Post #1

May 29, 2006

All updates here will be sporadic due to the sporadic nature of my internet access. The date noted in any post is when I wrote it (prior to upload). Anyhow, Day 1 of St. Croix has come to a close.

Flights were generally smooth. In the San Juan, PR Airport I pounded a Medalla Light during my 30 minute layover. It wasn’t very good. Behold:

From the air, San Juan looked like Camden with palm trees. I have no plans to further test this hypothesis. From San Juan, I was on a propeller plane which was approximately the length of 1.5 buses. It had some pretty sweet propellers and actually seemed to fly smoother than most jets. The pilot however apparently hated to talk to the passengers, since our descent into St. Croix was nearly complete before he said ‘prepare for landing’. While descending, the island fulfilled the dreams of postcards – I could see rolling green hills dotted with small buildings sloping into ‘crystal clear’ water. Despite the ‘crystal clear water’ cliché, this water was f’n clear & I could even get an idea of the varying depths of a small bay from up in the plane.

Then, we landed at the Henry E. Rohlsen “Airport”. Yes, it is where planes take-off and land, but Philadelphia International it ain’t. After the landing, the plane’s door remains closed for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then the door opens. And we all disembark onto the runway (I think there’s only one). My fellow passengers and I walk to the nearest building in sight (this is the ‘airport’). I follow the signs to “Baggage Claim”. The “Airport” has one big conveyor belt in its largest room. That is the “Baggage Claim”. Fortunately, while I wait, I drink some complementary Cruzan Rum Cream, provided by the US Virgin Islands’ Tourism Authority. I meet up with Margarita [the woman who runs the pseudo-B&B (since I’ll generally save cash by not paying for the optional second B.. ie- breakfasts) I’m staying at—she was very kind and offered to pick me up]. However, we wait a while and my checked suitcase does not show up on the conveyor belt. Margarita says this is fairly common, and that it’s likely on the next plane and I’ll be able to pick it up tomorrow. I’m not too concerned, since I packed wisely and have a few days’ worth of clothing in my possession now due to carry-on luggage. Before leaving we stop in the “Airport’s” “Luggage Office”. This office consisted of one lady at a desk with a notepad and a telephone. Various suitcases were scattered around the edges of the room. She gave us a phone number to call tomorrow. I will follow her directions.

Leaving the airport, I noticed a huge sign bearing the image of the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan. It read: “Welcome to St. Croix, USVI, home of Tim Duncan”. It appears that the island is proud of him. Then I saw various nice tropical things and the largest oil refinery in the western hemisphere en route to my island home.

Before entering my residence, I noticed a creature crawling on the outside right by my door. It was a Gecko. It didn’t look too disturbing and I’m told they devour many bugs, so I think I’ll love them.

However, I did just look over and find a gecko staring at me from my nightstand. Here he is:

They’re friendlier than I’m ready to be at this time.

Where I am is pretty nice & now I can accurately explain it. I have an ‘apartment’ which is essentially the lower level of the owners’ home. Since the terrain is very hilly, they and I both have entrances on ground level. The main room consists of a large ‘bedroom’ area with a bed, end table, and tv. A screen psychologically splits the ‘bedroom’ from the kitchen/dining/living area. It’s a good size, but just not divided. There’s another room with two smaller beds and a tv in it. I’ll probably never use that room individually, but it will be invaluable for the guest times. Then there’s a pretty big hallway between my bedroom and the bathroom. In the hallway closet, there’s a large cot that folds out. I was very happy to find that cot, since my mind was churning a bit when I knew arrangements were already made for hitting the 5-person maximum occupancy for a week, and wondering how that could be done with only sleeping for 4 available. (note: the couches & living room furniture are wicker and not enormous, so I know I’d destroy it if I tried to sleep there)—but it looks like there’s more than enough space, so we’re “money”! Also there’s a pool and hot tub & an ocean view from the pool area. Of course (the hilly factor), the ocean, while close, is still likely a bit of a hike.

Now, just behold some captioned photos, and I’ll update again later on.

My car here:

The view from the pool (this is looking south towards Ha’Penney Beach):

And an update from May 30th-- I got my luggage & was again greeted by Tim Duncan's grinning mug. Also, if any visitors want peanuts here, bring your own! I was about to buy a jar of them (granted it was a large one)..... but then I saw the $15 price tag. God damn!
This evening I'll be turtle watching. Apparently the specific creatures are 'leatherback turtles'. This should be intriguing. Hopefully I'll be posting both more words and pictures when I'm not on dialup. You'd better all appreciate the images.. each one took about 5 minutes to upload (so I edited out a few). Well, that's all for now! I'm off to drive on the left!

Weather - Looks OK!

Hurricane Center Predicts Calmer Season
By LAURA WIDES-MUNOZ, Associated Press Writer 3 minutes ago
A hectic, above-normal tropical storm season could produce between four and six major hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico this year, but conditions don't appear ripe for a repeat of 2005's record activity, the National Hurricane Center predicted Monday.
There will be up to 16 named storms, the center predicted, which would be significantly less than last year's record 27. Still, people in coastal regions should prepare for the possibility of major storms, said Max Mayfield, the National Hurricane Center director.
"One hurricane hitting where you live is enough to make it a bad season," Mayfield told reporters.
Last year, officials predicted 12 to 15 tropical storms, seven to nine of them becoming hurricanes, and three to five of those hurricanes being major, with winds of at least 111 mph.
But the season turned out to be much busier, breaking records that had stood since 1851. Last season there were 15 hurricanes, seven of which were Category 3 or higher.
In the center's detailed 2006 prediction report, meteorologists said water in the Atlantic is not as warm as it was at this stage in 2005. Warm water is a key fuel for hurricane development.
Also, it is not clear whether atmospheric conditions that helped produce the 2005 storms will repeat again this year, forecasters said. And, it appears that the Pacific Ocean water conditions known as El Nino and La Nina will not have any impact on the Atlantic hurricane season this year, forecasters said.
The Atlantic seasons were relatively mild from the 1970s through 1994. Since then, all but two years have been above normal. Experts say the world is in the midst of a 20-year-cycle that will continue to bring strong storms.
Between 1995 and 2005, the Atlantic season has averaged 15 named storms, just over eight named hurricanes and four major hurricanes, according to the National Hurricane Center. Before this latest above-normal cycle, from 1971 to 1994, there were an average of 8.5 named storms, five hurricanes and just over one major hurricane.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

Believe it or not

An update!
I might actually use this for something after all. I recommend periodically checking this during the months of June and July. There's a possibility that I will place photographs with captions on here. Huzzah!