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Day 3: August 24 - Maho, Skinny Legs, and Waterfront Bistro
Day 3: August 24 - Maho, Skinny Legs, and Waterfront Bistro
Day 3: August 24 - Maho, Skinny Legs, and Dinner at Waterfront Bistro
We were up with the sunrise again today and when I say we I mean Mr. Flip and Belly Flop. God Bless that man, he was up and out of bed to rescue the baby from the pack-n-play and get breakfast rolling. I on the other hand, though awake, stayed in bed because I felt I needed to show solidarity with Mini Flip-Flop who was snoozing still. I finally rolled out of bed at the late hour of 7:15 or so!
Again, we packed up the beach bag (more of a challenge than one would think - dry clothes for both kids post beach, 12 tons of sunscreen, bugspray, hats, towels, neat sheet, diapers, wipes, swim diapers, beach toys, floats, and reading materials - HA we thought we'd get to read on the beach and it never quite happened). I finally realized that packing the beach bag the night before was a smart idea. I learn, just not quickly!
We threw some snacks and drinks in the cooler, tossed the kids in the car and were off to Beach #2 of the trip - MAHO! Lovely, beautiful, serene Maho.
Nothing much has changed since my first introduction to Maho. Though I almost lost a toe there (slight exaggeration but we did need a park ranger to help stop the bleeding) on my 2nd trip to STJ, it is still one of my absolute favorites. The reasons are many ... sheer beauty, the ease of access, the calm tranquil water, shade to park the kids under, the powder soft sand. Another great one for the kids. Again we had it to ourselves for most of the morning.
I love that there is usually a beautiful, large boat there that Hubby and I laugh about and dream about someday that being us. Hey Belly Flop goes to college in just a mere 17 years or so! A girl can dream.
I think I have three favorite beaches but it gets harder to rank them every trip. Francis, Maho and Jumbie ... in no particular order. Jumbie is MY beach. Its not really a beach I like to share and its not super conducive to kids. There is a magic there that I just can't describe but I love it. Salt Pond is also a great beach but just not worth it with little kids, the hike back to the car is no fun and there is virtually NO shade.
Mini Flip's favorite thing about the island, other than the water and the private pool, has to be the wildlife. Donkeys, goats, snails, conch, chickens, mongoose, iguanas, lizards, tree frogs....oh my! She was on a mission to find them all! Soon she and daddy had found life in the water.
Belly Flop and I decided to just chill in the water.
My personal idea of heaven. I won't lie and say that I would not welcome a trip sans kids with just my hubby, but that's not in the cards for now. Not seeing STJ until my kids are 'easy' to take is just not an option. So we accept its a lot of work and at times frustrating, but we are grateful still. I've learned from Mini Flip-Flop that the time passes sooooooo quickly and as easy as it is for me to look at family's with older kids or no kids and think, "How nice that will be someday!" I am also fully aware that the day will come where I am not the center of their universe and that their eyes don't twinkle with delight just to be with me. I know the day will come when Belly Flop's belly will be gone and those delicious thighs will be no more. So we move through the frustrating moment, we hold it together, and soak in not only the sun, but also the moments in time that we are so fortunate to share in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Who do you think you are looking at? I think the mamarazi was getting to him.
Around 12 or so we decided to pack it in and head for lunch. I thought we'd just head back to the house, but Mr. Flip-Flop said, "You wanna go to Skinny Leg's?" Hell yeah.
I hope its not impolite to take pictures of other people's dogs but I think I spotted Tigger's successor ... a lab with a mohawk! He was just chilling, nothing keeping him in the truck but his own preference. So cute!
This is where we spotted the Bad Donkey T-shirt, but not XLs so we had to go to the REAL Jolly Dog later in the week to get that. I still say they need this with SMART instead of BAD across it. I already have Nice
Soon Mini Flip-Flop was begging to eat....
I had the burger of the day, a cheddar burger. Mr. Flip-Flop had the mahi sandwich which he said was better than the mahi at the Banana Deck and the kiddos split a hot dog and chips. They had already snacked a bit on the beach as well. I don't care what anyone says, these are the best tasting damn burgers on the island, possibly in the world. Sure its probaby the dehydration and sun talking, but absolutely delicious!
