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Finally! It's kinda-sorta a trip report!
Finally! It's kinda-sorta a trip report!
Here's day one.
I'm writing more as you're reading this, but it could take me a while to get through the week!
My trip began at 5:15 a.m. when I got up to head out to the Nashville airport. I got there right before six, printed out my boarding pass and breezed through security. I sat down and looked at Cosmo while I waited for my plane. It didn't seem like we were there long at all before it was time to head to Atlanta.
This was the second time I'd been to the Atlanta airport, and it was pretty frenetic. I had less than an hour between flights and I had to maneuver around the airport to find the correct gate. I finally got to my gate and rested for a few minutes before my four-hour flight to St. Thomas.
The flight was pretty uneventful. I sat next to a couple who were long-time travelers to St. John and they gave me some tips for our week.
I arrived at the airport and Rosalie was already there. We got situated at a table in the "bar" near baggage claim and she had a painkiller and I had a reggae 'rita while we waited for everyone else to arrive. My luggage came out on the carousel, and we looked at guide books while we waited. My flight arrived a little late, and theirs was right on time, so we didn't wait too long.
After the luggage arrived, we asked the cab driver which ferry that we'd be able to make. I still think we had time to get to Charlotte Amalie, but he took us to Red Hook. It was a pretty adventurous drive in the mountains of St. Thomas, and I'm pretty sure that the six of us scared the two guys who were sharing a cab with us. Of course, this is where we got our nickname because the guy who helped us with our luggage in the airport kept yelling "Six for Red Hook, six for Red Hook" until we found a cab. For some reason, we liked it and that's what we called ourselves all week. We even had them put "64RH" on Sandy's birthday cake. Anyhow, we got there about 4:15, so we had to wait 45 minutes for the next ferry. No big deal, because I was already on "island time." I did already notice that everyone was trying to help us and get some sort of tip. Now I see why some people feel nickeled and dimed.
The ferry ride was uneventful, although by this time it was gloomy and rainy so we didn't get to see much. We arrived about 5:20, and the rest of our group was waiting on the ferry deck. I looked everywhere for our Destination St. John greeter, and after asking all the guys standing on the dock, realized he wasn't there yet.
Finally after about 15 minutes of waiting, the rain picked up speed and some of my traveling companions were not on island time yet. They asked if they could just go to the house, but I explained that we didn't know where it was, nor did we have keys. I did call DSJ's emergency number and talked to Laura and she said our driver was on his way and she'd give him a call.
He never showed. All of the shops at Wharfside closed and we couldn't even go grab a drink or a bite to eat because we didn't know where or when our guy would be there. Then my phone died. Yikes. It had been acting up before the trip, and it just lost power. I had no idea where our house was, where our greeter was or how they'd get in touch with us.
Another girl lent me her phone, and I called Laura back after we waited another 20 minutes with no sight of our greeter. She told me that either she or John would be there to pick us up. When John arrived shortly after that call, he told us our greeter had broken down on East End and hadn't had a signal to call them. It was ok though. It gave people time to go pick up rental cars and such. I didn't care. I was on island time and I had a whole week. I was quite hungry, though.
After we got settled in at the house, we headed off to Woody's for dinner. I had a great grilled fish sandwich and some bushwackers. Woody's looks so much smaller in real life then it does in the pictures on their Web site. It's tiny. We ate dinner and then stopped off at Dolphin Market (it was still open when we headed back) and then arrived at the villa to get settled in for the week.
I'm writing more as you're reading this, but it could take me a while to get through the week!
My trip began at 5:15 a.m. when I got up to head out to the Nashville airport. I got there right before six, printed out my boarding pass and breezed through security. I sat down and looked at Cosmo while I waited for my plane. It didn't seem like we were there long at all before it was time to head to Atlanta.
This was the second time I'd been to the Atlanta airport, and it was pretty frenetic. I had less than an hour between flights and I had to maneuver around the airport to find the correct gate. I finally got to my gate and rested for a few minutes before my four-hour flight to St. Thomas.
