usvi-on-line
Trip report
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Splasher54
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:12 pm
- Location: Central Mass.
Trip report
We just returned from a wonderful 9 days at St. John. Wish we were still there! We stayed at La Jolla Caribe (posted a review) and loved it. The group consisted of my husband (T) and myself (R), our 3 kids (20(Jr), 23 (A) + 25(L)) and our good friend (C). The house worked out great and was perfect for our group. We arrived on Friday afternoon and were met by Christopher taxi. Gathered our luggage and welcome drink and headed out. Called the villa rep and Conrad Sutton's on the way to the ferry. Took Dohm's to Cruz bay and met Dest. St. John at the dock. Split up the group and half of us walked to Conrad's while the other half gathered luggage and met us there. Picking up the car went smoothly and we were on out way. Gerry (sp?) took us to the house and showed us around. We settled in to enjoy the view and sent the boys out for alchohol and a few staples. Being in St; John again was great!
The next morning we got up to go to the beach and realized that our bag with all of the snorkel gear( 5 new masks, 5 new snorkels and 5 pairs of fins)was nowhere to be found...panic! After a thourough search of the villa we called the water taxi and they suggested calling the National Park where we were dropped. We did and they said someone had mentioned there was a suitcase on the dock, but they hadn't brought it in. They said they would send someone out when they got a chance. We sent T and C to the dock. When they got to the dock, they found the bag rifled through, but intact! Only on St. John. Made our day. Off we went to Francis Bay for a great day of snorkeling. Stopped first at Cinnamon (no parking), Maho (Didn't see alot underwater.) Frances was great as usual and we spent hours in the water. The only unsettling part of the day was the 70 year old guy in the thong! But then everyone on the beach was taking a walk down to see. Back to the villa at the end of the day to fix dinner and relax. We're one of the families who brings our meat and it really works well for us. Everyone took a night to cook and we had some great meals.
Day 3 we headed to Cinnamon to try again. Found parking and unloaded. We jumped right in and snorkeled out to the key. Saw lots of fish, coral, even a shark. The shark was on the far side of the key, but the current was a little strong that day so only C, L and T went all of the way around. Back to the villa and C, L, A and R went into town to do a little shopping. Stopped a Starfish (staples and wine) and headed back to the villa. Last year we stayed in Chocolate Hole and while the road was good, the driveway was a little steep. Well, the road and driveway at this house were a little more nervewracking, but manageable. We took the north shore road home to see the overlooks and got onto our road (John Head Road) and headed up. Made it fine through the 6 switcbacks and were making that last turn into our road...oops not quite enough room, no problem. Stop back up a little and cut a little more. Oops! A little too much reverse and suddenly we're skidding backwards toward the drop off! Everyone stopped breathing and held on tight. The good news is we only lost the back two tires over the edge and hung up on the side rails. After we thanked God, We carefully climbed out and checked out our situation. No less than 5 different people stopped to offer help, but we were really worried about the car going all of the way over, so we called Conrad's. They sent a tow truck and we all held our breath while he hauled it back on the road. Conrad was great and even came out to make sure everything was ok. We had a Montero this trip and I think that I much prefer the Grand Vitara from last year. I think in the future, I would go with two cars (wranglers or grand vitaras) So now we've had two close calls, both with good endings, but we're getting a little concerned. Back to the villa for dinner and enjoying the fact that though we had a close call, everything ended up Ok.
