usvi-on-line
Trip Report Part II
Trip Report Part II
link to part I
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... e15fb9a9ed
Friday, June 22nd
Awoke early again! Today I had planned for us to go to Salt Pond, Drunk Bay, eat lunch at Tourist Trap and then if we felt like more adventure, a trip to Lamashur. I made breakfast every morning except our travel day back. I never thought to make pictures of our food in the villa.
We arrive at Salt Pond parking lot around 9 am. There were only a few jeeps there.
First gorgeous view of Salt Pond
Decide to make the hike to Drunk Bay before it gets any hotter.
On the trail:
The area was so dry but as you walked further along the trail you could hear the waves crashing. I could not imagine what I was about to see. I had looked at pictures, but sometimes you cannot visualize it until you see it in person. I knew what to expect…but seeing it for real and hearing the waves crashing and the wind blowing…was just magical. That was kind of how I felt about the whole trip. Seeing everything for the first time after I had read about and looked at pictures was amazing.
We didn’t take time to make coral people…but there were plenty there to look at!
We headed back to Salt Pond to set up “camp” until time for lunch.
We were hot so decided to snorkel. We stayed in the water for a long time. Nothing stands out in my memory from this snorkel. (just the usual fish and such)
The color of the water is just amazing to me.
Time for lunch…so we drive back to Tourist Trap…. really looking forward to this!
If you have never tried the Drink Right Keep Left Drink…it is a must….it was the only drink that I repeated on the whole trip.
Ok…we were really hungry…Larry has not cut his portions in half…we just ate some before someone reminded me that we didn’t take pictures…
Half a lobster roll
Half a pulled pork taco (excellent by the way!)
And a partially eaten pulled pork BBQ sandwich
We were entertained by the birds at the feeder.
Really great experience….We did get the mango ice cream…but no pictures of it..
was so good it was gone quickly…
total for lunch and drinks for four $78
decide to head on to Lamashur
Road to Lamashur
We park and head to the ruins on the right of the beach (if you are facing the beach) anyway further on down the road a little bit.
Something about these ruins and the beach was spectacular to me. I wish I were a writer to convey how beautiful the sight was to me. But I will let the pictures tell the story.
View behind ruins
.
Caught this deer on camera
We walked back to the jeep and unloaded our chairs and snorkel equipment. We snorkeled for a long time and then just chilled on the beach. Well my son floated in the water for a very long time...
We load back up stopping to make pictures at Great Lamashur.
Head back to villa to chill and get ready for dinner
Island Blues tonight
View of Coral Bay from Island blues patio
Chicken Nachos
Chicken Philly
Grilled cheese
Fish and chips
Food and drinks for four $83.00
Head back to villa after listening to karaoke for a little while…
Saturday June 23rd….BOAT DAY with Copeland Charters
Drive over to Cruz Bay which is approximately 20-25 minutes depending on how many locals get behind us on the route. I can always tell when a local is pressuring my husband to go faster or pull over! We change from a nice leisurely pace to breakneck speed around every turn and twist in the road. I don’t even have to look in the rear view mirror. Sometimes he would pull over if possible, others times they would pass, and other times I would impart him with the knowledge that I was getting car sick. I did not have any problems with motion sickness except during these events.
We arrive in Cruz Bay and proceed to the public parking lot close to ferry dock…which isn’t public this week because of the Festival. We really don’t want to drive to Car ferry barge to park. We call Robin of Copeland Charters who kindly directs us to a parking spot behind her jeep in front of Morgan Mango’s. I could have never parked our four door Jeep in that spot! But my Husband did a great job.
Aboard the Boat the “Beer Cooler”
Kevin was a great Captain…and we set off for our full day Charter…
We proceed to Rendevous Bay to snorkel…a little choppy on the ride over…
Gearing up…
We see our first starfish of the trip here…YEAH…. They were more yellow in color with brown spots.
After we snorkel this sight, we head to Lovango Cay..which was also a great snorkel. (Why didn’t I buy a waterproof case for my camera…or underwater camera????)
