Ahoy Saint Croix

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 13: Au Revoir Saint Croix

May 12, 2015 – Today was a jam-packed today in order to get as much done as possible before our departure.  We had breakfast at 7:30 and then dropped Kristie off in Frederiksted  at 8:30 for more research.  Melinda & I went to a beach right next to the Frederiksted pier for a couple hours.  We got in the water as one last farewell to the beautiful waters here.  Then we headed to Christiansted to pick up some last minute gifts.  We took a few more pictures for our community map too.  Then we headed back to Arawak to completely clean & pack up the room.  We paid our bill, gave Jennifer a gift, and then went back to Frederikstead to pick up Kristie around 2:00.  Then we got gasoline, dropped off the rental car, and got to the airport. 

Homemade fritters & muffins with sausage & fresh fruit

Lionel & Jennifer: The best innkeepers & cooks in the world.

Waiting for the cloud to pass to enjoy the last few hours we have at the beach

Beach bums

On the way back to Arawak Inn to check out.  Forgot to mention this earlier.  This harbor has at least 5 abandoned ships that the marina doesn’t do anything about.  Its just random floating creepy boats.  We learned about this on the kayak tour

Bags are packed and ready to go!

Getting ready to head to D.C.  Kristie got to sit in our row!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 12: Beach & Shopping

May 11, 2015 – We had breakfast at 7:30 and then dropped Kristie off in Frederiksted  at 8:30 for research.  Melinda & I dropped off our extra medial supplies, health education pamplehts, and fun stuff for patients at Sister Emma Cottage, Genip Gardens, and Ginger Thomas.  Then we went back to walk around Frederiksted and saw some cool sights.  We saw monuments for all the military branches with lists of Crucians who have served.  We walked into the welcome center and the lady told us we could go on the pier.  So we walked all the way down to the end of the pier and took some pictures.  It was really windy, which felt amazing in the 90 degree heat.  Then we went to rainbow beach to soak up the sun.  We picked Kristie up at 12:30 and then went to Christiansted so Kristie could shop.  We shopped for a coupel hours and then grabbed a drink on the board walk.  My mango dacquiri was amazing! And this place at home made tortilla chips that had an Old Bay taste which was totally awesome. Then we drove Kristie to UVI so she could attend the nursing school graduation.  Melinda & I went to Cane Bay to relax and unfortunately a guy kept talking and talking and talking to us and us Baltimoreans don’t mess with creepers so we made an excuse to leave.  Kristie met us back at Arawak to commence the packing ordeal.  We showered & rearranged suitcases and then all went to sleep.

Pancake stack with bacon and COFFEE

Frederiksted monuments for military branches and members from STX

Historic canons

At Rainbow beach

We picked up Kristie from school.  How cute is this outfit?

Then we bought yummy drinks

Cane bay

Rowdy Joe’s for dinner!

These mahi fish tacos with cucumber salad were the bomb.

Gift for Jennifer!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 11: Point Udall & Exploring

May 10, 2015 – Melinda dropped Liz off at 6:30 for her flight and then we started our day.  Breakfast was at 8:00.  Michael, Melinda, Kristie, and I were the only ones left and Michael’s flight was at 4pm.  We ate a yummy breakfast and made plans for the day.   The girls and I wanted to go to point Udall (Point Udall is the eastern most point of the United States), but Michael stayed behind to pack & study for a quiz on Monday.  We headed out around 10ish.  The drive to Point Udall was very scenic toward the latter half of the trip.  We were up in the mountains toward the east end of the island, which Pepe the Ford Focus did not appreciate.  It was definitely a struggle.  We could see all the beautiful landscapes & shorelines.  We also saw Buck Island.  Then randomly we saw a giant satellite dish that looked like something out of Men in Black. Come to find out it is a super cool NASA satellite.  I’ll post a link at the end if you want to know what it was.  We were the only people at Point Udall when we got there.  It was pretty so we took some pictures.  It was also very windy, so some of the pictures are hilarious.  The couple also staying at Arawak showed up so we took pictures for each other.  We left shortly thereafter and explored the area.  We saw the satellite dish moving, which totally creeped us out because it looked like some kind of alien thing.  Then we tried to find a beach and failed miserably before heading back to Cane Bay.  We went to the beach for a bit and then went back to Arawak to get ready for dinner; however, we all passed out until like 8:30pm.  By the time we went to Rowdy Joe’s for dinner the kitchen was closed, so we went to Above the Cliff & shared appetizers and bananas foster.  Short and sweet dinner.  Then we went back to Arawak to shower and pass out.