Day 3. Off to Salt Pond Bay. After a scenic drive in, short hike (grumbling by the kids) we arrive. It's relatively quiet cosidering that we got a late start. Only about 10 or 15 other people. We settle in and are off to snorkel. We could spend all day in the water (3 of us are lifeguards and instructors.) On this trip we saw the usual fish, stingrays etc but also saw squid and eels. It was really neat. Hiked over to Drunk Bay and checked out the sculptures. Someone has a neat little shelter/house built out of rocks, driftwood complete with chair inside to relax! Back at the beach, we head back to the villa with a stop at Lilly's and Crabby's. We had been interested in renting a dinghy, but Crabby's were being rehabbed and wouldn't be ready for a few weeks. The next part of the trip was the worst thing! We were traveling back to Cruz Bay and came upon a large group of goats (mom's, dad's and babies.) We all stopped to let them clear out of the road, but the guy in front of us just couldn't wait. He proceeded to move ahead....and he ran over 2 baby goats!!! We couldn't believe it!! And then he just drove away. We couldn't believe it. We were all devasted. We stopped, but nothing could be done to save them. It was awful. We could not believe that someone could be so callous. It was a somber drive back to the villa, not a great ending to an otherwise great day.
Day 4, we got up today wondering what would happen today. We were a little apprehensive, but headed out to Waterlemon. Jr stayed home (didn't want to hike today) so we packed lightly and headed out. Waterlemon was crowded! But we hiked all of the way to the tire and headed to the key from there. The current wasn't as strong as last year, so it was an easy swim around the Cay. Saw a huge barracuda and lots of fish. Decided to swim in b/c we wanted to try spotting starfish and stingrays, so C, L and A brought the gear and hiked to the beach where we would meet them. As we got closer to the beach, there were more and more starfish and a few turtles. C came back in the water and T got out. C and R snorkeled all along the shore to the parking lot.. lots of great fish, stingrays and coral. Have lots of pictures, but don't know how to post them on here. Will keep trying. Stopped at Annenburg and checked out the ruins and headed back to the villa. We were psyched...no problems today! We broke the trend! More later on the rest of the trip. Sorry this is so long![/img]
The next morning we got up to go to the beach and realized that our bag with all of the snorkel gear( 5 new masks, 5 new snorkels and 5 pairs of fins)was nowhere to be found...panic! After a thourough search of the villa we called the water taxi and they suggested calling the National Park where we were dropped. We did and they said someone had mentioned there was a suitcase on the dock, but they hadn't brought it in. They said they would send someone out when they got a chance. We sent T and C to the dock. When they got to the dock, they found the bag rifled through, but intact! Only on St. John. Made our day. Off we went to Francis Bay for a great day of snorkeling. Stopped first at Cinnamon (no parking), Maho (Didn't see alot underwater.) Frances was great as usual and we spent hours in the water. The only unsettling part of the day was the 70 year old guy in the thong! But then everyone on the beach was taking a walk down to see. Back to the villa at the end of the day to fix dinner and relax. We're one of the families who brings our meat and it really works well for us. Everyone took a night to cook and we had some great meals.
Day 3 we headed to Cinnamon to try again. Found parking and unloaded. We jumped right in and snorkeled out to the key. Saw lots of fish, coral, even a shark. The shark was on the far side of the key, but the current was a little strong that day so only C, L and T went all of the way around. Back to the villa and C, L, A and R went into town to do a little shopping. Stopped a Starfish (staples and wine) and headed back to the villa. Last year we stayed in Chocolate Hole and while the road was good, the driveway was a little steep. Well, the road and driveway at this house were a little more nervewracking, but manageable. We took the north shore road home to see the overlooks and got onto our road (John Head Road) and headed up. Made it fine through the 6 switcbacks and were making that last turn into our road...oops not quite enough room, no problem. Stop back up a little and cut a little more. Oops! A little too much reverse and suddenly we're skidding backwards toward the drop off! Everyone stopped breathing and held on tight. The good news is we only lost the back two tires over the edge and hung up on the side rails. After we thanked God, We carefully climbed out and checked out our situation. No less than 5 different people stopped to offer help, but we were really worried about the car going all of the way over, so we called Conrad's. They sent a tow truck and we all held our breath while he hauled it back on the road. Conrad was great and even came out to make sure everything was ok. We had a Montero this trip and I think that I much prefer the Grand Vitara from last year. I think in the future, I would go with two cars (wranglers or grand vitaras) So now we've had two close calls, both with good endings, but we're getting a little concerned. Back to the villa for dinner and enjoying the fact that though we had a close call, everything ended up Ok.
