USVI-On-Line

JSL,
I think you have raised the bar. Live trip reports are awesome. Have a great time. NC is still the same, not that you care right now.

Thanks for making my day go by faster. float around a little for me

We love Philly. We go to the city a few times a year - actually planning a trip right now to see the King Tut exhibit.

Glad to hear your daughter crossed over to a snorkeller.

Floating around in the pool and listening to KC; aaah, what could possibly be better. I'm daydreaming now and can't imagine how I'll make it through the rest of the work day, ugh. Have a great day! Ali~

b-as-u-r - I'm with you !!!
This is torture!! I'm here at work reading this wonderful trip report with statements like 'my float in the pool is calling me' and it is driving me crazy!!!! I want to be there but nooooo, I have to be here at work so I can go again in April. Grrrrrr

I love your live trip reports JSL, I'm just a little bit envious as if you couldn't tell.
Can't wait for the next report. Keep them coming and thanks for taking the time to do them.

I'm finally getting caught up on reading all the trip reports and I have to say that I'm loving your live reports! You made me laugh with: ...a new Disney rollercoast ride, especially in the dark ... Roads of the Caribbean. How true!

A year or so ago, someone here on the forum posted a picture of their wedding cake from Baked in the Sun. They also got those seashells and it was maybe the most gorgeous cake I ever saw! Please post a picture of your mom's cake!

Looking forward to the next time you check in!

I've enjoyed your live reports. Thanks!

Hey JSL

Check out Best of Both Worlds in Mongoose Junction they may have something nice for your new kitchen - I believe they have a copper (although it is a patina finish (I think) in a blue/green colour) wall sculpture with 3 sail boats on it.

Pia

ps: love your reports

pps: I just found a picture of it on line - here is the link
http://www.thebestofstjohn.com/sculptur ... oward.html

Thursday, Day 6 continued

Well the intreprid shopper returned and we lounged by the pool until it was time to clean up for dinner.

We had a 6:30 p.m. dinner reservation at the Lime Inn, another of our favorite places.

We started with clam chowder for DF and DH, onion soup for DD and a caeasar salad for me. DF had the coquille St. Jacques, DM had the fresh halibut with yellow pepper sauce, DD had the mussell (sp) appetizer as her entree, DH had the filet stuffed with crab and I have the filet stuffed with blue cheese. All of our food was wonderful ... and the service was good as well.

DD had the chocolate mousse for dessert which she shared all around the table. It was quite tasty.

After dinner we hit the shops nearby ... DD just loves the Pink Papaya. Linda, the owner, was wonderful with us.

We headed on back to the villa with a stop at Starfish (again) for some fresh baked cookies (I loved the chocolate macadamian) and bagels for breakfast.

Again we gathered on the gallery for a post dinner drink and conversation and headed to bed.

Friday, Day 7

We agree the night before that we would try to leave the house by 7:30 a.m. so we could get an early start snorkeling at Trunk Bay.

We packed bagels with cream cheese and lox, soda and water to eat on the beach.

We arrived around 7:45 a.m. and pratically had the beach to ourselves. We set up camp under some sea grape trees under a picture perfect blue sky.

DD and DH set off to snorkel the trail and to use her underwater camera while I ate my bagel. After awhile we all bobbed in the crystal water and then I headed out to do the snorkeling trail with DD. It had been years since I did the trail and it was as enjoyable as I remembered.

While DD and I were snorkeling DH, DM and DF saw a deer make its way to the beach and then make a bee line when it saw all the people on his beach!!

When DD and I joined the rest of the group we caught the sight a rather large barracuda who was checking out the swimmers

DD and DH headed out again for a tour of the trail and then she and I went out again ... It was amazing to see how she has taken to snorkeling. We are very proud of her!!

The beach did become crowded with "boat" people who seemed to come and go in waves. I can't tell you how annoying it was to be on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on a tourism perfect day and to hear folks YELLING!!!

Around 12:30 we decided to head on out and leave the beach to the invaders We stopped at Mongoose Junction for lunch at Sun Dog Cafe. We had a delightful lunch which started with chicken soup for DF and the Mexicali dip for the rest of us. DD had a chicken caesar salad, DH had an incredible turkey sandwich with cheese and garlic on a baguette ... and the rest of us had cheeseburgers.

We also picked up three Sun Dog T-Shirts!

DH and I ventured in to check out the art at Best of Both Worlds where DH did indeed see the sailboats that Pia posted (thanks Pia). We ended up purchasing a hammered pewter sailboat that will be shipped home in a few weeks.

We made our way back through the different stores and then to the car.

We headed back to the villa around 2 p.m. with our daily stop at Starfish for some last evening provisions (whiskey) and Baked Under the Sun for DM's birthday cake. The cake, which cost $42, is a yellow cake with chocolate mousse and chocolate ganache filling, white buttercream icing, and white chocolate sea shells. I will make sure to take pictures before we dive into it and will try to post them

We returned to the villa to finish up last minute laundry and of course to lounge poolside.

It's now 6 p.m. ... I am going to head up to take a shower while the others play cards. Dinner will be pizza from Ronnies and a leftover of chicken for me.

It was another hazy but sunny and warm day.

Tomorrow our plans are to catch the 11 a.m. ferry to STT, some shopping at Havensight, and then off to the airport for our 4:15 p.m. flight to CLT.

