billtan

End of the Rainbow

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. E.Y Harburg The end of the year and the end of a rainbow are curious things. I sit back and think. The rainbow, as beautiful as it is, does not exist without stormy weather. Likewise, IContinue reading “End of the Rainbow”

Land Critters

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. George Orwell All sorts of sea creatures grace the pages of this blog. But, unfortunately, I’ve shamefully neglected the beasts that roam the land. Like most other locals that have hosted a human civilization, the Virgin Islands have farm animals. But, in theContinue reading “Land Critters”

Saint Thomas

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever. Thomas Aquinas I’m guilty. I’m guilty of flying to a beautiful Caribbean island, and as soon as the boat is ready and my belly is brimming, I leave for other parts. I am guided perhaps byContinue reading “Saint Thomas”

I’m Not a Fisherman

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of something that is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope,” John Bucha I’m not a fisherman, but I have fish stories. My uncle Charles took me on my first fishing trip. I was four, armed with a bamboo pole, and hadContinue reading “I’m Not a Fisherman”

Coral People

“You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day. Unless you’re too busy, then you should sit for an hour.” Zen saying People have been stacking rocks forever for lots of reasons. Sometimes the piles are directional indicators other times, they are markers of a boundary or even warning signs. Often the stacks areContinue reading “Coral People”

Margaret Hill

If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough! Shel silverstein It started innocently enough. We were going to do a little hike from Cruz Bay around the headlands to the North Shore Beaches of Honeymoon Bay and Caneel Bay. Then to make things exciting, return via theContinue reading “Margaret Hill”

The Night

Oh, the summer night, Has a smile of light, And she sits on a sapphire throne. Bryan Procter I think it’s the night that I like best. The sails are down; the diesel is silent, ripples lap against the hull, and the drink and wonderment are cracked open. There is infinity above, and tomorrow isContinue reading “The Night”

Hitchhiker

Words have a life of their own. There is no telling what they will do. Within a matter of days, they can even turn turtle and mean the opposite. Craig Brown Three species of sea turtles are known to visit the Virgin Islands. First is a Green Turtle, seen above, named for the color ofContinue reading “Hitchhiker”

Secret Harbour

Curiosity is one of the great secrets of happiness. bRYANt H. Hill I can’t tell you where this is because, well, it’s a secret, a secret harbour. But, I will tell you it’s on the south shore of St Thomas, you won’t find it on any chart, at least not by the name Secret HarborContinue reading “Secret Harbour”

Carribean Reef Squid

The only thing we have to fear is a giant wheelchair-crushing squid. Well… uh… actually, I guess that’s the only thing I have to fear. — Franklin D. Roosevelt Curious creatures, these luminous swimmers be. Forward and backward, gliding effortlessly with the smoothest of directional shifts, they keep a giant eye focused on the floating humanContinue reading “Carribean Reef Squid”