Eggs, salt water cod, spinach, and Johnny cake - Amazing!

At Point Udall overlooking the sea

We made it!

Kristie with the monument

Super bright & windy

Buck Island in the distance

Giant satellite dish that creeped us out, but that is actually pretty cool

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2007/nrao_agreement.html

Saw a rainbow around the sun at Cane Bay... amazing stuff right here.

Now that’s what I call dinner.

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 10- Tide Pools & Cane Bay

May 9, 2015 - At this point staying in Saint Croix any longer was completely OPTIONAL.  Six of us are left (It’s like people are being voted off the island LOL).  We ate breakfast at 8 and then packed a little before going to Carambola.  To get to the tide pools you have to hike 40 minutes up and around the mountain.  A few of us hiked in water shoes, which is not ideal.  We made it there and pretty much had to hang off the side of a mountain to finish up the venture.  It was definitely scary and you need to be super careful. Michael helped all the ladies. We hung out for a little while.  A family of 5 showed up blasting music, splashing around, and totally ruining the ambiance.  We headed back just to be safe about getting Kate to the airport in time. We hiked back, grabbed a drink at the hotel, had a BBQ at Arawak, and then got Kate on her way.  We headed to Cane Bay Beach to finish the day

Salmon cake, eggs, toast, & tea

Kate’s last day

After we hiked forever we saw this gorgeous view.

 At the tide pools

Beautiful waves behind me

Lionel helped us barbeque when we got back

Wings, ribs, & potato salad. 

MEAT!

Bye Kate!

Next we hung out at Arawak for a bit and then went to Cane Bay Beach before dinner. We were pleasantly surprised to find that several 4-legged friends were there

Rottweiler, Scalawag the Sheep, and local doggie

This is Scalawag the Sheep.  He is a 3 week old St. Croix hair sheep.  I can’t handle his cuteness

Lady picture

Such beautiful skies

Awesome restaurant!

Lime ‘N a Coconut. Yes.

Cool local band.  By the end of their set we were dancing like crazy with an out-of-control older couple.  It was super fun and goofy.

We went for a night time swim and this crazy lady wanted us to do a funny pose...Voila! 

Super fun night!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 9: Dinner & Carambola

End of May 8, 2015 - We rushed back to Arawak Inn to get ready for dinner with the UVI students that Janzie instructs.  We went to Off The Wall for pizza right by the beach we went to a couple days ago.  After dinner we went to Carambola to see a small show.  There were gypsy dancers that danced with fire and then Moko Jumbie dancers.  After wards we danced for while and then went Arawak to pass out.  It was such a fun & adventurous day.

Sunset at Cane Bay Beach

The ladies

Us waiting for the show

Last night all together!

Some serious pyrotechnics

Moko Jumbie dancers... These are traditional stilts dancers that represent West Indian spiritis/ghosts

Melinda, Liz, & Kate dancing with them

Michael dancing with UVI students

Busting out moves on the dance floor

There was a anniversary party going on and when a slow song came on Kate & I jumped in.  She looks quite happy ;)

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 9: Fun day of Sailing & Snorkeling

May 8, 2015 - So after a LONG 8 days of health screenings, home visits, & lectures, we got to reward ourselves with some adventures for our last day together.  We had breakfast at 7:30, took Ogechi to do a home visit, and then went to sail & snorkel.  We got on a catamaran at 9:30am and stayed out until 3pm-ish. Our guides were awesome.  We sailed to Buck Island and then got out to snorkel in shallow water for practice.  The water was so beautiful! Then we sailed to the coral reef.  We wore life vests and were very careful not to touch anything.  It was such an amazing under-water world.  We saw a shark, puffer fish, lobster, barracuda, and school of fish.  The fish were so bright & colorful.  The school of fish was iridescent purple & blue.  Michael had a camera to take pictures under water, so I’ll share them when I get the files.  It was so much fun exploring. 