Skinny's was pretty quiet, not at all crowded, just a few tables and some locals at the bar. Our waitress was great.
Again, what are you looking at mixed with WHERE IS MY FOOD?
Ahhhh much happier now. Though I'd planned for him to split the hotdog with his sister he had NO interest once he saw/smelled the burger. So he ate about 1/4 of my chedder burger and smacked his lips literally in the process.
Post-Lunch we browsed a little bit before heading back to the house for nap and relaxation time.
Before we knew it, the time had come to get ready for the grown-ups first of two nights out without the kiddos. We fed the kids and then everyone got cleaned up.
The gratuitious bath shot ...
Christy's (while I don't think they advertise it or even may not routinely do it anymore) had helped us out with lining up a sitter for two nights. This evening we had Crystal herself. She showed up right on time and Mini Flip-Flop, who had been asking all day when the sitter was coming ... I try not to get my feelings hurt ... started shouting with glee, "SHE'S HERE! She's here! I think she's here!" I can't say enough about how great she was with the kids.
We had planned to go to Zozo's but the desire to try something new won us over. The evening before, while walking with the kids along the waterfront at Wharfside, the Waterfront Bistro had caught our eye. It is very nicely decorated and has a great view of Cruz Bay harbor. So we decided to give it a shot. The food, while very good, did not compare to Zozo's but I was happy that we tried something new.
We started by sharing the grilled Scallops with candied mango. Very good.
Followed by the filet with mashed potatoes and green beans for me.
and the Caribbean (not to be confused with Maine) lobster tail, risotto and other stuff for Mr. Flip-Flop.
The entire meal was very good, just not FANTASTIC. The service was great and the staff was very friendly. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal. Amazing Dark Chocolate Torte with Milk Chocolate Ice Cream and raspberry sauce.
17 Years (and 2 kids, 1 dog, 1 cat, and 2 houses) later we still like each other...I am SUCH a keeper
After dinner we took a little walk along the water and then headed back towards our car. Once home, a slightly freaked out Crystal told us about a baby scorpian she had found in Belly Flop's pack-n-play. It was miniscule but still very FREAKY! She had shaken out all the sheets and blankets before putting him to bed finally. It was the first and only one we saw all week.
Mini Flip-Flop was still up and we decided to play a game of scrabble before bed...we didn't make it long before we all were too tired to think, much less spell.
These two crashed soon thereafter and I stayed up once again reading ... still working my way through the Monster of Florence and still scaring the sh#@ out of myself each night! It was another very windy and rainy night.
Tomorrow: Leinster Hike/Walk, Maho Again, Mosquitoes of BIBLICAL porportions, and Shipwreck!
We were up with the sunrise again today and when I say we I mean Mr. Flip and Belly Flop. God Bless that man, he was up and out of bed to rescue the baby from the pack-n-play and get breakfast rolling. I on the other hand, though awake, stayed in bed because I felt I needed to show solidarity with Mini Flip-Flop who was snoozing still. I finally rolled out of bed at the late hour of 7:15 or so!
Again, we packed up the beach bag (more of a challenge than one would think - dry clothes for both kids post beach, 12 tons of sunscreen, bugspray, hats, towels, neat sheet, diapers, wipes, swim diapers, beach toys, floats, and reading materials - HA we thought we'd get to read on the beach and it never quite happened). I finally realized that packing the beach bag the night before was a smart idea. I learn, just not quickly!
We threw some snacks and drinks in the cooler, tossed the kids in the car and were off to Beach #2 of the trip - MAHO! Lovely, beautiful, serene Maho.
Nothing much has changed since my first introduction to Maho. Though I almost lost a toe there (slight exaggeration but we did need a park ranger to help stop the bleeding) on my 2nd trip to STJ, it is still one of my absolute favorites. The reasons are many ... sheer beauty, the ease of access, the calm tranquil water, shade to park the kids under, the powder soft sand. Another great one for the kids. Again we had it to ourselves for most of the morning.
I love that there is usually a beautiful, large boat there that Hubby and I laugh about and dream about someday that being us. Hey Belly Flop goes to college in just a mere 17 years or so! A girl can dream.
