usvi-on-line
Don't Bite the Newb - Intro & Hellos
We're on the USAir/Philly connection as well in April. I hadn't heard anything good or bad, so you'll have to make a mental note to let us know how it goes.ifloat wrote:Friends we told about the trip told us US Airways and Philly connection are the double whammy of doom, but we'll keep our fingers crossed.
Welcome to the Forum! Make sure you hit the Beach Bar on Sunday evening for the Forum Gathering!
A mind is like a parachute. It only works when it's open.
Gah! I posted this in the wrong topic accidentally. Let me try again.
Note to me: Don't use the forward and back browser buttons to look at other things while composing forum posts. The ether eats them. And we all know how sloppy second posts can be. Your heart just isn't in it.
You will never regain the glory that was that first perfect draft.
mahojim, re: licking vs biting...um...that's one of those questions that requires a lot of thought. Get back to ya later.
17th Hole: We will give every gritty detail of the garden paradise that is US Airways in Philadelphia.
loria, DETAILS! We want details! Hurry, write more.
SURPRISE! Daughter #2 will also be joining us on this trip. She lives on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota but she will be driving 14 hours here and back so she can fly on the same flights as the rest of the family. She saw a picture of the villa and the beaches and it was an easy sell!
Her ticket was $30 more today than we paid for ours day before yesterday, exact same flights.
When your kids are adults and have gone their own way, it is kind of rare to get them back with you for some alone time, so this trip will be priceless.
I THINK I have a car rental. The lovely Cynthia at St John Car rental told me they dont take phone reservations, so I emailed the agreement and credit card info. She said I could send it as an attachment since I dont have a fax at hand. I suppose if I dont hear back in a day or so I should follow up.
Courtesy only had Ford Explorers left, and I called Conrad Sutton, but (and this is a little embarassing) I could not understand what the nice young man was telling me and so I finally took the chicken way out and gave up. I don't always hear people so well when I can't see the lips moving.
What else....oh, I purchased travel insurance thru the link at left to support the forum. Somehow one of my daughters names got put as the principal insured, but the person I called at CSA assured me that it makes no difference whatsoever.
I guess the only thing I have left to do is plan a full or half day snorkel excursion. Would like a private one. With somebody who can help out 3 noobs and a beginner. Don't know what's better, sailboat or power boat?
I plan on buying a mask and snorkel here before I leave town because my head is oddly shaped and water likes to rush into rental gear. Stop looking at my avatar for the deformity. Really, how rude.
And of course thanks for the welcomes. And the invite to the Forum get together! Woo hoooooo! Maybe I need to get the tshirt.
Note to me: Don't use the forward and back browser buttons to look at other things while composing forum posts. The ether eats them. And we all know how sloppy second posts can be. Your heart just isn't in it.
You will never regain the glory that was that first perfect draft. mahojim, re: licking vs biting...um...that's one of those questions that requires a lot of thought. Get back to ya later.
17th Hole: We will give every gritty detail of the garden paradise that is US Airways in Philadelphia.
loria, DETAILS! We want details! Hurry, write more.
SURPRISE! Daughter #2 will also be joining us on this trip. She lives on an Indian Reservation in South Dakota but she will be driving 14 hours here and back so she can fly on the same flights as the rest of the family. She saw a picture of the villa and the beaches and it was an easy sell!
Her ticket was $30 more today than we paid for ours day before yesterday, exact same flights.
When your kids are adults and have gone their own way, it is kind of rare to get them back with you for some alone time, so this trip will be priceless.
I THINK I have a car rental. The lovely Cynthia at St John Car rental told me they dont take phone reservations, so I emailed the agreement and credit card info. She said I could send it as an attachment since I dont have a fax at hand. I suppose if I dont hear back in a day or so I should follow up.
Courtesy only had Ford Explorers left, and I called Conrad Sutton, but (and this is a little embarassing) I could not understand what the nice young man was telling me and so I finally took the chicken way out and gave up. I don't always hear people so well when I can't see the lips moving.
What else....oh, I purchased travel insurance thru the link at left to support the forum. Somehow one of my daughters names got put as the principal insured, but the person I called at CSA assured me that it makes no difference whatsoever.
