USVI-On-Line

Hi -

Having endured Newark last night finally home to DC area. 10 days in STJ and great weather. I'll just hit the high points as it was a fairly boring trip in comparison to the trip reports I have seen - lot's of reading and pool time. It's was based on what we decided to do every day when we got up - no pressures or obligations.

Transportation

Used Chris's Taxi both way's from airport to Red Hook. It's a flat rate and makes no sense for only 2 but we did it anyway because we really enjoy Chris (hey - he have been to Kenny's house as a guest)and after 4 or 5 hours with lots of people in a plane it's nice to be in a van by yourselves, rather than crammed into a taxi. Would make great sense for a group of 4 or 6.

Car rental was Penn's again. Only 1,000 miles on the Jeep and with wide open parking next to the Lumberyard, we will keep using them.

Villa(s)

Was Bayview. Awesome. As our greeter mentioned she did not know why it wasn't fully booked. As you have seen from Bob and Anita's pictures you have a view both directions, North to the BVI's and also towards Coral Bay. We will absolutely stay there again. One of the intangible aspects of the villa is the way that the owners have decorated with personal items (17 years worth) with a good degree of trust that their things will be taken care of. It gives you a sense of really being a guest in a person's home rather than an impersonal villa where the owners have swept the place of anything that reflects their personality. Great CD's, sound system, a guitar, tons of books, excellent CO ability, although no internet which was a bother (Donkey Diner came to the rescue with high speed that you could plug into for a modest contribution).

We also visited La Bella Villa while we were there. It's very nice, wonderful furnishings and a location in Carolina neighborhood half way down the hill to Coral Bay. The owners are also from the DC area and were gracious to let us come by for a quick look - which turned into a hour talking. It's a clear alternative for a couple, or family with 1-2 kids on that end of the island and has great privacy.


Food

Absolutely the best meal that we have had on the island was at Zozo's. After the negative post from a a couple a weeks ago I briefly reconsidered our reservation but pressed forward. I should preface by comments by saying that, while not a "foodie", I am fortunate to eat out a lot (for business mostly) at some really good places in Atlanta, D.C. Houston, Dallas etc. where a $28 steak is the norm. The pork chop that I had at Zozo's was one of the best ever, Susan had scallops which she loved. It was a great evening, nice waiter, friendly staff etc.

Other highlights on a more modest scale was the pizza at Donkey Diner, breakfast at Chilly Billy's and the Cheese Steak at Lime Inn. Also stopped by Vie's for some Conch Fritters and Red Stripes and 2X at Skinny's. We love all these places, we set our expectations modestly (it's the islands and you are wearing a T-Shirt) and we find the food enjoyable. I think a lot about the island is the attitude that you approach it with - it's not NYC, thank God.

Of course Uncle Joe's was the first stop off the ferry on the way to the rental car. It was great, we ordered BBQ, picked up the car, hit Mixology - a short 10 minute stop at Starfish and off to the villa where we had arranged to meet the greeter there rather than worry about her time as we got some essentials in Cruz.

Other than that great weather, rain the first night only - some hikes - but no real excursions this trip. We did discover that's it's nice to be on our 3rd trip where we did not feel like we had to do anything - knowing that Salt Pond or a trip to the BVI's was always waiting for us next trip.

Mark and Susan

Mark,
Nice trip report. The three of us took a private taxi too....got spoiled and won't do it any other way from now on. Do you have a number to reach Chris' Taxi? I would like to use him in September.
We also rented from Penn's....definitely plan to rent from them again....mia

Sure - his cell is 340-690-1581 and email is celizee00@hotmail.com. He's a very nice guy, last year he had a conflict on the return and his wife picked us up in her new truck.

He does a lot of work with the two water taxi services and has some interesting Kenny C. stories.

M

Glad you enjoyed the Bayview, it really is wonderful and you do feel at home there. We are actually glad it doesn't have interent since we really need to unplug and disconnect from the working world sometimes - even though there is a price that we pay for doing so and we understand that everyone can do that. Thanks for the quick but informative report.

I am also throwing in a recommendation for Christopher. Great service and his personality and commentary is worth the price alone. The second time we used him we were travelling with an infant in a carseat and he was most concerned about getting baby situated and comfortable.

Hubby likes him because he stops to let us grab a six-pack for the ferry ride.

We are using him again this year.

Mark,
Thanks for the link and phone number. Will he also meet you at the ferry dock to drive you to the airport?.....mia

Sounds like a wonderful and relaxing vacation. I love just sitting on the villa deck reading books. Did you read anything you would recommend in particular? Our STJ vacation is the only time all year that John actually gets to read a book (can't say the same for me, ha ha!), so I try and put a lot of thought into what I pick for him to take.

Hi-

As to Chris yes he takes you both ways. We told him that we would be on the 12:00 ferry, he was there at 12:20. Although once again we overestimated the amount of time needed for a 3:45 flight. The 12:00 ferry had us standing at the airport at 1:00, through security by 1:30 - too much time to kill in what is not much of an airport. But it's hard to really relax on STJ - worried about flights etc. We'lll find the right balance.

As to books my wife is the one to ask - she read 160 books last year! My most recent favorites were

The Hunters by W.E.B. Griffin

Torpedo by Jeff Edwards

The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors by Hornfisher (Non-Ficton about the Battle of Leyte Gulf)

Current Reading - Sea of Thunder which is about the Naval Battles in the Pacific from 1941 - 1945. It's written by Evan Thomas who also wrote John Paul Jones. He is a Newsweek reporter/editor? who writes very well - the book is facinating if you have any interest in Military History.

Mark

Quick question...what does Chris charge?

Sounds like a perfect vacation to me.

Chris charges a flat rate of $75 (Up from $60 last Feb). I thought a regular taxi was $12 or $14 a head plus a baggage charge?

On our return we watched them pack a taxi full for the trip from RH to the Airport and we were glad we had the arrangements made.

Also I forgot - based on a recommendation from this great community Susan had a massage from Cary at Massages St. John. Came to the villa the afternoon the day after we arrived - I went shopping. Susan said it was great.

Thanks for the book recommendations, Mark. I'll check them out.

Thanks for the trip report and the information on La Bella Villa. We will be staying there next month to celebrate our 10th anniversary. It looks beautiful!

Amanda

Thanks for the email address for Chris. I just emailed him to see if we could make arrangements for pick up. We have 8 in our group and quite a bit of luggage and don't want to get stuck with even more people. Had that happen before and it's no fun and very time consuming.

Thanks again for the trip report and email for Chris!

Denise

Was that $75 charge a round-trip charge?