usvi-on-line
NewbieTrip Report Part 1
-
WSUbeachcoug
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Mon Apr 14, 2008 9:51 pm
- Location: Mukilteo, Washington
NewbieTrip Report Part 1
Thursday April 3 we left from SeaTac airport on Continental Airlines. Our flight was scheduled for 3:55 PM, but it was delayed and we finally left at 5:00 west coast time. We decided to fly into New York(Newark) and then on to St Thomas. We split the trip up because on past flights we have missed connecting flights and did not want to take the chance.
Not sure if I would do this again or not.
Flight was uneventful and we arrived in New York at 1:15 am. I had made reservations at the Sheraton closest to the airport because they had 24 hr shuttle service. No shuttle, so we hailed a taxi and arrived at the hotel and got to bed at about 2:30 AM.
I was extremely impressed with this hotel especially for the rate I paided.
The next day we left at about 6:30 AM for the airport with most of Continental's crew on the hotel shuttle.
I was impressed with Newark, as we actully got thru security faster and easier than Sea-tac.
The only negative I can post is I could not find a starbuck's.
So our flight out to St Thomas was on time. The only problem here was we were 31 planes in line to take off in front of us.
Again flight was okay, probably because we were headed to the islands everyone was in a good mood.
The most memorable event of my whole trip was looking out the window coming down into St Thomas and seeing the water!! I will never forget it.
Thank goodness I had gotten such great tips from this forum as we had dressed light and we were comfortable waiting for our luggage.
We rented our car from Budget. Smooth check out, friendly lady. We decided to check out the liquor store as we were leaving and ended up sampling some of the rums and even left with a mixed drink!
After lugging our luggage (didn't belive I only needed minimum of stuff) to the car we were off!
Because we could not check into our villa until Saturday April 5th we decided to stay at Bolongo Bay.
I begged my husband to stop so I could shop but he was on a mission to find Bologno and relaxe. I tried convincing him that shopping was relaxing, he didn't see it that way.
So after driving by Bologno we found it and checked in. We were happy with the beach, room, etc for one night. We went down and relaxed at the beach watching them put together I guess stuff for Carival.
Went back to the room and rested for awhile and decided we should go get some bottled water and find somewhere to eat dinner.
We stopped at a store on our way to Red Hook, picked up water and Grey Goose Vodka. We then headed to Molly Malones. Had a great dinner and enjoyed the live music. Headed back to Bologno and called home to tell everyone we made it.
April 5th
We are up at 8:30 Am and ready to go. We check out of Bologno and are ready to get to St John.
I have convinced my husband that we need to hit Cost U Less for food, etc. I am not sure what time we got there but they were not open yet. So we waited for them to open. We stocked up and then realized we had
nothing to pack the cold stuff in. Luckily we found a small carry ice chest and finished shopping. As we checked out I asked the checker if they carry ice. She informs me no. No suggestion of who does along the way. They were not very friendly here. I decide that I can not wait to get to St John.
We pick up ice at a small gas station/ store and head for the ferry. Luckily they are just loading as we pull up. I explain to my husband that you have to back on. So he does just that, but gets alittle nervous about how close they stack the cars. This is were I realized we are on island time and that it was time for me to chill out.
After pulling on the ferry I can't figure out why we did not pay as we came on. So my husband got out of the car and asked. They tell him not to worry that someone will come collect it sooner or later.
So off we go. I am filming us leaving and all the beautiful boats, the beautiful water, etc not knowing what awaits me.
Now never having been to St John before and living in the northwest I just assumed that there is wind normally.
Well when we hit the middle of the channel and the captain started turning off the boat in between swells of water coming over the top of the boat, I got a little nervous. It was crazy! I thought the car in front of us was going to slid into us! This was a adventure all in itself.
When I saw the shore I was extremely happy.
I had called Caribbean Villas as we left Red Hook and talked to Tien our representative. She was there waiting for us. Our check in was not suppose to be until after 3, but she said we could leave our stuff at the house and do the walk thru and come back after the cleaning crew was done. Perfect!
