usvi-on-line
12 Nights in Paradise – The Beginning
12 Nights in Paradise – The Beginning
The Beginning
Sunday March 15
I Can’t Drive 55…..
Up at 3:45. I can’t sleep.
Trip to Logan includes a speeding ticket for Mr H. It probably didn't help that he asked the State Trooper, "Do you think we're safe (parked) here". The Trooper replied: " I've been here for 3 1/2 hours and I'm not dead." 15 miles over the limit and $150 later......
Not sure how Mr. H can be in a snit when he was clearly breaking the law, but I try to tease him out of it, calling him Speed Racer and singing, "I can't Drive 35". At some point I think he will find the beauty in my humor.
Landed at 12:45 - our one checked bag makes the trip. The others were all carryon.
2 Door Jeep Wrangler rented from Dependable- cream/white 10,375 miles, 4 tires that have been around the block a few times, along with a spare that has followed in their path.
We're on the ferry by 2. They squeeze us in like sardines - no getting out of the Jeep. So I stick my upper body out the window and sit on the edge of the door, feeling the sun on my face and being sprayed by the sea.
We stop at Starfish and see Ruth heading out the door – I call hello she turns to see who it is with a huge smile on her face which quickly turns to a “I have no idea who in the hell you are” look on her face. Katie H, I cry. She mentions the wine and the glass. They’re in the car, I call out. $928 later and we’re off to Luna Vista.
The driveway and the views can not be described. I refuse to learn to drive on St. John again. However, the villa is wonderful!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W_ ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc--g ... 2.jpg"></a>
– review soon come.
A quick dinner at "home"
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GV ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc--A ... 2.jpg"></a>
then off to the Beach Bar for Sunday Jazz. We miss the Forum Gathering, but chat with Steve Simon who is delightful. The remora climbs the tree, builds castles in the sand, and is clearly happy to be back. I ask him how he feels and he says "It's paradise"
I couldn't agree more.
Monday March 16
Rainy Days and Mondays.....
I Was Cold on the Ram Head Hike
Sounds of hungry males who missed the cooking gene are coming from inside the house.
I cook, they eat, the weather is cool and cloudy. It seems like a good day for the Ram Head Hike.
It was cool. And Wet. Refreshing – except for the heavy rain that made some of the footing slippery. We reach the top and the rain has ended. The view is beautiful. Mr H, pratically stops my heart when he goes as far out as he can, and seemingly disappears over the edge. I think of 1 parent households, life insurance and throwing up, not necessarily in that order.
When we get to the beach, the sun comes out. We snorkel Salt Pond and see Cowfish, that appear to be edged with a neon aqua blue.
It appears we forgot the camera on this day.....
We skip lunch and have “linner” at Skinny’s. My burger and Painkiller are great – Remora’s hotdog is fine but we’d pass on hubby’s steak sandwich the next time. My throat feels a little funny and I think it’s because of the cigarette smoke. It turns out I’m getting the cold that the Remora has had.
Tuesday, March 17
The Chaise Potato and Maho, Baby!
I have decided that while the boys love TV, I am an internet junkie. I take the laptop out by the pool and lounge in the sun. The men are still sleeping. I've officially named myself a chaise potato.
Breakfast of bagels from Lily’s Market (thanks for the tip, Gromit) with eggs for the boys, oatmeal with almonds for me.
We pack up our Jeep with towels, neat sheets, lunch and drinks, a couple of floats, and we’re off to Maho.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/47 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4P ... 7.jpg"></a>
Mr H’s calves are hurting and I’ve got a little cold. We park with ease, and find a spot in the shade – for a while at least. We snorkel over to little Maho and enjoy many juvenile barracuda,
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oX ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFaE ... 4.jpg"></a>
French grunts
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0U ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFlf ... 3.jpg"></a>
a queen angle and some undefined grouper. The boys wind up seeing a turtle, I find another grouper looking fish, but in the grassy shallow area.
Back to the beach for lunch, sun, reading and sandcastle building.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S1 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4O ... 2.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7B ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4P ... 5.jpg"></a>
There are some wild chickens roaming the beach, but for some strange reason, we can’t seem to capture their images clearly on camera....
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KC ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFmg ... 0.jpg"></a>
We leave Maho after 5, head to Cruz Bay for bungee cords (forgot ours) and a few items from Chelsea Drug and Starfish Gourmet. Back to Coral Bay for take out Pizza from Big Belly Deli (good pizza). We enjoy salad and pizza at the house with Austin Powers, “The Spy Who Shagged Me”. I read while the boys watch the movie, and soon I'm asleep.
