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2nd-Time Trip Report Day 1
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Rebecca in NOVA
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:47 am
- Location: No. VA
2nd-Time Trip Report Day 1
St. John Trip Report Day 1: Sat. May 31
We headed back to St. John for our second visit May 31-June 7 this year. (Sorry for the delayed report, it's been hectic!)
We were celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary but we wanted to bring along our nearly-two-year-old son, so we brought Grandma (my husband's mom) to nanny for us. Our first visit was three years ago, pre-baby, so this was a pretty different visit even though we stayed in the same place.
We woke up at 5:15 am in the Washington, DC suburbs to head to Dulles Airport at 6:15 am. Grandma had come in the night before, so the morning went pretty smoothly. We had a direct flight there which was pretty uneventful. We arrived about 12:30 pm (a hair behind schedule), got our bags, then had to wait about 10 minutes for the taxi we had arranged through our villa rep. to pick us up. We were tired, hungry, etc. so waiting the 10 minutes seemed aggravating at the time, but we just needed to get on island time. And we knew we'd probably be early for the villa check-in, so it didn't really matter.
We took the 1:30 ferry from Charlotte Amalie.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709880922/" title="P5310004 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/270 ... a430_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310004"></a>
We still haven't taken the Red Hook ferry yet. This was another nice trip over on the CA ferry.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709066103/" title="IMG_2419 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/270 ... 0bb8_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_2419"></a>
Unfortunately despite our planning, previous trip, etc., we still managed to overpack, especially the mother-in-law who had a heavy suitcase and heavy carry-on because she worked while we were there(!). So my poor husband was quite the pack mule. Next time, everybody gets one carry-on a piece and we'll rent snorkel gear, etc.
Anyway, we got into Cruz Bay, got picked up by our villa rep and made it to the house (Idyllic villa overlooking Great Cruz Bay) by about 2:45 pm. The cleaning crew had issues with the washer, so they were still finishing up. I was hoping my over-tired toddler could go down for a nap, but Grandma, Toddler and I got into the pool and thoroughly enjoyed it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709066361/" title="P5310019 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/270 ... 4551_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310019"></a>
Husband ran for groceries at Starfish, where he had the usual sticker shock. For example: $18.99 for a 24-pack of Dasani water. We opted for gallon jugs for the week. He stopped by Pine Peace for soda, but he didn't find it that much cheaper this time.
We were hoping for pizza delivery that night, but their driver didn't come in and we picked up from Ronnie's pizza. More sticker shock (3 larges for $55), but we were getting used to it. It was our first time eating Ronnie's and it was fine, nothing exciting. We were really hoping for China Shack take-out the first night, which we enjoyed last trip, but as we had read they had just closed.
We were very happy that our toddler quickly acclimated and loved the swimming pool, even though the only part he could get in by himself was the steps. After dinner we got back into the pool, where he started jumping in 'by himself' (into our arms) and having a grand old time. We all just relaxed and soaked up the gorgeous view.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709881162/" title="P5310047 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/270 ... b176_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310047"></a>
Last time we went to St. John, we had vivid pink/orange/red sunsets nearly every night. This time, this was as pretty as the sunset got, with just some light pink streaks. It was the same time of year, so I'm not sure what else affects sunset spectacular-nous?
We went in the house about 7 pm and the no-nap toddler fell asleep on the couch, which was going to lead to an unexpected schedule for us all week.
We went to bed at 8:30, so it was an early night all around.
It was a lot different coming onto the island the second time around, things weren't as confusing as far as streets in Cruz Bay, etc. Also the gas station at the intersection is gone, a number of restaurants were closed, etc. It's only been 3 years, but things change fast.
The house was mostly the same as our last visit, with some improvements. I'll do a full villa review separately, but the main changes were the pool deck was restained and the downstairs bathtub was renovated into a big shower. We were actually disappointed at that, because we wanted to give the toddler a bath in there, but oh well. As we expected, we found the villa layout perfect for us, with Grandma in the separate suite below and the rest of us upstairs in interior bedrooms. Worked great!
Rebecca in No. VA
We headed back to St. John for our second visit May 31-June 7 this year. (Sorry for the delayed report, it's been hectic!)
We were celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary but we wanted to bring along our nearly-two-year-old son, so we brought Grandma (my husband's mom) to nanny for us. Our first visit was three years ago, pre-baby, so this was a pretty different visit even though we stayed in the same place.
