Clovelly & Coogee Beach

Today was beach day! After walking 20,000 steps each of the last two days we needed a break. After doing some research we decided to head to Clovelly Beach as it was listed as a good snorkeling beach. It was a perfect family beach as it was secluded from the ocean and had lots of beautiful sand.

It also had easy access to the ocean via ladders. However, the snorkeling was not ideal today. 

After some exploring we decided to head to nearby Coogee Beach. This was the perfect decision. After a great lunch of fish & chips we headed to the beach to play in the sand, swim in the ocean and ocean pools and relax.

On each end of Coogee Beach were ocean baths or pools. One was man made where the ocean spilled in as the tide rose. The other was a natural bath. They were fun to swim in and watch the waves crash as the tide rose.

Coogee Ocean Pool

Giles Bath

Maho Beach St. Martin

One of my favorite parts of our trip to St. Matrin's and a bucket list item checked off was to visit Moho Beach.  I have read about Moho Beach and how airplanes of all sizes land directly behind it. I had no idea what to expect but MAN OH MAN was it COOL to watch. The beach was extremely crowded and it is not a place I would hang out and sunbathe. However, for a quick dip cool off and play in the water while waiting for the planes to land the beach was perfect. 

We ended up at Moho Beach right at lunch time. The Sunset Beach Bar was packed but we only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table to open up. The Sunset Beach Bar had some of the best food and drinks we had on our entire trip. They also had a DJ playing music, a pool, gift shop and numerous food choices.  Sunset Beach also displays all the arrivals and departures on a board just like the airports use. You could see what times and sizes the plains were that were flying in. 

So close it was almost like you could reach up and touch it. 

The screen behind Simon is what shows the arrivals and departures for the airport. 

The DJ mixing it up!

A little swimming while watching the planes land. 

I was surprised how many people stood by this sign and waited to feel the jet blast! 

The only draw back to the entire experience was the parking. A sign when you enter says free parking if eating. It failed to mention you had to have your ticket marked at the bar and you couldn't just show your receipt. The parking attendant was extremely rude about the entire situation. While it only cost us a few bucks it it worth noting to get your parking ticket validated when you eat! 

A Day at St. Kitt's

The 3rd port stop on our recent Carnival Sunshine cruise was at the beautiful island of St. Kitts. Our premise for this cruise for our family was all about relaxation and beaches. St. Kitts satisfied this goal!

St. Kitts was first seen by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and became known for their large sugar farms. Our taxi driver told us they still grow sugar but it is for their use only now and their is hardly any importing remaining.

After reviewing numerous websites we determined we wanted to spend the day at South Friar Bay Beach. Our taxi driver said he knew the perfect place to take us. For $14 for the family of 3 he took us from the cruise ship to Carambola Beach Club.  He agreed to pick us back up later that day.

While the Carambola Beach Club is beautiful with food, bathrooms and chairs and umbrella's to rent, I highly suggest going down to the beach and to the left and walk down towards Shipwreck Beach Bar & Grill. The chairs and umbrellas are half the price as the Club and the food and drinks at Shipwreck Beach least 25% cheaper if not more. My drinks were amazing and only $5 each and chicken wings were $5. The Club charges approximately $15-20 US for lunch.

We had packed a life jacket for our son and our snorkel gear in an extra suitcase. It was well worth the extra bag (as we flew Southwest and didn't have to pay baggage) as we didn't have to rent gear at all of our stops.

The snorkeling from South Friar Bay was perfect for our 10 year old and my husband. There were few waves and not to far from shore was a small reef where sea cucumbers, fish, star fish and sea anemone were living.

Our tax driver picked us up on time and took time on the way back to the pier to show us the island along with the tip of the island where the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

Our goal for St. Kitts was to spend less than $50 and we were successful as the cab ride, chair/umbrella rental, a couple of drinks and some appetizers came to $50!