16 more days in paradise, part one

[liamsaunt]

Day one

It’s always a long travel day in the off season—14 hours door to door. We got upgraded to first class for the flight to San Juan—my first time in first class. It was very strange to be given hot food on a plane—I can’t remember the last time that happened! We had a two hour layover in San Juan so made the best of it by purchasing a gargantuan margarita.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4850646733/" title="SJU john by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/485 ... 6d9127.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="SJU john"></a>

The flight from San Juan to STT was in one of those tiny little American Eagle planes—hated it! Give me a giant jet, please. I am going to make sure not to book that little plane on any future trips. At least the flight was short.

Off to wait at Red Hook for the ferry over, we arrived on St. John around 5:30 PM. We met our villa greeter and headed over to the car rental place to pick up the four door Wrangler we had reserved. When we got there, the place was closed but they had left our name on the car with the keys inside. Only problem was that they put our name on the wrong kind of car—it was a Dodge Nitro, I think. Well, there were other Wranglers in the lot with names on them so we switched our label with one of the Wranglers and drove off! We had to come back in the AM for paperwork anyway, so we figured we would straighten it out then.

Off to the house we rented: Colibri. One word: awesome! What a house. The photos on the Catered To website are not at all accurate—it has been completely redone. We knew it had a new kitchen but had not seen any photos of it, and didn't know anything about the other renovations. Here is the brand new kitchen (with a Wolf range! Be still my heart):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4857989071/" title="colibri stove by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/485 ... 538db2.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri stove"></a>

All new flooring:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4858610170/" title="colibri windows by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/485 ... 58cafa.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri windows"></a>

It has renovated bathrooms, central air conditioning through the entire property, a master bedroom that is connected to the living pod via internal access (that was unexpected and a big plus!), a HUGE swimming pool that is fairly clothing optional (meaning in the pool would be fine, but not on the pool decks):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4857987711/" title="colibri pool by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/485 ... 3d6598.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri pool"></a>

There is also a huge flat screen TV (we never turned it on, but it is there), new covered dining:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4858604130/" title="colibri gazebo by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/485 ... d49dcb.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri gazebo"></a>

a laundry in the master bathroom (plus an additional laundry on the pool level), tons of storage, and incredible views. Plus--and this was key since there was construction below the house—the sliders are soundproofed! They were mixing and pouring concrete at the house below us one day, and inside the house you could not hear a thing. This house is currently on the market for the bargain price of $4 million. Hahaha.

We arrived just in time to catch the tail end of the sunset:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854835269/" title="sunset by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/485 ... 6909ec.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sunset"></a>

Made a simple pasta and went to bed early.


Day two

Went to Cool Breeze to do the paperwork (they let us keep the Wrangler) and to Connections to drop a check for the woman who runs villa food. By the way, I highly recommend Villa Food--she did a great job for us. Then off to the beach. We chose Maho and it was amazing.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4856220921/" title="maho boats by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/485 ... df61e5.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="maho boats"></a>

We ran into Pia on the beach, then headed out for one of the most amazing snorkels I have ever had. TONS of giant queen angelfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855404146/" title="maho qa4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/485 ... 04e68e.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="maho qa4"></a>

Coral banded shrimp:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855401676/" title="maho shrimp closeup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/485 ... 99c01c.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="maho shrimp closeup"></a>

a HUGE permit:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855381344/" title="maho permit good by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/485 ... f3d9d2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="maho permit good"></a>

HUGE clinging channel crab:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855363458/" title="maho channel crab by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/485 ... b4c1f2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="maho channel crab"></a>

a scorpionfish:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854771363/" title="maho scorpionfish best by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/485 ... 593f9b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="maho scorpionfish best"></a>

Flamingo tounges:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854744517/" title="maho flamingo tounge closeup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/485 ... dcbdb4.jpg" width="500" height="357" alt="maho flamingo tounge closeup"></a>

Turtles:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855463748/" title="maho turtle (2) by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/485 ... 77b4c2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="maho turtle (2)"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855387394/" title="maho turtle duo surface by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/485 ... 706533.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="maho turtle duo surface"></a>

After that snorkel, we went to a late lunch at La Plancha del Mar—it was brunch, actually, and it was GOOD. Highly recommend. I had the grilled mahi sandwich with roasted garlic and charred tomato salsa:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854786399/" title="plancha mahi by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/485 ... 5c8e6b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="plancha mahi "></a>

and John had vegetables benedict.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854788283/" title="plancha veggie benedict by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/485 ... 53c16f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="plancha veggie benedict"></a>

YUM

Back to the house for pool time and book time, and a late dinner of grilled chipotle chicken with mango salsa on Josephine's greens.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4858606374/" title="colibri mango chicken by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/485 ... 1bf922.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="colibri mango chicken"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854834571/" title="sunset c4 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/485 ... 3b5b9b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="sunset c4"></a>

Day three

Scored a parking spot at Gibney, yay!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855435826/" title="gibney by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/485 ... 4b6162.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gibney"></a>

