We started our day by attending the resort's orientation, which was a big mistake. Except for a couple of pieces of useful information, like a good close-by French bakery, it was just a big ad-fest. That started late. We snuck out after an hour. Then came beach-hopping: Cupecoy - Not much beach, but also not many people. The runout was too strong, and there were too many rocks, to go in the water, and that made it hard to cool off. On the other hand, the isolation was nice. We stayed for an hour. I went nude. The dude that rented us a beach chair tried to sell me some pot. Baie Rouge - This is where we ate lunch, but we didn't go in the water. There was a party of four there with a dog. That dog loved the water. He swam, he chased rocks that they threw, he just bubbled exuberance and life. Judi was much entertained. Friar's Bay - We wanted to give this beach a look-over, and, honestly, when compared to Baie Rouge it didn't look like anything special. Although it was photogenic. A sign on Friar's Bay beach... ...How well they pay attention to the sign on Friar's Bay beach The beach at Happy Bay Another view of the beach at Happy Bay Happy Bay - I had heard that a "ten-minute" hike over a path from Friar's Bay would take us to another "nice" beach at Happy Bay. Judi agreed to hike, for me. So we set off. Eventually we got there, and I have some nice pictures, but other than that I'll probably never see it again. The real story was the hike. It was an adventure. We struggled up a steep path of loose rocks, with Judi's fingernails dug into my arm. (Have I mentioned that Judi suffers from vertigo, and in addition is nowhere near as sure-footed as a mountain goat?) Then, at the crest of the hill, the path divided into two, and I chose to go to the left. This led us right along the edge of a cliff, above a fifty foot drop to a "beach" of jagged shale washed by waves. (Have I mentioned that Judi suffers from vertigo, and in addition is nowhere near as sure-footed as a mountain goat?) It was a terrifying experience for Judi, but she did it, only to find that... I should have taken right-hand branch instead! Arrrgh! And so... we went back up the path along the edge of the cliff. Go Judi!

The Road Not Taken (We Wish) The branch where I should have gone right The path along the edge of the cliff The drop to the shale beach (that rock near the bottom of the frame is the edge of the path) Lunch We ate at Chez Raymond on Baie Rouge beach. We both had the grilled Mahi. It was as great as the Mahi at Mr. Busby's. And the potato salad was even better -- maybe the world's best next to Judi's. And the peas and rice was no slouch, either. And, to top it off, we ordered a cheese salad, without having any idea what it was. It turned out to be a plate of sliced tomatoes covered with shredded gouda cheese and a scoop of that wonderful potato salad. And I think some subtle dressing -- maybe just a little oil. It was simple, and heavenly.

A view from the top of the ridge between Friar's Bay and Happy Bay (photo: Judi)