Latest Photos from Jamile

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Blog Merge

This blog will no longer be updated. It has been merged into jamileblog.blogspot.com.

This little pineapple, barely a handful, grew outside my bedroom window. That side of the house does not get any rain (unless there is a storm, then everywhere gets wet), so it stayed small for months, then gave up and turned yellow. But it smells so good. I'll eat it in a day or two.

The lighthouse at Hams Bluff. I hadn't planned to hike up there on that day, so I didn't take any water. But I found myself up there anyway. The lighthouse is in bad shape. I wanted to climb up and look out, but the metal floor was rusted through. So I decided not to risk it.

Ruin of the greathouse at one of the plantations during St. Croix's "Golden Age of Sugar." I don't get too excited about the island's history, as it is mainly about slave labour. The greathouse is where the European planter lived.

Another view, including a smaller building.

Do you think this coconut was terrified because he knew I was going to bash his head open? At some point in the future, I will post a video of me removing the husk from this same coconut, with Pierre giving a running commentary.

St. Croix: Images 09

A pretty neat location on the north side of the island. After a 1.5 mile hike up and down the hills and thru the bushes, you arrive at these tide pools. When the tide is high, the water comes crashing over the rocks and look like water falls.

Looking out at Protestant Cay from outside the house where my mother grew up.

The botanical gardens held their anual Mango Melee. They had on display countless varieties of mangos and other fruits. I was on patrol to keep people from feelin up de mango dem.

The kids mango eating contest. They had to eat 5 mangos. I didn't see who won, as I turned away after one of the kids regurgitated her mangos.

Tortola: Images 03

A bar named Three Sheets. I did a little research into the phrase "three sheets to the wind" and found out that in sailing terminology, a sheet is a rope not a sail! But I still don't quite understand what three sheets to the wind means. Yeah, I know it means drunk, but I don't get the connection.

I just like the style of this building. At one of the marinas.

This phony building. The walls appear to be a good solid 16 inches thick, but on close inspection, I found that they were made of foam.

Looking out wishfully at the boats...

Village Cay Hotel & Marina

Tortola: Images 02

My first chicken roti. When I was a child, we would have Christmas parties at school, and most of the time, there would be roti. But being the non-aggresive person that I am, by the time I got to the table, it would be finished. Everytime. Roti is an Indian dish from Trinidad. It is curried chicken, potatoes and vegetable wrapped in an Indian bread.

Some kind of chicken dish. It was a lot of food for about $10. Yeah, $10 is cheap here.

This was a $9 sandwich at Maria's by the Sea, I think. I was hungry soon after.

Some kind of pasta at Village Cay Hotel and Marina. About $12. Took a good 45 minutes to serve it. I came back at night, and this same dish was $25. I didn't eat.

Burger at Pusser's Pub, about $12.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tortola: Images 01

Ahhh...the tranquil Trellis Bay on Beef Island, near the sleepy airport.

The view of the harbour from my uncle's house. Notice the large cattle ship.

The same view late at night. There was good moonlight, and by keeping the shutter open for 15 seconds, I was able to get an excellent night photo with no graininess. I actually took this photo in 2007, prior to the incident in New Zealand, which reduced my camera to a mere point & click & hope.

The view from my cousin's apartment.

The beach at Cane Garden Bay. I've never seen it this packed before. They come from the ship, directly to the beach, and go right back to the ship. They are of no benefit to the local economy.