Part 2 – Magens Bay, Paradise Point & Geoff Arrives

Left the villa and Chris asked if we could stop at Elysian to let him sign up for the gym there. They had a deal for a month membership for something like $40. He said the gym was decent for what he needed to do and we could walk there from the villa.

When we were leaving Elysian property, we spotted a family of ducks and one duck was being left behind. He had bowed legs and couldn’t keep up. My son’s GF is a veterinary student so she jumped out and captured the little one, who was taking refuge in the sun under our car, at that point. The mom and others were way off, so son’s GF chased them carrying the “ugly ducking” and saying “here’s your baby!” Mom flew off and son’s GF put the baby down. Mom came back and so did the other ducklings. At this point, the hotel maids were coming out to check on the ugly duckling. Mom came and gathered her babies, including the ugly ducking who couldn’t get himself over the speed-bump in the road. The maid were all talking about who would take the baby home. We felt that the baby was in good hands with the maids, who seemed seriously concerned….so we left.

Went to Magens Bay this morning. We all love it. Mom still gets her “mood” about them charging the fee. But, we still go. Parked all the way to the left, at the last bath-house and walked out onto the quiet sand. Empty! On our way, the car had been acting funny…A/C not cooling it off and the needle going up to the red zone. I had to call Avis. Avi ageed to send a tow-truck with a new car for us…a mini-van. Perfect. Geoff and his daughter were arriving that night and we would have 4 adult sized people and 2 kids. We had planned to squeeze into the car…but a van would be much better!

Mom and dad arrived after us since they stopped to visit with friends who live over Magens on the south side of the bay. Our first “dip” was glorious, as always. Water was warm and calm. Boobie birds were skimming the water for fish, I assume…almost touching our heads as they went by. All was quite on our little stretch of sand.

Just as we relaxed, 3 school buses pulled up with campers (kids) singing camp songs. Oh no!!! They were planning to spend the day at our beach section. Mom and dad went down and found another picnic table and shady area nearby, but far from the campers. We all moved down.

Then we all got hungry, so dad and I went to Magens Bay concession to get lunch (really good!!!) We got chicken gyros, salads, fries and rum punch for mom and me. Tip: Magens has really great food! Walked back with it and ate at or little picnic table. Then swam some more and packed up. My new van arrived (Nice!! More like a huge SUV….but I forgot my Jam Band CD was in the rental car’s CD player, so I lost it).

Went back to villa to shower and change for the VINOW Paradise Point gathering. Just as I was leaving, Sherri called to get our ETA. We arrived and fond our forum friends upstairs. Later, we found more forum friends downstairs and all gathered. Food was so-so and I didn’t like that my daughter ordered something and they didn’t tell me they were out of it til they were delivering all of the other food items. No time for her to order a substitute. That was bad service. They get a D for that. Music was good. Service = D.
View of awesome!

You all saw the pics from the other thread. Lots of VINOWers there. My pics look awful, but I’ll chalk that up to beach hair and alcohol bloat.

Left at around 9pm with STTResident to go to airport to pick of Geoff and his Gabbi. STT said I popped the hood instead of turning on the lights. I am not sure if I did that 😉

Geoff’s flight from SJU was late. Waited about an hour. Finally, he arrived and we were glad to see them. They were hungry, so we drove to Red Hook and stopped at Molly Malones (for the last time ever!!! See the rest of my report for reasons why I will never eat at Molly’s again). Ordered conch chowder, grouper sandwiches, etc…

Home to the villa and to bed. Everyone smiling…….paradise at work. 8 in the villa that night.