Swimming Iguana

So off we go today as a family to Maho Bay, our favorite beach. On the way there we see a few cows hanging out by the side of the road, their usual. We get to the beach and find a nice spot in the shade when SPLASH! What was that? It looks like a shark in the water. Would you believe it was an Iguana?! Well it was, you know the kind that are native to St. John, the swimming iguana. That iguana spent most of his day swimming around in the shallow end of the beach. At times he looked like a baby turtle, popping his head up here and there. The kids spent time underwater watching the iguana. The kids think he was snorkeling watching the fish. Once we got tired of that, we did some snorkeling. The kids and Jay saw a great barracuda, trumpet fish, sergeant major, four eye butterfly fish and many other fish, too many to name. Jay began to get antsy. He lasted 3 hours I could not really complain. We packed it up and headed home. On the way we passed two donkeys, about 30 goats, and a cow crossing the road. An average animal sighting day. Oh we also picked up a hitch hiker and took her to the "evil driveway" where she lived. She has lived here for 30 years but never on this side of the island and doesnt know the roads too well on this side, so she had trouble remembering exactly where she lived. Hitch hiking is very common here, you just point your index finger in the direction you want to go and if there is room some one might pick you up. It was our first pickup!

Cows in the yard

It is funny to pull into your driveway and see 8 cows standing in your yard. It is even funnier when they look at you like what are you doing here. There is a herd of 17 cows that wander around the island grazing. You never know when or where you will see them. They walk down the middle of the road. If they cross the street you must wait for them, they take their time and give you dirty looks. The kids love seeing them. You never know where they will be, its like I spy!

The Contract

It is offical, they finally signed the contract. Work can now begin on Pond Bay! Yea!!!

A bunch of lizzards

Yesterday we went on a hike. We hiked the Cinnamon Bay Self Guiding Trail. This trail takes you through the forest as well as through an old Sugar Plantation. There are signs throughout the hike describing plants and animals native to the area as well as what it was like during the 1800's when sugar was cultivated on the island. What did Quinn find through out the hike, lizzards! He has an eye for those fellas.

Today we went back to Maho bay, our favorite beach. The kid are gettting so good at snorkeling that they went out by themselves numerous times. By far the most exciting thing was seeing a Hawksbill Turtle swimming right in front of us! The kids, and their Mom, was so excited. The turtle was a juvenile. His mother was about 40 feet out past him. Both were feeding on the sea grass that is in shallow water close to shore. While I was out watching the mommy turtle, a White Spotted Eagle Ray swam by me, scared the crap out of me. The Ray was about 4 feet wide from tip to tip. The Ray didnt seem to mind me and swam right on by. Tomorrow we are off to Annanberg. Annanberg is an old sugar plantation. Walker has been so excited to go there. I kept wondering why until she asked me today if they make candy there. She thought the plantation was still active and that they used the sugar they harvested for candy. Oh the mind of a child!

What you need to husk a coconut

What do you need to husk a coconut? How about a hammer, screwdriver and a pair of scissors. Don't forget some determination and hard work! The kids found a coconut on the beach a few weeks ago. With Aunt Suz's help they removed the outer shell and inner shell. Once inside they drained the coconut milk (they even drank some) and tasted the inner meat of the coconut. Quinn was the helper of the year!

Snorkeling at Salt Pond Bay

What they say about snorkeling...QT "I like snorkeling, I saw lots of fish even some big ones. Me and mommy were almost out to sea, that's how big the fish was and how far out he was. He was blue and orange on top." WR "Snorkeling was really fun. I saw lots of fish and lots of reefs. I saw lots of colorful fish. One fish had a sword on its nose and I thought it was a baby swordfish. We had to hike to get to Salt Pond. It was a very long walk (5 minutes). There were shells and prickers at the beach. I like the beach a lot."

It was a memorable event snorkeling with the kids for the first time. Aunt Susie was with us and the kids "go to snorkeler"! The kids are actually pretty good. We made it out about 100-200 feet from the shore. We took turns with the kids. Once Quinn realized how to breathe through the tube he was fine. Everyone cannot wait to go again!

Peace Hill Hike

We went on a short hike, 15 minutes. We hiked "Peace Hill". At the end of the hike was a old windmill used for harvesting and grinding sugar cane. Walker's comment on the hike "I dont like this hike, there is nothing to see!" It was an easy hike and a nice way to start hiking the trails here on St. John.