SOTB III trip report- Days 1 and 2

Travel discussion for St. John
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sea-nile
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SOTB III trip report- Days 1 and 2

Post by sea-nile »

OK so earlier today I posted the report and picked out several pictures from various SOTB sisters. I hit "submit" and it did not work! I was frustrated because I had taken an hour to carefully pick pictures from 4 of us who posted some on a joint photobucket account. I was about to say "forget it!" when I thought what I could do is post the script and maybe a few of my pictures and then some of the other SOTB sisters could post their pictures and maybe comments in a reply. So here is the script that was written by Wounderwoman (Mrs. jmq20). I will maybe put a few of my pictures up tonight and maybe more tomorrow.

Here is our story- DAYS 1 and 2:


SOTB III Trip Report

Friday, October 30, 2009
Traveling from multiple states and two countries, the SOTB sisterhood reconvened for their third annual trip. Although those who could not make the trip this year will be missed, we are already recognizing the new sorority sisters who have joined us.

All but two who were delayed by the evil airline gods, individual travelers found each other at the baggage carousel, collected luggage and eagerly headed out to catch the ferry. Charlotte Amalie was not operating so we made the trek to Red Hook just in time to pay our taxi fare, buy tickets and catch the ferry. As we settled in for the short 3 mile trip to Cruz Bay, we could feel the stress and tension of our everyday lives and responsibilities melt away. The rental car service met us at the ferry stop and drove us over to collect the two cars and make arrangements for the third that would be picked up as soon as the last of our group arrived. We headed over to Star Fish to fill in the grocery list and essential adult beverages.

Three of us waited for the final two to arrive and filled the wait relaxing at High Tide with the first of our island beverages. It was a very tough assignment but traveling with a group, means that sometimes you have to make sacrifices.

Once the wayward two arrived, we picked up the third of the rent cars and headed for the villa. It was the first of many trips up and down the hill to the villa. Each of the trips included a certain degree of breath-holding, a moderate degree of adipose jiggling for those of us with any padding and for those without well bone-jarring is not an inappropriate description.

The evening was spent unpacking, settling in, and taking stock of just how blessed we were to be there for our third trip. The villa is beautiful, the view of each deck is breathtaking and the pool is beckoning.

Saturday, October 31, 2009
A perfect morning as dawn broke and we were able to look at the view with full daylight. We watched as sailboats made their way across the bay and then as a smaller power boat skipped along right behind them.

Everyone enjoyed their personal preference for breakfast. Our options covered anything and more than we could have found at a very upscale restaurant. Our choices were enjoyed on the deck as we relaxed in the early morning sunshine, watched the birds, and appreciated all of the lovely landscaping.

As attractive as the villa was, the beach was calling. The only question to be answered was which beach to begin with. After some discussion we opted for Hawksnest. Lunches and coolers were packed and we headed out. We found a lovely spot on the left hand side of the beach. Snorkeling was rougher than we have seen on other outings, but very manageable. Wounderwoman spotted an unusual looking fish Flying Gurnard immediately after going out and on her return to the shore, Maggie was able to listen to the description and identified it as a Flying Gurnard. We chuckled later that evening when another friend of the forum posted a picture asking for help with identification. Maggie is an absolute encyclopedia when it comes to fish identification.

Our first beach day was a success. We followed turtles, marveled at the wonderful water and gentle sun and got to visit with some of our other Forum friends. We hit the wonderful outdoor showers and cleaned up to return to the kitchen to find Be-as-u-r, preparing a gourmet meal of shrimp tortellini. Dinner was delightful with a crisp salad, the tortellini and warm toasty bread. Everyone enjoyed the meal and the wonderful company.

The overwhelming majority changed into their costumes and headed off to Skinny’s. The costumes were both creative and highly original as individuals competed for a trip to St. Croix. I guess if you are already on St John, you need to be able to go somewhere different.


pictures I took from days 1 AND 2:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088866335/" title="008 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/408 ... 6de211.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="008"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089626168/" title="007 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/40896 ... 1522e8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="007"></a>



<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089631266/" title="017 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/408 ... 814366.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="017"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088871339/" title="016 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/408 ... 5297f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="016"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088872257/" title="022 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2744/408 ... d432cb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="022"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088868301/" title="041 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2631/408 ... 83bda8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="041"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089635712/" title="102 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2578/408 ... 144b14.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="102"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088869047/" title="046 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/408 ... ea01fd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="046"></a>

