YIKES, CRITTERS!!

Like most women I have an aversion to reptiles.  I don’t use the word “hate” often but I feel comfortable using it here……I HATE reptiles and snakes, specifically!!!  When I knew I was going to be visiting the Virgin Islands I immediately did a little checking about the “snake” situation.  You see, I’d read that part of the Island of St. Croix is Rain Forest and those two words used together automatically make me think “snake”!  Did a little checking and come to find out, there are NO SNAKES on the island.  Not really sure how that can be but there it is, no snakes!

I’m feeling pretty good about the critter/reptile situation so a couple nights ago around midnight I take my daughters little Yorkie outside for her last ladies room trip of the night.  Dolly Parton (the Yorkie) and I are having a leisurely stroll when we hear this “click, click… click, click”.  Now this might not be news to anyone other than me but did you know that Stone Crabs walk around at night?  That’s right, the very ones that Joe and his Crab Shack made famous.  I thought the darn things lived in the water and had no idea they like to go out and about.  Not only do they walk around on the street or a sidewalk, when startled by humans or dogs or chickens, they kind of stand up on their back claws or butt and ready their front claws for battle and those claws are GIANT PINCHERS??  HOLY SMOKES, you’ve never seen a Grammy move so fast trying to scramble back to the gate and unlock the door all the while, trying to keep the curious Ms. Parton (who thinks she might like to chat with the crab) safe and out of the reach of those giant pinchers!! 

You know that cute little gecko on television, the little green guy with the quirky accent and great wardrobe?  Well he lives here too.  I know he’s a reptile and I’m not saying I plan to get anywhere near him or any of his friends but he really is kind of cute.  The choice of restaurant for a lunch date with friends on St. Thomas the next day was made for us when we discovered a group of Iguanas sunning themselves and snacking on the foliage outside Molly Malone’s.  Such a shame, we had to go to Amigo’s upstairs (I’m pretty sure Iguana’s don’t climb stairs) for lunch and it was great!!

So later, I’m relaying the story of the Iguanas and learn that there’s a Centipede about 4 or 5 inches long with a very mean sting living on these islands too.  I’m sure there are any number of people who wouldn’t be at all bothered by any of these creatures but I’m not one of them.  Fortunately, the sheer beauty of the islands and the many blues of the Caribbean Sea are enough for even me with all my critter phobias to believe this really might be paradise.  Oh and those claws, the giant pinchers on the Stone Crabs, those are actually the part made famous by Joe, who knew!!  Love and hugs till next time, Grammy