Cruizin', Boozin', & Snoozin'

October 4, 2014

St Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Safari Taxi; photo credit: http://www.greatexpectationsusvi.com

After passing security, we ran to the gate hearing our names as part of "the final call". The plane filled with more drunk people remembering their childish spirit as we got closer to landing. As the plane got closer to touch-down, I saw the beautiful small, mountainous islands colliding with the super blue water. We walked down the stairs of the plane the air greeting our enthusiasm with warmth and freshness. The airport provided free samples of the local rum-- banana and vanilla-- and taxi drivers tried luring us into their overpriced vans. (They weren't as overbearing as in Cancun but they did try lying to us that there isn't a local taxi/bus system nearby.)

Within 5 minutes of leaving the airport, we found a beach with soothing white sand and welcoming clear water.

 Later, we dried between the toes and walked another mile to find the safari taxi. For $2 a person, we toured the island without a clue of the final destination. Following some tourists, we got off at Red Hook and sat down at a restaurant to fill our bellies and figure out a plan. (Spoiler alert: there never was a plan and we never figured out a plan!) ...This led to 8 varieties of rum, rum cake, some fresh air, and good conversation...

Itching from mosquitoes, I waited impatiently for the sunrise the next morning and welcomed it with glee once  he finally decided to light up the beach.

Good morning beach!!

The safari taxi dropped us off downtown. As we missed the planned stop and were not too hopeful for the 10am farmers market (any clue if it is actually good??), we walked and walked and walked at least 6.5km in the direction of the airport. This led us past the cruise ship port, through the industrial district, and up a "mountain" that revealed the beloved beach from yesterday.



WooHoo! Walk walk walk... We stripped down to bathing suits once the feet touched the sand, but fell asleep too quickly to dive in. After a couple hours of napping and chasing the shade, we dove back into the crystal clear water. Ahh :) !

What lucky ducks we are!