Part 2

Later that day...

Ok, so at this point we've decided that we need more $$ before making this big leap! We planned on making dinner at home so we got chicken from Gourmet Gallery but it's frozen so it will have to be another day so we nibbled a bit and then headed for the beach. On our way down Darren spotted an Iguana on the rocks, it was so nice to be able to stop and look at this beautiful creature that we dont get to see that often. He was just hangin out catching some rays, he was so HUGE I had never seen anything like it! We hung out at the beach for a bit and watched another one of Gods amazing creatures eat dinner (the Pelican!) how they do it I jut dont have a clue! After sometime spent at the beach we headed back to the room to share a few drinks and enjoy our view. We talked about how we're doing this the right way while listening to the waves hit the beach and watching the pelicans do their thing! The Island is definitley growing on me. Before I forget to capture this- a lot of the foliage is exactly like Texas! Cacti, oleanders and even a few cedar trees! Very relaxing to look at, gives me a sense of home.

Saturday August 14th

Up at 4:45 to drive to the east end so we can catch the sun-rise. Finally after trying to find the perfect spot we found a vacant lot on a hill nestled in between 2 homes. We parked the jeep, watched the sun rise and enjoyed the beauty of a new day starting. After the sunrise we jumped in the jeep and porceeded to drive until we could find a spot for our morning run. We feel it's important to carry on with our daily activities as if we were truly living here. We find a resort near Fungis and decided that this would be the best place to park. As we started our run we saw the same heard of goats as before, it was so cute, they thought we were chasing them because we were running! We ran for 20-30 mins. boy, there are some hills on this island! Had a great run and it felt great! Afterwards we're starving! (all you runners out there know what I'm talking about) We decide to cut through the middle of the island on 40. There were many opportunities to pull over for pictures, it was breathtaking! You would look to the right and see nothing but blue water, look to the left and see nothing but blue water. I thought it would feel weird being on such a small island, almost like feeling trapped but so far it doesnt feel that way, maybe because subconciously I know I'm going home but who knows, I'm not going to read into it. I guess when you really think about it, everyone in the world lives on an island, some are just bigger than others!

We made our way back into town and stopped at Bumpas to eat. It's a small quaint restaurant in Town, looks like a father/son operation. Very cute, overlooks port, food was good! It was 8:30 and people were drinking beer! After breakfast we went to market square in town to pickup some fresh fruit and veggies. There were all different walks of life there. Locals drinking beer, people driving by playing loud music (remember, it's 8:30 am). Very different, I felt a little uncomfortable because we were the only tourists there. Everyone there was obviously local. They were looking at us funny like we were the plauge or something, but, I knew they didnt mean any harm, it was just odd for them to see tourists there buying their fruit and veggies because that's not a very touristy thing to do. So, we buy an avacado and a couple mangos, HOLY COW the avacado was HUGE! and, it was the best damn avacado I've ever eaten! After market we head back to the room to get ready for the beach. We've already got 4.5 hours of the day under our belt, it's 9:30 and half the island and probably just waking up! now I know why mom loves waking up early! You get SO much accomplished! Maybe I'll sleep on the beach a little, very tired:-) Later we decided to explore more of this beautiful Island. We headed to the north near Caret Bay and than South down to Crown Bay, didnt fall in love with any area in particular. Hull Bay was nice but seemed a little far from everything. Saw some crows, chickens and roosters, cute fellas! There were some really pretty roads along the way, stopped to take pictures. After driving most of the island we decided that we would be happy living near Magens Bay, Red Hook or Frenchmans Bay area, all are doable. We made dinner in tonight, too much eating out can really get to someone! As we were eating on the porch, the 3 ships carrying 10,000 people were leaving port, It was a little strange watching them leave, they came here, spent their money and now they're gone. I wonder if I'll feel strange or happy when I'm finally living here when I see the ships leave. Reminder: The days are short here. Sun comes up at 6 and gets dark @ 7 (a little before). I wonder if the days get shorter in the winter like in Austin- Question for you Islander!!!

Sunday August 15th

Our 4th full day on STT. We planned on going to St. John that day to be tourists. We thought it would be nice to get one last day of relaxation and fun in before the work week starts and our researching continues! We arrived on St. John at 11:00 decided we were going to rent a scooter. I know, I know, it's dangerous and mom told me NOT to do anything dangerous since I've been so accident prone lately (house caught on fire at Christmas time and I totalled my brand new jeep 6 months later) so, I thought life is too short and I could technically die tomorrow, so why not enjoy today! So, we got the scooter. I was a little nervous because of the terrain on St. John but I knew that Darren would do ok. He's good at that stuff! We grab lunch (starving cause we eat 6 times a day) (not good eating habits on vacation, no way to eat 6 times a day on the go like this, must get used to it and figure out a way!!) After lunch we start our self guided tour of St. John. WOW what a beautiful spec of earth! The first beach we approached was Caneel Bay, the water was more blue and clear than the water in STT, how could that be?I couldnt believe it! We pulled over to take a picture but than decided there would be plenty of opportunity for pictures! We pull into Caneel Bay and see the Red tree that we keep seeing, we later learned that it's called the Flamboyant, how ironic. It's like someone took a paint brush and splattered red paint on a canvas! Amazing! We end up locking the scooter keys in the storage compartment, Rob the owner comes out, we apologize and he says "How horrible is it that I have to jump on a scooter and drive through a tropical island?, someone's got to do it" good point Rob!

We hit Hawksnest Bay, we decide to swim a little, it's a bit warm outside. The beach was full of locals, very calm water, clear as can be, like glass. Saw a few sting rays and jelly fish, what a life. Now heading towards Trunk Bay, wow roads are steep and windy, a little scary, if it's my time to go it's my time to go. Approach Cinnamon Bay, Maho Bay both beautiful. We head towards the middle of the island and stumble upon Columbo Cafe. Very small motorhome built in the ground, cute. We stop for a smoothie, Darren has been chanting "Bannana Smoothie" since we got here. So, we treated ourselves and it was nice to sit there and watch people come and go. Scrumptious! We end up meeting a guy from Virginia there he's here for his sons wedding. We tell him about our dream to live on the islands and that we have had several near death experiences in our lives over the past 7 months and he tells us he has cancer and that life is WAY TOO SHORT to not live your dream. That really hit home. I've realized on this trip that I dont need a lot to be happy. I brought FAR TOO MANY clothes for this trip and I think I've worn 2 pairs of shorts and 2 shirts, probably wont even crack open the other suitcase.
Go to Coral Bay check out a few shops, meet skinny legs (great guy). Everyone we meet that has been on the island for a long period of time says that when they go visit the states they cant wait to get back, it's just too fast pace there for them. Oh, the typical directions from a local is "go to that tree down there and make a left at the white house with the goat in the front yard, and than make a left where the donkey is". Somehow you just learn to drive the directions without knowing the names of the roads, it kinda just falls into place. You get lost, you turn around, it's not like you really can go that far!
We need to leave, head back to catch the ferry back to STT. Going to go look at some apartment/condos/houses the next day. Need sleep!

August 16th (happy anniversary mom and dad!!)

(obviously I'm already back in Austin, so, I'm a bit sleepy now, August 16th thru the 21st Part 3 will be here tomorrow Aug. 28th)

Goodnight Islanders and Future Islanders! Stay safe! Pray that Frances doesnt head your way:-)