Day 6: Beach (again), Tourist Trap & Beach Bar

[flip-flop]

Day 6: Wednesday - Beach, lunch at Tourist Trap, dinner at the Beach Bar.

Another beautiful morning. It was on this morning that I counted ... Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday ... 5 full days left! I always find the first 1/2 of the vacation seems to crawl by, but the day I actually count the full beach days left, I know its all over but the cryin! I try to block it out of my head and think, 5 DAYS. 5 full days, that's a lot of time. Plenty of time. Somehow, it is never enough time for ME + St. John! Ever.

We have breakfast at the house again. I decided to fancy up my bagel and microwaved a scrambled egg. Is that the most perfect egg for a bagel ever or what? I didn't plan for the whle but the bowl's center must have been a little higher making the PERFECT bagel egg!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663049274/" title="My PERFECT egg on a bagel by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5181/566 ... 3988a4.jpg" width="500" height="256" alt="My PERFECT egg on a bagel"></a>

Egg and cheese bagel and coffee

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Today's beach shall remain nameless. I am all about sharing information and if you pm me I'll tell you but some secrets must be protected. I was threatened by some violent locals if I told...so my lips are sealed. I am sure many of you know it. If you do ... SHUSH. Regardless, said nameless beach requires a short hike. NOT AS SHORT as it seemed alone without the kids last March, but short enough. Probably 8-10 minutes in from the lot. And for the first time all spring break week we were alone. ALL ALONE!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663050014/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5107/566 ... 1a0f2e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

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This beach is nowhere near as calm as Maho or Francis and there is only really one little spot to sit and chill in the water, but for the solitude ... so worth it!

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Strutting his stuff

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Beautiful, peaceful, blissful solitude

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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663049728/" title="Secret...shhhhh by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/566 ... 2c2225.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Secret...shhhhh"></a>

We didn't pack lunch today as we hadn't planned to stay out too terribly long. We were all a little tender from the sun and had our minds set on the Tourist Trap for lunch! Another MUST for our trips. Almost 2 years ago, when we took the kids last time, we stopped and gave a ride to the lovely Cheryl. Ever since, seeing Cheryl and the Tourist Trap and the kitties that hang around is a highlight for especially Mini Flip-Flop.

Soon enough we were getting hungry so we packed it in, hiked back up to the car and headed over the hills back to Coral Bay. I have to give my kiddo's props. They not only did every hike we did, but they did them carrying their own stuff usually. TROOPERS!

Mmmmmm.....lunchtime

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We pulled up to the TT around noon. Another first ... every table was full. We had to wait for a seat but it didn't take too long.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662488369/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5066/566 ... bfa366.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

I love love love love the Tourist Trap. It is just the smallest thing and I can't believe the food Larry cranks out of there. We always have great service and everyone just loves the kids. There are games for the kiddos.

Rockem Sockem anyone?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662488491/" title="Rockem Sockem by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/566 ... 6057cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Rockem Sockem"></a>

Cash ONLY. And, you can't go wrong no matter what you choose!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662487835/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5222/566 ... 16590a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Grouper Tacos for me

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661755799/" title="Grouper Taco by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/566 ... 5d99c4.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Grouper Taco"></a>

TN Taco for my hubby - YUMMMMM - pulled pork, spicy slaw. (Apologies that I didn't snap the picture before Mr. took a bite)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662323208/" title="1/2 eaten TN taco by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/566 ... b51400.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="1/2 eaten TN taco"></a>

Soon we spotted Cheryl and Mini Flop-Flop and she chatted about the ACC and animals in general and how we were going to go walk puppies and on and on....Cheryl has the kindest heart and is absolutely wonderful to our kids. She's like the pied piper. They would follow her anywhere. She gave them little treats and walked them around showing them things. She is amazing. We love her!

Belly busies him with a game

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663056836/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/566 ... fe8270.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

The kids split a hot dog and we got homemade dreamsickle ice cream to share for dessert. This ice cream was AMAZING. It is made by a local woman out in Coral Bay and $6 may seem like a lot but we split it 4 ways and it was AMAZING. So creamy and delicious!

After lunch we headed home to clean up and rest.

