USVI-On-Line

We had a great boating day over to the BVI with the whole gang. Two of the guys are boaters, so we captained two boats from Ocean Runner on our own. This has its pluses and minuses. Its a bit more of an adventure---so thats good. On the other hand, I think the guys could have used a few of Captain John Brandi's tips on anchoring at White Bay, without hitting one of the 200 other boats (just had a few near misses--thats all). After a leisurely cruise up the north shore of St. John we checked in at Great Harbour in Jost, then headed over to Taboo for lunch---we think its beautiful here---and the food is great too.

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Seemed like a good time for a rum punch:

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After lunch we anchored at Sandy Cay for a while---this is one of my favorite places in the world, and thankfully, it wasn't crowded.

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Next we headed over to White Bay. Can I be honest? As much as I have loved White Bay for many years, its getting a bit too crowded for me. Still, a number of the boys said it was their favorite part of the trip, so I'm glad we went.

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We had a little time left at the end of the day so we found a mooring at Francis Bay and just enjoyed some beers while watching a few boats come in and out of Cinnamon Bay (hmmmm..sounds like a song).

Another day a group of us hiked up to Ram Head. This is a fun hike---not too strenuous, but enough to make you feel like you've earned a beer or two at lunch. I think the vistas are much more stunning in person than on camera. The blue cobblestone beach is pretty cool.

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All of our meals were good. Janie and I enjoyed a dinner on our own one night at Zozo's---we sat at the bar on the 3rd floor for a better view (though we didn't eat until about 8, so no sunset shots). The famous Mahi-Mahi:

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We all enjoyed lobster night at Morgan's Mango. The lobster is grilled very simply, but its fresh and delicious. It was insanely crowded at Morgan's Mango, and a bit more expensive than I remembered, but good.

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Cilantro-lime corn crusted shrimp, and ginger-glazed salmon at Rhumb Lines were great.

Waterfront Bistro has a great lunch, and its a wonderful setting. My advice---order a mojito, then sit back and enjoy.

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Tried Cactus on the Blue as well---margaritas and enchiladas were very good, and I'd definitely go back---regrettably no pictures.

Stopped by La Plancha del Mar for some sangria and appetizers---wish we had made it for a full dinner here.

Had possibly the best fish and chips of my life at Island Blues--this is just a great spot, and still feels like an island hole in the wall.

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Got some good takeout lunch from Deli Grotto, and also enjoyed a visit to Sam and Jack's. I got some fresh olive tapenade at Sam and Jack's (its what they serve at Zozo's with their bread). Delicious.

I should have taken 20 or 30 pictures of Starfish Market, rather than all these beach shots. We spent a LOT of time at Starfish. Coming from a family where we had all girls, I had no idea how much high school boys could eat.

We also spent a good amount of time at Woody's and the Beach Bar, and a little at Castaways as well. St. Patty's Day at Woody's was especially fun.

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Loved hearing Inner Visions at the Beach Bar---they are great.

We always hit a few art galleries while we're in STJ. Bajo el Sol is our favorite, but its hard to beat the setting at Coconut Coast Studio:

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All in all, it was a great trip and I can't wait to return. As you can tell, we had lousy weather:)

We stayed an extra day at the Westin at the end of the trip (thank you Starwood points) and took the Westin ferry back to STT. Great Cruz Bay was beautiful as we left.

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Lovely!!!! I will be making my first trip that way very soon and I am just eating up all the pics and places everyone posts...I know it will be awesome! Thanks for sharing...

Thank you for your mini-report, Jim (a bit disappointed because it went straight to "the finale" from "part 1" - well, yes, that's why it's "mini", I know ). Always enjoy your photos. Glad you all had a great time.

Great reports but I was also searched for parts 2&3 before the finale. Great pics, we love Taboo's and my wife also loved the fish and chips at Island Blues last trip. Thanks Again!

Thanks Pickle! I always love your photos as well.

I did want to mention a few more random things. The boys and some of the more agile older folks (that would exclude me) tried stand-up paddleboarding. There were quite a few paddleboards around the island and you can rent them (for several hours or several days) at Cinnamon Bay. Fun thing to try. Here's our friend Julie paddleboarding in Chocolate Hole:


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For one of our dinners at home (for 15) we got a delicious key lime pie (actually, two of them) from Baked in the Sun. Big hit---highly recommended. For that same dinner, we were having hamburgers. Unfortunately, Starfish was out of hamburger buns. I went to the store 3 times over 2 days and was told each time---“we think the buns will be coming soon.” On the 3rd trip, I decided to get some small “tea rolls” and we had sliders instead. Worked out fine---maybe even better--just a tiny example that you may need to be a bit more flexible. I enjoy a good mojito more than most people. I think I looked for fresh mint at Starfish every day, and the produce manager nicely look into it for me. He thought they would get some soon---it never arrived while I was there. I suspect someone is enjoying a nice mojito with some fresh mint about now.

One more random observation. Kenny Floyd plays at Castaways once a week. He is a lot of fun---we went to hear him twice.


Here is my favorite palm tree and a few more sunsets for good measure.

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Wow! Wow! Wow! Excellent report and pictures!
Looks like you had so much fun and I'm counting the months, days and hours until it is our turn! Again!
Thanks Iowaguy~

Great report and beautiful pictures Nice eye on the photography.

Thanks so much for taking the time to post!

Thanks for the report and the great photos. Seems like you had a fantastic time. So jealous about the weather. What a clear blue sky in evey picture.

Hey Iowa- were staying at Marabella at the end of this month. What did you think of the villa?

Great report Iowaguy! Yesterday it was 81 degrees here in Wisconsin and I had some Jimmy Buffet and Inner Visions playing while I was outside thinking of St. John.

This morning I really needed your report since they are talking about a chance of flurries once again later this week!!

Great report & photos! Feel free to add part two and three with any extras....

Thanks for the trip report!

What mine (that I'm working on) lacks in promptness, will be compensated for in verbosity...

I guess we were lucky - the day we wen to White Bay, or at least the time of day that we went there, it wasn't very crowded at all.

Wonderful pictures! I'm glad you had a great trip and that you tried Baked in the Sun for your Key Lime Pie!

Awesome mini trip report! Loved the pics.

C & S---You will love Villa Marbella---its a great house. Very well maintained---beautifully decorated. If you click on any of the photos in the report, it takes you to a larger collection of photos, and there are several more shots of the house. If you have any specific questions, let me know.If I had any complaint at all (which I don't), it would be that VGE is a bit further drive from town and beaches than some of our other locations, but you adjust to it quickly.


Lovermont---Good thought on Josephines. In hindsight, I should have headed out one morning to her garden-- I would have enjoyed that---next time, I guess. One issue with a group this size is that you're a little less mobile and freewheeling. However, the bonds formed on a trip like this are fantastic.


Colleen---Enjoy your KC concert this weekend in Dallas---when we returned to Des Moines, KC played a concert a few days after we got back---our island group went to the concert and it was a fun way to extend the good times from the trip.