Picture Box

Sometimes I just can't understand myself, how I drop-the-ball. We have been without a camera since December. That's when Hadrian decided to put our cameras waterproof abilities to the test! We've made due with our phones and IPads, but we have missed many a "Kodak Moment".

It's not easy to replace equipment on a budget as tight as Leona Helmsley's charity fund. At first I surfed the net and made a list of the cameras I liked based on there waterproof ability, and reviews, but when it came to price I was dead in the water (pardon the pun). Then one day, as I continued my search I noticed that cameras follow fashion trends like they were a pair of shoes. Nobody wants last seasons shoes, or cameras it seems. As a result last years models were deeply discounted, and in my price range...cheap! It is curious to me how we react to the word "obsolete". It's a new camera, it has 52 more functions than you'll ever use unless you're a professional, but yet everyone wants the new model. I got my equipment for about 80% off retail. The way I see it, if your opinion of me comes down to my fashion sense in cameras I was probably already long destine to a bad review from you, so I'll just spend that extra money on a beer.

A very fashionable captain.

Marie enjoying a beer at Coral Bay, St. John.

Doctor Diaz! Yeah, I like the sound of that.

Okay, the first water test for our new camera.

Derrick's initiation, eating the conch pistol!

Maho Bay at sunset.

Okay, now we're having fun with the camera!

A sting ray.

A majestic elk-horn coral at Waterlemon Key.

A sea fan.

An elk-horn coral garden.

Derrick in the garden.

A stoplight parrotfish hiding by a sea fan.

A damselfish in fire coral.

Look closer, there's a slipper lobster in the center of this picture.

Jaala and Jordo.

A male stoplight parrotfish.

a tube sponge.

Really cool Caribbean squid.

Impressive coral garden.

A Blue Tang.

Stinging coral.

A school of Blue Tangs.

A day at the baths.

The Baths.

Derrick at the Baths.

Derrick, Hadrian and Eva at the Baths.

The Baths

Natures cathedral.

On the western coast of Virgin Gorda there is an unusual grouping of giant granite boulders along the waters edge. They extend for about a half mile, and are called the Baths. The boulders are just randomly scattered about, touching each other. There are large areas created between the boulders that are like chambers that you can walk into and interact with. In some of the chambers the floor is soft beach sand while others have clear pools of water that are constantly being refreshed. Some of the pools are turbulent some are calm. Sunlight makes its way deep into the formation through openings like skylights. There is a sense of privacy in these rooms as if it was yours, if only for the moment. If there is room on your bucket list, this will not disappoint.

Hadrian couldn't help but to feel larger than life.

One of many cozy private pools.

The water running through the Baths is really clear.

Devils bay is really just a gap in the boulders.

Here we have a brisk Jacuzzi.

At the southern end of the Baths is Devils Bay.

Hadrian and Eva in Devils bay.

Does this count as a school day?

I can never get over the water in the Virgin Islands.

Can you believe they hate their lives, not a very convincing argument if you ask me!

Marie and Eva with Gorda Sound in the background.

If you look closely there is a goat in the picture...Marie was impressed?

This is a view along the highway on Virgin Gorda.

A mermaid with a sea star!

Bitter End

What I love most about traveling is the surprises, the unexpected discoveries. The pleasant ones, not rat on your boat kind. The Bitter End Yacht Club and Saba Rock are great examples. These two resorts are at the easternmost end of the Virgin Island chain, just before the 100 mile jump to Saint Maarten. The water in Gorda Sound is "tidy bowl blue". I never thought I'd want to swim in that, but this is great! If I were a "landlubber" I would definitely consider this place for my next vacation, but with Mirador we just pull-up right in front of them. We just do without the fastidious service, like the guy chasing you around with fresh towels.

Saba Rock resort. 

How to out do the billionaire next to you? Gotta have a helicopter!

A gorgeous body of water.

The dockmasters office at Bitter End.

The Quaint streets with rich signage of Bitter End.

Marie bought a loaf of bread at the grocery store.

Can you lose yourself in a one road town? Marie can.

Here's a map of Bitter End.

The kids enjoyed the several gift shops.

There were boat rentals for those who just can't get enough.  

Bars were peppered around so you are never far from one.

That's Saba Rock just off shore.

The guest cabins are nestled into the hillside with intricate stairs leading to each.

A thatched chickee out over the water.

The lush landscape provides privacy.

For those with saltwater allergies, there is a pool.