Day 1 - FLight to STT

Arrived in STT on Thursday, June 30. I had arranged a rental car through Thrifty. First exposure to island time was waiting for the van to travel the 1 mile to the Thifty location with the set of travellers who called just ahead of me, and then come back to pick us up. My 13 year old son was not very pleased.

I chose Thrifty as they were running a weekend special on a midsize car for $35/day. As a part time travel agent, they gave me an additional 20% discount. $28/day was worth learning too wait.

The drive to Frenchman's reef was uneventful. No issue whatsoever. Left hand driving makes more sense than right.

Check in was a breeze. It helped that I was using some Marriott rewards points for my stay. Actually, all 4 nights were for free. My wife walked up to the receptionist, told her our name, and she handed my wife the envelope with the keys in it. Smooth as silk. Picked up a rum punch, and off to the room we went. Seeing as the room was free, couldn't complain much about the view of the semicircular front of the hotel. Some waterview.

Sorry - we are not big on restraunts, so can't give you much help here. Off to the local Wendys for chili. Local folks at Wendys were pleasant. We were the only caucasians in the place. EVERYONE we met was pleasant. The family agreed that the locals were friendlier then our trip to Barbados last year.

Back to the Marriott for nightly swimming. Yes, a bit of a walk to the beach. Saw the waterfall, the iguanas, the tennis courts and the coastline. We preferred the beach at morningstar. Warmer then the other beaches we went too. Took a dip in the pool and the jacuzzis, walked back to the room.

The room itself was adequately furnished. My wife likened the hallway and decor to the Animal Kingdom at Disney. Comparing it to reports on this site, I would agree that the furnishings could use updating, but it was not falling apart. WIFE did complain about no ventialtion in the bathroom though.

Day 2 - Sightseeing

Drove into town. The most irritating thing about walking in town was the caucasian "flytraps" trying to suck you into specific stores. Same at airport. Bought some jewlery at Stern's outlet, picked up some tee shirts at Del Sol, off to Mountaintop we went.

Roads could have used more signs, drove around a bit and findly found our way there. Nice view, place was empty. Not sure I would agree that the banana dacquiris are the best, but when in Rome. Took some pictures then off to Coral world.

Coral world empty as well. Yes, no cruise ships in town. Spent an hour here. My son liked feeding the rays. Had the underwater observatory to ourselves. Drove into Tutu mall. Stopped by the Kmart to pick up a few things. older lady waiting in the checkout line, allowed me to go first. She had 20 things and I had two. Not likey to see that in Philadelphia.

Took a stroll through the Tutu mall. I can honestly say, we were the only white folk in the mall. Didn't feel threatend, didn't get any stares or comments. Back to the hotel for swimming. Back to town for more 13 year old food - Pizza Hut. Everyone happy and having a good time. Wife wanted Hard Rock, couldn't find it, we guess it closed.

Day 3

Got up early, yep did the Windows on the Harbour for breakfast again. Continental buffet was fine - my son loves the donuts, and we loved the fresh fruit. View was awesome. Sorry, no view like this at the Ritz. We did swing by and tour the grounds. The resort is nice, the family and I don't think it matches up to the Reef though.

Off to Magens bay. We were the third or fourth family there. Parking lot just to the right as you drive in had 6 cars in it. We stayed about 2 hours. I noticed that as the crusiers came in, there was 1 ship in port, the locals left. By the time we left, there were no other cars in the lot where we had parked? Odd, tour books indicate $1 for entrance. This seems to be the local price. Visitors pay $3. Water was calm, but colder than Morningstar. Other than sitting in the bath tub, there was no waves or anything to toss you around and have fun with. Sorry - must be all of those years on the Jersy shore. Just floating in a giant tub, does nothing for me. Stopped by Udder Delight for some coconut ice cream. Tasty.

Went into town for an ealry lunner - sorry - lunch/dinner. Ate at the greenhouse in town. Sure could use some AC, oh well. After dinner, we walked to where I thought the Catholic church was. It was nearing 6 PM, and there were not too many visitors in town. Thought at one point, someones was following us. We stoppped, he passed. I think reading this board might have contributed to my healthy paranoia? Asked an older lady how to get to the church, she offered advice freely. Got to within 3 blocks, and asked a 20 something young lady walking a dog, she said follow me, and walked us to the steps.

I thought the priests in my church were bad. This priest could talk. Left just after communion. Quick pace back to the Ft Christian parking lot, ours was the only car left, then back to the hotel for swimming.

Day 4

Decided to hang out at the hotel. Left around 12 noon to look at some other hotels and beaches. Other beaches seemed windier, hotels nice. Went to Molly McGuire's for dinner. Had to ask why there was so much Philadelphia stuff on the menu. Owners from there, cool. Waitress here, was the grumpiest. Oh, she was white.

Back to hotel for last night of swimming.

Day 5 - Time to leave. As luck would have it, the only day it rained. Checked out at 11. Had 4 hours to kill prior to flight. Back to town for more shopping, yuk. Drove to airport. Thrifty building just outside airport. Waited 30 minutes for the one other person in front of us, to get their rental car. Oh, there one week rental was $450 or so. My 4 day rental was $140 something. They drove us to the airport, cleared customs winging it home.

The only thing we really didn't try, was a day trip to St John's. Thrifty lets you take their car to St Johns. From what I read here, and the fact that it was carnival weekend, didn't think I wanted to try it.

Next time back, we will use STT as the base, for day tripping to the other islands.

See ya next year.