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Wheels down: 38 Days - A few questions
Wheels down: 38 Days - A few questions
I have made my lists and checked them twice and I have a few questions for the St. John experts:
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
2) What works best for cleaning a snorkel mask? I have heard about Soft Scrub and Johnsons baby shampoo.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach? Is there shade? Should we plan on spending the entire day?
4) We reserved a private water ferry which will take us to the National Park dock. Can we walk from the dock to Courtesy to pick up our jeep?
5) We have two in our group celebrating their 50th birthday (not me, I might add!!) - where is the best place to order a birthday cake?
6) How do we get help from a porter in St. Thomas? Do you just grab the first one you see?
That's it - for now anyway.
Thanks so much.
jdw
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
2) What works best for cleaning a snorkel mask? I have heard about Soft Scrub and Johnsons baby shampoo.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach? Is there shade? Should we plan on spending the entire day?
4) We reserved a private water ferry which will take us to the National Park dock. Can we walk from the dock to Courtesy to pick up our jeep?
5) We have two in our group celebrating their 50th birthday (not me, I might add!!) - where is the best place to order a birthday cake?
6) How do we get help from a porter in St. Thomas? Do you just grab the first one you see?
That's it - for now anyway.
Thanks so much.
jdw
Re: Wheels down: 38 Days - A few questions
My 2cjdw wrote:I have made my lists and checked them twice and I have a few questions for the St. John experts:
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
2) What works best for cleaning a snorkel mask? I have heard about Soft Scrub and Johnsons baby shampoo.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach? Is there shade? Should we plan on spending the entire day?
4) We reserved a private water ferry which will take us to the National Park dock. Can we walk from the dock to Courtesy to pick up our jeep?
5) We have two in our group celebrating their 50th birthday (not me, I might add!!) - where is the best place to order a birthday cake?
6) How do we get help from a porter in St. Thomas? Do you just grab the first one you see?
That's it - for now anyway.
Thanks so much.
jdw
1. filling snacks here. Unless you spend 8-9 hrs on the beach, do you need a sammie? We head back to the villa and cook around 2.
2. Like for fog? we use the Johnsons, and it works well
3. Go for the food, and then head to Haulover North.
4. sure!
5. ?
6. They'll grab you
Here's my thoughts 
1) Deli Grotto - easy parking and usually faster than Baked but both very good.
2) If it is a new mask clean first with Soft Scrub then before snorkeling I use a 50% Johnsons baby shampoo 50% water mixture as a defogger (instead of spit) sprayed inside and outside.
3) I have not been to Vies, but my family who were here last week and went had mixed reviews - guy's love it girls hate it (not the pure white sand "Trunk" type beach) also one of them was stung by a Jellyfish there (I saw alot at Waterlemon on Sunday as it is the time of year)
4) Yes but remember don't bring alot of luggage carry on only should be enough
5) Baked in the Sun - delish
6) You will see them easily.
Hope this helps
Pia
1) Deli Grotto - easy parking and usually faster than Baked but both very good.
2) If it is a new mask clean first with Soft Scrub then before snorkeling I use a 50% Johnsons baby shampoo 50% water mixture as a defogger (instead of spit) sprayed inside and outside.
3) I have not been to Vies, but my family who were here last week and went had mixed reviews - guy's love it girls hate it (not the pure white sand "Trunk" type beach) also one of them was stung by a Jellyfish there (I saw alot at Waterlemon on Sunday as it is the time of year)
4) Yes but remember don't bring alot of luggage carry on only should be enough
5) Baked in the Sun - delish
6) You will see them easily.
Hope this helps
Pia
Baked In The Sun......340-693-8786
I would call them and ask what is best. I have walked in and bought one (I was told they usually have 1 or 2 available everyday but I would confirm that with them) and it was fabulous but you will have to take whatever they have available but if you want a "special" flavour, Mango filling for example, you would need to order in advance.
Have fun - and call me if you have leftovers
Pia
I would call them and ask what is best. I have walked in and bought one (I was told they usually have 1 or 2 available everyday but I would confirm that with them) and it was fabulous but you will have to take whatever they have available but if you want a "special" flavour, Mango filling for example, you would need to order in advance.
Have fun - and call me if you have leftovers
Pia
Re: Wheels down: 38 Days - A few questions
[quote="jdw"]I have made my lists and checked them twice and I have a few questions for the St. John experts:
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
DELI GROTTO hands down. 1 will feed two!
