usvi-on-line
trip report april 26-may 3 days 1&2
trip report april 26-may 3 days 1&2
We got back last sunday night from the trip of our lives. It was just me and my husband and we celebrated our 20 yr wedding anniversary while there.
Day 1
We had a smooth travel day. Direct flight from ohare to Stt. We did carry on only with a back pack and snorkel bag as personal items. It worked great, we still did not use everything we brought. I sent a box ahead with coffee and snack foods. I also sent all our sunscreen and lotion ahaead in the same box. We landed around 2pm and headed for the downtown ferry. We made it in plenty of time and were on our way to STJ. We were met by Ron from phpv and then were off to courtesy to get the rental. We got a soft top jeep that had seen better days. We never did go back to get back windows for it. We were lucky it did not rain much, because the front windows did not zip all the way and there were no back windows. My husband drove the rental and I rode with Ron so he could show me where things were. I never got in the jeep until later that night. My husband said the jeep smelled but I thought it couldn't be that bad. It was awful. I called courtsey and they offered us a ford explorer but we did not want a vehicle that big. So we took all he floor mats out and the smell got better as the week went on. I guess some cats made a litter box out of the jeep before we got it. Anyway we just laughed about it and it did seem to get better. We did try to pick up a hitch hiker and she got close to the jeep and said no she would wait for someone with a bigger vehicle. We still think she smelled the car and ran.
Anyway, we pulled up to our villa island horizons and were blown away by the view. The villa is really nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again or waterlemon next door the views are the best. We got settled and realized it was too late to head to the beach bar to meet up with the forum so we headed to skinney legs for a mahi sandwich and a burger. They were both good. We headed back up to the villa and took a quick dip in the pool and called it a night.
Day 2
I was up around 5:30 and watched the sun rise over coral bay. I did this every morning, it was amazing. Made some eggs sandwichs for breakfast and we were off. We were not sure where we were going, we just started out up centerline road and took the northshore road from there. My husband was really enjoying driving on those roads. We got to Maho and parked in the spots cleared off the road. We were so excited to finally be on the beach and Maho was a great way to start. The water was beautiful. We put on our snorkel gear and headed out. We spotted several turtles right away they were so beautiful. We stayed there for a few hours and then headed off again. We stopped at cinnamon and the ruins across the street. Then we headed to Jumbie and snorkeled there. The snorkeling was not too good it was rough and there was a lot of algea in the water. The beach was very nice there were only about 5 other people there. We then headed back to the villa to clean up and rest in the hammock for a while. We went to aqua bistro for dinner and it was very good. Then to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Then back to the villa to sleep.
Day 3
I was up early again today and watched the sun rise again. After a couple cups of coffee I decided to make tuna salad for dinner so it would be ready when we got back from the beach. After a quick breakfast we headed out. Today it was a little cloudy so we headed to Salt Bay. When we got there it was really hot with a mix of sun and clouds. We found a spot and set up our chairs and then headed in to snorkel. The water was a little clearer hear than at Jumbie. We saw a lot of fish and some nice coral. After a short rest we decided to hike rams head trail. We just got started and it started raining. It rained the entire hike up the hill. The rain was actually really nice and kept us cool on the hike. The hike was worth it. Once we reached the top it stopped raining and we spent about 1 hr up on top just enjoying the view. The back was nice, but we wished we had brought our snorkel gear to go in at blue cobble stone. I guess that will have to wait until next time. We then headed back to coral bay and stopped at shipwreck landing for a quick bite to eat. Then back to the villa to clean up and rest in the hammock again. I really need to get a hammock. Once it started getting dark we head up stairs and cooked some burger on the grill and ate some of the tuna salad I made in the morning. I made way too much and we were eating it all week. We had a great day but were looking forward to the next day as it was our anniversary and we were taking a trip to the BVI.
THis is getting long so I will finish the rest in another post.
