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Hi everyone. We're here on STT!
Today is just beautiful. I just tried to connect to the net at the house and HOORAY, the connection works! So, reports will be coming in, possibly, each night or something close to that.
Flight from Philly was really nice. yesterday......except some glitches when they decided to change the aircraft before we took off....and the new craft was smaller than the former. So, some passengers got bumped....but their luggage was already on, so we had to wait for bags to be moved off. That went on while we sat on the plane for 2 hours....WAITING. USAir was nice about it and handed out water and free headphones...and put a show on the TV. And they were apologizing every so often and giving us updates.
Flight was lovely. Sat next to a very nice lady who was planning to stay with her hubby at a home on NELTJBERG Bay on STT. Sounded like they had an awesome trip planned. Luckily, they had a driver to care for them - I was telling her about the road to get down there. Yikes! Not sure which home it is - but I assume it is the one on the point, from her description.
Exit plane at STT and WOW - the drama of going from the Philly arctic blast to this glorious warm breeze. Island looks very dry- lots of brown 🙁
The airport was a total zoo. I have NEVER seen so many people. Perhaps it was just because everyone was arriving at once - USAir from Philly and from Charlotte got in at the same time....and so did American. Budget car rental had a line about 40 people deep. Avis was empty. Picked up a Ford Focus - $15 a day - rented thru Hotwire.
Luggage took a loooooong time to come out - maybe 40 minutes. And, now, we need to go back to airport because we forgot one bag. It only had towels in it. But, they are my beautiful beach towels....so we're going back this morning.
Drive to the house was beautiful and easy - not too much traffic.
Dropped off bags,changed to swimsuits and headed to ------ INDIGO. No tables - they were all pretty empty, but had been reserved:( MAJOR bummer. The waitress told me that we'll need reservations pretty much every night this week. People were calling for reservations while I was standing there - and the hostess was telling them that nothing was open til 8:45 or so. But, there was a tall cafe table out on the pool deck that she said we could have. It is considered a bar table, but was outside - so we took it so that I could watch my daughter swim.
No Black and Blue on the menu for dinner - only lunch. So, we shared lobster nuggets for apps., then daughter had burger and fries and I and yellow fin tuna over a cous cous made with lobster and cheese. Yummmm! Had a coupel of mojitos - they seemed a little light on the rum, Maybe I need to give the bartender a nice "introduction tip" and hope for better next time.
After dinner I tried to dip in the pool, but it was too chilly. We went to KMart for supplies and then back to house. Islanders have been smiling and welcoming. A friend came over last night to say hi. Shared a cocktail and then I was off to bed. Daughter was already asleep after watching a new kid's movie - Zoom.
Slept well.
Up today - and heading out now to the beach (and to get the bag we left at airport). Sun is beaming and view is just glorious!
More later.
Sherri - will call you this morning 🙂
Hi bryan o!
Glad to hear you enjoyed Rockworks, we try our best to please! On the other hand, we realize we don't have the corner on the market! lol 🙂 People like to ck out different places as well as islands! Heck, I keep in touch with some of our guests that I know will never even return to the island! I had an older couple once who tried STT, but found the roads too difficult for them, they usually went to Hawaii. This year they are going to Florida. Sweet people and I adore them! Whenever you stay at a McLaughlin Anderson Villa feel free to request me as your escort! I would love to see you again! 🙂
That is one of the nice things about this area, so many islands to hop over to! Indigo's is a must! 🙂 Met Blu there yesterday for lunch and Mojitos!!!! Mmmmmm! I can rattle on and on with her, she is a real joy to be around! Gabby was wonderful as well! She was diving for pennies and allowed her mother and I to talk, MY daughter would have clung to me, holding on tight!!!!! She's 15! Gabby ordered salad for lunch, can you believe it? Blu, you sure are doing something right!!!!!
Anxious to hear the last of your report Blu!
Hi all!
Stu, no problem on the return trip from BVI with birth cert! You were right.
Home again, home again - jiggidy jig!
Yes, back in dear ole' Philadelphia. Seems that the more we get to go to STT, the more we're ok with coming home. I think it has to do with the fact that we now feel pretty sure that we can go back down soon. I'm in my oh so perfect bed - on my favorite sheets, under my favorite comforter. Ahhhhh! There's no place like home.
Yesterday, we got up early and went down to Magens Bay for breakfast and a morning swim. It was a really beautiful day. My daughter met a friend on the beach (a little girl off of a cruise ship - from Connecticut) and had a good time swimming and playing.