I think I have three favorite beaches but it gets harder to rank them every trip. Francis, Maho and Jumbie ... in no particular order. Jumbie is MY beach. Its not really a beach I like to share and its not super conducive to kids. There is a magic there that I just can't describe but I love it. Salt Pond is also a great beach but just not worth it with little kids, the hike back to the car is no fun and there is virtually NO shade.
Mini Flip's favorite thing about the island, other than the water and the private pool, has to be the wildlife. Donkeys, goats, snails, conch, chickens, mongoose, iguanas, lizards, tree frogs....oh my! She was on a mission to find them all! Soon she and daddy had found life in the water.
Belly Flop and I decided to just chill in the water.
My personal idea of heaven. I won't lie and say that I would not welcome a trip sans kids with just my hubby, but that's not in the cards for now. Not seeing STJ until my kids are 'easy' to take is just not an option. So we accept its a lot of work and at times frustrating, but we are grateful still. I've learned from Mini Flip-Flop that the time passes sooooooo quickly and as easy as it is for me to look at family's with older kids or no kids and think, "How nice that will be someday!" I am also fully aware that the day will come where I am not the center of their universe and that their eyes don't twinkle with delight just to be with me. I know the day will come when Belly Flop's belly will be gone and those delicious thighs will be no more. So we move through the frustrating moment, we hold it together, and soak in not only the sun, but also the moments in time that we are so fortunate to share in such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Who do you think you are looking at? I think the mamarazi was getting to him.
Around 12 or so we decided to pack it in and head for lunch. I thought we'd just head back to the house, but Mr. Flip-Flop said, "You wanna go to Skinny Leg's?" Hell yeah.
I hope its not impolite to take pictures of other people's dogs but I think I spotted Tigger's successor ... a lab with a mohawk! He was just chilling, nothing keeping him in the truck but his own preference. So cute!
This is where we spotted the Bad Donkey T-shirt, but not XLs so we had to go to the REAL Jolly Dog later in the week to get that. I still say they need this with SMART instead of BAD across it. I already have Nice
Soon Mini Flip-Flop was begging to eat....
I had the burger of the day, a cheddar burger. Mr. Flip-Flop had the mahi sandwich which he said was better than the mahi at the Banana Deck and the kiddos split a hot dog and chips. They had already snacked a bit on the beach as well. I don't care what anyone says, these are the best tasting damn burgers on the island, possibly in the world. Sure its probaby the dehydration and sun talking, but absolutely delicious!
Skinny's was pretty quiet, not at all crowded, just a few tables and some locals at the bar. Our waitress was great.
Again, what are you looking at mixed with WHERE IS MY FOOD?
Ahhhh much happier now. Though I'd planned for him to split the hotdog with his sister he had NO interest once he saw/smelled the burger. So he ate about 1/4 of my chedder burger and smacked his lips literally in the process.
Post-Lunch we browsed a little bit before heading back to the house for nap and relaxation time.
Before we knew it, the time had come to get ready for the grown-ups first of two nights out without the kiddos. We fed the kids and then everyone got cleaned up.
The gratuitious bath shot ...
Christy's (while I don't think they advertise it or even may not routinely do it anymore) had helped us out with lining up a sitter for two nights. This evening we had Crystal herself. She showed up right on time and Mini Flip-Flop, who had been asking all day when the sitter was coming ... I try not to get my feelings hurt ... started shouting with glee, "SHE'S HERE! She's here! I think she's here!" I can't say enough about how great she was with the kids.
We had planned to go to Zozo's but the desire to try something new won us over. The evening before, while walking with the kids along the waterfront at Wharfside, the Waterfront Bistro had caught our eye. It is very nicely decorated and has a great view of Cruz Bay harbor. So we decided to give it a shot. The food, while very good, did not compare to Zozo's but I was happy that we tried something new.
We started by sharing the grilled Scallops with candied mango. Very good.
Followed by the filet with mashed potatoes and green beans for me.
and the Caribbean (not to be confused with Maine) lobster tail, risotto and other stuff for Mr. Flip-Flop.
