usvi-on-line
Day 1: Getting there is NOT 1/2 the fun, Overnight @ Mafolie
Day 1: Getting there is NOT 1/2 the fun, Overnight @ Mafolie
Friday, April 15: Getting there is NOT 1/2 the fun, Overnight in STT, Hotel Mafolie
For the first time EVER, we had a civilized flight that didn't depart DC until 11:25 am. I think our latest flight prior to this was a 7am! Usually we are up at 4am. It was nice to sleep in. Though, sleep was elusive for me. Can anyone really sleep the night before they leave for vacation?
First things first, we must pack all of our important goodies. Belly Flop got his own rolling bag for Christmas and was SO excited to finally use it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661804745/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/566 ... a13327.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>
Note important items: Blankie, Transformers, Beach buddy (the weird green stuffed thing), and cars.
My nephew dropped us all off at airport around 9. We checked our bag at the curb and headed for security. I was impressed by how well the kids handled the security screening process. Fortunately, no one was fondled and they each took care of their own business - shoes off and on, etc. We all managed to make it through without losing any possessions or our minds. By the time we arrived at our gate, we had plenty of time to kill.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661803429/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/566 ... 3aa166.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
Mini Flip-Flop brought along her menagerie as well.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662370072/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/566 ... c2cb79.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
We are the happiest girls
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662369424/" title="Happiest Girls by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/566 ... 939aca.jpg" width="500" height="477" alt="Happiest Girls"></a>
The girls' pedis
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661802225/" title="Toes by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/566 ... 6c68b9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Toes"></a>
As much as I tried to do carry-on only, I could not swing it. This is our carry-on ... plus 1 large duffel that we checked.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661801157/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/566 ... c1aa5e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
Grabbed breakfast at the airport and relaxed until it was time to board our flight from DCA to Miami. LOVED our flight connections this time. Also, because I typically fly Delta because it can be free (frequent flyer miles), we usually connect through Atlanta. 2 hours to Atlanta and then another almost 4 to STT. UGH! I much preferred the DC-MIA-STT plan. 2 hours to Miami then a little over 2 hours from the to STT.
We boarded on time and were set to take-off so I whipped out the first goodies for the kids. Whenever I am flying with the kids I pack a bag of surprises and snacks for them. Since Belly flop is TOTALLY obsessed with transformers, his was a new transformer. Mini Flip-Flop got a strawberry shortcake toy extravaganza thing with lots of tiny parts.
They really are the world's best kid travelers.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661800393/" title="MIA-STT by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/566 ... b9f73b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="MIA-STT"></a>
Before we knew it we were in Miami. Unfortunately, the CHEAP flight I had booked left us with a 3 hour layover. So what to do with all that time to kill? We decided to hit the Corona Bar and Grill for some lunch and relaxation. Fish tacos for me and I can't remember what Mr. Flip-Flop had. Soon enough, it was time to board our flight on to St. Thomas. Flight was uneventful and quick.
Within minutes of take-off this guy was out.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662367002/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/566 ... 81f0f4.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a>
We arrived at 8:30 pm, gathered our stuff and headed to pick up our 1 checked bag. I just couldn't swing NO checked bags, though I am still going to keep trying!
Some people BYOB....eachChairs? I had never seen this. With the cost of checking bags these days I can't imagine this would be cost effective or worth the hassle but to each their own.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662366784/" title="BYO Beach Chairs? by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/566 ... ac0a4c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="BYO Beach Chairs?"></a>
Bag gathered we headed to the Taxi's and climbed in with 6 of our newest friends and headed to the Hotel Mafolie. When I originally booked the Cottage on STJ, we had a mix up about the dates and the Cottage owner graciously arranged hotel accommodations for us on St. Thomas for the first night. In the end, this was MUCH better than trying to continue on to STJ in the dark, find the cottage way out at the end of the island and have to figure out how to get back into town to pick up the car the next morning. So, though a bit of a snafu, it worked in our favor. I think.
