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Gang of 6 Trip Report - 10/27-11/5 - Part 4
Gang of 6 Trip Report - 10/27-11/5 - Part 4
Part 1: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5029
Part 2: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5060
Part 3: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5207
Day 4 - Wednesday - Villa Gravity Day, Halloween
After a day out with Captain John we needed to recuperate for Halloween. We had a big breakfast with many bottles of champagne and Mimosas. The rest of the day was pool time and feet up watching the clouds go by. We did have a little excitement when a helicopter went by to land at the Westin.
We love Halloween on St. John. It gets a bit crazy and the locals are in the spirit. We popped over to The Tap Room for beers and the kid's trick or treat fest at Mongoose Junction. Then it was back to Eaglesnest to get costumed for the Cruz Bay parties. We brought costumes and did our best to have fun. It worked!
Day 5 - Thursday - Vie's Beach
Another fine day and its time to go to Vie's Beach - Hansen Bay. MrB and MrsB met us there and we proceeded to get extremely relaxed. MrsB was working hard perfecting her Black Out Punch recipe. This picture says it all:
I have even better pictures of us having fun, but MrsB gave me an offer I could not refuse with regard to said pictures. They met an untimely demise.
After the beach Christine and I headed over to Sloop Jones. He has a wonderful place and is a very cool artist. We picked up some very cool hand painted shirts that were a big hit with everyone.
Back to the villa for a sunset happy hour, snacks and showers. Dinner was La Tapa for six. This is our favorite restaurant on our favorite island. We had five great meals. Christine's sauteed duck breast on duck leg confit was over-salted, for her. I had the same thing and it was perfect. We didn't say anything, they probably would have replaced the entree, but that would have ruined the mood. We'll be back and make a note to ask about the salt.
Where do you go for drinks after La Tapa? Why cross the street? We went upstairs to the Quient Mon and enjoyed some Blackout Punch on the terrace. Not surprisingly, MrsB didn't quite make it to cocktails, she had to be put down by MrB. We believe the party continued at the villa late.
I'm pretty certain we made it home that night!
Day 6 - Friday - Maho Bay
I was up early taking pictures of the villa and landscaping with the first morning light. The light on St. John is very special first thing in the morning and at sunset.
We worked through the refrigerator for breakfast, killed the last of the champagne, poured the peach schnapps down Big Red and packed the last of the beer for Maho Bay. We had a delightful relaxed beach day with some snorkeling, enormous sandwiches and enough Presidente to send us cross-eyed.
Back at the villa, we enjoyed our sunset happy hour and basked in the glory of a splendid week. We took turns getting dinner together and taking showers. Dinner was New York Strip steaks that I had brought down as well as a big salad and baked potatoes. We don't usually cook this basic, but it was pretty darn good. MrB and MrsB stopped by for a bevvie and we made plans for next year. Same bat time...
Day 7 - Saturday - Walk of Woe, for Some
Big Red, Becky, Pat & Janet had to run to the car barge this morning as we check out of the villa. The only thing that pissed me off on this trip was having the cleaners show up an hour before our check out time. I want to enjoy that last hour. I pack all my gear early so I can sit there and enjoy my last hour without rushing. VIVA! You owe me an hour at Eaglesnest.
Christine and I head over to Coral Bay to goof around. We head up to Reef Madness to check out that fine new driveway they were getting poured this week. This being St. John, no concrete. Cool Villa with a great view either way.
Nice view:
And a closer look shows our March 2008 villa, Bay House.
After lunch at Skinny Legs we head to the Inn at Tamarind Court to check in and see our friend Kirk. Tamarind Court is the Motel 6 of St. John. I'm pretty sure that Tom Bodett lives in the singles building. Kirk had been living at Tamarind Court for a few months and was enjoying working... occasionally. He had sold all of his possesions and moved to St. John. We all find him worthy of our jealousy.
Our room at the Tamarind court faced the bakery and dry cleaners. Both apparently opened at 6AM. Most of the patrons at 6AM are construction workers, who, according to international law, must put back-up alarms on their vehicles. Next time, well there probably won't be a next time, we get a room facing the courtyard.