Naptime

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663056930/" title="Naptime by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/566 ... c816c1.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Naptime"></a>

I took a few pictures of the flowers around the house

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663057246/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/566 ... 367173.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

This is the garden path under the house

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662489953/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/566 ... 17d11d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

Soon enough, rested and relaxed, we decided to head out and explore the roads (all three of them) of St. John some more. We are contemplating staying on Gifft Hill for our next trip in 2012, so I wanted to scope it out.

Had to get a shot of the little man's Jimi Hendrix shirt

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Our trusty Jeep

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By this time, I had taken to parking in the upper lot ... if for no other reason than most times when we made it back to the house from the beach/lunch, Belly was napping, and parking up there eliminated 1 flight of stairs. It is tricky to back down the driveway, but I had mastered it by this time.

Being as we are now mid-way through the trip or better, everything begins to get hazy.

For example I have NO idea where this is. I do know we took the 104 or was it 107 cut through and ended up over by Ditleff

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662491479/" title="s by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/566 ... 9a99d4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="s"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662491577/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/566 ... 9d6696.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

These signs cracked me up. STOP! Really, stop.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662491363/" title="Stop. REALLY. STOP. by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/566 ... da4f9d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Stop. REALLY. STOP."></a>

After our tour we decided to head to Cruz bay for dinner. It was ODD to me that we spent as much time in Cruz Bay as we did this time. We've stayed in Coral Bay or Upper Carolina the last two trips and it had seemed to me that we spent most of our time on the Coral Bay side. Not this trip. Maybe it was because the kids were older, I am not sure, but we ended up in Cruz Bay at least every other day. We were all fine with that, I only note it because it was strange.

We decided to head to the Beach Bar and shop around Wharfside and grab dinner in town.

Mini was ok with this plan

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663059848/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5304/566 ... e0bd50.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

We were a little late for the sunset

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Happy Girls (in need of a little red eye correction but oh well)

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And the boys

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We decided to hit the Beach Bar for dinner. BBC and painkiller in hand, I ordered dinner.

Fried shrimp for the kids

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662493077/" title="Fried Shrimpies by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/566 ... 728b2a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fried Shrimpies"></a>

Ribeye sandwich for Mr. Flip-Flop (though Belly ate 1/2 of the meat off of it)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663060838/" title="Ribeye Sandwich by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5108/566 ... ee6b88.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ribeye Sandwich"></a>

Crab wontons with spicy sauce to share! Yum!!! I have no idea what the sauce was but it was awesome.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663061052/" title="Crab Wontons by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/566 ... 550612.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Crab Wontons"></a>

But MOM it says DO NOT SIT (sorry Ruth...couldn't resist)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663061190/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/566 ... f97073.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

We headed to Bamboo to pick up the necklace I'd ordered earlier in the week. LOVE IT.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662954107/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/566 ... 051219.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Before I knew it the day was done. It was getting late so we headed back over the river and through the hills to Coral Bay. I pit stopped at Lilly's to get cash and the machine was having issues...so no cash for tomorrow, but no big deal. I never let myself get too terribly low because you never know.

Tomorrow: Vie's Beach, Skinny Legs and a Quiet Night In

Day 1: Friday - Getting there is NOT 1/2 the fun, Overnight in STT, Hotel Mafolie
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20137

Day 2: Saturday - Breakfast at Mafolie, Pool Time, and Heading to St. John and the Lameshur Cottage
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20143

Day 3: Sunday - Maho, Skinny Legs, and Woody's
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20151

Day 4: Monday - Francis, Tap Room, and Island Blues
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... hp?t=20170

Day 5: Tuesday - Mini Flip-Flop's 1st Snorkel, A Trip to Myra Keating, and Date Night @ Shipwreck
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... sc&start=0

[SOonthebeach]

Just catching up on a few days- got scared when I saw the Myrah Keating entry- but glad to hear it was a planned trip (sort of). My little one had to be on a nebulizer for about a year when she was 1-2- she still calls it "nebby"

Sounds like ya'll had such an awesome trip! Thanks for the babysitting tip- may have to try that sometime. Love the reports!!

