Trip Report 2/17-2/28 - mostly STT
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:02 pm
I know this forum is mostly STJ, so I tried the "truth in advertising" format for the title...in case anyone wants to skip over.
Trip to STT was uneventful although really early in the morning this year; up at 3 AM, Harrisburg before 6 AM to PHL, then straight to STT arriving 30 minutes early (!). Met brother and his wife at the airport, Dependable Car picked us up promptly. First rental with them because we needed a van, but very easy and very organized. Luckily I’ve driven in STT before(!).
Arrived at condo by 4; unpacked, then to Food Store for essentials. Dinner at Iggies at Bolongo, just OK.
Up on Wednesday to Kmart for booze (yes, Kmart!). Picked up nephew (newbie) at airport in PM, then to Off the Hook in Red Hook for dinner (excellent).
Thursday tourist sightseeing with nephew; Drakes Seat, Mountaintop, etc. PM guys took ferry to STJ, visited microbrew (had mango ale; too sweet for me) and other spots (bars). Dinner at condo.
Friday took car barge and all of us to STJ. Visited island in short stops at Peace Hill, Hawksnest, Cinnamon, Trunk, Maho. Lunch at Skinny Legs (good as always), back to snorkeling near Vie’s and several other beaches. New respect for those who run the 8 Tuff miles...
Saturday was the highlight of our trip, a day with John Brandi of Palm Breeze Charters. John picked four of us (sister-in-law declined) up in Red Hook, traversed Pillsbury Sound in eight foot plus swells, (think “The Perfect Storm”) which I enjoyed but wife not so much…viewed northern STJ beaches from the boat, snorkeled at Waterlemon (good but lower visibility than before). Then to Tortola for British customs. At that point we decided to cancel the Indians part of the trip (to my dismay but concurrence for my wife due to rough waters) and it was off to Jost. Foxys for lunch (Foxy was there), Sandy Point, then Soggy Dollar for Painkillers. John is a careful, friendly captain; we will use him again the next trip (great recommendation from this forum-thanks!). Back to Red Hook, dinner at Caribbean Steak House (excellent steaks).
Sunday was spent at our condo pool and a short trip to Hull Bay on the north side; snorkeling not very good this time. Dinner at Mafolie; great as usual, but no cruise ships to watch and sunset was rained out.
Monday was a “guys only” Zodiac trip using a boat from Noahs Little Arks. Staff pleasant but boats are getting old and not well maintained (low air, leaking, fouled bottoms). Day started gloomy, but ended up being an excellent day of snorkeling and beaching. Motored to Leinster, snorkeled Waterlemon Key (not good, rough surf and a tiring swim around the island) and then moved to the beach. Snorkelling from there was much better for fish and sights: turtles (one surfaced for air right in front of me)., starfish, fish. Met Tracy from Wisconsin and her husband (her husband was wearing his “Have I seen you on the Forum” shirt, which is a great clue!). Stopped at several beaches on the way back, for rest and snorkeling; lunch at Trunk (surprisingly adequate lunch). Great day in the sun on STJ. Dinner again at Iggies, again only adequate.
Tuesday we visited Secret Harbour, usually our favorite beach and place since wife and I had stayed there before. Beach replenishment in progress, so the beach was full and noisy. Water somewhat murky, so snorkeling not very good. Decided to take a look at Lindvquist Beach, which we had heard about but stayed away because it was a “locals beach” and not safe. Beach now owned by STT and called Smith Bay, operated by Magens Bay Authority, Security and lifeguard were present. Beach has the best sand that we’ve found; almost chalky. View of Thatch Cay, other islands very nice, post card quality. Trip to airport for nephew to return to reality. Dinner at Mims at Watergate; best wahoo I've had.
Wednesday back to Lindvquist most of the day. Dinner at East End Cafe in Red Hook; excellent italian.
Thursday lazed at condo, lunch at Fat Turtle on trip to airport to drop off brother and his wife for return to reality. Light dinner at Lobster Grille at Bolongo; excellent.
Friday wife and I visited STJ for shopping at Mongoose, St. John Spice (of course...).Dinner with friends at Room With A View; excellent shrimp creole and terrific view of harbor.
Saturday took friends to Mountaintop (rained), lunch at Tickles in Crown Bay, then to airport for end of journey...used porter to skip long lines, thanks to a tip on this forum; thanks again. Easy flights back, home by 10:30 PM.
Wonderful, relaxing but busy trip again this year. Can't wait to start planning our next trip, if this economy ever straightens out.
