usvi-on-line
Trip report 8/18- 8/25 Part Last
-
sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Trip report 8/18- 8/25 Part Last
Frankly, my recollection is becoming hazier as the days pass. Here's the best I can do.
We hit only Hawksnest and Cinnamon beaches this week, twice for both. Each time they didn't disappoint, although on our second day at Hawksnest, which I think was Monday, the waves were really kicking up. We swam around the point and it was a bit of a stretch swimming back.
Most days started at the pool. We engaged in serious competitive pool races, cannon ball and can opener displays. There is video, but if it ever leaks out I've been told Im in trouble
.
When we lunched at the beach we did Deli Grotto and frankly I don't think I would lay in lunch supplies again in the future. The sandwiches were fabulous, and the bread... heaven, don't even get me started about the sweets. The staff was so friendly. We also had great smoothies there. Funny, one thing I notice about traveling with a child, every place you go is pushing smoothies, at 5-7 bucks a pop it got expensive.
We had one day when we didn't make it to the beach at all. Started out by trying to get some Internet service in town, Deli Grotto's was so slow, The Tap Room wasn't open yet and I mind f$%.ted on Connections. Did some shopping, wound up at Hide Tide for drinks and lunch. The fish tacos were good and the Mahi sandwiches also got thumbs up. It must have been the drinks, because we just never made it away from the pool that afternoon. Dinner in, a lovely baked ziti, if I don't say so myself, always a great quick and cheap dinner, all the fixings ran me $15 at Peace Pine.
If I have my days right the next was BIRTHDAY Day. After the obligatory work outs and pool action we made brunch at the house and then packed up for Cinnamon for the afternoon, a lovely lazy afternoon, then back to the house to get all purty for a night out. Drinks at the Ocean Grill (we were the only one's in the place), dinner at Lime Inn. Fabulous! Most of us had the grilled tuna, it was perfection and they were very busy ( all u can eat shrimp night) but the host got us a table in about 10 minutes. In fact I have to say that the service everywhere was excellent. No long waits for anything.
One of our days was spent at The Westin. I was a little skeptical but it turned out to be a great day. We lounged by the pool (even used the lounge chairs). Lunch at the beach restaurant was very good and competitively priced. Huge portions. One of the group ordered the " Voodoo Juice" which is served in a bucket! Very funny. After lunch we went down to the beach, again made full use of the chairs and hammocks. No one said a word. The beach was nicer than I thought it would be, the water was surprising clear and we swam, played on the " Ice Berg" and practiced our cannon balls off the raft. More drinks at the bar, then back to the house for clean up and dinner.
On our final day I was determined to go out to the East End. This is my third trip and I had not made it there yet. I really wanted to see Vie's beach. The snack shop was closed, info I picked up here, but the beach was operating. We made a stop in town for some additional shopping. I met Ruth & Ron and had a lovely chat, such warm people. We dropped a few bucks in the store and then headed out.
The ride was very nice, and Ruth's directions were spot on. I didn't find the roads too difficult to traverse. No traffic at all. I may take some flak for this but... Vie's beach... I don't get it. Maybe it's the off season but the beach was very littered with not only trash, but sea detritus and there was a smell, which our resident marine Biologist identified as guano. As we arrived the heaven's opened so we opted not to stay. We drove back in a blinding rain storm which lasted about 30 minutes. We ended up again at Cinnamon for our last afternoon at the beach.
One of our group really wanted to check out Quiet Mon, so we did on the way back to the house. Kenny the bartender is way cute. He entertained the 8 year old and seemed quite amused that he had spent the week with five women. I think he said something like " how's that working out for you man". He sent over a smoothie on the house... with the hugest glob of whipped cream on top. The boy literally dove head first into the cream. Quiet Mon was a classic St. John moment, although the beach was so beautiful that afternoon, I hated to leave. It will be a long cold winter!
Travel day back was not too bad. Despite all I have been reading about the airport it was actually "good". We had three different airlines and we all checked it in about 15 minutes. Security took another 15 and we were in an air conditioned lounge. The restaurant was not too crowded so we were able to get a bite to eat.
Many tears were shed in the airport as this group gets together only about once a year. Our time together is very special and I think I speak for us all, we made the most of it this time. We have memories of great friends, great times and a fabulous setting, to last a lifetime. It was our BIG BIRTHDAY FUN!!!
