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We arrived on Easter Sunday about 1:30 in the afternoon. Sherri greeted us at the airport with her infectious smile and within 15 minutes, we had our luggage and our Jeep!
OMG- Drivin’ on the LEFT!!! Look out!$%#&#....Yes, it’s a good thing Sherri met us as we never would have found Caribia Cottage on our own. What a beautiful Vista of Charlotte Amalie and Water Island, etc. It took my breath away! Sherri did a wonderful job in provisioning our kitchen so all that was left to do was jump in the pool! Whippeeee! We had intended on making steaks our fist night but listening to a few on this forum, I decided to take most of our meats down myself. Packing them in freezer paper then newspaper and putting them in the deep freeze. It worked great but they were still hard as rocks when we got there! We made shrimp with rice creole instead.
We went to Magen’s Bay a few times. This is my favorite place on the planet. I swam with a small turtle for at least 1/3 of the length of the beach and it took me to its Mommy who was extremely large. It was a wonderful experience. I had wished I had taken an underwater camera. Something to be considered by everyone who loves to snorkel. Of course the pelicans were feeding and that experience is awesome as well. We had dinner at Mafolie and enjoyed the staff, the view and the food. I would recommend this establishment to everyone. It was a very enjoyable evening. Jacob makes great cocktails! The service was tops!
Tuesday was my 50th Birthday and I had the most marvelous day. Sherri connected us with a local who made the best key lime pie we have ever tasted. Her husband, a local fisherman caught us two Caribbean lobsters. We had never tasted them but we have a lot of experience cooking Maine Lobster. Shelly (the lady who made the best pie ever) gave us some pointers and let me tell you, it was the best lobster we have ever had. It is all in how it is cooked. They were not tough at all and the meat was very sweet. The trick to preparing any lobster is not to overcook it. I had the best birthday ever!!
We drove to Coki Beach one day. We didn’t get past the lack of parking. Way too many people for us, so we drove to the Toad and the Tart. Unfortunately, we were too early to see anyone. Then we discovered Sapphire Beach. This has become my second favorite place on the planet. The beach is extremely beautiful and the snorkeling was wonderful! I met a couple of fisherman at the bar at Mafolie who suggested I snorkel out about 150-170 yards on the right hand side. Did so and was rewarded with the most beautiful fan coral I have ever seen. Although it did appear that some stores were boarded up, the people who worked there were very friendly and we had a very nice lunch at the Banana Cabana! It was a lovely day! We talked to several different people staying there and they all said they love it! Red Hook is not far away and they go there for dinner most of the time.
Although most of our dinners were spent enjoying the vista Caribia Cottage provides, we also ate out one night at the Banana Tree Grill. This restaurant also provided us with a memorable evening. Great food! The fresh grouper was served with a lovely lemon caper sauce that was to die for….
I truly enjoyed the pool at Caribia Cottage. Swimming each evening overlooking the night lights of Charlotte Amalie was so lovely. The cottage has a very interesting history as well. We learned from the current owner that the Villa and Cottage were originally built by a Broadway Producer who used to entertain many Broadway headliners there. When he died, and the property was purchased by the current owner 30 years ago, much memorabilia was left behind of the stars that visited. It was fun knowing I was swimming in the same pool used by Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, Angela Landsbury, Roddy McDowell and so on. The original cottage attached to the Villa was destroyed in a hurricane but was rebuilt by the current owner and it is a perfect place for a romantic getaway for lovers who enjoy a beautiful view! Oh yes, and the Iguana’s! There were tons of them! Living on trees and bushes surrounding the Villa and Cottage. I started naming them and Chuck told me not to get too attached as we only had a few days left…
On Friday, we went down into town. Neither of us are shoppers but we enjoyed walking around and spent time looking at the great architecture and history of the town. We had lunch at Tickles on two separate occasions. We are boaters on Lake Erie and we felt very comfortable at the Marina. The food was good and the atmosphere was a lot of fun!
We had a very memorable vacation and as Chuck wrote to the owner before we left, “We are leaving part of our souls here…” If you are interested in viewing a slide presentation of the pictures Chuck and I took, feel free to do so at the following:
We’re planning our next trip already…
Deb
kudos well-deserved, sherri, shelly and caribia cottage (and that town and harbour view... whew!)
shelly's email is [email protected]... thought i'd throw that in!