We snorkeled the right side all the way to Denis Bay. It was a great snorkel, we found a turtle:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855417358/" title="gibney hawksbill by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/485 ... 8929ed.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="gibney hawksbill"></a>

grouper, wrasse:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855434590/" title="gibney wrasse by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/485 ... b1b2eb.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="gibney wrasse"></a>

barracuda, squid:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855433862/" title="gibney squid by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/485 ... 7f31c0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gibney squid"></a>

blue tang:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854818021/" title="gibney blue tang and fry by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/485 ... 8fd1e9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gibney blue tang and fry"></a>

good coral.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854827787/" title="gibney elkhorn closeup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/485 ... 197772.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="gibney elkhorn closeup"></a>

Flamingo tounge:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854841821/" title="gibney flamingo tounge closeup by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/485 ... 47e8d6.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="gibney flamingo tounge closeup"></a>

On our way back I stopped and talked with a family that had moored their Nauti Nymph boat off of Littlest Hawksnest. The man driving the boat thought they were at Maho Bay!! I told him he had quite a ways to go to get to Maho, and he looked quite worried. They stayed anchored there the entire time we were at Gibney. I don’t think they made it to Maho…

Back to Colibri for the usual book time, pool time, and dinner. (grilled steak and sausage and greens)


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854973961/" title="colibri clouds 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/485 ... be4f6b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri clouds 2"></a>


Day four

Spent most of the day villaxing, since John got too much sun the day before. Went to town, visited Ruth, and bought John some tevas at Big Planet (50% off!). Went to lunch at Spyglass—I always like the views here.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855451936/" title="spyglass view by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/485 ... 87a252.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spyglass view"></a>

Fish tacos and tuna burger:

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854808201/" title="spyglass fish tacos by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/485 ... 1b07cb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spyglass fish tacos"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854832989/" title="spyglass tuna burger by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/485 ... f31e4b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spyglass tuna burger"></a>

Back to the house for all day book time and a shared panini for dinner.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4855450866/" title="chicken and steak panini by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/485 ... cbcd3e.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="chicken and steak panini"></a>


<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4854807271/" title="raspberry drink by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/485 ... 97a951.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="raspberry drink"></a>

Enjoyed the sunset (little did we know that it would be our last):

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28539958@N00/4797277529/" title="colibri sunset 2 by liamsaunt, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/479 ... f57882.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="colibri sunset 2"></a>

[Xislandgirl]

I love your trip reports! Can't wait for more

[mbw1024]

so glad to hear you liked your villa choice!

[Sara-J]

Great pictures! Glad you had fun!!

[augie]

Great stuff, as usual!

It was great finally meeting you and John - but I'm getting ahead of myself (and you)!

[PA Girl]

That villa just made, thanks to your report, my future list. We liked renting thru Catered To.

So funny that you "stole" someone else's jeep! Right now, on some other forum someone is writing about how they reserved a wrangler and got a nitro! (I would have done the same thing, BTW)

As always, great pics!

[Nancie-Pa]

OMG, your pics are great! What camera are you using?

So glad you like the villa. My aunt lives next door to the owner (Ingrid) and I've looked at this villa to rent. Good to know it's even better than it looks on CateredTo.

Can't wait for the rest of your report.

[sandollar]

Loved, loved, your villa view - to die for! What a wonderful surprise to find the villa renovated more than you had expected. Your pictures are A+ as well.
Will await the next installment. Thanks for sharing.

[msgcolleen]

Yea! Liamsaunt's report has arrived!!
Gotta love the San Juan airport and American Eagle. A quick hop to STT though!
You picked a winner with Colibri! (I can't remember if that was mystery villa #1, 2 or 3) Anyway, got $4 million to spare?? Lovely!
As always your pictures are gorgeous and if I hadn't eaten already I would have licked the screen!
Good start~~~ Thanks!!

[XOXO]

Very nice pictures. I remembered that you were there for all of that rain but you last sentence about your last sunset made me sad. I guess there aren't any weather guarantees but you got more than your fair share. I am looking forward to the rest of your trip reports to hear your creative ways to enjoy the rainy days.

xoxo

[liamsaunt]

PAGirl, re, the Wrangler, I felt a little bad at first but John reviewed the contract in the parking lot (which of course, being the uber organized person I am, I had in my front pocket--really) and when he saw there was no provision in it for vehicle substitution he went ahead and switched out for what we had reserved and they confirmed as available. We figured the label on the Nitro might have been a mistake, and if it was a real issue we would straighten it out the next day. Given the crazy weather we had later, I was very glad for that familiar Jeep 4WD.

XOXO, we did have more sun, just no more sunsets. It was all good, and I have some sunny beach pictures to share.

[Marcia (Mrs. Pete)]

Looking forward to more. !!!

[John LMBZ06]

The underwater pics are soooo clean and crisp. What camera are you using?

[toni]

My thing if I won the lottery would be first class seats always and fresh cut flowers daily . Great pictures looking forward to the rest, thanks for posting.

[California Girl]

You and Pickle get the most amazing underwater shots! I'm always impressed with all the things you see! I LOVE the little plane! (de plane! de plane!) I try to get it, as a matter of fact! LOL!