Trip Report 4/21 - 4/29, Part V
Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 12:42 am
I think that I will win the prize for the most drawn out trip report in history. Here is Part V - I promise the FINAL report tomorrow. Just too many photos that we want to share to put them all in this report. So ... here we go, again!
Day 7 - Friday, April 27
Awoke to sunshine. That figured - since we only had a few hours left on St. John!
Had our last breakfast on the breakfast patio of Estate Lindholm. I enjoyed French Toast & a waffle - while, Jim enjoyed his leftover pizza from Café Roma.
Walking back to our room, Jim got some beautiful shots of the flowers on the property. Absolutely gorgeous.
There was this gentleman that we saw every morning, sweeping away all of the flower petals from all of the stone walkways. Man - does that guy have job security or what!
Of course, heading back to our room, it started raining again. Never even saw it coming. Oh, well. Packed up and headed out. So sorry to leave Estate Lindholm. Loved our room! Loved everything about the place! Could not recommend this place highly enough!
Checked out & decided to do a couple of special things before jumping on the ferry to St. Thomas. We had often talked of checking out Coconut Coast Studios. So, off we headed. What an absolutely gorgeous location.
We had a lovely time meeting & chatting with Elaine Estern, the artist/owner. Her paintings are amazing! We didn't buy any large prints. But, did pick up a gorgeous mouse pad that we love. We didn't even see all that was in the design until we got it home. It has my wonderful sea turtle and also, a queen angel, a flounder, a school of blue tang, a school of French grunts & even a trunkfish. Absolutely love it. You also see a beach in the background. The print is actually done so that you are seeing the underwater life, as well as, the above water scene. Very unique & really cool!
As we were leaving, I told Jim that he needed to take some photos of the place & the lovely view across the street. Of course, Elaine, being the wonderful person that she is - offered to take our picture. I think that it is the best photo of us together on this trip. We are forever in her debt. Pretty strange that we could look so happy on the day that we are leaving. But, one must take those moments of pure bliss when they come.
One more stop before we drop off the Jeep & head to the ferry. Finally, we head to St. John Spice to meet Ruth (and Ron). Okay - let's be honest - mostly to meet Ruth. We were so happy that she was there! We had a great time chatting about "our forum". Only regret is that we didn't have more time "to bond"! Hopefully, another year! Picked up some spices that Ruth recommended. Also, got a really cute spoon rest. Every day we can look at it & be reminded of our special St. John.
Jeep drop off went without a hitch & the 12:00 ferry ride to St. Thomas was uneventful. Of course, we chit-chatted with another couple who informed us that they were already booked for next year. Boy, how often does that happen? Quite often, we suspect.
At that time, we had already decided to maybe try another island next year - probably Barbados - just for a change of scene. Then, hearing the excited voices of those people returning, gave us a momentary pause. Argh! That won't be us! So hard to be brave & venture out to land unknown. We are just thinking that after 3 years in a row - it might be time for at least 1 year of something totally different. We'll see if we regret that choice. But, sorry, I digress.
Got to Secret Harbour at around 1:00. Room wasn't ready yet - so, you guessed it - headed to the bar. Enjoyed a fantastic Painkiller and split a curry chicken salad wrap with fries. Then got the suits on and headed to the water! Nice to cool off - it was actually hot outside & no rain!
We got into our room around 3. At first, we were a little disappointed. We were hoping to get the same room - or at least the same floor, as we had gotten the last 2 years, as requested. Top floor - building 2. But, this year, we were given a room on the 2nd floor. We were a little bummed, but, happy to still be in Building 2. Our mood lightened up quickly, when we walked into the room. The suite was actually quite lovely & the owners live in Manchester, NH which is a close neighbor to us.
There were lovely needlepoints of tropical fish. Including my favorite blue-headed wrasse. They also had a couple of gorgeous photos of Trunk Bay. So, we felt right at home.
And, of course, the view was to-die-for!! We also weren't going to complain about one less flight of stairs to climb.
Back to the water. Within 20 minutes Jim spotted a turtle. We saw lots and lots of baby fish - the smallest wrasses I have ever seen. It made us remember that at some point we had heard that this reef was a nursery. And truthfully, we had never remembered seeing so many "little ones" before. Too cute. Of course, another trunkfish, as well.
At night, supper at the outside patio & bar. Couple more painkillers & listened to the lone steel pan entertainer. He was actually pretty good. But ... when he started singing Ron Stewart's "Some guys have all the luck" - with that Caribbean accent & all - I thought I was going to die laughing. As Randy Jackson would say, "It just didn't do it for me, dog".
Jim took this cool shot of night closing in. It is pretty neat. Almost looks like a black & white.
