J and K Adventures: Adventures in the Caribbean

Due to the recent hurricanes, we weren't sure how much of St. Thomas and Puerto Rico we would be able to see, but we were pleasantly surprised.

Our first outing was to St. Thomas. We got off the boat, followed the signs and got on a "taxi" which consisted of a pickup that had the bed replaced with seats for 16 and a rickety roof. Our destination was Megans Bay, a large popular beach on the other side of the island. It was quite a trip in the "taxi" with no seat belts and going up, down and around roads with huge potholes and electric poles leaning in every direction. There was a lot of damage to foliage and property from the hurricane. Then, to add to the fun, it started pouring rain. When we finally got to the beach, most of the Asian tourists in the taxi decided to pay to go back. But Jeff and I and another couple from Ames Iowa, Audrey and Matthew, decided to stay. We were so glad we did! Eventually the rain stopped and the beach was amazing. There was even a makeshift bar and restaurant. We found out that the hurricane had completely stripped the beach of vegetation and they had to replant everything. We had a wonderful time swimming, sunning, and people watching. Then it was back on the taxi to the port of Charlotte Amalie.

Coming into port at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI

The giant ship

The "taxis"

Hold on tight

View from the top

And it started to rain really hard

We got out anyway

Wet, warm and happy

Megans Bay

I'm the one with my hands up

Under the umbrella

View on the way back

Next we came to San Juan, Puerto Rico. They had only opened the cruise ship dock the week before. We didn't know what to expect, but although we did see some damage, San Juan was looking pretty good, at least around the harbor. We walked through an artisan's market and did our best to help the economy, stopped at the CVS for some supplies and went back to the ship.

Jeff and his "Sorry about our President" shirt. It repeated the phrase in many languages and got a lot of comment

Ready to shop

San Juan Harbor

The artisan's market

Our last shore excursion was Labadee Haiti. Labadee is a private island owned by the cruise company. Jeff said that when he first visited it, there was no dock and no amenities. Now it looks like Disney.....several beaches, water park, zipline, roller coasters. Well, all I was interested in was a beach, sand, sun, beverage and a place to lounge next to my sweetie. We debarked and got on another boat that took us to a beach full of people. But they were nice people so we paid for an umbrella for me and a float for Jeff and really enjoyed the day.