A romantic afternoon in Cruz Bay with just the two of us, what do we do? Why, drinks at the Tamarind, Quiet Mon, Woody's, Mooie's, the Beach Bar - we roll down hill and end up at the town beach. Life is good. The young ladies from the Six on the Beach tour were rolling in and we hung out in case they rolled through the Beach Bar. None of the girls wandered through, so we decide to pop over to the Tap Room.
On the way to the Tap Room we ran into Cypressgirl (Deb) and Lysa waiting for Bug to pick them up. They were doing the potty dance, so we sent them to Mooie's for a break and her great rum punch (strong and good!). Bug came by and picked the girls up and invited us up Sea Forever.
We popped up to Sea Forever for a visit. The ladies were in full adrenaline mode and were sparking.
Betty had dinner ready to go. After a couple of drinks we left them to get to know each other and begin their week, with plans to hookup on Maho Bay the next day. We managed to back down the driveway in the pitch black without knocking out the supports for the pool deck.
How to finish the night? Quiet Mon is good.
Day 8 - Sunday - Maho Bay with Six On The Beach
Did I set the alarm clock? No, that's the Dominican construction workers playing their music loud at 6AM. Well, at least I know the doughnuts and pates are ready at the bakery. We run into the SixTarts at Mongoose Junction as we get our sandwiches from Deli Grotto.
Maho Bay is a striking place. You drive down North Shore and the views keep getting better. Maho Bay is the last beach spread out along the road like a young lady trying to seduce you. She does.
The SixTarts join us for a great day. The fry are out and the Tarpon are circling and the ladies are loving the snorkeling. It's a great day on the beach. Christine and I are relaxed, but the ladies are maxed on adrenaline. What could go wrong.
After a long day on the beach Christine and I had back to the Tamarind, grab our showers and head to the Beach Bar for a damp rainy forum gathering (still fun). We ran into Thelma (BoatsRus) & Louise and reminisce about a great night we had together in 2001 that they don't remember. Here's a then and now photo - nice! For six years we had used a Thelma turn of phrase, in an exaggerated Southern accent "Shuuuut the ******** uuuuuuuuup!" when someone let the drink start talking too much. We got to see her again after 6 years, and hope to run into the Grannies Gone Wild 2008 tour in November.
We had a nice sunset and ran into Howie's Sunshine, her daughter and her granddaughter along with the forum gang and the frequent flyers.
After some rain we retreated under the canopy for some dangerous reindeer play. Sea-nile had the most fun. Things get blurry here. We ran into our friends from DC - Tim, Dot & Ben out for two weeks just starting their adventure. We declined their invitation for dinner as Rick needed to walk around and find his center. Dinner an hour later was Paradiso, which was quite good. It was late and we were the last two seated. It was quite enjoyable.
Day 9 - Monday - Walk of Woe
The Dominican alarm clock started at 6AM. Its amazing how that particular brand of plucked electric guitar makes me think of chickens running in the road. We grabbed Pates from the bakery and headed over to Mongoose Junction and the Cruz Bay overlook to say goodbye to our island. We were sad.
We hopped on the car ferry to Red Hook and took a ride to Magens Bay. It was Christine's first time and I had not been there for twelve years. It was a bit disappointing after St. John. That water was not clear and the parking lot was very big, though empty.
We grabbed lunch at Cuzzins in Charlotte Amalie. Finding parking was the most stressful part of the trip! We finally found a spot in front of the Holiday Inn and walked over. Next time we are starting there.
Dropping the Jeep off at Dependable was a piece of cake. We checked out in two minutes and caught a ride to the airport. We were carry-on only, but had not checked in ahead of time. We waited in line for 75 minutes while each successive group was told that their bags were over weight. We stood there and watched people re-pack enormous suit cases while they tried to get their bags under 50 pounds. It was infuriating. So, from now on we check in ahead of time, print boarding passes and carry-on only.
After a couple of last painkillers we were on our plane home. That would have really sucked if we didn't already have our March trip planned and plans to go back to St. John with our new friends John & Amy.
Last Impressions, for Now
Was this a great trip? You bet! St. John is always fun, but more so with great people. My partner in crime Sweet Christine was fun as always. We had a veteran group with Big Red, Becky, Janet and Pat and NO WHINING!!
