USVI-On-Line

Hi,
Well another great St. John Vacation
We arrived into STT at 12:22pm and after getting some supplies at the airport (Bailey's 2/$30)we took a taxi to red hook and, caught the 2:00 ferry and were on the island by 2:30. We(my wife Rachael and I) called Courtesy and they picked us up and took us to our Jeep and after about 5-10 min we were on our way up Jacob's ladder to out rental, Sunset Ridge Villas, they were above the new Sirenusa construction. We quickly unpacked and headed for hawksnest but it was still quite busy so we headed to Trunk Bay and it was perfect. Later that night we took the ferry back to red hook to meet friends who were staying at Sapphire beach and watch the Football playoffs at the Caribbean Saloon(Eagles Fan).The rest of the week was as follows: Sunday-Cinnamon beach for the day, Beach bar to look for Waterguy (crowded and loud) and Margarita's Phil's for Dinner A+. Monday- hiked to Honeymoon(favorite) all day with cooler and chilled at Sunset Ridge for the night. Tuesday- Salt Pond in the morning , Skinny Legs for lunch and Honeymoon via Caneel for the afternoon until sunset, Panini Beach for dinner another very good dinner. After dinner we went to beach bar and met two guys from our plane trip down and as the 11:00 ferry left, they asked "what time is the last ferry"? That's it said the bartender as we all laugh, after walking then to the National park area we found a ferry for them that left at 11:40 for the Caneel workers back to St. Thomas. Wednesday- Hiked to Salomen and spent the day there, Morgan's Mango for dinner(only meal that Was disappointing). Thursday-Honeymoon with cooler for the day, we just love this beach, Paradiso's for dinner, another very good meal. Friday- stopped at St. John spice, met Ruth and brought some t-shirts and things for the kids, went to Maho and then back over to Skinny leg. After lunch we returned to Honeymoon beach for our last sunset on St. John, we loved Margarita Phil's the first time so we went back and they didn't disappoint. Some Observations: weather-brief showers everyday but nice and cool at night for sleeping. Water-cooler than any time before but this is the earliest I've came. Sunset Ridge Villas- Clean , Very Quiet and comfortable,we enjoyed the place. Well that's it as you can see we are beach people and we love St. John's so now it's time to start planning next years trip. I hope everyone enjoys their St. John vacation as much as we
do and good luck!
Scott & Rachael in NJ

Hey Scott-

You're making me look bad you know - my report is on its way.... slowly! I was there the same time and missed you at the Beach Bar as well on Sunday, did meet Tom and Ruth and Ron and a few others. Also probably walked by you on Monday at Honeymoon - we were at Salomon, but snorkeled over.

I thought the water was a bit cool as well and also this was the earliest in the year we have ever gone.

Glad you found Sunset Ridge to be clean and nice - we own a timeshare there and went last June. It wasn't too clean and we were wondering about it as we plan to head back this June. New property management company must be making a difference. Anything else you noticed about Sunset Ridge that might be of interest to us? Bedding, dishes, furniture? Anything new?

Thanks and sorry we missed you!

Tracy

Sounds like a fabulous trip! My husband and I were there in December and hit Margarita Phil's twice for dinner as well. We love mexican and thought our meals were excellent. Those grande Margaritas are pretty awesome too.

Tracy
B.J. Harris @ St. John Properties was a great help and she is trying to upgrade the place, she said it will take a little bit of time because they can only work on the unit while they are vacant. I noticed newer glassware and washer/dryer. I think she will do a good job and her business has been in St. John for a while so I think she know what it needs.
Scott

Wish we would of met next time will have to have some kind of forum wear so we know who is who. I'll try to get my report done this weekend.
Tom

Thanks for the report. I'm sorry to hear yet another negative comment about Morgan's Mango. Several years ago this was our favorite spot. For us it was a perfect blend of casual/lively/good quality. I can even remember the dish that I loved so much. It was a perfectly cooked, fresher than fresh blackened snapper with a crunchy fresh fruit chutney. The last few years we had been so disappointed that we didn't even give it a try last year. What's going on with them? Traveler, could you recount your experience there? Was it the food, the service? Both?

MaricaMarciaMarica-
It use to be one of my favorites too. I had the papa pickapappa steak- Dry, not spicy almost tasteless and my wife loves fish (she grew up on the NJ beach) and got the Mahi- Mahi and said the same thing that It tasted like fish but not fresh and not Mahi, She had the Grouper at panini beach and loved it and shrimp and lobster fajita at Margarita Phil's and also loved it! I give up on Mango's and sorry to say it was my last dinner there.
Scott

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Have to add my agreement to Morgan's. About two years ago just started not tasting right. If I recall the restaurant's Argentinian owner was selling. Might have had something to do with it if he in fact sold.

Question regarding margarita phil's. I come from an area of the US of A, where we have Mexican food all over the place and have a couple of great ones we always go to for Margs and food. I've thought his food is 'okay'. Is this just another case of food tastes great because of where you are? Just curious. I think his chips are red and another color. Not something we see here.

Nice report traveler. By any chance did you get to Shipwreck Landing? Have not read much about it lately and we always make it a point to get there as well as Skinny's. Also I got to tell ya that when reading your report when you get to the part," returned to Honeymoon beach for our last sunset on St. John" I could feel the emotion build up. That is always such a sweat and at the same time sad part. Many nice, memorable words are uttered at moments like those. I mean, does it get any better? Well it's not really your Last sunset just your most recent. Right?

Bobcside'
This was the first time I skipped Shipwreck but the parking lot and parking area across the street were both full so they were doing great. I will definetly be back for more sunsets at Honeymoon but it is always beautiful but sad that last day. Also don't do anything too crazy at the ferry, I had some thoughts myself about what was happening and just let it go! Have a safe and fun trip.
Scott

Scott, Thanks again and rest assured I'll check Shipwreck out week after next. I'll also keep your advise in mind re. Red Hook ferry. I'll probably do as you did but if they pull that sh$# on folks with kids,seniors or those that are hadicapped, ALL bets are off.. I just have this special place in my heart for folks like these. Stay Safe,

For Promoguy
We have mexican food by us but I'm sure it's not as good as yours because of your location and there aren't any serving the lobster/shrimp fajita that my wife loved so much, so yes it probably is a treat for us at Margarita Phil's that you might not appreciate as much
Scott

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Thanks for sharing your report. We love Honeymoon too!

Wow there has been a lot of postive reviews on Margarita Phils lately. We have only eaten there once but had a sub-par experience so my thoughts were running along the same lines as Promos. Out of the four of us, the only one that seemed satisfied was our 8 yr old son and that only because well...the kid will eat pretty much anything. I don't believe he was actually tasting; more like shoveling and swallowing.

Maybe we just hit it on a REALLY bad night but my plate was not what I would even consider decent. Honey's and daughter's were very average. We ordered the Grande Margaritas too and I was not impressed with those at all either. I'm a margarita girl so I know a good one and that was not it.

Thought we would try Polli's next time but maybe we should give MP's another shot.