So we followed her to Dream Come True Villa and did our walk thru. More to come...
Not sure if I would do this again or not.
Flight was uneventful and we arrived in New York at 1:15 am. I had made reservations at the Sheraton closest to the airport because they had 24 hr shuttle service. No shuttle, so we hailed a taxi and arrived at the hotel and got to bed at about 2:30 AM.
I was extremely impressed with this hotel especially for the rate I paided.
The next day we left at about 6:30 AM for the airport with most of Continental's crew on the hotel shuttle.
I was impressed with Newark, as we actully got thru security faster and easier than Sea-tac.
The only negative I can post is I could not find a starbuck's.
So our flight out to St Thomas was on time. The only problem here was we were 31 planes in line to take off in front of us.
Again flight was okay, probably because we were headed to the islands everyone was in a good mood.
The most memorable event of my whole trip was looking out the window coming down into St Thomas and seeing the water!! I will never forget it.
Thank goodness I had gotten such great tips from this forum as we had dressed light and we were comfortable waiting for our luggage.
We rented our car from Budget. Smooth check out, friendly lady. We decided to check out the liquor store as we were leaving and ended up sampling some of the rums and even left with a mixed drink!
After lugging our luggage (didn't belive I only needed minimum of stuff) to the car we were off!
Because we could not check into our villa until Saturday April 5th we decided to stay at Bolongo Bay.
I begged my husband to stop so I could shop but he was on a mission to find Bologno and relaxe. I tried convincing him that shopping was relaxing, he didn't see it that way.
So after driving by Bologno we found it and checked in. We were happy with the beach, room, etc for one night. We went down and relaxed at the beach watching them put together I guess stuff for Carival.
Went back to the room and rested for awhile and decided we should go get some bottled water and find somewhere to eat dinner.
We stopped at a store on our way to Red Hook, picked up water and Grey Goose Vodka. We then headed to Molly Malones. Had a great dinner and enjoyed the live music. Headed back to Bologno and called home to tell everyone we made it.
April 5th
We are up at 8:30 Am and ready to go. We check out of Bologno and are ready to get to St John.
I have convinced my husband that we need to hit Cost U Less for food, etc. I am not sure what time we got there but they were not open yet. So we waited for them to open. We stocked up and then realized we had
nothing to pack the cold stuff in. Luckily we found a small carry ice chest and finished shopping. As we checked out I asked the checker if they carry ice. She informs me no. No suggestion of who does along the way. They were not very friendly here. I decide that I can not wait to get to St John.
We pick up ice at a small gas station/ store and head for the ferry. Luckily they are just loading as we pull up. I explain to my husband that you have to back on. So he does just that, but gets alittle nervous about how close they stack the cars. This is were I realized we are on island time and that it was time for me to chill out.
After pulling on the ferry I can't figure out why we did not pay as we came on. So my husband got out of the car and asked. They tell him not to worry that someone will come collect it sooner or later.
So off we go. I am filming us leaving and all the beautiful boats, the beautiful water, etc not knowing what awaits me.
Now never having been to St John before and living in the northwest I just assumed that there is wind normally.
Well when we hit the middle of the channel and the captain started turning off the boat in between swells of water coming over the top of the boat, I got a little nervous. It was crazy! I thought the car in front of us was going to slid into us! This was a adventure all in itself.
When I saw the shore I was extremely happy.
I had called Caribbean Villas as we left Red Hook and talked to Tien our representative. She was there waiting for us. Our check in was not suppose to be until after 3, but she said we could leave our stuff at the house and do the walk thru and come back after the cleaning crew was done. Perfect!
So we followed her to Dream Come True Villa and did our walk thru. More to come...
The airports around here are crazy sometimes. One time (a few months ago) we/the plane left the gate and sat in line for 25 min and then the pilot announced, "well, folks, we are currently 25th in line – it’s going to be another 30 min or so..." 
It's a long way from Washington to VI. Glad you made it! Looking forward to your next installment.
It's a long way from Washington to VI. Glad you made it! Looking forward to your next installment.