Day 3. Off to Salt Pond Bay. After a scenic drive in, short hike (grumbling by the kids) we arrive. It's relatively quiet cosidering that we got a late start. Only about 10 or 15 other people. We settle in and are off to snorkel. We could spend all day in the water (3 of us are lifeguards and instructors.) On this trip we saw the usual fish, stingrays etc but also saw squid and eels. It was really neat. Hiked over to Drunk Bay and checked out the sculptures. Someone has a neat little shelter/house built out of rocks, driftwood complete with chair inside to relax! Back at the beach, we head back to the villa with a stop at Lilly's and Crabby's. We had been interested in renting a dinghy, but Crabby's were being rehabbed and wouldn't be ready for a few weeks. The next part of the trip was the worst thing! We were traveling back to Cruz Bay and came upon a large group of goats (mom's, dad's and babies.) We all stopped to let them clear out of the road, but the guy in front of us just couldn't wait. He proceeded to move ahead....and he ran over 2 baby goats!!! We couldn't believe it!! And then he just drove away. We couldn't believe it. We were all devasted. We stopped, but nothing could be done to save them. It was awful. We could not believe that someone could be so callous. It was a somber drive back to the villa, not a great ending to an otherwise great day.
Day 4, we got up today wondering what would happen today. We were a little apprehensive, but headed out to Waterlemon. Jr stayed home (didn't want to hike today) so we packed lightly and headed out. Waterlemon was crowded! But we hiked all of the way to the tire and headed to the key from there. The current wasn't as strong as last year, so it was an easy swim around the Cay. Saw a huge barracuda and lots of fish. Decided to swim in b/c we wanted to try spotting starfish and stingrays, so C, L and A brought the gear and hiked to the beach where we would meet them. As we got closer to the beach, there were more and more starfish and a few turtles. C came back in the water and T got out. C and R snorkeled all along the shore to the parking lot.. lots of great fish, stingrays and coral. Have lots of pictures, but don't know how to post them on here. Will keep trying. Stopped at Annenburg and checked out the ruins and headed back to the villa. We were psyched...no problems today! We broke the trend! More later on the rest of the trip. Sorry this is so long![/img]
Thank you Thank you, I have been starved for a trip report since Jorge left St John! I am so impressed with everyones writing style, I hope I can live up to you all in a few weeks when I write my report.
That idiot that ran over the baby goats, did anyone catch him? The fact your bag was still at the dock is a testament to St John and one of the big reasons we love this island! Too bad a few evil impatient losers keep slipping in!
Can not wait for the next installment and they are never tooo long!
That idiot that ran over the baby goats, did anyone catch him? The fact your bag was still at the dock is a testament to St John and one of the big reasons we love this island! Too bad a few evil impatient losers keep slipping in!
Can not wait for the next installment and they are never tooo long!
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tarheelgirl
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:18 am
- Location: North Carolina
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Jost Kidding
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:58 pm
- Location: Texas
Here are some directions for posting photos. This is from a post by ATG. It's really simple. I did this yesterday and it only takes a few minutes to master.
I noticed a couple people have asked how to post pictures in their trip reports. I myself thought it was quite a mystery, until someone posted directions at another VI forum that shall remain nameless.... Go to www.photobucket.com and register (takes 2 seconds). Save your digital pictures somewhere on your computer's hard drive and then upload them onto photobucket. Once the pictures are uploaded, you will see them in photobucket and underneath each picture are 3 links. Highlight the link that says IMG, right click, hit copy, then open another window for your post on this forum, click into the post box, right click and hit paste. You will see the link appear. If you preview your post, the picture should appear. I was amazed at how simple it was once I got it to work!
Good luck!
