TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) Trip Report and Photo Archives BEERMAN Day 7

DAY 7

It’s starting to feel like the movie Groundhog Day, more heavy rains overnight, wet walk to make coffee, blah blah blah. Why the attitude you ask? It’s our last full day that’s why!. The family schedules are split between villas again. We would head out early for breakfast while the Starstruck gang slept in, funny thing they always looked more tired than us <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Donkey Diner is a great place in Coral Bay with “Kick [censored] Food”. We always try to stop here for at least one big breakfast and they have great pizza too. The cook did not disappoint, the breakfast was substantial and tasty! It was fun to watch the waitress keep shoeing out the chickens and guinea hens, I guess us Jack Asses are the only ones allowed in there! If you go, make sure you check their schedule they are not open every day of the week.





Properly fueled for our day we head over the mountain to let our friends explore the Annaberg Sugar Mill Ruins. My family has been here many times, but it never gets old for me. It was an overcast morning with mostly sprinkles and some rain. The ruins were empty of course with the weather and we had the whole place to ourselves. It was almost spooky quiet and the atmosphere was heavy with low overcast skies. Everyone walked around quiet, barely speaking. We walked passed the remains of six slave quarters then up to the windmill. It was so overcast that the views of Mary Point and Tortola were stuck in a funky haze . It started to sprinkle, so my wife and I ducked into a small covered nook in the roofless foundation walls of the main mill which was constructed of stone and coral.





We quietly watched everyone else move about, some not deterred by the rain and others seeking dry shelter under a massive Genip Tree. We were standing between the old mill house and the large open cisterns with a great view of the windmill. Standing motionless in the shadows I imagined what the daily activity must have been like here in the 18th and 19th centuries. My daydreaming would be interrupted by the sounds of kids laughter. They actually didn’t mind being exposed to the elements, so with camera in hand I tried to catch the mood.









As we prepared to leave the parking area we saw a Starstruck family pulling in. We told them they just missed the sun come out for our walking tour <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> They jealously replied “reeeally” and they could be heard walking away saying “told you we should have come earlier!” hehehe <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Our beach for our final full day would be none other than the world famous Trunk Bay.





We always check the cruise ship calendar before we plan a day at Trunk. We do not enjoy the crowds there when several cruise ships are in port in ST Thomas. After purchasing a family pass that is good for a year (that guarantees our return in the spring!), we found the perfect acreage for our gang. John and I positioned the bulging cooler under the seagrape plants that line the shore. I then quickly moved a chair to the waters edge and promptly fell asleep with gentle waves lapping at my feet. This trip had apparently taken its toll on me as I don’t usually nap on the beach. I would be awakened by shouts of HEY, HOW YA DO’IN? when the rest of the families started arriving. “Ringless” Rusty had to fly home this morning so his family dropped him off at the ferry before joining us. They arrived with tasty sandwiches from Deli Grotto and now I was jealous! We experienced one short rain shower and after that the sun actually did come out. I always wonder why most people run out of the water when it rains? I think it’s cool!


[img]http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/49394/2636785250107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

[img]http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/48034/2695870710107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

After a couple hours at the beach John and I vacated a primo parking space and drove into Cruz Bay in search of fresh Mahi Mahi for our fish taco night. My fish tacos with fresh fruit salsa is a favorite of my friends and family. I stopped at Natures Nook and asked the ladies at the fruit stand if the local fishermen had come in yet, they answered with “they are laaaazy…haven’t had fish for daaays and daaays” DANG! Ok… no worries we’ll check the Fish Trap Market. Aaron, the owner and chef was there to help. I asked for a large Mahi filet, maybe 4 pounds? He said he just finished cutting all of his Mahi into small filets DANG! With disappointment in my eyes he says “if you can come back after 5pm I’ll have a fresh filet for you?” SWEET!

[img]http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/48646/2474582110107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

With a big smile on my face we head back to Trunk Bay to share the news. Since the sun was out again I wondered out loud if we would be lucky enough to find a parking space in the lot again? They don’t allow parking on the roadways anymore. John said not to worry that I have good Karma! Well…as we pulled into the lot I see 2 other vehicles circling looking for a space DANG, but wait… they drove away disappointed and on my second lap YES a space was opening up front YAHOOO!

We enjoyed a few more hours on the beach drinking Presidente’s, throwing the ball and snorkeling. We had a couple of small rays hanging with us all day, they must have liked us! Mother Nature was kind to us this afternoon because she shined her bright sunshine on us all afternoon. This was a great last day on the beach!

[img]http://inlinethumb17.webshots.com/19280/2840640000107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

It was 5pm and we had to head to town to pick up the Mahi. Aaron had a beautiful 4 lb filet waiting for me, thank you Aaron! I offered to put his face on TTOL and he said “sure”, so here is the great chef himself!

[img]http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/50404/2404886460107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

The rest of the gang shopped some more while I picked up the fish and fresh fruit for dinner. Back at the villa I had plenty of prep help from the gang to prepare the fruit salsa. This is for the foodies out there, they carefully chopped bite size pieces of fresh papaya, mango, pineapple, avocado, jalapeno, red onion and cilantro. I lightly tossed it all together with extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt and cumin and the juice of a few ripe limes. I grilled the MAHI with a little Old Bay. The kids lightly brushed 3 dozen fresh tortillas with olive oil so that I could lightly grill each of these. With some fresh chopped cabbage, a slathering of sour cream for some and a pile of black beans and rice, we were in business! This was a great dinner for our last night.

[img]http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/51764/2847295610107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

We enjoyed our last night as a group in SKYWAY Villa, some watching the Nat’s play while others tried to embrace the few remaining moments in the quiet solitude that Gifft Hill provides. Woe is me!

[img]http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/51861/2967122640107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

[img]http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43709/2772271220107253939S500x500Q85.jpg[/img]

To be continued…..I will write one final report including our travel day and my decision whether or not to attempt coordinating such a large group vacation again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />