USVI-On-Line

For part one of my trip report, click here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... 60676ec1a2

For part two, click here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=10713

For part three, click here:

http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=10736

Day ten

Travel day.

We went out for a brief spin down the North Shore Road. The surf was up again, so we stopped at Hawksnest for some pictures:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288501111/" title="497.09Hawksnest surf 6 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/328 ... 588caf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="497.09Hawksnest surf 6"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288500383/" title="487.08 Hawksnest surf 5 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/328 ... 751b66.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="487.08 Hawksnest surf 5"></a>

Then went to the Deli Grotto to get sandwiches for the airport. I love doing this--their food is tasty and you can skip the long lines for the crummy chicken fingers and fries that they serve at the airport cafe. I forgot to take pictures of the sandwiches, but I did get pictures of the zaniest island car that was parked at Mongoose! I had been seeing it around all week. Behold the shark car. Front:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3289318028/" title="487.2 shark car front by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/328 ... 1b1515.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="487.2 shark car front"></a>

Back. Note the large dorsal fin on the top.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288500439/" title="487.1 shark car back by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/328 ... 0ed694.jpg" width="500" height="441" alt="487.1 shark car back"></a>

Then we turned the car to St. John Car Rental. A note on SJCR--they were extremely friendly, we had no extra cleaning charge for sand, and when we picked the car up they told us we could park in their lot at any time. I know some people have had problems with these issues, so wanted to let you know about our experience.

Down to the dock. Look at this picture. This is our luggage. Did we need all this luggage? NO!!! Will I ever learn? Probably not.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3289319212/" title="499 goodbey luggage by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/328 ... 5df7ee.jpg" width="447" height="500" alt="499 goodbey luggage"></a>

We said goodbye to St. John:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284964678/" title="554 ferry st john view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/328 ... 6e3393.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="554 ferry st john view"></a>

Of course we were already talking about when we were coming back before the ferry even pulled out!

The ferry ride over was nice--we got the last two seats on the upper deck.

Sailboat outside Charlotte Amelie:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3289318242/" title="489.1 st thomas sailboat by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/328 ... 143eac.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="489.1 st thomas sailboat"></a>

There were no crowds at the airport until we got into the waiting area. The dining area was packed!

Our flight actually took off 30 minutes early, smooth flight all the way, all the bags made it, and we were home by 7 PM. Quite a change from the usual off-season multi-leg trek.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3284143079/" title="556 flight home 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/328 ... 46c94d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="556 flight home 2"></a>


Some on season vs. off season observations:

One negative difference I noticed on this trip was the number of inexperienced swimmers/snorkelers out in the water. I have never seen so may people flailing around, thrashing, shouting, running into other swimmers, standing on coral, touching coral (GRR!). I don't know what can be done about this, but it is sad to see people disrespecting the coral.

One positive difference I noticed was how many more hikers there were out and about, trekking up and down the roads. Lots of people of all ages hiking, lots of people training for 8 Tuff Miles running--and everyone looked comfortable, not like the poor sweaty folks you see on the side of the road in the summer!

Restaurants: The upscale places were mostly dead. Deader than our previous off season trips, by far. People are still going out--Shipwreck was always busy, Rhumblines had a decent crowd, La Tapa was always full when we went by, and Cafe Roma was packed the night we stopped in. It seems in general that people are moving away from the higher end restaurants, and I have to say I understand why. I really think that the prices are too high, and the menus are too similar. I'd like to see some new concepts to choose from--more small plates, more shared dishes, lower price points. I would not be surprised if about four of the high end places close within the next year or so.

Climate: Yes, it is different. REALLY different from summer. We were able to sleep with our Gallows unit wide open all night long. We even needed a blanket! There were wonderful breezes, and to be able to hear the ocean at night was really spectacular. I can't imagine needing AC anywhere on the island in January or February. Humidity was zero, which made hiking around a lot more pleasant than in the summer. I only complained once on the walk back up from Salt Pond, ha ha. The tradeoff was the water temperature. It was significantly cooler than our October and July trips. I missed being completely comfortable while snorkeling for hours.

Overall, we decided that we are more off season people. The beaches did feel just a bit too crowded to us, and the water on the North Shore was stirred up, which led to cloudy snorkeling in a couple of locations. If we come back next year in the on season, we probably won't stay in town again. We LOVE Gallows, but 10 days there was not really compatible with what we've come to realize is our preferred vacation style--equal amounts of time at the villa and the beach, and half dinners in, half out. We had serious restaurant fatigue by the end of this trip. Instead we'll rent something small over in Coral Bay to try and capture some of the privacy and solitude that comes naturally in the off season months.