Hooking up with MrB/John, MrsB/Amy, Kellyana and Brad was a lot of fun. I'd like to/will do that again. There were a lot of forum people we had fun with - Nascarfan & Becky, Chet & Mrs. Chet, StJohnRuth (always), Pia, Randy & Marcia, Gene & Eileen, Kirk (still alive?), On-StJohn Jeff, John Brandi, Sloop Jones and the SixTarts Bug, VaGirl, Lisa, Cypressgirl, Sea-nile and Betty, plus many more.
Dependable Car Rental was a good idea.
Eaglesnest was good for us, but I do like the pool on level with the kitchen. VIVA! You owe me an hour there.
We had so much fun with John Brandi on Palm Tree Charters we booked him for March.
Villa Allesandra was so beautiful that we booked it for November.
Maho Bay gets nicer every trip. This trip we did not make it to any of the North Shore beaches West of Maho, which is fine with me.
Vie's Beach still entertains. Its hot and there isn't much shade, but staying in the water solves that.
La Tapa is still my favorite restaurant, but they lost their perfect score with us.
No more checked luggage going home.
I finished this note sixteen days before our next trip, spring break with my daughters Ana (10) and Elizabeth (16). I'm as excited as I was for our first trip. My relationship with St. John is so rewarding. Can it get better? More perfect each time?
--------------------------------
As always,
Cheers, RickG
Part 2: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5060
Part 3: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... php?t=5207
Day 4 - Wednesday - Villa Gravity Day, Halloween
After a day out with Captain John we needed to recuperate for Halloween. We had a big breakfast with many bottles of champagne and Mimosas. The rest of the day was pool time and feet up watching the clouds go by. We did have a little excitement when a helicopter went by to land at the Westin.
We love Halloween on St. John. It gets a bit crazy and the locals are in the spirit. We popped over to The Tap Room for beers and the kid's trick or treat fest at Mongoose Junction. Then it was back to Eaglesnest to get costumed for the Cruz Bay parties. We brought costumes and did our best to have fun. It worked!
Day 5 - Thursday - Vie's Beach
Another fine day and its time to go to Vie's Beach - Hansen Bay. MrB and MrsB met us there and we proceeded to get extremely relaxed. MrsB was working hard perfecting her Black Out Punch recipe. This picture says it all:
I have even better pictures of us having fun, but MrsB gave me an offer I could not refuse with regard to said pictures. They met an untimely demise.
After the beach Christine and I headed over to Sloop Jones. He has a wonderful place and is a very cool artist. We picked up some very cool hand painted shirts that were a big hit with everyone.
Back to the villa for a sunset happy hour, snacks and showers. Dinner was La Tapa for six. This is our favorite restaurant on our favorite island. We had five great meals. Christine's sauteed duck breast on duck leg confit was over-salted, for her. I had the same thing and it was perfect. We didn't say anything, they probably would have replaced the entree, but that would have ruined the mood. We'll be back and make a note to ask about the salt.
Where do you go for drinks after La Tapa? Why cross the street? We went upstairs to the Quient Mon and enjoyed some Blackout Punch on the terrace. Not surprisingly, MrsB didn't quite make it to cocktails, she had to be put down by MrB. We believe the party continued at the villa late.
I'm pretty certain we made it home that night!
Day 6 - Friday - Maho Bay
I was up early taking pictures of the villa and landscaping with the first morning light. The light on St. John is very special first thing in the morning and at sunset.
We worked through the refrigerator for breakfast, killed the last of the champagne, poured the peach schnapps down Big Red and packed the last of the beer for Maho Bay. We had a delightful relaxed beach day with some snorkeling, enormous sandwiches and enough Presidente to send us cross-eyed.
Back at the villa, we enjoyed our sunset happy hour and basked in the glory of a splendid week. We took turns getting dinner together and taking showers. Dinner was New York Strip steaks that I had brought down as well as a big salad and baked potatoes. We don't usually cook this basic, but it was pretty darn good. MrB and MrsB stopped by for a bevvie and we made plans for next year. Same bat time...
