99 and Company 2013

[Agent99]

What happens next?

No drama. We enjoyed our stay there and checked in to Gallows yesterday. After 12 years, it really does feel like coming home. Gallows and Gibney are 2 of my favorite happy places. There is just something very special when you throw open those Gallows doors for the first time or come upon that bougainvilla draped white picket fence as you approach Gibney Beach. All the stress melts away and I feel so incredibly grateful to be here again with my family.

I hope it isn't called Gallows Pt because they used to hang people here or something. If that's true don't tell me- there will be no rain on my parade.

[mnfun2bme]

What a Sunday morning treat! I wake to find the fun story of your travels. Your reviews always tickle my funnybone.

Can't wait to see what happens next!!

Thanks for taking the time to write!

[CBama]

Really enjoying your report! I have wondered about seashore allure. Looks gorgeous!

Can you snorkel offshore there? I can't figure out where it is located.

[cindygad]

So excited to see a trip report by 99. Your report years ago was one of the first I read that drew me in captivated me to want to return to St John. Love your energy that comes out through your writing and pictures.

Wow we have never stayed at Gallow. Your pictures make me want to give it a try. So your favorite is which one and for what reasons?

Looking forward to the rest.

[Agent99]

Thanks so very much for the nice comments. I read over before I post and think....way too much information...nobody cares... but it is really fun to know that others are enjoying hearing the gory details just as I look forward to your trip reports and drink up every detail in an effort to feel connected to this beautiful little place on earth.

After we checked out of my new BFF Delbert's place (10am checkout) we thought we would drop our bags at Gallows, pick up some towels and sand chairs and head out to a beach.

Backtrack just for a second to say that we had rented our car through Bougainvilla car rental which is connected to Donald Schnell. We have done so for the past few years and really are impressed. The vehicles are always nicely maintained and this year's is brand spanking new. One year while parked in the Gallows lot we woke up to find that our tire was flat. They came out almost instantly and changed it for us. They accommodated our 2 day early arrival without a hitch. Highly recommend.

So back to Gallows. We arrived a few minutes past 10 am- check in is not until much later in the afternoon so we planned on a beach day. I cannot tell you how nice these folks are. We are always greeted so warmly and that really matters. We had a nice chat with Angel as Anna was tending to other guests and we aked them if we could check our bags and return later in the afternoon for check-in. They said of course but then Anna told us to hang on just in case our room was ready early. It was.

I can't express how much we feel at home here. The units are great but it's more than that. It is an energy. We were so happy to find out we could check in early we decided to skip the beach and hung out at the resort all day. This side of the island is my favorite. I've said it before but I love the early morning and late afternoon best. Late in the afternoon the light gets all silvery as the sun sinks in the sky. Like this:



The view must be accompanied by The Girl from Iponema or Air- Moon Safari. It just must.

This morning we started late. JJ's tostada breakfast is a favorite so we walked down at 10 but it was full. The service there is always aloof and getting someone to even acknowledge you is a triumph so after we stood there for 20 minutes with no greeting even though several tables had their check we decided to walk up to our favorite breakfast joint- Jake's, the former Chilly Bllly's. They were every bit as slammed as JJ's but gracious. We were happy to wait when we could sense that they gave a damn. I am so sorry I cannot remember her name but the waitress has been there 3 years and even though she was slammed she kept her cool and was as efficient as possible and she makes a great Bloody Mary.

Then we headed to Honeymoon. We had not visited with the new facilities which, I confess, saddened me a little. I think bathrooms and services will bring more visitors. There I go wanting to slam the door behind myself once I've discovered paradise. I must say I do think it has brought more traffic. It is still one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen





but there were more boats moored than I ever remember before.

Tonight we're getting a pizza in because we had a late lunch of the new sushi menu at Caneel. It is every bit as good as the reviews I've read. Tomorrow I will offer my impressions of Caneel this year. I like it. A lot. It seems they've stepped it up. Will elaborate later. J

[Agent99]

CBama,
I would not have snorkled off SeaShore Allure because that is where the car ferry comes in and out. Cindy, my favorite Gallows unit is 15 C because it has both harbor and ocean view. Some people don't like the harbor view because it can be noisy from town but I do. If you like it more quiet I'd ask for the lower numbered units. I love them all.

