Leaving Jost, da Islands, and heading home........

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:16 pm

Our last Day on Vacation:
We were up and out early. All packed, just a quick shower after the beach and we'll catch the 12:00 ferry to Tortola. A very good breakfast at Corsairs, we were the only ones there. Except for the cat & chicken that joined us. It was kind of ironic.........one on each side of the table waiting for a handout.

I got a pic of the chicken, but the cat took off!

Mike @ Corsairs
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The Chicken (like you've never seen one before)
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We decide to stop by the car rental to inquire if she'll be in just before noon so we can hitch a ride up to the ferry dock. We go ahead and deposit $12 worth of gas in the tank

and head over to White Bay. The Soggy Dollar is basically empty and Mic is happy to serve up more PK's for us.

Mike, Mic, Jan
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Don't you love his hat? One of the guests at Sandcastle brought it down for him; he put in on and hadn't taken it off yet. I think it makes him look very handsome!!

More walks on the beach, lounging in the hammock, playing in the water, plenty of PK's. This is a great way to enjoy our last few hours in Paradise. We are responsible adults and when it's time to go we accept it and move on. Not so for me this time. I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE MY SANCTUARY, no way. YES, I am embarrassed to admit this, but I shed a couple of tears

once back in the jeep and off to Sea Crest.

The empty Soggy Dollar Bar
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The beautiful water of White Bay
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Here are a couple of pics from the ferry trip back. You can tell from the pics that Mike was sitting right behind me the whole time. Just couldn't find anyone around to take a pic. The locals all sat below but we had to get every last drop of sunshine we could!! Not only did we have more supplies on the ferry with us, we also had a criminal. Poor guy; taken to Tortola by the police with handcuffs and everything. Mike & I wondered what he did on Jost that warranted such a trip. Oh well we'll probably never know.

Jan (best pic we got)
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Mike
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KC (aka Casey) was true to his word on getting us to Tortola to catch the 12:30 ferry. We pulled up to the dock at 12:29

and said a quick goodbye and thanks to KC then off to customs, departure taxes, and tickets to STT. I thought we were going direct to CA, but we went to Red Hook via....................yes.......................yes.........St John!!!!!!!! I got to step foot on my favorite island for a couple of minutes!

Just long enough to clear customs.

I LOVE that grin!!
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Then on to Red Hook where we passed up the crazed crowd piling into taxis.

We had lunch and a cold beer right there in the terminal. Then headed out for a taxi, it was great just the two of us.

We loved our time on Jost and would highly recommend it to others. We wisely decided to rent a vehicle while there. It cost about $120 for 2 days that to us was money well spent. If you do spend the night get to White Bay early, it is so peaceful. Early our first morning I was standing waist deep in that beautiful water, the only person in the water; watching Mic rake the sand around the tables at the Soggy Dollar Bar. Then I looked over and saw my husband stretched out in a beach chair soaking up sun and the view. The breeze was soft, the palm trees so green against the blue sky, not a care in the world. Everything was just about perfect at that moment!

The people of Jost are amazing and we had time to speak with so many. I have never experienced such a slow gentle pace. Everyone we spoke to or spent time with was genuine. They may live fairly simple, but they are interesting very fulfilled folks. I almost hated to share the experience, but we can't keep all the good stuff to ourselves.

The flight home was great, the plane not even 1/3 full.
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Mike and I each took our own row then drifted off to sleep. Home sweet home soon come, and it's always good to be back. (yeah right)
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HEY! Where the Hell have you two been?? Did you even think about me?? Don't speak to me I'm mad!.............. Ben
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Wakey · Post by **Wakey** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:26 pm

Thanks for your reports!

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:32 pm

Don't be embarrased about shedding a tear for Jost.

I cried like a baby when we left our 4th visit to STJ. We were heaidng home to some icky stress and leaving paradise was just horrid.

Don't let Ben make you feel guilty. He ate, slept and licked himself for days while you were gone. He missed you a little but... when you can lick yourself, life doesn't get much better... ya know what I'm sayin'

.

Maryanne · Post by **Maryanne** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:44 pm

ha, great last report.

such a special place.

Pia · Post by **Pia** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 5:32 pm

Great, great, great t/r - and great last photo

Hope to see you guy's soooon - when ya comin' back

Pia

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:00 pm

I just LOVE that picture of the water in White Bay! It's so hard to believe in water that color sometimes! I need a refresher course! LOL!

And Lysa's right about Ben, when you have the ability to lick yourself, you probably don't miss anyone too much.

LMG · Post by **LMG** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:01 pm

I just finished reading this and shouted from my office "Goodbye, everyone, I'm going to Jost!" They have no idea what I mean, and they think I'm nuts but it's worth it.

Great report, Jan. Thanks for taking us with you!

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 6:08 pm

Great report and pics.

We've been thinking about adding a couple of Jost days to a trip; I think you convinced me to do it

loria · Post by **loria** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:56 pm

wonderful report--love that cat!!! sounds like Jost captured your heart! I haven't been there in 12 years......oh dear...... need to get back!

brenda · Post by **brenda** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:02 pm

Thanks Jan, nice report

!

mrsb · Post by **mrsb** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:08 pm

Thanks for the report. We have not been to Jost yet. It looks beautiful and peaceful

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:34 pm

I loved reading your trip reports of Jost.

You have a captivating way of telling a story and mixing in the pictures and now thanks to you I know that I simply must spend at least 2 days on Jost at some point.

XOXO · Post by **XOXO** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:42 pm

I love the hat!! Really nice trip report--much needed during these below 7 degree days in Iowa. Funny picture of the cat. When we leave our cat if she could talk I see the attitude of a teenager throwing the hand in my face telling me to talk to the hand. Looks like your cat threw the same attitude at you.

luvinsun · Post by **luvinsun** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:06 am

great report on Jost, Jan. I enjoyed it. Your pictures were great, and I loved the last picture of Ben... that's how my kitties are going to look at me when we get home... Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 12:38 pm

Thanks all for sharing your comments and thoughts. It's hard to believe that 2 weeks ago today I was deep in Painkillers with not a care in the world. Thank goodness for vacations!

If I've helped convince any of you to enjoy the beauty of Jost I'm glad. And even though we couldn't take the ferry direct to Jost, going through Tortola & customs there wasn't too bad at all.

Now back to work.............arrghhhhhhhhh

usvi-on-line

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Leaving Jost, da Islands, and heading home........

Leaving Jost, da Islands, and heading home........