After we were done at the coral reefs, the guys on our boat got out some rum punch.  We drank & got ready for a BBQ that they prepared at a cute little spot on STX.  We had hotdogs, hamburgers, & mahi....& some people had more rum.  We went to the beach to sit and eat & I took a quick little power nap under the sun.  It was so relaxing.  We got on the boat to come back to the harbor.  We saw dolphins & turtles on the surface briefly.  So cute!  It was so fun spending the day sailing.  I love boats. PS. We reapplied sunscreen a bajillion times and we still got burnt :( It was worth it.

Waffles & sausage with fruit & coffee

Ogechi went to do home visits because she doesn’t like water activities.  Then we got her hair done afterwards.

Kate is dressed to impress

Michael waiting patiently to get to the catamaran

Big Beard! Our catamaran for the day

We are ready for some sailing!

Goodbye land

Michael is happy now

Beautiful ladies

We pulled up to Buck Island and this is what the water is like...

Seriously, can you believe this?

I just can’t believe the color of this water

Yay!

One of the pics from Michael. Us snorkeling

Our group with the sailors

Andy, Tommy, & Michael

The seaplane about to take off

We went shopping after we were done sailing.  Roosters were everywhere lol

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 8: School Day & Cruzan Rum Distillery

May 7, 2015 - Today we had breakfast at 7:00.  We packed lunches and prepared for the day.  Today Kate, Michael, Ogechi, and I went to John H. Woodson School to work with Nurse Wyatt conducting scoliosis screenings.  Kathleen when to Sea View Home Care for home health care visits.  Melinda, Kristie, and Liz went to Alexander Henderson School (where Ogechi & I were yesterday) to teach puberty to the 5th graders.  Afterwards, we went straight to the Cruzan Rum Distillery to perform an occupational health assessment during the tour.  Cruzan Rum produces 6.3 million barrels of rum annually, with each barrel containing 55 gallons.

After this we went back to Arawak to get ready for the kayak ride through the bioluminescent bay right by where we are staying.  The kayak ride started at 7pm-ish.  Melinda was my kayak partner and we did great.  The tour guides were two blonde kids, seriously.  One was still in high school.  What an amazing after-school job!

This kayak ride was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen in my entire life.  In a nutshell, the bioluminescent bay is created by dinoflagellates that produce a bioluminescent protein as a self-defense mechanism.  I would describe this as liquid stars; a scene from Fern Gully; something from a Disney movie.  It was so extraordinary.  When you disturb the dinoflagellates, they produce the light.  So if dipping your hand in the water quickly and then look at it, there are little twinkly stars on your hand.  Words and pictures cannot capture the true beauty of an incredible, natural wonder.  I will never forget this experience. 

We had cinnamon rolls, french toast, bacon, and turkey bacon with fresh fruit.

At John H. Woodson middle school for scoliosis screenings!

At the school nurse Wyatt’s office

A ton of health information pamphlets for the kids

Team Kate & Ogechi

Team Elysia & Michael

Going into the boys locker room to do the screenings.  This locker room was very run down & scary.  Very little funding here for schools :(

Harsh poster to battle to high rates of unintended teen pregnancy  here in STX

Kicking butt at the scoliosis screening... We are now Woodson Warriors

Kristie & Liz talking to 5th grade girls about good hygiene at Alexander Henderson School

Next stop....Occupational health assessment at the Cruzan Rum distillery

Getting ready to start the tour. Here is an old sugar mill with flags that represent every country to has colonized STX

Tener giving a short lecture on hazards & other elements to look out for during our tour.

Giant vats o' rum

Our tour guide Norman giving us a lesson on the different parts of the rum distilling process.  PS this guy seriously reminded me of the Crucian version of my big brother, Tony.  It was so funny.

Bubble bubble toil and trouble; Fire burn & rum caldron bubble

The molasses & fermentation process = stinky stinky.