The flight was pretty uneventful. I sat next to a couple who were long-time travelers to St. John and they gave me some tips for our week.
I arrived at the airport and Rosalie was already there. We got situated at a table in the "bar" near baggage claim and she had a painkiller and I had a reggae 'rita while we waited for everyone else to arrive. My luggage came out on the carousel, and we looked at guide books while we waited. My flight arrived a little late, and theirs was right on time, so we didn't wait too long.
After the luggage arrived, we asked the cab driver which ferry that we'd be able to make. I still think we had time to get to Charlotte Amalie, but he took us to Red Hook. It was a pretty adventurous drive in the mountains of St. Thomas, and I'm pretty sure that the six of us scared the two guys who were sharing a cab with us. Of course, this is where we got our nickname because the guy who helped us with our luggage in the airport kept yelling "Six for Red Hook, six for Red Hook" until we found a cab. For some reason, we liked it and that's what we called ourselves all week. We even had them put "64RH" on Sandy's birthday cake. Anyhow, we got there about 4:15, so we had to wait 45 minutes for the next ferry. No big deal, because I was already on "island time." I did already notice that everyone was trying to help us and get some sort of tip. Now I see why some people feel nickeled and dimed.
The ferry ride was uneventful, although by this time it was gloomy and rainy so we didn't get to see much. We arrived about 5:20, and the rest of our group was waiting on the ferry deck. I looked everywhere for our Destination St. John greeter, and after asking all the guys standing on the dock, realized he wasn't there yet.
Finally after about 15 minutes of waiting, the rain picked up speed and some of my traveling companions were not on island time yet. They asked if they could just go to the house, but I explained that we didn't know where it was, nor did we have keys. I did call DSJ's emergency number and talked to Laura and she said our driver was on his way and she'd give him a call.
He never showed. All of the shops at Wharfside closed and we couldn't even go grab a drink or a bite to eat because we didn't know where or when our guy would be there. Then my phone died. Yikes. It had been acting up before the trip, and it just lost power. I had no idea where our house was, where our greeter was or how they'd get in touch with us.
Another girl lent me her phone, and I called Laura back after we waited another 20 minutes with no sight of our greeter. She told me that either she or John would be there to pick us up. When John arrived shortly after that call, he told us our greeter had broken down on East End and hadn't had a signal to call them. It was ok though. It gave people time to go pick up rental cars and such. I didn't care. I was on island time and I had a whole week. I was quite hungry, though.
After we got settled in at the house, we headed off to Woody's for dinner. I had a great grilled fish sandwich and some bushwackers. Woody's looks so much smaller in real life then it does in the pictures on their Web site. It's tiny. We ate dinner and then stopped off at Dolphin Market (it was still open when we headed back) and then arrived at the villa to get settled in for the week.
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Here's day two. This might be all I do today, because I have been in bed sick all day and I think it's about time to call it a night.
When I woke up early on Monday, I finally was able to take in the amazing view at Hale Lani. John (from DSJ) had told us we’d be surprised to see how much more beautiful it was during the day, and he was right. You feel like you are surrounded by water. I can see St.Thomas, St. Croix and several small islands. He says on a really clear day you can see Puerto Rico, but I’m not sure I ever saw it. The landscaping is gorgeous. The iguanas are definitely interesting. I haven’t seen one up-close yet, but I’m starting to get used to all the little lizards, especially the one who hangs out on the wall outside my room.
I don’t really think that it had clicked in on Monday that I was really in paradise. I got up, found a cup of coffee and then made a huge plate of pancakes and bacon while I drank coconut rum and pineapple juice. Toma and Tiffany had to go and fill out the paperwork on the rental car since the other girls picked it up when we were running late the night before. While they were gone, my brother who lives in Miami called me. I told him I was sitting on a sofa watching the ships and sailboats go by as I drank and listened to Jimmy Buffett. I’m pretty sure that he and my lovely sister-in-law will be making a trip with me sometime soon.
I also told my brother we were off to Trunk Bay, which was one of the top 10 beaches in the world. He reminded me that South Beach was also one of the top 10. I told him after I’d been to both that I would give him my official assessment.