We arrived at Hotel Mafolie in the dark, so we couldn't take in much of the surroundings, but what we could see of the outside was lovely. It is built into a hillside and there are a LOT of stairs involved. (If you have limited mobility I would not recommend this hotel). The street level, where our room ended up being, is one flight up from the reception area. The restaurant is another flight down and the pool is yet another flight down from there. We had a newbie checking us in so it was quite an adventure trying to get situated, i.e. find the room as he wasn't sure where it was. As far as I could tell there were rooms on every level.
Luckily I had left Mr. Flip-flop and the baggage on the street while I figured it all out. If we had taken our stuff down to reception, we would have had to turn around and take it back up a flight of stairs to our room.
I do not want to sound overly negative as I know there are people who really like this hotel, I would not say that I am a convert. I didn't hate it but in my opinion, it is not worth the money. We were not paying, so I suppose I shouldn't complain. And I only saw our room, so maybe others are WAY nicer, but I was not impressed. It was damp and musty (I am convinced it started the Belly Flop's asthma flare up .. more on that later), and not as clean as I would have liked. Teeny, tiny bathroom. The TV did not work. If we were paying we would have been disappointed considering it was $250/night. If the price was low enough (maybe in the $150 range), I would be totally fine with it. I am not high maintenance, I think there are just better deals to be had if you have to overnight on St. Thomas. That said, the views from the pool, restaurant, etc are beautiful. Again, this is just my opinion!
The restaurant was closed by the time we arrived and settled in and there really is nowhere close by to grab a bite to eat, so we ate snacks for dinner. Luckily I had packed a bunch!
No matter how you do it, getting there is a long and tiresome adventure. We were all exhausted! It was an early night for us. The real excitement was still to come the next day! STJ!
Tomorrow...Breakfast at Mafolie, Pool Time, and Heading to St. John and the Lameshur Cottage
For the first time EVER, we had a civilized flight that didn't depart DC until 11:25 am. I think our latest flight prior to this was a 7am! Usually we are up at 4am. It was nice to sleep in. Though, sleep was elusive for me. Can anyone really sleep the night before they leave for vacation?
First things first, we must pack all of our important goodies. Belly Flop got his own rolling bag for Christmas and was SO excited to finally use it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661804745/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/566 ... a13327.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>
Note important items: Blankie, Transformers, Beach buddy (the weird green stuffed thing), and cars.
My nephew dropped us all off at airport around 9. We checked our bag at the curb and headed for security. I was impressed by how well the kids handled the security screening process. Fortunately, no one was fondled and they each took care of their own business - shoes off and on, etc. We all managed to make it through without losing any possessions or our minds. By the time we arrived at our gate, we had plenty of time to kill.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661803429/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5306/566 ... 3aa166.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
Mini Flip-Flop brought along her menagerie as well.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662370072/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/566 ... c2cb79.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
We are the happiest girls
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662369424/" title="Happiest Girls by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/566 ... 939aca.jpg" width="500" height="477" alt="Happiest Girls"></a>
The girls' pedis
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661802225/" title="Toes by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/566 ... 6c68b9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Toes"></a>
As much as I tried to do carry-on only, I could not swing it. This is our carry-on ... plus 1 large duffel that we checked.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661801157/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/566 ... c1aa5e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>
Grabbed breakfast at the airport and relaxed until it was time to board our flight from DCA to Miami. LOVED our flight connections this time. Also, because I typically fly Delta because it can be free (frequent flyer miles), we usually connect through Atlanta. 2 hours to Atlanta and then another almost 4 to STT. UGH! I much preferred the DC-MIA-STT plan. 2 hours to Miami then a little over 2 hours from the to STT.
We boarded on time and were set to take-off so I whipped out the first goodies for the kids. Whenever I am flying with the kids I pack a bag of surprises and snacks for them. Since Belly flop is TOTALLY obsessed with transformers, his was a new transformer. Mini Flip-Flop got a strawberry shortcake toy extravaganza thing with lots of tiny parts.
