Trip Report

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:52 pm

Since the next trip is all ready booked, thought I best get the last trip report going.

A little info about the group.
Myself(The Shopper-Ruth),Hubby- Larry, Woody & Deb(bestest friends)& past St John travel mates that REALLY GET IT, Brian(my brother)& Sue Anne ( B's Wife)

Departure & Day 1 & 2

The Excitement was bursting on the drive to Detroit;

it was like a car full of little kids on there way to Disney. Had a great drive arrived at the little pub near the airport & had a great dinner. Back to the room for a few refreshments to get us in the sleepy mood had an early flight out of Detroit Wayne at 7:10, got the airport at 5:30 & breezed thru the check-in & security.

Arrival in St Thomas was great, We were surprised that the Rum Punch stand was not there,

instead, just some people handing out a coin. Four of the group had checked luggage, we did carry on, but did check a communal bag with some munchies & meal stuff. Luggage came in good time. The newbie's
were impressed with the warmth of the Island and were looking forward to the ferry ride to St John. With all luggage collected, we headed to grab a cab to CA, found a car & then WAITED until it was almost busting. We had a few bigger people in our group so it was a bit tight for the ride. Sometime I think a private taxi is the way to go.............

This was Brian & Sue Anne's first time to St John & they were not disappointed with the amazing views as you head from the airport to the CA ferry. We like to do the CA ferry so we can enjoy a cold one at the little bar at Drakes Passage waiting for the ferry, it just brings us done to Island time. To our surprise the little bar was closed.............

OH NO, now what..... so here we are with enough luggage to outfit a whole town for a week & no place to have a drink.......Saw some other people walking & mentioned we were looking for a bar close by to grab a cold one, they directed us a little bar just back a block........... Life is good now.

Smooth ferry ride to St John. For Larry, myself, Deb & Woody it was like coming home again, it was extra special seeing my brother & his wife's reaction to the beauty of St John coming into sight.

A big first for us this trip was renting a vehicle. In the past 3 trips we have never rented a car, so a new adventure was upon us. Since I am the planner/organizer (BOSS) I am the leader of the posse, to pick up our Safari Truck from Cool Breeze. I know it would have made more sense to leave the gang at the dock with the luggage, but hey it was an adventure that should be shared by all. We sure must have been a sight walking with all that luggage in tow.
The guy at Cool Breeze was very nice, we got our Safari truck in a matter of minutes & started loading it up. I believe PIA witnessed this comical sight.
I still had not called the villa rep as my cell phone was not yet working so the guy at Cool Breeze let me use his phone.
Reached Marcy of Cloud Nine & arranged to meet her at the villa in about half an hour... OK so I guess this means that we are on our own to find the villa... Cloud Nine had provided us with very detailed directions so off we went. OK, so as I mentioned before this is a first for a vehicle. We have only been on the road to the villa in a taxi on our first trip. Deb & Woody have never been on this road as we only did beaches on the North Shore with them last May, & Brian & Sue Anne had never been on Island before. Since I am better with directions than my better half I am elected to drive in the front & tell Woody where to go......... The villa was actually closer to town than I had expected & we made it no problems.

We were all so excited to step onto the deck & see what our view would be for the next 10 days. It didn't disappoint anyone. The view is beautiful; you look out to ST Thomas in the distance, with Hart Bay to the left & Chocolate Hole to your right. We were all very happy.

Once again we had placed an order with Mixology & it was all there in the kitchen & in the fridge as we had requested. Gary is awesome to work with, love. love. love his service.
Once the luggage was unloaded & we all had a cold one we walked around & checked the place & were very pleased with our choice. It was a perfect fit for the three couples.
Marcy arrived in a few minute & gave us the quick tour of the villa & then was on her way.

As we had had a late night the night before & an early morning we had decided to go into town & have the Newbie's experience there first WOODY'S Happy Hour then grab dinner at Uncle Joe's & bring it back to the villa & relax on the deck with our dinner. The Newbie's loved Woody's & the little stroll around Cruz Bay. Back at the villa with dinner we enjoyed a magical evening with early to bed.

