USVI-On-Line

Day 1 Christmas Day

I looked at the cruise ship schedule and saw that the best day for us to visit the busiest beaches was on December 25. So, on Christmas Day we went to Trunk Beach. We planned on spending the whole day there but the North Shore was a little rough and the snorkel trail was closed. We were so disappointed. BUT then we decided to body surf like others were doing. Actually, it was a lot of fun.

We are always on the lookout for coconuts. We found a few at trunk and here are my boys cracking da coconuts!


Next we went to Caneel Beach. I remembered that it was really isolated and had a platform to jump fro. We really enjoyed this beach also. I noted to myself that I didn't really like the Caneel atmoshpere. But we loved their beach. We stayed here until it was time for dinner.



And, as promised, the SUV on it top.

A couple from New York were staying at Bay House that shares a driveway with our villa, SeaBiscuit. They were having a family reunion with their grown children. Both children are fresh out of college and they haven't seen each other in a while. Their son has been in Panama with the Peace Corps. We quickly established a friendship when I was looking over the driveway from our villa as the were trying to navigate their way out. They are a very nice family who we instantly liked.

After our day at Trunk and Caneel we were going back to the villa to grill steaks. We were heading up the hill only to have a wrecker backing down the hill. We reversed. Then the cops told us that we could not drive up. So we parked by Lily's Market and walked cautiously to our villa not knowing what to expect.


Once we got to our driveway I was instantly filled with fear. We saw the SUV on its top and knew that it was the SUV driven by our neighbors. We were allowed to walk to our villa and were relieved to run into the men in the family. They were ok but the mother and daughter both had cuts and needed to go to the medical center in St. John.

As they were heading to the beaches their brakes wouldn't grip. Gary only had two options. Either he could keep going knowing that he wasn't going to be able to navigate the turn knowing he would go over a mid-sized cliff or he could run into the retaining wall to stop the vehicle. He ran into the wall and the SUV ended up on its top.



Everything seemed like it was going to be ok for the next day or two for them medically. Unfortunately they were kept busy trying to get everything they needed to file a claim. I don't think they got any R & R on this trip, unfortunately.

It really was a mess but their attitudes were great. They ended up leaving early because Gary started seeing floaters and spots and flashes of light. Additionally, the wife, who had the cuts and glass in her hand was seeing signs of infection in her hand.

Gary has learned a lot in terms of insurance and I will report on that as well. Like all of us, he checked with his credit card before he left to see if they cover rental vehicles. Because they did he didn't accept the insurance from the rental company. After the accident he called his credit card company and they told him what he needed to file a claim. He had a hard time getting the needed reports. He finally left after their medical issues without the necessary paperwork hoping that he could get it once they got back to New York. I really felt bad for them. He did give me a lot of insight that I will pass along once I talk to him. I want to be clear up a few things before I report it to all of you.

Looking back at day one I have a mixture of feelings. I feel really bad for what they went through but I also think it is such a blessing that everyone was ok.

Next Day 2: the eco-tour and Shipwreck Landing

o wow, I am SO glad that everyone was okay--that's really scary--I would love to know what you find out regarding their claim and what CC company they used (and also what car rental company they used and how they were)

would have loved to run into you guys in december! my daughter was going bonkers just having her little brother to hang with.

Wow. I stayed at Seabiscuit in August, it was an interesting drive. That's awful about your Bayhouse neighbors! Enjoying the trip report so far....

Thanks for the installment Gina. Wow. A good reminder to check your insurance when you rent a car.

Flip Flop: you will understand then . . . we thought that the SUV had fallen from the upper driveway.

Ok, I have heard back from Gary. Their daughter did end up with whiplash but she is ok. His wife's hand is 70% healed. They all had their seat belts on. Gary explained his floaters and flashes of light:

a completely detached vitreous, which is why I started to experience all sorts of floating things in my left eye . . . .that while my vitreous has separated from my optic nerve, there is no sign of retinal damage. I have therefore been given the ok for normal activity.

As far as insurance he said that their medical insurance was not covered while in St. John but was under $1000. Before we left I called our car insurance company and asked if they covered rental vehicles they said yes. What I should also know though is if the cover outside of the 50 states (US possessions). I should also make sure that that it is the same coverage we have on all of our vehicles. My husband's work truck only has liability--does anyone know if that is a problem. I had someone mention that to me as a potential problem. Gary says it best:

While most credit cards will provide supplementary insurance (covering collision loss, but not personal injury) if your primary auto carrier does not protect you, not all cards allow this. So if there is one tip I'd offer, it's calling each company (your auto carrier, your credit card company, and your medical insurance company) to make sure that you'll be covered in the area where you will be traveling.

Gary was covered. He had the number of the credit card company with him and called them right away. He said it was a good thing because he was able to make all the right connections in St. John to get the paperwork that he needed. I am going to have to figure this out before we go to Mexico.

I am glad you all liked my reports and pictures. I do them to have a record for ourselves but also for the newbies. I had so many questions before we went to St. John and got my answers here and want to pass them along. And I love reading trip reports myself!!

Gina

I'm glad it's all working out for them. What a PIA!
Gina, your TR's have been terrific. Thanks for all of your efforts!