A PHOTOGRAPHIC TRIP REPORT with COMMENTARY

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:17 pm

I'm not sure how many times we've been to STJ, but we first visited in 1991. The nice thing is, so much has NOT changed.

I didn't take my real camera on vacation this time---not sure why--maybe I was just too exhausted! But my iPhone took some nice pics, so I will share them here.

We arrived at our villa just before sunset. The Christmas winds were blowing.

We woke to the gorgeous Northwest view over Caneel and STT.

Never really feel like we've arrived till we've seen a donkey.

Hawksnest, always beautiful.

Hiked Ram's Head Trail the first or second morning. That was it for exercise for a while!

Finally met darling Curley Spice.

Rum punch at Caneel. Caneel is having a good year for food. Especially wonderful is the EXCELLENT sushi. Highly recommend. Also ate at Fatty Crab about 5 times, and LaTapa a few times. Fatty Crab was new for us, as it opened right after we left two years ago. LaTapa has been a favorite for years. Alex knows what she is doing, and it never disappoints. We ate a couple of other forgettable meals, but I won't say where, because things change so often.

Our first week there was rain at least once a day, and a lot of wind. Here's a windy view to Caneel.

We were driving by Reggie's BBQ in Coral Bay when my husband saw Reggie carefully scrubbing a railing. The place is spotless so we gave it a try. EXCELLENT BBQ. He worked at Joe's for years, now has his own place. Very nice man.

Maho Beach. It started to rain but who cared?

Boat day with John Brandi is always a highlight! Pirates at Norman Island has been remade into a swanky beach bar. They've also added tons of new moorings to the harbor. I had my first painkiller of the day there, and it turned out to be the best painkiller of the day.

Beautiful island graffiti.

Back on St. John, at Mooie's. Ruth had been selling my book, so I did an impromptu book signing. My eyes were a little glazed from all those painkillers. I was onto straight rum by then. Yikes!

Heading up to the Fatty Crab for more of their great fried rice.

CANEEL

Okay, in all the years of traveling to STJ, we've never actually wanted to stay at Caneel. I love the villa life, the Jeeping it around the island, the sense of adventure. But my husband and I had had a hectic fall, so once the villa rental ended and our daughter left, we checked into Caneel. A large group had just checked in for a four-night stay. There was only one room left, the least expensive "Garden View" but it sure looked like a winner-water-sunset view to us.

Boats against the current, Caneel dock.

Let sleeping donkeys lie.

We grew to love the peace of Caneel. We turned in our Jeep.

We ended up extending our stay for a few MORE days, ventured into town to go to La Tapa once more and to hear our favorite Rich Greengold. Such a talented musician.

The best part about Caneel was getting on that easy boat back to the airport. Spoiled forever now.

That's it. Hope to be back next year!

Maryanne
http://www.maryanneohara.com

Bonny in CA · Post by **Bonny in CA** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:43 pm

Loved your pictures! I just got my first iPhone, I hope I can take great pics like yours!

sherban · Post by **sherban** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:05 pm

Very nice Maryanne, thanks for sharing. I like that Northwest view, which villa is that?

We stayed in a cottage on STT in 2010 that was at the opposite end of that view... it looks nice going either way...!

Laura T · Post by **Laura T** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:09 pm

Loved the pictures. Thanks for posting.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:32 pm

All these wonderful pictures and reports of Caneel certainly are convincing me that staying there is another fine way to enjoy the charms of St John.

Maryanne, your iPhone photos are terrific; thanks for taking the time to share them here.

I have read Cascade and loved it! How cool to have a book signing in paradise!
Maryanne's website, http://www.maryanneohara.com/ is a beautiful and interesting place to visit.

loria · Post by **loria** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:37 pm

OH Wow, so glad that Reggie is back in Coral Bay-- he has not been open the last couple of times we were there--kids are PSYCHED!

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 2:51 pm

That is a beautiful view over Caneel. Did you stay at Spellbound?

MY DH and I have discovered Caneel and started to end our villa trips to STJ at Caneel four years ago. For us it's the perfect way to end our stay on St. John. After spending 2 weeks "Jeeping" around the island, we turn in the Jeep and just enjoy the beauty and peaceful place that is Caneel. I'm glad you finally decided to try Caneel. I think you are hooked. And I agree that leaving on the Caneel ferry is definitely the best way to leave STJ.

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 3:14 pm

like

cindygad · Post by **cindygad** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:44 pm

Wonderful pictures! I saw you had been on island same time as we were there wish I would of brought my copy of your book for you to sign. Enjoyed it so much.

Everyone talking about Caneel has me wanting to give it a try.

Thanks for the information on Reggies BBQ we will try it next year.

Thanks for sharing!

ColumbiaSCTraveler · Post by **ColumbiaSCTraveler** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:01 pm

Thanks for the tips on Reggie's, and the grand endorsement of Fatty Crab. Adding both to this year's must-try's.

Still haven't stayed at Caneel...we always go the villa route....but your endorsement makes me consider it for sure!

Thanks for sharing!

Caw954s · Post by **Caw954s** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:12 pm

Really love the trip reports, seeing the pictures, and reading about what everyone enjoys doing....I also like that idea of spending a couple of last nights at caneel...I'm going to remember that! Maryanne, thanks for sharing and it's very cool that you are an author!

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 6:11 am

Like it ...lots!!!! Thanks!

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 9:53 am

Thanks, everyone! Yes, Reggie's was great, and such a nice business, you want to support it. Have fun, Loria.
Cindy, wish I'd known. It would have been nice to meet you. Thank you so much for reading. If you'd like me to send a signed bookplate to you, just send me your info via my website.
Iprof, many thanks.
Bonny, iPhone takes great What You See Is What You Get pix! You will love.
Yes, Spellbound, Diana, Sherban. And I think Caneel endings are now a must.

xo

Maryanne
http://www.maryanneohara.com

PS, not sure how I forgot to post this one!

needmesomesun · Post by **needmesomesun** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 1:48 pm

Great report and pics Maryanne, thanks for sharing. Did you like Spellbound? It seems really reasonable for the north shore. The view looks so nice, especially with a rainbow, but what did you think about the actual villa?

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Sun Feb 03, 2013 4:32 pm

The villa is/was reasonable for the North Shore. It wasn't perfect when we stayed there 2 years ago, but I loved the view so much I booked it again. In the meantime it was renovated. They brought in a decorator and did some substantial improvements. The whole place looks a lot better but now it's going up in price--2000 extra dollars a week. :/

Downsides: the 3 bedrooms are on different levels--one is just a bedroom. The living space is on the small side. The house has a nice large pool, but the water is always freezing. No AC in any room except for bottom bedroom, if you care about that. Water pressure in master bath shower is very weak. Those are things I didn't care about before, but now... for an extra 2K.....

Also, the part that makes me most uncertain about renting again is the fact that the master bedroom is very close to the pool at the house next door. You cannot see the pool at all, but believe me, it's right there. Twice while we were there, the caretakers had some kind of party and the shouting and screeching going on at the pool at midnight woke us up. That house is for sale, and has been for a while, and normally it's VERY quiet there, but honestly, the wrong people in the house next door could ruin your vacation.

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