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This is my trip report wrap up--our last day on island and then heading home.
Our last day. Time sure seems to fly by faster when down here, doesn’t it? But we’re missing home too—our puppies and son. Today, we woke and got a decently early start (for us). We aimed to leave at 9:30 so we could be at the beach by 10ish. We left the villa more like 9:50 or so and headed toward the North Shore Rd. I requested sandwiches from Deli Grotto, which I loved last time we were here. So we swung in for a couple turkey fresco’s, a pink cadillac and an Italian combo. Add some salads as sides (pasta and black bean) and we were off. The hubs dropped Lori and I off at Cinnamon and then they took off for a snorkeling spot, originally planned to be Honeymoon. But Captain Mindy of the No Shooz had suggested several spots to the guys and as they took off, they were considering the choices. And wouldn’t you know, driving by Maho, they spotted Mindy hopping out of a vehicle with her child so they swung in to consult her once again. Such a neat gal, she told them to go to Francis Bay and told them precisely where to go to get there. So they spent about two hours snorkeling around Francis and loved it. They saw several turtles and a baracuda, along with a thousand fish.
Meantime, back at Cinnamon, we set up camp in a great location with cooler and bags safely in the shade under some trees behind us. We soaked up this gorgeous beach—our favorite. The water and the sand can’t be beat, and the gorgeous homes up by Peter Bay are phenomenal. It was quite breezy today but as long as you were by the water, on the water flattened sand, it was ok. It certainly kept us cool. We enjoyed our sandwiches, some tunes and just chattering about the trip and life in general. This is Cinnamon:
About 1 or so, the guys arrived. They scarfed down their sandwiches and chattered on and on about their good snorkeling. After soaking up the water and rays for another couple hours, we packed it up and headed back to Jungle Villa to shower, change and get back to Mongoose Junction before the shops closed for last minute souvenir shopping.
We got to Mongoose about 4:15 or so and strolled around.
We ended up bellying up to the bar at the Ocean Grill, right in the heart of the Junction. We had an appetizer (I was starving) and everyone had some drinks. When Lori and I were ready to go, we left the Hubs there to kick back while we walked down to the market and St John Spice. We got so much cool stuff at St John Spice (try the Cruz Bay grill rub!) and some neat items at the market in the center of town. Including--surprise!--a couple more adorable STJ pups that I just ate up. They were Papillions. Too bad the gal who had them wouldn't sell them!
Once we had gotten our fill of shopping, we headed back toward the guys, stopping into Morgan’s Mango to inquire about a table since we’d missed eating there earlier in the trip. And wouldn’t you know—ANOTHER wedding party was expected so if we could clear out in 45 minutes, we could eat there. Not wanting to be rushed, we passed on the Mango. Too bad! We considered getting Joe’s barbecue one last time but as our last night, we wanted to eat out somewhere. So we figured, if we were going to duplicate any dinner location, it had to be The Lime Inn, so we headed back there and got a table right away
We each shared meals so we could get an appetizer, meal and dessert. Excellent meal, and then it was off to Jungle Villa to pack and clean up in preparation for depature in the a.m. We planned to be on the 11:00 ferry for a 2:35 flight.
Going Home!
Once we’d packed up and cleaned the entire villa, the guys took off for the first trip down with most of the luggage. (Sharing a Jeep wrangler is tough on travel days!) Joe hopped off and stayed with the luggage while John returned to get Lori and I and the carry-ons. He got back about 9:30 and we loaded up and left the Jungle Villa for the last time about 9:45—bye birds! Bye butterflies! Bye roosters! Bye view of St Thomas! One last trip down the single lane dirt road.
We dropped Lori off at the ferry to get tickets as soon as the window opened and John and I went and filled up the Jeep and then returned it to Conrad’s. Along the way, we spotted the funniest iguana running across a parking lot. What a hoot—he was a big guy and to see him running was funny b/c of the way his legs flailed out to the side. It was another addition to a repetroire of unique animals you just see roaming around the Island. By the time I grabbed my camera, he’d scooted under a car and was hovering there, waiting for us to mosey on down the road before he ventured any further.
When we got to the ferry we were a little concerned b/c the 10:00 didn’t pull away until 10:30. We hadn’t factored in a 30 minute cushion of things not going as planned. Recall that I am perpetually late; this is how that happens. Alas, there wasn’t a thing we could do about it if the 11 was also 30 minutes late so we hopped in line and prepared to leave paradise behind. Sure enough, we took off about 11:30 or so and made our way to STT. There, we hopped in a taxi and Lori and Joe headed to a separate taxi that would take them to Charlotte Amalie for lunch since their flight was later than ours.
