Saturday, November 12, 2011

'Virtual Date Night' And Balancing In 'Rock City'!!

       Our 'Virtual Date Night' destination last night was to an island of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean Sea, about 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Virgin Islands, can't be beat...day or night...for relaxation and the ability to restore balance. And after the time we've been having lately, with everything all wicky wacky, we needed some relaxation and balance y'all!!
     Anyway! The U.S. Virgin Islands is a territory that consists of four main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island, as well as several dozen smaller islands named by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493.
       With 44 or so beaches, beautiful clear water, and views that would almost make you cry, the island of St Thomas (nicknamed 'Rock City') was the perfect stop for two tired and frazzled old people like us! :-] 

        There's a few reasons why we chose the U.S. Virgin Islands as our 'get-away' destination this time. One big reason is that the U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Atlantic Standard Time zone and do not participate in daylight saving time! ^_^ We were just sick of being in the dark so early and having our day shortened! LOL
        Another reason is that the October snow storm we had recently put a little scare in us about what winter is gonna look like soon...TOO soon!! So we decided to hold it off a bit by going somewhere where winter is not even a thought!
       St. Thomas has the perfect summer weather year round, with temperatures that range from 73 degrees Fahrenheit to around 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the cool Caribbean breeze off the ocean keeps the beaches cool all the time (inland it can be just a tad cooler or warmer without the breeze). 
      This little island has a population...reported as of 2010...of only 51,634...and the official language is English, although Virgin Islands Creole, an English-based dialect, is spoken in informal situations. 
     I threw you a little bit of a curve ball yesterday when I mentioned that we were going to be going on a 'safari' here...*Teehee*...This is a safari...
         ...It's an open-air cab that costs only one dollar to ride...the cheapest way to navigate the island. (There's also open-air covered trucks, called "safari cabs", with bench seats)...But it's still true that you have to drive on the left side of the road...you just don't have to worry about roaring lions or charging rhinos! :-) ...Although there are some natural hazards you might have to keep an eye out for, natural hazards that include earthquakes and tropical cyclones (including hurricanes)! O_O
      Oh well...for views like this, and total relaxation for 24 hours....we chanced it! LOL


         And as a last bit of useless trivia before we go on to enjoy our Saturday, the actor/director/producer Kelsey Grammer...who played the Psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane on 'Cheers' and 'Frasier'...
      ...was born in St. Thomas! :-) And hey!...if St Thomas could produce talent like that, we knew it could relax and balance two old frazzled people like us! LOL And we were right!! ^_^

Balance

You teeter totter, in the middle,
Lean a little, OOPS! You're off!
Now you know that you're not balanced,
and you hope the ground is soft.

It's not easy to achieve,
and once you have it, to maintain.
In almost every part of life
our balance is so hard to gain.

You have to balance your emotions,
how you eat, and how you spend.
And when you're balancing your checkbook,
try to keep a level grin.

Staying somewhere in the middle
takes a conscious, careful touch,
because it doesn't take a lot
to go from balanced to 'too much'!

So try to keep a balanced eye,
 a balanced plate, and balanced life.
Keep your feelings all in check,
and minimize the stress and strife.

And don't compare your sense of balance
 to your neighbor's...you're alone.
Because your neighbor's also trying
to get some balance of his own!

{By the way, the latest entry in Mr. Wug and my's couples blog (In the house...Mr. and Mrs. Wug)..."Are We Getting Too Old To Boogie?" (with a video)...is up now...HERE.}

10 comments:

  1. Deb, What a fantastic place to visit. Thank you for sharing. I learned something new. Also your poem is fantastic. I've been feeling a little unbalanced lately. It gave me food for thought. Please enter me in your giveaway. Have a Great Day!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Those beaches look dreamy.. wait a minute... I have my OWN beach! LOL! Nice date night..
    ENTER ME!

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  3. We've never been to St. Thomas but have thought about it. The photos are gorgeous! I sure wish you had shown us what you ate! I always look forward to that.
    I love your poem! As SnowflakeDreams1 said, it's given me food for thought too.
    Have a wonderful Saturday my friend!

    Oh, and enter me!

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  4. Dear Deb, I haven't made the blog rounds in so long and I have missed visiting here!! And what a perfect post to take me away to tropical islands... You really chose some gorgeous photos!! And I'm impressed how far you have travelled in your virtual vacations... I a few weeks, we'll be traveling to the Dutch Antilles and I can't wait!! Especially after seeing your photos here... I hope you are doing well! Hugs, Silke

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  5. SnowflakeDreams1, I agree, Velma! :-] So peaceful. Every once in a while you just need peaceful, right?!...And Oooo! What did you learn new?!...And thank you so much for the nice words about the poem. It's so true, isn't it?! We all work on balance every day!...I must say though, that finding a little 'get-away' once a week is a great help! ^_^ Have a good weekend, Vel!...Oh Yeah! You're entered.

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  6. Alittlesprite, Ha! Ha! Yes...Yes you do have your own beach now!! ^_^ Ahhhhhhhh!...And you're entered too!

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  7. CinLynn, Hello!...We loved 'visiting' St Thomas because we have friends...in real life...who are from there. A whole family. Mom, dad, and 2 boys. And she's a great cook!..Sorry about the food thing. I forgot to show you that! But I had fish and pineapples, and some veggies, with apple pie for dessert. YUM!! :-) There wasn't a unique food to St Thomas. That's why I didn't go into it...And thank you so much for the nice words about the poem, Bead. Balance, balance, balance! Necessary, but not always easy, right?!...Enjoy your Saturday, my friend!...And you're entered too!

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  8. Silke, Hello Silke! Nice to see you!...Yes, you've been very creatively busy lately. Probably knee deep in inks, no?! ^_^ I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. And how wonderful the trip sounds that you're about to take! The Dutch Antilles sound like fun! Maybe we'll join you there. You never know! :-)) As you might know, St Thomas had a bit of colonial Dutch in their history too. Not necessarily a good thing for them though at the time...I hope you share photos of your trip too!...Have a good weekend, Silke!

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  9. Wow what a fantastic destination for a holiday! Maybe that should go on my "wish list" :D right after Hawaii :D

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  10. Jo-anne, ^_^ Guess what?...Hawaii is at the very top of my list too!!

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