Some new plans for this years trip

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:47 pm

Well today I am exactly 3 months out, I've had a crap week, it's super cold in Michigan, and I don't feel like working tonight. The solution - make plans for my upcoming trip, eat oreos and drink wine while snuggling with my dog under a warm blanket.

I think for the first time this year we will go totally carry on only. It's back to just my BFF and I for this trip, and I'm pretty sure I can do it without too much trouble. Outside of my snorkel gear, I really don't pack much that takes up space. We'll be stopping at Starfish first thing anyway, so I can always just run up to the drugstore for sunblock and bug spray - right? How late are they open during the week?

Next change - Sherry and I were discussing today how we never finish our meals, and how we're trying to be better about staying on budget this time. Our solution was to share plates, rather than order our separate meals - Does anyone know if any of the restaurants charge a split plate fee? We figure this way we can enjoy apps, entree and dessert without overstuffing ourselves or overspending.

We also agreed that we'll *GASP* forgo some of our favorites this year in order to try some things we haven't yet. The thought of missing Ponzu tuna night at Aqua Bistro or the panna cotta from Fatty Crab makes me sad, but I will soldier on. New places we're hoping to try out - Sweet Plantains, Oasis, Virgin Fire and the Tourist Trap are all on the list so far. Since we'll be there on Easter, I'm hoping Miss Lucy's will still have Sunday brunch that day - does anyone know?

New beaches for this year will be Leinster (we've done waterlemon from a boat, but never made it to the beach area), Vies, and maybe blue cobblestone. Sherry has never done Hawknest or Gibney, so we'll add those in for her.

We decided today to do the Reef Bay Hike with NPS. I'm a little freaked out by the disclaimer that rough seas could force a return hike back up - my bad ankle could not handle that. Does this ever happen? Should I be worried?

I think that should about do it for now - this weekend I will lay my suitcase out in the spare room, and slowly start packing - it's the only way I get through these last couple months.

Bigcheeze · Post by **Bigcheeze** » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:45 pm

Hmmmmm just meet us at High Tide again on Thursday for Innervisios....lol

After 11+ years there are too many places I'm not sure what we have done wrong...lol

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:15 am

Bigcheeze wrote:Hmmmmm just meet us at High Tide again on Thursday for Innervisios....lol

I definitely want to get to High Tide for Innervisions again. Perhaps since it will be just Sherry and I this time we can actually stay for the whole thing and relax a bit more this time! Would love to meet up with you guys again, but I think you'll be gone by the time we get there

We arrive on April 15th.

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:20 am

Regarding the Reef Bay Hike, the NPS should know in the morning whether the seas are too rough. So just ask when you arrive at the Center. If the boat's not running you can always opt out.

I don't recall seeing a split plate fee anywhere except Cruz Bay Prime which is closed now. John and I (or my sister and I) often share plates so I would have noticed.

The drugstore is open until either 7:30 or 8 PM. I know Starfish stays open until 9 PM. There is a good selection of sunscreen and bug spray at Chelsea drug, including the reef safe stuff. It is more money than you will pay at home but if you are otherwise paying to check a bag it may be a wash.

If you enjoy snorkeling I highly recommend the Leinster drift snorkel as well as Blue Cobblestone since you have not done them before. They are some of my favorite snorkels.

Happy planning!

tropicdawg · Post by **tropicdawg** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:29 am

Regarding the Reef Bay hike, we went for the second time last year. Because my hubby and I did it solo once before, we decided it was best to take our newbie family with the park service. When we reached the bottom of the trail, we were told that it was too rough to pick us up in the usual spot so we had to hike about another half mile to the calmer side of Genti bay. Our newbies thought this was tough, but knowing how hard it is to go all the way back up, I thought it was a minimal inconvenience. I thought it was very accommodating of both the park service and the boat captain to find an alternative to the rough seas.