Not sure if I will have time to post tomorrow a.m. I will post with some ending thoughts in the coming days!

Thanks for following along!

That's too funny Pia! I didn't realize you worked in the area. We were at the table right outside of Best of Both Worlds.

We are waiting for the pizza from Ronnie's ... they just called for directions.

Depression has set in ... I don't think any of us are ready to leave although we are missing our dogs (hence the investment in Sun Dog T-shirts). I have a Sun Dog T- Shirt from 14 years ago that I wear to the gym.

Sorry to see your vacation come to and end have a safe trip home.
Tom

Friday, Day 7 continuation ...

So after showers and sundowners we ordered pizza from Ronnie's around 7 p.m. We had called earlier in the day to confirm that they would deliver out our way and they said they would.

True to their word, Ronnie's called about 7:30 to say that they were on the way and for directions. DH read the directions to the villa that were printed in the Villa info book. All seemed well...

The driver called two more times for directions ... and we tried to help out with our limited knowledge.

Ronnie himself called to tell us that the driver had come back, that they were making new pizzas and the driver understood the directions. He also said that he would waive the delivery fee.

After Ronnie and DH traded a few more calls (with DH offering to meet the driver at the end of the driveway, the end of our road and finally at the Westin) the pizza delivery guy and DH met in our driveway around 9 p.m.

The pizza was "okay" according to those who ate it (I can't so I had leftover chicken) and cold ... but hey it was our last night of vacation and we were celebrating DM's birthday.

After cleaning up from dinner we scurried around to find a candle for DM's birthday cake. DH lit a small wooden shish kebab skewer and we sang to DM

The cake was OUTSTANDING!! The white chocolate seashells were beautiful and tasty from what I hear as DM and DD woofed them down.

The cake was a wonderful yellow cake with incredibly light chocolate mousses and a trace of chocolate ganache. The icing was a white buttercream that delicious once it softened up after being in the frig.

A nightcap for all (except DD of course) on the gallery/porch. We all toasted to the wonderful week we had.

Saturday, Day 8

DH and I were up at the crack of dawn to watch the sun from our bed for the final morning at Villa Tesori.

We packed up, ran the last loads of laundry and dishes. A final breakfast of mimosas, Bloody Marys, birthday cake and eggs

We gathered up the trash ... packed up the faithful Explorer ... took a few last photos ... and vowed to return for at least 10 days!

We were in the Explorer and on our way to catch the 11 a.m. ferry by 10:10 a.m. DH dropped us off at the ferry while he returned the car at St. John Car Rentals. DH gives St. John Car Rentals high marks ... except for the cost which I assured him was in line with other rental companies.

They porters at the ferry said the 11 a.m. would be packed ... and it was. We rode across Pillsbury Sound on the front of the ferry in quiet as well all were sad about leaving the island until our return in November.

On Friday, DH made with Wheatley's taxi on STT for a private taxi to meet us at Rede Hook, stop at Havensight for a quick 60-minute shopping spree (Absolut Citron, Cruzan Rum, Grand Marinier). I did get to try on my 25th wedding anniversary present (DH has two more years to save) ... a diamond and blue faced Rolex that I visit every year

Cy our driver picked us up at 1 p.m. at the pre-arranged location (the parking lot at Al Cohen's). We had a quick ride to the airport since the only cruise ship in was Adventurer of the Seas.

We were all very glad that we arrived at the airport as early as we did as the line for Customs and Immigration backed all the way to the check in area for Cape Air ... way past the bathrooms.

It took us over 90 minutes from the time we were dropped off until we were in the terminal (where I realized I lost my boarding pass somewhere in the process ... luckily I had it reprinted by a very nice young man at the USAir desk).

While DH and DD waited in line I grabbed one last Red Stripe and Tanqueray and Tonic and a water for us to enjoy in line. DD munched on the last of the provisions ... cheese and crackers.

It was a long and hot line ... not just temperature but tempers as well. For the life of me I still don't understand how folks who use the porters skip ahead in the line for security. I talked with a C&I official and he said there was nothing he could do. The folks in front of me joked that the C&I officer had a gun as well as the US government to back him up ... and the folks were told it was a local not federal issue.

It was way past lunch at this point (close to 2:45) so we grabbed a hot dog, cheeseburger and fried shrimp for lunch/dinner since we knew there would be no food on the plane.

DM and DF grabbed something to eat as well and then it was time for them to leave on their American Airline's flight to SJU and then PHL.

We boarded our USAir flight direct to CLT about 15 minutes later.

We had a smooth flight home. The three of us watched "Wild Hogs" which we had seen in the theater during the spring. It was full of laughs for all of us.

Before we knew it we landed. DH went to retrieve the car from long-term parking while DD and I prayed to the luggage gods that everything would arrive in one piece (especially the 6 bottles).

We weren't disappointed

DH pointed the trusty Volvo homeward, with a quick stop at Mickey D's for dinner at 9:45 p.m.

Our four-legged girls were glad to see us! I still have to figure a way to get them to go on vacation with us as they are extremely well-behaved golden retrievers

Thanks for following along ... we had an incredible time ... that wasn't long enough!

I will try to post some final thoughts and photos in the next few days ... DH is off to Atlanta for the next three days and I have to whip the house back in shape as his college room mate and his family are coming to visit on Saturday!

If anyone has any questions please ask away ... The folks here were so helpful ... and I hope to pay it forward!