Here is the link for the photos from the trip. I hope that it works if not I'll try it on another post.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/
Day 1
We had a smooth travel day. Direct flight from ohare to Stt. We did carry on only with a back pack and snorkel bag as personal items. It worked great, we still did not use everything we brought. I sent a box ahead with coffee and snack foods. I also sent all our sunscreen and lotion ahaead in the same box. We landed around 2pm and headed for the downtown ferry. We made it in plenty of time and were on our way to STJ. We were met by Ron from phpv and then were off to courtesy to get the rental. We got a soft top jeep that had seen better days. We never did go back to get back windows for it. We were lucky it did not rain much, because the front windows did not zip all the way and there were no back windows. My husband drove the rental and I rode with Ron so he could show me where things were. I never got in the jeep until later that night. My husband said the jeep smelled but I thought it couldn't be that bad. It was awful. I called courtsey and they offered us a ford explorer but we did not want a vehicle that big. So we took all he floor mats out and the smell got better as the week went on. I guess some cats made a litter box out of the jeep before we got it. Anyway we just laughed about it and it did seem to get better. We did try to pick up a hitch hiker and she got close to the jeep and said no she would wait for someone with a bigger vehicle. We still think she smelled the car and ran.
Anyway, we pulled up to our villa island horizons and were blown away by the view. The villa is really nice and I would not hesitate to stay there again or waterlemon next door the views are the best. We got settled and realized it was too late to head to the beach bar to meet up with the forum so we headed to skinney legs for a mahi sandwich and a burger. They were both good. We headed back up to the villa and took a quick dip in the pool and called it a night.
Day 2
I was up around 5:30 and watched the sun rise over coral bay. I did this every morning, it was amazing. Made some eggs sandwichs for breakfast and we were off. We were not sure where we were going, we just started out up centerline road and took the northshore road from there. My husband was really enjoying driving on those roads. We got to Maho and parked in the spots cleared off the road. We were so excited to finally be on the beach and Maho was a great way to start. The water was beautiful. We put on our snorkel gear and headed out. We spotted several turtles right away they were so beautiful. We stayed there for a few hours and then headed off again. We stopped at cinnamon and the ruins across the street. Then we headed to Jumbie and snorkeled there. The snorkeling was not too good it was rough and there was a lot of algea in the water. The beach was very nice there were only about 5 other people there. We then headed back to the villa to clean up and rest in the hammock for a while. We went to aqua bistro for dinner and it was very good. Then to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Then back to the villa to sleep.
Day 3
I was up early again today and watched the sun rise again. After a couple cups of coffee I decided to make tuna salad for dinner so it would be ready when we got back from the beach. After a quick breakfast we headed out. Today it was a little cloudy so we headed to Salt Bay. When we got there it was really hot with a mix of sun and clouds. We found a spot and set up our chairs and then headed in to snorkel. The water was a little clearer hear than at Jumbie. We saw a lot of fish and some nice coral. After a short rest we decided to hike rams head trail. We just got started and it started raining. It rained the entire hike up the hill. The rain was actually really nice and kept us cool on the hike. The hike was worth it. Once we reached the top it stopped raining and we spent about 1 hr up on top just enjoying the view. The back was nice, but we wished we had brought our snorkel gear to go in at blue cobble stone. I guess that will have to wait until next time. We then headed back to coral bay and stopped at shipwreck landing for a quick bite to eat. Then back to the villa to clean up and rest in the hammock again. I really need to get a hammock. Once it started getting dark we head up stairs and cooked some burger on the grill and ate some of the tuna salad I made in the morning. I made way too much and we were eating it all week. We had a great day but were looking forward to the next day as it was our anniversary and we were taking a trip to the BVI.
THis is getting long so I will finish the rest in another post.
Here is the link for the photos from the trip. I hope that it works if not I'll try it on another post.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38222530@N07/
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piscesgirl0314
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ClevelandDave
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Nice TR. We were in Coral Bay at the same time and since I had looked at Island Horizons before we booked, I noticed it from our villa (St John Livin). Our place sorta overhangs Carolina Rd so you would have driven by us all week. I wondered what that smell was. 
Glad nobody fired-up that power shovel sitting beside your villa while you were there!
Just can't beat that view! Outstanding.
Dave
Glad nobody fired-up that power shovel sitting beside your villa while you were there!
Just can't beat that view! Outstanding.
Dave
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cypressgirl
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aroobagirl
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