One of the days that Olivia was here, Dallin was both slammed with homework and had to work a long shift.  So Olivia, Rachel and I headed south on an adventure.  First, we checked out the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, which I have been wanting to see for a year.  The glowing white temple towers over the surrounding landscape, a gorgeous building with intricate designs laced throughout its marble edifice. To enter, we removed our shoes and found a modest chapel area.  There were also posters pointing out shared beliefs ideas between this religion and the religious culture of Utah, which I thought was really neat.  I really respect that effort for peace between different groups. 



Then, we drove to the Young Living Lavender Farm, where I had just gone the day previous for work and absolutely loved.  This sprawling property was fresh with the aroma of flowers and greenery, and the dark crossing panels overlaying the white farmhouses brought me a fresh wave of nostalgia for Germany.  Best of all, there were a number of baby horses that came right up to the fence!









On our way back towards the highway, we noticed a big red barn.  We stopped in to buy some ice cream, raspberry syrup and muenster cheese. Then we made one last stop at one of the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 Then, our two mothers drove up our wedding presents and spent a few days with us when we weren't at work.  We met up with an old family friend from Boston, who now lives here and has started her own little farm, despite always disliking animals before now. All the animals are babies now {she wants to raise them to love humans} and they are decked with sparkly bows and dyed fur! They all cuddled in our laps, and when our friend left briefly, they all started crying for her! So precious!

Dallin woke me up to breakfast in bed.

This time, we were shocked to walk into a massive apartment with air conditioning.  It was fully furnished with peach and blue nautical themes. We followed a similar routine of getting up and ready later in the morning, enjoying most of the day out and then coming back to relax in the evening with our homemade tropical smoothies.

Fish tacos

One of the days, Dallin and I found out about the Safari Bus.  After the hurricane, the people created a transportation system that was only $1 to use for up to half the island.  We watched from the open seats of the crowded bus as we rode past the busy city, dilapidated homes and lovely water fronts. We even spotted missionaries, whom I shouted to in greeting and scared the living daylights out of the lady in front of me.  After a long while we arrived at Charlotte Amalie, which reminded me in a strange way of a colorful, tropic version of some old European town.  This was likely stemming from the history of Danish rule.  Along just one street alone, we counted twelve jewelry stores.  At the market, sellers tried to convince me to buy jewelry, but it was actually Dallin who persuaded with me to walk back an hour later to purchase a silver bracelet with the light blue gem signifying the island.    It was beautiful! I also found a Nativity set for my worldwide collection! We checked out a Turkish shop, where the owner gave us beads with the eye bidding good fortune. For dinner, we tried the famous chicken curry and a spiced soup made out of cabbage and ham.





And just like that, our honeymoon was over.  Although it's always sad to leave a new place, we were of course so ecstatic to begin the rest of our lives together.