USVI-On-Line

Sorry for the delay guys- we have had some really buggy internet (imagine.....) so it's taken a few days to get my pictures uploaded. But finally- I have them! Here are days 1 (arrival) and 2.

BTW- I previewed after typing this whole thing and realized these pictures are HUGE- sorry for that. Will make sure to figure out how to put in smaller ones on the next post. I can't do it now because my luck is sure to run out any second with the internet.....

Travel day (DFW-MIA-STT) was smooth sailing- other than jostling a little to get the kids seated with us. Funny that they'll just stick a 6 year old in a random seat 4 rows ahead of you, and tell you just to get on the plane and ask for nice people to switch. Luckily, there is no shortage of nice people when it means NOT having a stranger's very chatty 6 year old sitting by you for 2.5 hours

Landed and walked in to an empty STT airport- weird- as it's usually packed when we land- but this was Tuesday and we were about 20 minutes early instead of the usual 30 minutes late. Rum lady was there but we skipped this time- not sure what got into us! All bags arrived- no way we could carry on with 2 kids and the serious overpacking I usually fall victim to- plus we brought a pile of books for the local school and some bags of treats for the ACC doggies- that's my excuse for the large suitcases....

Our driver made it his sole mission to get us on the 4 pm ferry and that he did! Even had time for a quick change in the bathroom before hopping on for the quick but awesome ride to STJ.

Bye, STT!




HELLO STJ!




I live reported our landing (thread called "we're here") and CariBert and Augie were awesome enough to capture some SpiceCam screen shots and share them- thanks guys! So I will not post those again. We headed up to Woody's in the hopes of getting a cab on the way back up- really- Woody's is the primo cab spot- has nothing to do with the fact that it was happy hour- really....




The kids love to jump and catch the palm tree leaves next to Woody's. Kept them entertained while we hit the walk up window... er, looked for a cab.



Got in the cab and the kids rode their "St. John roller coaster" ie Jacob's Ladder.



Got to the Westin and checked in. Sigh. The Westin is perfectly great- especially with kids who love the pool and chasing the iguanas. BUT, I really really really want to stay in a house! We have once, but all other times have been at the Westin. So jealous of all you villa dwellers. Hubby is on the road 4-5 days a week, every week, and racks up a LOT of hotel points. So far, we can't find a villa that will accept Starwood points. Let me know if you hear of one. Hard to beat close to free. At least this time we had enough to get a 2 bedroom villa with a KITCHEN- yea! Still not a house but I am on STJ so I will NOT complain!! We are in the new Bay Vista villas (well I guess they're a few years old now but new still seems like the right word). They're nice!





Dinner was a very excellent meal at Cafe Roma. Pizza for hubby, calamari and pasta for the kids, and I had a salad special with blackened chicken. Outstanding! Forgot the food shots but I do have some drink porn- kiddos root beer and mommy juice:



Home, baths, battle with the internet, bed.

Day 2: so the kids won the war for the first full day. I wanted to drive over to Skinny's for a proper start, maybe head out to Sloop Jones.... but I don't beat the pool very often. They won. Start of a pattern on this trip. So the first full day was a lot of pool tricks, iguanas, and getting their hair braided by the wonderful and sweet Ms. Jadine the braid lady at the Westin. We love her. Such a sweet lady and we have seen her for years now.









By the way, that monster villa being built on the point of Great Cruz Bay is still going- HUGE! I took a shot of it but it did not upload- I'll add that one to the next post.

Finally got the kiddos out of the pool and headed into town. Parked at Conrad Sutton (where we rented from)- got yelled at by Conrad (he yelled at hubby when he went to pick it up that morning, too- not sure he and hubby are going to be BFFs- I actually think hubby is a little scared of him ) Stopped by to see Rafaella the Pug at Freebird (she had already gone home- we are pug owners so Rafe is a huge hit with us every trip) and Ruth (not there), and Pia (also not there), so after 3 strikes we headed to dinner- Lime Inn! Excellent as always. Lobster for hubby, shrimp for the kiddos, and salad and chicken for me. Does it still count as a real food shot when I remember to take the shot half way through the meal? Sorry.





Home, baths, battle with the internet, bed. Now to upload pictures from today (day 3)!! Preview- I won the battle this time (we left the hotel)!! Hope to have another report to ya'll in a few days.

great photos!

Woohoo!...another trip report! Looks like fun. My sister is staying at a Westin villa in September. I will make sure she see this! I love the picture of your girls on the ferry! We are taking our kids for the first time in November. Can't wait!

Thanks! kygirl- tell your sister there are two different sets of villas at the Westin- one set down in the resort area called Bay Vista (that's where we are staying now- these are newer), and then the older ones are up on the hill (we have a week studio timeshare in those)- they have been redoing the older ones and they are perfectly great, but Bay Vista is definitely "fancier". Just an fyi- don't want her to expect one thing and get something different. Again, nothing wrong with the ones on the hill, they're just not as new and a different layout. They actually have a better view, though- if you are on a higher floor....

Your pictues are fabulous! I love the one of your husband with the girls with their hair braided! Thanks for posting a picture of your Westin villa, it's way cool! I had no idea! Heck, for practically free I think its awesome!

Sounds like you are off to a good start. Maybe we'll see you when we arrive next week....

A nice BIG glass of mom juice! Great food porn. We love the Lime Inn.

Such cute girls you have.

Yea for you sending live reports to us!!
Sounds like you are having a great time so far! Love the pics, especially of your pretty girls (the youngest looks just like you and the oldest like dad).
I have never seen inside the Westin rooms~~ they are nice! And you can't beat almost free!
Keep up the fun~

Thanks for the excellent photos and trip report!

We stayed at the Westin (hotel party) a long time ago. Those new villas at the Westin look lovely.

I chuckled about "Mommy juice" as that is what our DD called my wine when she was younger!

We head down to STT in 8 more sleeps. No villa for us on STJ this trip (that is what we have down the last 3 trips to STT/STJ) as I wanted to really be on vacation (meaning no cooking, making beds, packing coolers) so we will be at the Ritz.

Your live report is priming me for island time!

Fab start! Your family is adorable!!

Your family is adorable!

That Westin villa looks nice. Much more upscale than I would have thought.

Oh, and that monster villa being built on the point of Great Cruz Bay? It was directly below us when we were at Colibri. That thing is a monster indeed! From what we could see, it is going to have two swimming pools--one of which is elevated and looks about 50 feet by 20 feet, and a built in hot tub/spa big enough for at least 12 people!! Crazy.

Enjoyed your trip report & pictures! Looking forward to more.

That Westin villa looks A LOT better then their beachfront rooms.