Back and thank you to all!

[snorkelqueen]

Well, we are finally back and yet again we had an amazing two weeks in St. John. This year was our best trip so far and it was all because of the wonderful suggestions, insights and just the great friendliness of everyone on the forum. We have been coming to St. John since 2003 and every year we say it will be our last.....we think perhaps we'll go back to Europe or explore other islands, but every year as we leave we agree we MUST return. St. John touches our souls. ( And I love that we have found others that share our obsession.) This year, for the first time, I finaly swam with turtles (THANK YOU PIA for the perfect directions.....). We went back again and again and my heart would swell each time I saw them. The HUGE Barracuda at Maho was another story....I walked on water to get away. My son enjoyed what he called "world class" snorkeling way out at Salt Pond and between Maho and Francis amd his girlfriend saw a fish "as big as her leg!". My son-in-law learned to "stay left", my daughter looked at me one day from the water at Hawkesnest and said "I was born to be here"! My husband RELAXED for 14 days...not a easy task.
Because of the forum we discovered Jazz on Sundays at Beach Bar and loved every second, we took a chance and went to Island Blues instead of Skinnys (well, truth be told we went to both...), we made our own Painkillers on the deck of the Villa, we saved big money on booze by buying at dutyfree in St. Thomas, we waved to friends at home and wrote our names in the sand for the webcam, we took a moment to speak to "Waterguy's" wife at Hawkesnest.
And so yes, yet again we have booked to come back in 08. We've decided to change locations next year and with the advice of forum members have chosen to stay on Gifft Hill. So thank you to Jan&MikeVA, nothintolose, papabou, and to Colleen who is there RIGHT NOW for helping us make the choice of Cloud 9. We will look for you at the Beach Bar July 11 - 26, 2008 and until then look forward to your posts on the forum.
A toast to you all and to St. John - Paradise Found!

[mbw1024]

oh geez I'm getting a little weepy here! That's just wonderful news that you plan to return! More, more, more!

[sea-nile]

Welcome back!
I am glad that you had a great time.
Tom will appreciate it that you thought of his wife.
Happy planning for '08.

[Ksea]

Awesome post, thanks for sharing all the good feelings. I felt the same way while on STJ and when I returned home. Ain't it grand that we all now have such good memories to share and remember. Here's to 2008 on St. John and many more years after that!

[b-as-u-r]

Glad to hear you had such a fabulous trip! That's great that you finally got to swim with the turtles. Sounds like some good quality family time spent and some great memories made. And already booked for next year -- terrific. Thanks for sharing. Ali~

[Pia]

I am sooooo glad you found "my" turtles (I guess "our" turtles now ) and so glad you had a great time - sorry I didn't get to meet you while you were here so here's to a meeting on Maho in 2008

Pia

[Nic in KC]

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a great trip. Pia gave us directions to the turtles too! She also told us to make sure and look all around us because they could be right next to us and we might not see them. That looking all around is how I spotted the biggest turtle of our entire trip!

You'll LOVE Gift Hill next year!
Nicolle

[RickG]

I hear you! I gave the kids a choice of spring break in Europe or St. John. After looking at a bunch of European itineraries (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Brugge, Pipaix was at the top) the kids decided they'd rather go to St. John, even though they could practice their French and German. They really love the place and see it as "their" island.

Not a big sacrifice, as Christine and I are hitting the Czech Republic for 10 days in January. Mmmmm, Světlý Ležák!

Cheers, RickG

[waterguy]

Thanks snorkelqueen for thinking of Laurie It means alot to me and the boy's
Tom