Left to go meet Sherri for lunch at Indigo. We were lucky to get Kate as our waitress (though, they're all great - but Kate is exceptional)Yes, yummy salads all around. I had something with baby greens and crab cakes with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes. Sherri had Cesar salad with blackened chicken. My daughter had Cesar salad with grilled chicken. This was my first time trying this salad and it was DELISH! Sherri and I drank a few mojitos (well, I drank, she sipped.....until I threatened her to stop nursing her drink, or else). After we ran our mouths and laughed for while, I took her back to see the house we were staying in....and then we all said our farewells. We could have talked all day (Sherri is soooo cool to hang out with), but daughter and I were treating ourselves to a night at Wyndham Sugar Bay on the All Inclusive plan.
For our last night, I didn't want to drive anywhere, not cook, not worry about what to do. We'd tried to get into Ritz, but they were sold out (They said they are still renovating half of the hotel, so they are operating on only 50% of the capacity). So, Wyndham it was. I've never done an AI plan - and have never stayed at Sugar Bay - so this would also serve to give me a better sense of how this resort stacks up to previous stays at the big STT resorts - Ritz, Frenchman's Reef and Sapphire. I'm a little too tired to write the review tonight, so check back tomorrow. There's much to report!
Today's flight home was delayed 45 minutes - but took off at the rescheduled time. There was mayhem at the USAir check in lines with everyone being affected by the weather. Lots of people were being told that they would get to Phila or Charlotte, but would have to spend the night there and finish the journey tomorrow. Some on our flight told me that they were supposed to have gone out of STT the day before, so this was their second try. Given everything going on, I felt lucky that we got out on time (45 min delay is very normal on STT to PHL) and on our departure day. Nice flight and then into holding pattern at PHL. Landed safely and got home without a problem.
Another lovely visit to be thankful for. Thank you all for your well wishes!
Blu,
What did you 2 do for the morning of your departure? When I went to the airport to do a pick up for Moonlight, I couldn't believe the line!!!!! Looked for you and Gabby in the line twice, but I missed you! The line went all the way back to where the people walk thru to the luggage area- WOW! Was hoping I'd get to see you one last time! 🙂
Already lookin' forward to your next visit and more Mohitos! Sorry about the sipping, too busy chatting! Was just getting started when it was time to leave! I promise I'll keep up next time!
Hi Sherri. We hung out at the Wyndham all morning until it was time to go to the airport - so I'll include all of that in my Sugar Bay review.
Luckily, as soon as we got into that horrendous line at the airport (we were standing in line in front of the little shop near the luggage entrance area) and the USAir woman came out and asked for everyone whose final destination was Philly or Charlotte - and told those people to go to the "Future Ticketing" line, which was empty. Gab and I were the first ones over there - so we were thru customs with no wait and the security area was totally empty. I think we were into the airport (start to finish) in 10 minutes 🙂 🙂 🙂
Flew home to Philly in our shorts and flip-flops and then changed in the PHL airport! When we were walking down the terminal after getting off of the plane, the agents at PHL were calling "Last Call for Amsterdam". Ohhhhhh! I've been wanting to do that one! But, alas, that's not a place for Gab at her age.
I loved your trip report. The things you mentioned were the things I would notice and comment on, as well. I'm so glad you didn't listen to all those "you need a passport to visit the B.V.I." people. I was a little worried when you said the water rushed in at the baths. Were you ever worried for your daughter's safety? Do you think this was a result of the weather you'd had? It sounds like you'd still recommend it.
I also loved your comment about who your daughter plays with on vacations. I can't believe a New Yorker didn't pick up on that. We're from the Midwest and it seems like my kids often end up with other kids from the Midwest and I know it's not on purpose. I'm surprised at how some kids won't interact with mine, but I guess I've always thought that their parents' must have drilled in the, "No talking to strangers" rule. I suggested a villa rental, but the kids said, "No way. We want to meet other kids.".
Hi Blu
If you need a shaprone there I'm in. great report as always.
Tom
Hi Toledo. I am so glad you liked the reports - thank you for saying so. I was worried about the water rushing into the Baths, but it only came into certain areas. Once you are inside, it will become very clear where water will rush in, if at all. The rushing in is very rare - in all of my visits, I have never seen it before this time. I went in and tested out the areas before I let her go in. In the one area where the little boy hit his head, I was in there testing it out and went back to tell her that it wasn't a good idea. She's not a daredevil, so she's glad to stay back if I say so.
Yes, she was bummed that she didn't meet a friend on this journey. Even the parents were really pushing their kids to make friends. I saw parents come over and talk to my daughter to try to engage their kids. Honestly, my D also needs to be quicker on the draw. She has some shy tendancies of her own...just like other kids. Problem is, mosty kids come with siblings or friends....she does best with kids who are alone. That is rare.
Waterguy, chaperone for Amsterdam or VI? I could use a chaperone for both!