On Board with Captain Kevin
Then on to Mermaid’s chair…where I saw my first turtle!!! We all saw it and followed it around for several minutes.
Head back to Cruz Bay for lunch
Walked around trying to decide where to eat and end up at Beach Bar
With some free entertainment:
Made me miss our Westie!
View while we are waiting
Shrimp and chips
Tuna Down
Crab wonton rolls
Turkey Bacon melt
Drinks and meal for four $91.50
Head back to dock to board boat for the rest of our day. We begin our ride to Waterlemon Cay, our next snorkel stop…but wait what’s that sound?…one engine down???? And a light to check engine…so we head back to dock
The boat had just been serviced, but not working today. We have owned boats for years and have been stranded on the lake and assisted others that were also, so we completely understood.
Kevin was a great captain and we enjoyed what became our half day charter. We would not hesitate to book with Copeland charters again. Pia with St John Excursions handled our booking and we would definitely use her again also.
Robin and Pia both called me later in the week to try to arrange a day to finish our charter. (We didn’t because we had just finished the hike and snorkel to Waterlemon Cay when she called) We only had one and half days left on island and just wanted to chill on a beach and relax. But we really appreciated the great customer service by everyone involved in our boat day.
We had already picked up our coffee at St John Spice. We walked to Lumberyard to find St John Ice to get some gallons of water. We did not have our empty gallons with us though so it cost $1.25 and we had paid $1.50 at Lily’s in Coral Bay.
We really wanted to find some soursop ice cream (since the Pink Corner was closed in Coral Bay due to the owner being involved in a wreck which was covered in a separate post) We never did find any…only smoothies with soursop….
We drive to gas station and fill up. We have driven from airport to Red Hook, and all over the island for four days…fill up cost $41.50
It was very hot in town, in the nineties so we decide to head on to a North Shore Beach. We pass Jumbie and there were several parking spaces, but we drive on. We decide to turn around and go to Jumbie.
Trail down
No snorkeling …too tired from our day…
Head back to villa around 3 or 4…which was a typical ending to our afternoon. We would chill on the deck, take in the views and relax before getting ready for dinner. The night before it had rained and stormed for a few minutes. Half of the cover had blown off the hot tub….so a good incentive to try it. The hot tub was very relaxing after our busy snorkeling day.
Since The Pink Corner was not going to be open
We drove by Clean Plates at Sputniks next to Donkey Diner. It hadn’t looked like it was open, but someone was sitting outside. We talked to the nice lady who told us they would probably be open on Monday night. She also told us that we could get good food at Jessica’s kitchen next to Cases by the Sea. So we decide to try it tonight.
Grilled Steak and Pasta
Grilled Swai Fish and Beans and Rice
We had a great meal with the locals. Jessica’s kitchen is right across the road from Island Blues.
Total for our meal for four $54 Drinks next door at Cases by the Sea $8
We head back up the mountain....told my Son he could sleep late the next morning...
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... e15fb9a9ed
Friday, June 22nd
Awoke early again! Today I had planned for us to go to Salt Pond, Drunk Bay, eat lunch at Tourist Trap and then if we felt like more adventure, a trip to Lamashur. I made breakfast every morning except our travel day back. I never thought to make pictures of our food in the villa.
We arrive at Salt Pond parking lot around 9 am. There were only a few jeeps there.
First gorgeous view of Salt Pond
Decide to make the hike to Drunk Bay before it gets any hotter.
On the trail:
The area was so dry but as you walked further along the trail you could hear the waves crashing. I could not imagine what I was about to see. I had looked at pictures, but sometimes you cannot visualize it until you see it in person. I knew what to expect…but seeing it for real and hearing the waves crashing and the wind blowing…was just magical. That was kind of how I felt about the whole trip. Seeing everything for the first time after I had read about and looked at pictures was amazing.
We didn’t take time to make coral people…but there were plenty there to look at!
