usvi-on-line
Trip report 8/18- 8/25
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Trip report 8/18- 8/25
Travel Day:
So I'm back at work, and my desk does not look as if a bomb went off, so I feel justified in starting my trip report. I am humbled by Linae's reports so I hope no one feels too disappointed. By way of background this was a "girl's" trip to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. The birthday girl was generous enough to cover the cost of the villa and asked only that we make it down to the island and split the rest of the expenses. Even though I had a trip planned for one month before this how could I say no.
The trip planning went unbelievably smooth. Flights from 4 different states including the west coast arranged so everyone arrived and departed within an hour of each other. Villa booked, rent a car done, the small matter of an impending hurricane, but no matter, nothing was stopping this party! By the way Anthony, the hurricane updates were invaluable. Thanks so much!
We arrived STT Saturday afternoon, proceeded directly to Budget and are informed they do not have the SUV we reserved. They offered a mini van instead and would not adjust the price. No matter, we're on vacation, we say OK , we can always deal with Budget's headquarters when we get back on get a credit. Weather on arrival was stormy. Waves breaking over the sea wall in CA, wind and lots of rain. We make it to the car ferry and the look on the deck hand's face when he saw five women and an eight year old boy piled into a mini van was priceless. He was convinced I would be incapable of backing on the ferry. His instructions were incomprehensible and his patience sorely tested by the conditions of the day. At one point I stopped the car and offered to let him do it, but he declined. We finally make it on and half full we pull out for St. John. The normally tranquil crossing was a real adventure. Waves were breaking over the rails and the ferry was being tossed pretty good. One of our group is a certified 2000 ton captain who's technically licensed to operate this kind of a vessel. She was seated in the third row of the van and at one point said. "Ladies, I've been sailing for 15 years and I refuse to go down in a mini van, let me out of this thing". I think she was only half kidding.
We are meet by Derek of Caribbean Villas who leads us to our home away from home for the next week "Jasmine". The van negotiates Jacobs Ladder with no problem, even in the rain, but the villa driveway was another story. Unbeknownst to me the roadway in is only partially paved. You have to travel over about 100 feet of dirt (now mud) path before you reach the cement driveway which was very steep. Derek went up first with no problem. I throw the van in low and start up. Mud encrusted wheels spinning on the wet cement, this was not happening. We unload the van of people and bags to try to lighten the load. Still no go. Luckily one of the houses which makes up this three villa combo was empty so we parked in the lower drive. It was 40 steps up to the house but even that did not entice me to try that driveway again. Actually this was the only problem we had with the van the entire week. On day we drove out to the east end in a rain storm and had no difficulty negotiating any of the hills.
A word abut Jasmine, I found it charming, I will post a full villa review later, but it has the feel of a beach cottage. It was immaculately kept, if somewhat dated. For the right group, (there's no privacy) I think it's a great value for the price.
After settling in, ohhing and ahhing about the view, we head back into town to shop. Dinner on the deck, followed by drinks and a dip in the pool for the 8 year old and we were done for the night.
So I'm back at work, and my desk does not look as if a bomb went off, so I feel justified in starting my trip report. I am humbled by Linae's reports so I hope no one feels too disappointed. By way of background this was a "girl's" trip to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. The birthday girl was generous enough to cover the cost of the villa and asked only that we make it down to the island and split the rest of the expenses. Even though I had a trip planned for one month before this how could I say no.
The trip planning went unbelievably smooth. Flights from 4 different states including the west coast arranged so everyone arrived and departed within an hour of each other. Villa booked, rent a car done, the small matter of an impending hurricane, but no matter, nothing was stopping this party! By the way Anthony, the hurricane updates were invaluable. Thanks so much!
We arrived STT Saturday afternoon, proceeded directly to Budget and are informed they do not have the SUV we reserved. They offered a mini van instead and would not adjust the price. No matter, we're on vacation, we say OK , we can always deal with Budget's headquarters when we get back on get a credit. Weather on arrival was stormy. Waves breaking over the sea wall in CA, wind and lots of rain. We make it to the car ferry and the look on the deck hand's face when he saw five women and an eight year old boy piled into a mini van was priceless. He was convinced I would be incapable of backing on the ferry. His instructions were incomprehensible and his patience sorely tested by the conditions of the day. At one point I stopped the car and offered to let him do it, but he declined. We finally make it on and half full we pull out for St. John. The normally tranquil crossing was a real adventure. Waves were breaking over the rails and the ferry was being tossed pretty good. One of our group is a certified 2000 ton captain who's technically licensed to operate this kind of a vessel. She was seated in the third row of the van and at one point said. "Ladies, I've been sailing for 15 years and I refuse to go down in a mini van, let me out of this thing". I think she was only half kidding.
We are meet by Derek of Caribbean Villas who leads us to our home away from home for the next week "Jasmine". The van negotiates Jacobs Ladder with no problem, even in the rain, but the villa driveway was another story. Unbeknownst to me the roadway in is only partially paved. You have to travel over about 100 feet of dirt (now mud) path before you reach the cement driveway which was very steep. Derek went up first with no problem. I throw the van in low and start up. Mud encrusted wheels spinning on the wet cement, this was not happening. We unload the van of people and bags to try to lighten the load. Still no go. Luckily one of the houses which makes up this three villa combo was empty so we parked in the lower drive. It was 40 steps up to the house but even that did not entice me to try that driveway again. Actually this was the only problem we had with the van the entire week. On day we drove out to the east end in a rain storm and had no difficulty negotiating any of the hills.
A word abut Jasmine, I found it charming, I will post a full villa review later, but it has the feel of a beach cottage. It was immaculately kept, if somewhat dated. For the right group, (there's no privacy) I think it's a great value for the price.
After settling in, ohhing and ahhing about the view, we head back into town to shop. Dinner on the deck, followed by drinks and a dip in the pool for the 8 year old and we were done for the night.
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Thanks for the heads up. I'll make a call or two and see if I can make any headway!Connie wrote:I've been on that car ferry when there isn't a storm, and it's been pretty bad and scarey.
Good luck with Budget. That's an independently owned franchise and Budget National won't do anything about it.
Can't wait to hear more of your trip!!
