USVI-On-Line

Good morning all ...

We are waiting for the rest of the crew to wake up so I thought I would take a minute and report in

We arrived on STT via USAir out of Charlotte on time on Saturday (1:20 p.m.) The plane was PACKED!! Flight was relatively smooth with a few minutes of turbulence but nothing major.

We were off the plane, sipping a rum punch and walking to baggage claim when we spotted Eddie from Wheatley's Taxi, our private taxi driver. We collected our luggage on island time ... but hey at least the baggage carousel was working!

By the time we claimed our luggage my folks flight on American Airlines arrived. While the menfolk waited for the luggage I grabbed 3 Red Stripes and a Tanqueray and Tonic from the baggage bar ... all for under $20 including tip.

It seemed like it took forever for the 'rents' luggage to come and of course I was worried about making the 3 p.m. Red Hook ferry but hey we are on island time.

Eddie took us the back way to Red Hook to avoid downtown traffic. We made it is record time and had some wonderful views of STT.

Being Saturday, the line for the STJ ferry was LONG! I was worried that we wouldn't make the 3 p.m. ferry since it was 2:55 and there were about 30 people in front of us. Not to worry mon ... we are on island time ... which means the 3 p.m. ferry left at 3:30 p.m. with us on it!

We enjoyed the short trip over to STJ. DH checked in with Kathy from Island Getaways who told us that Ashley would take care of us. After disembarking from the ferry DH met up with Ashley and went to St. John Car rental to pick up our Ford Explorer while I collected the luggage ... 6 bags for 5 people!

The luggage process was intersting ... the porter yelled at folks about getting in their way but they didn't make an effort to help folks with their luggage. Oh well.

We loaded the luggage in the car and Ashley's truck and made our way out to Villa Tesori.

I am going to post this now since I don't want to lose what I have typed

A live report - woo hoo! More please.

Continuing of for those of you who are interested ...

It has been 13 years since we had laswt stayed on STJ in a villa (Monte Bay). We all commented how much building had occurred in that time. We can see the villa Monte Bay from Tesori.

We drive out to the South Shore Road to Villa Tesori, which sits way up on a hill. It looked spectacular from the road ... and even better upon our arrival!

Ashely had warned us on the way out that there was an issue with the gray water pump which caused a slight odor around the pool. He promised that he would be out to fix it that evening ... which he did.

Gary from Mixology passed up on our way down the driveway. He had just delivered our provisions that we ordered 3 days before. Everything was as ordered! What a GREAT service!

The photos of Villa Tesori don't do it justice! It is a gorgeous home with incredible views. We instantly felt at home and in love! This is our third villa rental on STJ and this house is the best stocked (kitchen, DVDs, towels, pool toys, etc) that we have had.

Ashley showed us around the villa ... including the wonderful welcome basket/supplies from Island Getaways including cold sodas, beer, fruit, cheese and chocolate all beautifully arranged in the frig!

While the womenfolk unpacked the menfolk headed off to Starfish to get dinner and breakfast items. They arrived about 6:30 p.m. and said they recognized several people from the ferry ride. Everyone had the same idea The prepared food was closed up so DH picked up some chicken and steak kabobs, fresh zucchini and potato salad. There was no milk so he picked up a box of Parlmait (which is boxed milk product). The folks at the store said that there would be milk available the next day and there was!

After stocking the frig with provisions (food and liquid) we noticed that the temp was at 69! We also had turned on the TV so DF (dear father) could catch up on the US Open. The TV shut itself off ... which has become a common practice when watching it. We called Kathy about both issues and she told us the frig would come up to temp overnight and to toggle the power stip for the TV.

DH grilled the kabobs in the wonderful bar/grill pavillion poolside! We enjoyed a great dinner, good wine and lots of laughs before settling in for bed.

Sunday, Day 2...

We all slept well in wonderfully comfy beds. There are no shades or curtains on the windows which meant this light sleeper was up at 6 a.m.

DH and I let the rest of our group, especially our DD who is 14.5 years old, sleep in while we read. I was in a bathing suit poolside with a Mimosa in hand by 8 a.m. Talk about a perfect way to start vacation!

We decided our first day would be a villa day to decompress and catch up. My parents live 500 miles away from us so this was a great day of enjoying the wather, pool and villa and just limin'.

DH and DF headed to Starfish Market around 11 to provision again. Even though it was Father's Day they enjoyed picking out items for dinner ... a wonderful rib eye steak, lamb chops and chicken drumsticks, snap peas and the making for my twiced baked, cheese stuffed potatoes. Of course there was a Pepperidge Farm triple chocolate cake

After a lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill (can you tell that DH just loves his little bar/grill pavillion) the guys tried watching the US Open (the TV kept cutting in and out which drove them nuts but they dealt with it)while the girls enjoyed the pool.

