Belated trip report!! 11/25/12 - 12/5/12

[Bonny in CA]

Hello all!! Sorry it's taken me so long to do this!
I did not take notes, so I will try to do it by memory! Fuzzy rum memories!

We arrived on the 25th, Rachel picked us up at the airport, she recognized us from last year and it was so nice to see a familiar face waiting for us. Rachel was great fun to talk to on the way to the ferry!
When we arrived at Red Hook we ran into an island friend we met last year, Champy Smith. So we rode over with Champy and got caught up on island life, and Champy's car repairs. The poor guy had wasted the whole day on St. Thomas getting an alternator for his car. It wasn't in a box, and the bottom of his plastic bag busted and the alternator broke. Felt bad for him, but he was still great company coming across, and running into him at the ferry made it feel like an old friend had come to met us! I believe we were on the 4 pm ferry. Once Greg picked up our jeep and picked me up in the park with the luggage, we were off to meet Monika & Jorge Diaz who are the owners of Sea Cottage. The also own the "full moon of St. John" gift shop across the courtyard from Lily's Market. We met them at Chateau Bordeaux and followed them up Bordeaux mountain road quite a ways up the mountain, including dirt/mud roads.
Sea Cottage is a studio in a very private setting. It is not a lot of space, but it was enough for the two of us. As soon as we changed and left our stuff we headed down to Coral Bay to see all of our friends at Cases by the Sea. Tried to surprise them, but Champy had already told everyone! Great friends, great evening.
(As you will find out, I'm not much of a foodie, so restaurant reviews will be sparse!)
Dinner our first evening was BBQ chicken & ribs with rice & beans was at Reggie's Caribbean BBQ (next to Cases by the Sea, across the street from Island Blues).

First full day, breakfast at Donkey Diner, and the day spent at Maho, swimming with turtles! The second full day was spent with a smoothie from pink corner, breakfast at Donkey Diner, then stopped at Cases for a to-go container of rum punch for the beach. Spent half the day at Maho, then went to check out Francis. We spend most of our evenings at Cases. Friends and fun!

Third full day, our 26th anniversary! Scuba lessons with Colette from Island Blues/ 6paq Scuba. My husband really liked it and was good at it. I, on the other hand kind of panicked and was not so crazy about it. I think I will stick to snorkeling! That evening we went to dinner with the Owen & Hannah, a great couple we met last year who own and run Cases by the Sea. We went to Zozo's with no reservations and got a great table with a partial view of the beach. Owen is a friend of the maitre de, and the waiter. We had a great dinner followed by a platter of complimentary desserts which were to die for!! We were full, so after a taste the leftovers were packaged up for Hannah's son to feast on afterwards! Between scuba and dinner Greg bought me a beautiful petroglyph ring designed by Tom Krall for our anniversary .

Next day was Thursday, we were hoping to catch Inner Visions at High Tide but our sunset snorkel/sail was rescheduled for that day, but we were trying to do both. Of course we didn't quite make it to High Tide, but next year I will see Inner Visions for sure! But I can't say that I'm sorry we went on the sail on Kekoa! It was really nice, great music. I've never been on a sailboat before and I was just in love with moving through the water so quietly!!

Friday! Our last chance to visit Coconuts, courtesy of Kevin & his housekeeper, Margaret! We met Margaret at Coconuts at about 4pm, she showed us around the house, and how to lock up when we left. She was very nice and helpful! Coconuts is a beautiful villa! I would post pictures but their website has better pictures than the ones I took. We sat out on the lounge chairs and watched the sunset after we explored the villa. We can't wait to plan a family trip, or a trip with another couple, so we can go Coconuts!!

It seems that the following two days were uneventful, and followed the usual routine, Pink Corner smoothies and DD for breakfast, find a beach, swim, snorkel, lay in the sun and read all day. Clean up, eat dinner. Most of our dinners were at Reggie's. We also ate at Vie's, Miss Lucy's, aqua bistro... The mosquitoes were vicious this year, and even chased us off of the beach one day. The water was a little rougher, with less underwater visibility too. It rained more on us this year than last, and we were chased off the beach by rain a couple of times too! I think last year we lucked out and got really good weather. Next year I will be taking garlic pills in advance, hoping to keep the mosquito's off of me!!

