usvi-on-line
Day 10: The Party is over!
Day 10: The Party is over!
Day 10: Bye-Bye Hale Lani, Thanks Conrad for a late return, Shopping at Mongoose, and Homeward
Bound
Finally our last day has come. We are up early again. We don't have much to do today as we had packed the night prior. I was feeling very unready to go home. Oh how I would have loved a cancelled flight and to spend the rest of the weekend on St. John. I made a run to the Marketplace to do online check-in at Surf da Web. $2 for 15 minutes and .25 cents a page. $3 later we are all checked in. Surf da Web is great for anyone needing to access wireless or anyone without a laptop who just wants to check-in to their flight. Very competent, cheap and efficient.
We checked out the drugstore there in the marketplace and found it to be very well stocked with just about anything you would find in a local CVS. I also learned something new as I had never realized that there was a back parking area and entrance to the Marketplace!
Back to the house to load up the car. My husband, the pack master, managed to get all 5 bags, all of our carry-on, the stroller in the car with room to spare for the 5 of us! Good job, Mr. Flip-Flop. I have no patience for packing and would have just thrown stuff in there leaving no room for any of the people. We would have had to jog along side the car if it wasn't for him.
I am so sad to leave the house and inevitably St. John but my focus has shifted because now Flip-Flop has to face a 12 hour travel day home, actually make that 13! I had planted a seed with Mr. Sutton the day before asking for a late car return. Dohm's water taxi was supposed to meet us (SUPPOSED being the operative word here) at 12:30 to get us to STT in time for our 3:50 pm flight home. With 2 hours to kill I did not relish the thought of hanging around with our mountain of luggage and the kids for 2 hours. I head straight for Conrad's and hop out to see if I can charm him into a couple extra hours. No easy task. He knows what I am going to ask and tells me to be back by 12 noon. Perfect. Plenty of time to hit Mongoose Junction for a little more shopping and some breakfast. JJ's is our typical last morning breakfast but we had not had deli grotto all week so we headed in that direction.
Mongoose was also decorated for the upcoming holidays
Of course I now own the "If found please return to St John" tshirt. I never did find the Nice with a Donkey tshirt.
We shopped around and I picked up a tiny starfish pendant at RI Patton and a new chain to replace the one I had broken earlier in the week. I don't think I will ever take it off. I love it. Then we headed for Deli Grotto. I had a bacon and cheese quiche which was delicious, not very quiche like but great nonetheless and huge. The Mini Flip-Flop wanted pancakes which they cook to order. I can't remember what anyone else had, but the Mini and her little bro really enjoyed the pancakes. The time actually seemed to be winding down slowly and we had a very nice time wandering around Mongoose.
At about 11:45 we headed for the car and pulled into the National Park dock area to unload the car. Leaving crew and luggage there I was on my way to return the car to the Sutton's and be on my way. I thanked him for the flexibility and headed back to the National Park dock. To wait. And wait. And wait. And then start to worry. And I pace in and out of the VI Visitor Center.
Now in my handy dandy binder I had everyone on that Islands phone number EXCEPT Dohm's. Mistake #1. I realized that I had done all of the booking online and they too only had my email address. We were supposed to be picked up at 12:30. 12:30 came and went. Soon it as 12:45 and I started to worry that if they didn't show we would miss the 1:15 public ferry and thus miss our flight! As much as I wanted to stay there, this was not good.
The baby boy was over it!
Sweet Boy
I made the executive decision to head for the main ferry dock and we are off ... some extremely nice people help with some of our luggage and soon we are waiting with tickets in hand for the 1:15 ferry to CA. Still worried we were cutting it close. It all worked out fine but I was a bit irritated about Dohm's. I will say they did make it right. I contacted them upon our return and they took responsibility for the problem saying an earlier transport messed up their schedule. They showed up closer to 1 but we were already over at the other dock by then. I didn't expect it, but they also offered to refund our $100 transfer over to STJ earlier in the week. Works for me! I would use them again going to STJ but probably not returning to STT. Coming in the appeal is no lines no waiting. The boat leaves when you get there. On the return you have more control over what time you get to the ferry, so it would be less of a concern to have a water taxi at your beckon call.
