What’s the status of Caneel Bay? I know the resort is in ruins and closed indefinitely. But, I also know that Zozo’s has opened there. Can we grab a mooring ball at Caneel and take a taxi to and from Cruz Bay for dinner? Is there a dinghy dock and taxi stand? Or would that be STRICTLY for dinner at zozo?

Any suggestions for where to purchase ice and dispose of trash while on a STT and STJ charter? Any options in Coral Bay?

Does this group have any recommendations for where to spend the last night on a charter before departing from STT? We'll be sailing around the USVI in April and need to return to the base at Compass Point at 10am. We'd love to go ashore on the last night for a good meal. Cowpet would be ideal, but I realize there are only private moorings and no anchoring. Any other suggestions?

I can’t believe how fast this week has passed.

Drove to Grand Case to check it out. Easy drive up to turn at Bounty. Turned here because the other day we attempted to go GC from Orient and the road by airport was closed. Stuck for an hour while one truck with six guys and one shovel attempted to fill road holes. Then a roller drove over the fill.

When they had finally moved forward enough for us to take right turn that passes by Spiga we could drive freely again to the parking lot across from le Pressoir.

Walked full length of Blvd to Rainbow for a refreshing drink. Loud music drove us out. Beach chairs filled but restaurant empty. Walked back and ate at Nice. . Duck lasagna that was sooooo delicious. Started with an order of Accra’s, cod balls . No dessert too full. Aptzr, wine and entrees bill was $70.

Stopped at bakery near Columbier for a baguette incase we get hungry tonight. If not then pain perdu for breakfast.

Daily Herald story

What an amazing young lady!

Hi crew,
We fly down to STT tomorrow to pick up a Lagoon 450F for a week cruising the USVI. This is a BVI boat brought over by Navigare Yachting, so no watermaker as far as I know. She has 185 Gallons of water tankage. We have a crew of 9 over 7 days. I'm expecting to need a refill somewhere in the middle of the trip.

Is there anywhere to get water in Coral Bay? Does the fuel dock in Cruz Bay have a water spigot?

Thanks! Can't wait to get out of this cold New England winter!!

We continue to be lazy. Breakfast and lunch on our balcony. The breezes have gone back to normal.

For dinner tonight we went down the hill from our resort to The Greenhouse. We've been there most every year and it never disappoints. Not fancy by any means but good food.
All the staff wore masks and we were seated in the open air. Tables were well spaced. Happy Hour drinks were 2 for one!

We had Bang Bang Calamari as our appetizer. Flash fried with a sweet sour spicy sauce. Yummy. I had a Bang Bang Shrimp Wrap with fries and coleslaw and John had the Bang Bang Chicken Wrap with fries and Mac and cheese. Really satisfying.

Went to Carrefour this morning. Got there shortly after 8 when it opens. Quick and easy shopping. Got everything on our list. Now off to the pool.

Started the day with croissants and coffee at La Sucriere Simpson Bay. I love their coffee! Then we turned around and headed to Super U Marigot near the stadium,

As we passed Bistro Nu I made a note to myself to take a cab back to eat there. Hubby now limits his night driving and I may have depleated my requests. But we both sighed remembering the Burgeonne we had there and the time the French side lost all power and we ate by candlelight and had to pay cash. Since then we no longer depend on credit cards.

Super U excites me more than shopping for jewelry or clothing. It did not disappoint. In fact looking at the veal roasts, 3”thick Porterhouses, racks of lamb, Jambon, pates, hundreds of French cheeses made me almost want to cook on vacation. And it’s all just there for people to choose. No having to go and argue with a butcher to get what I want as I do at home.

French wines ranged from $4.50 to $45.00 for what We usually drink. Hubby said it equated to “Ripple” prices at home but instead getting the best. A Veuve Cliquot champagne was $42, bought a Sancerre for $14 a Rose $9 A Frenchman once told me the best Roses are very light color almost like a tinged water. The darker the color the less good.

But you don’t care where we shopped.

Returned home and lunched on smoked Salmon Pate, soft Reduction of Lattier cheese, baguette, olives, washed down with the Sancerre. All eaten on lanai as we listened to the waves. Few people walked the beach but many boats arrived. I guessed the was a storm somewhere at sea. And considering the seaweed this morning I’m sure there was one.

We hadn’t made plans for dinner so we went to Fat Tony’s for brisket. Food was good but more like at home and since we have so little time here, I’d rather eat a bit more upscale. This is a place you should keep on your list for the end of the trip when you’re getting low on money. The bill for two was less than $40.

And Carole the fries were like we get at home so don’t add to your list in search for those great French ones.

This may result in 100 new moorings -- who will administer them and the whole plan has yet to be determined

But perhaps it will result in a good step in the direction of the marine industry

[i][With over 200 new vessels registered by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, the installation of additional moorings across the U.S. Virgin Islands has become paramount to sustaining the demand for transient vessels.

At Thursday’s Senate session, the Legislature ratified a minor Coastal Zone Management permit issued to Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association, Inc. for the installation of 100 helix-type anchored moorings, to be affixed to the seafloor.

The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association, a non-profit, was awarded a $562,000 grant from the Economic Development Authority, matched with over $308,000 raised locally, to install the moorings.

Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association executive director Oriel Blake said the new moorings will be installed primarily in St. Thomas, while the remaining moorings would be evenly distributed between St. Croix and St. John. The exact locations will be determined after public hearings are held, Blake said.

“I’m glad that we are trying to put some moorings, because at this time so many boats have come to our shores and quite sure a lot of our corals are being destroyed at this time,” Sen. Franklin Johnson said. “People are anchoring just about any and everywhere.”

The moorings will not only reduce anchorage, Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte said, but could provide a boost to tourism in the territory.

“The moorings will boost the U.S. Virgin Islands tourism industry and are expected to create or retain numerous jobs in routine surveillance, management and regular maintenance, as well as provide additional options for Virgin Islanders interested in a career in the marine industry,” Boschulte said.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to the marine industry, and Boschulte said the U.S. Virgin Islands became the destination of choice for the boating community.

“With airports and seaports closing across the Caribbean and restrictions and quarantine rules tightening, mariners were seeking a safe haven. Particularly ahead of the hurricane season,” Boschulte said./i]

We had planned to take a snorkeling excursion out of GCBC. but it didn't happen, so we stayed a Grand Case Beach - and just stayed on the beach most of the day. Since the snorkeling trip fell through, I walked down to the south - west end of the beach and did some causal snorkeling as I swam back up towards Bleu Emeraude. Saw lots of fish ,and even a lobster, though it is a tough swim because it is not clear where you can get out of the sea and onto the beach without hitting coral or rocks - though it is pretty clear near Bleu Emeraude. We tried to go to Olympia for Pizza, but got there before 6 and waited a little while, then went to Cynthia's Talk of the Town. The snapper was quite good, and so was my wife's grilled chicken salad, and she also liked their BBC. As usual, the prices are extremely inexpensive, and generous servings. Thought I took a photo of Olympia, but is not on the phone. Decided to add some photos from earlier this week, Grand Case Beach looking north east from the far south - west end, Mullet while sitting at Rosies, View of the sun and the "dragon" from Oceans 82, and finally Orient Village from last night.