Saturday, April 23rd

Our day begins at 4:13 – awake before the alarm goes off. It never seems to be a problem waking up early to go on vacation. Our transportation to Logan arrives 30 minutes early, but we are pretty much ready to rumble. Arrive at Logan in record time and are thankful that we had done on-line check-in for American Airlines the night before. We were able to check our bags at curbside check-in and breezed through security inside the terminal.

We knew we were headed to someplace special when I spotted a woman, in our gate area, carrying a wedding gown. We struck up a nice conversation & were so happy for that lucky couple to be getting married on St. Thomas at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef. Of course, the groom wasn’t quite sure where it was located on the island – or what else they might do while they were there – but, I’ll cut him some slack and chalk it up to pre-wedding consuming thoughts.

The non-stop flight was very smooth and we still remember the splendor of debarking the plane, walking down the stairs onto the tarmac & feeling the lovely warm breezes of St. Thomas. Heading to the baggage claim, we start being serenaded by steel pan music & our thoughts of a welcome rum punch are soon granted. Be prepared to be on island time, fairly long wait for our luggage - followed by a Keystone Cop situation at the Tropic Tours site outside of the airport, waiting for a lift to our hotel. A lot of screaming & confusion – actually quite funny looking back on it – but, at the time we didn’t ever think that we would leave the airport.

Funniest moment was when the Tropic Tour coordinator guy was asking all the couples where they were staying – and he asked this couple & the guy looks at the girl and says, “Where are we staying”. I thought I was going to die laughing. My response, of course, was “where in the world did she find this loser?”. No offense meant to anyone who doesn’t live, eat and breathe their vacations, prior to going, but I thought that this guy was a little too non-involved for my liking. Too funny! My husband thought that he was pretty good because he may not have been able to recite which days we were doing what – but, he certainly knew where we were staying.

Our first 3 nights on the island were spent at Best Western Emerald Beach. We had wanted to spend our 8 nights at the Secret Harbour Resort – but, they could only accommodate us for our last 5 nights. In keeping with our wishes of Beachfront, with a great beach & restaurant on the premises, we chose BW. (Plus it was really reasonably priced – which was a huge plus.) In hindsight, I am thinking that we should have explored the B&B idea of St. John for those nights (like jmq did) – but, didn’t really think of it at the time. But, all in all, for our FIRST trip to the Virgin Islands, it was a good location for us to begin with.

Arrived at BW at 1:30 – of course, too early for check-in. Changed into our shorts & headed to Budget to get our rental car. Not a bad little 4-door Ford Focus that served us well for the week. Back to BW had a very good lunch at the outdoor Palm Restaurant accompanied by our free welcome rum punches. Still no room ready – so on with bathing suits and time to hit the beach. The beach to the BW is nothing short of awesome. Soft/white sand, palm trees and rolling surf. We were shocked at how salty the water was. But, oh so warm & fun! Guess what?? 4:30 and still no room. So, they just comped us more rum punches. Finally got our room around 5:00. Well worth the wait. Beautiful room, lovely view, gorgeous balcony and the sound of the surf.

Tried to drive up to Paradise Point for sunset – but, the road was closed. So, we just headed to Hook, Line & Sinker and had a very nice supper. I had very good creamy pesto pasta and Jim had a garlic chicken sandwich with great cole slaw and fries. Very nice waitress, as well.

At 8:30, I was writing in my journal – enjoying another of our “sorry we made you wait for your room” rum punches. We were a little worried about staying in a “Best Western” – but, sitting there, listening to the surf and remembering playing in that warm water – we knew that we had done alright.

Great first day on the island – and my husband was doing a great job keeping his “shoulder to the shoulder”. He probably fell asleep to hearing me saying “Left, left”. Couldn’t believe that after all the planning, we were finally there.

Readers: please let me know if I am too long-winded. I have a tendency to be a little detail-oriented (understatement).

Sue (& Jim)