USVI-On-Line

How was your trip? Did you enjoy Monte Bay?

Hey Jim,

Our trip was great.You would really have to try hard to screw up a trip to SJ.Take my advice though and don't go down there with 12 people,unless maybe they were all family and then I'm not sure that would be a mistake too.It was like trying to heard cats.The logistics of getting everyone moving was trying to say the least.When I'm there all I want to do is get to beaches as early as possible.That didn't happen.I spent less time in the water than I ever had.All in all a trying week on SJ beats anything else.
Monte Bay was perfect though for a large group.But they could have thrown all the excercise equiptment in the bay and used that room for a bedroom.I didn't realize it had A/C in main house.That's 2 villas in a row with all A/C.I'm officially spoiled now.The owner did a good job remodeling and updating it.The open sitting area was awesome and where I spent most of my time at the villa.The couple with the main level bedroom to the right was a little nervous with the open shower below the guest house but I guess they got over their modesty.
The only drawback to Monte Bay is the travel time to the EastEnd or Northshore beaches.We haven't stayed on the south shore in 6 years and had gotten use to being up in Catherineberg right in the middle of the island.
The weather really was nice and cooler than usual which was fortunate with Monte Bay right on the water with very little breeze.My girls were horrified to discover no AT&T cellphone coverage at yhe villa.Must be the only spot on the island.I guess being surrounded by hills must cause that.I actually was glad that my phone couldn't ring there.

Thanks for asking,
Mike

P.S. There were plenty of hairdryers to go around.With my 3 teenage daughters and one of their friends,they got plenty of use.
Note to car renters.We have rented on St Thomas for the last 5 years with no problem.However on the last day our tirerod broke.Thank goodness we were on Main street in CA.If that had happened on SJ we would probably be still there.Hey,that doesn't sound to bad.








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"The herd moves at the speed of the slowest beast!"

Moo!

Cheers, RickG

Mike----Thanks for the report---sounds like a good trip. I enjoyed Rick G's quote----sooo true. I am a veteran "group" traveler to St. John. The downside is getting everybody out the door in the morning----Janie constantly has to tell me to chill---and eventually I do. The upside, at least on our trips, is that its a party every night.

Being a "flatlander" from the midwest, far from the coast, I enjoyed being ON the water at Monte Bay. My only complaint with that house is that the bedrooms are very uneven in quality. But you had kids so that worked out.

Jim,
After Katrina,be glad you live away from the coast.
The bedrooms are a little unequal for adults,but we got there first and took the master bedroom.I felt a little guilty about it but I got over it real quick.
But with all the kids and activity at the pool,I don't think we ever pulled the curtains open.
Mike