Honeymoon

Michael and I went to St. Thomas for our honeymoon. We left two days after the wedding, which was the greatest thing in the world. I cannot imagine leaving the day after the wedding.

We got to St. Thomas late the first night and it was dark, so we really had no idea where we were or even where our taxi was taking us. I think it made Michael nervous, he had his iPhone out with the map and route. When we got to our hotel and got checked into our room or should I say

large apartment. It was a two bedroom, two bathroom villa with a kitchen and living room. Even though it was dark we could tell we had an ocean view and a view of the town.

First Night

View from our room

The first full day on the island all we did was lay on the beach. Anyone who knows Michael and me knows that our vacations are not the typical relaxing vacation. We go, go, go. Well not this vacation, we relaxed and tried to enjoy the down time. So, we spent many days on the beach, but that was perfect. We had a reef on our beach which attracted lots of creatures and even several blacktip reef sharks. The sharks were cool to see from a distance and the hotel staff did inform us that they are harmless babies and their mouths are too small to bit anyone. After that he did tell us they tagged the mother and an alarm would sound if she got within 1000ft of the shore. I am sorry but 1000ft is not that much considering how fast a shark can swim. Michael has always wanted to swim with sharks and he definitely did, it took a lot to get me to stay in the water.

One day Michael and I went into the town of Charlotte Amalie mainly to do some shopping and a couple of site seeing adventures. I am a big nerd and really wanted to go to Blackbeard's Castle. Go ahead and laugh away, but it sounded fun! One super thing about shopping in St. Thomas is that it is all duty free. No Tax! I was not too impressed with the shopping but they have tons of vendors and they sure wanted to sell us stuff. After a little shopping we decided to find the 99 steps (102 actual) to Blackbeard's castle. On the way up the steps we stopped at this cute little bar that had the world's largest amber waterfall inside. It was man made. I found the steps going to the castle really neat, they are the original steps from 1679. When we made it to the castle, we learned it was closed. I was sad. Apparently when St. Thomas does not have 6 cruise ships in they don't even bother to open. BOO! So, I just enjoyed the view from the outside and the view of the harbor.

Amber Waterfall

Blackbeard's Castle Behind us

I thought the flags were a nice touch

About as close as we are going to get

Major J.M. Magen's Home (1820s)

While in St. Thomas, we decided to go and take a tour of St. John. We heard how beautiful it was there and so we found a group that picked us up at the Marriott's dock and takes you over to St. John, then drives you around the island, and takes you snorkeling at one of the many beaches. After going to St. John, I wish we had stayed there instead of St. Thomas. The island's beaches were gorgeous. I have never been to a beach I liked better than the ones on St. John. Don't get me wrong St. Thomas also had wonderful beaches, but nothing could beat St. John. On our tour, they took us to a sugar mill where they made rum. It is no longer making anything but it was very cool to see.

Waiting on our ride to St. John

Brown Boobie

View from the highest point

From the Sugar Mill

Us at the Sugar Mill on St. John

At the Beach where we snorkeled

Our guide stopped to warn us about these trees

Views

One thing St. Thomas was not lacking was the amount of shopping. I think Michael and I went shopping everyday in some way, even when we went to St. John. Yacht Haven was my favorite spot on St. Thomas. The shopping was good, food was good, and we got to see some fun fish.

Yay for Yacht Haven

Some Fish Michael was excited about

We ate at a lot of fun places and got the much needed rest after the wedding in St. Thomas. If I was to go back I would probably do a few things differently. One stay on St. John and take the ferry to St. Thomas. Two, take lots of friends or family. Three, take Michael deep sea fishing! We had a blast and I am glad I can say I have now been there.

Sunset

Dinner at the Marriott

We definitely got some sun!