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Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Okay, so I haven't done a big trip report in years. This is not one of them. There is so much more knowledge about STJ out there these days that I don't feel the evangelical pull. Having two jobs doesn't help!
This trip got our original STJ buddies back together, along with MrsB from the forum. MrsB, do you have a new forum identity? Big Red & Becky and Pat & Janet are not forumites, but have met many of them over the years. These guys are all accomplished brewers and world travelers with NO WHINERS.
We stayed at Argonauta villa, which I would certainly stay again. Nothingtolose and Liamsaunt recommended it, and I can see why. It's got classic West Indian construction with a lot of updates. I love the setting and the a/c in the great room was wonderful on the two very hot days we had, especially in the afternoons. There are multiple areas to play, chill or be alone. The wifi worked well enough. The kitchen cabinets and counter were designed by someone who has never shared a kitchen before!
Sweet Christine and I stayed on St. Thomas the first night with forum friends. Dinner at the Pie Whole was great. Waking up to a sunrise over the BVIs was awesome.
Amalie Car Rental - recommended. Pickup at the airport, and we were ready to drive away faster than hitting the ladies room. The car barge is so very easy and convenient.
We did a drive by on our first day and saw Ruth and Ron briefly, before they popped off island. Not enough!
Dinners at Fatty Crab and La Plancha were great. It's been a while since we traveled with a group, so the tab settling exercise was a chore. But that's what dinner with a big group is like.
Lots of people on island and great beach time with the forum group. Sorry if I don't remember all of the forum handles. Augie & Leslie and Bill & Titalating Tina, Jan&Mike, Randy & Marcia, and some more I forgot.
Halloween at Skinny Legs was great. Killer costumes and a good crowd with Inner Visions playing. We saw Inner Visions three times this trip. We hit Cruz Bay late and it was a bit creepy with a police presence. After Coral Bay, it was just okay. The best costumes at the Beach Bar competition were folks that had also been at Skinnys.
It was a great group trip with a very fun villa full of people. After four years of trips with just two of us or four of us with my daughters, a group trip was more work. But I think its worth having your own self-contained party. When you hit the beach, especially with Big Red's 6'4" of red topped "ferris wheel of love", you make an entrance.
Cheers, RickG
This trip got our original STJ buddies back together, along with MrsB from the forum. MrsB, do you have a new forum identity? Big Red & Becky and Pat & Janet are not forumites, but have met many of them over the years. These guys are all accomplished brewers and world travelers with NO WHINERS.
We stayed at Argonauta villa, which I would certainly stay again. Nothingtolose and Liamsaunt recommended it, and I can see why. It's got classic West Indian construction with a lot of updates. I love the setting and the a/c in the great room was wonderful on the two very hot days we had, especially in the afternoons. There are multiple areas to play, chill or be alone. The wifi worked well enough. The kitchen cabinets and counter were designed by someone who has never shared a kitchen before!
Sweet Christine and I stayed on St. Thomas the first night with forum friends. Dinner at the Pie Whole was great. Waking up to a sunrise over the BVIs was awesome.
Amalie Car Rental - recommended. Pickup at the airport, and we were ready to drive away faster than hitting the ladies room. The car barge is so very easy and convenient.
We did a drive by on our first day and saw Ruth and Ron briefly, before they popped off island. Not enough!
Dinners at Fatty Crab and La Plancha were great. It's been a while since we traveled with a group, so the tab settling exercise was a chore. But that's what dinner with a big group is like.
Lots of people on island and great beach time with the forum group. Sorry if I don't remember all of the forum handles. Augie & Leslie and Bill & Titalating Tina, Jan&Mike, Randy & Marcia, and some more I forgot.
Halloween at Skinny Legs was great. Killer costumes and a good crowd with Inner Visions playing. We saw Inner Visions three times this trip. We hit Cruz Bay late and it was a bit creepy with a police presence. After Coral Bay, it was just okay. The best costumes at the Beach Bar competition were folks that had also been at Skinnys.
It was a great group trip with a very fun villa full of people. After four years of trips with just two of us or four of us with my daughters, a group trip was more work. But I think its worth having your own self-contained party. When you hit the beach, especially with Big Red's 6'4" of red topped "ferris wheel of love", you make an entrance.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
So you are making the leap to sailing? My grandparents kept sailboats of varying sizes and I still get the itch once in a while and look at the charter sites. My step-brother and wife will be living abroad in the next three years in the VIs.
Are you familar with this blog?
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/
I think he and his wife did the same sailing school. He did a nice post about it.
Are you familar with this blog?
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/
I think he and his wife did the same sailing school. He did a nice post about it.
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Thanks for your trip report or whatever you want to call it. I have always enjoyed your reports in the past. I agree a group trip is a lot of fun but also work to make it work. I am looking forward to two weeks on our own and then a week with sister and brother Newbie and spouses in Jan.
We have not been to la Plancha in a few years. Any favorite dishes there?
We have not been to la Plancha in a few years. Any favorite dishes there?
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
I wish I had run into this trip. Kirk
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Thanks for taking time to post...have missed reading posts from you...
we had the same thing happen with ladies restroom and car pickup with Amalie....their car rental is such an easy process...but maybe we should quit telling everyone...all their jeeps will be booked...
we had the same thing happen with ladies restroom and car pickup with Amalie....their car rental is such an easy process...but maybe we should quit telling everyone...all their jeeps will be booked...
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Kirk, I had my eye out for you. We can plan on meeting up next time we're on island.kirk wrote:I wish I had run into this trip. Kirk
Cheers, Rick
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Thanks Rick.
And some of us are still hoping that you would share few observations about your prior trip to Virgin Gorda, or, did I miss that?
Nazdravi!
And some of us are still hoping that you would share few observations about your prior trip to Virgin Gorda, or, did I miss that?
Nazdravi!
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Re: Trip Report - Magnificent 7 - October 26-November 3
Nope, you didn't miss it. Life got in the way. I'll do a short writeup and hit the high points. The short-version, my daughter and I loved VG and really liked the Spring Bay area. Sweet Christine missed her St. John friends and favorite places - but, she would have been grumpy on STJ with the Spring Break crowd.jmq wrote:Thanks Rick.
And some of us are still hoping that you would share few observations about your prior trip to Virgin Gorda, or, did I miss that?
Nazdravi!
On VG the local scene is not separate from the tourist scene. We routinely chatted with locals at bars and in restaurants. I like that. I'll be back.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI