Luna Vista Deja Vu Tour Day 1
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:19 pm
Day 1 June 15
The Luna Vista Déjà Vu tour began early in the morning with a drive in the dark to the airport. When we arrived we had three bags to check, a polar bear cooler full of frozen meat, and several carry-on bags including a camera bag. The check in and TSA strip search went well and we had a very short wait before they boarded our flight to Atlanta. Based on the early hour of “dark thirty”, we both slept on the plane. In Atlanta, we had a short delay due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft.
First Class seats (thanks to Jim’s excessive travels for his employer) gave us more room and a free lunch and movie. Based on the hour, we had both expected breakfast, but free food is free food and we accepted it graciously. Free liquor was tempting, but even when you are on the way to St John, drinking at that early hour was just too much. (Sorry to be such a disappointment, Vicki)
We arrived in St Thomas right on schedule, opted for a porter, and when the final bag came off the carrousel, we were on our way to the van and then the ferry. Timing was perfect. We hit the 3pm ferry from Charlotte Amalie in the nick of time and boarded with our bags just before the gang plank was pulled up.
Watching the shore line of STJ approach was enough for a deep sigh and the overwhelming sense that we were back again.
Diana waited patiently with the bags at the square while Jim walked to retrieve the car. Although we had been pleased with the car and service at Courtesy, Jim opted for the rental of a Jeep from Conrad Sutton. Although the service was acceptable, the jeep is missing the rear closure. Normally this would not be an issue, but with the rain and abundance of mosquitoes, it is something that we are considering changing.
The bags were loaded and we headed up Centerline Road to Luna Vista. Although we have normally hit the market before going to the villa, we learned that it is best to take stock of what has been left behind before filling in the grocery list.
On our arrival, we met Holly, Jan and Bruce’s niece. For those of you who have frequented Luna Vista, Jan and Bruce are in England. Holly is ready for her Senior Year in College where she is earning a double major with Art History and Psychology. I don’t care where you live, an offer to “house sit” for anyone in the USVI would be a dream job. Holly, however, is in college in Fairbanks, Alaska which makes the offer to housesit on St John an even bigger win.
The villa is unchanged and still offers a wonderful place to rest, relax, and recuperate from the too busy schedules we have both been maintaining. Luna Vista is a 2 bedroom, one bath villa with custom tile floors, a lovely and functional kitchen, private drive, and covered patio for outside dining that is complete with a deluxe gas grill and pool. Although the drive is gated and deluxe by STJ standards, it is noteworthy that like most driveways on STJ, a sports bra would not be inappropriate attire. The landscaping has thrived with all the rain which has surely helped fill the cisterns.
Upon our arrival, we were very pleased that the meat had made the trip without a problem. Everything was frozen solid thanks to the Polar Bear cooler and Techni Ice. Thanks to the Forum member who made the suggestion. Although we gave these as Christmas gifts to all of our children, this was our first opportunity to try ours out. Based on our experience, we would concur that this is the cooler and ice system to have.
We unpacked by simply opening suitcases on the queen sized bed in the second bedroom, and then called SeaNile who is here vacationing with her mother and daughter. We met for a drink at Woody’s and then ambled over to a new venue, “Crazy Crackers”. This new restaurant and bar was opened by an east coast couple who know how to make a successful go at the site that had previously failed. It used to be Duffy’s Love Shack. Ruth had made the recommendation to SeaNile who shared the secret with us.
Crazy Crackers earned a very favorable recommendation. They feature wraps and paninis as well as a varied appetizer menu. The blackened Maui Panini was tasty, portioned appropriately, and was served with a side of a corn and salsa relish with chips. The turkey wrap met with Jim’s approval as did the Bushwacker that kept it company.
It was great to see SeaNile and her family, but with the early morning wakeup call, we made it an early evening and headed off to Starfish to stock the kitchen and then back to the villa to put away the groceries, settle in, and make it an early night.
….to be continued with tomorrow’s forecast boding threatening weather with lightning and thunder. (To all of my SOTB sisters, please note that this entry has been written by WounderWoman. My work schedule does not afford me much time on the computer for anything but work but here on the island, I have more time to play.)
