Meeting a Local (or in this case, Milton)

Aaron and I finally tied the knot, and our honeymoon was anything but ordinary.  But that is how we wanted it and that is how it was planned.  It was beautiful in every way…except for our little friends that claimed the room the first night…buuuuut, we’re just not going to talk about that.

We stayed in an amazing eco-cabin on Water Island in the Virgin Islands.  For once, Spirit’s Red Light Specials email had exactly what we were looking for and we got a great deal for a week on a barely inhibited, extremely romantic, sand and jungle tropical island.  We spent most of our days lounging on the beach, sipping rum and juice, and doing some major brainstorming about how we could make a life for ourselves down there in paradise.

On Sunday afternoon, Aaron and I grabbed a picnic table with a nice shaded umbrella, due to the fact that we (well…okay, I…) had been slightly over ambitious sun tanning a few days earlier.  There was a family next to us that we soon introduced ourselves to and learned were locals of St. Thomas, the neighboring island to Water Island.  Milton and Steph were born and raised there and proudly claim it’s the best place to live in the world.

After about ten minutes of conversation, Milton invited us on their boat to take a ride out to Christmas Cove for snorkeling.  We couldn’t believe the genuine kindness they showed, and I’m not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical.  I am just not used to people being that friendly right off the bat without having a secret evil plan in mind.  (Prime example of why I try not to watch the news…or scary movies…or heck, even Unsolved Mysteries.)

Anyways, we went.  We went past Water Island, past St. Thomas, and into the open ocean in their fast little speed boat.  The snorkeling was amazing once we got there.  I distinctly remember Milton pointing out a bigger cruise ship that he says does a snorkeling tour there for $150.  I immediately felt like we should give him money…like, maybe he expected it.  But then when he walked over to the cooler and offered us a beer or rum mixer, I realized that he wasn’t expecting money from us.  I think he would’ve been insulted if we had offered.

 We returned to St. Thomas at the marina where they anchored the boat because Milton and Steph offered us a drink at their house before we headed back to our cabin.  They drove us up and around the steep hills and roads that we would’ve never made it to on any tour.  When we reached their house, I was in utter awe.  It overlooked the entire bay!   The sun was setting just over the last mountain on the island.  They had a pool on their deck complete with a bar and all.  Out of all the things I’ve ever seen in my entire life, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as that view…the one they get to come home to every night. 

We didn’t see Milton and Steph again until our last night there.  After finding out we were sushi lovers, they invited us to a local sushi restaurant they knew of.  We had a wonderful night of drinking Pain Killers and Bush Whackers, eating AMAZING sushi, and best of all, getting to know each other.  We even got to meet Milton’s son, who came to eat with us.  That night they sent us off with some star fish Milton had collected while snorkeling the day before, a bottle of the locally made rum, and head full of their life experiences growing up on St. Thomas.

To make a long story – well – longer, if we hadn’t have met Milton, our time spent in the Virgin Islands would have been a completely different one.  He and Steph made it more real, more unique, and definitely more memorable.  Though we did exchange contact information and promise to write, I have that feeling we’ll never see them again in person.  That reality just comes with traveling.  But I know for sure we will never forget them or the wonderful impression they left us with of the paradise they call home.

Comments

[Aaron Tongson]

Babe , that was the best vacation ever!!!! Not only because it was our honeymoon but I was able to spend a whole week with just you. I can just remember s swimming in the clear blue. I love you babe. You wrote about some good memories.

[Sara Sunshine Swack]

NICOLE! I LA LOVE reading your blogs! You write so well, so entertaining and so descriptive. I feel like I can see the view from their home! I miss you so much! And I am sooooooooo stoked you and Aaron had an amazing!, relaxing!!, memorable honeymoon!!! I love you guys! xoxoxo keep up the awesome blogging!!