PS my seat mate on the flight home was a grandaughter of "Foxy" . very sweet girl returning to Germany after a summer in the VI. She missed her connections, sure hope she made it OK.
We hit only Hawksnest and Cinnamon beaches this week, twice for both. Each time they didn't disappoint, although on our second day at Hawksnest, which I think was Monday, the waves were really kicking up. We swam around the point and it was a bit of a stretch swimming back.
Most days started at the pool. We engaged in serious competitive pool races, cannon ball and can opener displays. There is video, but if it ever leaks out I've been told Im in trouble
.When we lunched at the beach we did Deli Grotto and frankly I don't think I would lay in lunch supplies again in the future. The sandwiches were fabulous, and the bread... heaven, don't even get me started about the sweets. The staff was so friendly. We also had great smoothies there. Funny, one thing I notice about traveling with a child, every place you go is pushing smoothies, at 5-7 bucks a pop it got expensive.
We had one day when we didn't make it to the beach at all. Started out by trying to get some Internet service in town, Deli Grotto's was so slow, The Tap Room wasn't open yet and I mind f$%.ted on Connections. Did some shopping, wound up at Hide Tide for drinks and lunch. The fish tacos were good and the Mahi sandwiches also got thumbs up. It must have been the drinks, because we just never made it away from the pool that afternoon. Dinner in, a lovely baked ziti, if I don't say so myself, always a great quick and cheap dinner, all the fixings ran me $15 at Peace Pine.
If I have my days right the next was BIRTHDAY Day. After the obligatory work outs and pool action we made brunch at the house and then packed up for Cinnamon for the afternoon, a lovely lazy afternoon, then back to the house to get all purty for a night out. Drinks at the Ocean Grill (we were the only one's in the place), dinner at Lime Inn. Fabulous! Most of us had the grilled tuna, it was perfection and they were very busy ( all u can eat shrimp night) but the host got us a table in about 10 minutes. In fact I have to say that the service everywhere was excellent. No long waits for anything.
One of our days was spent at The Westin. I was a little skeptical but it turned out to be a great day. We lounged by the pool (even used the lounge chairs). Lunch at the beach restaurant was very good and competitively priced. Huge portions. One of the group ordered the " Voodoo Juice" which is served in a bucket! Very funny. After lunch we went down to the beach, again made full use of the chairs and hammocks. No one said a word. The beach was nicer than I thought it would be, the water was surprising clear and we swam, played on the " Ice Berg" and practiced our cannon balls off the raft. More drinks at the bar, then back to the house for clean up and dinner.
On our final day I was determined to go out to the East End. This is my third trip and I had not made it there yet. I really wanted to see Vie's beach. The snack shop was closed, info I picked up here, but the beach was operating. We made a stop in town for some additional shopping. I met Ruth & Ron and had a lovely chat, such warm people. We dropped a few bucks in the store and then headed out.
The ride was very nice, and Ruth's directions were spot on. I didn't find the roads too difficult to traverse. No traffic at all. I may take some flak for this but... Vie's beach... I don't get it. Maybe it's the off season but the beach was very littered with not only trash, but sea detritus and there was a smell, which our resident marine Biologist identified as guano. As we arrived the heaven's opened so we opted not to stay. We drove back in a blinding rain storm which lasted about 30 minutes. We ended up again at Cinnamon for our last afternoon at the beach.
One of our group really wanted to check out Quiet Mon, so we did on the way back to the house. Kenny the bartender is way cute. He entertained the 8 year old and seemed quite amused that he had spent the week with five women. I think he said something like " how's that working out for you man". He sent over a smoothie on the house... with the hugest glob of whipped cream on top. The boy literally dove head first into the cream. Quiet Mon was a classic St. John moment, although the beach was so beautiful that afternoon, I hated to leave. It will be a long cold winter!
Travel day back was not too bad. Despite all I have been reading about the airport it was actually "good". We had three different airlines and we all checked it in about 15 minutes. Security took another 15 and we were in an air conditioned lounge. The restaurant was not too crowded so we were able to get a bite to eat.
Many tears were shed in the airport as this group gets together only about once a year. Our time together is very special and I think I speak for us all, we made the most of it this time. We have memories of great friends, great times and a fabulous setting, to last a lifetime. It was our BIG BIRTHDAY FUN!!!
PS my seat mate on the flight home was a grandaughter of "Foxy" . very sweet girl returning to Germany after a summer in the VI. She missed her connections, sure hope she made it OK.
