We get it! Newbie TR IX

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:11 pm

I woke with a start at 4am. My body knew that vacation was OVER! We gassed up. We'd used one full tank of gas in the Explorer, running all over that little island, in 8 days. We dropped the keys off at Carribbean Villas in the old Lumberyard complex, then dropped the car off at Courtesy. They gave us a ride down to the ferry dock, and we....God, I hate to say this, but we LEFT!

Sob.....
One last thank you to the Spicecam:
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We took a taxi to the Greenhouse, to have lunch. ($30) The crab cakes were very good and the service excellent!
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Then we took another taxi with a nasty, lousy driver, to CA, for another $20. I think we were ripped off, there.
We sat around the airport for hours and hours, and finally got home at 2am.
We will be back, as soon as I can possibly get us there.

Parting thoughts:
If you plan to meet somebody, come up with a more concrete plan before arriving, in case the cell phones don't work. I wanted to meet Sun4MySoul but expected to use the cell for planning, and my Verizon had lousy service this trip. First, we missed each other at the Beach Bar gathering. Here we are at the beach bar:
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Did you see me?
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and then it turned out we were having parallel vacations cause we both photographed the same rainbow, and, apparently, the exact same fish! Well, next time I'll be better prepared. I see by the photo timing, that we left the Beach Bar by 5:45...
Our favorite beach is now Hansen Beach because it's gorgeous, easily accessible, and you don't have to lug in chairs. Oh, and because Miss Vie or Jasmine are right across the road and serve our favorite food. We also loved Francis and will go there many more times, hopefully.
Our favorite snorkels were Salomon and Honeymoon and Whistling Cay/Mary's Point.
Our favorite restaurants are Miss Vie's, Tourist Trap and Candi's.
Ruth is every bit as sweet as she seems, and her spice rub is every bit as good as everyone says.
We're going to try renting on St. Thomas next time, to stock up on cheaper Diet Coke on St. Thomas, and make the departure day better.
We love St. John. We get it. Now we have to make plans to get back there!
Our sincerest thanks for all of the help you forumites gave us, in planning. We wouldn't have enjoyed ourselves nearly as much, if we hadn't found this forum.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:28 pm

Boo... Minde's reports are done. Couldn't you have stayed longer?

Lovermont

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 5:53 pm

Great reports sorry to see them come to an end

Carolyn · Post by **Carolyn** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:15 pm

It's so bittersweet leaving St John and it really shows in your face at the Greenhouse pix!!!
Glad that you 'got St John' and many thanks for all the chapters to your
report...good work! I've really enjoyed reading all of them.

toni · Post by **toni** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:41 pm

Loved all the reports Minde-pictures turned out really well-I'll have to look for you guys anytime I'm over in the "big city"

We'll definitely check out Vie's beach now thanks to your reports!

Time to start planning next year's vacation!

DnD · Post by **DnD** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:52 pm

Thanks for the trip report and pictures, I looked forward to them every day. Have to try the Tourist Trap in April, looking forward to the Lobstah rolls!!!

weluvthebeach · Post by **weluvthebeach** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:12 pm

Minde,

That was such a great trip report. You really made it come alive for us. Hope to meet you all some day.

All the best,
Beth & Mike

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:12 pm

Minde, thanks for the wonderful reports and photos. Your excitement flows through your words.
I am sorry that we didn't run into each other... I watched for you - maybe next time.

Connie · Post by **Connie** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:16 pm

Thanks Minde. You're staying on STT next time? Did I read that right?

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:29 pm

Brava! I'm looking forward to an encore during your next trip! Thank you!

tipsy · Post by **tipsy** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:19 pm

my heart hurts for you, can see the sadness in your face. But think,you can start planning the next one and have all that fun again. And now you're not a newbie anymore, your a STJ pro.

Thanks so much for all the time & work to do these reports, much appreciated.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:49 pm

Loved it. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us.

So, when are you going back?

Sun4MySoul · Post by **Sun4MySoul** » Wed Nov 11, 2009 8:56 pm

Loved your reports! So sorry that we missed each other...not even sure how that was possible. Next time...

I don't think I can wait til May, so I'm looking into January to tide me over. What are you guys thinking?

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:06 am

It's difficult for Blaine to take time off, other than May and October, so those are our usual travel times. I WISH we could go again in January, though!

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:34 am

Great report Minde! I loved your smiling faces at the beach bar. Isn't it funny how much happier and peaceful one looks on STJ?
I hope you get back to the islands soon!

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