Finally Tiffany and Toma got back, and we loaded beach towels, sunscreen, our DSJ lawn chairs and our cooler into the back of the Jeep. We stopped at Starfish to pick up some supplies (VI Summer Ale and sandwich fixings) and then went to Chelsea Drug to get pool noodles. I also got a bottle coozie with a skull and crossbones that has now been reinvented as my brother’s souvenir! Then we headed to Trunk Bay.
The roads still get my heart pumping a little. We stopped at some of the scenic overlooks for pictures. There we met a gal who was obviously not on “island time,” as she got a little testy when she had to wait 15 seconds for us to be done with pictures. Wow, some people just don’t “get” St. John.
I sent a text message when I got to Trunk Bay. It was to my brother, and it read: My beach kicks your beach’s @#$. It’s just an amazing place. And whoever told us to avoid the cruise ship days is a genius. There were about 12 people on the entire beach. The next day, when there was a ship, it was completely packed.
The water at Trunk is so clear. The sand is so fine, even though there seems to be little creatures that bite me. We spent the whole day, more than five hours having lunch, drinking, reading, napping and floating in the ocean. What a rough life it is on St. John.
On the way home, we stopped at The Beach Bar for Happy Hour, but it was too packed, so we went down to Joe’s Rum Hut. I asked what the signature drink was and I was told a mojito. I was impressed with the fresh mint, but she could’ve muddled it. It tasted like a lime-aid with a mint leaf floating in it. Oh well, it was still refreshing and better than anything I can get at home. Rosalie and I headed up to St. John Spice to buy Rosi’s list of supplies, but no Ruth sighting. That’s OK; I knew I’d be back there many more times before the end of the week.
After happy hour, we stopped at Starfish market for some meat to throw on the grill and the fixins for rum punch the next day. We went home and fired up the grill. Realizing that I was already drunk and almost fell in the pool several times while I was cooking, I just took off my shorts and tank top and cooked in my swimsuit. I don’t think I ever set my drink down.
Dinner was great. Chicken cooked on a grill while you watch the lights of St. Thomas is just better. I told the girls I would cook everyday if I had a great view. That’s why I’m going to be in charge of food next year. I love to cook, and it’s just better on STJ.
After dinner I took a shower in that outdoor shower off my room. I don’t have to have that when booking a house, but it definitely earns extra points. I got a little dressed up (a nice shirt and denim skorts) and we headed off to the Quiet Mon. Carlos was there, and he made me coconut rum and pineapple juice and it was clear. Clear, not yellow. This is my kind of place. We also met a young man there that I called Heineken because I bought him beers because it was Columbus Day and allegedly he couldn’t get to the bank because he didn’t realize it was closed. I’m sure that was a line, but he was a nice kid.
We headed off to The Beach Bar. I had lime and coconuts and the bartender talked me into Tuna Bites. That’s where the love affair with that establishment began. I truly believe when I get to heaven, St. Peter will meet me with a plate of tuna bites and a lime and coconut and we’ll sit on the beach.
We left The Beach Bar and headed back to the villa, with a brief sidebar at the villa next door, which we accidentally stopped at more than once during the week. My last thought of the evening was: I am so sleeping in tomorrow.
When I woke up early on Monday, I finally was able to take in the amazing view at Hale Lani. John (from DSJ) had told us we’d be surprised to see how much more beautiful it was during the day, and he was right. You feel like you are surrounded by water. I can see St.Thomas, St. Croix and several small islands. He says on a really clear day you can see Puerto Rico, but I’m not sure I ever saw it. The landscaping is gorgeous. The iguanas are definitely interesting. I haven’t seen one up-close yet, but I’m starting to get used to all the little lizards, especially the one who hangs out on the wall outside my room.
I don’t really think that it had clicked in on Monday that I was really in paradise. I got up, found a cup of coffee and then made a huge plate of pancakes and bacon while I drank coconut rum and pineapple juice. Toma and Tiffany had to go and fill out the paperwork on the rental car since the other girls picked it up when we were running late the night before. While they were gone, my brother who lives in Miami called me. I told him I was sitting on a sofa watching the ships and sailboats go by as I drank and listened to Jimmy Buffett. I’m pretty sure that he and my lovely sister-in-law will be making a trip with me sometime soon.
