Wednesday, August 22, 2012

St. Thomas: Part TWO

After spending our morning shopping, we decided we needed to have some quality one-on-one time with the ocean.  We hopped back on our taxi and headed on our way to Sapphire Beach, while Tom, Annette, Phil, and Brooke made their way to St. John.  Sapphire was on the other end of the island.  The whole island is about 13 miles wide.  It took us a good 20-25 minutes.  And holy crazy roads!  Super narrow and seriously like a roller coaster...up and down and up and down...and steep!!!  We all just kept exchanging questionable looks and laughed the whole way.  I'm so glad we were able to drive across the whole island and get a feel for it all.  I know I've already said it too many times but it was just incredibly gorgeous.  I loved the drive to the beach.  We chose Sapphire for its snorkeling.  The reef came all the way up to the shore.  And the water was just crystal clear.  Amazingly clear.  And blue.  And warm.  And beautiful.  I want to go back.  Now.  If you know me, you know I'm not exactly what you would call..."one with the ocean."  We don't always see eye to eye.  The idea of invading a whole other world that is not really my own, not to mention the possible lack of oxygen, is just enough to bring on the panic!  Oh...and the last time I embraced the ocean and spent time with the "puppy dogs of the sea"...aka...stingrays...is still giving me anxiety.  Traumatic.  Enough said.  Now is the time that you should feel super impressed with the fact that I, Amy Jo, actually snorkeled.  I even reached out and held my husband's hand while doing it.  How romantical.  It was.  We so looked awesome.  Even though I was literally saying in my head....breath...in...and out...and in...and out.  Before we got all romantic, Shane sat with me in the shallow shore while I just practiced breathing.  Could snorkel masks feel more awkward?!  Then I ventured to bend over and put my face in the water.  Thinking about it makes me laugh.  But I did it.  And it was worth it.  It was literally like "Finding Nemo" down there!!!!  Like I watched the movie...LIVE.  Except for the sharks.  And creepy little Darla.  But Dori was definitely there.  It really was great.  I'm so glad I did it.  And with Shane holding my hand, it really couldn't have been any better.  Now, for some pictures.    


Posers...













Right above the shore was a sand volleyball area.  We partook.

These guys played with us...
 Like I said earlier, A&T and P&B headed to St. John, a small island just off of St. Thomas, for the afternoon.  This post would just not be complete without sharing these pictures.  They look fake...straight out of a magazine.  They give a better idea at beauty we were surrounded by.  Just incredible!  Wish we would have had time to do it all.  That's why I'm going back. :)
 






After we got back to the ship, we made one last shop stop.  And met him.  Not quite like Captain Jack Sparrow.

I really liked our taxi driver on St. Thomas...who stayed with us all day.  He was a man probably in his 60s and gave us a good taste of life on the island.  We talked family, religion, and politics.  It was crazy to talk politics with him.  I had to be reminded of the fact that they were also a part of the U.S. and were being affected by the same politics as in the States.  It definitely provided a different perspective.  He ended up driving us past the LDS Chapel there in St. Thomas.  He was a good and kind man.  Interacting with him and other locals enriched my time in St. Thomas.  Good, GOOD day.

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