HAVING REFILLED ONE (of three) of Moody Blues’ empty 10 lb., 2.5 gallon propane tanks and shopped for groceries, Gene took it all back to the boat and I went “window” shopping. A bit depressed over Deborah leaving, the time to wander on my own was helpful.

Seeing a sign for Crocs outside a shop called Local Colors, I went inside. My eyes were tunnel-visioned on the Crocs (that everyone seems to love) when a person passing me stopped short. I looked up and it was Chris Carli! “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Are you here on Moody Blues?” she asked. We hugged and made plans to get together. Above, just left of center—the third arched doorway with blue shutters on each side is where I ran into Chris.

Bill  Carli                                                                         Chris Carli

Bill and Chris rented a house on Water Island, which is a ferry ride (above photo) across from St. Thomas. Once across they catch a Safari Bus into Charlotte Amalie. As they are Friday Harbor Islanders too (in case you don’t know them), they discovered another paradise across from big city living as in WA. (There are over 50K people living in St. Thomas.)

We moved anchorages to be closer to Water Island. Bill and Chris picked us up on “Honeymoon Beach” (ou-la-la) in their golf cart and took us up to their house on the tippy-top of a high hill. I neglected to get a shot of the house as the views were so breath-taking. This is the view to the north.

This is their view west. That’s Puerto Rico in the way background. We visited with treats and Bill’s special Water Island Back Porch Rum Punch. (Have him make you one.)

These little yellow birds are Chris’ pets. She feeds them sugar in a coconut shell. Cute, huh!

This sugar bird really liked to pig out.

Bill and Chris say these turtles are all over Water Island. (I guess they don’t snap . . . )

Colorful isn’t he? As I was taking a photo, Chris said, “Wait he’ll stick his head out again,” and sure enough he did.

But no matter where you go in paradise, there’s always laundry to do! Sweet when it can dry outside.

(This post is dedicated to Bill and Chris Carli. Thanks for the good time. See you in FH or back here next year.)

CHARLOTTE AMALIE is the hub of the wheel in the USVI. Above: Government Hill.

It wasn’t all fun and games for Deborah Sarlo, she had to work too if she wanted to make her early a.m. flight out of St. Thomas the next morning. Not only did Gene have her drive (the float plane coming straight at Moody Blues freaked her out, but he had her trimming the headsail too. Turns out, she was a natural onboard! 

The Market Square.

Walk street (one of many).

Creativity.

Walk street two of many!

Frederik Lutheran Church (1820)

Ancient history . . .

A Safari bus, the local transportation.

Moody Blues, curiously framed through the walk street’s opening.

(This post is dedicated to the Sarlo family:, Allen, Phia, Colton & Polly. Thanks for sharing Deborah with us!)

AS YOU CAN SEE, Deborah and I are having too much fun. Gene shot this after Deb and I returned from our hair-raising open air cab taxi ride and the tour of Cruz Bay, St John Island and jumped off of Moody Blues’ stern to cool off.

Deb’s a fish, a Pisces, so being in the water is natural for her.

But sailing is a whole new ball game.

Didn’t take her long to hop up on the table (her horse “Shady”) and get her sea legs!