Paradise Found

In our island hopping, we next went to St. John's in the US Virgin Islands. The smallest and least populated of the Virgin islands, it is the most laid back. And has been often awarded the Honor of Most Beautiful Beach for Trunk Bay, which also has an underwater nature trail for snorkeling and scuba.


Through the Westin Resort, we arranged for an island tour in a safari bus with Richie Penn, a long-time St. John's resident originally from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Mr. Penn is an Island Entrepreneur who owns the largest of the island's taxi service, a rental car company, a trucking company and several villas available for rental. He was also a great source for island history. Not to mention island gossip. (He immediately knew Kenny and Renee's marriage would never last just by looking at the "too skinny girl sitting on the bench.")

St. John's used to be dedicated to sugar cane plantations, such as the now abandoned Annaberg Plantation. But now the main source of income is tourism.

Right next to St. John's is the larger and much more commercial St. Thomas. Once again, endless beautiful beaches. But also many more houses built into the side of the hills.

And we saw iguanas everywhere on both islands. Including this young one who wasn't so certain he wanted me taking his picture...

Although the goat didn't seem to care one way or another.