Short trip report Feb.15-23 (14th)

[traveler22]

Our group was made up of 3 couples, all in our 40's, we have all been to St. John prior to this trip but it was our first stay on the Coral Bay side. We arrived on Feb.15th made our way to Red Hook and had our first official vacation cocktail at the Red Hook terminal bar. We arrived in Cruz Bay, were met by our greeter from Great Caribbean Getaways, picked up our Jeeps at Varlack and headed towards Coral Bay. Paul (in the System)& Wendy, Richie & April headed to the villa with the greeter as my beach bunny (Rachael) and I(Scott) headed for gas since our Jeep was on 1/4 and we were told the gas station in Coral Bay was close. We agreed to meet at Island Blues after they checked into the villa. We were waiting for the rest of our group to meet us at Island Blues as we ate Nachos while watching another Jeep back into the side of ours, on-island for an hour and already in a accident. I went down to see the damage as a scruffy man looked at me and said "ARRG,sorry about that, I thought I hit something, I'm Pirate Bill, enjoy your vacation" as he walked away I looked up and half the bar was laughing. Luckily, my tire was turned out and the only damage was to the plastic fender flare which we popped back out. We then headed to our villa "Brisas Del Mar" we were pleasantly surprised how nice it was with a very open feel, great view but rough road up. The villa's bedrooms were very private with one on either side of the great room and one up a spiral staircase by itself, one of the best layouts I've been to for couples. We loved the villa but I don't think I would rent it during hotter weather since there was no AC but a nice breeze day& night.
New Highlights
1. Vie's- Great lady, nice beach with lounge chairs, quiet and relaxing.
2. Tortola-we tried the ferry this trip, went to Cane Garden, while not a great beach, we had lounge chairs, buckets of beer for $15 a number of nice beach bar/grills and a VERY NICE, CLEAN public restroom.
3.Aqua Bistro-Great Burger
4.Coral Bay stay- Very laid back and casual but too many roosters for me, cackled day & night, some one needs to get them a watch. I'm more of a South Shore person.
Brisas Del Mar- Great,open,relaxing villa with small pool and hot tub but No AC. We were comfortable and enjoyed this villa alot but don't know if I would rent it in warmer weather.
This trip was kind of last minute for rest & relaxtion between surgery and radiation treatments that I have now started. I would like to thank my wonderful wife and friends for doing this for me, it was a great gift and I finally met Pia aka "info girl"

[mbw1024]

wishing you all the best in your treatments. here's to good health and a return to STJ!

[bubblybrenda]

Thanks for posting. That was a really nice thing your wife and friends did for you. Sending you lots of positive energy as you go through your treatments.

Any pics to post?

[mindehankins]

Sounds beautiful! What a special gift they gave you!

[greyhoundmom]

Wishing you good vibes with your radiation. Monday will be day 20 for me...3/4 of the way through. I know how special going back to the rock is when you've had the scare and follow-up. Hang tough! Jan

[SOonthebeach]

Glad you could have such a great get away- you left as we arrived (same day)- we probably passed in the airport!

Good luck in your treatments- we'll be thinking about you! Get well and get back to the rock soon...

[FinsUp]

Sounds like the perfect way to get some R&R before the start of your treatments(aside from the roosters)
Here's wihing you all the best!!

[EagleRayLover]

Sounds like you had a nice little well deserved R&R before your medical appts! With the exceptions of the car accident- it all sounded awesome!! Best wishes with your upcoming treatments.

[traveler22]

Thanks for the good wishes all! Got to tell you, a couple days after the accident, we were having a burger at Skinny Legs when in walks,Pirate Bill, and he starts looking around, we thought for the person he hit this time. We shouted "Pirate Bill" and he walks over & asks "do I know you guys?" yeah, You hit our Jeep the other day "Ohh you guys, hows your vacations going?" he asked. Island way of life, can't beat it! I remember back when you couldn't find a Jeep without some kind of damage on it. Re-entry was tough this year but St. John will do that to you!
SOonthebeach- so you were the ones smiling through the glass at us, I always hated how you actually see your "replacements" arriving with smiles as you leave
greyhoundmom- Monday is treatment 10 for me, 1/3 down.Good luck & Good health to you!

[Nic in KC]

Thanks for the report! I'm glad you were able to get to St. John for a different kind of "treatment" before you returned to the rest! I hope the time passes quickly with the radiation and wish you good health!

[Barb Y]

Glad to hear you got a bit of R&R on STJ. I wish you all the best with your treatments, may you be back on STJ celebrating your health soon! Best wishes!

[Need2GetAway]

What is Vie's?

Good luck on your treatments and thanks for the report.

[GraysonDave]

Best wishes for your treatments.

Sounds like a great trip - even with the Jeep. Now you have a story to tell. LOL.

[jwwj]

Thanks for the report. Hope the treatments go well and you'll be back to SJ for a little after treatment R&R.

[traveler22]

need2getaway- Vie's snack shack & beach is about a 1/2 mile pass Skinny Legs on the east end. Miss Vie is a very nice lady with jerk chicken, conch fritters and cold beer. Miss Vie's has a private beach across the street with Lounge chairs and kayaks, it cost $2.50 pp to use the beach. The North Shore beaches were pretty windy this past trip but Miss Vie's and Salt Pond were perfect.