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”
Author Archives: billtan
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”
Barracuda
The books all say that barracuda rarely eat people, but very few barracuda can read. — Dave Barry These guys get a lot of respect in this world. Think of it: cars, hard drives, security networks, books, and songs all carry their name. They are the bad boys of the sea. Eyes wide open, the new snorkeler or diver willContinue reading “Barracuda”
Saint John Pumpkins
If you’re ever wondering what to wear, just dress like a pumpkin, you’re good to go. Devendra Banhart I’m about to let you in on a bit of a secret. There are pumpkins all over the Caribbean. They hide in plain view, typically on higher ground or a drier microclimate. Botanists who are in onContinue reading “Saint John Pumpkins”
How Wet Can You Get?
Do you know the phrase, ‘The word ‘water’ will not wet you?’ It’s one thing to write down an idea and another thing entirely to execute it. Alejandro gonzalez inarritu Too much screen time lately? YouTube, TV, movies, or don’t say it, video games. All are perhaps redeemable pastimes if they endeavor to spawn ideasContinue reading “How Wet Can You Get?”
Three Gray Lines
Companies and capital operate internationally, often beyond the economic reach of any particular nation-state. People are pretty global , too, living lives that freely cross national borders Chrystia Freeland It is a strange pastime, but I’ve been looking at nautical charts lately. They are full of cryptic symbols and squiggly lines, all of which haveContinue reading “Three Gray Lines”
Rock Carvings
Our ancestors are totally essential to our every waking moment, although most of us don’t even have the faintest idea about their lives, their trials, their hardships or challenges. Annie Lennox The Petroglyphs I first visited this site near Reef Bay St John USVI in 2014 to find a young gentleman enjoying this serene spot.Continue reading “Rock Carvings”
The last Straw … in a good way
Attitude and enthusiasm play a big part of my life.I get excited about things that inspire me . Dwayne Johnson My sister in law, Nora , has accused me of being a rotating hobbyist . Mr. Webster says “a hobby is an activity done regularly in one’s leisure time for pleasure”, if this is soContinue reading “The last Straw … in a good way”
Moon Jellies
We are all jellyfish, too pitiful and too afraid of being disliked to be honest. May Sarton Ouch, as true as it may be, May Sarton’s quote really stings. The good news is that the moon jelly pictured above has really short tentacles, is rather poor a hugging and as far as stinging goes isContinue reading “Moon Jellies”
Sailing Sea Sea 