BVIs and USVIs Trip Report - Day 5 and 6
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 1:41 pm
Day 5
Well it was time to say good bye to Little Dix Bay. We fully enjoyed our 4 nights stay and thought that it was a perfect start to our vacation. The resort was a very nice alternative to Caneel. I would have liked to stay longer to get around the island more but it was time to head back to St. John.
To get to St. John there are a couple of options, either take several ferries and/or use the air taxi. Since it was low season and the ferry schedule is hit or miss we thought our best bet would be the air taxi. When it was time to leave, the receptionist at Little Dix picked up our luggage and drove us to the Virgin Gorda airport. There we were greeted by the pilot who would be taking us to St. Thomas. He took our luggage and brought us into the tiny little airport. We had to basically pay a $15 per person departure tax and fill out a customs form to bring with us. About 5 min. later, we were on the plane ready for take off. I know the Cape Air planes are small, but this plane (Fly BVI) was even smaller. When we took off from the sand runway we were immediately overwhelmed with the views of the islands. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
The pilot pointed out different islands along the way to St. Thomas. We passed over St. John and knew we would soon be there to meet our friends who were already there. After a 15 - 20 min. flight, we landed in St. Thomas. The pilot then escorted us into the airport where we would have to go through customs. We had to wait a bit for someone to show up but eventually we made it through.
Usually when we go to St. John we split our time between Caneel and the Westin. Friends of ours were married at the Westin a couple years ago and they were vacationing there again this year and we thought that we would join them. We checked in at the airport and were told that our oceanview room was upgraded to a beachfront room. This was going to be our 5th time staying there so I thought that it was nice that they gave us the upgrade. We then were told that a group of 40+ people were checking in later and I thought that I hope it doesn’t affect our stay. The taxi took us to the Crown Bay Marina where we got onto the Westin ferry. There was only one other couple on board when we headed to the Westin.
We were taken to our room and were told that the water was going to be shut off for an hour or so for maintenance and would come back on. No worries I thought. The room itself was very nice and right near the beach.
I myself prefer the gardenview and/or oceanview rooms since they are further back and quieter. Then again the view from our room was very nice. After we unpacked a few things, it was time to meet our friends. It was great to see them again and with great weather, after last year’s experience with hurricane Omar.
We went back to our room and I checked the water and we still had no water. I called the front desk and they assured me it would come back in another half hour or so. Eventually it came back on luckily just in time for us to get ready for dinner. We grabbed a taxi and headed to Cruz Bay. We had a few drinks at Joe’s Rum Hut as we contemplated where to eat.
Our friends just ate the night before at the Waterfront Bistro so I didn’t want them to eat at the same place, so we decided on the Balcony. The Balcony was recently reopened but with a very limited menu. The bartender told us that he was out of almost everything. It probably wasn’t the best choice for our first meal on St. John but we all managed to pick something to eat. The food was very good at least and hopefully as the season picks up so will the selection on the menu.
After dinner we headed to the Beach Bar for an after dinner drink. Soon it was time to head back to the Westin and get some sleep for our day sail tomorrow on the Scubadu.
Day 6
We woke up to another sunny day and headed to town for breakfast. Our favorite spot for breakfast is JJ’s. We all had a great breakfast and headed to the National Park Dock to meet Captain Joe on the Scubadu. We walked over and were warmly greeted by Captain Joe and his first mate Brenda. We have been sailing with him since 2003 so its always great to see him every year.
The Scubadu was all set to sail to Jost Van Dyke when all of a sudden a brown booby bird decided to come along with us. Captain Joe told us that he has never had that happen during all his years of sailing so it was kind of funny for it to happen while we were on board.
We sailed to Jost Van Dyke and headed to Foxy’s. Unfortunately Foxy’s wasn’t open yet so we just stopped and waited for the first mate to check us in to customs before heading to the Soggy Dollar Bar.
When we reached the Soggy Dollar Bar, we couldn’t believe how quiet it was. I had never seen it so empty. It was great! He anchored the catamaran and we swam to shore.
Met a local that sat on a chair.
There we had several painkillers and enjoyed the views of White Bay. After a couple hours we started to get hungry and knew it was time for Joe’s fish tacos. We went to the gift shop and bought more Soggy Dollar shirts that we didn’t need and swam back to the Scubadu. As soon as we boarded there waiting for us homemade mahi mahi tacos with a side of ginger black beans.
Yummy!!
The luncheon was delicious and hit the spot. Finally a great meal! Before we knew it, it was time to head back to St. John. We docked back into St. John and checked into customs and said our good byes. We told Joe that we would see him again next year. It was a great day.
Still in our swim suits we decided that we would grab something to eat in town before heading back to the Westin. We weren’t too hungry so we headed to High Tide for a bite. I noticed on the menu that they did have lobster and I thought that maybe I should give it a try. Everyone else had a burger but I was very glad I ordered the lobster. Surprisingly it was very good. We grabbed a taxi and headed back to the Westin. Once we got back to the Westin, we agreed that we would freshen up and meet in a half hour at the bar for a night cap, or so we thought.
Tired and desperately needing a shower, we head back to our room and inserted the key card and nothing. Not even a light or a sound. We head back to the lobby and they ask us for ID and luckily I had my passport with me from the day sail and then the receptionist reactivated the cards. We were assured that the cards would now work. My husband didn’t buy it but we went back to our room and tried again – nothing. So we went back to the front desk again and the lady at the front desk told us she would call maintenance. Meanwhile, our friends were at the bar waiting for us. About 20 min. later we finally see a golf cart at our room with a security guard. Long story short - the battery in our door died. Usually the back up battery will work if they charge it - no dice. They had to call for more people to help. Basically they had another security guard go around the room to the front (which faces the beach) and take out the glass portion from the door. They got that way and were able to let us in. When we walked in, our room was untouched by housekeeping because they couldn’t get in. Now the one thing that really bothered me, was why didn’t housekeeping alert the front desk? We were out of our room by 8am that morning and didn’t return until 8:30 that night.
They could have easily fixed the problem while we weren’t in our room. Over an hour and a half since we got to the Westin, we finally get in to shower while they were fixing the door. By the time both us of freshened up, the security guards fixed the door. I gave it a quick test with the key card and it worked. After that we both really need a drink! So we headed to the bar, met up with our friends and told them the story over a few rum punches and painkillers then called it a night!
Days 7, 8, 9 - soon come!
Well it was time to say good bye to Little Dix Bay. We fully enjoyed our 4 nights stay and thought that it was a perfect start to our vacation. The resort was a very nice alternative to Caneel. I would have liked to stay longer to get around the island more but it was time to head back to St. John.
To get to St. John there are a couple of options, either take several ferries and/or use the air taxi. Since it was low season and the ferry schedule is hit or miss we thought our best bet would be the air taxi. When it was time to leave, the receptionist at Little Dix picked up our luggage and drove us to the Virgin Gorda airport. There we were greeted by the pilot who would be taking us to St. Thomas. He took our luggage and brought us into the tiny little airport. We had to basically pay a $15 per person departure tax and fill out a customs form to bring with us. About 5 min. later, we were on the plane ready for take off. I know the Cape Air planes are small, but this plane (Fly BVI) was even smaller. When we took off from the sand runway we were immediately overwhelmed with the views of the islands. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
The pilot pointed out different islands along the way to St. Thomas. We passed over St. John and knew we would soon be there to meet our friends who were already there. After a 15 - 20 min. flight, we landed in St. Thomas. The pilot then escorted us into the airport where we would have to go through customs. We had to wait a bit for someone to show up but eventually we made it through.
Usually when we go to St. John we split our time between Caneel and the Westin. Friends of ours were married at the Westin a couple years ago and they were vacationing there again this year and we thought that we would join them. We checked in at the airport and were told that our oceanview room was upgraded to a beachfront room. This was going to be our 5th time staying there so I thought that it was nice that they gave us the upgrade. We then were told that a group of 40+ people were checking in later and I thought that I hope it doesn’t affect our stay. The taxi took us to the Crown Bay Marina where we got onto the Westin ferry. There was only one other couple on board when we headed to the Westin.
We were taken to our room and were told that the water was going to be shut off for an hour or so for maintenance and would come back on. No worries I thought. The room itself was very nice and right near the beach.
I myself prefer the gardenview and/or oceanview rooms since they are further back and quieter. Then again the view from our room was very nice. After we unpacked a few things, it was time to meet our friends. It was great to see them again and with great weather, after last year’s experience with hurricane Omar.