Sunday evening Owen, Hannah, Greg & I went to the Parrot Club... I didn't even know there was a casino on St. John! I was really not too thrilled about going to a casino, but everyone else wanted to go, so we went.... And I won $300!! More shopping money for the last two days on island!!

Monday was equally divided between beach time and shopping!

Tuesday, our last full day, our friend Owen borrowed a friend's motor boat and we went on an around the island adventure. We departed from the dinghy dock by Skinny Legs and motored out of Coral Bay towards the south shore, the water was a little rough and the other female on board had warned us of a possibility of seasickness, so we took it easy for her and went to the Beach Bar. Wish I had a webcam shot of us arriving there!! My husband carried me on his shoulders from the boat to the shallow water to the applause of the people dining on the balcony upstairs! We had a toddler with us, so we ate lunch at a table. Someone reported really rough water on the north shore, so it was decided that we would go back the way we came. We got back to the dock & we all pitched in gas money for the borrowed boat, it was the cheapest boat ride I've ever had on St. John! And since we were with friends it was even better!

Of course, Tuesday evening was melancholy as we said our good-byes, lots of hugs, and "see you next years!'
It's amazing how I can miss STJ as soon as the ferry pulls away from Cruz Bay.

At some point while we were there, I don't remember exactly when, we went out to Sloop Jones' studio and I bought an awesome dress!! Can't wait for warm weather to wear it again! He has really beautiful stuff and I wished I could get one of everything!!

Okay, I think that's all of the high points. Can't wait for our third annual trip to STJ!!!

[Kentuckygirl]

I really enjoyed your belated report Bonnie. We've been to Cases a few times and I think Owen is a hoot. I have 2 trip reports I need to post that are older than yours. I took notes though, so I think I can do it!!

[xxjpxx9]

Kentucky girl - please do!

Bonnie- Great TR! Parrot club you say? (goes to look it up...)

[mindehankins]

Sounds like a perfect trip, Bonny! Thanks for sharing a report. I too LOVE the little local places. We'll try Reggie's next trip. Really, really LOVED the soursop smoothies (and everything else) at Pink Corner!

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Thanks for the trip report, I never did get mine posted from June! Once we got back I had to hit the ground running and haven't stopped yet. I so wanted to try the pink corner last time we were there! I am glad they are cranking agian! I have always been a little leary of Cases. Last year my hubs and my friend stopped in for beer, and a man approached her in an unwelcome way. So it looks like we need to give it a try agian. When is the best time to go?

[Bonny in CA]

I would feel safe at Cases any time. There are a few Coral Bay regulars who are not dealing with a full deck. They don't hang out at Cases or anything, but I'm sure one is likely to come by now and then. Our run in with one was at the Beach Bar while we were waiting for the ferry home this year. I tried to laugh it off, but he was definitely making me uncomfortable. Finally a woman who worked there asked him to move on... Last year it was a guy at Aqua Bistro. So, I think you may run into someone like that just about anywhere on the island.

However, if anyone does anything to make you feel uncomfortable when you're at Cases don't hesitate to speak to Owen, he would want to know, and he'll take care of the issue.

I think the best time for you to try Cases by the Sea would be around dinner time, so you can have some of Reggie's BBQ while you try some of Owen's delicious rum concoctions!
They also sell a huge variety of liquor and wine, beer & ice.. As their logos says, "A great spot for a local shot"!

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

Thanks! We were intregued by Cases and I think it was Owen we met last year on the beach with his child. We really liked him, so going there was something we did want to try. We did have fun buying fish at the "fish market" next too Island Blues. Those guys were a hoot!...And hooked us up with some good fish at a reasonable price. I love Coral Bay!