True confession: I also missed ending our trip at Caneel Bay like we usually do. I love, LOVE, LOVE snorkeling there, but their on-season prices are in the stratosphere! Next off season trip we'll definitely build in some Caneel time.

List time...

Things we STILL have not gotten around to doing on St. John--they are on the "to do" list for next time (maybe, heh heh):

* Rent a dinghy
* Snorkel the Indians
* Eat at Sogo's
* Hike to Brown Bay

St. John January-February 2009 Favorites

Beach: Cinnamon
Snorkel: Leinster/Waterlemon
Snorkel sighting: dolphin!
Restaurant (dinner): La Tapa
Restaurant (lunch): Shipwreck Landing

ITunes playlist for this trip:

Double Barrel, Dave & Ansel Collins
You Can Get It If You Really Want, Jimmy Cliff
Take Another Road, Jimmy Buffett
Rivers Of Babylon, The Melodians
Wonderful World, Beautiful People, Jimmy Cliff
I Can See Clearly Now, Jimmy Cliff
Could You Be Loved, Bob Marley
Suzanne Beware of the Devil, Dandy Livingstone
Sloop John B., The Beach Boys
One Particular Harbour, Jimmy Buffett
Sugar Sugar, Bob Marley & The Wailers
Pump Me Up, Krosfyah
Come Monday, Jimmy Buffett
Sweet Caroline, Freddie Mcgregor
He No Dead Yet, King Fighter
Boat Drinks, Jimmy Buffett
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Kenny Chesney
Three Little Birds, Bob Marley
Montego Bay, Freddy & The Rudies
Creola, Jimmy Buffett
Hurry Up and Come, Cocoa Tea Reggae
Good Life, Cocoa Tea Reggae
Help Me Make It Through The Night, John Holt
Nothing Is Worth Losing You, Elan
Jamaica Farewell, Greg McDonald
Sailing, Christopher Cross


Overall, it was another wonderful St. John vacation, and we can't wait to come back!


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288505265/" title="66 Gallows sunset widescreen by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/328 ... f9fb0b.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="66 Gallows sunset widescreen"></a>


To look at my public pictures from this trip, click here:
http://flickr.com/gp/28539958@N00/2T856p


The end. Thanks for reading!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/3288446717/" title="125.1 gallows gs by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/328 ... 9809_m.jpg" width="240" height="144" alt="125.1 gallows gs"></a>

Becky and John

Great report Becky. What kind of camera did you use for your underwater shots? (I apologize if you mentioned it in another post... I have not seen it though.)
Fabulous photos... amazing dolphin shots. I would have felt like I'd won the lottery if I'd captured pictures like yours. Well done!

Becky, I give you an A+ on trip reporting, restaurant reviewing and snorkel picture posting. Thanks so much for sharing all the info! That last picture of you and your hubby is so cute!

Loved your report, I always look forward to seeing your photographs! I can't believe you saw dolphins, you have the best luck. I'm lucky if I see one turtle.

Sandy

Becky,

You have absolutely raised the bar for trip reports.... a new career option (if you ever need one) could be ghost writing STJ trip reports.....

Thanks for taking us along on this wonderful trip!

Krosfyah, Pump Me Up...just kicked off Hot Zone on iTunes. Doesn't include Pump Me Up.

Will need to increase the Island Library.

Thanks, great writeup!

I'm with you completely on the off-season preference. The water temperature alone makes that true, but the beach crowds?!! They hurt.

Cheers, RickG

When I lived on island, July was still busy. Maybe it was carnival or the fact that alot of people from the Tri State area and the DC area did not mind the humidity, since they had it where they live.

Thanks for the great trip reports.

I loved it! I'm sad it's over.

i agree- beaches more crowdier, water more coldier but the direct flight and the vaca post winter holidays when its gosh darn chilly here in new england and we are sittin on the beach were big pros on our list.

great tr!

I musta missed Anthony's link to the Trip Report Protocol. If THIS is the standard I'm in big trouble!

Outstanding TR and, as a newbie, I really appreciate the details. Helps a lot with my planning.

Dave

I agree with Dave, these standards are difficult to live up to! Thank you for your report. I like to hear the differences between in season and out, since I can't travel during the cheaper and quieter times, I am envious! It is uplifting to go to the islands in the dead of winter, when you get back it doesn't seem too long until Spring is here. Thank you.

Seeing that shot of STJ in the wake of the the departing ferry puts a lump in my throat every time. Got a few shots of my own of that. Sniff....thanks for the great ride!