Make sure to stop at the Friends of the Park store in Mongoose Junction and get the "I survived the Reef Bay hike" sticker

nikkiki · Post by **nikkiki** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:23 pm

michigan girls, we arrive on the same day! Innervisions has always been on my wish list so I'll be trying to figure out where I can see them.

ArkieLovesSTJ · Post by **ArkieLovesSTJ** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:31 pm

One of new to us things we found October was Tamarind Court near Baked in the Sun. The rotating chef the night we went did Italian dishes. For $30 you get an appetizer, an entree and dessert. Even though we both got the 3 courses and took home big doggy bags, there was enough food we could have easily split it. There were lots of folks stopping to pick up to go orders.

We also are big fans happy hour food specials at Spyglass and the Tap Room I have also read that Virgin Fire has food special during happy hour.

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Thu Jan 16, 2014 9:44 pm

nikkiki wrote:michigan girls, we arrive on the same day! Innervisions has always been on my wish list so I'll be trying to figure out where I can see them.

If they stick to the same schedule as last year at that time - They were at High Tide every Thursday night. Hoping it will be the same this year - if so we'll be there on the 17th!

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Sun Jan 19, 2014 10:50 pm

nikkiki wrote:michigan girls, we arrive on the same day! Innervisions has always been on my wish list so I'll be trying to figure out where I can see them.

nikkiki - according the their facebook page, Innervisions is playing Miss Lucy's full moon party on the 17th - so that will be our plan!

nikkiki · Post by **nikkiki** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:16 pm

If memory serves, I believe that is our day with Calypso Charters. What time does the full moon party start? I've always wanted to do that too....looks like I'm getting a two-fer!!!

nikkiki · Post by **nikkiki** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:42 pm

I was wrong - we're hoping to join the Reef Bay Hike on the 17th. Can anybody remember what time that group heads back to Cruz Bay? Innervisions and the full moon party would be a great end to that day.

lark22 · Post by **lark22** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:07 pm

I recommend packing one little 4oz tube of sunscreen in your carry-on ziploc bag just to have on hand; you can also pack a few bug towelettes -- we usually avoid buying bug spray during our first grocery run before arriving at the villa, because there's sometimes a half-full bottle left by the previous guests at the house (not always, but I hate buying it when I don't have to!)

And sadly, Sweet Plantains is for sale -- not sure if it's closed yet, but I think it will be soon

EagleRayLover · Post by **EagleRayLover** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:00 pm

I think it sounds like a great plan. A couple of your places like tourist Trap are more lunch type places rather than dinner so that might change your plans a bit too!! I would also add Concordia's open mike gig on Mondays starting at 4:30! Great fun and happy hour prices for drinks.

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:46 pm

nikkiki wrote:I was wrong - we're hoping to join the Reef Bay Hike on the 17th. Can anybody remember what time that group heads back to Cruz Bay? Innervisions and the full moon party would be a great end to that day.

Cool - that's our plan for the 17th too! NPS website says it gets over at 3PM. Innervisions website says the full moon party starts at 6:30

michigan girls · Post by **michigan girls** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:50 pm

lark22 wrote:I recommend packing one little 4oz tube of sunscreen in your carry-on ziploc bag just to have on hand; you can also pack a few bug towelettes -- we usually avoid buying bug spray during our first grocery run before arriving at the villa, because there's sometimes a half-full bottle left by the previous guests at the house (not always, but I hate buying it when I don't have to!)

And sadly, Sweet Plantains is for sale -- not sure if it's closed yet, but I think it will be soon

I may have maxed out my allowable small travel bottles - you can only have enough to fit in a quart bag - right? Also, we don't spend much time in Cruz Bay, so I would hate to have to go back into town just for that. And since we arrive at the beach at 8AM and stay there ALL DAY - we go through a lot of sunblock - not sure a leftover half bottle would do it

The bug towlettes are a good idea though - I think I have a full box of them in my camper.

Sad to hear about Sweet Plantains

I guess I missed my chance there.

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