Day 7 - Saturday - Walk of Woe, for Some
Big Red, Becky, Pat & Janet had to run to the car barge this morning as we check out of the villa. The only thing that pissed me off on this trip was having the cleaners show up an hour before our check out time. I want to enjoy that last hour. I pack all my gear early so I can sit there and enjoy my last hour without rushing. VIVA! You owe me an hour at Eaglesnest.
Christine and I head over to Coral Bay to goof around. We head up to Reef Madness to check out that fine new driveway they were getting poured this week. This being St. John, no concrete. Cool Villa with a great view either way.
Nice view:
And a closer look shows our March 2008 villa, Bay House.
After lunch at Skinny Legs we head to the Inn at Tamarind Court to check in and see our friend Kirk. Tamarind Court is the Motel 6 of St. John. I'm pretty sure that Tom Bodett lives in the singles building. Kirk had been living at Tamarind Court for a few months and was enjoying working... occasionally. He had sold all of his possesions and moved to St. John. We all find him worthy of our jealousy.
Our room at the Tamarind court faced the bakery and dry cleaners. Both apparently opened at 6AM. Most of the patrons at 6AM are construction workers, who, according to international law, must put back-up alarms on their vehicles. Next time, well there probably won't be a next time, we get a room facing the courtyard.
A romantic afternoon in Cruz Bay with just the two of us, what do we do? Why, drinks at the Tamarind, Quiet Mon, Woody's, Mooie's, the Beach Bar - we roll down hill and end up at the town beach. Life is good. The young ladies from the Six on the Beach tour were rolling in and we hung out in case they rolled through the Beach Bar. None of the girls wandered through, so we decide to pop over to the Tap Room.
On the way to the Tap Room we ran into Cypressgirl (Deb) and Lysa waiting for Bug to pick them up. They were doing the potty dance, so we sent them to Mooie's for a break and her great rum punch (strong and good!). Bug came by and picked the girls up and invited us up Sea Forever.
We popped up to Sea Forever for a visit. The ladies were in full adrenaline mode and were sparking.
Betty had dinner ready to go. After a couple of drinks we left them to get to know each other and begin their week, with plans to hookup on Maho Bay the next day. We managed to back down the driveway in the pitch black without knocking out the supports for the pool deck.
How to finish the night? Quiet Mon is good.
Day 8 - Sunday - Maho Bay with Six On The Beach
Did I set the alarm clock? No, that's the Dominican construction workers playing their music loud at 6AM. Well, at least I know the doughnuts and pates are ready at the bakery. We run into the SixTarts at Mongoose Junction as we get our sandwiches from Deli Grotto.
Maho Bay is a striking place. You drive down North Shore and the views keep getting better. Maho Bay is the last beach spread out along the road like a young lady trying to seduce you. She does.
The SixTarts join us for a great day. The fry are out and the Tarpon are circling and the ladies are loving the snorkeling. It's a great day on the beach. Christine and I are relaxed, but the ladies are maxed on adrenaline. What could go wrong.
After a long day on the beach Christine and I had back to the Tamarind, grab our showers and head to the Beach Bar for a damp rainy forum gathering (still fun). We ran into Thelma (BoatsRus) & Louise and reminisce about a great night we had together in 2001 that they don't remember. Here's a then and now photo - nice! For six years we had used a Thelma turn of phrase, in an exaggerated Southern accent "Shuuuut the ******** uuuuuuuuup!" when someone let the drink start talking too much. We got to see her again after 6 years, and hope to run into the Grannies Gone Wild 2008 tour in November.
We had a nice sunset and ran into Howie's Sunshine, her daughter and her granddaughter along with the forum gang and the frequent flyers.
After some rain we retreated under the canopy for some dangerous reindeer play. Sea-nile had the most fun. Things get blurry here. We ran into our friends from DC - Tim, Dot & Ben out for two weeks just starting their adventure. We declined their invitation for dinner as Rick needed to walk around and find his center. Dinner an hour later was Paradiso, which was quite good. It was late and we were the last two seated. It was quite enjoyable.