All in all - a pretty fun day!! (In my notes, it says "I am writing this, as I am listening to the surf - WooHoo!). Oh - I wish that I were typing this report - listening to the surf. No such luck! See why we never finish our trip reports - it is too darn depressing!
Day 7 - Friday, April 27
Awoke to sunshine. That figured - since we only had a few hours left on St. John!
Had our last breakfast on the breakfast patio of Estate Lindholm. I enjoyed French Toast & a waffle - while, Jim enjoyed his leftover pizza from Café Roma.
Walking back to our room, Jim got some beautiful shots of the flowers on the property. Absolutely gorgeous.
There was this gentleman that we saw every morning, sweeping away all of the flower petals from all of the stone walkways. Man - does that guy have job security or what!
Of course, heading back to our room, it started raining again. Never even saw it coming. Oh, well. Packed up and headed out. So sorry to leave Estate Lindholm. Loved our room! Loved everything about the place! Could not recommend this place highly enough!
Checked out & decided to do a couple of special things before jumping on the ferry to St. Thomas. We had often talked of checking out Coconut Coast Studios. So, off we headed. What an absolutely gorgeous location.
We had a lovely time meeting & chatting with Elaine Estern, the artist/owner. Her paintings are amazing! We didn't buy any large prints. But, did pick up a gorgeous mouse pad that we love. We didn't even see all that was in the design until we got it home. It has my wonderful sea turtle and also, a queen angel, a flounder, a school of blue tang, a school of French grunts & even a trunkfish. Absolutely love it. You also see a beach in the background. The print is actually done so that you are seeing the underwater life, as well as, the above water scene. Very unique & really cool!
As we were leaving, I told Jim that he needed to take some photos of the place & the lovely view across the street. Of course, Elaine, being the wonderful person that she is - offered to take our picture. I think that it is the best photo of us together on this trip. We are forever in her debt. Pretty strange that we could look so happy on the day that we are leaving. But, one must take those moments of pure bliss when they come.
One more stop before we drop off the Jeep & head to the ferry. Finally, we head to St. John Spice to meet Ruth (and Ron). Okay - let's be honest - mostly to meet Ruth. We were so happy that she was there! We had a great time chatting about "our forum". Only regret is that we didn't have more time "to bond"! Hopefully, another year! Picked up some spices that Ruth recommended. Also, got a really cute spoon rest. Every day we can look at it & be reminded of our special St. John.
Jeep drop off went without a hitch & the 12:00 ferry ride to St. Thomas was uneventful. Of course, we chit-chatted with another couple who informed us that they were already booked for next year. Boy, how often does that happen? Quite often, we suspect.
At that time, we had already decided to maybe try another island next year - probably Barbados - just for a change of scene. Then, hearing the excited voices of those people returning, gave us a momentary pause. Argh! That won't be us! So hard to be brave & venture out to land unknown. We are just thinking that after 3 years in a row - it might be time for at least 1 year of something totally different. We'll see if we regret that choice. But, sorry, I digress.
Got to Secret Harbour at around 1:00. Room wasn't ready yet - so, you guessed it - headed to the bar. Enjoyed a fantastic Painkiller and split a curry chicken salad wrap with fries. Then got the suits on and headed to the water! Nice to cool off - it was actually hot outside & no rain!
We got into our room around 3. At first, we were a little disappointed. We were hoping to get the same room - or at least the same floor, as we had gotten the last 2 years, as requested. Top floor - building 2. But, this year, we were given a room on the 2nd floor. We were a little bummed, but, happy to still be in Building 2. Our mood lightened up quickly, when we walked into the room. The suite was actually quite lovely & the owners live in Manchester, NH which is a close neighbor to us.
There were lovely needlepoints of tropical fish. Including my favorite blue-headed wrasse. They also had a couple of gorgeous photos of Trunk Bay. So, we felt right at home.
And, of course, the view was to-die-for!! We also weren't going to complain about one less flight of stairs to climb.
Back to the water. Within 20 minutes Jim spotted a turtle. We saw lots and lots of baby fish - the smallest wrasses I have ever seen. It made us remember that at some point we had heard that this reef was a nursery. And truthfully, we had never remembered seeing so many "little ones" before. Too cute. Of course, another trunkfish, as well.
At night, supper at the outside patio & bar. Couple more painkillers & listened to the lone steel pan entertainer. He was actually pretty good. But ... when he started singing Ron Stewart's "Some guys have all the luck" - with that Caribbean accent & all - I thought I was going to die laughing. As Randy Jackson would say, "It just didn't do it for me, dog".
Jim took this cool shot of night closing in. It is pretty neat. Almost looks like a black & white.
All in all - a pretty fun day!! (In my notes, it says "I am writing this, as I am listening to the surf - WooHoo!). Oh - I wish that I were typing this report - listening to the surf. No such luck! See why we never finish our trip reports - it is too darn depressing!
