World of Water, St. Thomas, USVI

Meet Roger the Iguana.  He's a local pet at Secret Harbour.  Now I know where the inspiration comes for all the creatures-from-outer-space.  He wanders through the restaurant regularly - the patrons are constantly being told NOT to feed him.  

This is another of Patricks filming efforts.  This time we were at Secret Harbour, a new place we've found that has everything we need or want; crystal clear warm water teeming with colourful fish and underwater life, a protected bay and a lovely beach bar with a decent menu.  We swam everyday and Bill snorkelled for hours, often more than 3 hours at a time.  It worries me that he's off on his own for that length of time, and I get a bit panicky when I can't spot him with the binoculars, but he hasn't gotten himself into trouble yet and he absolutely loves what he's doing so I'm reluctant  to say too much (I can see your eyeballs rolling here!  Stop it!).  He's really taken up underwater photography with a passion and has become quite good at it, although he takes as many pictures of his hand as he does the wildlife. (He has to put his hand in front of the lens to see if the camera is working because it is close to impossible to see what's happening underwater).  He's gotten much better at diving down and taking pictures so now he doesn't come back with quite so many missed shots.

Bill Snorkelling.  I see a lot of him from this angle!

Charlene getting ready to snorkel, Secret Harbour

Patrick filming with Hero Camera

A view of Secret Harbour from our boat.  So beautiful!

We had another unbelievable event, one that we're all going to remember for a long time.  Do you recall the scenes in the Wedding Planner where J Lo takes the doctor to the outdoor screening of a movie in the park?  Well, we went to the same thing, only it was on the beach, with the water and boats in the background.  It was on Honeymoon Beach, Water Island on the clearest, calmest night we've had.  We dinghied over from our anchorage in Lindbergh Bay which is across the open water of the entrance to Subbase, a bit of a hike.  But dinghying in calm water is so much fun; the wind cools us off and we speed over the ocean watching fish and squid fly out of the water all around us and the view of the islands is nothing short of majestic.  I love dinghying the best, especially when I don't wind up with dinghy butt, wet soggy short's bottoms that  marks all the cruisers as clearly as if we all have giant tattoos on our foreheads. I digress.

The movie was Johnny English, the Remake, starring Rowan Atkinson.  A screen was stretched between three palm trees and plastic lawn chairs were lined up in front of the screen;  Patrick and Bill helped put them out.  Rock and Roll music from the 50's and 60's set the mood and a food truck supplied us with drinks, burgers, hotdogs, pop. 

Food (and booze) truck!

Pre movie dinner.  Best burgers ever!

Cruise ship slinks away silently

Movie screen

Golf carts, the 'drive in' part of the evening

Watching the movie

We laughed the night away.  Patrick was initially reluctant to join us; he was really glad he changed his mind.  This was the 'best movie experience, EVER' and he remarked that it seemed like everyone there were friends, even though we  had never met before.  A one of a kind evening. 

  

School of Blue Tangs

Random picture of Bill at the helm

 3 - 4 foot Barracuda

We see a few of these guys around the area.  There is mixed information circulating; some say that you shouldn't snorkel or scuba with anything  shiny on like jewellery as the fish have been known to attack bling.  Others say they are very playful and like to play games with you.  I have not gotten up the courage to test either theory.  No shiny stuff, keep my distance.  So far, everyone is playing nice.

Charlene snorkelling with music

We drove our boats out to Flat Cay, a group of rocks about a mile offshore from Lindbergh Bay and the site of some really fantastic snorkelling.  I tried out the waterproof rig for my Shuffle, which was programmed with many of my favourites.  You haven't lived until you've snorkelled with El Divo and Josh Groban in your head!  Loved it.

 Chris and Robin at Flat Cay

Chris got badly bitten by the scuba bug and blew through the course, dives and all in less than a week.  When he gets keen, look out!  He desperately wanted Robin to get her certification, which was for her a mile out of her comfort zone.  She persevered and they gave each other scuba gear for their anniversary.  She's just okay with it; he's nuts about it.  Bill and I have done a few dives this season, and I must admit, I do love it too - when the weather's nice and the seas aren't bouncing us around making it near impossible to get back on the boat after a dive.  There is something very special about invading an environment that is not native, survival being the first order, enjoyment the second.

On one of the dives, we encountered a huge number of Lion Fish and the dive leaders took great pleasure in killing them - they are an invasive destructive species that were introduced by accident and have taken over as they are without natural predators.  It was difficult for me to watch the wanton killing but I do understand the problem.  The dive leaders went out that afternoon and killed a bunch more.  A marine biology group called CORE headed a dive for the sole purpose of killing Lion Fish, and Chris counted himself lucky to be invited along.

Cariga's restaurant

This was the sight of a most disastrous outing.  Shortly after this picture was taken, a fight broke out between three of the patrons.  One man knocked another unconscious while his girlfriend kicked at the downed man.  Patrick intervened and broke it up when the one man blacked out.  They were all kicked out, drunk, by the waitress, also drunk, - AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING!  As the downed man came to, he staggered out but not before he pooped his pants - right next to our table.  I SWEAR I'm not making this out!

Reef Squid

Only recently has the phenomena of flying squid been documented and verified.  Up until now the idea was totally debunked, but a Canadian passenger on a cruise ship was filming the water and accidentally  got some high resolution images of a group of squid flying through the air.  They squirt a stream of water out the back of them for propulsion and knit their tentacles together to form an air foil allowing them to fly quite far across the top of the water.  Bill and I were lucky enough to see one not 5 feet in front of us when we were dinghying back to the big boat.  Quite amazing!  And it's really interesting to follow them and watch them change colours underwater to blend into the background.

Two great pictures of Hawksbill turtles, taken while snorkelling

French Angel Fish

Doctor Fish

Surgeon Fish

Palometa Fish

Peacock Flounder 

Well, that's about all for now, folks.  We're awaiting our last visitor, daughter Vicki next weekend and  hope that our currently defunct engine will be up and running again.  It's a boat, and yes, everything on it is broken, we just don't know it yet.