We woke up at 5:15 am in the Washington, DC suburbs to head to Dulles Airport at 6:15 am. Grandma had come in the night before, so the morning went pretty smoothly. We had a direct flight there which was pretty uneventful. We arrived about 12:30 pm (a hair behind schedule), got our bags, then had to wait about 10 minutes for the taxi we had arranged through our villa rep. to pick us up. We were tired, hungry, etc. so waiting the 10 minutes seemed aggravating at the time, but we just needed to get on island time. And we knew we'd probably be early for the villa check-in, so it didn't really matter.
We took the 1:30 ferry from Charlotte Amalie.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709880922/" title="P5310004 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/270 ... a430_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310004"></a>
We still haven't taken the Red Hook ferry yet. This was another nice trip over on the CA ferry.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709066103/" title="IMG_2419 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3013/270 ... 0bb8_b.jpg" width="768" height="1024" alt="IMG_2419"></a>
Unfortunately despite our planning, previous trip, etc., we still managed to overpack, especially the mother-in-law who had a heavy suitcase and heavy carry-on because she worked while we were there(!). So my poor husband was quite the pack mule. Next time, everybody gets one carry-on a piece and we'll rent snorkel gear, etc.
Anyway, we got into Cruz Bay, got picked up by our villa rep and made it to the house (Idyllic villa overlooking Great Cruz Bay) by about 2:45 pm. The cleaning crew had issues with the washer, so they were still finishing up. I was hoping my over-tired toddler could go down for a nap, but Grandma, Toddler and I got into the pool and thoroughly enjoyed it.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709066361/" title="P5310019 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/270 ... 4551_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310019"></a>
Husband ran for groceries at Starfish, where he had the usual sticker shock. For example: $18.99 for a 24-pack of Dasani water. We opted for gallon jugs for the week. He stopped by Pine Peace for soda, but he didn't find it that much cheaper this time.
We were hoping for pizza delivery that night, but their driver didn't come in and we picked up from Ronnie's pizza. More sticker shock (3 larges for $55), but we were getting used to it. It was our first time eating Ronnie's and it was fine, nothing exciting. We were really hoping for China Shack take-out the first night, which we enjoyed last trip, but as we had read they had just closed.
We were very happy that our toddler quickly acclimated and loved the swimming pool, even though the only part he could get in by himself was the steps. After dinner we got back into the pool, where he started jumping in 'by himself' (into our arms) and having a grand old time. We all just relaxed and soaked up the gorgeous view.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/80956522@N00/2709881162/" title="P5310047 by Rebecca Johnson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/270 ... b176_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="P5310047"></a>
Last time we went to St. John, we had vivid pink/orange/red sunsets nearly every night. This time, this was as pretty as the sunset got, with just some light pink streaks. It was the same time of year, so I'm not sure what else affects sunset spectacular-nous?
We went in the house about 7 pm and the no-nap toddler fell asleep on the couch, which was going to lead to an unexpected schedule for us all week.
We went to bed at 8:30, so it was an early night all around.
It was a lot different coming onto the island the second time around, things weren't as confusing as far as streets in Cruz Bay, etc. Also the gas station at the intersection is gone, a number of restaurants were closed, etc. It's only been 3 years, but things change fast.
The house was mostly the same as our last visit, with some improvements. I'll do a full villa review separately, but the main changes were the pool deck was restained and the downstairs bathtub was renovated into a big shower. We were actually disappointed at that, because we wanted to give the toddler a bath in there, but oh well. As we expected, we found the villa layout perfect for us, with Grandma in the separate suite below and the rest of us upstairs in interior bedrooms. Worked great!
Rebecca in No. VA
-
Rebecca in NOVA
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:47 am
- Location: No. VA
We were glad to get the direct flight from Dulles, although I usually try to avoid traveling on Saturday with the rest of the crowd. They didn't have a direct flight back, but our quick stop in Puerto Rico was no big deal. The toddler, who is obsessed with airplanes and flying and loves to land and take off, wished we would continue going up and down in 1/2-hour intervals for the whole flight!
Husband and I stayed in the bedroom behind the kitchen with the attached bath. Toddler was in the other upstairs bedroom while Grandma was in the bedroom suite below. It was a great set-up for our group. I am jealous, I wish we had just gotten back!
Husband and I stayed in the bedroom behind the kitchen with the attached bath. Toddler was in the other upstairs bedroom while Grandma was in the bedroom suite below. It was a great set-up for our group. I am jealous, I wish we had just gotten back!
