STJ Trip Report 6/9-6/16
Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:46 am
STJ Trip Report 06/09-06/16
Here is my attempt at a trip report. I’m sure there is something that I forgot, my brain is still a little mushy Not good with inserting pics and are real slow at posting to our site. If that day ever comes, I will post the link for our visual perspective on St John.
We left Bradley for STT with no issues. This trip we traveled Sat-Sat, which is something that I will never do again. To me it is worth it for the extra money to travel on an off day. The influx of people in the off season also appears to be growing, darn. Got into St John on the 4 ferry (which left abot 30 min late as did our 10 am ferry for Red Hook the following Sat) and it was pure chaous. After a long day of traveling, to deal with all those people and their luggage is just too much to handle. Especially when you know what you are doing and how to do it, and a lot of people don’t get it.
And I second the Miami airport sucks, and my husband (ggrrrrrr) just happened to leave behind our 30 gig video ipod on our trip home!!!!! Did anyone on here happen to find a black ipod at Gate A5 on 06/16?? We only sat there for about 4 hours, how the heck do you leave something like that behind. It is only a material item, but I was attached and it wasn‘t cheap. There are quite a few of our Best Of STJ pictures, as well as an incredible music collection and we named it Marley. There was no plane for us, so we left about 2 hours late. Airline could have cared less. Got home around 3:30 am.
This was our 5th trip to St John, we are in our early 30‘s. We were married there in 2003 the week of the big November rain, and have been going back every June since. In the past we have stayed at Gallows, Lavender Hill and one villa Sago Palms, overlooking the North Shore. Gallows at this point for the price and what they offer is way overrated, IMHO. LH was nice and I would do it again (we only stayed before we got into the villa, and it was perfect for a couple days) and the villa was Sago Palms - loved it, but not for this trip. This time we choose a villa in Frank Bay, it was perfect for the two of us.
Villa - Amora in Frank Bay. This villa sat on the hill overlooking Frank Bay. 2 bdrm 2 bath, great view and a pool. Price was good for what you get, and this trip we knew we wanted to be able to walk to town at night, and in the past we have really enjoyed the Frank Bay neighborhood. The villa itself is OK. Could use some basic updating, a little painting, some updated faucets etc. But overall, it was just fine and I would totally stay there again. Having a pool was awesome (especially to cool off at night after walking back from town), the views were great and again, the location for us was perfect. Only complaint is the mosquitoes, they were ALL over the inside. We had to go outside to escape them. It was vile, something was not right. We stayed in Gallows where the place is totally open with no screens and never had that many issues. Tons of iguanas hanging out in the trees, literally. It was like Where’s Waldo every morning to count them and see who is watching you. Little bit of construction that was annoying a couple mornings, but seems to be the way that it goes on the island. I feel sorry if you want to hang at the villa for the day, is not very relaxing with the banging and the sawing. Construction just seems to be everywhere. Won’t even talk about Grande Bay and Sirenusa, where the heck are those hundreds of people going to go? It is just too much. Overall we were pleased with Amora. Have a couple other names for next trip. Location/where to stay is so crazy on the island. It really is all relative, depends on what type of vacation you are looking to have and your perspective on what a good spot is. Haven’t tried Coral Bay yet, not sure I am ready.
Beaches/Weather - While it felt as though we had great weather and it appeared sunny every day (we were actually hoping for a random rain shower, didn’t get a one!!) as we are looking at our pictures, most days it was overcast and cloudy. It was like there was sun over just us, no matter where we were. This trip probably produced the most average pictures, the colors are just not as intense. Hit Maho, Cinnamon, Denis, Honeymoon, Jumbie and Vies. I think that is it?? Much more mellow trip for us this time around, didn’t do nearly as much as we have in the past, but also had less time and just felt like loafing around.
Made it out to Waterlemon. Hiked out around the point while the hubby went out to the cay, found a foreign bible and some baby pictures in an envelope at the point, it was interesting, kinda hard to describe the feeling. I’m sure it was from some immigrants entering the island. Never been fortunate to see the starfish bed, just a couple random ones here or there. Still hoping.
Tried to hit Gibney on our final day, bumped into a wedding coordinator as we were parking (I think she is somewhat new, wasn’t Stacy or Anne Marie) who claimed the beach was ‘closed’ for the day to set up. As I rethink it we should have challenged her and just went down. They can’t close the beach, can they? I know the building can be rented out for functions, but didn’t think beach access could be restricted, but not sure. Not to mention it was about 9 am and the wedding was in the afternoon, we would have been there 3 hours tops. Being the non confrontational people we are, we wished her well keeping people out for the day and headed to Maho. When we said Gibney was one of our favorite beaches, she was surprised and did not seem impressed!? To each their own.