I also told my brother we were off to Trunk Bay, which was one of the top 10 beaches in the world. He reminded me that South Beach was also one of the top 10. I told him after I’d been to both that I would give him my official assessment.
Finally Tiffany and Toma got back, and we loaded beach towels, sunscreen, our DSJ lawn chairs and our cooler into the back of the Jeep. We stopped at Starfish to pick up some supplies (VI Summer Ale and sandwich fixings) and then went to Chelsea Drug to get pool noodles. I also got a bottle coozie with a skull and crossbones that has now been reinvented as my brother’s souvenir! Then we headed to Trunk Bay.
The roads still get my heart pumping a little. We stopped at some of the scenic overlooks for pictures. There we met a gal who was obviously not on “island time,” as she got a little testy when she had to wait 15 seconds for us to be done with pictures. Wow, some people just don’t “get” St. John.
I sent a text message when I got to Trunk Bay. It was to my brother, and it read: My beach kicks your beach’s @#$. It’s just an amazing place. And whoever told us to avoid the cruise ship days is a genius. There were about 12 people on the entire beach. The next day, when there was a ship, it was completely packed.
The water at Trunk is so clear. The sand is so fine, even though there seems to be little creatures that bite me. We spent the whole day, more than five hours having lunch, drinking, reading, napping and floating in the ocean. What a rough life it is on St. John.
On the way home, we stopped at The Beach Bar for Happy Hour, but it was too packed, so we went down to Joe’s Rum Hut. I asked what the signature drink was and I was told a mojito. I was impressed with the fresh mint, but she could’ve muddled it. It tasted like a lime-aid with a mint leaf floating in it. Oh well, it was still refreshing and better than anything I can get at home. Rosalie and I headed up to St. John Spice to buy Rosi’s list of supplies, but no Ruth sighting. That’s OK; I knew I’d be back there many more times before the end of the week.
After happy hour, we stopped at Starfish market for some meat to throw on the grill and the fixins for rum punch the next day. We went home and fired up the grill. Realizing that I was already drunk and almost fell in the pool several times while I was cooking, I just took off my shorts and tank top and cooked in my swimsuit. I don’t think I ever set my drink down.
Dinner was great. Chicken cooked on a grill while you watch the lights of St. Thomas is just better. I told the girls I would cook everyday if I had a great view. That’s why I’m going to be in charge of food next year. I love to cook, and it’s just better on STJ.
After dinner I took a shower in that outdoor shower off my room. I don’t have to have that when booking a house, but it definitely earns extra points. I got a little dressed up (a nice shirt and denim skorts) and we headed off to the Quiet Mon. Carlos was there, and he made me coconut rum and pineapple juice and it was clear. Clear, not yellow. This is my kind of place. We also met a young man there that I called Heineken because I bought him beers because it was Columbus Day and allegedly he couldn’t get to the bank because he didn’t realize it was closed. I’m sure that was a line, but he was a nice kid.
We headed off to The Beach Bar. I had lime and coconuts and the bartender talked me into Tuna Bites. That’s where the love affair with that establishment began. I truly believe when I get to heaven, St. Peter will meet me with a plate of tuna bites and a lime and coconut and we’ll sit on the beach.
We left The Beach Bar and headed back to the villa, with a brief sidebar at the villa next door, which we accidentally stopped at more than once during the week. My last thought of the evening was: I am so sleeping in tomorrow.
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
Sweet! I'm right there with ya Lulu!
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
I do not see ' being ? marks.....maybe I am just not seeing right.......like you I have not been feeling well.........Lulu76 wrote:If only I could figure out how to make my ' not be question marks. That's odd.
Hopefully you all still get it.
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
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Kentuckygirl
- Posts: 1903
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:17 am
- Location: Kentucky
Thanks for the reports and get feeling better soon.
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