11 more days in paradise, final

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu May 13, 2010 1:49 pm

Part one:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16485

Part two:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16495

Part three:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=16514

Day ten

Made a breakfast of huevos rancheros:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594264642/" title="ljc huevos rancheros by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/459 ... db676b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="ljc huevos rancheros"></a>

John’s ankle was still really bothering him and there was no parking at Gibney, so we just headed back to Trunk. We had such a good time yesterday, we figured why not?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4593658197/" title="trunk bay entrance by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/459 ... 77dd39.jpg" width="500" height="370" alt="trunk bay entrance"></a>

It was hazy today:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594274884/" title="trunk bay hazy by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1332/459 ... 54933c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="trunk bay hazy"></a>

This time we snorkeled, and it was only OK. There was a lot of sediment in the water, and I will also admit too many people snorkeling for my liking. I’m used to being alone out there! We did find some various fishes. Puddingwife:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594276098/" title="trunk puddingwife with flamingo tounges by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/459 ... 7d1d22.jpg" width="500" height="412" alt="trunk puddingwife with flamingo tounges"></a>

Stoplight parrotfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4593660119/" title="trunk stoplight parrotfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1073/459 ... 3e57f6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="trunk stoplight parrotfish"></a>

Decent looking elkhorn coral:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594275806/" title="trunk elkhorn 3 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/459 ... 65b563.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="trunk elkhorn 3"></a>

Fan coral (with flamingo tounge again!)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4593659559/" title="trunk flamingo tounge on fan coral by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/459 ... 21bfc9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="trunk flamingo tounge on fan coral"></a>

Sea biscuit:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594231064/" title="Trunk sea biscuit by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/459 ... f5f404.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Trunk sea biscuit"></a>

Spotted trunkfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4593614261/" title="Trunk smooth trunkfish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/459 ... 60b261.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="Trunk smooth trunkfish"></a>

We spent the rest of the day swimming and enjoying the relaxing waters. We stayed until just before sunset and were some of the last people in the water. Right when we were about to leave, a turtle surfaced right next to us!

That night we went in to town for dinner at Waterfront Bistro. We got a table on the rail with a good view of the sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594277160/" title="waterfront bistro sunset by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/459 ... 38723b.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="waterfront bistro sunset"></a>

John had a cocktail (not sure what, he had given up on the travel journal at this stage!):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4594276794/" title="waterfront bistro drink by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/459 ... 7dd6c9.jpg" width="387" height="500" alt="waterfront bistro drink"></a>

Dinner here was good, not great. I’ll be honest and say that I thought the menu choices were a little boring. I think my issue was that I loved the views, but I just don’t want to eat stuff like French onion soup or foie gras or mashed potatoes when I am on island. All that food is too heavy when it’s hot and humid. But service was good, and the setting is pretty spectacular.

Back to the house to enjoy the lovely evening breezes out on the deck until bedtime.

Day eleven. Last and travel day.

Woke up to pouring rain and thunder. I was disappointed because we had planned a photo-taking tour of the North Shore Road, something I had been putting off all week. Oh well—we’ll do that in July. We got packed up and waited for a lull in the rain to load the jeep. It rained so hard that I ended up having to leave one of my polar bear coolers behind at the house—it had been left outside overnight and got completely saturated with water. I also forgot my fourm coozies in that cooler, darn it! Said goodbye to La Jolla Caribe in the rain and headed into town for lunch and to return the jeep. Ruth and Ron were not around at St. John Spice, bummer, so I saved my shopping plans for next time. Had a last meal of tasty mahi mahi at the Banana Deck (did you know that they have a build-your-own bloody mary and mimosa bar on Sundays? I am definitely taking advantage of that next trip!), and headed off on the 1 PM ferry. Used a porter at the airport, which made things extra easy, and got home at about 2 AM Monday morning.

Some quick and final thoughts on this trip.

Next time I am bringing less stuff!! We both had clothes with us that did not get worn, and we only ate about half of the food I brought down. I say this every trip, but I really mean it this time, darn it.
We didn’t do all of the snorkels we had planned, or get to some of our favorite beaches, and that was OK.
Visibility for snorkeling is definitely better in the summer than in the spring.
A boat trip to the BVIs is a must for all future trips.

11 days is really not long enough.
I can’t wait to come back.

Until next time….

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4593615343/" title="beach bar sunset 4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1119/459 ... a78cff.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="beach bar sunset 4"></a>

Thanks for coming along with us!

Becky and John

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4600412040/" title="final by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3537/460 ... 0a48_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="final"></a>

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:09 pm

Great reports Becky! Thanks for sharing. One of the things I have come to love about STJ is that I have no expectations and no need to check off a list of things to do. We do what we do and if we missed something we thought about doing we will get it next time .. because there will be a next time.

Lucky for you going back in July!

Mary Beth

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:26 pm

That is a great picture from Waterfront Bistro. We tried to convince ourselves we wanted eat there in Feb but had similar feelings, the menu was just like what we could get at home.

I know what you mean about the soaking wet cooler, someone had the brillant idea to wash one off in the shower right before packing. Won't do that again!

Maggy · Post by **Maggy** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:48 pm

Thank you Becky for taking the time to post these repors and photos. I've enjoyed them all. I'm sorry we had to cancel our trip so we didn't get to chance to meet.

The sunset picture from Waterfront Bistro is fantastic. You should get that one framed.

Maggy

augie · Post by **augie** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:55 pm

Thanks for bring us along for the ride!

Just when I was excited about our 11 day trip in November you had to go and say that it won't be long enough (which I suspected anyway).

Maybe we'll see you guys in July!

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Thu May 13, 2010 2:57 pm

Thanks for the great reports, Becky. I loved the Waterfront Bistro sunset too. I also agree that the French food from Waterfront Bistro can be too heavy for the islands, though. Its great for lunch when the menu is lighter. Love the setting.

loria · Post by **loria** » Thu May 13, 2010 3:00 pm

really have enjoyed reading about your trip and LOVE your pics!!!

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Thu May 13, 2010 3:03 pm

Thank you Becky for taking us on your vacation each year and even twice a year! So glad you'll be going back soon~ Lucky you!

mfaughey · Post by **mfaughey** » Thu May 13, 2010 3:53 pm

Really enjoyed reading your reports...

Thanks for sharing

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:02 pm

Wonderful trip report as usually. On your advise we are ending our trip this year with 4 nights at Caneel and we are glad we did. How did you like the villa this time?

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:04 pm

Thank you!

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:12 pm

Really enjoyed your reports and pictures Becky! Thanks so much for sharing!

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:28 pm

You should make a list right now of each item you brought and whether you used it or not! Helpful!

Waterfront Bistro DOES have a boring menu. I liked it for lunch--fresh mahi tacos.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:51 pm

liamsaunt wrote:Next time I am bringing less stuff!! We both had clothes with us that did not get worn, and we only ate about half of the food I brought down. I say this every trip, but I really mean it this time, darn it.

OK... let it be noted that on this day - May 13, 2010 - Becky swears she's not packing as much stuff on her next trip. You know we will expect to hear about this after your July trip.
Thank you for taking the time to report. I appreciate the vicarious vacation. And may I just say, the food that you prepare looks better than anything I ever eat at restaurants. Really!

Lovermont

lisa mcg · Post by **lisa mcg** » Thu May 13, 2010 6:37 pm

Loved all of that Becky..thanks for sharing. How do you make your huevos rancheros? They looked amazing as did all of your homemade food porn

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