Did Vies Beach for the first time, wow what a great place. Best $5 spent. Have been trying for 4 years to get those coconut tarts, but no luck again this time. And Vie was on the beach talking to another group, I thought for sure we were in. Got to the shack and it was closed, the sign there says it all. Oh well, next trip.
Overall weather was good. There always seemed to be sun no matter where we were, and enough clouds to keep you cool from the sun. Rained a couple times at night only. Also had a couple rainbows.
Usually also do quite a few hikes while on island, this time we took it slow. Only one we did, and haven’t done before was Caneel Hill. What a great spot, you get to the top and it is a 360 view. There is a platform, it was quite a spot and worth the hike. I think it is about .7 mile from the Lind Point access, do it early and bring liquids. It is pretty much a straight hike up.
Car Rental - White Jeep Wrangler from St John Car Rental. No issues. One day while at Marketplace, the car seemed to lose it’s ability to drive. We went to put it in gear and just slipped through them all, only way it would go was reverse. Called STJCR, they were there in 10 minutes tops. The guy who is fixing it comes equipped with everything, including a beer. Within 30 minutes he replaces the belt and we are on our way. Now that is service! In the past we have also done Cool Breeze and really liked them. Ended up using STJCR and have just stayed with them, little more convenient location.
Food - We are not big on eating breakfast out. Very hard for us to eat such big meals and then head out for the day and be real active. Typical breakfast at the villa was English muffins, cereal, coffee and fruit.
Deli Grotto was where we spent most of our lunches at. I think I had the Smoked Turkey Artichoke 4 out of 7 days there. We use to be fans of Baked in the Sun, but for convenience hit DG a couple years ago, and been going there ever since. Can’t go wrong with almost anything you order, and the music is always great.
Dinners were at Rhumb Lines, Stone Terrace and Zo Zos. The other nights we cooked in, our first night we did the Beach Bar. Sorry to see that 10 Tables is no longer there.
Rhumb Lines was a first for us. Had intended for La Tapa, which is an old favorite. Eddie Bruce wasn’t playing, so we decided to try something different. The food at RL is really incredible, everything. The atmosphere and location is tough. They try, but we prefer something a little more open. It is cozy though, I just wonder what they do when it rains?
Stone Terrace was where we had our wedding dinner, so we tend to go back there a lot. Wow have their prices increased. Market price was $50 something for lobster, Zo Zo’s the next night was in the $30’s? Didn’t get it anyways, just seemed steep. Food is always excellent there, and with a table on the rail you can’t go wrong. Heard Inner Visions was playing Gallows that night for a wedding, hoped to be able to hear it from ST, and we almost could have if they would have shut their music off and everyone stopped talking
Boy did we really want to try to sneak over there, that is also on my ‘to do’ list is to catch them on island. They sounded great, what little we could hear. It was over by 9 ish. Their van was parked around the corner from Amora.
Last night was Zo Zo’s. Just can’t get enough of their calamari and martinis. We originally had reserved at the bar. When we arrived, he told us they had a table open up if we liked. We said no, stick to the bar. Got to the bar, and they had us packed like sardines, headed back down for the table. So glad that we did. The bar is great, but looks like that is popular too! Can’t say enough great things about the service and their attention to detail here and for us it has been consistent for years. I ordered a Key Lime martini, didn’t even look at the menu to realize they no longer serve it. Just know I have had always ordered it and love it. The waitress easily could have told me they no longer serve it. Returns with my drink, and while it is not what I remember it to be, I start drinking it. A few minutes later she comes by with another, something about it not being on the menu anymore and the bartender not sure of the recipe. don’t know if he found it, but they made me another one. I guess my point to it all, was they so did not need to do it and they did. She could have said we no longer serve it, I would have been sad for a second and ordered something else. Instead they went that extra mile. We had the calamari, bruschetta that was incredible and shared the mahi. Would have done the tuna, but had that the night before. Excellent as always and the setting is great.
Shopping - Not really big shoppers, and I hate to buy ‘stuff‘. Picked up a couple charms for my bracelet, always get a Diane ornament with the date at a shop in Marketplace and that is really it. With one exception, St John Spice. Awesome as always. Didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Ruth, but what friendly people she employs. The woman working St John Kids was so nice and seemed really sincere in her conversations. Nice to see some pottery pieces being carried that are made in St John, grabbed a tray, lots of coffee and some spices. Saw the forum tees hanging proud!
All in all, another great trip to the island. Development just keeps happening and off-season is expanding, but what can you do. Every year we do the good ol debate of should we go back, and so far we keep doing so. With everyday life so crazy, it is nice to have a vacation you can count on. A place where you feel comfortable and at home, even though you are away from home. Here’s to 2008!!
