Where In The World Is Matt Lauer, er Weinstein? PART III

By the way, did you know you can CLICK on any photo for an enlarged view. Then just hit "back" to return to the blog. - Matt

We left the Bahamas Monday night and sailed for St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. Tuesday would be a sea day. We’d arrive at our next port on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, I woke very early and watched the sun rise and the moon set over the vast ocean. Words and pictures don’t do justice to the magnificence of the sea stretched out to the distant horizon. It’s hard to believe that as big as it is, humans have still managed to pollute it with waste and chemicals and kill off its life in increasingly perilous numbers. It just confirmed to me that our planet is indeed finite and needs to be protected with urgent action taken right now!

The ship’s decks were empty as I strolled about and watched as an imperceptible glimmer of light appeared. A few minutes later more light appeared, gently lighting the clouds. Very soon the water began to take on different shades of blue and green as the sun slowly rose above the horizon. I would glance the other way to look at the setting moon and in just those few brief seconds, as I retuned my gaze to the rising sun, an entirely new panorma greeted me. This rapidly changing tableau became a game that I played with my camera snapping dozens of photos as the scene changed from moment to moment.

Empty deck at sunrise. The scene changed every few seconds.

The moon's setting while the sun's rising.

The water begins to take on color. Fantastic cloud formations surround the rising sun.

Looking west, the moon is setting and the clouds are lit by the rising sun in the east.

The sun finally appears turning water and sky a crazy quilt of colors

A day at sea, it seems to me, is really what cruising is all about. Not everyone would agree with me - such is the infatuation with shopping, shopping and shopping. But to be out on the ocean without another ship in sight gives you an insight into the vastness of the sea and the minuteness of us humans. You can see approximately 20 miles to the distant horizon. All you can see is water and sky. No other ships. No land. Just endless ocean. Wondrous beauty!

Waking the next morning, we found ourselves on the dock in St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands. More properly, we were in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the Virgin Islands. Our table mates, with whome we became quite friendly had arranged with a friend of a friend in Orlando for a driver to meet us and guide us around the island. That turned into a lovely day of sightseeing and beach-going. St. Thomas is a beautiful volcanic island with steep mountains and breathtaking views. Our guide, Ali, of Palestinian and Columbian parents, was pleasant and well-informed. He drove us in his “taxi” which was a converted, open-air mini-bus. Our first stop was Mountaintop. Its name describes it well. Up on top was a tourist shop and bar and a back deck with fabulous views of Magan’s Bay. That bay is considered to be the sixth greatest beach on earth according to National Geographic. It sure looked fabulous from our view high up on a mountain overlooking the bay and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

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We woke up Wednesday morning to find ourselves docked in Charlotte Amelie, St. Thomas. Charlotte Amelie is the capitol of the U.S. Virign Islands. We had breakfast at the buffet in the Windjammer cafe.

The Edmonds family had arranged to have a driver meet us at the gangway in St. Thomas. Ali took us around the island on a deluxe tour.

Ali drove us to the famous Mountaintop viewing station, complete with rear deck, tourist shop and bar (where the banana daiquiri was allegedly invented). Below is Magenn's Bay, rated by National Geographic as one of the ten greatest beaches in the world.

Here's Meaghan at Magen's Bay, St. Thomas.

Our guide, Ali, tells us about St. Thomas and how difficult it is for poor people to live on an island that has only one source of income: tourism.

Beautiful Magan's Bay, St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands - and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Meaghan loves the camera.

Homesick?

Meaghan leads the way back to the tour bus.

Just in case you've never seen a Virgin Islands license plate.

Our tour group (with your blogster in front).

Once upon a time, donkeys were the main mode of transportation on St. Thomas. Now just a few remain - for the tourists to gawk at. Here's Stacey, Ali and Samantha and, um, Monica Lewinsky.

A very nice little ass. (Sorry. I couldn’t help myself).

An achingly beautiful island: St. Thomas. Our ship in the harbor - on the right.

Sweet Meaghan.

From Mountaintop we made our way to Coki Point - one of the island’s beautiful beaches. For $20 we rented a couple of chaises and an umbrella and ventured into fabulously clear waters as tropical fish swam all around us. Our buddies had brought a supply of dog biscuits which we wetted and smooshed into small bits which the fish gobbled up a voracious frenzy. The Edmonds had brought snorkel gear from home in Orlando and they swam around looking at the fish and having a great time. Stacey and I hung out on the beach. And then it rained - a little bit a first; then a little heavier. We were glad to have the umbrella and our entire group huddled under it as we waited a few minutes for Ali’s cab to return.

The Edmonds family - snorkeling at Coki Point beach - super clear water alive with tropical fish. Left to right: Grandma Elizabeth, Meaghan, Samantha and Al.

Strange divers invent a new language: Snorkel Talk. Samantha and Al explore St. Thomas - Coki Point.

Stacey floats in the fabulously clear waters of Coki Point beach.

Coki Point beach on St. Thomas. Beautiful, no? Notice the thickening clouds. Eventually the rain did come.

Ali picked us up and drove us to downtown Charlotte Amalie. This was the end of our tour and the beginning of shopping - the main street was lined with endless jewelry shops to lure tourists to part with their money. But Stacey and I were hungry. It was 3 o’clock and we hadn’t eaten since the morning. So we left the rest of the group, perused a few of the shops and headed to Cheryl’s Café on the beach for a quick bite.

Afterwards, we headed up hill to the second oldest, continuously used synagogue in the western hemisphere. Unfortunately it was closed and we couldn’t go in. So back down again as the rain started up again. We grabbed a taxi and headed back to the ship.

Ordering jerk chicken sandwiches at Glady's Cafe on the beach in Charlotte Amalie.


Hot peppers decorate the bar at Glady's Café.

One of the oldest continuously used synagogues in the western hemisphere - established 1796. Camille Pissaro, the French artist, was born on St. Thomas and attended services there.

The old Sephardic synagogue in Charlotte Amalie.

Old narrow streets in Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas was under Danish rule until 1917 when the U.S. purchased it for $25 million.

In my final post - St. Martin, Cossacks on ice, Stacey climbs a rock wall (now that's something not to miss!), &c. Then back to Brooklyn, USA. Please stay tuned. - Matt