Wednesday , March 18
Mutton Snapper the Size of Miami.
Today we’re off to Little Lameshure.
I wanted to go to Vie’s – but I forgot to bring any money with me. We need a free beach, and a place that takes credit cards for lunch.
We snorkel far right
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2X ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFn2 ... 6.jpg"></a>
and we see, among other things, a 1 ½ foot Porcupine fish, 4 squid, who are lined up like Stonehenge, Trunkfish
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l8 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFNH ... 0.jpg"></a>
and a Mutton Snapper (we think) the size of Miami. There are no photos worth sharing. As a matter of fact, I do believe that Trunkfish lived at Waterlemon, but as we had a plethora of photos for the Waterlemon portion of our TR (the Middle), I thought I'd slip him into Little Lameshure. Also, I can't find anything close to a Porcupine Fish or a Mutton Snapper in any of them. You just need to trust me. They were there.
Once again, we miss lunch, and head to Shipwreck Landing for appetizers. They take credit cards.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w8 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFeP ... 4.jpg"></a>
I have the mussels (fabuloso!)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2k ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcf ... 6.jpg"></a>
Mr H. has the Coconut Shrimp,
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wc ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcX ... 5.jpg"></a>
and the Remora, ironically, has New England Clam Chowder.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sz ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcm ... 7.jpg"></a>
The food is great and just as we’re getting ready to leave we meet a father and daughter from the the male child’s school. We agree to meet a Hawksnest at 10:00 am the following day.
Back to the Villa for more movies and reading.....tonight it’s Bond – James Bond.
Sunday March 15
I Can’t Drive 55…..
Up at 3:45. I can’t sleep.
Trip to Logan includes a speeding ticket for Mr H. It probably didn't help that he asked the State Trooper, "Do you think we're safe (parked) here". The Trooper replied: " I've been here for 3 1/2 hours and I'm not dead." 15 miles over the limit and $150 later......
Not sure how Mr. H can be in a snit when he was clearly breaking the law, but I try to tease him out of it, calling him Speed Racer and singing, "I can't Drive 35". At some point I think he will find the beauty in my humor.
Landed at 12:45 - our one checked bag makes the trip. The others were all carryon.
2 Door Jeep Wrangler rented from Dependable- cream/white 10,375 miles, 4 tires that have been around the block a few times, along with a spare that has followed in their path.
We're on the ferry by 2. They squeeze us in like sardines - no getting out of the Jeep. So I stick my upper body out the window and sit on the edge of the door, feeling the sun on my face and being sprayed by the sea.
We stop at Starfish and see Ruth heading out the door – I call hello she turns to see who it is with a huge smile on her face which quickly turns to a “I have no idea who in the hell you are” look on her face. Katie H, I cry. She mentions the wine and the glass. They’re in the car, I call out. $928 later and we’re off to Luna Vista.
The driveway and the views can not be described. I refuse to learn to drive on St. John again. However, the villa is wonderful!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/W_ ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc--g ... 2.jpg"></a>
– review soon come.
A quick dinner at "home"
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GV ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc--A ... 2.jpg"></a>
then off to the Beach Bar for Sunday Jazz. We miss the Forum Gathering, but chat with Steve Simon who is delightful. The remora climbs the tree, builds castles in the sand, and is clearly happy to be back. I ask him how he feels and he says "It's paradise"
I couldn't agree more.
Monday March 16
Rainy Days and Mondays.....
I Was Cold on the Ram Head Hike
Sounds of hungry males who missed the cooking gene are coming from inside the house.
I cook, they eat, the weather is cool and cloudy. It seems like a good day for the Ram Head Hike.
It was cool. And Wet. Refreshing – except for the heavy rain that made some of the footing slippery. We reach the top and the rain has ended. The view is beautiful. Mr H, pratically stops my heart when he goes as far out as he can, and seemingly disappears over the edge. I think of 1 parent households, life insurance and throwing up, not necessarily in that order.
When we get to the beach, the sun comes out. We snorkel Salt Pond and see Cowfish, that appear to be edged with a neon aqua blue.
It appears we forgot the camera on this day.....
We skip lunch and have “linner” at Skinny’s. My burger and Painkiller are great – Remora’s hotdog is fine but we’d pass on hubby’s steak sandwich the next time. My throat feels a little funny and I think it’s because of the cigarette smoke. It turns out I’m getting the cold that the Remora has had.
Tuesday, March 17
The Chaise Potato and Maho, Baby!
I have decided that while the boys love TV, I am an internet junkie. I take the laptop out by the pool and lounge in the sun. The men are still sleeping. I've officially named myself a chaise potato.