We went back to our room and I checked the water and we still had no water. I called the front desk and they assured me it would come back in another half hour or so. Eventually it came back on luckily just in time for us to get ready for dinner. We grabbed a taxi and headed to Cruz Bay. We had a few drinks at Joe’s Rum Hut as we contemplated where to eat.
Our friends just ate the night before at the Waterfront Bistro so I didn’t want them to eat at the same place, so we decided on the Balcony. The Balcony was recently reopened but with a very limited menu. The bartender told us that he was out of almost everything. It probably wasn’t the best choice for our first meal on St. John but we all managed to pick something to eat. The food was very good at least and hopefully as the season picks up so will the selection on the menu.
After dinner we headed to the Beach Bar for an after dinner drink. Soon it was time to head back to the Westin and get some sleep for our day sail tomorrow on the Scubadu.
Day 6
We woke up to another sunny day and headed to town for breakfast. Our favorite spot for breakfast is JJ’s. We all had a great breakfast and headed to the National Park Dock to meet Captain Joe on the Scubadu. We walked over and were warmly greeted by Captain Joe and his first mate Brenda. We have been sailing with him since 2003 so its always great to see him every year.
The Scubadu was all set to sail to Jost Van Dyke when all of a sudden a brown booby bird decided to come along with us. Captain Joe told us that he has never had that happen during all his years of sailing so it was kind of funny for it to happen while we were on board.
We sailed to Jost Van Dyke and headed to Foxy’s. Unfortunately Foxy’s wasn’t open yet so we just stopped and waited for the first mate to check us in to customs before heading to the Soggy Dollar Bar.
When we reached the Soggy Dollar Bar, we couldn’t believe how quiet it was. I had never seen it so empty. It was great! He anchored the catamaran and we swam to shore.
Met a local that sat on a chair.
There we had several painkillers and enjoyed the views of White Bay. After a couple hours we started to get hungry and knew it was time for Joe’s fish tacos. We went to the gift shop and bought more Soggy Dollar shirts that we didn’t need and swam back to the Scubadu. As soon as we boarded there waiting for us homemade mahi mahi tacos with a side of ginger black beans.
Yummy!!
The luncheon was delicious and hit the spot. Finally a great meal! Before we knew it, it was time to head back to St. John. We docked back into St. John and checked into customs and said our good byes. We told Joe that we would see him again next year. It was a great day.
Still in our swim suits we decided that we would grab something to eat in town before heading back to the Westin. We weren’t too hungry so we headed to High Tide for a bite. I noticed on the menu that they did have lobster and I thought that maybe I should give it a try. Everyone else had a burger but I was very glad I ordered the lobster. Surprisingly it was very good. We grabbed a taxi and headed back to the Westin. Once we got back to the Westin, we agreed that we would freshen up and meet in a half hour at the bar for a night cap, or so we thought.
Tired and desperately needing a shower, we head back to our room and inserted the key card and nothing. Not even a light or a sound. We head back to the lobby and they ask us for ID and luckily I had my passport with me from the day sail and then the receptionist reactivated the cards. We were assured that the cards would now work. My husband didn’t buy it but we went back to our room and tried again – nothing. So we went back to the front desk again and the lady at the front desk told us she would call maintenance. Meanwhile, our friends were at the bar waiting for us. About 20 min. later we finally see a golf cart at our room with a security guard. Long story short - the battery in our door died. Usually the back up battery will work if they charge it - no dice. They had to call for more people to help. Basically they had another security guard go around the room to the front (which faces the beach) and take out the glass portion from the door. They got that way and were able to let us in. When we walked in, our room was untouched by housekeeping because they couldn’t get in. Now the one thing that really bothered me, was why didn’t housekeeping alert the front desk? We were out of our room by 8am that morning and didn’t return until 8:30 that night.
They could have easily fixed the problem while we weren’t in our room. Over an hour and a half since we got to the Westin, we finally get in to shower while they were fixing the door. By the time both us of freshened up, the security guards fixed the door. I gave it a quick test with the key card and it worked. After that we both really need a drink! So we headed to the bar, met up with our friends and told them the story over a few rum punches and painkillers then called it a night!
Days 7, 8, 9 - soon come!