[msgcolleen]

Another fabulous day with the Flip Flop Family!
I think I know where that SHHHH beach is but I may PM you to make sure!
That pic over by Ditleff Point looks like Fish Bay. Funny, if you look at the map you are really close to your cottage IF THE ROAD KEPT GOING PAST FISH BAY!!
(I wonder if they will ever connect that road)
So glad you have 5 days to go! Thanks for taking us along~~~

[mbw1024]

looks like a good day. how did you find the Gifft Hill location?

[Mar]

Loving your trip reports flip flop!! Thank you!!

[flip-flop]

looks like a good day. how did you find the Gifft Hill location?

I never did find the specific house but oh well. I thikn the location will work. Because of the cut through you can totally avoid Cruz Bay to get over to Maho and whatnot, I suppose. That's my big thing. I don't like going through "TOWN" everytime. I know I am a whiner.

The views seem like they will be toooooo die for!

So far we've bounced all around Chocolate Hole, REEF bay (which is really the only place I don't think I'd do again), Maria Bluff, Carolina Ridge (my favorite), Coral Bay above Lilly's and WAY OUT near Lameshur. For location, upper Carolina is my favorite. For views, Maria Bluff was amazing. Everywhere has its pros and cons. I think we'll go for it if we can get the house we want!

[mkb]

Loving your trip report. Thanks for the tip about Bamboo Jewelry. I'm going to have to have one of those latitude necklaces - just trying to decide if I should order it through the internet site, or go get it in person...

[liamsaunt]

The photo of belly flop on Ruth's steps is priceless!

Is the necklace you bought sterling? I LOVE it but need sterling or gold only, and even then I can only keep it on for a couple of hours or I get a rash. If it's sterling I might have to pick one of those up in a couple of months!

That sauce with the rangoons that you liked so much looks like Thai sweet chili sauce to me. You can get it in the Asian section of the grocery. I have Lee Kum Kee brand in my fridge. And I agree, it is awesome!

[flip-flop]

The photo of belly flop on Ruth's steps is priceless!

Is the necklace you bought sterling?

That sauce with the rangoons that you liked so much looks like Thai sweet chili sauce to me. You can get it in the Asian section of the grocery. I have Lee Kum Kee brand in my fridge. And I agree, it is awesome!

I thought the pic was too cute!

The necklace is sterling. The only thing I purchased at Bamboo was the disk with the lat/long of St. John. It comes in two sizes - that is the medium, they have a larger one. They also have other things engraved on smaller disks but the long/lat requires a minimum of the medium disk.

I will have to look for that sauce! YUM

[greyhoundmom]

Flip, love reading your daily reports and looking at pictures. Your children are adorable! I definitely know where the SHHH beach is. In 08 I incurred much wrath from S/O from snorkeling around the rocks against a killer current and getting out amid hundreds of black urchins!

[kristen1206]

Loving your report and photos! The sunset pics of you guys are great!

[stjchica]

I think Ruth will make an exception for that cutie pie
LOVE the necklace!!

[54b]

Really enjoying these trip reports...making the days til our June trip go by quicker.

Big fan of the SHUSSH beach...my wife and I call it our Gibney Back-Up (ooh, another clue). If the spots outside the Gibney gate are taken, we go there. The hike isn't bad and love that the trailhead is unmarked...makes you feel like you're in a secret club. Then on the rare occasions when someone else is on the beach, they just kind of give you that knowing nod while biting their lip and muttering "damn, there goes the neighborhood" under their breath.

Cheesy, but hey, you're on vacation. Cheese it up.

Regardless, not worried about the secret getting out...I think the hike alone will keep the numbers down. It's just too much easier to go to the other beaches.

Looking forward to reading the rest of the trip. Thanks for sharing.

[jaq w]

Love the charm! I'm going to have to pop in there next week. Again your trip reports are terrific.

[Lovermont]

Big fan of the SHUSSH beach...my wife and I call it our Gibney Back-Up (ooh, another clue). If the spots outside the Gibney gate are taken, we go there. The hike isn't bad and love that the trailhead is unmarked...makes you feel like you're in a secret club. Then on the rare occasions when someone else is on the beach, they just kind of give you that knowing nod while biting their lip and muttering "damn, there goes the neighborhood" under their breath.

Doggone it! I pride myself on being pretty adventurous, and have been to many nooks and crannies of our lovely island that many have not discovered, but I have NOOOOO idea what beach this is. I'm on a mission, and I won't let up until I find it!!!