DIANA
The Luna Vista Déjà Vu tour began early in the morning with a drive in the dark to the airport. When we arrived we had three bags to check, a polar bear cooler full of frozen meat, and several carry-on bags including a camera bag. The check in and TSA strip search went well and we had a very short wait before they boarded our flight to Atlanta. Based on the early hour of “dark thirty”, we both slept on the plane. In Atlanta, we had a short delay due to the late arrival of the inbound aircraft.
First Class seats (thanks to Jim’s excessive travels for his employer) gave us more room and a free lunch and movie. Based on the hour, we had both expected breakfast, but free food is free food and we accepted it graciously. Free liquor was tempting, but even when you are on the way to St John, drinking at that early hour was just too much. (Sorry to be such a disappointment, Vicki)
We arrived in St Thomas right on schedule, opted for a porter, and when the final bag came off the carrousel, we were on our way to the van and then the ferry. Timing was perfect. We hit the 3pm ferry from Charlotte Amalie in the nick of time and boarded with our bags just before the gang plank was pulled up.
Watching the shore line of STJ approach was enough for a deep sigh and the overwhelming sense that we were back again.
Diana waited patiently with the bags at the square while Jim walked to retrieve the car. Although we had been pleased with the car and service at Courtesy, Jim opted for the rental of a Jeep from Conrad Sutton. Although the service was acceptable, the jeep is missing the rear closure. Normally this would not be an issue, but with the rain and abundance of mosquitoes, it is something that we are considering changing.
The bags were loaded and we headed up Centerline Road to Luna Vista. Although we have normally hit the market before going to the villa, we learned that it is best to take stock of what has been left behind before filling in the grocery list.
On our arrival, we met Holly, Jan and Bruce’s niece. For those of you who have frequented Luna Vista, Jan and Bruce are in England. Holly is ready for her Senior Year in College where she is earning a double major with Art History and Psychology. I don’t care where you live, an offer to “house sit” for anyone in the USVI would be a dream job. Holly, however, is in college in Fairbanks, Alaska which makes the offer to housesit on St John an even bigger win.
The villa is unchanged and still offers a wonderful place to rest, relax, and recuperate from the too busy schedules we have both been maintaining. Luna Vista is a 2 bedroom, one bath villa with custom tile floors, a lovely and functional kitchen, private drive, and covered patio for outside dining that is complete with a deluxe gas grill and pool. Although the drive is gated and deluxe by STJ standards, it is noteworthy that like most driveways on STJ, a sports bra would not be inappropriate attire. The landscaping has thrived with all the rain which has surely helped fill the cisterns.
Upon our arrival, we were very pleased that the meat had made the trip without a problem. Everything was frozen solid thanks to the Polar Bear cooler and Techni Ice. Thanks to the Forum member who made the suggestion. Although we gave these as Christmas gifts to all of our children, this was our first opportunity to try ours out. Based on our experience, we would concur that this is the cooler and ice system to have.
We unpacked by simply opening suitcases on the queen sized bed in the second bedroom, and then called SeaNile who is here vacationing with her mother and daughter. We met for a drink at Woody’s and then ambled over to a new venue, “Crazy Crackers”. This new restaurant and bar was opened by an east coast couple who know how to make a successful go at the site that had previously failed. It used to be Duffy’s Love Shack. Ruth had made the recommendation to SeaNile who shared the secret with us.
Crazy Crackers earned a very favorable recommendation. They feature wraps and paninis as well as a varied appetizer menu. The blackened Maui Panini was tasty, portioned appropriately, and was served with a side of a corn and salsa relish with chips. The turkey wrap met with Jim’s approval as did the Bushwacker that kept it company.
It was great to see SeaNile and her family, but with the early morning wakeup call, we made it an early evening and headed off to Starfish to stock the kitchen and then back to the villa to put away the groceries, settle in, and make it an early night.
….to be continued with tomorrow’s forecast boding threatening weather with lightning and thunder. (To all of my SOTB sisters, please note that this entry has been written by WounderWoman. My work schedule does not afford me much time on the computer for anything but work but here on the island, I have more time to play.)
DIANA