2) What works best for cleaning a snorkel mask? I have heard about Soft Scrub and Johnsons baby shampoo.
Spit. Gross but true and you always have it with you. Just a tiny bit will defog for a good snorkle.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach? Is there shade? Should we plan on spending the entire day?
Driving to the East End is worth it whether or not Vie's is open. We figure if she's open its just a bonus. We often go to skinnys or island blues and then head to vies to see if she's there. . . just for the tarts!
4) We reserved a private water ferry which will take us to the National Park dock. Can we walk from the dock to Courtesy to pick up our jeep?
Yep, its not a bad walk.
5) We have two in our group celebrating their 50th birthday (not me, I might add!!) - where is the best place to order a birthday cake?
Can't help here.
6) How do we get help from a porter in St. Thomas? Do you just grab the first one you see?
They will find you. All you have to do is say yes when you see them coming toward you with the cart. They tend to go for the people with tons of luggage but you can just approach any one you see.
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
DELI GROTTO hands down. 1 will feed two!
2) What works best for cleaning a snorkel mask? I have heard about Soft Scrub and Johnsons baby shampoo.
Spit. Gross but true and you always have it with you. Just a tiny bit will defog for a good snorkle.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach? Is there shade? Should we plan on spending the entire day?
Driving to the East End is worth it whether or not Vie's is open. We figure if she's open its just a bonus. We often go to skinnys or island blues and then head to vies to see if she's there. . . just for the tarts!
4) We reserved a private water ferry which will take us to the National Park dock. Can we walk from the dock to Courtesy to pick up our jeep?
Yep, its not a bad walk.
5) We have two in our group celebrating their 50th birthday (not me, I might add!!) - where is the best place to order a birthday cake?
Can't help here.
6) How do we get help from a porter in St. Thomas? Do you just grab the first one you see?
They will find you. All you have to do is say yes when you see them coming toward you with the cart. They tend to go for the people with tons of luggage but you can just approach any one you see.
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38 days! Looks like we will be on the island at the same time! Here are my thoughts below to numbers 1&3.
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
Love the Deli Grotto. Depending on where you are staying in Cruz Bay, it may be more convenient than Baked in the Sun (which is in the marketplace) because it's right on the way to the North Shore beaches. They've got great desserts as well.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach?
Absolutely. If you are comfortable driving, it's beautiful trip. The views are incredible! I believe her snack shack is closed on Sundays and Mondays, usually. But you never can tell, especially in low season. We always call first. The number is in the phonebook, and she's used to people calling. The last time we went, there was a sign saying that you can use the beach (and deposit the small fee in the lockbox at the gate).
There's some shade, but not a lot. Maybe 2 or three spots. I'm not sure I'd spend a whole day here -- we like to combine it with a stop at a North Shore beach on the way home. For ex., Maho is a great idea for a second beach because it's right by the road and you don't have to lug all your stuff out again! But then again, we spend at least 4-5 hours on the beach a day...
If you do make the trip out to Vie's, I'd definitely recommend going a bit further to visit Sloop Jones art/clothing studio, too. It's on the left up a hill just before the road ends.
1) Best sandwiches to pick up for a day at the beach -Baked in the Sun or Deli Grotto? Is one place easier to get to/park etc?
Love the Deli Grotto. Depending on where you are staying in Cruz Bay, it may be more convenient than Baked in the Sun (which is in the marketplace) because it's right on the way to the North Shore beaches. They've got great desserts as well.
3) We are staying in Cruz Bay. Is Vie's worth the drive? What if she isn't open - can you still use her beach?
Absolutely. If you are comfortable driving, it's beautiful trip. The views are incredible! I believe her snack shack is closed on Sundays and Mondays, usually. But you never can tell, especially in low season. We always call first. The number is in the phonebook, and she's used to people calling. The last time we went, there was a sign saying that you can use the beach (and deposit the small fee in the lockbox at the gate).
There's some shade, but not a lot. Maybe 2 or three spots. I'm not sure I'd spend a whole day here -- we like to combine it with a stop at a North Shore beach on the way home. For ex., Maho is a great idea for a second beach because it's right by the road and you don't have to lug all your stuff out again! But then again, we spend at least 4-5 hours on the beach a day...
If you do make the trip out to Vie's, I'd definitely recommend going a bit further to visit Sloop Jones art/clothing studio, too. It's on the left up a hill just before the road ends.