Nukesailor

MDSue,

Sounds like you had better luck camera shopping in St. Thomas than I did. Canon and Nikon are fairly similar product lines - both are good. And Boolchands does have a decent rep; they just wouldn't meet the price (I was looking at a Canon 28-70L). I, also, do a bit of business with B&H.

By the way, if you haven't done this already, next time you're there go up to Paradise Pt. and take a panorama of the harbor. I did it with 6 images, stitched together with Photoshop Elements, and it came out great. Use manual settings, take the photos vertically for better resolution, and overlap by about 50%.

Art

St Thomas Panorama by Nukesailor, on Flickr

Remember that St. Thomas is not consider abroad, it is part of the US and you get US warranties.

St. Thomas is, indeed, part of the US. However, the major camera manufacturers consider it part of their Latin American sales territory. In the past, any camera purchased in St. Thomas came with an "international" warranty (I've asked before and, in fact, have purchased a Minolta XGM in St. Thomas a "few" years ago - with an international warranty). If people are actually getting US warranties, that is something new (better read the warranties). After Boolchands wouldn't meet an internet price from one of the New York stores on a lens for my Canon, I gave up on St. Thomas.

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Jimmy,

Looks like the sort of drink found at a nuclear plant party.

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A combined total of 100,002 horsepower. Grand Turk, 2009.

horses cruiseships by Nukesailor, on Flickr

Art

Wow Justin, those are nice. Thanks for posting the park name and information. We are driving to Ft. Lauderdale next week to catch a cruise on the Emerald Princess. I see that area is not too far off of I95. I think I may have to make a detour.

 

Larry

Take either Boyton Beach or Woobright exits off 95 and go west (right). For Wakodahatchee, turn south (left) at Jog Road; the entrance is perhaps a mile down on your left, next to the wastewater treatment plant (that's where most of the water at Wakodahatchee comes from).

For Green Cay, keep going west on Boynton Beach or Woolbright to Hagan Ranch Road, turn south (left). Again, go about a mile down and watch for the entrance and sign on your left. Green Cay has a visitor's center, Wakodahatchee doesn't. Both have extensive elevated boardwalk systems.

Another interesting place, not necessarily wildlife-centered, is Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum, a little further south from Wakodahatchee/Green Cay. Beautiful Japanese gardens, interesting museum, and an excellent Japanese cafe. Take Linton Blvd exit off 95, west to Jog Road, south (about 3/4 mile) to the entrance. If coming from Green Cay/Wakodahatchee, just go south on Jog Road.

We have often hit all 3 in one day.

Bring lots of camera chips.

Interestingly, we were at Green Cay last New Year's Day and the parking lot was packed. Visitor Center was closed, but there were hundreds of people there anyway! We may go tomorrow (a tradition is born).

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Justin,

Nice photos. Let me guess - Wakodahatchee/Green Cay?

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Christmas Day backyard photos with new camera (actually a birthday present).

Orange by Nukesailor, on Flickr

Christmas Hawk by Nukesailor, on Flickr

Green Bee 1 by Nukesailor, on Flickr

Art

Hi, Merion Mom!

We are just off the JOS 1/20/08 Western Carib sailing. We also did the Eastern Carib last February on the JOS. A couple of quick thoughts:

the two production shows were the same as last year; however, there were a couple of differences. The West End to Broadway was better this year than last. The City of Dreams, the better show, in my opinion, was missing a couple of performers. In both cases, the lead female vocalist, Stephanie, has a fantastic voice.

Dining room meals, in general, were not as good as last year, with fewer choices. I "stole" the menu from the last night:

Starters - Fire roasted red pepper hummus; shrimp cocktail; spinach dip; roasted pumpkin and apple soup (good); onion soup; chilled forest berries and buttermilk soup.

Entrees - Grey Goose vodka and smoked salmon cream pasta; roasted turkey; grolled NY strip steak (acceptable, but not great); Indian vegetable curry. Chef's signature entree - Mahi Mahi tempura.

Alternative selections - Orecchiette with marinara sauce; broiled fillet of Norwegian salmon; grilled chicken breast with seasonal herbs; grilled black angus top sirloin with herb butter (doesn't sound exactly low fat :rolleyes: )

Dessert - brownie madness (pretty good); key lime pie (reported not as good as at the Blonde Giraffe in Key West); banana and crunchy nut parfait; low-fat strawberry shortcake; sugar-free key lime pie.

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Catherine;

 

Did you spend any evenings in the Safari Club???

My real question is, do they still have live entertainment in the Safari Club for dancing?

We were on the Jewel about a year ago. Since then, I've heard the rumors that the "dance bands" have been axed. I know that's a GREAT dance floor, and it would be a shame for it to be "going to waste".

When we were on the JOS lasf February, the Safari Club was only used once for dancing. It has the best dance floor we've seen on any cruise ship. Otherwise, all dancing was in the Centrum on the marble floor, which is terrible for dancing (too hard and sticky, too much traffic). We asked why the dance band couldn't move to the Safari Club, which was usually empty, and were told that it was in the band's contract to play in the Centrum. We're expecting the same thing next week when we are on the JOS.

One really great thing they do in the Solarium is that during the day they play bird calls in the background and at night crickets and frogs. Pretty much guarantees that if you lie on one of the lounge chairs, you'll be asleep in a few minutes.

Art