usvi-on-line
We are SOonthebeach 2010 Part 2
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
We are SOonthebeach 2010 Part 2
Part 1 here:
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Part 2:
First- the picture I promised in Part 1 of the GIANT house being built on Mary Point at the mouth of Great Cruz Bay. It's a whopper:
Day 3: I won the battle- we got to leave the hotel! Slept in and then loaded up our cool ride:
Headed up the North Shore and took all of the obligatory overlook shots. I have a million of those shots but always need to stop again to take more. I know all of you have the same shots so I won’t bore you with those. But took one fun one of the road:
We got such a late start that we decided to go to Skinny’s first, and snorkel second. Hit a little traffic in Coral Bay:
I don’t feel like I’m REALLY here until I sit at Skinny’s. Food was awesome- cheeseburgers and hot dogs all around. I had a Coconut Swizzle. My sister in law discovered these in February- really yummy and light!
Kids begged for toys from the gift shop. I swear we have at least one of everything there. They won of course. A set of matching stuffed sting rays are coming home with us (one named Tom, one named Ray, natch)
Love the view off the dingy dock behind Skinny’s:
OK- so one overlook picture:
Stopped to work off a little of lunch by climbing Peace Hill. Love the view from up there too! My budding photog So Jr took the one looking straight up from inside the ruins. Pretty cool.
Went on to Hawksnest for a little snorkeling. It was early afternoon by now so it was CROWDED. Lots and lots of kids.
We headed to the far right so we could snorkel around the rocks to Gibney. We are complete snorkeling newbies, and only the older SO Jr and I do it while Dad and little Jr stay on the beach- so I will not even attempt to match the descriptions of the experts! Plus I have discovered the underwater camera I have is really not great, so there may not be any underwater pics posted. Definitely none from this day. But have a few above water ones:
Here the rocks we swam around to get over to Gibney:
Poor sea grapes:
There were some highlights- we had a little fish- silvery white and yellow (no idea what it’s called), that stuck right with us the whole way- swam right under Jr or me the entire time- almost touching us. We loved that! Maybe that happens all the time, but again, we’re newbies! We named him Nutmeg after our pug at home, who always follows us around. Also, there was another, obviously much more experienced, snorkeler who had a white urchin stuck to her mask! She showed us that we can touch the white ones (carefully) and showed us how they start to suction on to the mask in about 30 seconds. She swam around with it for a little while before putting it back. Jr thought that was REALLY cool. Now she’s ready for more snorkeling! Hoping to do Waterlemon and Salt Pond later in the trip.
Cruz Bay on a Thursday:
Got back into town and stopped in to see Ruth- hi Ruth! Nice chatting with her and buying some goodies. Also got to see Rafaella the pug at Freebird. What a great dog! The girls love her.
Headed back to the hotel for dinner at home. Used some CB Grill rub and had chicken veggies, bread and pasta. Also had some awesome tamarind sauce recommended by SJS- really yummy! No food porn. I’m not a great cook so I never take pictures of it
Another first- these new villas do not have a separate oven but have a microwave that has those functions. Never baked garlic bread or chocolate chip cookies in a microwave before, but it worked pretty well I must say!
Day 4: Ferry to Jost! What a great day. Started at White Bay (Soggy-Ivan’s-Soggy), then back over to Great Harbour (Foxy’s). First time taking the ferry and we will DEFINITELY do it again. So easy- the people were really nice, it was fast, and we got to spend a lot more time on Jost which was great! This was “Christmas Card Photo Day” so the kids tolerated me taking a TON of pictures from the far right end of White Bay- love the colors of the water there with STJ in the background. It was pretty hazy that day but I still got some great shots. Yea- first step with the cards done! More pictures than words for Jost day:
Hello Mic!
A few years ago we bought one of these hook games for our back patio. Play it all the time, but DEFINITELY not the same as White Bay:
Can we take them home, Mommy, please? Uh, no. More on coconuts in a minute:
Look at how green it is walking over to Ivan's! I don't think I've ever seen it so green and lush. Nice.
For those of you that have not been to Ivan's- you gotta go. The shell art is so cool! Some samples:
And a little peek at the kitchen for those of you thinking about spending the night (I also highly recommend that). Fridge and pantry are off to the left:
Back over the hill to SDB for lunch. How do they get these onion rings to taste SO good? So yummy with the aioli. The pasta salad was excellent, too. Always love lunch at SDB.
More playing on the beach. Can't believe they were still in such a great mood after I took about 400 pictures of them smiling and posing on the beach:
Other highlights- chatting with Mic (Captian John- we left you a present on the board!) and Foxy (Ivan was not around) and getting to see sweet Taboo- Fox’y dog. He was nursing a pretty bad ear injury thanks to a pit bull, but looks like they had him stitched back together pretty well and he and the girls enjoyed some time in the water together before we left.
Also- one of the guys at Foxy’s helped the girls split open a coconut. He stripped it right there in front of them and got the meat out for them to snack on. Pretty kewl! They loved that. He was really nice. I find that everyone we talk to on Jost is soooooo friendly. That and a few Painkillers makes for a really great day!
