The Virgin Islands - Spanish & U.S.

Our first stop off Puerto Rico's east coast was in the Spanish Virgin Island of Vieques. Here we spent a quiet evening watching the lights of Puerto Rico in the distance, as we celebrated our arrival in the Virgin Islands.
Our anchorage was in the clear still water off the gorgeous palm lined beach known as Punta Arenas (green beach).
This would be our only stop in the Spanish Virgin Islands, as the excellent weather in the morning found us underway for St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin chain.
Our anchorage in St. Thomas found us in a small cove beside the airport runway which has been built extending out in to the water. Not only did this supply us with an excellent break-wall, ensuring a good nights sleep, but also an evenings entertainment as we watched the planes come and go.
The next day we sailed along the island's south shore where we viewed 2 cruise ships in port. We felt sorry for the folks who own the expensive homes that dot the mountain-side, as the cruise ship's exhaust was blanketing the area and most likely usually does (trade winds).
We continued on eastward past the U.S. nature reserve island of St. John.