A wonderful afternoon with perfect weather meant perfect limin' again! We opened the first floor of the house up and then closed it up before dusk. DH who the mosquitos love used bug spray and had no issue. DD didn't use spray and was bit a bit (pun intended) while DM, DF and I were fine.

An incredible dinner again ... some starwatching and off to bed.

Glad you want more Paula ... you aske for it

Day 3, Monday

We agreed the night before that we would get up early and head to the beach so DD could try her hand at snorkeling. Now mind you, early for DH and me is 6 a.m. while early for DD is 10 a.m. and early for my 'rents is 9 a.m.

DH and I woke the troops at 7:30. After a light breakfast and double and triple checks that we had everything (towels, cooler, chairs, snorkeling equipment) we headed out around 8:30 a.m.

As we made our way through Cruz Bay and then on to North Shore we marveled at how green the island was ... we had rain the night before but we awoke to another perfect day.

We approached Hawksnest Beach and saw two cars in the lot ... we decided to give it a try as DM has had both her knees replaced and isn't one for walking great distances.

There were about 5 people on the beach at that point. We found a spot with some shade under sea grape trees/bushes and set up camp.

DH and I have been blessed in that we have seen many islands and beaches in the Caribbean ... and each time we return to STJ (via cruise ships, bareboat or land-based trips) we know why we love it. There is nothing like the white powdery sand, turqouise water and azure skies.

After setting up camp we all headed into the warm welcoming water.

I convinced DD to don her snorkel and mask. She thought spitting into the mask was gross (my word not hers) but she later understood why.

DD and DH headed out to the little reef in the middle of the bay. Next thing we know she made a beeline for me to ask me to take her out to snorkel. Who knows how the mind of a teenager works.

DD and I headed back out to the reef where we saw coral and lots of colorful fish, lol.

More people started arriving around 11 a.m. do we decided to head out, stop at Starfish and have lunch at the villa.

We had not planned on spending as much as we did at Starfish (isn't that always the way) but luckily Starfish takes credit cards (DH never leaves home without one!).

We were back to the villa by 12:15 ... Hamburgers and hot dogs were served at 1 p.m. and another afternoon of limin' at the villa began.

The sun was very strong as there weren't many clouds in the sky. I retreated to the shade of the master bedroom deck where I napped al fresco and DH napped in the coolness of the A/C in the master bedroom.

A family game of cards, cocktails for the adults, a virgin Strawberry Dacquiri (sp?) for the teen and cheese crackers marked happy hour!

Dinner was a grilled marinated flank steak, fresh mozarella cheese, tomate and basil salad, balsamic roasted potatos and sauted green beans and carrots served at the villa's wonderful dining room table. Dessert was something I slaved over ... the rest of the Pepperidge Farm cake

We stated watching a DVD from the villa's collection ("National Security". DD and I were the only ones awake at 9:30 so we called it a night ...

Time for breakfast and then a REAL live report

How many people do you think will be fired for daydreaming at work today? You are making it too hard to concentrate. But I don't care. Thanks for the escape.

Keep them comimg - I lov the mental get-a-way. Thanks for taking the time to write. Next please.

Glad to provide some escape Snorkles ... the trip reports helped me in the months, weeks and days leading up to our trip

Day 4, Tuesday

We awoke to scattered rain showers with the sun poking through. Today we plan on heading out to Francis Bay for some snorkeling and beach time.

We are finishing up breakfast while the last of the late risers (DD and DM) made their appearance.

I forgot to mention that the breeze at Villa Tesori have been wonderful. As a matter of fact yesterday it was so breezy that we had to hold on to our paper plates while eating lunch poolside.

We have a 6 p.m. reservation for dinner at ZoZo's tonight.

More to come!

You wouldnt remember the back ways from STT to Red Hook would you???....We are renting at STT and driving to the car barge on Red Hook...so if we can avoid the Downtown...


Thanks

Vince.

Vince,

I remember part of the way, lol. We went past the cemetary and Catholic church, then up the hill! We went past Mahogany Run (the golf course) and Sapphire Beach.

Actually for some reason I remember seeing a sign for Route 10 but don't hold me to that!

Sorry I can't be of more help

Off to pack up for the beach!

It's six of one, half dozen of the other. By the time you brace the traffic you will probably get there in the same amount of time. If you get lost doing the 'short cut', it could take hours!


By the Tesori is nice isn't it? Stayed there last 4th of July. Have to agree about no curtains though.

Ron, when are you going to STJ? I would be very interested in your opinion about renting a car at the airport instead of stj. We are returning the first week in Sept and are considering it.

oops, sorry, I meant njhdrider.

Live report, whoo-hoo! Thanks for taking the time out of your holiday to let us dream along with you.