2024-03-03 St. Thomas, St. John and Dereks visit

We stayed in St. Thomas, as Derek was flying in on Tuesday.   Went to town for groceries, and took the safari bus to Budget Marine to get a courtesy flag for the BVI's as Kris decided it was a bit complicated to make, and only $14 at Budget.

For those that don't know - the Safari bus is a pickup with a modified back to haul people.  It costs $1 or $2 depending on how far you go.  Routes are not published, and there are no schedules, but if you wait long enough - usually not more than 10 to 15 minutes, one will come by if you are on the major roads.

A Safari Bus

Tuesday Derek's flight was delayed so he got in late.  Kris took the Safari bus into to meet him at the airport, and about the time the luggage was gathered, the rain started.   Dean stayed on the boat, as we were not sure if Derek wanted to come back to the boat first, or get something to eat first - so not sure the best place to take the dink.  The rain made the decision easy.   Kris and Derek took the taxi to Wendy's near a dinghy dock, and Dean waited on the boat for the rain to stop.   It was really coming down, causing localized flooding.

View out of the taxi coming to boat from airport

By the time Kris and Derek were halfway done with dinner, the rain slacked enough that Dean could come in, and joined them for dinner.  The dinghy trip back to the boat was only a little wet - but our water tanks were full.

Saw a nice fireworks show in the evening.  No idea why there were fireworks.

Next day we stayed in St. Thomas, walked up to get Derek approved snacks and the store, some more fresh veggies and fruit, and then lunch.  A couple of large cruise ships came in to the dock so town was quite busy by lunch time.

A couple of large cruise ships at dock in St. Thomas

In the afternoon we decided to head over to St. John, as the anchorage in St. Thomas was a bit rolly. It was only about a 10 mile trip to Rendezvous Bay, and the anchorage was much calmer, making for a peaceful night.    

Dean made cinnamon rolls and bread in the morning.   Yummy.

In the afternoon we went for a nice snorkel.

Saw a nurse shark, a ray, and lots of fish.   Some nice healthy Elkhorn coral which was good to see.

Nice ray swimming by

Three fishes playing in the Elkhorn coral

No, not on the beach - underwater - look at the fish

Derek diving down

Next day we moved to Great Lameshur Bay and got a mooring.  Had a nice snorkel in the afternoon, and got to watch some squid and fish doing their thing.

Relaxing evening, and then next day stayed at Great Lameshur, and went for short walk ashore.  Explored some ruins and stretched our legs. The Manta Namid with Bruce and Sandra on it were anchored in the bay.  We had met them in the Bahamas and had a good revisit, they are the second boat from the left.

From the left, Sandra, Derek, Kris, Dean, Bruce

Ruins overlooking Little Lameshur bay

Green and tropical looking

Nice and shady with some large trees on the trail

In the afternoon, went for another snorkel in a different spot.

A Hawksbill turtle was not too afraid of us, and got to watch it for a while.

Lots of nice fans, soft corals, sponges and some nice hard coral as well.  Plus lots of nice fish.  One very large scary barracuda.  Overall a nice snorkel.

Don't have any firm plans except for getting Derek back to airport on the 8th.