First Day: We were all up fairly early, grabbed a coffee & sat on the deck enjoying the view............. Ah life is good. Time to show the newbie's the magic of our favourite Island. Our beach for today was Trunk. We never made it last time & Deb & Woody wanted to go, so off we go, truck all loaded up & head to Deli Grotto for some breakfast & a sandwich for lunch.
Brian & Sue Anne were impressed with the Deli Grotto.

We had designated Woody to be the driver for the first few days since he had a general idea of the Island & the pleasures of the turns. So off we go to Trunk, with a stop at all the look outs along the way to stop for picture taking. The Newbie's were in awe at the views & had a smile on there face the whole drive. A few of the group did some snorkelling & loved what they saw. A great day at the beach.

We left the beach around 3:00 to make a stop at Starfish...... Man can not live on booze alone.....to the villa for a little pool time & get cleaned up.

A daily ritual of mine & Larry's is Woody's Happy Hour, so off we all go before the Forum party. Enjoyed a few beverages at Woody's. The Newbie's enjoyed there first Painkiller.

We were all looking forward to the forum party. Our first one, which was last May, was the day we arrived & we were really too tired to enjoy, so this was going to be great. Arrived at the Beach Bar & found the group on the beach, it was so great to put a face to a name of so many forum friends.
I was busy handing out the glow bracelets with the help of Pia, Ruth & Deb(MrsCptjay)We had a great time & lots of laughs. Brian being the talker he is ended up waist deep in the water talking to a couple in a dingy enjoying the view at the beach bar sipping wine. Dinner that night was at the Beach Bar & everyone enjoyed what they had. Sorry no highlights as I am not a food person. Back to the villa for some deck time star gazing & off to bed.

The Shopper

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:10 pm

Great couple of days

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 4:20 pm

It was nice to meet you at the fourm gathering. Thanks for the glow bracelet!

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:36 pm

I sure did and what a comical sight it was - enough luggage for a month squeezed into a safari truck with passengers to boot

It was great meeting you at the BB - hope to do it again sooooon

Pia

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:49 pm

Sounds like you enjoyed Cloud 9 as much as we did. The drive is always a doozie the first time, then once you get your bearings, it's a piece of cake!
Gotta love the view on the deck in the morning, sunset, well just about anytime!!

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Pics??

Sleehog · Post by **Sleehog** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:55 pm

OK shopper u r what I have been looking for

A 6 person group in a safari truck

How did that work for your crew?

We are 3 couples (1 couple is newbies) coming down in 17 days! We went with a safari through Delbert Hill. Has anybody ever used Delbert? Where exactly are they located? Do they have in town parking?

We are getting close and I am starting to get those oh chit - did i remember everything gitters!

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:07 am

Great start shopper I'll let ya blame the alchohol for forgetting the first BB Party. That was us you meant and I got pics to prove it. See thats what ya get for waiting so long to do a trip report

Sorry had to call ya on this one. Look even the couple in the dingy is in the background.

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:55 am

CptKirk,
You are right, I did get my party's mixed up

Must have been the sun & waiting so long to get to the report.
But it was a forum party

so I am only half out to lunch

& I did get the couple in the dingy at the right party....

Sleedog,
The safari truck worked great for the three couples, but I must admit it was full with all the luggage, the other couple don't get the concept of CARRY ON

We had a great time in it & after the luggage was unloaded there was plenty of room.
We even picked up some hitch hickers one day, I think they thought we were a taxi

If we had three couples going again we would do the safari truck again.

Have a great trip
The Shopper

Sleehog · Post by **Sleehog** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 10:31 am

Thanks for the reply Shopper!

Any chance you have a picture of the one you guys rented?

krislbi · Post by **krislbi** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:13 am

Cloud Nine looks pretty nice...you would recommend it?

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:36 pm

Thanks for the report. See you in Nov.!

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 12:37 pm

Sleedog,
I do have a couple of pic's, I will try to send them to you tonight, I can't seemd to get them at work.

Krislbi,
We actually stayed at Sundance which is a cloud nine villa & yes we realy did like it. Only downfall is there is no shade in the afternoon anywhere.
We are going back in May & staying at Gardenia for 4 days & then Palmello for 4 days which are also cloud nine villa's just smaller as there is only hubby & I.

Any questions, let me know.
Tks The Shopper

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