Walking to the warehouses. I love the Cruzan crest.

Rum on rum on rum

You know me... Front & center learning & listening & taking notes... Nerd alert!

Me with the barrels & different types of rums produced

At the end of the tour we got to buy some souvenirs!

  Norman making us a shot with Cruzan Rum, not sure what

Group shot!

Kate and I went to ask Norman if he could take a picture with us and then he told me to stand in a spot and Kate stand in a spot and do this with your hands... We were totally confused for a second and then we realized this is what he was doing LOL

We are sign challenged... Bye Norman!

Curry chicken with rice & roti for dinner! OMG.

Peach cobbler for dessert. I think we've all gained weight on this trip...

Time for kayaking!

Kate is ready!

Group shot!

Modeling my USCG approved outfit...

Melinda was my kayak partner.  Let's go!

Soooo... unfortunately, there is no way to take a picture of the bioluminescence that turns out with the cameras we had.  If you want to Google image search... it will KIND OF give you an idea.  It’s not glowing streams of lights...its little individual stars. No pictures can do it justice.  It was beautiful & magical & amazing & WOW.

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 7: School day

May 6, 2015 - Today we woke up and had breakfast at 7am.  Breakfast was a stack of pancakes with sausage & fresh fruit.  We separated into three different schools, so we had a little carpool session to drop everyone off.  Ogechi & I went to Alexander Henderson School to teach 4th graders about puberty.  Kate and Michael went to Charles Emanuel School to teach 5th & 6th about puberty.  Melinda, Kristie, Liz, and Kathleen went to John H. Woodson School to do scoliosis screenings & to work with the school nurse.  After that we had lunch and then toured the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center with Janzie. We saw the ED, Med-Surg, and OB/L&D units and asked a ton of questions. Then we were determined to get to the beach because we didn’t have enough time to hike down to the tide pools at Carambola before dark.  Then another yummy dinner was at 7pm.

Charles Emanuel School. No Bullying!

At Alexander Henderson... The calm before the storm.

Ogechi preparing to teach the boys about puberty

Ogechi made it through.  The things those 10 year old boys were saying...OMGoodness!

I taught the girls about puberty

Picking people up from school!

After we were done at the hospital we quickly piled into the van to head to a beach close by.  Down a few winding roads we finally found the destination: Cane Bay Beach

Operation Cane Bay Beach accomplished.

Beer in hand, Michael is happy.

Melinda & Kristie got the wine open!

Kristie ballerina in my hand LOL

We needed to de-stress

Selfie!

No beach outing is complete without jumping pictures

The girlies minus Ogechi

Sunset!

Selfie with Michael

More jumping because we love it lol

Kristie & the dog

LOVE

Dinner at Arawak Inn... Mahi with asparagus, potatoes, & papaya salad.  Complete with fruit pizza.

Tomorrow is another school day.  Ogechi, Michael, Kate & I will do scoliosis screening while Kristie, Melinda, & Liz teaching another grade about puberty.  Kathleen is doing home visits.

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 6- Genip Gardens, Ginger Thomas, Sea view Home Care, VI Dept of Health

May 5, 2015 - CINCO DE MAYO

Another very busy day today.  We had breakfast at 7:30 then went to our destinations.  Melinda went to Sea View Home Care and traveled with a nurse. She helped a patient who had severe hypoglycemia, so it’s a good thing they were there to help!  The rest of us went to Genip Gardens, a Lutheran Social Services residence for adults who needed assisted living.  We had a health fair for the clients, Americorps volunteers, and employees.  It was great teaching people about hypertension, diabetes, & BMI again.  I love hearing what people know about there health.  Next we went to Ginger Thomas, another LSS residence.  Ginger Thomas helps adults with disabilities, like cerebral palsy, autism, and other congenital impairments.  We played games and helped out the nurses.  The best part was watching the residents laugh while playing games with us.  Next we went to Chicken Shack again.  We all shared plates (minus Melinda, who was still busy with home care) and talked.  We ran into a nice older woman from Annapolis. Then we went back to Arawak to work on our community plan of care assignment.  We brainstormed and divided work before heading back out.  We went to the Charles Harwood Medical Center and spoke with Kathleen  Arnold-Lewis, the territorial director of chronic diseases for the department of health.  Then we went back to Arawak and researched information to prep for our presentations on scoliosis and puberty for school age students tomorrow.  We ate dinner and again did more school work!