Here is my attempt at a trip report. I’m sure there is something that I forgot, my brain is still a little mushy Not good with inserting pics and are real slow at posting to our site. If that day ever comes, I will post the link for our visual perspective on St John.
We left Bradley for STT with no issues. This trip we traveled Sat-Sat, which is something that I will never do again. To me it is worth it for the extra money to travel on an off day. The influx of people in the off season also appears to be growing, darn. Got into St John on the 4 ferry (which left abot 30 min late as did our 10 am ferry for Red Hook the following Sat) and it was pure chaous. After a long day of traveling, to deal with all those people and their luggage is just too much to handle. Especially when you know what you are doing and how to do it, and a lot of people don’t get it.
And I second the Miami airport sucks, and my husband (ggrrrrrr) just happened to leave behind our 30 gig video ipod on our trip home!!!!! Did anyone on here happen to find a black ipod at Gate A5 on 06/16?? We only sat there for about 4 hours, how the heck do you leave something like that behind. It is only a material item, but I was attached and it wasn‘t cheap. There are quite a few of our Best Of STJ pictures, as well as an incredible music collection and we named it Marley. There was no plane for us, so we left about 2 hours late. Airline could have cared less. Got home around 3:30 am.
This was our 5th trip to St John, we are in our early 30‘s. We were married there in 2003 the week of the big November rain, and have been going back every June since. In the past we have stayed at Gallows, Lavender Hill and one villa Sago Palms, overlooking the North Shore. Gallows at this point for the price and what they offer is way overrated, IMHO. LH was nice and I would do it again (we only stayed before we got into the villa, and it was perfect for a couple days) and the villa was Sago Palms - loved it, but not for this trip. This time we choose a villa in Frank Bay, it was perfect for the two of us.
Villa - Amora in Frank Bay. This villa sat on the hill overlooking Frank Bay. 2 bdrm 2 bath, great view and a pool. Price was good for what you get, and this trip we knew we wanted to be able to walk to town at night, and in the past we have really enjoyed the Frank Bay neighborhood. The villa itself is OK. Could use some basic updating, a little painting, some updated faucets etc. But overall, it was just fine and I would totally stay there again. Having a pool was awesome (especially to cool off at night after walking back from town), the views were great and again, the location for us was perfect. Only complaint is the mosquitoes, they were ALL over the inside. We had to go outside to escape them. It was vile, something was not right. We stayed in Gallows where the place is totally open with no screens and never had that many issues. Tons of iguanas hanging out in the trees, literally. It was like Where’s Waldo every morning to count them and see who is watching you. Little bit of construction that was annoying a couple mornings, but seems to be the way that it goes on the island. I feel sorry if you want to hang at the villa for the day, is not very relaxing with the banging and the sawing. Construction just seems to be everywhere. Won’t even talk about Grande Bay and Sirenusa, where the heck are those hundreds of people going to go? It is just too much. Overall we were pleased with Amora. Have a couple other names for next trip. Location/where to stay is so crazy on the island. It really is all relative, depends on what type of vacation you are looking to have and your perspective on what a good spot is. Haven’t tried Coral Bay yet, not sure I am ready.
Beaches/Weather - While it felt as though we had great weather and it appeared sunny every day (we were actually hoping for a random rain shower, didn’t get a one!!) as we are looking at our pictures, most days it was overcast and cloudy. It was like there was sun over just us, no matter where we were. This trip probably produced the most average pictures, the colors are just not as intense. Hit Maho, Cinnamon, Denis, Honeymoon, Jumbie and Vies. I think that is it?? Much more mellow trip for us this time around, didn’t do nearly as much as we have in the past, but also had less time and just felt like loafing around.
Made it out to Waterlemon. Hiked out around the point while the hubby went out to the cay, found a foreign bible and some baby pictures in an envelope at the point, it was interesting, kinda hard to describe the feeling. I’m sure it was from some immigrants entering the island. Never been fortunate to see the starfish bed, just a couple random ones here or there. Still hoping.
Tried to hit Gibney on our final day, bumped into a wedding coordinator as we were parking (I think she is somewhat new, wasn’t Stacy or Anne Marie) who claimed the beach was ‘closed’ for the day to set up. As I rethink it we should have challenged her and just went down. They can’t close the beach, can they? I know the building can be rented out for functions, but didn’t think beach access could be restricted, but not sure. Not to mention it was about 9 am and the wedding was in the afternoon, we would have been there 3 hours tops. Being the non confrontational people we are, we wished her well keeping people out for the day and headed to Maho. When we said Gibney was one of our favorite beaches, she was surprised and did not seem impressed!? To each their own.