Day 9 - Monday - Walk of Woe
The Dominican alarm clock started at 6AM. Its amazing how that particular brand of plucked electric guitar makes me think of chickens running in the road. We grabbed Pates from the bakery and headed over to Mongoose Junction and the Cruz Bay overlook to say goodbye to our island. We were sad.
We hopped on the car ferry to Red Hook and took a ride to Magens Bay. It was Christine's first time and I had not been there for twelve years. It was a bit disappointing after St. John. That water was not clear and the parking lot was very big, though empty.
We grabbed lunch at Cuzzins in Charlotte Amalie. Finding parking was the most stressful part of the trip! We finally found a spot in front of the Holiday Inn and walked over. Next time we are starting there.
Dropping the Jeep off at Dependable was a piece of cake. We checked out in two minutes and caught a ride to the airport. We were carry-on only, but had not checked in ahead of time. We waited in line for 75 minutes while each successive group was told that their bags were over weight. We stood there and watched people re-pack enormous suit cases while they tried to get their bags under 50 pounds. It was infuriating. So, from now on we check in ahead of time, print boarding passes and carry-on only.
After a couple of last painkillers we were on our plane home. That would have really sucked if we didn't already have our March trip planned and plans to go back to St. John with our new friends John & Amy.
Last Impressions, for Now
Was this a great trip? You bet! St. John is always fun, but more so with great people. My partner in crime Sweet Christine was fun as always. We had a veteran group with Big Red, Becky, Janet and Pat and NO WHINING!!
Hooking up with MrB/John, MrsB/Amy, Kellyana and Brad was a lot of fun. I'd like to/will do that again. There were a lot of forum people we had fun with - Nascarfan & Becky, Chet & Mrs. Chet, StJohnRuth (always), Pia, Randy & Marcia, Gene & Eileen, Kirk (still alive?), On-StJohn Jeff, John Brandi, Sloop Jones and the SixTarts Bug, VaGirl, Lisa, Cypressgirl, Sea-nile and Betty, plus many more.
Dependable Car Rental was a good idea.
Eaglesnest was good for us, but I do like the pool on level with the kitchen. VIVA! You owe me an hour there.
We had so much fun with John Brandi on Palm Tree Charters we booked him for March.
Villa Allesandra was so beautiful that we booked it for November.
Maho Bay gets nicer every trip. This trip we did not make it to any of the North Shore beaches West of Maho, which is fine with me.
Vie's Beach still entertains. Its hot and there isn't much shade, but staying in the water solves that.
La Tapa is still my favorite restaurant, but they lost their perfect score with us.
No more checked luggage going home.
I finished this note sixteen days before our next trip, spring break with my daughters Ana (10) and Elizabeth (16). I'm as excited as I was for our first trip. My relationship with St. John is so rewarding. Can it get better? More perfect each time?
--------------------------------
As always,
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
rick,
another wonderful piece of art. thanks for report and pics that keep us going between trips. someday i'll replace my dead camera and get granddaughters to show me how to post pics to do my part.
have fun in march and i know you'll enjoy views from allesandra just be careful on that one lane hard left by ambiance when you return from your evenings out!
papabou
another wonderful piece of art. thanks for report and pics that keep us going between trips. someday i'll replace my dead camera and get granddaughters to show me how to post pics to do my part.
have fun in march and i know you'll enjoy views from allesandra just be careful on that one lane hard left by ambiance when you return from your evenings out!
papabou
-
traveler22
- Posts: 853
- Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:17 pm
- Location: New Jersey
This may not be how Kenny makes it but this is how I make it
fill glass with ice
1-2 oz of strawberry puree
1/2 can red bull
fill rest of glass with Stoli vodka (that's about 3 shots or so)
top off with sprite or diet sprite or 7 up.
Stir, drink, repeat until you "black out". But I don't condone that type of thing.
Thanks for the report. It was fun reliving that. Can't wait to do it again.
fill glass with ice
1-2 oz of strawberry puree
1/2 can red bull
fill rest of glass with Stoli vodka (that's about 3 shots or so)
top off with sprite or diet sprite or 7 up.
Stir, drink, repeat until you "black out". But I don't condone that type of thing.
Thanks for the report. It was fun reliving that. Can't wait to do it again.
When will I see St John again?