Quiche & potatoes... Seriously the best quiche I have ever had

Jennifer’s yummy smoothie recipe: watermelon, mango, kale, blueberries, oatmeal, & cinnamon

Talking about smoking, health implications, and public health policy

Great conversation over breakfast

Michael getting us on the road.  He named the van Bob.  Melinda went on her way to Sea View Home care all by herself

Trying to take a selfie.  This is a perfect way to show how crazy the potholes are here!

I love crazy van rides

At Genip Gardens

Another little health screening fair: BP, blood glucose, and BMI

Ginger Thomas Residence

The Americorps volunteers are awesome!

Our work here is done!

Cock-a-doodle-do! Seriously, the number one noise you hear in STX is a rooster crow. 

Windy day

Chicken shack!

Kristie & Ogechi

Kathleen, Kate, & Liz

All ready for lunch!

Group pic, minus Melinda

At the medical center...Tons of health information!

Tables of information

Kristie is prepared for any potential evacuation

Waiting for our appointment

I promise I’m not slapping Tener in the face.  I’m Italian and sometimes my gestures get explosive, but everything was safe ;)

Back at Arawak... doing more assignments! ....I want to get in the pool....

Turkey & dumplings!

End of another beautiful day!

School visits tomorrow!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 5- Long & Busy

May 4, 2015 - Today we had breakfast at 7:00; went to LSSVI Flamboyant Gardens for orientation, health screenings, and home visits; went to Sea View Home Care for orientation into home care; came back to Arawak to take an online quiz; ate dinner; submitted an assignment; & prepped for tomorrow.

Rise & Shine.  Anothing yummy breakfast - omelets with toast, fresh fruit, & coffee

Flamboyant Gardens is a facility that assists older adults.  It was organized really well & the homes were constructed in a manner that facilitates staying cool

Our health screening table - we were a little wind challenged today

Practicing BP & glucose checks on ourselves. 

Practicing auscultating ;)

Discussing public health issues over lunch

The hostages: our phones were collected while we took our quiz

Case study time! I feel how Melinda feels...

Making sure Ogechi is finishing her assignment

Nerd alert group selfie! Good night!

[ahoysaintcroix]

All of us are learning so much here in St. Croix.  This is truly an amazing experience.

[ahoysaintcroix]

Day 4 - Lectures & Visit to Sister Emma Cottage

May 3, 2015- Today’s start was definitely slower than Saturday.  We woke up between 6 and 7am and then went outside to cheer on the bicyclists from the ironman triathalon.  Then we ate breakfast, learned about disaster preparedness from Tener, ate lunch at Chicken Shack, went to Sister Emma Cottage, learned about VITEMA and emergency nursing from Janzie, ate dinner, and studied! It was a much more relaxed day.  The lecturers were so informative & interactive.  We learned so much today!

Hi there bicyclist!  At first we wanted to hand out water bottles to the competitors, but then learned that they can only receive water in designated rest stations. So instead we just drank coffee and cheered them on as they passed by.  This guy was in the zone.

Dinner by Jennifer. PIcture-perfect eggs benedict with fruit and coffee.  I am more amazed each day!

Morning lessons! Great lesson by Tener

Our makeshift chalkboard - we came prepared

CHICKEN SHACK! This is what we saw as we walked up... Mouth watering!

Since a few of us were still full from Jennifer’s yummy breakfast, we shared a chicken.  This was seriously super yummy.  I think Jennifer & Lionel’s cooking is still #1

Taking the kids out for a walk at Sister Emma Cottage.  Children at this facility are profoundly disabled, i.e., blind, immobile, mute, tube fed.  We played and had wheelchair races.  It was so heartwarming to be able to make the kids smile.  the facility was very well managed and is a great place for these children.