They really are the world's best kid travelers.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661800393/" title="MIA-STT by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/566 ... b9f73b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="MIA-STT"></a>
Before we knew it we were in Miami. Unfortunately, the CHEAP flight I had booked left us with a 3 hour layover. So what to do with all that time to kill? We decided to hit the Corona Bar and Grill for some lunch and relaxation. Fish tacos for me and I can't remember what Mr. Flip-Flop had. Soon enough, it was time to board our flight on to St. Thomas. Flight was uneventful and quick.
Within minutes of take-off this guy was out.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662367002/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5270/566 ... 81f0f4.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a>
We arrived at 8:30 pm, gathered our stuff and headed to pick up our 1 checked bag. I just couldn't swing NO checked bags, though I am still going to keep trying!
Some people BYOB....eachChairs? I had never seen this. With the cost of checking bags these days I can't imagine this would be cost effective or worth the hassle but to each their own.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662366784/" title="BYO Beach Chairs? by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/566 ... ac0a4c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="BYO Beach Chairs?"></a>
Bag gathered we headed to the Taxi's and climbed in with 6 of our newest friends and headed to the Hotel Mafolie. When I originally booked the Cottage on STJ, we had a mix up about the dates and the Cottage owner graciously arranged hotel accommodations for us on St. Thomas for the first night. In the end, this was MUCH better than trying to continue on to STJ in the dark, find the cottage way out at the end of the island and have to figure out how to get back into town to pick up the car the next morning. So, though a bit of a snafu, it worked in our favor. I think.
We arrived at Hotel Mafolie in the dark, so we couldn't take in much of the surroundings, but what we could see of the outside was lovely. It is built into a hillside and there are a LOT of stairs involved. (If you have limited mobility I would not recommend this hotel). The street level, where our room ended up being, is one flight up from the reception area. The restaurant is another flight down and the pool is yet another flight down from there. We had a newbie checking us in so it was quite an adventure trying to get situated, i.e. find the room as he wasn't sure where it was. As far as I could tell there were rooms on every level.
Luckily I had left Mr. Flip-flop and the baggage on the street while I figured it all out. If we had taken our stuff down to reception, we would have had to turn around and take it back up a flight of stairs to our room.
I do not want to sound overly negative as I know there are people who really like this hotel, I would not say that I am a convert. I didn't hate it but in my opinion, it is not worth the money. We were not paying, so I suppose I shouldn't complain. And I only saw our room, so maybe others are WAY nicer, but I was not impressed. It was damp and musty (I am convinced it started the Belly Flop's asthma flare up .. more on that later), and not as clean as I would have liked. Teeny, tiny bathroom. The TV did not work. If we were paying we would have been disappointed considering it was $250/night. If the price was low enough (maybe in the $150 range), I would be totally fine with it. I am not high maintenance, I think there are just better deals to be had if you have to overnight on St. Thomas. That said, the views from the pool, restaurant, etc are beautiful. Again, this is just my opinion!
The restaurant was closed by the time we arrived and settled in and there really is nowhere close by to grab a bite to eat, so we ate snacks for dinner. Luckily I had packed a bunch!
No matter how you do it, getting there is a long and tiresome adventure. We were all exhausted! It was an early night for us. The real excitement was still to come the next day! STJ!
Tomorrow...Breakfast at Mafolie, Pool Time, and Heading to St. John and the Lameshur Cottage
Can't wait for the next..
-
Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
Flip Flop, as usual you trip reports are the best! I also can not believe how big your "little" ones have gotten.
Can't wait for day two!
Can't wait for day two!
<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/ ... t.png"></a>
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/ ... t.png"></a>
-
wishiwasinthevi
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sun Aug 29, 2010 12:33 pm
- Location: Springfield, Illinois
-
SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
-
msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
Look how big your kids are! Love the shot of your toesies! Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]