Caribbean Bound -St Croix US Virgin Islands - 11

Saturday morning we arrived at the port of Frederiksted.  At every port we have been in so far the dock was not as long as this one and we always disembarked from the bow.  This dock was much longer and our ship chose to dock at the very end and we disembarked from the stern.  Made for a good walk just to get ashore..

The morning for us consisted of just relaxing.  I took a walk around the port and the market for a couple of hours.




 There was a nice seawalk that we made use of before turning into the town and the market

Interesting Police Vehicles

 I have managed to resist most of the wares at the ports.  It is tempting....

 Just before noon a group of us gathered for an excursion across St. Croix to Christiansted.  Cars drive on the left hand side of the road, but nearly all the automobiles on the island have left side steering columns.  For me who was just getting used to being on the wrong side of the road this was another anomaly that I found distracting.

 We were soon headed out to the attraction for the day.  Word was Buck Island Reef National Monument was some of the best snorkeling.. Not having much experience with snorkeling in the Caribbean we must agree.  The trip out took approximately an hour there and an hour back with about an hour at the reef. 

 There are buoys for the snorkel tours to tie up to  After a brief set of instructions the first group was into the water.

 I cannot describe the feeling when I first looked down.  Everything I  had ever seen on TV and was nothing like actually being there.  The colors, the diversity, etc.  I just wanted to reach out and touch all the fish but they wouldn't hold still.  Paul had his GO-Pro so was taking advantage of the grotto and getting some good underwater footage.  

 All to soon it was time to head back.. By the time we got back to Fredrickstad the tour operators were hustling.  We arrived back at the ship after all the ramps but one had been put away.  Today we held up the ship and our cruise mates jeered us on.  We are now headed back to San Juan and home...

We will be back.......