We arrived at the airport and whew—what a zoo! We approached Delta, looking at a horribly long line. I talked to some folks and learned it was the line for United. So I scooted on up and found Delta had no line. What luck! We checked in, skipping the booze purchase in favor of having less to lug thru the airport. From the Delta counter, we were pointed toward the customs line with our bags in hand. So much for luck with no lines! The customs line stretched from the entrance to the airport building to the sidewalk. 15 minutes after we got in line, it had stretched alongside the sidewalk pretty far back. By the time we were almost to the doorway to the airport, the line stretched all the way back to where the Spirit check in desk was. It was baccccccckkkkkkk there. And still it took us another hour-plus to get from the doorway thru customs and to the security scan. It was amazingly long and in a hot room. I’d strongly recommend anyone traveling to STJ in the future (including us) NOT leave on a Saturday. I’ve heard weekdays are a breeze whereas Saturdays are a nightmare. If you are leaving on a Saturday, get to the airport THREE HOURS in advance. I usually laugh at this in the States b/c never have had an issue. But in STT on a Saturday, it’s like everyone in the free world is leaving at once.
We got to the gate area a little over an hour before our flight was scheduled to leave. I was starving so we immediately hopped in line at the only food spot there and proceeded to wait some more—oh the lines! It took about 30 min to get thru that line and grab some burgers for John and I. We scarfed them in about 10 min and then heard Delta beginning to board so we cruised on over. We hopped on the plane through the rear boarding door since we were in the back of the bus: row 41. After settling in, the Captain announced that several of our passengers were caught in the horrific customs line so we’d be waiting for them before we could take off. How about that? Hold up an entire plane of folks for 4 or 5 who didn’t plan well enough in their travel plans. Alas, we took off about 3:30, a half hour behind schedule and headed for ATL.
At the airport we were greeted by my mother in law and our son. Seeing his beautiful face made us sure happy to be home. Now, the countdown begins to our return.
Thanks to all readers for indulging my longwindedness here—it was fun jotting details and I hope some of this was entertaining, some of it maybe informative for those still planning trips. Just a week after returning, re-reading over my journal reveals memories that had already begun to fade and I’m glad I wrote them down. It is said that the faintest ink is better than the best memory. So true!
I love the pups! How cute!
Have you ever taken your son, or is STJ a special place for just you and your husband? 😉 That's how I feel about certain places...I don't want any other family there. LOL
I really, really enjoyed your trip report. You guys had a great time. We are always trying to get another couple to go down with us but our friends are all vacation challenged. How old is your son? We have an almost 10 year old and STJ is his favorite place!
Loved your trip reports and pictures!
Having worked in the travel industry for quite some time has made me a very nervous airport traveler. We always get there way too early. It drive my hubby crazy, but it's because I know all the things that can go wrong! With the info you provided, we'll probably be at the airport camped out the day before we fly out! .....just kidding' 🙂
Hi all. Thanks so much for comments. I love to see others' thoughts...
My son has not been to STJ but he sure has begged to go. He's 9 this year and loves to snorkel, so we've wondered if maybe he would do well down there, considering there's not a lot to do other than beaches (without waves to boogie board on) or in the evenings. The first year we went, it was adults-only as specified by Lori and Joe since it was their 10 year anniversary trip and they were the invitees for the trip (thanks to them we love STJ--I doubt we'd have ever gone otherwise). This time, we followed suit b/c it was our anniversary. But this go around, we really talked about Chase the whole time we were there, wishing we'd brought him along, anniversary or no. He's such an easy kid, it's not like it would've encroached on our good time.
Funny thing is tho--Lori and Joe have three kids and they relish STJ as their adult haven, imploring us to stick by their story that "kids aren't allowed on STJ." LOL In fact, when her oldest was skeptical about such a rule on the island, Lori pull up various villas that do stipulate "no kids" and showed him that to verify the No Kids Allowed rule. Since our sons are friends, she's afraid that mine will spill the beans to hers. Ha.
But we will bring him next time, I feel sure. It's just too amazing a place not to. And the way he likes snorkeling... well, it'd be a lot of fun. I wonder--Chrisn and others of you who bring your kids (say, 8-12 years old), what all do you do with them? The only evening activity I can think of is Pastory Gardens. Chase loves putt-putt, but I'm not thinking it's an EVERY night activity.
We do the same thing with trying to get our friends to travel with us b/c we're huge travelers--believing life too short not to see the world (or at least the Caribbean--LOL) but we can't often get them all on board. Chrisn, maybe we should time our trips with kids next go around...
Dreaming, we will be back on island next June. Just booked the villa a couple weeks ago. I wasn't kidding when I said STJ is my son's favorite destination. He is a great snorkeler so spends most of his time at the beach in the water. He just loves it. He loves having his own pool (I'm afraid we've ruined any chance of economy trips) and is just thrilled to be there. He loves going out to eat and talking to the locals and hiking to see the cool places, catching "critters," and taking the dinghy around the island. He loved getting out on the water and absolutely LOVED The Baths at Virgin Gorda and snorkeling the treasure caves. I've never heard the words "mom, I'm bored" on STJ. He likes looking in the shops for pirate treasures or special rocks, etc. I'm sure your son would love it as much as mine does. I say go for it!
chrisn,
Next June? That's when we'll be down again. What dates?
