Paradise

These islands are paradise. I suppose there are lots of different ways to define paradise. It follows that sun-soaked, tropical beaches, crystal blue skies with puffy white clouds, crystal turquoise water with flourescent reef critters, warm breezes, and rum-laced cocktails might not fit your definition of paradise. It might also follow that you are in serious need of clinical help, but that’s really something you’ll have to work out for yourself.

Paradise

Carribean View

Nazareth Bay

Yesterday was the last day of Carnival, though we were unaware of that until we arrived. It might have been fun to go back into town last night and see the parade and spectacle, but after getting up at 4am for our flight and spending all morning travelling, it was also nice not to. Wet, sandy feet. Warm, tropical sun. Ice cold rum punch. No regrets.

Lots of things, particularly restaurants, seem to be closed during Carnival so fellow foodies are advised to check the schedule before travelling here in late April/early May.

After a relaxing morning of sun and snorkling, we headed out to get provisions. (Beach front rooms are condos with a proper kitchen; the ocean view room we were supposed to be in is just a normal hotel room.) And lunch.

Alley in Charlotte Amalie

Gladys’ Café

Jerk pork chops or curried mutton. Both highly recommended at Gladys’ Café in downtown Charlotte Amalie. Cool off the heat with a mango coolatta.

Back at Secret Harbour, the pelicans feed on enormous schools of fish. There seem to be a lot more little fishes around this time of year. That’s clearly good news for the pelicans.

Perched

Splash!

Gulp!

Farther out, on the far right hand side of the bay, I finally caught up with the sea turtles. Too cool!

Mango margheritas. Yes, please.

Sunset

Sundown

After dinner, in a hammock on the beach, Orion appears abnormally low in the horizon to our northern eyes.