Deb, finally some one who loves Magens as much as I do! I feel sorry for those who go from the airport to St. John and never experience the beauty of STT. 1st thing we do is rent our lounge chairs that you can actually stretch out on. get some pool floats and go to the left down the beach,. Most of the cruise ship crowd tends to congregate together off to the right . Then to the bar for the BEST bushwackers on island, there is nothing better than floating in the water with one in your hand. Did you know that the large house offt to the right of the beach is where the famous shot of the Clintons dancing on the beach is. I always thought that was such a phony shot,but if "Unchained Melody" came on I would have Digger on his feet!!! I also love the little shop and the pizza!
Last year my daughter, grandkids and I rented a great condo on Sapphire beach, loved the beach and pool. Did a day sail on New Horizons out of the marina there, by that time our son was there so we totally loved the drinks, all the kids had to do was get Mom up the stairs to bed! My poor husband stayed home to keep our business going.
Last summer our trip alone with the grandkids was to Cedar Point it is over a 6 hour drive for us , we are 2 1/2 hours W of Chicago. Always the favorite part of this trip is going to Put In Bay, what a fun island! Do you boat there?
When we go down to STT we just usually take snacks, water and sodas. There are soft sided coolers with wheels and a handle, they just fit down the air plane aisle. Then we have them when we go to the beaches on St John and great for wet suits and towels for the ferry trip back. I found one of these coolers at our grocery store for $20 and used it several times before it died. I later got another at Sams and I have seen then at Target..
This year we took daughter and kids to Fl for 11 days, 4 at WDW then on to the gulf side. Our 40th anniversary is next month and just knew we would plan an island visit ,just for us. Well you know how God is when you make plans, when we got home from Fl we found out our daughter lost her job due to corporate downsizing. She was in the medical field in insurance billing and felt pretty secure about her job. She is a single Mom and the child support only goes so far ,
so, not knowing how long we will have to support them we have put our plans on hold. She said this is a very humbling experience.Thank God we are in a position to help her,besides,we didn't really want to retire did we?
Hope my little note finds you all employed and planning your next trip to the islands,We will be back!
Hello Lolly!
Yes, Magen's Beach was voted one of the best 10 beaches in the world for very good reasons. The bar there has something to do with that. I've have been there many times over the years and never had a bad meal. Their Bushwackers are the BEST! We also discovered "Udderly Delight" this trip. We had never stopped there before. It's on the road leading to Magen's. They have really great ice cream. MMMM Yummy!
This economy is really hurting so many through no fault of their own. I hear daily here in Northern Ohio about someone who has lost their job. Of course the Auto Manufacturing Industry is really big here as well as southern Michigan. It's scary. I am indeed Blessed to have a secure position but pray daily for those who have negatively been touched by the current financial crisis in the U.S.
Chuck and I live about an hour east of Sandusky and Cedar Point. I grew up being able to enjoy it often in the summer. Put-in-Bay is a great island with a lot of historical significance for us on the "Northern Coast". Did you stop at Lonz's winery while you were there? They make a great wine! Yes, we have brought our boat there as well as Kelly's Island many times.
So sorry to hear that you have to put off your 40th Anniversary celebration. When you do get to have that celebration, if you decide to return to St. Thomas, I would highly recommend Caribia Cottage to you. The view is unbelievable and it is very reasonably priced. It is a nice easy drive from there to Magen's Bay...
Best wishes to you and your family Lolly. I do hope your daughter finds employment soon!
Deb
I have been wanting to download your trip ever since you posted it and finally found the time to wait for it to download. Wow, that was a beautiful view you had from your balcony and the food you and your husband prepared looked wonderful. I loved the way you did a video of your trip and shared it with us.
We're going in July and this has made me excited even more. It will be our 3rd time.
Thanks again,
Lynn
Thanks Tiger1- Hubby tried to post it on You Tube but the file was too large. He offered to edit it down, but I just couldn't bare to see it change. I came home from work last Tuesday and he made a lovely dinner and showed me the "movie" for the first time. When the steel band started playing "Isn't She Lovely" in the background, I "lost it." I am truly a Blessed person...
I hope your July trip is wonderful! I understand your excitement more than you could ever know.
My heart is still there....yesterday, I found myself going over to the relocation forum...."Stop that Deb" 😮
Deb, you are so funny! OK, I won't ask you to move here, but I sure hope we continue to see your posting here! (and more visits)!
The video is worth the wait! It is truly beautiful and has inspired me to make my first pictorial movie! Chuck started something! 😀