Skinny's pics:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089633380/" title="082 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/408 ... 2096cb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="082"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088878787/" title="080 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2544/408 ... d81a66.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="080"></a>


We met Augie and Leslie at Skinny's and this was Leslie's costume- she should have won!
Sorry a little blurry.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088878671/" title="078 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/408 ... 6b99c2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="078"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4088873721/" title="084 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2613/408 ... f7eae8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="084"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089639034/" title="079 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/408 ... 8fda18.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="079"></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea-nile/4089634266/" title="086 by jtmmrut, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/408 ... 205423.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="086"></a>

It was a good time at Skinny's but we were tired. WE came home pretty early since we knew we had a beach day tomorow. But Where? More to come!
Stay tuned!
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nothintolose
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Post by nothintolose »

Love the villa deck!
"Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die" - Dave Matthews Band
jimg20
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Post by jimg20 »

Here are a few more photos from our first two days.

What a devil!

Image

What a beautiful view.

Image

DIANA
Man it's like some dream we live down here....

Image
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Jamestown
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Post by Jamestown »

Beautiful villa....which one is it?
California Girl

Post by California Girl »

I've been waiting for this report! Sounds like the fun is only beginning! Great pictures, too! Love Leslie's stingray costume!
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jayseadee
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Post by jayseadee »

That view is amazing!

Nice costumes.
janet
Maggy
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Post by Maggy »

The villa is Estate Fortsberg in Coral bay.

Here are a few more pictures:

Bird feeder/bird bath for Bananaquits in the sunrise
Image

Our pool
Image

View from front yard
Image

Hawksnest
Image

It was a beautiful day
Image

Gibney
Image
mindehankins
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Post by mindehankins »

Beautiful! Looking forward to more :)
I think it's so funny that three of us, now, have posted pics of that same (well, I assume it's the same) Flying Gurnard at Hawksnest.
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Rachelle & Joe
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sotb tr day's 1&2

Post by Rachelle & Joe »

Wow!!! The Villa is Gorgeous !!!! What a beautiful view! would find it real Hard to leave :? Great pic's 8) thanks for posting !!!the pic's at Skinny's looked like so much FUN !!!! 8)
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hoosierdaddy
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Post by hoosierdaddy »

Sounds like a great start to a wonderful week. I can only imagine some of the conversations that took place during the week.
I have been on the forum for about 10 months and I cannot figure out what SOTB stands for. Is it a secret or am I just not smart enough to get it?
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Tracy in WI
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Post by Tracy in WI »

Great start and the views from that villa are truly stunning! Thank so much for sharing - waiting patiently for more..... :wink:
Maggy
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Post by Maggy »

hoosierdaddy wrote:Sounds like a great start to a wonderful week. I can only imagine some of the conversations that took place during the week.
I have been on the forum for about 10 months and I cannot figure out what SOTB stands for. Is it a secret or am I just not smart enough to get it?
No secret at all. First year they were six girls and the trip was named SOTB = Six On The Beach. The second year we were nine and this year eight. We have kept the name and mostly think of it as Sisters on the beach (or anything else on S).
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sea-nile
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Post by sea-nile »

hoosierdaddy wrote:Sounds like a great start to a wonderful week. I can only imagine some of the conversations that took place during the week.
I have been on the forum for about 10 months and I cannot figure out what SOTB stands for. Is it a secret or am I just not smart enough to get it?

SOTB meant "Six on the Beach" two years ago when we started this crazy woman trip of SIX. We could not think of a new name so decided to keep the SOTB but get a new "S" word when we had 9 the next year. We really never agreed on what the "S" meant. Some said sisters, sistahs, sweet tarts, Spice girls and various other names which cannot be mentioned here. We kept the S and it stuck. Last year we all had S names. Between trying to rmemeber forum names, S names and real names it was getting confusing for a group of women who are at the average age of 50. This year it was still SOTB but we didn't even talk about what the S means, so I guess it means what you want it to. If it is not nice we don't want to know. lol
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Ksea
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Post by Ksea »

Finally! Ive been waiting for the SOTB report. So far it looks like you were all miserable without me this year. At least you had a great view from that shack you rented, lol. 8) Cant wait to read the rest!
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hoosierdaddy
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Post by hoosierdaddy »

Thanks for the answer. Now I know.
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