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August 18 - August 25 Trip Report Part 2:
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
August 18 - August 25 Trip Report Part 2:
Having survived the crossing to St. John Sunday morning dawns bright and beautiful. Early risers all we are up and on the deck with coffee in hand by 6:00... Yikes. The view is wonderful, the breeze is blowing and all is well with the group. The die hards start their morning work outs, one of the group has a serious yoga practice and is engaged in the full on head stand. Another is in training for her rowing team so she is off the jog the hills. A third, the birthday girl who lost 20 lbs working with a trainer in anticipation of this trip takes one look at the driveway and decides that lunges up and down it for 20 minutes is a good way to start the day. I opt for a second cup of coffee!
After cool downs, showers and breakfast we are off to the beach. Hawksnest is the choice, and one of my personal favorites. To me it would be perfect if it had any running fresh water. We load up a cooler with some libations, pack the back of the mini van with chairs, floats, snorkel gear and we're off. A stop a Deli Grotto (my first experience and a great forum suggestion) we pick up yummy sandwiches and we hit the beach. Hawksnest is practically empty and we stake out the far right under the trees next to the rocks. It's perfect. We drop our stuff and dive in. I do love that first feel of the water, its sublime. The water is perfect, no sign of the bad weather the day before. It is surprisingly clear given the previous day's conditions. Our 8 year old has never snorkeled so he and his mom go off to explore the reef. The rest of us lounge, float, laugh and relax. The snorkelers return, he with a huge smile on his face exclaiming, I never thought I'd see tropical fish " in the wild". More swimming, and floating, sand castle building with a family from Utah who's lovely children came right up and asked our boy if he wanted to play, and before you know it its time to head back to make Jazz Sunday at the beach bar.
The Beach Bar was great. The music was what I call "singers and standards." We grab a table and listen while we await the arrival of a friend of the b'day girl who lives on St. Thomas. It was unfortunately beastly hot and we kept moving our table to grab slivers of shade. As always the people watching was almost as good as the music. We didn't make it to sunset, the boy needed to be feed. Man can he eat, I have no idea what his mom is going to do when he's 15. Our group is now 7 so we head to Compass Rose where we can be assured to find a table. The mini golf is also a plus. The food this time was mixed, but I still recommend it. Our server Jeremy was fabulous, I just think the kitchen is a little mixed, some of the fish was overcooked. My advice stick to the basics, the pizza was good as was the fish and chips and burgers. Never got to the mini golf as our St. Thomas visitor had to catch the ferry back. Monday was a work day for him after all! We drop him off and return to the villa for drinks. The end of a perfect day, and we still have 6 more to go
After cool downs, showers and breakfast we are off to the beach. Hawksnest is the choice, and one of my personal favorites. To me it would be perfect if it had any running fresh water. We load up a cooler with some libations, pack the back of the mini van with chairs, floats, snorkel gear and we're off. A stop a Deli Grotto (my first experience and a great forum suggestion) we pick up yummy sandwiches and we hit the beach. Hawksnest is practically empty and we stake out the far right under the trees next to the rocks. It's perfect. We drop our stuff and dive in. I do love that first feel of the water, its sublime. The water is perfect, no sign of the bad weather the day before. It is surprisingly clear given the previous day's conditions. Our 8 year old has never snorkeled so he and his mom go off to explore the reef. The rest of us lounge, float, laugh and relax. The snorkelers return, he with a huge smile on his face exclaiming, I never thought I'd see tropical fish " in the wild". More swimming, and floating, sand castle building with a family from Utah who's lovely children came right up and asked our boy if he wanted to play, and before you know it its time to head back to make Jazz Sunday at the beach bar.
The Beach Bar was great. The music was what I call "singers and standards." We grab a table and listen while we await the arrival of a friend of the b'day girl who lives on St. Thomas. It was unfortunately beastly hot and we kept moving our table to grab slivers of shade. As always the people watching was almost as good as the music. We didn't make it to sunset, the boy needed to be feed. Man can he eat, I have no idea what his mom is going to do when he's 15. Our group is now 7 so we head to Compass Rose where we can be assured to find a table. The mini golf is also a plus. The food this time was mixed, but I still recommend it. Our server Jeremy was fabulous, I just think the kitchen is a little mixed, some of the fish was overcooked. My advice stick to the basics, the pizza was good as was the fish and chips and burgers. Never got to the mini golf as our St. Thomas visitor had to catch the ferry back. Monday was a work day for him after all! We drop him off and return to the villa for drinks. The end of a perfect day, and we still have 6 more to go
I would have been having that second cup of coffee with you! I can't imagine exercising on vacation....not that I exercise when not on vacation either! 
Hawksnest is perfect except for the fresh water but we have a colapsable water jug that works just as well! I love that beach!
I can't wait for more!
Hawksnest is perfect except for the fresh water but we have a colapsable water jug that works just as well! I love that beach!
I can't wait for more!