We headed back to Salt Pond to set up “camp” until time for lunch.
We were hot so decided to snorkel. We stayed in the water for a long time. Nothing stands out in my memory from this snorkel. (just the usual fish and such)
The color of the water is just amazing to me.
Time for lunch…so we drive back to Tourist Trap…. really looking forward to this!
If you have never tried the Drink Right Keep Left Drink…it is a must….it was the only drink that I repeated on the whole trip.
Ok…we were really hungry…Larry has not cut his portions in half…we just ate some before someone reminded me that we didn’t take pictures…
Half a lobster roll
Half a pulled pork taco (excellent by the way!)
And a partially eaten pulled pork BBQ sandwich
We were entertained by the birds at the feeder.
Really great experience….We did get the mango ice cream…but no pictures of it..
was so good it was gone quickly…
total for lunch and drinks for four $78
decide to head on to Lamashur
Road to Lamashur
We park and head to the ruins on the right of the beach (if you are facing the beach) anyway further on down the road a little bit.
Something about these ruins and the beach was spectacular to me. I wish I were a writer to convey how beautiful the sight was to me. But I will let the pictures tell the story.
View behind ruins
.
Caught this deer on camera
We walked back to the jeep and unloaded our chairs and snorkel equipment. We snorkeled for a long time and then just chilled on the beach. Well my son floated in the water for a very long time...
We load back up stopping to make pictures at Great Lamashur.
Head back to villa to chill and get ready for dinner
Island Blues tonight
View of Coral Bay from Island blues patio
Chicken Nachos
Chicken Philly
Grilled cheese
Fish and chips
Food and drinks for four $83.00
Head back to villa after listening to karaoke for a little while…
Saturday June 23rd….BOAT DAY with Copeland Charters
Drive over to Cruz Bay which is approximately 20-25 minutes depending on how many locals get behind us on the route. I can always tell when a local is pressuring my husband to go faster or pull over! We change from a nice leisurely pace to breakneck speed around every turn and twist in the road. I don’t even have to look in the rear view mirror. Sometimes he would pull over if possible, others times they would pass, and other times I would impart him with the knowledge that I was getting car sick. I did not have any problems with motion sickness except during these events.
We arrive in Cruz Bay and proceed to the public parking lot close to ferry dock…which isn’t public this week because of the Festival. We really don’t want to drive to Car ferry barge to park. We call Robin of Copeland Charters who kindly directs us to a parking spot behind her jeep in front of Morgan Mango’s. I could have never parked our four door Jeep in that spot! But my Husband did a great job.
Aboard the Boat the “Beer Cooler”
Kevin was a great Captain…and we set off for our full day Charter…
We proceed to Rendevous Bay to snorkel…a little choppy on the ride over…
Gearing up…
We see our first starfish of the trip here…YEAH…. They were more yellow in color with brown spots.
After we snorkel this sight, we head to Lovango Cay..which was also a great snorkel. (Why didn’t I buy a waterproof case for my camera…or underwater camera????)
On Board with Captain Kevin
Then on to Mermaid’s chair…where I saw my first turtle!!! We all saw it and followed it around for several minutes.
Head back to Cruz Bay for lunch
Walked around trying to decide where to eat and end up at Beach Bar
With some free entertainment:
Made me miss our Westie!
View while we are waiting
Shrimp and chips
Tuna Down
Crab wonton rolls
Turkey Bacon melt
Drinks and meal for four $91.50
Head back to dock to board boat for the rest of our day. We begin our ride to Waterlemon Cay, our next snorkel stop…but wait what’s that sound?…one engine down???? And a light to check engine…so we head back to dock
The boat had just been serviced, but not working today. We have owned boats for years and have been stranded on the lake and assisted others that were also, so we completely understood.
Kevin was a great captain and we enjoyed what became our half day charter. We would not hesitate to book with Copeland charters again. Pia with St John Excursions handled our booking and we would definitely use her again also.
