30 days to St. John - Gang of 24

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 7:45 pm

I am frealking out with the 4 that we are bringing with us. But you sound so prepared and laid back, I am, sure you will have a wonderful time.
Can't wait to read the trip report!

cat · Post by **cat** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:10 pm

We went with 17 all in one house/cottage duo. My parents took all 7 of us kids, our spouses, significant others and our kids (age ranges 1-63). We stayed at Ristaba, our parents stayed at Estate Lindholm to get some peace and quiet at night! Ristaba was great and had a huge table for the nights we all ate together.
We all had our own cars and did our own thing during the day meeting up all over the island based on who said they were going where in the morning. Happy hour and dinner was usually at the main house! The pool was huge so there was plenty of room!
It was the best trip ever! One of my sisters, her boyfriend, my husband and I are going back in June! We can't wait! You guys are going to have a blast!!!!

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:13 pm

I would be that sister Cat is referring to and Rick, I envy you that you had everyone make their own arrangements.

I made all of the flight reservations and trying to get that many people on flights using frequent flyer miles was a nightmare. The parental units had so many miles banked from putting us all through school, etc. that were going to expire that they offered to fly the whole family somewhere for a trip. Having just gotten back from our first trip there and dying to show my family, I jumped on it and planned the whole thing for them.

Finding a villa to hold us all was crazy but we always travel as a family and stay together. My parents were glad to get some alone time at Estate Lindholm

It was a wonderful trip and I LOVED having that many people I knew on island with me and being able to show them the place I had fallen in love with. It was great to run into each other on the beaches or around town. The only two of our group that had been were myself and my boyfriend so they were all newbies.

They are all dying to go back but next time I will do like you did and say, I am going if anyone wants to join me - feel free

nothintolose

p.s. Every Christmas I get the St. John calendars and write all of our birthdays and anniversaries in them and give them to the family so they can be reminded of that trip AND remember my birthday

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:42 am

cat, it sounds like an ideal trip. I love sitting around the dinner table, telling stories and watching the kids run back and forth.

nothintolose, I can't imagine how hard it was to get everyone booked for airline tickets. I was not going to try with four states involved. As it is, we are arriving at four different times. I booked my parent's tickets to make certain they are on the same plane so that we can help them get around. One great thing about having daughters aged 9 and 15 is that they make great sherpas and competant bartenders.

You know, I would have loved to put the grand parents in one house and the kids and parents in another big house. But, my lady Christine would have crucified me. Her favorite St. John trips are the ones where just the two of us go for 2 weeks. Three houses was the compromise.

It sounds like your smaller trip in June will be a followup. I'm back and forth about next year's schedule due to some business issues. There's always short notice and a room at Tamarind Court!

It's getting down to checking the sunscreen supply and inspecting the snorkel gear for our November trip. I need to run by the dive shop to get new gear for my 9 year old. I may replace the dive light that got destroyed during flashlight tag this summer. Night snorkeling is a blast.

Cheers, RickG

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 7:05 pm

RickG,

I love the sherpa/bartender comment!!!!

Where do you night snorkel?

Last summer was my first time on island with just my significant other. We also had two days alone after the family left the previous trip; I highly recommend that after going with a large group.

This year we thought we'd invite Cat and her bubby to join us...how could we not after they put us up for a month while we couldn't go back home right after Katrina. One thing we know for sure is that if under all of the stress we were going through at that time, we still had a good time with them, we know we will have a blast alone with them when we are not worried about what our future holds

I hope you have a wonderful time with your entire krewe. I know they will all fall in love with it like you have!

nothintolose

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:11 pm

Hey nothingtolose, night snorkeling on Hawksnest Bay is fine. Pretty much anywhere works as long as the entry is easy because you get different critters. Lots of octopus and eels. It's a very different experience.

Cheers, RickG

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 11:22 pm

Entry is easy in what way? You mean being close to the parking lot. Would Maho be easier if that is the case?

What critters are you talking about? 4-legged ones or ones with gills?

It sounds awesome, especially the octopus and eel part!!!

Tell me more.

nothintolose

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:46 pm

Easy entry in that you do not want to be dealing with rocks and such in the dark. Maho Bay would be good as well.

Night snorkeling is pretty straight forward. All you need is your normal gear and an underwater flash light. The trick is staying sober enough and arriving after dark so you don't run into the no-see-ums.

Cheers, RickG

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:07 pm

Hey neighbor. I arrive on the 1:15 United flight on the 25th from Dulles. What flight do you have? Would like to have a drink with you at the airport if possible. Know it is your "walk of WOE" day..We will be waiting for another set of grandparents that come in about an hour later so we will be hanging out at the luggage area anyway. Big hint is to use the curb side luggage guys. You get to go through a special line to security.. Don't tell anyone !!!! Saves a lot of time and agrivation. I'll have my yellow St John Dive hat and a American flag shirt on and a BIG smile ...Hope to get to say hi at least...God bless...Bill

CHRIS G · Post by **CHRIS G** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:43 am

Hey Brother are you ready
Hey St. John are you ready[/b]

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:38 pm

Bill in VA, I responded via PM.

Cheers, RickG

cat · Post by **cat** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:08 pm

The trick for us was that we stayed in the cottage at Ristaba with nothintolose and her significant other and everyone with kids stayed in the main house! The grandparents stayed at Estate Lindholm so that they had total peace and quiet and had no idea who was drinking too much and who wasn't! We weren't in the main house when everyone woke up and the hot tub was right outside of our bedroom! It was perfect! We had privacy to get away if we needed it but we were all close for family time. It was the best vacation we have been on!

Bill in Va · Post by **Bill in Va** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:03 pm

Hey there. Sent you an email with info...let me know if it got to you..God bless...Bill

Billy_C · Post by **Billy_C** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:25 pm

This'll be my wife and I's 5th (I think) Thanksgiving on STJ.
This year we're bringing 2 other couples and staying in a Villa.
Sounds like a good party, and I assure you we're all ready to have a blast.
We're travelling Sat the 18th from COLUMBUS OH, where there'll be a little football game being played.
5 Buckeyes and 1 Wolverine will be looking forward to watching it in our villa with a frosty beverage or 2...3...you get the picture

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:50 pm

Hey Billy_C, what villa are you staying in? We are planning on hitting Francis Bay Sunday the 19th for the day, weather permitting.

It's rainy and nasty in DC today. Blah!

Cheers, RickG

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