December 24th Trip Report 1st Day
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:55 pm
GinaXOXO's Vacation 2008
St. John USVI
We left on the morning of Christmas Eve at 2:00 a.m. for our 8:30 flight out of Omaha. We have gotten really good at traveling. We all know our jobs and we finally have the necessary luggage. We packed all of our snorkel gear including our fins. We also packed a cooler of meat including steak, chicken, shrimp, bacon, hot dogs, egg whites, frozen bread dough, and a bacon tree for the microwave. We brought oatmeal, bagels, peanut butter, cereal, and candy snacks. There are so many different views about bringing a cooler and I have to tell you that we are so very glad that we brought ours. It isn't about the cost as much as it is about the quality and our brand loyalty. Also, I don't like grocery shopping and didn't have to do much of it while on vacation. We got to the villa at 5:30 our time, meaning the food was in the cooler from 2 am until 5:30 pm. Everything was frozen solid. We didn't add any ice. All we did was have it frozen solid and throw it in the cooler as we were leaving the house.
Before we left I copied our passports, credit cards (front and back), and drivers license. I wasn't able to print our boarding passes but I was able to print the itinerary. I also printed my notes from the forum and also the phone numbers of Windspree.
webshots by bwarner 53
We flew with Delta. We didn't have any problems. One thing to note is that we got our tickets through expedia and we weren't able to print our boarding passes in advance on the way out or on the way back. We flew with two different airlines and the only thing that I can think of is that we got the tickets through expedia. We were able to pull up the itinerary but unable to print the boarding passes. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.
Also, I would like to note that we were really tempted to use only carry-on's and not use any checked luggage. Delta is implementing an additional $15 charge for the first bag and $25 for the second bag. We decided that we wanted to bring all of our snorkel gear and a full cooler. We did debate using the insulated freezer bags from Sam's Club and putting a little food in our 4 carry-on's. Delta did not charge us for our checked bags. There are a lot of questions about what you are allowed to carry-on. We were able to bring the bag (21"--be careful because they did check this and my bag was a little puffy because of the expanding zipper--I easily zipped it and it passed but wanted to mention it for others). We also had a backpack with snacks, books, and a dvd player. We also were allowed to carry our coats.
Because of weather delays in the midwest our pilot decided to wait for passengers who were racing through the airport in Atlanta. Then once we landed in St. Thomas we were delayed again because of the steps being put on manually. So, we were delayed 40 minutes in all and it was hit or miss whether or not we were going to make the Charlotte Amalie ferry. For the newbies the last ferry departs at 4:00 p.m. for St. John. There is also the Red Hook ferry but because we made arrangements with Windspree Vacation Homes to meet them in Cruz Bay we really wanted to make it. Our taxi driver was great. He was really aggressive and signaled to the ferry operators that we were coming. It was precisely 4 p.m.. We got really lucky.
Karen from Windspree Vacation Homes was waiting for us. She took us to Cool Breeze and got us a brand spanking new Dodge Nitro. It was just the right size for us. We then took centerline to our villa in Coral Bay. We saw donkeys and goats on the way.
Seabiscuit villa Coral Bay
Windspree Vacation Homes
First I will review Windspree. Kay and Karen were great and really helpful. They run a really good ship and I am very happy with Windspree.
Reviewing the villa isn't as clear cut. It isn't easy reviewing Seabiscuit. There were some good things about Seabiscuit and it is perfect for a lot of people. For us the 3 primary things we look for in a villa are:
I promised my family that we didn't have to do anything on our first day. So, we got settled and unpacked. We also grilled steaks and had a few drinks. Everything went so smoothly and it felt so good to finally be back in St. John. I finished my first book. Thank you for the suggestions--every book I brought I loved. I just didn't bring enough and thought I was bringing too many. Who knew??
I loved the Coccoloba area. The atmosphere was great. Don't be afraid of shopping at Lily's Gourmet Market. We figured that it would be expensive and that they would not have a very good selection. But we found them to be reasonably priced and they had a good selection. There was always a big group of people at the Aqua Bistro having a drink and they really were friendly. I would have liked to have more time to belly up and visit. Also, at the Big Fish I asked if anyone on the Coral side sold books. I ran out! She gave me hers. It was Remember Me By Sophie Kinsella. Thank you Big Fish!
I am going to keep trying to figure out how to post my own pictures. Day 2, Christmas day is Trunk, Caneel, and the SUV on it's top.
Until then!