The entire meal was very good, just not FANTASTIC. The service was great and the staff was very friendly. The dessert was hands down the best part of the meal. Amazing Dark Chocolate Torte with Milk Chocolate Ice Cream and raspberry sauce.
17 Years (and 2 kids, 1 dog, 1 cat, and 2 houses) later we still like each other...I am SUCH a keeper
After dinner we took a little walk along the water and then headed back towards our car. Once home, a slightly freaked out Crystal told us about a baby scorpian she had found in Belly Flop's pack-n-play. It was miniscule but still very FREAKY! She had shaken out all the sheets and blankets before putting him to bed finally. It was the first and only one we saw all week.
Mini Flip-Flop was still up and we decided to play a game of scrabble before bed...we didn't make it long before we all were too tired to think, much less spell.
These two crashed soon thereafter and I stayed up once again reading ... still working my way through the Monster of Florence and still scaring the sh#@ out of myself each night! It was another very windy and rainy night.
Tomorrow: Leinster Hike/Walk, Maho Again, Mosquitoes of BIBLICAL porportions, and Shipwreck!
You are so right about enjoying them now! I used to tell my stepdaughter that there would be a day coming when she wouldn't want to cuddle and hug like she did then and she always said no way! Now she is going to be 15 next month and rolls her eyes at me when I want a hug and I remind her that I told her it was coming! We laugh about it but I miss it!
Thank you for taking so much time to share your trip with all of us too! The pics are beautiful!
Thank you for taking so much time to share your trip with all of us too! The pics are beautiful!
Another great installment of your trip...thanks for sharing your trip with us. Flip, you've got the right idea & attitude about traveling with small children: they truly do grow up so fast & y'all are making such sweet memories for not only yourselves to think back on in the future but also for your children as you draw even closer as a family. Our children are grown & at an age where we can travel alone & I find myself reliving all those wonderful (albeit trying!) travel times of earlier years. Those days & all the frustrations are SO worth each moment...more so later on in life.
Anyway....thank you for sharing your memories with us!
Anyway....thank you for sharing your memories with us!
You are so wise to spend your time with your little ones now. I didn't realize how fast they grow up and stayed busy, busy with my first two. Then, I was blessed with a third child when my first two were 9 and 11, and I made time for the important things. And, as cat says, now that she's 15, getting hugs and kisses is sort of like pulling teeth. Excuse me while I go and cry now. 
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain
Flip-flop, I'm really enjoying your reports! It's fun to see what another family did the very same week we were there. And don't I know it about enjoying them when they are small! Okay, has anyone else experienced a light-switch going off on their teen? I swear, while we were on STJ (2 weeks ago!) my son was still affectionate, fun, smiley, talked to me, liked spending time with his parents, etc., but the DAY he started 8th grade last week it was like "ok, mom, I am officially going to ignore you now and only speak to you in monosyllables." Waaaaaah! So flip-flop, take them with you as much as you can now and enjoy every minute--you won't regret it!
Spent the weekend reviewing my "baby boy's" COLLEGE APPLICATIONS! I can't believe that in a year he'll be gone. Your post has me staring out the rainy window dreaming of the days when he was my little boy. Now he's 6'2". Luckily, he still hugs me when I ask. 
Our next trip to STJ in June will be to celebrate his graduation. I'll really be holding on to those memories....
Love your posts, Flip-flop! Keep 'em comin'!
I can't believe that in a year he'll be gone. Your post has me staring out the rainy window dreaming of the days when he was my little boy. Now he's 6'2". Luckily, he still hugs me when I ask. Our next trip to STJ in June will be to celebrate his graduation. I'll really be holding on to those memories....
Love your posts, Flip-flop! Keep 'em comin'!
MCDomzal
I'm loving your reports and pics! Wish my memories were more selective. I have a very vivid memory of throwing my two year old over my shoulder and carrying him out of Trunk Bay like a sack of potatoes all the while he's kicking and screaming because he DOES NOT WANT TO LEAVE THE WATER!flip-flop wrote:It's funny to me that I tend to vividly remember only the sweet times. My memories of the trials are hazzy. Thank goodness for selective memory!
-Sandy (not that I didn't feel that way too)
