Saturday, July 26, 2008

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands


This is a view from our balcony at Emerald Beach, what a rough vacation!

We did make it to church. We called the missionaries who suggested to tell the taxi driver our church was by the Church of the House of Prophecy of God. We were surprised to find that nearly 10 churches shared the same hill as ours and to hear the shouts of gospel praise and song from down the street during Sunday School, although these shouts also came from our own congregation!

I had a rough time figuring out how to tame my hair. I didn't figure it out until Day 5.

Laurel, down the hatch on the Atlantis Submarine ride. What a rip-off, $99.

Cool coral! Apparently at certain depths of water, there are some colors that are not visible under natural light. This was a bit disappointing, but give me another week post-vacation and I will be over it.

View from the Safari, a $1 bus ride we discovered after talking to a few locals. Taxi rides were per person with a 10 minute beach trip costing you $8.00 each - both ways! Unfortunately, Safaris didn't go everywhere we wanted to. One thing I noticed was the abundance of run down houses with SUVs parked outside--crazy!

Notice the sign about the steep hill? That is nothing compared to the inclines we took!

Tourists...huh!

Maegen's Bay, a bit cloudy and it rained, but beautiful!

The washed up look.

We ate dry cereal for breakfast every morning. We did buy some milk the first day, but it was whole milk and I got a bit sick from drinking it.

My hair was starting to form dreadlocks after several trips to that salty ocean water.

Cinnamon Bay

I bought this straw hat to "blend in with the islanders" -- I think it worked.

Yes, that was my dinner. Tuna steak...raw!

Sunset at Cruz Bay

Coral World, I was trying to attract some fish.

Laurel's idea was more effective than mine!

Similar to the red-eye edit option, I hoped to find a sweat-reduction button to improve this picture, there was none. We like to call it shimmering, this was really the only option on the island.

Sunset at Emerald Beach.

Laurel and me. I look tan...this must be day 4 or 5.

Beautiful rainbow after a rain storm, Emerald Bay.

I know I share a great resemblance to this statue. He is carrying the beverage of his time...rum, while I carry the beverage of mine...bottled water. I think we may have spent at least $50 on bottled water. Their tap water tastes like mold, although they say most people can stomach it, I'd rather not.

View from Mountain Top looking down at Maegen's Bay.

Laurel and me.

Laurel getting some action.

This is really what a lot of our vacation was like...relaxing at the beach.

We were sad to leave!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow beth those pictures are amazing. My favorite one by far is your dreadlocks. You had better still have those dreads when you come to the temple dedication.

Brad

Anonymous said...

Those pictures are amazing! I love the picture of you in the straw hat! under the saying you bought it to fit in with the natives. I Think that you look so cute! Looks like a fun vacation!

Ross said...

Looks like you had a great time. I love the pictures of Emerald Bay. Wondering if the tuna steak was exotic fare indigenous to the area?

Jamie Hyatt said...

What a nice vacation, carefree days on the beach, what a dream. I'm looking forward to your visit.

AC said...

Beth! I did not know you hiked Camelback! Do you know that is about 30 seconds from my house (growing up)/schools/meetinghouse/life! How exciting! And that makes me a touch homesick. Anyway your vacation pics are great. I too love the pic with you in the straw hat! Classic! I'm glad you had fun!

Julie said...

Beth--you look wonderful! I stumbled onto your blog through Halee's. I love linking! (This is Julie Geilman by the way!) I'm so glad you had a great vacation!