I noticed a couple people have asked how to post pictures in their trip reports. I myself thought it was quite a mystery, until someone posted directions at another VI forum that shall remain nameless.... Go to www.photobucket.com and register (takes 2 seconds). Save your digital pictures somewhere on your computer's hard drive and then upload them onto photobucket. Once the pictures are uploaded, you will see them in photobucket and underneath each picture are 3 links. Highlight the link that says IMG, right click, hit copy, then open another window for your post on this forum, click into the post box, right click and hit paste. You will see the link appear. If you preview your post, the picture should appear. I was amazed at how simple it was once I got it to work!
Good luck!
Great report! Whata jerk that guy was, running over the goats. I would have been so mad! Last year we came across a dead chicken in the road and all of the little babies were hanging around, trying to get it to wake up. Very sad.
Scary that you almost went off the road!! We stayed off Johns Head last year, and after one hair raising trip down to the North Shore Road decided to stick to Centerline for the rest of the trip.
Looking forward to more!
Scary that you almost went off the road!! We stayed off Johns Head last year, and after one hair raising trip down to the North Shore Road decided to stick to Centerline for the rest of the trip.
Looking forward to more!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Thanks for the trip report! It sounds like you had a close call with the vehicle that one day!
I won't tell my 11 year old son about the goats. He loves goats! I can't believe someone would just run them over! What a terrible thing to see!
I look forward to your next installment. Posting the pictures is easy with photobucket. I'd love to see some pictures!
I won't tell my 11 year old son about the goats. He loves goats! I can't believe someone would just run them over! What a terrible thing to see!
I look forward to your next installment. Posting the pictures is easy with photobucket. I'd love to see some pictures!
OMG!
The guy and the goats. What an a$$. Makes you wonder if he even would have stopped if he had actually hit a person!
And your car going over the edge of the road with the wheels hanging off???
What a day(s) you had! I would have needed some therapy. Probably in the form of Cruzan or Jose Quervo...straight up...several...keep it coming!
Thanks for posting!
And your car going over the edge of the road with the wheels hanging off???
What a day(s) you had! I would have needed some therapy. Probably in the form of Cruzan or Jose Quervo...straight up...several...keep it coming!
Thanks for posting!
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Splasher54
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 10:12 pm
- Location: Central Mass.
Thanks Jost, I'm going to try that and once I get it down, I'll post my next report. Sorry to depress everyone about the goats, but if even one person is more careful, it's worth it. Not that most people would be that careless and cruel anyway. I'm going to play with my photos and try to post them. Thanks.
OK, the person that ran over the goats is a heartless jerk! I am so sorry you had to witness that! As for the road....again I would have just parked at the bottom and walked! I am one big chicken! We pass by driveways on St John and I think to myself, thank goodness I am not staying there!
Thank you for the report! I too was going through withdrawal!
Thank you for the report! I too was going through withdrawal!
Thanks for the trip report, like some of the others here we have been going through trip report withdrawls since Jorge came back! Look forward to reading the rest of your trip report and we really look forward to seeing your photos! Sucks about the baby goats, seems evil people exist even in paradise....
What a great trip report. Boy – were the Gods watching over you. First with the bag left on the dock and then trying to play “Indiana Jones” with the car. I’m sure that you all had to have a “Painkiller Transfusion” after that.
Too bad about the baby goats – that would have bum’ed my day. Thanks for taking the time to write your report.
Too bad about the baby goats – that would have bum’ed my day. Thanks for taking the time to write your report.
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
Thanks so much for sharing stories of your trip with us. Love to hear what people do and what happens to them...your week could only get better! But boy, were you lucky with the car/cliff scene; I love driving those roads but have to admit I'm always thinking.."what would I do if"...Too bad nobody stopped or caught the guy who ran over the goats, what a sad story. I'm sure he probably took off after he did it. The goats and donkeys are part of the trip I look forward to. Can't wait to hear more...
I am glad you had a great experience at La Jolla Caribe. I have really enjoyed my 2 stays there. I have always found the drive up and down John Head Rd as part of the adventure, 4wd helps but really only needed when wet in spots. The views can’t be beat… in the summer you can see both sunrise and sunset! How was it recently? Give us a picture from the deck!
Steve
Steve
