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.

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...

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.

Coki Beach and Coral World

There has been some unfortunate activity at one of the beaches here.  I'll let others do the commentary on the fall out (short version, a gang shooting, and an innocent girl was shot and killed by the random gun shots).

Just the day before the shooting, I took my Mother there to see the beauty of the beach and the tourist attraction of  Coral World...

Here's Mom and my step-Daddy watching the shark feeding...

They have a great way for non-swimmers to see the fishies... Well worth the trip.

Will he fit in my carry on???

The gift shop is going out of business... they are even selling the landmark sign... Anyone want a 10 foot iguana?

Pirate Statues at Blackbeard's Castle

All Bronze, and several of them...

I do like this one, if you look close, you can see the governor's Mansion in the background just above this pirate's wrist.

Step daddy Harley, a pipe smoker himself, related to this guy...

Me, while I don't know much about art, I was partial to the less than hidden meanings behind this pose of the only female pirate in the gallery.

Rising Stars

Rising Stars is the local Concert Band for the high schools.

But no flute or tuba, everyone plays steel drums.  And maintains an honor role GPA.

Provide a great background sound for island living.

Feeding time for the Iguanas

Views from the overlook

Mom gets the grand tour from Our favorite tour guide, Cornell

Winner Winner Winner Winner

Took visiting friends to St John.  The girls wanted to use the bathroom, but the casino said it was for players.  We all put in $20...

Connie was the big winner, up $30 (roulette)
Connie won $24 (roulette)
Janet won $6  (roulette)
and I won $4 (won three of 4 hands at Black Jack)

5 minutes, we all stopped when we were up.

BWAHAHA

Jackie gets Kissed on the Ass

FREE Rum Tasting

Welcome to the US Virgin islands...

If you are coming for a cruise, this is the first booth you see.

Drink all you like, a 1/2 shot at a time.  Tips encouraged.

St John - The pretty US Virgin Island

We went on a bus tour of St John... This is a view of the British Virgin Islands from one of the highest peaks on the isle.

The tour was $25... Takes about 2 hours.  Open air bus with plenty of time to get on and off for photos...

St John is the "pretty" Island.  Most of it is a National Park.  This is a view of Trunk Bay.  The most perfrct beach I have ever been to.

What would a tour be without a convenient gift shop or three.. But even these are a little less tacky than the ones on St Thomas.

There is even a little history on the tour.  There is a 18th century sugar mill being restored.  Course, this teenager with the purple hair chose to listen to his iPod instead of the tour (My favorite photo of the day).

We got a lesson in 18th century cooking... Kettle Bread.

We got to sample fresh cut sugar cane (tastes like chicken).

The tropical flowers were in bloom...

But the star of the show is always the views... A postcard around every corner.

Come and Visit... Do you wonder what will happen???

Come and visit... You will eat at some of the best (cheap) places to eat on the island...

Come and visit... I will cook for you (like these Caribbean Pineapple Jerk Chicken Wings)...

Come and visit... we will go for a walk along the beach every morning.

Come and visit... We will go snorkeling

Come and visit... We will go to Duffy's Love Shack, the best parking lot bar on the island!

Come and visit... Even the "virgin' Island Strawberry Daiquiris are something special.

Come and Visit... We will enjoy an adult beverage served in a fish bowl.

Come and Visit... Where you will arm yourself with liquid courage...

Come and Visit... You will meet Cletus, the only Irish folksinger on the island...

Come and Visit... Where, armed with liquid courage, you will sing and dance with Cletus...

Come and Visit... We will hunt for sea turtles!

Come and Visit... we will take organized tours where you see scenery around every other corner.

Come and Visit... Where around the other corners are convenient gift shops...

Come and Visit... We will go to TRUNK BAY in St John, one of the tops in the world!

Come and Visit... You may leatn a little history (but just a little).

Come and Visit... We'll enjoy a nice light salad.

Come and Visit... You may get kissed on the ass.

Come and Visit... To see the wildlife.

Come and Visit... The door is always open (so it must be OK).

Come and Visit... You may learn the skills needed to catch a baseball boy.

Come and Visit... Lots to see

Come and Visit...  Memories to last a lifetime.