One of the things I did while I was in the islands was go down to Magens Bay every morning to kayak, walk the beach (which is almost a mile long) or water walk and swim. I did some snorkeling too. The beach is a whole six minutes away from the house so it wasn't a hardship or anything like that.
Magens was donated by Arthur S. Fairchild to the people of the Virgin Islands in perpetuity to be maintained as a public park and nature preserve. It is a jewel.
My sister Erva and I arrived anywhere from 6:30 to 7 AM (rain or shine) and departed as tourists started showing up, between 8:30 and 9 AM.
Almost every day I saw turtles poke their heads up to take a breath. They feed on the sea-grass bottom . I also saw tarpon, sting rays, pompano, a baby lemon shark, a barracuda, and these guys, spotted eagle rays. (Photo by John Norton.) There are a young pair that hang out at one of end of the beach. Several times as I water walked they followed me, getting to within a foot of my feet. The polka dots look blue in the water and so they've been nicknamed the blueberry pancakes.
2.jpg)
Among the birds there were frigate and booby birds, pelicans, terns, sand pipers and...
parrots (this was taken from a good distance away.)
ground doves
and noisy, pompous, competitive seagulls
After exercising, Erva and I wallowed in the water eating fresh cut fruit and drinking hot coffee. As we lounged small fish nibbled at the skin of our feet. You know some people pay big money to get fish pedicures. What a way to start the day!
This is the first video I have every up/downloaded. It was taken with an old camera and the color isn't all that great. The pinkish/brown hills are actually very green as the islands had an unusually wet winter and spring. So as you view it, think bright, deep, clear green.
If you exercise, do you have a favorite place or time of day? Personally, I can't think of a better one than this.
And I cannot leave this post without paying my deepest respects to one of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury, who died Tuesday. May he fly to stars.
To walk in the water with the rays - that must've been wild!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Alex! What a way to have a day! Magens Bay is soooooooooo magnificent! :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to the beach in the morning for a bit. The sound of the waves in your video reminded me of what I'm missing. No work tomorrow. I usually get up and write...but tomorrow I think I'll walk first. Starting that way will make everything that follows so much better.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing way to begin each day. It sounds like Heaven.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Heaven, RIP Ray Bradbury.
What a great place to grow up. As for me, I love going to Glacier National Park to swim, hike, kayak, and camp. It's only about an hour away, so we go up there often.
ReplyDeleteHi Bish .. sounds such a delightful place .. and I love your story about the fish, the amphibians .. as well as your photos of the place .. and the video is fun to watch .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYour morning routine is delightful. For summer, we get up early-ish. The kids ride their bikes to go for swim practice and I take the dog for a walk. I pray the rosary during this time and it is a wonderful way for me to start the day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Bish. And to be able to share the time with your sister had to be special. You're mom must be in the stars with Mr. Bradbury.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home.
What an idyllic way to start the day. And what a picturesque place to have grown up!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid no time is exercise time for me, Bish. Hate exercise with a passion! I'd rather sit on that beautiful beach and enjoy the natural environment than ruin it by huffing and puffing my way to a heart attack!! :0
ReplyDeleteJudy, South Africa
Ah, Magens Bay - beautiful. I really have to get over to St. Thomas and St. John. Hopefully,next stop for me is St. Martin. A friend asked me to go with her for a week and visit her sister and some friends. They are actually from Antigua but spread throughout the Caribbean now. Lookin' towards it.
ReplyDeleteExercise - I generally hit the pool sometime in the morning. This week I was fortunate to spend several days at Cane Bay (my favorite beach on STX).
Love, Love, Love. I might actually exercise regularly if I could do it here. :)
ReplyDeleteSt. Thomas is so amazing.
Bish, the video reminds me of just how long I haven't been to the beach. I suppose that this beach is a hit with tourists.
ReplyDelete