I guess the only thing I have left to do is plan a full or half day snorkel excursion. Would like a private one. With somebody who can help out 3 noobs and a beginner. Don't know what's better, sailboat or power boat?
I plan on buying a mask and snorkel here before I leave town because my head is oddly shaped and water likes to rush into rental gear. Stop looking at my avatar for the deformity. Really, how rude.
And of course thanks for the welcomes. And the invite to the Forum get together! Woo hoooooo! Maybe I need to get the tshirt.
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California Girl
When it comes to daysails for beginning snorkelers, I can't think of a better recommendation than Capt. Phil of the Wayward Sailor. I would have mentioned him before, but you said you wanted "girl drinks" and as a recovered alcoholic, Capt. Phil doesn't do liquor onboard. HOWEVER, he is absolutely amazing when it comes to helping newbie snorkelers! He helped us greatly by fitting our masks to our heads, scrubbing all the new gunk off of them so they wouldn't leak, etc. Then he gets in the water with you and shows you the sights underwater and points out things like octopus, different corals, etc. If this sounds interesting to you check out his website at: www.waywardsailor.net
It sounds like you're getting very well organized and you will have SO much fun with your family!
It sounds like you're getting very well organized and you will have SO much fun with your family!
I DID read the Bo Atabey construction log. That was a large part of my decision to rent there. I love a place with history, and now I will really appreciate every little detail of the villa.
As far as the girl drinks, they are not to be included with the snorkeling trip. Two separate goals!
I am a very unsuccessful imbiber...I almost never drink and when I do, one drink smears me. I don't drink anything at all if I have to walk or talk or think for a few hours afterwards. Would not dream of doing it near the water.
Will certainly check out Capt. Phil!
Thanks
As far as the girl drinks, they are not to be included with the snorkeling trip. Two separate goals!
I am a very unsuccessful imbiber...I almost never drink and when I do, one drink smears me. I don't drink anything at all if I have to walk or talk or think for a few hours afterwards. Would not dream of doing it near the water.
Will certainly check out Capt. Phil!
Thanks
Welcome to the forum!
Like CG said, I definitely recommend Captain Phil to you since you say you are new to snorkeling and don't want drinks while on your daysail (fyi he does have beer on board for anyone that wants one.). He is so thorough, and he will make you feel really comfortable in the water. He'll come along with you and point out sea life, show you how to find things underwater, etc. John and I really enjoyed our outing with him, even though we did not need the snorkeling tutorial (but I let him fiddle with my mask anyway
)
I have done the USAir Philly connection to STT (coming from Boston) a couple of times. Just make sure you have a book and some snacks. The plane always leaves for St. Thomas....eventually.
Like CG said, I definitely recommend Captain Phil to you since you say you are new to snorkeling and don't want drinks while on your daysail (fyi he does have beer on board for anyone that wants one.). He is so thorough, and he will make you feel really comfortable in the water. He'll come along with you and point out sea life, show you how to find things underwater, etc. John and I really enjoyed our outing with him, even though we did not need the snorkeling tutorial (but I let him fiddle with my mask anyway
)I have done the USAir Philly connection to STT (coming from Boston) a couple of times. Just make sure you have a book and some snacks. The plane always leaves for St. Thomas....eventually.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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California Girl
Capt. Phil brought up a West Indian Sea Egg to show us, then gently put it back in it's home. If you're interested in seeing the pictures of our day with Capt. Phil, here is a link to my pictures - http://www.pbase.com/thegripps/jost_van_dyke - The small "gallery" at the end are the underwater pictures I took that day.
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Welcome ifloat! We're in the Chicago suburbs too (Clarendon Hills) and went to STJ for the first time last year. Loved it!
You should feel great about your airfare - that's a great rate!
We had a tight connection (through IAD) and our first flight was delayed. Going carry-on saved us from worrying about our luggage catching up with us.
Have fun planning!
You should feel great about your airfare - that's a great rate!
We had a tight connection (through IAD) and our first flight was delayed. Going carry-on saved us from worrying about our luggage catching up with us.
Have fun planning!
