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Trip Report 8/2 through 8/9
Trip Report 8/2 through 8/9
Hi all! Just returned from St. John. I was attempting to do this trip report with pictures but I haven't been able to yet- so I thought I'd post without for now. (it's a long one)
The Group- 11 of us- if you go to the woody's website, that is us on the front page. It was my husband and I, our two kids- 4 year old girl, 20 month old boy; our neighbors, their 17 year old son and 13 year old daughter, the son's friend, my college aged babysitter and her roommate!! All newbies but us!
Travel Days- we are from baltimore- but did Spirit Airlines from Reagan National through Ft. Lauderdale. If anyone was on our flight on the way back, I AM SORRY!!! I should buy you all drinks. My son Finn yelled the majority of the time- I was mortified but what can you do. The dirty looks from the flight attendants were not that helpful!
The Villa- we stayed at Ristaba- we actually are part owners of Ellison Villa but it was rented- and we needed a bigger house for our group. People checked out of Ellison on Friday morning so we were able to head over. If anyone has any specific questions about Ristaba, let me know.
Saturday- travel day- and a long one- stopped at the always unfriendly starfish and had food at home.
Sunday- headed to Trunk- don't usually go there but thought the newbies should see it. They loved it! Wasn't too packed and the kids loved the water! Headed into town that afternoon and took the kids to Woody's early afternoon. My son was sporting a faux mowhawk and my daughter even got photographed standing on the bar. (Don't worry- I'm not an irresponsible parent- it wasn't wild in there!!)- then over to the beach bar for some bocce and food.
Monday- the kids were home with the sitters- and the rest went on Ocean Runner #3 to the BVIs. Had a great captain- Tom- and we headed for some snorkeling at the caves- Barry the Barracuda was spotted. (Tom calls him that). Willy T for lunch and then Soggy Dollar Bar. Everyone loved the trip!
Tuesday- the sitters went to the BVIs with Calypso charters and had a great time. The rest of us headed to the westin pool and beach.
Wednesday- took everyone to maho- then to aqua bistro in coral bay for lunch. Great food and great service!!! That night the adults went to ZoZos for dinner and it was AMAZING!! I always love it there but this was the best food I've had on St. John.
Thursday- we went to Cinnamon- which was fantastic. The kids LOVEd seeing all the colorful fish in the shallow water. We saw a few rays as well. That night we went into town in search of the Ravens pre-season game. Captains Cabin thought they'd have it but no such luck. larry's landing didn't have it either. So we went to Joe's Rum Hut and then to Woody's (no kids this time) Go Ravens!!
Friday- last full day and we were getting sad! My husband and I took a long drive out to the east end- I had never driven out that far- really cool views! Then the renters had checked out of our house so we headed up to Ellison. We got a really cool picture of our daughter Ellery with the sign (it is partially named after her)- We spent the rest of the day there lounging in the pool and on the deck. Then back to ristaba for dinner.
Saturday- we packed up- got some great breakfast sandwiches from mojo Cafe and headed to the ferry. Unfortunately the cashier for the downtown ferry didn't come to work that day so it was a nightmare for everyone getting on there. Still, it was a beautiful ferry ride but always sad watching St. John disappear in the distance. Had lunch at the greenhouse in STT and then off to the airport.
Highs- definitely watching my kids (and the rest of the group) see that shade of blue water for the first time; my four year old learning to dive; getting the ring game on my 5th try at soggy dollar bar; dancing with the kids at woody's; the banana mojito at Joe's Rum Hut (JORDAN- you rock!); dinner at zozos.
Lows- only the travel days!
The Group- 11 of us- if you go to the woody's website, that is us on the front page. It was my husband and I, our two kids- 4 year old girl, 20 month old boy; our neighbors, their 17 year old son and 13 year old daughter, the son's friend, my college aged babysitter and her roommate!! All newbies but us!
Travel Days- we are from baltimore- but did Spirit Airlines from Reagan National through Ft. Lauderdale. If anyone was on our flight on the way back, I AM SORRY!!! I should buy you all drinks. My son Finn yelled the majority of the time- I was mortified but what can you do. The dirty looks from the flight attendants were not that helpful!
The Villa- we stayed at Ristaba- we actually are part owners of Ellison Villa but it was rented- and we needed a bigger house for our group. People checked out of Ellison on Friday morning so we were able to head over. If anyone has any specific questions about Ristaba, let me know.
Saturday- travel day- and a long one- stopped at the always unfriendly starfish and had food at home.
Sunday- headed to Trunk- don't usually go there but thought the newbies should see it. They loved it! Wasn't too packed and the kids loved the water! Headed into town that afternoon and took the kids to Woody's early afternoon. My son was sporting a faux mowhawk and my daughter even got photographed standing on the bar. (Don't worry- I'm not an irresponsible parent- it wasn't wild in there!!)- then over to the beach bar for some bocce and food.
Monday- the kids were home with the sitters- and the rest went on Ocean Runner #3 to the BVIs. Had a great captain- Tom- and we headed for some snorkeling at the caves- Barry the Barracuda was spotted. (Tom calls him that). Willy T for lunch and then Soggy Dollar Bar. Everyone loved the trip!
Tuesday- the sitters went to the BVIs with Calypso charters and had a great time. The rest of us headed to the westin pool and beach.
Wednesday- took everyone to maho- then to aqua bistro in coral bay for lunch. Great food and great service!!! That night the adults went to ZoZos for dinner and it was AMAZING!! I always love it there but this was the best food I've had on St. John.
Thursday- we went to Cinnamon- which was fantastic. The kids LOVEd seeing all the colorful fish in the shallow water. We saw a few rays as well. That night we went into town in search of the Ravens pre-season game. Captains Cabin thought they'd have it but no such luck. larry's landing didn't have it either. So we went to Joe's Rum Hut and then to Woody's (no kids this time) Go Ravens!!
Friday- last full day and we were getting sad! My husband and I took a long drive out to the east end- I had never driven out that far- really cool views! Then the renters had checked out of our house so we headed up to Ellison. We got a really cool picture of our daughter Ellery with the sign (it is partially named after her)- We spent the rest of the day there lounging in the pool and on the deck. Then back to ristaba for dinner.
Saturday- we packed up- got some great breakfast sandwiches from mojo Cafe and headed to the ferry. Unfortunately the cashier for the downtown ferry didn't come to work that day so it was a nightmare for everyone getting on there. Still, it was a beautiful ferry ride but always sad watching St. John disappear in the distance. Had lunch at the greenhouse in STT and then off to the airport.
Highs- definitely watching my kids (and the rest of the group) see that shade of blue water for the first time; my four year old learning to dive; getting the ring game on my 5th try at soggy dollar bar; dancing with the kids at woody's; the banana mojito at Joe's Rum Hut (JORDAN- you rock!); dinner at zozos.
Lows- only the travel days!
How was Ristaba?
We are staying there for the first time over Thanksgiving.
