Diving

Well, I missed posting a picture yesterday (my first one), but I did get a new toy that I tried out this weekend.  A new camera and underwater housing.  I went diving with some friends this morning and got to test the camera - and I think it worked out pretty well.

This shot is from our first dive of the morning at Joe's Jam, diving off of Buck Island.

Lifeguard

Lifeguard stand at Magen's Bay - although no lifeguard to stand in it as far as I could see.  I imagine they only post lifeguards when the beach gets really crowded, or maybe not at all.

Tree Detail

A little detail shot from walking into the woods behind Magen's Bay.

Into the Woods

Just behind the beach at Magen's Bay is a wooded area.  I found this cut-through all the way over to the left side of the bay.  It seemed like there was a walkway back to the main road, but I didn't explore much as rain clouds were on their way.

Beach & Water

Shot from Magen's Bay, looking at the left side of the bay.  They have picnic areas and pavilions setup around the bay for people to have beach parties.  This particular day was quite cloudy and overcast - it rained about 5 minutes after taking this picture.

Magen's Bay

Another shot from Magen's Bay on Saturday.  I really liked this outcropping of rocks all the way to the left side of the bay.  Some post-processing in Lightroom brought out the bright algae on the bottom of the rocks.

Magen's Bay Lifeguard Stand

A rather cloudy afternoon at Magen's Bay, but still a really fun way to spend Saturday - had a fun BBQ on the beach with friends.  Magen's Bay is so wide and open that you can feel really isolated when you go there (except for when it's completely packed with cruse ship passengers). 

Kayak

A kayaker heading out into the harbor.  Taken from the St. Thomas Yacht Club beach.

Cheeky Signs

I finally had a chance to try out The Toad & Tart a few weeks ago.  Delicious food - shame it's only open from Thursday - Sunday.  Not the best picture out there, but I loved their sign.

Beach Party!

I did not attend the advertised beach party, but they were offering free drinks and appetizers.  This is at the Elysian resort, in between two great places for lunch (Ainsley's and Robert's).

BMV

Rather than a typical DMV, we have a Bureau of Motor Vehicles on St. Thomas.  There are a few key differences - the main one being that everything takes a few hours longer than it would at it's departmental counterpart on the main land.  I actually had a very good experience getting my new USVI driver's license a few weeks ago, but others are not usually so lucky.  I'm already dreading next February when I have to renew my registration.

Coral World Observatory

Seen from Coki Beach, this is the Undersea Observatory at Coral World Ocean Park.  I haven't been there, but it sounds like an interesting concept - flipping the normal aquarium experience inside out.

Coki Beach

Another beautiful view from Coki Beach.

Footprints In Our Hearts

My mom has a poem hanging on her wall that I've always enjoyed:

Some people come into our lives
and quickly go.

Some stay for a while,
and leave footprints in our hearts.
And we are never, ever the same.

Happy Valentine's Day.  I hope that you are sharing it with someone who has left footprints in your heart (and hopefully keeping warm if you're stuck in the snow today).

Coki Beach

A shot from beautiful Coki Beach.  The water is clear and warm, and the fish have been trained (unfortunately in my opinion) to come up to you looking for some treats.  It does make for some great snorkeling.

Boating Rentals

If you're like me, and don't happen to own your own powerboat, Nauti Nymph boat rental is a great way to remedy that problem and get you on the water and over to Soggy Dollar in no time.

Boating

The concept of 'boating' in the VIs could be my new favorite pastime.  Take a motorboat and 6-12 of your friends and drive around to bars, snorkeling spots, and beautiful beaches all over the islands (drinking the entire time of course).  This sailboat was parked in front of The Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke.

Soggy Dollar

I had heard about The Soggy Dollar bar well before I came down to St. Thomas.  The bar is located on a beautiful beach in White Bay, Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.  There is no dock, so the name is very appropriate, as you have to swim from your boat in order to try one of their delicious Painkillers.

Product Placement

Spent an afternoon at Coki Beach and tried my hand at a mock ad shoot for some very well worn Teva flip flops.

Iguana

Another picture of my friendly iguana from the other day.  It was standing very still for me (posing, of course), but occasionally it would move it's head up and down rapidly.  I took the signal as a nod of approval for having it's picture taken.

SAG Wagon

One of our Water Island bike tour guides and the SAG wagon that followed behind with spare bikes.

Jost Van Dyke

Another shot from Tortola, looking out at the island of Jost Van Dyke (another member of the BVIs).

Searching For Waves

A surfer heading out into the waves.  Actually taken in Tortola (BVIs), but it's the same ocean, so I think it still counts.

Iguana Snacking

An iguana enjoying a nice snack given to him by a neighbor.

HDR-esque Sunset

I was taking a look at a post yesterday about creating a HDR (high dynamic range) look with a single file in Lightroom (thanks DPS!).  I thought I'd experiment with a recent sunset photo from Honeymoon Beach on Water Island.

For comparison, here's the untouched original:

Blue Waters

A fairly crowded day on Lindquist Beach.

Rastafarian Meal

I got to enjoy some of whatever this man was serving at the Bordeaux Agricultural Fair.  It was a combination of rice, potatoes, carrots and other veggies served out of some very old-world looking pots. And 100% vegan as well.