a lot to see, the best until now, especially on the right side of the island. See a very big turtle with big fishes on the shell, never seen that before. What’s the name of the “turtlefish”? Don’t know! See 3 or 4 turtles more, not sure if it was the same, we saw twice, 2 spotted eagle ray, many other fish, and the corals are so fascinating with their different forms and colours (have lowed our expectations about colours now), how exciting, want to see more, signal to hb that I’m ready to swim around the island. Fine! But now I get into big problems. Don’t move forward at all. Must be the current. Signal that we have to turn and swim back. We do. Moving forward very slowly and being a little afraid. Don’t like the situation. Tired, have been out for a long time. Don’t panic, don’t panic! Nothing to be afraid of, you will not drown in this water. No, but the shore feels very long away. Hb tries to drag me, but it’s not so easy. Swim on your back instead! OK, I do, that’s easier, but discover that I have taken the wrong direction, cannot see the shore or hb, when swimming on the back. Not a good idea. After a while the shore is not so long away more, good, see a very big stingray on the bottom of the sea with sand whirling around. Let go of hb’s hand. Take a photo! I go closer to the stingray. But now hb pushes me, and again, why? Am I in the way for taking photo? Cannot understand it. He is also close to the stingray. OK. I swim away. Finally on the beach again. My heart is back on its right place, the best snorkelling we have had. I say, a little reproachful,: ”Why did you push me?” “Were afraid that the stingray would attack, think of the Australian, who was killed! You were too close”. OK, forgiven! Shortly after hb hears loud uproar from a family out in the water. What happens? Later on a man is walking past us with his fins on as a protection against stones and corals (sorry, but isn’t it just funny to see people walking with fins on?), looks as if he has his stuff on another place on the beach. Hb asks him if something has happened. Yes, they have seen a shark, and two children were out snorkelling for the first time in their lives, want to protect them and have everybody away. No more snorkelling for this family today! Understand that, so glad that I didn’t see the shark, when I have problems reaching the beach! Don’t know how I would react. Have seen sharks before, last time 5 years ago. But it was on deeper water and near a boat. Something else! Time to go home and enjoy our last evening in the house. On our way home I want to try a smoothie from Colombo. He should be the best. Look as if he is near closing. Ask politely if it’s possible to have one. Just a ”no”, no explanation! A man on a bench nearby says that we shouldn’t think that “Colombo” isn’t a kind man. He knows him, and he is. Nice to know, but no smoothie. What about dinner? Except from Skinny Legs have not yet been in any of the restaurants in Coral Bay on my “must try” list. But it’s so nice to sit on the deck in the evening too, so what about just to forget the list? We could go to Shripwreck Landing and have a smoothie, then we can at least say that we have been there. OK. Let’s do that. No smoothie in S.L., but a good excuse to have a drink instead. Delicious, something special for the house. The Menu Card looks interesting and not so expensive as expected, should we change our plan? No! We take some different in the house today. Two pieces of meat instead of only one! What about the stars? Let’s go to look at them from the usual place! It’s so lovely to sit here and look at the stars after another day with new adventures. We have to be grateful that we are able to have such a vacation together!

ESTATE LINDHOLM, CINNAMON BAY, HAWSKNEST

Today is the day we are leaving ”our” house. Have really enjoyed staying here, feeling at home.
Was nervous, if we would miss A/C, but it hasn’t been a problem. Have fans and a breeze. Up early to clean, want it to be spotless. Packing the last luggage. Remember my pillow!
Were ready to go just before ten, Tracey comes a little later. So farewell, nice to meat you, we will miss it all. Please take a picture of us in front of the view.

Where to go now? A problem with the luggage in the jeep. Let’s have one of Colombo’s smoothies now. Urrgh, it’s not yet open! Time to look at some of the ruins near Cinnamon, but only what we can see from the road. Let’s go to Estate Lindholm and ask, if we can have the luggage stored until check in. Have the same luck like we had at Serendip. The room is free, we can move in! As I have feared, a downer. Coming from a house to only one room is not so easy. Lauren comes to welcome us. Is very afraid to show my feelings about the room. Nothing to blame her. I have ordered the cheapest room in Garden Level, and I knew the conditions. And the room is as promised and with sea view. Cheer up, hb says. We are only staying in the room, when we sleep.Also nice to come to Cruz Bay. Love Coral Bay, but Cruz Bay has more opportunities. Hb is right. I’m not able to say which place is the best to stay. Glad that we try both. OK. Unpacking. Now we have time for the beach. Lauren was very helpful, told us what to do if we want to go to Honeymoon or Salomon beach. Will definitely see these beaches, but not today, will wait until our last day on STJ. Let’s go to Cinnamon. Have shopped so we can make our own sandwiches, which we do. Put them and something to drink in our “cold store”, a knapsack. Cinnamon! Again I have to repeat my self. So beautiful. Want a swim and a nap, and then we will snorkel. Enjoy the swim but it’s a little windy. All the “shadow places” are occupied, but think we are ready to have some sunbathing today. A lot of sun block on, relaxation. But not for a very long time. The sand is whirling around and hb and I, mostly me because of the sun block, are filled with sand - in every part of the body , we feel. Look comic. Take a swim, try to get the sand of. Do not succeed completely. Decide to leave and go to Hawksnest. What to say about this beach? The same I have said about all the other beaches!! Let’s snorkel now! Are surprised, better snorkelling than expected, a very interesting coral reef near the shore, so easy. But want to swim alonenow. Hb is dangerously close to the corals, am afraid to hit them with my belly. Hb says they are more far away then I think, but I will not take the risk. Up on the beach again. A man close to us speaks to us in Danish, the first Dane we have met on STJ. He tells, that he for some years have been working and living in USA. Hb chats with him. His American wife comes, she has been out bathing, and she and I are chatting also, among other things about where they stay here on STJ. She tells that they have rented a big and beautiful house, just the two of them, and I tell that we have had a house, but now is staying in a B & B. “Would you like to come and dine with us?” she suddenly asks. A little surprised, I said that it could be nice, have to ask hb. My polite hb says ”no, we cannot do that”, I say “why not”, could be so fun to see one of these big houses, and I feel that she really means it. She told, that she just loves to cook, so why not.” Let the ones who love to cook, do it!” I have totally forgotten, that I was near a person, who understand Danish- all Danes normally do that! - the husband has heard some of our conversation, Luckily for me I have not said anything bad. But the husband assured hb that they would be happy, if we come. OK, we come, we will bring the wine. So difficult to explain where our house is, we will meet you by the big tree at Westin. OK, we have seen that. So at 7 p.m., we were near the tree, a jeep comes, and we went to a big and pretty house with a view over Fish Bay. Admired the house, have good discussions, a delicious meal, good wine, pleasant company. A really nice evening. Home again we laugh a little. So funny, it’s the second time, persons, we have just met, invite us. Is there a special spirit on STJ? In bed. This bed is the best we have had on our vacation, not this trampoline effect! Everything is fine. Tomorrow it will be so exciting to see, if there is space for us on the Reef Bay Trail!

- to be continued