Oh No we have to go home!
We get off the ferry and into a taxi and are on our way to the airport. We arrive, grab a porter, who takes us and our crap all the way through. He didn't really cut the line but it was the day after Thanksgiving so there wasn't really much of a line. He did see the speed at which I filled out my customs form and remarked, "This isn't your first time is it?" No, not my first and definitely not my last.
We made our way through customs and into the main waiting area with about 45 minutes to spare. Grabbed a couple of hot dogs (really your only choice while the restaurant is closed) and fed the baby boy while we waited to board. We were on our way on time and made our connection in Atlanta with no problem. We didn't even have to take the ATL airport train! Who hooo.
About 2 minutes into the flight to Dulles we passed out.
A tough trip to St. John really takes it out of you! We arrived at Dulles a little after midnight to find our much more reliable family taxi waiting, my nephew Andy. Who knew if he didn't show there would be no food for him over winter break! We finally arrived home at about 1:30am.
Thank you to everyone for all the kind words about my family and my trip report. I have enjoyed writing it at least as much as you have enjoyed reading it. It helps me prolong the experience. Only about 18 months to go. Though I may try to talk Gromit into a Thanksgiving trip. A year is a much more manageable countdown and the weather really is lovely this time of year!
The nitty gritty:
Airline: Delta with Frequent Flier miles, cost per person $10
Accomodations: The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas and Hale Lani St. John.
Rental Agent: Destination St. John (2nd time, LOVE them)
Transportation: Dohms Water Taxi & Public Ferry
Car Rental: Conrad Sutton Cars (LOVE him)
Spa Services: Nomadic Spa
Day Sail: Bread on the Water with Captain Gary & Joan
Bye St. John
Bound
Finally our last day has come. We are up early again. We don't have much to do today as we had packed the night prior. I was feeling very unready to go home. Oh how I would have loved a cancelled flight and to spend the rest of the weekend on St. John. I made a run to the Marketplace to do online check-in at Surf da Web. $2 for 15 minutes and .25 cents a page. $3 later we are all checked in. Surf da Web is great for anyone needing to access wireless or anyone without a laptop who just wants to check-in to their flight. Very competent, cheap and efficient.
We checked out the drugstore there in the marketplace and found it to be very well stocked with just about anything you would find in a local CVS. I also learned something new as I had never realized that there was a back parking area and entrance to the Marketplace!
Back to the house to load up the car. My husband, the pack master, managed to get all 5 bags, all of our carry-on, the stroller in the car with room to spare for the 5 of us! Good job, Mr. Flip-Flop. I have no patience for packing and would have just thrown stuff in there leaving no room for any of the people. We would have had to jog along side the car if it wasn't for him.
I am so sad to leave the house and inevitably St. John but my focus has shifted because now Flip-Flop has to face a 12 hour travel day home, actually make that 13! I had planted a seed with Mr. Sutton the day before asking for a late car return. Dohm's water taxi was supposed to meet us (SUPPOSED being the operative word here) at 12:30 to get us to STT in time for our 3:50 pm flight home. With 2 hours to kill I did not relish the thought of hanging around with our mountain of luggage and the kids for 2 hours. I head straight for Conrad's and hop out to see if I can charm him into a couple extra hours. No easy task. He knows what I am going to ask and tells me to be back by 12 noon. Perfect. Plenty of time to hit Mongoose Junction for a little more shopping and some breakfast. JJ's is our typical last morning breakfast but we had not had deli grotto all week so we headed in that direction.
Mongoose was also decorated for the upcoming holidays
Of course I now own the "If found please return to St John" tshirt. I never did find the Nice with a Donkey tshirt.