Hope this information helps someone nearly as much as prior posts have helped us.
Trip to STT was uneventful although really early in the morning this year; up at 3 AM, Harrisburg before 6 AM to PHL, then straight to STT arriving 30 minutes early (!). Met brother and his wife at the airport, Dependable Car picked us up promptly. First rental with them because we needed a van, but very easy and very organized. Luckily I’ve driven in STT before(!).
Arrived at condo by 4; unpacked, then to Food Store for essentials. Dinner at Iggies at Bolongo, just OK.
Up on Wednesday to Kmart for booze (yes, Kmart!). Picked up nephew (newbie) at airport in PM, then to Off the Hook in Red Hook for dinner (excellent).
Thursday tourist sightseeing with nephew; Drakes Seat, Mountaintop, etc. PM guys took ferry to STJ, visited microbrew (had mango ale; too sweet for me) and other spots (bars). Dinner at condo.
Friday took car barge and all of us to STJ. Visited island in short stops at Peace Hill, Hawksnest, Cinnamon, Trunk, Maho. Lunch at Skinny Legs (good as always), back to snorkeling near Vie’s and several other beaches. New respect for those who run the 8 Tuff miles...
Saturday was the highlight of our trip, a day with John Brandi of Palm Breeze Charters. John picked four of us (sister-in-law declined) up in Red Hook, traversed Pillsbury Sound in eight foot plus swells, (think “The Perfect Storm”) which I enjoyed but wife not so much…viewed northern STJ beaches from the boat, snorkeled at Waterlemon (good but lower visibility than before). Then to Tortola for British customs. At that point we decided to cancel the Indians part of the trip (to my dismay but concurrence for my wife due to rough waters) and it was off to Jost. Foxys for lunch (Foxy was there), Sandy Point, then Soggy Dollar for Painkillers. John is a careful, friendly captain; we will use him again the next trip (great recommendation from this forum-thanks!). Back to Red Hook, dinner at Caribbean Steak House (excellent steaks).
Sunday was spent at our condo pool and a short trip to Hull Bay on the north side; snorkeling not very good this time. Dinner at Mafolie; great as usual, but no cruise ships to watch and sunset was rained out.
Monday was a “guys only” Zodiac trip using a boat from Noahs Little Arks. Staff pleasant but boats are getting old and not well maintained (low air, leaking, fouled bottoms). Day started gloomy, but ended up being an excellent day of snorkeling and beaching. Motored to Leinster, snorkeled Waterlemon Key (not good, rough surf and a tiring swim around the island) and then moved to the beach. Snorkelling from there was much better for fish and sights: turtles (one surfaced for air right in front of me)., starfish, fish. Met Tracy from Wisconsin and her husband (her husband was wearing his “Have I seen you on the Forum” shirt, which is a great clue!). Stopped at several beaches on the way back, for rest and snorkeling; lunch at Trunk (surprisingly adequate lunch). Great day in the sun on STJ. Dinner again at Iggies, again only adequate.
Tuesday we visited Secret Harbour, usually our favorite beach and place since wife and I had stayed there before. Beach replenishment in progress, so the beach was full and noisy. Water somewhat murky, so snorkeling not very good. Decided to take a look at Lindvquist Beach, which we had heard about but stayed away because it was a “locals beach” and not safe. Beach now owned by STT and called Smith Bay, operated by Magens Bay Authority, Security and lifeguard were present. Beach has the best sand that we’ve found; almost chalky. View of Thatch Cay, other islands very nice, post card quality. Trip to airport for nephew to return to reality. Dinner at Mims at Watergate; best wahoo I've had.
Wednesday back to Lindvquist most of the day. Dinner at East End Cafe in Red Hook; excellent italian.
Thursday lazed at condo, lunch at Fat Turtle on trip to airport to drop off brother and his wife for return to reality. Light dinner at Lobster Grille at Bolongo; excellent.
Friday wife and I visited STJ for shopping at Mongoose, St. John Spice (of course...).Dinner with friends at Room With A View; excellent shrimp creole and terrific view of harbor.
Saturday took friends to Mountaintop (rained), lunch at Tickles in Crown Bay, then to airport for end of journey...used porter to skip long lines, thanks to a tip on this forum; thanks again. Easy flights back, home by 10:30 PM.
Wonderful, relaxing but busy trip again this year. Can't wait to start planning our next trip, if this economy ever straightens out.
Hope this information helps someone nearly as much as prior posts have helped us.