Gina
St. John USVI
We left on the morning of Christmas Eve at 2:00 a.m. for our 8:30 flight out of Omaha. We have gotten really good at traveling. We all know our jobs and we finally have the necessary luggage. We packed all of our snorkel gear including our fins. We also packed a cooler of meat including steak, chicken, shrimp, bacon, hot dogs, egg whites, frozen bread dough, and a bacon tree for the microwave. We brought oatmeal, bagels, peanut butter, cereal, and candy snacks. There are so many different views about bringing a cooler and I have to tell you that we are so very glad that we brought ours. It isn't about the cost as much as it is about the quality and our brand loyalty. Also, I don't like grocery shopping and didn't have to do much of it while on vacation. We got to the villa at 5:30 our time, meaning the food was in the cooler from 2 am until 5:30 pm. Everything was frozen solid. We didn't add any ice. All we did was have it frozen solid and throw it in the cooler as we were leaving the house.
Before we left I copied our passports, credit cards (front and back), and drivers license. I wasn't able to print our boarding passes but I was able to print the itinerary. I also printed my notes from the forum and also the phone numbers of Windspree.
webshots by bwarner 53
We flew with Delta. We didn't have any problems. One thing to note is that we got our tickets through expedia and we weren't able to print our boarding passes in advance on the way out or on the way back. We flew with two different airlines and the only thing that I can think of is that we got the tickets through expedia. We were able to pull up the itinerary but unable to print the boarding passes. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.
Also, I would like to note that we were really tempted to use only carry-on's and not use any checked luggage. Delta is implementing an additional $15 charge for the first bag and $25 for the second bag. We decided that we wanted to bring all of our snorkel gear and a full cooler. We did debate using the insulated freezer bags from Sam's Club and putting a little food in our 4 carry-on's. Delta did not charge us for our checked bags. There are a lot of questions about what you are allowed to carry-on. We were able to bring the bag (21"--be careful because they did check this and my bag was a little puffy because of the expanding zipper--I easily zipped it and it passed but wanted to mention it for others). We also had a backpack with snacks, books, and a dvd player. We also were allowed to carry our coats.
Because of weather delays in the midwest our pilot decided to wait for passengers who were racing through the airport in Atlanta. Then once we landed in St. Thomas we were delayed again because of the steps being put on manually. So, we were delayed 40 minutes in all and it was hit or miss whether or not we were going to make the Charlotte Amalie ferry. For the newbies the last ferry departs at 4:00 p.m. for St. John. There is also the Red Hook ferry but because we made arrangements with Windspree Vacation Homes to meet them in Cruz Bay we really wanted to make it. Our taxi driver was great. He was really aggressive and signaled to the ferry operators that we were coming. It was precisely 4 p.m.. We got really lucky.
Karen from Windspree Vacation Homes was waiting for us. She took us to Cool Breeze and got us a brand spanking new Dodge Nitro. It was just the right size for us. We then took centerline to our villa in Coral Bay. We saw donkeys and goats on the way.
Seabiscuit villa Coral Bay
Windspree Vacation Homes
First I will review Windspree. Kay and Karen were great and really helpful. They run a really good ship and I am very happy with Windspree.
Reviewing the villa isn't as clear cut. It isn't easy reviewing Seabiscuit. There were some good things about Seabiscuit and it is perfect for a lot of people. For us the 3 primary things we look for in a villa are:
- a pool
a hot tub
a view that isn't obstructed by trees or another villa
I promised my family that we didn't have to do anything on our first day. So, we got settled and unpacked. We also grilled steaks and had a few drinks. Everything went so smoothly and it felt so good to finally be back in St. John. I finished my first book. Thank you for the suggestions--every book I brought I loved. I just didn't bring enough and thought I was bringing too many. Who knew??
I loved the Coccoloba area. The atmosphere was great. Don't be afraid of shopping at Lily's Gourmet Market. We figured that it would be expensive and that they would not have a very good selection. But we found them to be reasonably priced and they had a good selection. There was always a big group of people at the Aqua Bistro having a drink and they really were friendly. I would have liked to have more time to belly up and visit. Also, at the Big Fish I asked if anyone on the Coral side sold books. I ran out! She gave me hers. It was Remember Me By Sophie Kinsella. Thank you Big Fish!
I am going to keep trying to figure out how to post my own pictures. Day 2, Christmas day is Trunk, Caneel, and the SUV on it's top.
Until then!
Gina