Breakfast of bagels from Lily’s Market (thanks for the tip, Gromit) with eggs for the boys, oatmeal with almonds for me.
We pack up our Jeep with towels, neat sheets, lunch and drinks, a couple of floats, and we’re off to Maho.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/47 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4P ... 7.jpg"></a>
Mr H’s calves are hurting and I’ve got a little cold. We park with ease, and find a spot in the shade – for a while at least. We snorkel over to little Maho and enjoy many juvenile barracuda,
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oX ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFaE ... 4.jpg"></a>
French grunts
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0U ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFlf ... 3.jpg"></a>
a queen angle and some undefined grouper. The boys wind up seeing a turtle, I find another grouper looking fish, but in the grassy shallow area.
Back to the beach for lunch, sun, reading and sandcastle building.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S1 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4O ... 2.jpg"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7B ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/Sc-4P ... 5.jpg"></a>
There are some wild chickens roaming the beach, but for some strange reason, we can’t seem to capture their images clearly on camera....
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KC ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFmg ... 0.jpg"></a>
We leave Maho after 5, head to Cruz Bay for bungee cords (forgot ours) and a few items from Chelsea Drug and Starfish Gourmet. Back to Coral Bay for take out Pizza from Big Belly Deli (good pizza). We enjoy salad and pizza at the house with Austin Powers, “The Spy Who Shagged Me”. I read while the boys watch the movie, and soon I'm asleep.
Wednesday , March 18
Mutton Snapper the Size of Miami.
Today we’re off to Little Lameshure.
I wanted to go to Vie’s – but I forgot to bring any money with me. We need a free beach, and a place that takes credit cards for lunch.
We snorkel far right
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2X ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFn2 ... 6.jpg"></a>
and we see, among other things, a 1 ½ foot Porcupine fish, 4 squid, who are lined up like Stonehenge, Trunkfish
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l8 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFNH ... 0.jpg"></a>
and a Mutton Snapper (we think) the size of Miami. There are no photos worth sharing. As a matter of fact, I do believe that Trunkfish lived at Waterlemon, but as we had a plethora of photos for the Waterlemon portion of our TR (the Middle), I thought I'd slip him into Little Lameshure. Also, I can't find anything close to a Porcupine Fish or a Mutton Snapper in any of them. You just need to trust me. They were there.
Once again, we miss lunch, and head to Shipwreck Landing for appetizers. They take credit cards.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/w8 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFeP ... 4.jpg"></a>
I have the mussels (fabuloso!)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2k ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcf ... 6.jpg"></a>
Mr H. has the Coconut Shrimp,
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Wc ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcX ... 5.jpg"></a>
and the Remora, ironically, has New England Clam Chowder.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sz ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Bb-_xJSB7Cg/SdFcm ... 7.jpg"></a>
The food is great and just as we’re getting ready to leave we meet a father and daughter from the the male child’s school. We agree to meet a Hawksnest at 10:00 am the following day.
Back to the Villa for more movies and reading.....tonight it’s Bond – James Bond.
WOW...another week and a nifty new trip report...how nice it is to continue to spend some delightful moments on St John through another's eyes. I'll be looking forward to the next chapter. We've had those "would have been there sooner, if we hadn't been going so fast"experiences... 
... no longer a stranger to paradise
Great report & photos, thanks!
I have to agree that Uncle Joe's is NOT to be missed! A homerun every time we've visited.
I forget the name, but it was also posted that there's a great bbq joint by Starfish. I'm looking forward to trying that one out!
(Can anyone tell me/us the name again?
)
Be sure to try the Johnny Cakes at Hercules...
Light, yet filling and delicious!
Smiles-
MJ
I have to agree that Uncle Joe's is NOT to be missed! A homerun every time we've visited.
I forget the name, but it was also posted that there's a great bbq joint by Starfish. I'm looking forward to trying that one out!
(Can anyone tell me/us the name again?
)Be sure to try the Johnny Cakes at Hercules...
Light, yet filling and delicious!
Smiles-
MJ
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
...very enjoyable and love your super Maho picture.-
mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Stop tell people that! I had a good deal of trouble finding my time at LV this year.ccasebolt wrote:Awesome report! Isn't Luna Vista great?
IT'S TERRIBLE! DON'T STAY THERE! TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT.
(Sorry, Bruce and Jan. They are preventing us from getting our choice of weeks.) 
Now for a serious moment - at least as serioous as we get here - We enjoyed our stay last year and we are going back in June for 9 more days. It sounds like you had fun after you got to Logan. Keep it up. I am using your reoprts to ramp up to Island Time.
Thanks
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
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Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC