usvi-on-line
Trip Report part II
Trip Report part II
Part II 8/21 - 8/28 trip report
SHOULD KNOW BETTER BUT HAD BRAIN LOCK III
Friday up early for ferry to Jost. Good breakfast at JJs Texas Cafe. Arrive at dock at 8:35. Nobody there - sign says back at 9:30.
Oh oh, see posted schedule says ferry leaves at 8:30, not 9 like I thought. Ask a few guys in area, get no real answers. Yikes - my bad. Apologize to family. But since when does public transportation in the islands run like it does in Switzerland?
OK plan B staying on St. John today, try again tomorrow. Tell myself weather looks iffy anyway. Stop at St. John Spice on way back to Gallows, say hello to Ruth, she is actually on line on the forum trying to help an Italian girl post a photo. I offer some assistance.
That store gets better and better - best shop on St. John. We are all lucky she is a frequent contributor here too.
SHOULD KNOW BETTER BUT HAD BRAIN LOCK IV
Load up Vitara at Gallows, where to go? We enjoyed Scott Beach at Caneel last year, so the girls suggest lets go there. Reliable turtle snorkeling at Scott so that sounds good to me.
But for some reason, I blatantly ignore my own advice given here about being as unobtrusive as possible when daytripping Caneel and we bring the same amount of stuff to beach we did yesterday - chairs, bags, even a tube. It was like the circus coming to town, so it was no wonder when shortly after settling down onto Scott, a Caneel security guy asked us to relocate to the main "public" beach, despite pleading my case that we were off to the side, we knew about not using any of their stuff, had done it before, was checking it out for future stay, etc. plus the fact that there was almost nobody else there, so who would complain?
Just as we pick up our stuff, it is getting darker and darker and starts to rain anyway. So, if you do daytrip Caneel, keep it on the real down low with the absolute minimum stuff you need to sit on the sand and snorkel and respect their rules.
Wait out the rain in and outside the gift shop, hoping us white trash don't get asked to leave there too.
At least they didn't stop me from taking a few pictures...
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 9.JPG"></a>[/img]
SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY...
Where to next? Haven't been to Cinnamon Bay beach on prior trips, so go there. Feels a little weird to be on a beach in St. John where there are enough people to do people watching. Sun comes back out, breezy, enjoy playing Frisbee in knee deep water.
Later, daughter and I do the longish snorkel out and around the cay, see some good stuff, but that big cluster of dead coral in between the beach and cay is very depressing to see.
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
link to snorkel video:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M4 ... 91mqOwNjOA
Wind really picks up half way thru the snorkel, and by the time we get back to beach, wife looks pretty miserable, wrapped up in towels because she was being pelted by blowing sand, and her prior bugs bites were really itching.
High tail it out of there, shopping should make her feel better, no?
Not so much...stopping at Mongoose for some shopping and drinks at Gecko Bar doesn't help to assuage the "bad" day we've been having so far, but after showers and after ROOSTER vs. IGUANA entertainment at Gallows we all "recover" in time for sunset dinner at Zozos, which was so fine it really salvaged the day.
While tossing pretzel bits to the Gallows rooster, all of a sudden one of the Gallows iguanas come charging out of the brush and wife lets loose a startled scream. Funny stuff watching them compete with each other.
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
Guess we are easily amused.
Re Zozo's, take the advice to reserve a spot at the bar on the third level for dinner if your party is small enough. Better view up there, great service from the bartender Carlos. In fact, I think you have to have a reservation and order food in order to sit at the bar at sunset - you cant just plop yourself down for a few cocktails only.
YOU WANT SUNSETS? WE GOT SUNSETS IV
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
Sunset was nice, food was fantastic = great combo. We had gnocchi with spinach and prosciutto; lobster ravioli; bruschetta of the day that had melt in your mouth filet mignon tips on it; and a killer mahi dish.
JOST: TAKE II and BUCKET o' BOLTS III
Up early again, breakfast at Gallows, over to ferry dock at 8:05, paperwork etc., $50 pp, no extra customs fees.
Ferry arrives 8:30, doesn't leave until 8:50, makes me wonder if nobody was at dock early yesterday if they call the boat and they bypass St. John?
This boat has seen better days. Enjoy ride along north shore to Jost, get in 9:30, customs at dock checks passports, $5pp taxi over to White Bay, arrange for driver to meet us at around 2:30, settle into hammocks and lounge chairs just down from Soggy Dollar.
This beach is beautiful, especially in the morning prior to boats arriving 1-2pm. Lunch at Soggy Dollar of tuna melt, tuna pita pocket, and jerk chicken salad is pretty good for beach bar food.
Some JVD photos:
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.jpg"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 0.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.jpg"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
Enjoy the relaxation and vibe of the place, bought a couple shirts, on shared taxi back to ferry meet somebody that lives in same town as us, maybe 1.5 mi. away. What are the chances of that?
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 0.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 4.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 4.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
from the ferry
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 6.JPG"></a>[/img]
Back into town, again stop at curbside counter at Caps (across from Uncle Joes) for ice cold 2 for $3 Presidente beers = best deal in town, became a habit throughout the week.
Back at Gallows, its ROOSTER vs. IGUANA II and yet another nice sunset...
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
YOU WANT SUNSETS? WE GOT SUNSETS V
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 3.JPG"></a>[/img]
Dinner at Lime Tree, last night before closing. Greek salad; Mahi with jalapeno butter and rice; Caribbean lobster; grouper with wasabi mayo; key lime pie. All reliably good.
Pause here, finish up next week.
JMQ
SHOULD KNOW BETTER BUT HAD BRAIN LOCK III
Friday up early for ferry to Jost. Good breakfast at JJs Texas Cafe. Arrive at dock at 8:35. Nobody there - sign says back at 9:30.
Oh oh, see posted schedule says ferry leaves at 8:30, not 9 like I thought. Ask a few guys in area, get no real answers. Yikes - my bad. Apologize to family. But since when does public transportation in the islands run like it does in Switzerland?
OK plan B staying on St. John today, try again tomorrow. Tell myself weather looks iffy anyway. Stop at St. John Spice on way back to Gallows, say hello to Ruth, she is actually on line on the forum trying to help an Italian girl post a photo. I offer some assistance.
That store gets better and better - best shop on St. John. We are all lucky she is a frequent contributor here too.
SHOULD KNOW BETTER BUT HAD BRAIN LOCK IV
Load up Vitara at Gallows, where to go? We enjoyed Scott Beach at Caneel last year, so the girls suggest lets go there. Reliable turtle snorkeling at Scott so that sounds good to me.
But for some reason, I blatantly ignore my own advice given here about being as unobtrusive as possible when daytripping Caneel and we bring the same amount of stuff to beach we did yesterday - chairs, bags, even a tube. It was like the circus coming to town, so it was no wonder when shortly after settling down onto Scott, a Caneel security guy asked us to relocate to the main "public" beach, despite pleading my case that we were off to the side, we knew about not using any of their stuff, had done it before, was checking it out for future stay, etc. plus the fact that there was almost nobody else there, so who would complain?
Just as we pick up our stuff, it is getting darker and darker and starts to rain anyway. So, if you do daytrip Caneel, keep it on the real down low with the absolute minimum stuff you need to sit on the sand and snorkel and respect their rules.
Wait out the rain in and outside the gift shop, hoping us white trash don't get asked to leave there too.
At least they didn't stop me from taking a few pictures...
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 9.JPG"></a>[/img]
SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY...
Where to next? Haven't been to Cinnamon Bay beach on prior trips, so go there. Feels a little weird to be on a beach in St. John where there are enough people to do people watching. Sun comes back out, breezy, enjoy playing Frisbee in knee deep water.
Later, daughter and I do the longish snorkel out and around the cay, see some good stuff, but that big cluster of dead coral in between the beach and cay is very depressing to see.
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
link to snorkel video:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M4 ... 91mqOwNjOA
Wind really picks up half way thru the snorkel, and by the time we get back to beach, wife looks pretty miserable, wrapped up in towels because she was being pelted by blowing sand, and her prior bugs bites were really itching.
High tail it out of there, shopping should make her feel better, no?
Not so much...stopping at Mongoose for some shopping and drinks at Gecko Bar doesn't help to assuage the "bad" day we've been having so far, but after showers and after ROOSTER vs. IGUANA entertainment at Gallows we all "recover" in time for sunset dinner at Zozos, which was so fine it really salvaged the day.
