Pam's Trip Report - The End!

pegoode · Post by **pegoode** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:54 am

Friday, 12/4

It’s a sad day for all. Billy and Maureen were up and out the door before sunrise to get Gorilla and Pepper to the ferry. We are so lucky to have a direct flight - they have to fly through Miami and LA to get home to Boise. I dragged my feet getting up - just didn’t want to face the last day and the inevitable but very glad we have a late flight.

We had been advised to be on the 11:30 ferry to make our 3:10 flight. Good thing we did. The ferry didn’t leave until 12:00, the traffic was awful, the route was not well marked - or we simply missed the signs, we took a few wrong turns but finally made our way to the airport. Manley and Billy went to return the cars and the rest of us checked our bags. For the 3:10 flight we were told our bags had to be checked in by 2:10 - Billy got his bag checked with about 20 minutes to spare. Good thing we didn’t take any more wrong turns getting there!

A note about the car rental - the guys were told that they were going to be charged $75 per car because the cars would have to be cleaned. OK - the cars were pretty sandy but this was news to us. There was nothing in the contract about this and we were not told at the time of rental. There is a sign below the counter in the Thrifty office but none of us noticed it when we picked the cars up, nor was it pointed out to us. The guys disputed the charge and the rental agent backed down. If, or maybe I should say “when”, we go back to St. John, we will consider renting our vehicle there. Renting at the airport made sense for the size of our group this time but having a place to park in Cruz Bay would make things easier.

Airport security was very slow. There were not a lot of people in line but bags were being closely inspected and screened several times. We had time so were not too anxious but it did make me wonder what things are like during high season!

Landed in Boston early so we were able to grab the 6:30 bus to Portland. Although it was a mild evening, the temperature was still a shock. It was hard to imagine that 12 hours ago we were sitting on the balcony of our villa in the sky with a warm breeze blowing and a beautiful ocean view. Ahhhhh, a wonderful vacation.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:06 pm

What wonderful reports, thank you for doing them all in quick order. You made my morning! I kept checking back here and viola, another report.

So glad you enjoyed STJ. It is an amazing island, isn't it?

IF you have time, please post a villa review and restaurant reviews on this site. They are always so helpful to us!

Thank you for taking the time to post!

pegoode · Post by **pegoode** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:17 pm

We did enjoy St. John and will go back some day. We're thinking of Bequia or Belize for our next trip but the direct flight from Boston does make St. John more inviting so we may end up back there sooner than we expected.

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:35 pm

Thanks for posting your trip report. Marcia and I have stayed at Vistaero twice with our kids. We enjoyed seeing your photos of the villa. They brought back great memories.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:07 pm

this is the perfect day to sit around reading trip reports. Thanks!

zaneyjaney · Post by **zaneyjaney** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:16 pm

Thank you very much for the fantastic trip reports! It's been a pleasure reading them. We love to spend our days there pretty much like your group. Seemed like everyone was on the same page, which is good considering the number of people with you.
We'll be returning to St John in less than a month, and your reports increased the exitement level!!!!

Thanks again,
Jane

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 1:21 pm

Thanks Pam; I really enjoyed all your reports - especially the photos of the villa views.
I, too, liked having a new chapter waiting as I read along. Sorry it all ended

but glad you enjoyed your trip.

Bigcheeze · Post by **Bigcheeze** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:07 pm

Pam,

Great trip reports...and posting all at once allowed me to wait for the last one to comment...lol

Loved your views from your villa...we too love being up high to take in the sites below.

Makes me wanna be there today as you really made me feel like I was there...we soon come.

Thanks again,
Dave

Rachelle & Joe · Post by **Rachelle & Joe** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:41 pm

Pam, Thanks for the TR's

the pic's are beautiful !LOVE the RAINBOW from villa deck !

Nancy_B · Post by **Nancy_B** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 4:35 pm

Pam,

Thank you for sharing your trip reports. What a nice treat on a cold, rainy day in South Jersey!

We stayed at Tesori which is right below your villa two years ago so your views brought back fond memories for me - thank you!

Glad you enjoyed and that you will be back.

Take care!

toni · Post by **toni** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:24 pm

Thanks for the trip reports Pam. Since we came in and left on the same day it made it especially fun to read what other people did. Loved all the pictures--the guy floating in the pool with the "sail", the way you hung lights up at the gazebo and many others.

Glad you had a great trip!
Toni

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:32 pm

Thank you for your wonderful report! I am sorry you had bugs at Francis and Maho, but otherwise it sounds like you had so much fun. Nice pictures, too. Vistatero looks pretty amazing.

Lovermont · Post by **Lovermont** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 5:56 pm

Great reports Pam. You looked like a happy bunch. Thanks for sharing your days with us.

Lovermont

pegoode · Post by **pegoode** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:41 pm

Thanks for all the kind words. I'm glad you all enjoyed reading my TR as much as I've enjoyed all of yours over the past 7 months.

cptnkirk · Post by **cptnkirk** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 8:18 am

Just read them all. Nice job

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