Robin and Pia both called me later in the week to try to arrange a day to finish our charter. (We didn’t because we had just finished the hike and snorkel to Waterlemon Cay when she called) We only had one and half days left on island and just wanted to chill on a beach and relax. But we really appreciated the great customer service by everyone involved in our boat day.
We had already picked up our coffee at St John Spice. We walked to Lumberyard to find St John Ice to get some gallons of water. We did not have our empty gallons with us though so it cost $1.25 and we had paid $1.50 at Lily’s in Coral Bay.
We really wanted to find some soursop ice cream (since the Pink Corner was closed in Coral Bay due to the owner being involved in a wreck which was covered in a separate post) We never did find any…only smoothies with soursop….
We drive to gas station and fill up. We have driven from airport to Red Hook, and all over the island for four days…fill up cost $41.50
It was very hot in town, in the nineties so we decide to head on to a North Shore Beach. We pass Jumbie and there were several parking spaces, but we drive on. We decide to turn around and go to Jumbie.
Trail down
No snorkeling …too tired from our day…
Head back to villa around 3 or 4…which was a typical ending to our afternoon. We would chill on the deck, take in the views and relax before getting ready for dinner. The night before it had rained and stormed for a few minutes. Half of the cover had blown off the hot tub….so a good incentive to try it. The hot tub was very relaxing after our busy snorkeling day.
Since The Pink Corner was not going to be open
We drove by Clean Plates at Sputniks next to Donkey Diner. It hadn’t looked like it was open, but someone was sitting outside. We talked to the nice lady who told us they would probably be open on Monday night. She also told us that we could get good food at Jessica’s kitchen next to Cases by the Sea. So we decide to try it tonight.
Grilled Steak and Pasta
Grilled Swai Fish and Beans and Rice
We had a great meal with the locals. Jessica’s kitchen is right across the road from Island Blues.
Total for our meal for four $54 Drinks next door at Cases by the Sea $8
We head back up the mountain....told my Son he could sleep late the next morning...
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ColumbiaSCTraveler
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Columbia, SC
Loving your trip reports!
You have done some things we haven't, and this year will be our 4th trip in 4 years! Good for y'all!
I want to hit the Tourist Trap and Lameshur ruins this year.
We loved Drunk Bay, too, and we had fun making a coral person! Hope to do that again this trip!
I am HOPING we see a starfish this year!!!! That's the one creature I'm having a fit to see!
You have done some things we haven't, and this year will be our 4th trip in 4 years! Good for y'all!
I want to hit the Tourist Trap and Lameshur ruins this year.
We loved Drunk Bay, too, and we had fun making a coral person! Hope to do that again this trip!
I am HOPING we see a starfish this year!!!! That's the one creature I'm having a fit to see!
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EagleRayLover
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:56 pm
- Location: St. John -WooHoo!!
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TraumaQueen
- Posts: 162
- Joined: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:28 pm
- Location: Mississippi
Awesome report! I swear you could be posting the pics from our trip! I keep telling everyone that the ruins at Lameshur is my next "fixer-upper" house!
We also know that lone palm tree in the middle of the beach at Salt Pond. It did us right our full day there.
Francis is my heaven on earth.....were the big fish chasing the little fish onshore and eating them with the pelicans and gulls? Craziness!
Thank you for the refreshing memories!
We also know that lone palm tree in the middle of the beach at Salt Pond. It did us right our full day there.
Francis is my heaven on earth.....were the big fish chasing the little fish onshore and eating them with the pelicans and gulls? Craziness!
Thank you for the refreshing memories!
STJohnRon: we missed you and Ruth both.
We actually came back and bought more coffee, and I had to get my refrigerate magnets (I collect from our vacations)
loved visiting your store...it smelled so good in there!
the Tourist Trap was very good...have to get some of that mango or lime ice cream too....
We actually came back and bought more coffee, and I had to get my refrigerate magnets (I collect from our vacations)
loved visiting your store...it smelled so good in there!
the Tourist Trap was very good...have to get some of that mango or lime ice cream too....