While tossing pretzel bits to the Gallows rooster, all of a sudden one of the Gallows iguanas come charging out of the brush and wife lets loose a startled scream. Funny stuff watching them compete with each other.
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
Guess we are easily amused.
Re Zozo's, take the advice to reserve a spot at the bar on the third level for dinner if your party is small enough. Better view up there, great service from the bartender Carlos. In fact, I think you have to have a reservation and order food in order to sit at the bar at sunset - you cant just plop yourself down for a few cocktails only.
YOU WANT SUNSETS? WE GOT SUNSETS IV
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
Sunset was nice, food was fantastic = great combo. We had gnocchi with spinach and prosciutto; lobster ravioli; bruschetta of the day that had melt in your mouth filet mignon tips on it; and a killer mahi dish.
JOST: TAKE II and BUCKET o' BOLTS III
Up early again, breakfast at Gallows, over to ferry dock at 8:05, paperwork etc., $50 pp, no extra customs fees.
Ferry arrives 8:30, doesn't leave until 8:50, makes me wonder if nobody was at dock early yesterday if they call the boat and they bypass St. John?
This boat has seen better days. Enjoy ride along north shore to Jost, get in 9:30, customs at dock checks passports, $5pp taxi over to White Bay, arrange for driver to meet us at around 2:30, settle into hammocks and lounge chairs just down from Soggy Dollar.
This beach is beautiful, especially in the morning prior to boats arriving 1-2pm. Lunch at Soggy Dollar of tuna melt, tuna pita pocket, and jerk chicken salad is pretty good for beach bar food.
Some JVD photos:
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.jpg"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 0.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 2.jpg"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
Enjoy the relaxation and vibe of the place, bought a couple shirts, on shared taxi back to ferry meet somebody that lives in same town as us, maybe 1.5 mi. away. What are the chances of that?
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 0.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 4.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 4.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 1.JPG"></a>[/img]
from the ferry
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 6.JPG"></a>[/img]
Back into town, again stop at curbside counter at Caps (across from Uncle Joes) for ice cold 2 for $3 Presidente beers = best deal in town, became a habit throughout the week.
Back at Gallows, its ROOSTER vs. IGUANA II and yet another nice sunset...
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 7.JPG"></a>[/img]
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 8.JPG"></a>[/img]
YOU WANT SUNSETS? WE GOT SUNSETS V
[img]<a%20href="http://picasaweb.google.com/jmackq/07ST ... 3.JPG"></a>[/img]
Dinner at Lime Tree, last night before closing. Greek salad; Mahi with jalapeno butter and rice; Caribbean lobster; grouper with wasabi mayo; key lime pie. All reliably good.
Pause here, finish up next week.
JMQ
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Really nice photos, as always, jmq. Even your "bad" day sounds really good to me!
You are right, BTW, to sit at the bar at Zozos you have to have a reservation and order dinner. If anyone wants to go up just for a drink, there are some seats and tables in another section of that floor, away from the water view, where you can sit.
You are right, BTW, to sit at the bar at Zozos you have to have a reservation and order dinner. If anyone wants to go up just for a drink, there are some seats and tables in another section of that floor, away from the water view, where you can sit.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Thanks for the report and pics. Your pictures made my day - its rainy here and I needed an island boost. Love the Iguana vs Rooster thing - we are amused by things like that too.
Is the ferry to Yost a "regularly scheduled" ferry (as opposed to a day trip charter)? What time do you catch it on Yost to come back to STJ? It sounds like something we would enjoy. Haven't been to Yost yet, but it looks soooo beautiful.
Is the ferry to Yost a "regularly scheduled" ferry (as opposed to a day trip charter)? What time do you catch it on Yost to come back to STJ? It sounds like something we would enjoy. Haven't been to Yost yet, but it looks soooo beautiful.
cat, for the price, the ferry is the way to go if you just want to spend time on Jost. It's not the most glamorous ride, but it gets you there. We had the best time singing badly with the "Tennessee Partiers" on the way back on the top of the ferry. This was no doubt fueled by much libation. The trip before (to Jost) we met a couple from Denver that we ended up spending a lot of time with on STJ. It's like you meet people there and feel like you have known them forever. I'm thinking "the rum" makes us a bit gregarious 
Going "home" again October 26th!