[ColumbiaSCTraveler]

LOVING your report!

I'm seriously thinking about Gallows for a future trip. Sounds (and looks) AMAZING!

THANKS for sharing ... especially the "gory" details!! Love it all!

[ski2play]

Agreed on the Gallows, we stayed there on our first visit! Great Staff.

[Agent99]

She's got her cup of coffee and she's off and typing- we've created a monster we have. I love being the first one up and taking my coffee out on the balcony. The pearly trasher is scolding me for my lack of crumbs to share. Patience, my friend. Toast soon come.

About that coffee. We have not yet made it in to say hi to Ruth and Ron but we've been enjoying their Kiss of the Jumbie coffee none the less. Found in our generous gift basket at Seashore Allure was a bag with enough for a few pots of really delicious hazelnutty coffee. Finished it this morning so it is time to stop in and pay homage to the queen of spice herself and replenish our supplies. A pound of Cruz Bay Grill Rub keeps us marinating all year long and the hot sauces are just more fun than anyone should be having.

Caneel. This year they just seem really happy. Everybody from the front gate security, the sidewalk security the lady in the gift shop, the waitress, Johanna and the staff walking around. Everyone was super courteous and happy acting. Not that we have ever felt the opposite but it just stood out how everyone we interacted with seemed to be going the extra mile to be helpful and courteous. Nice touch.

There seemed to be heavy security so maybe somebody was visiting. But even with my handy dandy Agent 99 super sleuth manual and by that I mean Us Magazine- I didn't recognize a soul. Honeymoon Beach is a 7 or so minute walk from the main Caneel beach on a fairly flat trail. It is one of my favorites and the weather was picture perfect.

We only have one copy of Game of Thrones so naturally we're fighting over it.



Just kidding. Xena the cat did that. She gets annoyed when she knows we are going away so destroys something we like. It's just who she is. But we are fighting over the book. We love the series- well Luke is not watching. I don't know why HBO and Showtime have to be so gratuitous all the time. That would be a great teen story if not for the R rated stuff. I digress. Yesterday was my turn with the book and I did not share.

After a few hours at the beach we walked the trail back to the resort and tucked into a cool table in the back of the Beach Bar to try the much anticipated new sushi menu. I wish I'd thought to take photos but did not. Just trust me that the dishes were beautifully presented. Who doesn't love it when their food is pretty? We started with an order of Edamame, then shared the Tuna Poke, another Poke dish with garlic and mango, the Spicy Tuna Tempura (the favorite) and Volcano something. All delicious, super fresh and pretty. Tip- they stop serving sushi between the hours of 3 and 6 so plan accordingly.

A quick stop at Starfish Market to replenish supplies and as mentioned previously a pizza to go for dinner. Afterward we star gazed from the hot tub and pool which we had all to ourselves. Nice, early night. Not sure about today. A beach, some snorkling, lunch somewhere. I'm getting used to enjoying not having a plan. It does not come naturally to me, but I am learning.

[Pia]

We were at Honeymoon yesterday also - sorry we didn't see you

Pia

[Agent99]

Darn, Pia, would love to see you. We will find you before we go. We were all the way to the right if you are facing the water. Arrived a little after noon and just made the 3 o'clock sushi cut off.

[PA Girl]

I am enjoying your reports, I LOVE detailed trip reports.

We are planning our winter 2014 trip and the idea is to sail for five nights and stay on STJ for five nights. Gallows might be the place. Can you request specific units?

We also loved the sushi at Caneel in February. There is a noticable change in the staffing. I saw the managers expediting orders, delivering food and clearing tables at lunch and dinner. There was a lot of security too.

[Agent99]

Can you request specific units?

Yes, you can PA Girl. If it's just 2 of you the lower units are a bit smaller but also a little less expensive. My favorite of the lowers is Blue Orchid. 15A It is privately owned and completely different than others. It's small but beautiful. I think by now all of the units have been updated so I really feel that they are all great.

[ski2play]

Agent 99, I must admit, I have read, and reread, looked at the pictures, scrolled back through the pictures. You are keeping me sane this week. Only 2 more sleeps.

[GotToGetAway]

Curious if Seashore Allure was noisy in the morning, especially with that extra noisy scraping sound of the car barge?