USVI-On-Line

bride & i returned last evening from stj. we were accompanied a second time by friends of 40+ yrs, only and same spouses for both couples. we bonded as young marrieds in law school and have stayed close friends since eventhough we live couple hrs apart. while we have partied hard for many years, stj trips are more for unwinding. nothing real detailed here, just some thoughts and points that might help some who follow.

for 6th time rented at stt airport (budget this trip) and used barge without glitches. did splurge and rent jeep liberty this time and made trip up rockridge road to our villa (treasure ridge) easier and trip to lamshure bay posssible. as with past trips only food we brought was dry easy packs (used ziplocks) such as tea, coffee, nuts, mw popcorn, breakfast bars, oatmeal etc. stopped daily at starfish but missed simple feast which was still closed.

treasure r was nice, clean and very well equipped. we like the high west views and were not disappointed. greatroom and covered porch all way across west side and breathtaking views. several nights you could see lights of stx. only 2 negatives: main level masters are small and do not have water views like all other villas we have enjoyed and there is new villa under construction next door. construction didn't bother us because they were waiting for concrete truck that didn't show while we were there, but once poured could be loud for a while.

boyson's new larger barge is great, capt vic and roanoke both running and seems new dock at stj (plus redo at redhook that was open last dec) makes barging a lot easier.

locals appeared much friendly but probably just that we have gotten use to each other. lot of wind ist of week from north and water at northern beaches we tried (hawk, cinnamon & maho) was cloudy BUT we did venture to little lampshure for a great day and another good late lunch at ship wreck. also spent 2 days at francis bay (1st time visit) and throughly enjoyed ease of access and great snorkeling along rocks toward litttle maho. very disappointed that winds have greatly reduced beaches at left sides of hawk, cin, and maho, little room at all at high tide.

we as a group are so in love with the evening views across pillsbury, only dined out once at fishtrap and had wonderful meal (also took reservation which i think is new?) found good mahi and salmon, prepared foods, wines and margaretia mix at starfish (but still miss simple f).

went down on normal atl to stt nonstopper without a hitch, arrived few minutes early and caught 3:30 barge leaving 3:45. BUT we knew north bound would be adventure, no seats for 4 nonrevers, soooo we flew cape air to sju to make delta connection there. a true adventure i won't repeat eventhough all went as planned. couldn't check bags through so we, cleared immigrat at stt, got on a plane thats about the size of a hummer (did have 2 engines), seemed to bounce around like a monarch butterfly on a windy day, left 20 minutes late due to fueling? (change rubber bands) but did get us there safe and sound with some great views from stt to sju at 2000 ft. at sju we had to claim our bags, exit airport, send all bags through dpt of agriculture screening, check in with delta, and go back through security. would have been a great adventure 30 years ago, but me and the bride are getting too long in tooth for such. we both agreed, lets go back to stj ASAP but not until we can nonstop both ways atl to stt.

chow.
papabou

Another great report for me to read, this our last day before we leave for our High Adventures to Paradise!!
Thank you so much, it was greatly appreciated and a much needed break from my house cleaning.

Take care!!!

Hi papabou, thanks for the report. Sounds like you had fun as always.

I have to say I just think it is sweet that you always call your wife "the bride."

Thanks for the report. It is nice to hear about long-time friends enjoying life together.

I jumped on a reasonable fare offering that involves transfering between US Air and Cape Air in San Juan, both coming down and returning. Cape Air told me US Air would check our bags through to STT.

Is it typical that one must clear Dept of Ag in San Juan? Can you share why you couldn't check your bags through?

I am beginning to question my choice of flight arrangements. We did the Cape Air thing once before with no problem but 10 years and one small child later, I am less able to "go with the follow".

pa girl,

i believe you will be ok as a ticketed passenger using usa connecting with cape air. as i recall from cape air web site, their gates at sju are on same concourse as usa and you should be able to check bags "through".

our problem was due to our non rev status out of sju on return so we couldn't have cape air check our bags "through" for delta connection. we had to claim bags, do dpt of ag inspect and go back through security. we had to go through same process as anyone just showing up at sju to catch a flt to the states.

one good thing about ca from stt to sju, with max 8 passengers per flt, you don't have crowds at counter check in or when boarding begins. in all honesty, ca was very accommodating and friendly (allowed us to take earlier flt than we'd ticketed to try earlier connection in sju). our problems were directly related to our flying status with delta AND bride's (and my) aversion for small planes.

hope that helps

papabou

Thank you, you put my mind at ease.

The times (early departure/arrival on STT and late morning return to the northeast) and the price were a great combination when I booked. Then I wondered if my "thrift" was going to come back to haunt me.

jan,

we went by alleandra on each trip to and from t ridge. going up, rockridge makes shape right turn just past all's drive, the drive to right in that curve is to lot with ongoing construction and t ridge is next drive to right. from looking at all's siteing as we drove by, views appear same, t ridge just a little higher. we could see sunrises beyond dittlif pt to east all bays and beyond around to outer parts of cruz bay to nw.

how did you like alleandra? because of her location, i have looked at her several times and if occasion arises would stay there in a moment since she does have bedrooms with views. any negatives?

papabou