Got back to STJ, tried to visit Rafe the pug but she was out. But, the girls finally broke us down to get some hook bracelets. They have been begging for years. Luckily Freebird has some less expensive “child” ones for the little one, as I am afraid she’s going to lose it before we even get back home. Hung out at High Tide, checked in on the BB construction, and chillaxed until dinner time.
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but we went to dinner at Banana Deck for the FIRST time. I know, nuts. We will be back. Excellent. Hubby and I both had steaks (blue cheese special for him and gorgonzola for me) and the kids had burgers and dogs. Yummy!
Drove up to the overlook to watch the sunset (no view from our room)- but it was not much tonight. Oh, well- will catch it another time.
Home, bath, battle with the internet, bed. I have discovered that the only way for me to get reception is to sit out on our porch. So I am currently sitting here enjoying the stars and the frogs. And, OK, maybe a few mosquitos.
Day 5: After 2 adventurous days, the girls wanted more pool time. I have a stack of magazines so I’m happy to oblige. No pics today- camera took the day off. To really be lazy, tonight’s dinner was hot dogs at home for the kiddos, and awesome leftovers from Banana Deck. After dinner the kids were thoroughly entertained by following a kitty around the property begging it to let them pet it. We only left the property to hit SJ Market for sides. Can you succumb to villa gravity at a hotel? Think it’s sinking in. Definitely starting to really relax now…. It always takes us a few days… so glad we have a week here still!
Part 3 in a few days with days 6 (Waterlemon? and Forum gathering!), 7 (out with Captain Brandi!), 8 (Salt Pond? Drunk Bay? TT? Sloop Jones?) and 9 (?? Too far ahead to guess). Goodnight for now!
http://www.virgin-islands-on-line.com/f ... highlight=
Part 2:
First- the picture I promised in Part 1 of the GIANT house being built on Mary Point at the mouth of Great Cruz Bay. It's a whopper:
Day 3: I won the battle- we got to leave the hotel! Slept in and then loaded up our cool ride:
Headed up the North Shore and took all of the obligatory overlook shots. I have a million of those shots but always need to stop again to take more. I know all of you have the same shots so I won’t bore you with those. But took one fun one of the road:
We got such a late start that we decided to go to Skinny’s first, and snorkel second. Hit a little traffic in Coral Bay:
I don’t feel like I’m REALLY here until I sit at Skinny’s. Food was awesome- cheeseburgers and hot dogs all around. I had a Coconut Swizzle. My sister in law discovered these in February- really yummy and light!
Kids begged for toys from the gift shop. I swear we have at least one of everything there. They won of course. A set of matching stuffed sting rays are coming home with us (one named Tom, one named Ray, natch)
Love the view off the dingy dock behind Skinny’s:
OK- so one overlook picture:
Stopped to work off a little of lunch by climbing Peace Hill. Love the view from up there too! My budding photog So Jr took the one looking straight up from inside the ruins. Pretty cool.
Went on to Hawksnest for a little snorkeling. It was early afternoon by now so it was CROWDED. Lots and lots of kids.
We headed to the far right so we could snorkel around the rocks to Gibney. We are complete snorkeling newbies, and only the older SO Jr and I do it while Dad and little Jr stay on the beach- so I will not even attempt to match the descriptions of the experts! Plus I have discovered the underwater camera I have is really not great, so there may not be any underwater pics posted. Definitely none from this day. But have a few above water ones:
Here the rocks we swam around to get over to Gibney:
Poor sea grapes:
There were some highlights- we had a little fish- silvery white and yellow (no idea what it’s called), that stuck right with us the whole way- swam right under Jr or me the entire time- almost touching us. We loved that! Maybe that happens all the time, but again, we’re newbies! We named him Nutmeg after our pug at home, who always follows us around. Also, there was another, obviously much more experienced, snorkeler who had a white urchin stuck to her mask! She showed us that we can touch the white ones (carefully) and showed us how they start to suction on to the mask in about 30 seconds. She swam around with it for a little while before putting it back. Jr thought that was REALLY cool. Now she’s ready for more snorkeling! Hoping to do Waterlemon and Salt Pond later in the trip.
Cruz Bay on a Thursday:
Got back into town and stopped in to see Ruth- hi Ruth! Nice chatting with her and buying some goodies. Also got to see Rafaella the pug at Freebird. What a great dog! The girls love her.
Headed back to the hotel for dinner at home. Used some CB Grill rub and had chicken veggies, bread and pasta. Also had some awesome tamarind sauce recommended by SJS- really yummy! No food porn. I’m not a great cook so I never take pictures of it
Another first- these new villas do not have a separate oven but have a microwave that has those functions. Never baked garlic bread or chocolate chip cookies in a microwave before, but it worked pretty well I must say!
