Seaside Spring Break Cruise - March 30, 2019

lcookie · May 2, 2019

This was our longest port day - 12 hours! I booked scuba for late, late morning so there was no need to be off the boat as soon as we were cleared. After we were tied down I went to the room and got the girls up. We were going to meet our friends for bfast at 8 and be headed off the boat around 9. This would put us at the beach around 10 by my guesstimations.

Here is my happy camper

While eating I realized that I had left our reservations in the cabin. I leave the group to fetch them when I got totally sidetracked.

This is me resisting the urge!

Yes - I fell victim to my innermost desires

This is me in my Happy Place!

That's right. I had to feed my habit. Look at that smile. You wouldn't want me sitting at the beach twitching and scratching would ya??

Now the real question is - Did I leave the reservations on purpose?? The world will never know.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

We are now ready to exit the boat and make our way over to Coki Beach.

By all accounts most people will tell you if it is your first time in St. Thomas you should head over to Megan's Bay. And there is good reason for that. It is a nice place from all that I have researched; however, Coki comes in close second to the masses and won out for me due to the presence of the near shore reef. You can literally stand toe deep and touch the darn thing. I like to do more than just sit in the sun. I like a little adventure.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

More port pics

lcookie · May 2, 2019

We round the corner for the taxi stand to see what I can only describe as motorized hay wagons minus the hay.

How can these things be street legal? All I can say is keep the kiddos close and the very little ones in the middle.

I took one for the team and sat on the outside. You know what they say - Let the biggest man block the exit :-)

After the sardine can was fully packed we headed out towards the beach.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Here is a church where the front half had been torn off by the storm.

Mama says I never stop working. I say I am just and infrastructure junkie! I'm sure at least one of you will understand.

Here is another damaged building

Scenic Views

And what City Tour is not complete without a trip past the resident junk yard?

lcookie · May 2, 2019

I am not sure where all these folks were coming from but I just found it weird they were walking down the side of the road.

All I could think was they took the City Bus to the beach maybe???

lcookie · May 2, 2019

can you feel it?

Can You Feel It??

CAN YOU FEEL IT!!!

We have arrived!

lcookie · May 2, 2019

This one has never met a camera she is not a fan of!

CGTNORMANDIE · May 2, 2019

Great review Cookie...you have put a smile on my face. Keep it coming!

lcookie · May 2, 2019

First impressions of the beach was it was nice and quaint. You can throw a rock from one end to the other. There were chairs lining the entire beach but they were not up at the water where one could not enjoy the beach. They also has a row of cottages that had different food options.

First steps on the beach

Dive Shop Equipment

Our personal oasis off in the distance.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Dr. Livingstone I presume -

Well yes I am sir.

Delightful. Your private oasis awaits you just over yonder -

lcookie · May 2, 2019

As the beach can be get a little crowded with 4 ships in port, I had made arrangements with the Dive Shop to reserve us an area near them and next to the reef. This way the kiddos could play and we could keep a close eye on them. This was a smart move on my part. It wasn't so crowded when we got there but within the next hour or so the place was packed. The our friends did not know that I reserved this area so they were awfully delighted to see where we were camping out for the day.

Those red flags were set out to keep people out of the walking path of the dive shop. They also acted as a barrier separating us from the rest of the beach dwellers. As you can see the reef is right beyond our chairs.

If you did not know any better you would have thought we were actually "Somebodies", but nope we are just "Regular Joes"

Like they say - "Fake It Till Ya Make It"

lcookie · May 2, 2019

No sooner than we get there the kiddos are in the water and sand.

Meanwhile the adults are relaxing in the wind!

Here I am gearing up for my adventures - Notice how the crowd has thickened.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Snorkel Time!

Meanwhile mama is doing what she does best - Kicking Her Feet Up!

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Whatsoever Shall I Do Next???? Decisions-Decisions

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Underwater Adventures

lcookie · May 2, 2019

And a few more

Most of the fish were your typical near shore reef fish. Pass out food and they come running. I did get shots of a spotted puffer and a lizard fish of some sort. Those are more unique.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Back on land there was no shortage of activity

I love how kids who have never seen each other in life can meet up and get along so well. Sometimes they don't even speak the same language. Adults could stand to learn a thing or two from them.

lcookie · May 2, 2019

Here I am recovering from my athletic adventures

This freaked me out. I think the beach was haunted. Those footprints came from nowhere and disappeared just the same :-)

LaCal · May 2, 2019

Great review and pics

Hope you found your GoPro

lcookie · May 4, 2019

Not too long after our snorkel adventure ended we were headed up to the dive shop for our Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus crash course. Our instructor was down to earth and very easy to follow.

Even though this is the digital age our instruction booklet was definitely vintage -

Here I am getting my hands-on experience!

This guy was sitting at the back of the class. Apparently, he knew he failed the test because when class was over he didn't even bother getting suited up. He just went to his perch and waited for the next class to start. Maybe he should try getting some hands-on experience too.