Posted on another forum, but, I think there are more STT fans on this one.

Hope the photo link works.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=3674&id=1771775470&l=4def407e7c

This was the vacation that almost didn’t happen. One week before we were to leave I got a severe cellulitis from a spider bite. Let me rephrase, one week before we were to go on vacation, Karen tells me I have to get the yard work done. Then I get bitten by said spider. The whole shebang!! Sick as a dog!! Sepsis, PIC line, Vancomycin (thankfully they did not have to cut me). That said, I told the doc he could do whatever he wanted to until Monday, June 15. On that day all lines would come out because I was going to the USVI, period. Somehow I survived, although I noted my energy level was severely affected during our vacation. No, I do not want any pity. Well maybe a little.
Tuesday – Newark, NJ for park, sleep, fly.
Wednesday – Early Delta (staff were pleasant and professional) flight to Atlanta, no check in bags and things went smooth. Slight delay in Atlanta put us a little behind; however, we made it safe and sound into STT. No rum greeting (maybe it is off season). Budget had us out of there and on our way in no time at all. I had called the day before to confirm we had a car. Debbie (?) was great. We stopped at the Food Center outside of Red Hook and stocked up on breakfast and lunch stuff (and rum and wine, of course). Got to Sapphire Beach and into our place with no problems. That evening we walked the beach (beautiful) and unpacked our stuff and cooked up some pasta. Room was nice and secure (dead bolts, bars for the slider, safe). Very efficient AC – we like to relax in the cool and actually had to turn it off most of the time we were in the room.

Going home, we booked an early flight because I had to go to work on Thursday. Flew back AA. Coming home is bad enough without having to deal with a delayed flight on arrival to the airport with no chance to make your connecting flight. I had heard that AA sent all of their agents to customer dissatisfaction school and they all passed with flying colors, but, I can now confirm that it is TRUE. I hate to feel that I am bothering someone when I an a customer – a paying customer at that! In Miami, the agents had us run across the terminal to our gate “just in case the flight was delayed.” It wasn’t. They directed us to go back half way to where we started, we found out that we had been booked the night before on the 9:30 pm to Newark arriving at 0’dark:30, because they knew there was going to be a delay. I declined and we were booked on a flight to NYC and they would arrange for ground transportation to Newark. NYC in rush hour traffic is wonderful. The street hawkers can keep up with you with no problem. BTW – I got a great deal on tons of movies that are still in theaters and several to be released in the coming year, and a great deal on a real Cartier watch. Really. Anyway, it took us over 2.5 hours to get to Newark, hour to get to our car, two hours home, tired, hungry and poor. At least it was home bound and not island bound. And, no, I did not go to work on Thursday.

The week was a blast. The bug issue was not really an issue while we were on island.

Highlights:

You can always count on Duffy’s for a fun time.

Smith bay is BEAUTIFUL! There were three or four people on the beach (counting the lifeguard). No one was at the booth collecting the $2.00 entrance fee on Thursday. We did not snorkel there, but we did totally enjoy the beach and water.

Trunk Bay – always reliable for a fun snorkel. We were going to go to the Beach Bar, but, we were too tuckered out, it was late (for us), very hot and we wanted to catch the next ferry out and go for a dip in the pool. We did wave to the grand kids real time from STJ Spice Web cam. In the words of Kayla and Danny – Way too cool. We agree. We did stock up on the STJS grillin rub. That stuff is awesome.

Coki – Hope the construction gets completed soon. We went to Coral world to see the lorikeets and the seal show (we have been before and enjoy the slow pace, and this time the quiet. We were rewarded this time with no school trips and no cruise ships in town. lol) We do hope they fix the AC in the ocean observatory – we stayed down few only a few minutes. It was not “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity” kind of things. We could have cooked a 20 lb. turkey in under 4 hours down there. Snorkeling was as fun as ever. I am glad we went to Coral World first. Parking is really problematic, even without the cruisers. Luckily we got a great spot right in front of the main entrance.

Sapphire beach was an unexpected surprise. We had never been to Sapphire in all of our trips to STT. We enjoyed the warm, calm water and the first day we were blessed with having no visitors from WICO. The day when we had visitors, it was not Coki or Trunk bad because the beach is pretty long and we were up closer to the pool side of the beach. We had the pleasure of meeting a pod from N.C. who evidently thought of us like family, because when we returned from snorkeling they had helped themselves to our chairs and towels. We are not snobs, but, UGH.

Had one dinner at the Caribbean Saloon in Red Hook. I had fish and Karen had the Chefs Special – beef with special sauce – spicy – I did not have a camera and I usually don’t take pics of food, but, I wish I had had my camera for that one. Huge serving and I had to pull Karen away from the table – she was actually going to lick the plate. Well maybe not, but she loved that dinner.

Bolongo –We had a very nice relaxing romantic dinner at the Lobster Grille. The bugs must have been on holiday, because there were NO bugs that night. We had the signature stuffed lobster dish – very good. Waiter was very good, if a little stuffy (did not order any wine), but, then we were detoxing (We were about a half hour early and they were having their owners party or something and the staff pulled us right in and literally forced us to drink rum drinks. Really.). After dinner we went to listen to some live music and danced a few in the sand under the palms on the beach . . . .

One day shopping in town and the port, some quiet time up at the Point enjoying the view then on to Gladys for lunch – always good – no singing that day.

We went to the Blue Moon for dinner and entertainment. Dinner was very good; I think we both had fish. Unfortunately the one bit of rain we had to deal with the entire week happened that night and the pan player, Carl, got to play half a song before the rains came and literally fried his equipment. There was no dancing on the beach that night. OK. When we got back to the room we put on some music and danced on the lanai under the moon and palms, listening to the quiet surf. There is just something about the islands. . .

Went to see Andrew Douglas play at the Sugar Bay twice while we were there. He is looking great.

Went to the Sugar Bay Caribbean show – it was pretty lame this year. (off season??)
We were sightseeing one afternoon and came across the Botanical Gardens. What a nice little gem. That is where the Banana Daiquiri from Mountain Top is now being served. Beautiful grounds and friendly staff. It would be nice to advertise this place better. I almost seems like they don’t want people to visit.

I am sure I forgot a lot of stuff. For some reason, we did not snap as many photos this year. Maybe because we needed this vacation to chill and relax and have fun with each other. Sometimes life is a blur and we truly feel blessed to be able to get away and grab on to what is really important. Well we grab at home, but, to grab in paradise, well, ‘nuff said.

BTW – We love this forum. You guys rock.
Paul and Karen