When our kids were that age (2 girls, 2 years apart), we took them everywhere, even when we couldn't exactly afford it. I used my industry discounts whenever I could. Even found a r.t. fare from DEN to HNL one Thanksgiving for $160 pp!!! (UA and DL had a computer glich and a bunch of people capitalized on it!) Couldn't Not go!!!!
We so much enjoyed watching the trips through their eyes. Now they are mid 20's and so busy in their careers that they don't have time and to coordinate all of our vaca time is difficult.
Take the kids....they learn so much it's priceless.
We will be departing June 2nd. Arriving on Virgin Gorda June 3rd and St. John the 8-15th. Departing St. Thomas the 16th. We also travel with our kids. Our former "Graduate Girl" will be 20 and she is also very busy with her little life but she's coming again as well. I think it might heartbreak me to just travel with Honey. I'm sure it sounds funny to some but we've never done it any other way. Sounds lonely and too quiet LOL!
Will miss ya...we're only going to STJ 6/1-6/8. 🙁
Dreaming, we were on that same flight and caught the 9:00 am ferry (that left at 9:30) from STJ. We got to the airport and saw the huge check in line then realized it was American and not Delta. After going through customs in about 45 minutes we ended up waiting for two hours for the flight to board and then sat for another 30 minutes while they waited on late passengers. I am not sure if it pays to get there 3 hours before your flight, I would rather have sat around on the beach for those two hours, not the airport, but life isn't always fair. At least the pilot made up the time in flight and our flight from ATL even arrived home early (10 pm).
Our past trips have been adult only as the other 4 couples we go with all have adult children, but I don't think our 12 year old son will let us go again without him. I think he is half fish (must be from my wife's side) and I am sure that he could snorkel all day and never get bored.
It's kind of depressing to come back home as it started raining here on Monday and hasn't stopped since, I am getting ready to start building an ark. It sounds like you had a great trip and your trip reports are great. I hope to get my stuff together and do my own this weekend but you have set the bar pretty high.
That was my original date. I changee it because that meant we would be flying on Memorial Day. Didn't know if that was the best idea. Too bad.
Chrisn
It sure took some getting used to traveling without kids. But we've settled in pretty good. Wish we could talk some friends into seeing STJ with us...they are...how did someone put it..."travel challenged". Sheez!
Dreamin....you are a terrific writer
It's funny and yet so true what you all say about traveling with kids. We typically don't go anywhere without our son. And that was sort of our justification for going solo this time was b/c we take him everywhere typically. So the thinking was, how glorious to not have anyone else to worry about but ourselves? Yet, we arrived and everything we did, we thought: Oh, wouldn't Chase love this? Or wouldn't he get a kick out of that? So I understand how you all feel. Chase has snow-skied with us in Colorado every winter since he was 5, he's been on a multitude of cruises (gasp! I know, how can one love the sanctity of STJ and yet still cavort with the buffet busters who encroach on the tranquility nearly every day?? Yet, we do enjoy doing that too...), we go to Gatlinburg, Tenn., each fall for a long weekend, etc. That kid is well-traveled!
And now, he's got to go to St John. He's looked at our pictures this year already many times, asking to go, so I doubt he'd let us get out the door again without him.
Chrisn, if we could time a trip with you, we sure would. But the week before your dates, we're going on a cruise (gasp! I know, I know) with my mom and her husband for their anniversary and they want the whole family to join them. And while my boss is the best, he'd frown on back to back weeks of vacation anyway, particularly with deadline looming mid-way through the month. But how cool that you just got yourself booked so the countdown is on. What villa?
Snow skied in CO...Isn't it amazing watching the agility of our youth? Our youngest (then 7 yrs old) was doing black Moguls in Vail and I was in such PAIN doing them! I was in pretty good shape too at the time. She just fit perfectly between the Moguls.
I find myself thinking about what to pack food wise for 1 year from now. Sheez....I am too ashamed.
To those of you with young kids...here is what we did. We bought $2 floats. Put them on it with their head at the end, not the pillow end. We let them hang their heads over. We bought masks only. Then we snorkeled next to them to see if they liked it. Now granted they were only 2-3 yrs old. They loved it so much that we went back to the dive shop and bought snorkels immediately. They have been snorkeling ever since and can outlast me anytime and name more fish and coral than I know of!
We'll be staying at Orchid Hill on STJ and Guavaberry on Virgin Gorda.
None of our friends can get away on vacation with us...finding sitters is too difficult, they don't have $$ saved up for STT/STJ, etc. *sigh* I would love to do the USVI with friends. 🙁
Even the friends that have the $ only travel to see their kids that are now spread out all over the US. They tell us that they don't like to endulge on trips for just themselves. Geez, isn't that what retirement and travel after kids is all about? And everyone from our parts goes to Mexico...we've been to 20 or more destinations there and are done.