We shopped around and I picked up a tiny starfish pendant at RI Patton and a new chain to replace the one I had broken earlier in the week. I don't think I will ever take it off. I love it. Then we headed for Deli Grotto. I had a bacon and cheese quiche which was delicious, not very quiche like but great nonetheless and huge. The Mini Flip-Flop wanted pancakes which they cook to order. I can't remember what anyone else had, but the Mini and her little bro really enjoyed the pancakes. The time actually seemed to be winding down slowly and we had a very nice time wandering around Mongoose.
At about 11:45 we headed for the car and pulled into the National Park dock area to unload the car. Leaving crew and luggage there I was on my way to return the car to the Sutton's and be on my way. I thanked him for the flexibility and headed back to the National Park dock. To wait. And wait. And wait. And then start to worry. And I pace in and out of the VI Visitor Center.
Now in my handy dandy binder I had everyone on that Islands phone number EXCEPT Dohm's. Mistake #1. I realized that I had done all of the booking online and they too only had my email address. We were supposed to be picked up at 12:30. 12:30 came and went. Soon it as 12:45 and I started to worry that if they didn't show we would miss the 1:15 public ferry and thus miss our flight! As much as I wanted to stay there, this was not good.
The baby boy was over it!
Sweet Boy
I made the executive decision to head for the main ferry dock and we are off ... some extremely nice people help with some of our luggage and soon we are waiting with tickets in hand for the 1:15 ferry to CA. Still worried we were cutting it close. It all worked out fine but I was a bit irritated about Dohm's. I will say they did make it right. I contacted them upon our return and they took responsibility for the problem saying an earlier transport messed up their schedule. They showed up closer to 1 but we were already over at the other dock by then. I didn't expect it, but they also offered to refund our $100 transfer over to STJ earlier in the week. Works for me! I would use them again going to STJ but probably not returning to STT. Coming in the appeal is no lines no waiting. The boat leaves when you get there. On the return you have more control over what time you get to the ferry, so it would be less of a concern to have a water taxi at your beckon call.
Oh No we have to go home!
We get off the ferry and into a taxi and are on our way to the airport. We arrive, grab a porter, who takes us and our crap all the way through. He didn't really cut the line but it was the day after Thanksgiving so there wasn't really much of a line. He did see the speed at which I filled out my customs form and remarked, "This isn't your first time is it?" No, not my first and definitely not my last.
We made our way through customs and into the main waiting area with about 45 minutes to spare. Grabbed a couple of hot dogs (really your only choice while the restaurant is closed) and fed the baby boy while we waited to board. We were on our way on time and made our connection in Atlanta with no problem. We didn't even have to take the ATL airport train! Who hooo.
About 2 minutes into the flight to Dulles we passed out.
A tough trip to St. John really takes it out of you! We arrived at Dulles a little after midnight to find our much more reliable family taxi waiting, my nephew Andy. Who knew if he didn't show there would be no food for him over winter break! We finally arrived home at about 1:30am.
Thank you to everyone for all the kind words about my family and my trip report. I have enjoyed writing it at least as much as you have enjoyed reading it. It helps me prolong the experience. Only about 18 months to go. Though I may try to talk Gromit into a Thanksgiving trip. A year is a much more manageable countdown and the weather really is lovely this time of year!
The nitty gritty:
Airline: Delta with Frequent Flier miles, cost per person $10
Accomodations: The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas and Hale Lani St. John.
Rental Agent: Destination St. John (2nd time, LOVE them)
Transportation: Dohms Water Taxi & Public Ferry
Car Rental: Conrad Sutton Cars (LOVE him)
Spa Services: Nomadic Spa
Day Sail: Bread on the Water with Captain Gary & Joan
Bye St. John
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California Girl
Thanks all. I know mine are a little more long winded and not necessarily focused than others but I really do find its a way for me to relive the trip. Its every bit as much for me and to sear the memories into my brain as anything!
Happy Holidays to everyone. We have about 3 inches of snow. The earliest snowfall I can remember in a long time for this part of VA.
Happy Holidays to everyone. We have about 3 inches of snow. The earliest snowfall I can remember in a long time for this part of VA.
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Iguanaeddie
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:57 am
- Location: Northern Virginia
