Hoosierdaddy Trip Report Day 1 - Island Time

[hoosierdaddy]

This was our first real trip to STJ. My wife and I had visited the island in 2001 when we stayed 4 nights on STT. I had always wanted to get back, but vacations took us other places. I’m afraid to say there were a few cruises. Anyway this spring break is the last one for our 18 year old son before he goes to college and we felt we should take him to some place special. We also have a 13 year old son and daughters ages 12 and 8.

Our trip started with a 6:00am flight from Nashville, TN. We had stayed Friday night so we only had to wake up at 3:00am so we could get to the airport by 4:00. We were the first in line and my kids were less then thrilled, but hey we are going to be in the Caribbean in about 10 hours so they didn’t say much. We flew to Charlotte NC so we could take the direct 3 hour flight to STT.

The flights were perfect and we arrived in STT on time. To save time I went to get the rental car while the family picked up the bags. I soon was on island time when I waited in the Budget Car Rental line for 30 minutes. I then found out that they didn’t have a minivan for us and was expecting one to be returned soon. Yes I said minivan, not four wheel drive. 40 minutes later (combined 70 minutes) we had our vehicle and were headed towards Red Hook. (Stay left, Stay left, Stay left) The kids were hungry so we stopped at the Caribbean Saloon. The food was fine, service was fast and friendly.

After eating we called for our greeter and boarded the car ferry. Off the car ferry and there was Crystal holding a sign with our name. We followed her to the villa which was 5-10 minutes away over the hilliest roads I have ever been on. I had forgotten how the roads were on the island. My kids thought we were on a roller coaster as the greeters car disappeared over each hill. When we got to the villa we were in awe by the beautiful view of Rendezvous Bay. The greeter was nice but very quick. So quick I didn’t even think about tipping her until later that night when I remembered it was a topic for discussion on the forum. We settled in and unpacked into our home for the next week.

Next was a trip to the Starfish for food. A trip to the starfish with 4 kids is not cheep. I had been warned about the prices so I wasn’t in to much shock. Back at home we unpacked and looked at menus provided by the villa. The kids weren’t interested in going out to eat so we made pizzas at the villa and climbed in the hot tub. After that it was early to bed dreaming of the beaches.

[gobucs]

Good Start of your trip
Isnt it amazing when you first start to drive how you are a little nervous but then you end up zipping around by the next day like you have been doing it forever!
Cant wait for the next installment

[CariBert]

Nice start, hoosier! Eagerly awaiting the rest of the trip report! What villa dod you all stay in? Got any pictures to share?

Thanks for writing!

-Bert

[byado18]

Trip reports help pass the time until my next trip...thanks for taking the time to do this!

Enjoy your family time -- they grow up much to fast!

[waterguy]

Great start keep them coming

[hoosierdaddy]

CariBert - We stayed at Blue Heaven Rendevous. We rented throught Viva Villas.

gobucs - How correct you are. Also remembering to put the car in low gear when going around turns at 45 degrees helps.

Pictures promised with the rest of the trip reports.

[traveler22]

Great start HD, How bout that view, it grabs your attention and you get it from every room

[hoosierdaddy]

Great start HD, How bout that view, it grabs your attention and you get it from every room

Loved it every morning and every evening. It was cool seeing St. Croix in the distance.

[hoosierdaddy]

I forgot to mention that the first night in the hot tub we were looking at the stars in amazement. Unbalivable how clear the night sky was. While we were looking we saw the brightest and longest falling star I have ever seen. Great sign for the week to come.

[Agent99]

Looking forward to more. I can see that you are still alive but did the minivan give you any trouble on those hills?

[NoWorriesMom]

Oooh trip report! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[hoosierdaddy]

Looking forward to more. I can see that you are still alive but did the minivan give you any trouble on those hills?

No trouble, but we did stay at the villa one evening because of heavy rains. We also had the unique experience of taking route 206 from Centerline Road to North Shore Road in a minivan. We didn't try to go in the opposite direction.