What strikes me most about this place is the stability of the weather. The daytime temperatures have been in the low eighties and at night it dips to the low seventies. Thankfully, the 30mph winds have died down to just a light tropical breeze.
We’re now only two days from the end of our trip and I’m already thinking about how difficult it will be to not wake up to the sound of the ocean each morning and this amazing view. I’ll even miss the calls of the wild roosters, which have become strangely endearing.
We’ve been hiking the hill up to our Airbnb once or twice per day for exercise. Our fitness app on the phone is saying it’s the equivalent of exactly twenty one flights of stairs so that should just about cover the cocktails and all of the food we’re eating here.
For all that work we’re rewarded with an insane dopamine rush and the stunning views below.
This morning, a four foot long iguana with a smaller iguana riding on its back (I’m serious) ran out into the road in front of us and just stared with their beady little bidirectional eyes. I wish I could’ve gotten a picture of it.
Last night we went to Iggies Beach Bar for their full moon festival. There was a great live reggae band, bonfire, and carnival performers.
Today, we visited Abi Beach. Abi Beach isn’t quite up to par with Sapphire or Lindquist Beaches but it was beautiful and relaxing nonetheless.
Up until just a few months ago Abi Beach was only accessible to boats but they’ve recently cut a (steep and rough) road through the woods for car access. It’s only wide enough for one vehicle to pass at a time. Like most roads in St. Thomas, driving it is an adventure in itself. If another car is going down as you’re coming up you have to just sort of figure it out.
The water was warm but the surf was stronger than I’ve felt at other beaches here on the island. You had to really be careful or else you’d find yourself forty feet further out from the beach in just a matter of minutes.
Abi is also a dog friendly beach so dogs are running around off the leash everywhere. One young puppy gravitated towards us and we hung out for a while while he chewed on sticks in the shade. We’re missing our beagle back home so this was fine with us.
After our our beach time today we found a nice healthy lunch at the Barefoot Buddha. I was wearing my favorite t-shirt (Chomsky is my homeboy) and when I saw a Noam Chomsky prayer candle I couldn’t help but take a picture.
I’m not one to buy myself souvenirs when I travel but during this trip I wanted to find a new crystal to wear. I couldn’t find a clear quartz that I liked but I did find this aquamarine that really called out to me. When I got back to the Airbnb I researched aquamarine and found out that it’s good for communication and creativity...the perfect combination to help me finish my second novel, Truth Is Stranger. My wife also bought me a lapis lazuli worry stone. Lapis has always been my favorite stone (aside from quartz).
Our Airbnb host, Lecia, is in the process of joining Steemit and will be writing soon. She's very excited about joining and has so much to share with us all.
In just a little over forty-eight hours we catch a flight out of this paradise to our life back home. It’s not bad life but this tropical vacation (100% paid for by Steem) has been just what we’ve needed. My batteries are recharged, my perspective and goals are completely refocused. I’m ready to push even harder to launch my meditation book, second novel, to create a life for us that we don’t need to vacation to escape from.
Happiness and freedom are absolutely attainable for all of us. I know within my heart that the future is even brighter than this healing tropical sunshine.
Did you miss my previous St. Thomas posts?
Until next time….
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers. Your information will never be sold or shared.
Excellent!
Unfortunately, Steemit isn't letting her register. It's saying her phone number is invalid. We even tried using a free texting number with a Chicago area code. 😏
Oh do you have to use a phone number now?! Glad I registered ages ago before that requirement...
Maybe ask about it in the help channel on steemit.chat
Yes, they make you enter a phone number. I registered before this was a requirement as well. Thanks for the tip. I'll try the help channel. I guess AnonSteem is an option too.
I really like that ambition: "to create a life for us that we don’t need to vacation to escape from." we aspire to the same, but have many miles to go... thanks for the inspiration!
You're welcome, @denmarkguy. I would've never imagined it would be possible just a year ago. Thanks for your comment!
Isn't that cool, traveled on vacation to enjoy, take some beautiful photos to share and remember, recharge the batteries, and pick up a few valuable souvenirs all on with STEEM.
Not bad...
Yes, I'm very grateful.
It looks gorgeous!
It totally is. We can see ourselves spending winters here and summers in Amsterdam. This is the master plan. ; )
The best story.
I like it.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
You're welcome.
Wish you all the best.!!
Resteem.!!
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your post - St. Thomas looks amazing.
Out of curiosity, have you traveled elsewhere in the Caribbean? How does St. Thomas compare?
My wife and I are looking for a good place to vacation with our four kids in February next year (2018). The US Virgin Islands and French West Indies are on the list, as is Aruba and Belize. Any insight?
Thank you!
~loki
You're welcome, Loki. The only other destination I've been to in the vicinity is Puerto Rico. This is, hands down, better than PR. We'll probably do a winter trip to Aruba in 2018. We found a similar Airbnb there.
Saint Thomas is so amazing, in our opinion, because of all of the options for day trips. You can ferry to St. John, St. Croix, and even smaller islands like Water Island. All things considered, it's a pretty good value.
Thank you!
My pleasure! We're actually thinking of making this our winter home eventually. I'm going to look into starting a meditation retreat here on St. Thomas.
Very good article.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
You are welcome.
Just loving these posts!
Thanks Ruth! Guess what? I just signed a contract with Lubosh today. I've very excited to see what he comes up with. I hope you're well!
cheers, that's awesome!!
It sounds like you've had an amazing time. There is nothing like the sound of ocean waves. My parents rented a condo in Myrtle Beach overlooking the ocean for the month of October every year for twelve years, (the past two my dad has had severe health problems which is largely the reason we moved back to NY) and nearly every year we joined them for a week. My husband and I would let my kids have the second bedroom, opting to take the foldout couch because from there we could leave the balcony door open and be lulled to sleep by the heavenly sound of wind and waves.
I came to your page because I realized it was Monday. Of course I excuse your lapse, lol. But I have one for you anyway.
Q: What did the guy say to the coffin salesman?
A: That's the last thing I need.
Oh God, that was awful, hee.
You're funny, @dreemit! Sorry for the lapse, I promise the Joke will appear next Monday. It was such a great vacation. I'm refocused now and ready to get my next two books ready for publication. I just signed a contract for the book designer for my meditation book and sent out a few requests (to celebs who would be in alignment with the book) for cover blurbs. Fingers are crossed.
Ah, Myrtle Beach is heavenly. The ocean is healing in so many different ways. How amazing you got to spend a whole month there! I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. Thanks so much for your comment and your positive attitude. We all need that right now.
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Good to see those novelist neurons getting a rest old friend! Enjoy yourself. Those gin clear skies look stunning!