Deb Smouse

I can’t believe I have to leave this wonderful place today. The trip has been absolutely wonderful… I have more to share later, but for now, just some shots I’ve taken…….

Each morning after we (lazily) get up and think about coffee and breakfast. Here is the view from the patio….

On Friday, we went on a tour of the Island of St. Croix.

Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about St. Croix, especially the plant life. Our first stop was the Cruzan Rum Factory. Rum is made from Molasses and Yeast….the main crop on St. Croix was Sugar Cane…..and the factory is on the site of what used to be a large sugar plantation.

 

We also visited the Whim Plantation and the St. George Village Botanical Gardens. Both were previously sugar plantations as well…the Whim Plantation’s main house is restored…..the Botanical Gardens are planted in and around the ruins.

I just wish I could do the quality of work that Lorissa does. My photos just don’t do the gardens justice. One thing I was surprised about is that it was more lush and green….than floral….. bougainvilleas are the main flowers….and orchids grow very well here…..

The trees are amazing. Mahogany. Summan. Tibbet. Those are the trees that are the wood trees on the island. A lot of the furniture is made from Mahogany. It’s heavy…and too hard for termites to snack on.

We also made a stop at the Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club which is a bar in the middle of the rain forest. Besides a nice drink and some yummy smelling food, the Domino Club is home to the famous beer drinking pigs.

Yes, you read that right. For $3, you can get a (non-alcoholic) beer and give it to one of the resident pigs. I gave a beer each to Oreo and Lawrence. Oreo took the beer sweetly and thanked me after spitting out the can….

…..but Lawrence chomped down before I could get out of the way…..so I got a little splashed….. by beer and pig saliva

Then we called it a day and headed back to the resort for some napping and reading on the beach.  And yes, for those of you who are wondering if this very white girl has been wearing sun screen:  I am.  Lots and lots of sunscreen.  I wear it on my face daily……and have been liberally spreading it to other places while here.   I’ve also been wearing wearing that big old straw hat…which I love….

It has really been a great trip.   What is it they say? Exactly what the “doctor” ordered?  We are already talking about making another visit…….