Did Vies Beach for the first time, wow what a great place. Best $5 spent. Have been trying for 4 years to get those coconut tarts, but no luck again this time. And Vie was on the beach talking to another group, I thought for sure we were in. Got to the shack and it was closed, the sign there says it all. Oh well, next trip.
Overall weather was good. There always seemed to be sun no matter where we were, and enough clouds to keep you cool from the sun. Rained a couple times at night only. Also had a couple rainbows.
Usually also do quite a few hikes while on island, this time we took it slow. Only one we did, and haven’t done before was Caneel Hill. What a great spot, you get to the top and it is a 360 view. There is a platform, it was quite a spot and worth the hike. I think it is about .7 mile from the Lind Point access, do it early and bring liquids. It is pretty much a straight hike up.
Car Rental - White Jeep Wrangler from St John Car Rental. No issues. One day while at Marketplace, the car seemed to lose it’s ability to drive. We went to put it in gear and just slipped through them all, only way it would go was reverse. Called STJCR, they were there in 10 minutes tops. The guy who is fixing it comes equipped with everything, including a beer. Within 30 minutes he replaces the belt and we are on our way. Now that is service! In the past we have also done Cool Breeze and really liked them. Ended up using STJCR and have just stayed with them, little more convenient location.
Food - We are not big on eating breakfast out. Very hard for us to eat such big meals and then head out for the day and be real active. Typical breakfast at the villa was English muffins, cereal, coffee and fruit.
Deli Grotto was where we spent most of our lunches at. I think I had the Smoked Turkey Artichoke 4 out of 7 days there. We use to be fans of Baked in the Sun, but for convenience hit DG a couple years ago, and been going there ever since. Can’t go wrong with almost anything you order, and the music is always great.
Dinners were at Rhumb Lines, Stone Terrace and Zo Zos. The other nights we cooked in, our first night we did the Beach Bar. Sorry to see that 10 Tables is no longer there.
Rhumb Lines was a first for us. Had intended for La Tapa, which is an old favorite. Eddie Bruce wasn’t playing, so we decided to try something different. The food at RL is really incredible, everything. The atmosphere and location is tough. They try, but we prefer something a little more open. It is cozy though, I just wonder what they do when it rains?
Stone Terrace was where we had our wedding dinner, so we tend to go back there a lot. Wow have their prices increased. Market price was $50 something for lobster, Zo Zo’s the next night was in the $30’s? Didn’t get it anyways, just seemed steep. Food is always excellent there, and with a table on the rail you can’t go wrong. Heard Inner Visions was playing Gallows that night for a wedding, hoped to be able to hear it from ST, and we almost could have if they would have shut their music off and everyone stopped talking
Boy did we really want to try to sneak over there, that is also on my ‘to do’ list is to catch them on island. They sounded great, what little we could hear. It was over by 9 ish. Their van was parked around the corner from Amora. Last night was Zo Zo’s. Just can’t get enough of their calamari and martinis. We originally had reserved at the bar. When we arrived, he told us they had a table open up if we liked. We said no, stick to the bar. Got to the bar, and they had us packed like sardines, headed back down for the table. So glad that we did. The bar is great, but looks like that is popular too! Can’t say enough great things about the service and their attention to detail here and for us it has been consistent for years. I ordered a Key Lime martini, didn’t even look at the menu to realize they no longer serve it. Just know I have had always ordered it and love it. The waitress easily could have told me they no longer serve it. Returns with my drink, and while it is not what I remember it to be, I start drinking it. A few minutes later she comes by with another, something about it not being on the menu anymore and the bartender not sure of the recipe. don’t know if he found it, but they made me another one. I guess my point to it all, was they so did not need to do it and they did. She could have said we no longer serve it, I would have been sad for a second and ordered something else. Instead they went that extra mile. We had the calamari, bruschetta that was incredible and shared the mahi. Would have done the tuna, but had that the night before. Excellent as always and the setting is great.
Shopping - Not really big shoppers, and I hate to buy ‘stuff‘. Picked up a couple charms for my bracelet, always get a Diane ornament with the date at a shop in Marketplace and that is really it. With one exception, St John Spice. Awesome as always. Didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Ruth, but what friendly people she employs. The woman working St John Kids was so nice and seemed really sincere in her conversations. Nice to see some pottery pieces being carried that are made in St John, grabbed a tray, lots of coffee and some spices. Saw the forum tees hanging proud!
All in all, another great trip to the island. Development just keeps happening and off-season is expanding, but what can you do. Every year we do the good ol debate of should we go back, and so far we keep doing so. With everyday life so crazy, it is nice to have a vacation you can count on. A place where you feel comfortable and at home, even though you are away from home. Here’s to 2008!!
