2024-02-25 Moving on to St. Thomas

We stayed at Ensenada Honda in Culebra for a few days, as it was a three day holiday weekend, so we did not want to head out until the end of the weekend.

We went out for a nice dinner at Zaco's Tacos again, and walked up to a grocery store further away for the exercise and to check it out.

We like the artwork at Zaco's Tacos - food is good as well

Nice container home we saw on our walk

Stopped and got groceries, but could not resist the ice cream.   Yes, it was before 10:00 a.m., but ice cream is good anytime

On Tuesday we headed back out to Bahia de Almodover, as we wanted to make water, and needed to get a little power as well, so motoring out would do both.

Leaving the anchorage in Culebra Ensenada Honda

After a night in Bahia de Almodover, with water made and laundry done, we headed to St. Thomas.   The winds were NW, which does not happen often, so we decided to head over as we could sail the 20 miles.  Winds up to 15 knots, with some rain were forecast.  What we got was different.  The winds were NW - but saw up to 28 knots, and heavy rain.

Heavy rain knocked down the seas a bit. - But visibility went down to about 1/4 mile

Enduring the rain being blown in

Skies started clearing as we approached the channel on the SW side of  St. Thomas

Calm seas and a bit more clearing skies approaching anchorage

Quite the change as we dropped anchor.  Only 1 cruise ship at the dock, and anchorage not too crowded

St. Thomas has quite the different feel from Puerto Rico.  And catamarans definitely outnumber mono hulls here.  This island is definitely more touristy, and louder.

Next day we went for a nice long walk along the waterfront, down to Ace hardware - as we were looking for a new showerhead (Did not find one).

Passed this large graveyard on the main road.  Nothing buried, all above ground, and stacked.  

We also had lunch out, and then walked through some of the cruise ship shopping area - since no ships were in, and it was empty of people.

Nice courtyard and restaurant

When cruise ships are in, this area is packed with people

We heard lots of sirens that afternoon on the boat - and saw a large fire on the hill.   So sad, someone lost their house.  No one was hurt but the structure was a complete loss

Lots of black smoke on the hill

Such a steep hill.  Firefighters we parked above and below the home, and we could see the flames - at least 10' high.

Next day, we decided to head in and get some groceries, and look at the Home Depot for a showerhead.  St. Thomas is a small island, but lots of shopping here.   The Home Depot was further away, so we took the bus there.  These "busses" are only $1 or $2 per rider depending on how far you go.  You wave them down, hop on and pay when you get off.  Basically a truck with modified back with bench seating.

Our safari bus had some McDonalds sponsorship, but they are all different

We got a new showerhead, and then stopped at the Cost.U.Less store for some groceries and then back to boat.  The Cost.U.Less is a large grocery which is a cross between Costco and a large normal grocery.  Great store.  We will make a couple more trips before we leave.

Our son Derek arrives Tuesday, so we are excited to see him and will stay here until he arrives, and then head out for some fun times.