Not Really a Trip Report

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:59 pm

Our 5th trip to St John earlier this month was interesting, relaxing, and fun.

We stayed in a new villa on Bordeaux Mt called Alta Vista. The name is perfect.

Experiences new to us this time around were:

attending the Coconut Coast Sunset Cocktail Party
http://www.coconutcoaststudios.com/Site ... Party.html
It was very nice to meet Elaine Estern and discuss her art while enjoying the sunset.

taking a class with photographer, Steve Simonsen
http://simonsen.photoshelter.com/page2
There were seven of us in the class... six with a Forum connection. What a fun way to spend 4 hours in a beach front classroom at Hawksnest Bay!

Two more shots taken while in the class

shopping, and meeting the artist himself, at Sloop Jones
http://www.sloopjones.com/

For the first time we made it to Maho Bay Camps... for the Friday Night buffet.
http://www.maho.org/
This was a good experience and the food was quite tasty and at a more than reasonable price. Since the Camps is slated to close in May 2013, we had to go now or not. I shopped a little in the gift shop which had some lovely pieces made from recycled glass.
Parking was on a slope there and the walk back to the jeep was pitch dark; I was happy I had my iPhone with the flashlight app!!!

We loved seeing old friends and making some wonderful new ones.
Mostly, we hung out on beaches that we love...
Maho

Little Lameshur

Waterlemon

Jumbie for the first time

Francis

Maho two more times... on the last day there

We were surprised to see

not far from our villa.

Looking down on Coral bay is always a treat.

Chilling at the villa and soaking up the big view was never tiring.

( I will be reviewing Alta Vista soon.)

It all went fast... again. Doesn't it always???
Leaving such views was tough

This was the departure vessel that whisked us over to Charlotte Amalie in 25 minutes.

We'll return!!!

Edited
to link review: http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/v ... -view.html
and villa pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/floridalin ... 227795940/

CBama · Post by **CBama** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 7:10 pm

really enjoyed your pictures...they were amazing...

I looked at that villa but could never decide if they view was great or not...
looks like a distant water view??

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:26 pm

Seems like a pretty good TR to me. Mine is still in the imaginary phase

Enjoyed sharing some of those experiences with you and Mr. iProf.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:32 pm

CBama wrote:really enjoyed your pictures...they were amazing...

Thanks! We did a lot of playing around with simple cameras, especially with the iPhone panorama setting.
John Brandi (yes, Capt John of Palm Tree Charters) has a Facebook page anyone who enjoys the Virgin Islands and the camera on the iPhone might like
https://www.facebook.com/CaptainJohnsiP ... ts&fref=ts

I looked at that villa but could never decide if they view was great or not...
looks like a distant water view??

Yes, it is a distant view, but I have not encountered such an expansive one. From the upper front balcony we saw the sun sets. The big panorama flows (left to right) from Jost (Soggy Dollar) to Tortola to Virgin Gorda. Coral Bay is not within the view... Hurricane Hole looks like a pond on the far right side. The view was much better than I expected. We loved it!

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 8:51 pm

jayseadee wrote:Seems like a pretty good TR to me. Mine is still in the imaginary phase

Come on J.......... get real!

Enjoyed sharing some of those experiences with you and Mr. iProf.

We enjoyed sharing with you and Mr jayseadee also!
Oh, Mr lprof is UF Prof here!
........I was just thinking about the Beach Bar tonight!

shoemak38 · Post by **shoemak38** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:57 pm

thanks for the photos and TR some of us still have a 19 month wait until next trip

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:14 pm

Lovely little trip report! Your pics are fabulous & so glad you were able to visit Maho Bay Camps before they close (sniffle

) Hope to get there and to Sloop Jones and to the Lameshur's this next trip!

You done good!

Pickle · Post by **Pickle** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:25 pm

Beautiful photos... thank you for sharing.

We, too, have looked at Alta Vista. How did you like the layout - the main/living room is upstairs while the pool, kitchen, bedrooms are all downstairs?

Glad that you were back on St. John. Looks like you really made the best of your trip. Happy for you! Hope you won't wait too long for your return to the island.

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:42 pm

Great report, lprof! Love the pictures. I, too, want to get to Maho in Feb . Thanks for posting!

JJShaw · Post by **JJShaw** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:21 am

Thx for posting the great pics...Glad you had a great time..

ColumbiaSCTraveler · Post by **ColumbiaSCTraveler** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:14 am

GREAT pictures! Thank you for sharing!
Didn't make it to the Lameshurs or Waterlemon this trip. Next trip!

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 2:21 pm

Ahhhhhh

I feel ALMOST like I've just had a vacation! Your photos are beautiful! I've downloaded the photosynth app on the iphone. Is that the one you used?

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 8:28 am

Beautiful pictures! That is the best kind of trip report.
I am glad that I got to meet you.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:50 am

mindehankins wrote: I've downloaded the photosynth app on the iphone. Is that the one you used?

Minde, when I updated my iPhone 4S to ios6 the panorama was automatically added... under options when you go to the camera. Thanks to Janet Simonsen for that tip!
I have several added apps on my phone but didn't use any of them this trip, just the regular camera and panorama. I don't have photosynth.
Overlaps of waves is one problem (I have not overcome) with the panorama shots of the beaches. Have you seen vav's panorama from the Trunk overlook (in his 11/27/12 post)?

jayseadee and I shot what is almost an identical shot of the Lameshur ruin from the beach... her's with the Canon is so much sharper than mine with the iPhone camera close up (as to be expected), yet mine didn't look bad until I compared side by side. Most of these "quick pics of my vacation" taken with the phone suit me fine. Continuing to research a new camera purchase and much learning is ahead for me.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 9:54 am

Pickle wrote: We, too, have looked at Alta Vista. How did you like the layout - the main/living room is upstairs while the pool, kitchen, bedrooms are all downstairs?

The layout is indeed different and took some getting used to, but in the end we liked this villa very well. I'm running a bit late getting a review written.

Soon come, I hope!

Thanks for the good comments... it was great to be back after three years!

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