two tickets to paradise

I've got two tickets to paradise...

Won't you pack your bags, we'll leave tonight...

That's literally what we did. Our plane left for St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands at 1:00 am the following day so we said our goodbyes on Sunday after the wedding, and drove 12 hours to Phoenix straight to the airport for our flight. We flew out of Phoenix because the Viper Pilot had training two days after we got back from the honeymoon, so it made the most sense to fly back into Phoenix. We were SO tired but fortunately, the flight to Charlotte, NC was long enough to get some shut eye, took a cat nap at the USO, and we were semi-well rested for the flight to St. Thomas. Next thing we knew, we were dining (there was no lack of good food at our resort) on the beach with a cool beverage in hand. 

Paradise.

The next few days we spent eating some of the best food we've ever had and lots and lots of time at the pool. 

They had several different pools. All with equally breath-taking views of the ocean. And one with a swim-up bar. There was no lack of rum drinks here...

Infinity pool with swim up bar.

The other pool. You could watch cruise ships go by from this one -- way cool.

The resort we stayed at was absolutely beautiful. They have a huge patio over-looking the harbor with stunning views of the mountains and if you time it just right, you can catch a sunset...

One morning, we enjoyed breakfast in bed, courtesy of friends of ours as a wedding gift. It was absolutely fantastic and my favorite part was when I called in to order the food and they answered the phone,

"Hello, Meesus Smeeeth."

Their accent in St. Thomas is awesome.

Apple stuffed french toast for the Viper Pilot, and eggs benedict for me. YUM. 

After breakfast, we had a couples massage. We both fell asleep it was so relaxing. We rarely left the resort because they had a great variety of food at their restaurants and the pool was amazingly relaxing whether we were laying in the chaise lounges or the cabana or in the pool, but we did take one day trip. We took a ferry to St. John, another one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The views on the trip were incredible, but I did learn that I am not a boat person. It wasn't that I got motion sick, it was just the overwhelming amount of water on all sides...no thanks.

On the ferry, our resort in the background.

We were cruising right along and the views of the little mini-islands along the way were beautiful. I picked out several potential future homes for us.

I took a little video while on the ferry.  Hopefully it doesn't make you queasy.

Once we got there we took a "taxi" to Trunk Bay. Kenny Chesney used to own a house there. It was fabulous. We spent the entire day there!

This is how all the taxis were on the islands. Such a fun way to ride.

Even though it is still the U.S., they drive on the opposite side of the road. The roads are narrow and winding through the mountains and they drive like maniacs. I was warned of their poor driving, but I figured that if I could handle riding in the car with the Viper Pilot in the city, I can handle anything. I was wrong. 

Trunk Bay

We spent the entire day at Trunk Bay soaking up the sun and enjoying the crystal clear water. It was a beautiful day. We saw a lot of fish and even a sting ray paid us a visit, which caused me to frantically sprint out of the water while everyone else crowded around to ooh and ahh over it. 

The ferry ride back was worse. The clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. The water was a bit choppier. Fortunately, they served rum punch on the way back and that helped calm my nerves...a bit. Clyde the Guide (catchy, right?) grew up on the islands and has a very nice accent. He reminded me of the scuba diver from the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. He was a total surfer dude. Clyde walked around the boat like it was nothing. 

The boat was rocking back and forth and he walked around serving drinks like it was nothing at all. It took all I had to not fly off my seat.

I took another video on the way back. Check out how people are rocking back and forth...ugh...oh and don't mind our cuteness at the end. Eww...haha.

Something else besides food and rum that the resort wasn't lacking was iguanas. Holy reptile. They were EVERYWHERE. I don't mind critters so long as they stay away from me. 

I saw this one and wanted to get a closer look. He seemed harmless. Until he started chasing me. And yes, they can run. But I can run faster...the Viper Pilot had the camera and thought it was hilarious. I didn't.

 One evening we got all dressed up for the fancy restaurant that we had a gift certificate for. For my bridal shower my new sister-in-law bought us a nice dinner at the resort. I had the catch of the day, mahi-mahi (so good they named it twice) in a sweet curry sauce and jasmine rice and nearly fell out of my chair at the first bite. It was the best meal I've ever had.

Later, we went to the patio bar to enjoy the rest of the evening. We were graced with the company of a group of older ladies who were off on a girls' trip. They were a riot, we had so much fun chatting with them!!

On our last night, we boarded a sailboat for a sunset cruise. I decided a sailboat would probably be smoother - and it was - but there was still a lot of water on all sides...

The sunset behind the mountains was breathtaking. The mountains were glowing in the evening sky. The weather was perfect with a gentle breeze as we cruised along. We made a lot of friends on the cruise, too!

The crew on the sailboat called "The Cat" were a hoot. They were so much fun. We danced, sang, drank rum punch, laughed, socialized, and ate good food. At the end of the night, everyone was required to don a "Cat" tattoo. We were all punks.

Before we had to leave for the airport the next day, we wandered around the resort grounds one last time and managed to get in a little more time by the pool.

The Viper Pilot more or less had to drag me away from the pool. We wanted nothing to do with leaving.

But we had a whole new adventure to look forward to in Phoenix and that made it a little easier. Making it every easier, was the fact that it started raining right as we boarded the plane. We got very lucky -- they had called for rain every day the week that we were there and only saw clouds and rain the moment we got on the plane. 

Married life is wonderful. I couldn't ask for a more loving and amazing husband. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with this guy!

Our photographer told me the other day that our wedding pictures are next on her queue, so get ready for some cool pictures! I'll post them as soon as I can, but it could be a while before she hands over the digital copies. In the mean time, I'll get you up to date with our Phoenix adventures so be sure to check back soon.

CHEERS!