UPDATED 2 weeks out - my PRE trip report!

Travel discussion for St. John
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mbw1024
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UPDATED 2 weeks out - my PRE trip report!

Post by mbw1024 »

2 weeks from tonight we will be enjoying our beach front cottage at Caneel Bay. Requested a late check out and plan to hang around and enjoy the beaches and the grounds until check in time for Bongo Bongo on 10/3.

Have been planning this for a LONG time. Not even sure how long actually. But let's back up. Got engaged in August of 2005 and we were already booked for a trip to St. John in May 2006. I'm a planner when it comes to vacation. Hate going on one without another one on the books! We were booked in a villa called Banana Wind for May of 2006.
After we got engaged we thought oh sure we can have a vacation in May and a Wedding/Honeymoon in Sept/Oct. No problem. BUT as reality started to set in we knew we couldn't go to STJ in May with clear minds and not watching EVERY dime we spent so we just decided to move the May vacation to September. We contacted the villa owners and they were agreeable to the change.
THEN some time in December of last year the owners got in touch with us to say "sorry, you are out!". Luckily for them their plans to move to STJ were accelerated and they would be living in the villa full time when our honeymoon rolled around. Oh well, good for them, for us back to the drawing board for a honeymoon!

I tried for a few weeks to think of another trip I would have liked to take for the honeymoon but somehow my head was already wrapped around STJ. Especially coming after months of planning a wedding, all I could think about was doing nothing - but in a beautiful place.

On another (wedding related) message board I read a post from a girl who was planning to go to Bongo Bongo in June '06. She directed me to the website and I was booked by the end of that day. Turns out that the girl I met on the other board ended up being the first renters in BB. I have heard from her since and she had many good things to say.

So here we are. I have been reading, looking at maps, taking notes from other reviewers. Have had plenty of time to prepare and I am MORE than ready!

We have our first night's meal and a few groceries being delivered to the villa for our arrival.

We plan to visit Ruth, I'm guessing more than once :)

We plan to take in Sunday Jazz at the Beach Bar (I think it's the Beach Bar - notes not handy!).

Other than that we have nothing to do! Which sounds perfect. Yes we know when we can get a ferry to VG or JVD. Yes we could have booked a day trip with one of many companies. If we do we do. We'd like a sunset sail. If I get around to making the calls while I'm there I will .. otherwise we will have sunsets on the beach or at the villa - champagne in hand - watching another day fade away. Perfect.

And yes Jorge, I will take pictures. I will perhaps even post a report here LIVE FROM BONGO BONGO :)

Here are also two links to check for possible updates. My travel blog which has been WAY to silent lately http://allaboardtravel.blogspot.com/

And a photo album where I will upload pictures. Right now the album contacts some snaps I took in STT last year while on a cruise. Will get rid of those once I upload some STJ snaps.
http://picasaweb.google.com/mbw1024/Hon ... 0210122006

Now we just have to take care of that last little detail - getting married!

It's getting hectic now, boy!

Thanks to everyone for the tips and advice. Will let you know how it all turns out!

Mary Beth & Charlie
9/30/06 :)
Last edited by mbw1024 on Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
California Girl

Post by California Girl »

Mary Beth - If you have time, post some wedding pictures too!

You're going to have such a wonderful time! I'd say I envy you, but I'll be on St. John next May and I've been married a LONNNNG time - ours will be a 2nd honeymoon! :)
:wink:
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StJohnRuth
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Post by StJohnRuth »

Good idea to stay at Caneel for one night! Are you taking the Caneel Boat from St. Thomas, or the regular St. John Ferry?
-Ruth
Coden
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Post by Coden »

Oh, it all sounds so lovely. I wish you the best wedding and honeymoon ever!!
Coden
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mbw1024
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Post by mbw1024 »

Ruth, taking the Caneel ferry over :)
Going to see if we can take it back as well but not sure how that will work out.
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StJohnRuth
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Post by StJohnRuth »

Well there goes my plan for a Parade at the ferry dock!
That's OK, it was actually a little more than I could manage anyway.
-Ruth
California Girl

Post by California Girl »

StJohnRuth wrote:Well there goes my plan for a Parade at the ferry dock!
That's OK, it was actually a little more than I could manage anyway.
-Ruth
What? No mocko jumbies and dancing girls? I'm soooo disappointed! :lol: :lol:
PAGirl

Can't wait to hear all about it!

Post by PAGirl »

Best of luck! I can't wait to hear about your trip. I am trying to find a rental for winter 2007 and I am so in the mood for a STJ fix.
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liamsaunt
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Post by liamsaunt »

mary beth wrote:Ruth, taking the Caneel ferry over :)
Going to see if we can take it back as well but not sure how that will work out.
Will you post if it turns out you are able to do this? John and I meant to investigate this option last trip but never got around to looking into it. I'd like to do it next trip if it's an option.

Have a GREAT honeymoon. Can't wait to hear your report on Bongo Bongo!
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Guest

Post by Guest »

Mary Beth - I have been enjoying all your posts pre-trip and am very happy for you and Charlie. You will have a wonderful time and I look forward to your report upon your return. Have a fabulous wedding and an even more fabulous honeymoon!!
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waterguy
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Post by waterguy »

I wish you all the happiness and a long life together. Injoy your time on St. John and when lifes little troubles get you down remember how it all began.

Waterguy
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mbw1024
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Post by mbw1024 »

mary beth wrote:Ruth, taking the Caneel ferry over :)
Going to see if we can take it back as well but not sure how that will work out.
Will you post if it turns out you are able to do this? John and I meant to investigate this option last trip but never got around to looking into it. I'd like to do it next trip if it's an option.

I sure will!
California Girl

Post by California Girl »

Mary Beth - I see, from reading the Bongo Bongo blog this morning, that the villa now has permanent power and the hot tub is up and running! You are the lucky one to be staying there when so many of the little details have been worked out. I just KNOW you're going to have a great time! :D
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mbw1024
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Post by mbw1024 »

I know. Can you believe it???? If I had known the hot tub wasn't working I would have NEVER been complaining about a coffee grinder :wink:
There are priorities, after all!

I'm sure it will all be wonderful. I literally ache for that hot tub right now!
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canucknyc
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Post by canucknyc »

Congratulations! Can't wait to hear all about it!
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