We arrived St Thomas Saturday around noon on American Airlines. Got our luggage right away and took a taxi to Red Hook. We missed the ferry as we got there, so had to wait another hour for the next one but it was ok, we were on island time and started relaxing with a cold beer. We got to Cruz Bay and walked about a block to Conrod Sutton's Jeep Rental and got our Jeep for the week. They were really nice. We had great free parking all week in town. We then headed to our villa and stopped at Starfish Market to buy our groceries for the week. The market was very nice. I was surprised to see a great selection of many things as we have back in the US. Got some nice steaks to grill and prices were not so high. Our villa was at Sunset Ridge, nice and simple could use some upgrading though. But the views were amazing from there so that kinda of made up for not having a/c. It did get warm at night even with all the windows open. Next time we will get a villa with a/c.

We spent a day at Trunk Bay and another at CinnamonBay. They were our favorite beaches. We snorkeled both and even saw a turtle and eel, many nice fishes. The beaches were almost to ourselves, not many people there. We also took time to drive all over the island, towards Coral Bay area. We had drinks at Skinny Legs, had dinner at Shipwreck Landing (good fish). Took great pictures from top of a mountain somewhere out there. We visited the Westin to see how it was. I thought it was really nice. Maybe next time we will stay there if we do not choose another villa.

We took a day trip to Jost van Dyke. Relaxed in White Bay and had the famous pain killer drinks from Soggy Dollar (very good). The beach there is beautiful. We took another day trip to Virgin Gorda to the Baths. This was an amazing experience. Loved it. Anyone that can get there is a must. There was hardly anyone there when we went so it was so neat trying to figure out where to go between the giant boulders since you dont see anyone else to follow. The beach on the other side is incredible. Too bad we did not have so much time there as we had to leave to catch a ferry back to St John.

We also had a day of shopping in St Thomas, of course. Can't go back without stocking up on the liquor and souveniers. In Cruz Bay, we ate at the Lime Inn twice. Had excellent lobster there one night and Mahi Mahi another night. Food is excellent and their brownie dessert is to die for. We also ate another night at Margarita's Phil....largest margarita in the world! Food was good but not great as the Lime Inn. The other two nights we grilled steaks in our villa which was fun. We had drinks at many of the bars in Cruz Bay. The Quiet Mon was cool. There is also a new bar called Lizzard's Landing, which I believe is where the Love Shack used to be. It is set up really neat, like a tree house with great music and lights like a night club. Probably the best place we went to for drinks and music. Must check out Lizzard's Landing.

Our last day in St John was cut short because we had to get back to Miami due to hurricane Wilma unfortunately!!

So we left and stayed in a hotel in St Thomas so we could catch an early flight out. The hotel was up on top of a mountain overlooking Charlotte Amelia called Mafolie Hotel...the only hotel that had a room available on a day's notice. We were wondering how bad it was going to be but were pleasently surprised that it was nice. Nothing fancy but at least very clean which is important to us. Best of all the restaurant there was amazing. I had a chicken dish (since i was tired of fish & steak most of the week) and it was delicious. It was called coconut caribbean chicken and the chicken breast was breaded with coconut flakes in this sauce over garlic mashed potatoes with grilled vegetables. I wish I could have that again. Then I had their bread pudding with cinnamom which was served warm. I have to say it was the best dessert I have had in a long time! THere was also a guy playing Steel drums. The views from there are spectacular. Just perfect.

So as you can see we had a wonderful week in St John/St Thomas. We had perfect weather...only brief afternoon showers...beautiful sunsets....picture perfect beaches...great snorkeling....delicious meals.....strong drinks....nicest locals....great explorations (hills and driving was very interesting).....and came back with a great tan!

Returning from Paradise to face a hurricane was not easy! Anyways, we weathered the storm and now can't wait to start planning our next trip to St John. We have traveled most of the Caribbean Islands and considered the US Virgin & British Islands to be the most beautiful by far!