10 more days in paradise, final

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:13 am

Part one: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=22529

Part two: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=22538

Part three: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=22544

Day nine

Last full day, boo! We decided to start the day at Trunk Bay since there were no ships in town. We bought an annual pass since we are coming back this summer—they are hard plastic now, which is nice. The paper one we bought last summer disintegrated! Lovely Trunk Bay:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911086249/" title="trunk bay palm 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6911 ... aa882e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="trunk bay palm 2"></a>

We didn’t snorkel, just swam for a while, and relaxed on the beach until inevitably it got too crowded for us (around lunchtime):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911085991/" title="trunk bay view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6911 ... 797b6e.jpg" width="500" height="273" alt="trunk bay view"></a>

Look at all those people!! Time to go! We headed back in to Coral Bay one last time, for lunch at Aqua Bistro. Crunchy grouper sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911086493/" title="aqua bistro grouper by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6911 ... 92ed32.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="aqua bistro grouper"></a>

Grilled mahi sandwich:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911086911/" title="aqua bistro mahi by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6911 ... 5e2962.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="aqua bistro mahi"></a>

This is one of the stranger boats in Coral Harbour--JAWS:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6772969092/" title="jaws by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7044/6772 ... c2b6f6.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="jaws"></a>

After lunch we headed back to the beach. Guess where we went this time? Yup, Maho again! Stand up paddleboarding seems to be the big trend on St. John right now:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911087209/" title="maho paddleboarders 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6911 ... b8e716.jpg" width="500" height="229" alt="maho paddleboarders 2"></a>

These fish were swimming around us in a circle. I just stuck my camera underwater and got this picture:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911087737/" title="maho fish by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6911 ... 4f9051.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="maho fish"></a>

We stayed until the last possible moment, but eventually had to go back to Gallows to get cleaned up for our final dinner at Asolare. We got a table on the rail with a nice view into town:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911089675/" title="cruz bay twilight by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7209/6911 ... cf0fb5.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="cruz bay twilight"></a>

Saw a lovely final sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911089051/" title="asolare glorious sunset 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6911 ... a2c0f2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="asolare glorious sunset 2"></a>

With a cocktail—this was a lemongrass lemondrop. Cheers, forum!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6927111537/" title="asolare cheers by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6927 ... ec653a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="asolare cheers"></a>

We enjoyed the lights of Cruz Bay at night:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911090805/" title="cruz bay night by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6911 ... 495922.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="cruz bay night"></a>

For dinner we shared a mixed seafood salad with wasabi sauce:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6919084041/" title="asolare seafood salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6919 ... db3cb0.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="asolare seafood salad"></a>

A butter lettuce salad with pears:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911089391/" title="asolare butter salad by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7045/6911 ... 3b2cb9.jpg" width="500" height="318" alt="asolare butter salad"></a>

Entrees were a seared snapper with green curry sauce (delicious) and a salmon with red curry sauce (bland). No pictures as it had gotten too dark.

Day ten, last day.

Goodbye Gallows view:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911091993/" title="4d view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6911 ... 290c3a.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="4d view"></a>

One last meal, brunch at La Plancha del Mar:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911091141/" title="la plancha bar by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6911 ... 452219.jpg" width="500" height="297" alt="la plancha bar"></a>

Open faced tuna BLT:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911091683/" title="la plancha tuna blt by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6911 ... cddf8f.jpg" width="500" height="384" alt="la plancha tuna blt"></a>

Then it was time to head for the farewell ferry:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911092259/" title="caribe time by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6911 ... 78074f.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="caribe time"></a>

This trip passed by so quickly! No matter how much time we are luckily able to spend on St. John, it never seems long enough. I have noticed that for the past few visits, we have only added one new-to-us experience. This time, it was snorkeling Grootpan Bay. I like knowing that there is so much of the island that I still have left to explore.

Favorites list for this trip:
Beach: Maho
Restaurant: La Plancha del Mar
Snorkel spot: Blue Cobblestone

Goodbye St. John! Until next time…

Becky and John

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/6911088151/" title="maho gs by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6911 ... 6314_m.jpg" width="240" height="185" alt="maho gs"></a>

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:28 am

That boat bothered my son. He kept asking why there were so many tires stacked on it when boats don't have wheels.

lark22 · Post by **lark22** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:34 am

Thank you *so much* for your trip reports -- I always enjoy them so much! Always so well-written, entertaining and illustrated so beautifully!

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:14 pm

I haven't been on this forum for a while. So nice to come on and discover one your wonderful reports !

Missed STJ this year, but have already booked for next January !

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:35 pm

Great trip report as always

Thanks for taking the time to write it.

Pia

Nancy_B · Post by **Nancy_B** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 1:48 pm

Becky,

Just caught up on your trip report. Excellent as always! You have such great photos. Be sure to add Gastro Grub to your list to try in the Summer. We loved it.

surfnh · Post by **surfnh** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 3:25 pm

excellent report, beautiful pics, well done! Need to try Grootpan Bay......

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:17 pm

Well that was fun! Thank you so much for all the fun details, photos and taking the time to write up a report! I always look forward to them so hurry back!

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:27 pm

Becky,
Your trip reports always delight me. When are you going down this summer?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 4:41 pm

I love Gallows, thanks for sharing.
I thought you did not care or Asolare. Have you changed your mind?

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:04 pm

The more often you go to St John the more I enjoy your reports, your photos, and pretending that I have just taken another trip myself! Thank you for another great one!

STJdreams · Post by **STJdreams** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 9:28 pm

fabulous trip report...lovely photos...well written...thanks so much!

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:58 pm

Lovely as always!
It's amazing that there is always a new snorkel spot or restaurant to try and always a reason to return to our "island home"

Maybe well see you guys again this summer! (if my AA FF miles will cooperate~

)

INfamily · Post by **INfamily** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:28 am

I love it when you and John go on vacation.....thanks for sharing your experiences, with your gorgeous photos, with us.

vacagirl · Post by **vacagirl** » Tue Feb 28, 2012 8:44 am

Thank you for sharing your time on St. John, it made me feel like I was back there again. Your pictures were amazing! Do you mind if I ask what kind of camera you are using to get such sharp pictures under water?

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10 more days in paradise, final

10 more days in paradise, final