Day 4: Ferry to Jost! What a great day. Started at White Bay (Soggy-Ivan’s-Soggy), then back over to Great Harbour (Foxy’s). First time taking the ferry and we will DEFINITELY do it again. So easy- the people were really nice, it was fast, and we got to spend a lot more time on Jost which was great! This was “Christmas Card Photo Day” so the kids tolerated me taking a TON of pictures from the far right end of White Bay- love the colors of the water there with STJ in the background. It was pretty hazy that day but I still got some great shots. Yea- first step with the cards done! More pictures than words for Jost day:
Hello Mic!
A few years ago we bought one of these hook games for our back patio. Play it all the time, but DEFINITELY not the same as White Bay:
Can we take them home, Mommy, please? Uh, no. More on coconuts in a minute:
Look at how green it is walking over to Ivan's! I don't think I've ever seen it so green and lush. Nice.
For those of you that have not been to Ivan's- you gotta go. The shell art is so cool! Some samples:
And a little peek at the kitchen for those of you thinking about spending the night (I also highly recommend that). Fridge and pantry are off to the left:
Back over the hill to SDB for lunch. How do they get these onion rings to taste SO good? So yummy with the aioli. The pasta salad was excellent, too. Always love lunch at SDB.
More playing on the beach. Can't believe they were still in such a great mood after I took about 400 pictures of them smiling and posing on the beach:
Other highlights- chatting with Mic (Captian John- we left you a present on the board!) and Foxy (Ivan was not around) and getting to see sweet Taboo- Fox’y dog. He was nursing a pretty bad ear injury thanks to a pit bull, but looks like they had him stitched back together pretty well and he and the girls enjoyed some time in the water together before we left.
Also- one of the guys at Foxy’s helped the girls split open a coconut. He stripped it right there in front of them and got the meat out for them to snack on. Pretty kewl! They loved that. He was really nice. I find that everyone we talk to on Jost is soooooo friendly. That and a few Painkillers makes for a really great day!
Got back to STJ, tried to visit Rafe the pug but she was out. But, the girls finally broke us down to get some hook bracelets. They have been begging for years. Luckily Freebird has some less expensive “child” ones for the little one, as I am afraid she’s going to lose it before we even get back home. Hung out at High Tide, checked in on the BB construction, and chillaxed until dinner time.
Can’t believe I’m saying this, but we went to dinner at Banana Deck for the FIRST time. I know, nuts. We will be back. Excellent. Hubby and I both had steaks (blue cheese special for him and gorgonzola for me) and the kids had burgers and dogs. Yummy!
Drove up to the overlook to watch the sunset (no view from our room)- but it was not much tonight. Oh, well- will catch it another time.
Home, bath, battle with the internet, bed. I have discovered that the only way for me to get reception is to sit out on our porch. So I am currently sitting here enjoying the stars and the frogs. And, OK, maybe a few mosquitos.
Day 5: After 2 adventurous days, the girls wanted more pool time. I have a stack of magazines so I’m happy to oblige. No pics today- camera took the day off. To really be lazy, tonight’s dinner was hot dogs at home for the kiddos, and awesome leftovers from Banana Deck. After dinner the kids were thoroughly entertained by following a kitty around the property begging it to let them pet it. We only left the property to hit SJ Market for sides. Can you succumb to villa gravity at a hotel? Think it’s sinking in. Definitely starting to really relax now…. It always takes us a few days… so glad we have a week here still!
Part 3 in a few days with days 6 (Waterlemon? and Forum gathering!), 7 (out with Captain Brandi!), 8 (Salt Pond? Drunk Bay? TT? Sloop Jones?) and 9 (?? Too far ahead to guess). Goodnight for now!
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
PER~FECT!
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
SO...I just reread your first report, and it hit me that you took the Red Hook Ferry to STJ. Just wondering, why didn't you all use the Westin Ferry? Is it still running? Or maybe you all couldn't talk the Westin Ferry Capt into stopping in Cruz Bay so you could be on the Spice Cam?? 
-Bert
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
Technically, that's not even Maria Bluff, it's Blasbleg point, named for the LOUD blowhole in the rocks--may be interesting sounding in the house. The new house is right up there in size, and the location should be illegal, but the architecture is a little better than most of the other mega-masonry of megalomaniacs.
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
-
SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
Hey Bert- we FINALLY figured out that taking the regular ferry, luggage fees and both taxi rides included, is 1/2 the cost of the Westin ferry- and taking the regular ferry saved us the same amount of $ that the Jost ferry cost us! So we figured that was a better plan. Westin ferry is great and very convenient, but you sure pay for it. This was the first time staying at the Westin and not taking the Westin ferry. Worked out just fine and we actually arrived at about the same time. Will do it again! Getting our arrival on Spice Cam was an extra bonus
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mindehankins
- Posts: 3014
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:21 am
- Location: Western NY State
Loving the reports and a SPECIAL thanks for taking that picture of the kitchen/stove at Ivans!! I'm still kicking myself for not looking at that closer when we were there last June.
So glad that you all enjoyed your day trip to Jost. The girls look like they had a blast!
So glad that you all enjoyed your day trip to Jost. The girls look like they had a blast!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
