Iowaguy's Mini Trip Report---Part I

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:31 pm

Only the report is mini---the trip itself was full-sized. We had another wonderful trip to St. John March 9-19 with some of our usual entourage. Four families, with a group of boys ranging from junior in high school to junior in college. Actually, all of our own children (daughters),who are college-age and up were off on their own adventures, so it was Janie and me, together with 3 other families with children. We are all longtime friends and we have traveled with all of these families to STJ before. Wish I had time to give the day by day story, but instead I'll just give some highlights, and try to provide lots of eye candy (of St. John---definitely not of me).<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2 ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 3_0069.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

We had two villas---not especially close, but we loved them both. Janie and I (together with another family) stayed in Villa Marbella, in Virgin Grand Estates. The view over Great Cruz Bay and beyond was fabulous.
<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2 ... r><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

The house had a spacious great room and 3 bedrooms that all opened up onto the terrace.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/E ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 5_0077.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>
Sunset coctails were definitely a nightly occasion.
<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h ... site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 6_0384.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

Two other families stayed at Beach Garden Villa, on Chocolate Hole---really beautiful and unique villa. They loved being right on the water. This was a really "sexy" house---though the addition of teenage boys made it a little less so:)I would not recommend this house to anyone afraid of iguanas---the king iguana is shown below.

<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S ... site"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... Villa2.jpg" height="540" width="720"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>
Because we loved our houses, and we had all been to STJ before (except a few of the kids), we had a bit more villa gravity than usual. Also--to be honest---its hard getting a group this size to move:)<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 0_0329.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table><table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/- ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... Iguana.jpg" height="540" width="720"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

My favorite beaches are Honeymoon and Salomon, and we had good visits to both. We hiked down to Salomon from just above Estate Lindholm, and we walked over to Honeymoon from Caneel. <table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/o ... site"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 1_0306.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table><table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 0_0297.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

Janie and I love Caneel Bay, since it was our honeymoon there (a mere 31 years ago) that sparked our lifelong love for St. John (and maybe our lifelong love, too, but thats another story). Anyway, we also spent a couple of days hanging out at Caneel's beach and enjoying lunch and drinks there.<table><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9 ... site"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_A0oQ ... 5_0396.jpg" height="600" width="800"></a></td></tr><tr><td>From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/iowaguy57/ ... ebsite">St. John 2011</a></td></tr></table>

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:34 pm

Sorry---It seems I didn't eliminate all the computer links, and the report doesn't read as well as I'd like, but the pictures of that clear blue water still look nice. The rest to follow tonight.

dc3group · Post by **dc3group** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:49 pm

Great photos. Are there any restrictions at Caneel for folks not staying at the resort?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 7:51 pm

Great pictures, Jim! Thanks!

cathys · Post by **cathys** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 9:57 pm

iowaguy,

Thanks for the trip reports and all the pictures. We will be staying in Virgin Grand Estates in June (Cocotier), and I love the sunset pictures.

So glad you had a great trip! Can't wait for my time in paradise!!

Cathy

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Sun Apr 10, 2011 10:21 pm

Cathy---Cocotier was next door to Villa Marbella and has essentially the same view (maybe a touch better). I'm sure you'll love it.

DC3---anyone can use the "main beach" at Caneel--though there is a $10 parking fee that is refundable if you buy something (conveniently, a rum drink is almost exactly $10). Can also use this lot to walk to Honeymoon, which is especially pretty.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:30 am

Beautiful photos. John's always been intrigued by Beach Garden. The view from Marbella is fantastic.

STX lady · Post by **STX lady** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:25 pm

PERFECTION!!!! Thanks so much.

bubblybrenda · Post by **bubblybrenda** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 9:48 pm

Yes, very nice pics indeed.

Can someone please name tbe Islands we're looking at in the first photo?

Thanks.

STX lady · Post by **STX lady** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:08 pm

Sorry, did you read the report? I do believe that would be STJ (St John(s)...

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:27 pm

Brenda---I think you are asking about those islands between STJ and STT (and a little south). I'm thinking those are Great St. James and Little St. James, though I'm happy to be corrected by any sailors or others in the group.

STX lady · Post by **STX lady** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:37 pm

Ahhh...my apologies..... now I read it right! Thanks iowaguy

stampede chuck · Post by **stampede chuck** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 11:15 pm

Hey, I recognize that view! Wow did you guys make a lot of noise up there at Marbella (just kidding) ... we did hear some pretty mellow tunes though.

Glad you had a great trip. Sorry we never hooked up, but I think we might have got lost in the crowd.

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:36 am

very nice! great pictures!

iowaguy · Post by **iowaguy** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:26 am

Thanks for all the nice comments.

Collin---I hope you had a nice, romantic vacation next door at Arc du Soleil. Thanks for posting and adding some pics---that looks like a gorgeous house!

usvi-on-line

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Iowaguy's Mini Trip Report---Part I

Iowaguy's Mini Trip Report---Part I