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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