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Well we are back from the most amazing vacation we have ever been on. One glorious week on St. John staying at Maho Bay Camps....Your island is the most beauftiful place on earth. To see that island you MUST rent a vehicle and cover every inch. Leave Cruz Bay and you will find one of the most pristine areas on earth.
Maho bay Camps were much more than I expected. We had a great unit, my own tree house in the sky. Beach under our nose, and the best experience we have ever had. The steps were a killer, 81 to the bathroom, 140 some to the office and another 40 to the parking lot. I just decided I would be physically fit and enjoy it!!! We had the lizzards on our deck, 4 neat iguanas in the tree right outside our deck, and my little friend the tree frogs visited every night. Some of you may not like that type of experience but for us it was great.
We explored beach after beach, our favorite Lameshure. The National Park has paved part of that road so it is not as bad as it was...but it is no picnic getting there, but worth every minute of it. Salt Pond was great, the hike (not long at all) is worth it. The drive out there is spectacular. A visit to Skinny's, Shipwreck Landing is definitely on the agenda. Definitely take a ride out to the east end, some of the best views ever.
Jumbie Beach was great also, and we paid an early morning visit to Trunk Bay, had the whole beach and trail totally by ourselves and the snorkeling was great. Salt Pond and Lameshure had some real nice snorkeling too.
We paid a visit to the Baths on Virgin Gorda, that was a great trip. Restaurants were also great and going in low season sure makes for a hassel free trip. No lines, no wait.
Stop in at the fish trap, great sea food and that coconut cake with caramel rum sauce to die for!!!!
Well if any one needs any more questions answered feel free and ask away. We had only one down fall and that was the bugs. They were tolerable but they left their mark!!!! Take BUG spray.!!! If that was are only problem, I say we had an A+ vacation.
Thanks Islander and everyone else for all the pre trip stuff,I am glad we did our home work, it sure made the difference in our trip!!!!
Great Review Diane!!! Thank you.
You definately seem to have enjoyed the trip completely with the exception of the bugs, which are usually more in abundance in forested areas - and so your tree house would welcome them. You sound like you covered a good bit of ground and really saw quite a bit of St. John - GOOD for YOU!!
How did you find the driving on St. John?
--Islander
Well the driving was quite the feat. I think we enjoyed ourselves so much because it was always an adventure when we set out for a drive. You have to use your head, watch out for the road ways and curves and if you let the residents go by you on their way home from work, they are so grateful. I can tell you one thing, after being on St. John, St. Thomas would never be an option for me!!!
And that dear Diane is exactly the way I felt when I first visited Maho Bay Campground and spent a week as well.
In fact I felt it was the closet thing to heaven I'd find on earth so I've moved here. Someday to live on St. John....ah yes, someday. For now East End near Red Hook is prettyclose.
And I don't have to get on a plane and go "home" anymore....fantastic!
Hi Diane,
A question, if you don't mind.
We'll be on STJ for a week in the spring, and aside from a different beach each day and snorkeling, one of the things I'd like to do is a day trip to the Baths. I've read about some of the alternatives, but would be curious as to who you went with and if you'd have any recommendations.
D'oh! Make it two questions...
Who did you use for car rental, what did you think of them, and did you check up on insurance? I've read a couple of different things regarding whether my US auto insurance would carry over since I'm not in the states...
Thanks for any guidance you can offer!
irbgolfin
You lucky dog you!!! Yes someday, it is Paradise, enjoy it, you KNOW what you have!!!
Well ,we followed some good native advice. We took the local ferry from St. John right over to Virgin Gorda $50.00 per person round trip, took a quick taxi right to the Baths. That is a savings of almost 50.00 per person, as compared to going with a tour. Most tours we found were between 90.00-110.00 per person. We were totally happy with the way we did it ,didn't miss a thing. The ferry runs on Sunday and Thursday only leaves @ 8:30am and returns @ 3:00pm. It was a wonderful trip and we went about at our own leisure, didn't feel rushed or tied down.Dont forget your passports!!!
We rented a jeep from LL jeep rental. Levi was great and punctual. Phone 340-776-1120 or 340-776-6043. If we had it to do over again we might get one with AC but it was fun to just ride in open vehicle. No problems with insurance as we were covered by our insurance here at home, but check with your company first. I would recommend LL to anyone. I hope your trip will be as memorable as our was.
We had full coverage thru State Farm and our agent said that as long as we were on US Territory, we were covered so we did not need extra insurance Mexico is another situation, we get ALL the insurance possible when we go there.
I have booked a tent for the first 2 weeks in NOvember, do you have any recommendations of a particular tent. I am in good shape, love the water and don't mind the stairs.
thanks
any other suggestions would be great.
I am traveling alone, do you see any problems with safety?
Hello Sandy,
You will like Maho based on what you enjoy; you will enjoy St. John as well; lots of hiking and beautiful water. St. John is quite safe, I don't see any problems for you traveling alone. If you are going out at night alone be aware and alert. Have a good time.
--Islander