Kate hanging like a monkey to get the kids to laugh. :D

Dinnertime! Kate & Liz are dressed to impress. Tonight’s meal: chicken, sauteed zucchini, salad, and bread pudding for dessert

Ending the day with assignments and studying the day!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Windshield Survey & Day’s End

After the farmer’s market we went out with Janzie & Mr. Hall - locals who know a ton of information about St. Croix (STX)

Getting ready for the windshield survey- driving around the island while recording public health observations

Ruins...historic building

Homemade ice cream!

Janzie & Tener

Ogechi & Kristie

Found a golf course

Why did the giant iguana cross the road?

Just chillin’

View from the Buccaneer Hotel

Another sugar mill

Beautiful old stone

Kate eating a cashew fruit... This girl is down to try any new foods

Me & Melinda

Group Pic

Vacant oil refinery that closed a couple years ago.   Acres & acres of equipment, but no people.

Dinner time.  Bar overlooking the water

El Presidente!

Yummy sandwich

Day is done, gone the sun

[ahoysaintcroix]

La Reine Farmer’s Market

Day 3: Early start at 4:15am to get ready for the health fair at the farmer’s market

Getting food ready

Coffee all around...Now we’re ready

On our way

At the market, bright & early

Setting up our table

5am selfie

Liz using some motivational interviewing

Kate & I went to go speak with the fisherman about ciguatera, or fish poisoning.

Big ole fish

Michael filling out a client report card

Melinda checking blood glucose for a client

Kathleen checking bp

Thanks Walgreens!

Yummy veggies

Silly Kate

Ogechi teaching a client

Kate taking a client’s bp

Kristie checking a bp

Blood glucose screen!

Lovely market

Our group with Janzie

[ahoysaintcroix]

End of Day 2

After the eco hike & beach, we went back to the inn to practice motivational interviewing for the health fair tomorrow at the Farmer’s market.

Ps. There are feral cats, dogs, and chickens everywhere.

Yummy dinner again. 

Beef, broccoli, salad, egg noodles & strawberry tart for dessert

We went to go pack up all of the supplies we need for the farmer’s market

[ahoysaintcroix]

Eco Hike & Rainbow Beach

Good Morning St Croix!

Breakfast feast... Eggs, pancakes, eggs, fresh fruit, & coffee/tea. Kate, Elysia, Michael, Liz, Melinda

Ogechi, Kristie, Kathleen, Tener

Michael’s Room

Roomies Kristie & Liz

I like the house rules

Jennifer set out food prep for us to make sandwiches for the road. 

On our way to the eco hike. Michael leaving us in the dust.  Little Ford Focus can’t handle these pot holes!

Melinda & Pepe... That’s what we named our car

Michael & van... til he names it

The start of our eco hike.  Here is Ras LaMumba... The bush doctor who lead our tour and a Caribbean naturalist extraordinaire. 

Hiking the hills

Pods on a tree... similar to tamarind

Can’t remember what this yummy herb was, but it helped my sore throat!

Watch your step!

Ras Lamuma explaining termites 

Random abandoned lighthouse.  Seriously this place reminds me of the show “Lost.”  There are random abandoned buildings; some new, some old.

Beautiful view

Learning as much as possible

We hiked up the mountain a bit more and made it to this glorious cliff.  Truly amazing.

Me on a cliff with a machete... because why not.  According to Ras Lamumaba, “You can survive as long as you know how to find food, cook, and use a machete.” 

Amazing!

Group shot.  Michael, Ogechi, and Tener stayed back.

We met up again for a complete group shot.

We found coconuts!

Time for a snack!

Happy hiker

Next, we drove down the road a bit and came to this old plantation.  This is the sugar factory ruins close to a sugar mill.

Tree of life.  It is hundreds of years old and has survived many hurricanes.  

Kathleen & Kate went for a climb

“Bebop” - fruit that grows on the tree. Very high in vitamin C!

Next stop: Rainbow Beach.  Don’t mind if I do!

Us in the water talking about social determinants of health...This is a public health nursing trip after all

Yay!

So much fun!

[ahoysaintcroix]

Wifi

Disclaimer: Wifi is pretty weak here, so the rest of my photos will be less quality in order to get them to post!