Trip Report April 26-May 6/video
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 3:08 pm
The video attached (password: stjohn2014) is a little something I put together from our trip....its a little long at 10 mins but I enjoyed using my new MacBook to make it and hope those of you who like picture reports best, like myself will like it. But if you want a quicker highlight report I tried to type one up as well.
http://vimeo.com/98295338
This was our 4th trip, as well as my in-laws 4th trip (Scotties). However it was my parents first trip so it was fun seeing everything new again through their eyes.
St John Jeep Rental: 3rd time using them, no problems. Rented 2 like new Jeeps for the week. No issues
We stayed at Island Sun for the first 5 days, its a wonderful villa. Its above Cinnamon and down from Catherineberg. If you don't like unpaved, curvy, hilly roads this may not be the villa for you, however the views are so good no one seemed to mind. Coming from Centerline it's really not bad, but from the North Shore road you have to have a strong stomach. That being said all 6 of us felt it was worth it and would stay there again. There is no AC which I know is an instant turn off for some, but it wasn't needed at all. The breeze up there is constant and the whole house opens up with screens, so its easy to keep it cool. The beginning of my video has pics, but if anyone has any questions about the villa let me know.
Blue Sky Provisions: Shanna was so easy to work with, I had everything I requested ready and waiting at the villa for us!! Would defiantly use her again.
The last 4 days we spent at Caneel, which is a great place to end a trip. I'd like to say we did more with our time there, but we pretty much veg'ed on Scott Beach for 3 days straight. I always enjoy the wildlife there, and how peaceful it all seems. Plus a with beach bar and great snorkeling what more could you ask for...........
Beaches: Waterlemon is my husbands favorite and always a productive snorkel.
However, I always like Little Lameshur, the ruins make for great pics and the snorkel is always good. I did get stung by a small jelly fish and felt like 2 sting rays were chasing/following me around instead of the other way around, but we still had a great time. I wish we had time to stop at Great Lameshur, I would like to explore out there one trip.
Gibney was nice, no snorkeling but perfect for floating just past the break. We were the first at the gate, but there was a group of local kids camping down at the Oppenhiemer house. So we tracked down to the far end.
Maho was perfect as always.
Francis we did in the afternoon one day, and it was super busy and we were all tired so we didn't stay long and the snorkel wasn't that great. Would put it toward the bottom of the list this trip.
Our only new beach we did was Brown Bay. The hike wasn't terrible, but I don't think it was worth it. Doubt we'd do it again. We had the beach to ourselves, which is always nice, but it was to rough and rocky to do much.
Solomon the hike is always a grind to me, I love the beach, but hate that hike for some reason.
Food highlights: Zozos at sunset was very nice. Food was great, though I wouldn't recommend the jumbo shrimp entrée I had, the shrimp were tough and actually to big for my taste. Everything else's meals was very good and the apps/salads were very tasty as well.
We ate at Spyglass twice, once for happy hour and once for dinner. Both times didn't disappoint, Shipwreck is always a favorite. I'm not sure why it doesn't get more love. Sad to hear it is closing!!
Bannana Deck was solid as well, the men's steaks were perfect.
For lunch or when we needed a quick dinner to take back to the villa.....Deli Gratto is always a must, but two new places that we tried may beat out DG. Sam and Jacks as well as Pickles in Paradise (Coral Bay) both were very tasty. The sandwiches were huge and plenty for dinner portions, even for the guys. Both made for perfect dinner pick-ups on the way back to the villa. And a little easier on the wallet.
Virgin Fire didn't make the top of anyone's list, it wasn't bad, just not memorable.
Columbo's and Scoops were tasty treats, but I think I'd choose Columbo's if I could only do one.
Weather was great, only rained once. Dust wasn't an issue either.
Thanks for reading my trip report and/or watching my video!!
http://vimeo.com/98295338
This was our 4th trip, as well as my in-laws 4th trip (Scotties). However it was my parents first trip so it was fun seeing everything new again through their eyes.
St John Jeep Rental: 3rd time using them, no problems. Rented 2 like new Jeeps for the week. No issues
We stayed at Island Sun for the first 5 days, its a wonderful villa. Its above Cinnamon and down from Catherineberg. If you don't like unpaved, curvy, hilly roads this may not be the villa for you, however the views are so good no one seemed to mind. Coming from Centerline it's really not bad, but from the North Shore road you have to have a strong stomach. That being said all 6 of us felt it was worth it and would stay there again. There is no AC which I know is an instant turn off for some, but it wasn't needed at all. The breeze up there is constant and the whole house opens up with screens, so its easy to keep it cool. The beginning of my video has pics, but if anyone has any questions about the villa let me know.
Blue Sky Provisions: Shanna was so easy to work with, I had everything I requested ready and waiting at the villa for us!! Would defiantly use her again.
The last 4 days we spent at Caneel, which is a great place to end a trip. I'd like to say we did more with our time there, but we pretty much veg'ed on Scott Beach for 3 days straight. I always enjoy the wildlife there, and how peaceful it all seems. Plus a with beach bar and great snorkeling what more could you ask for...........
Beaches: Waterlemon is my husbands favorite and always a productive snorkel.
However, I always like Little Lameshur, the ruins make for great pics and the snorkel is always good. I did get stung by a small jelly fish and felt like 2 sting rays were chasing/following me around instead of the other way around, but we still had a great time. I wish we had time to stop at Great Lameshur, I would like to explore out there one trip.
Gibney was nice, no snorkeling but perfect for floating just past the break. We were the first at the gate, but there was a group of local kids camping down at the Oppenhiemer house. So we tracked down to the far end.
Maho was perfect as always.
Francis we did in the afternoon one day, and it was super busy and we were all tired so we didn't stay long and the snorkel wasn't that great. Would put it toward the bottom of the list this trip.
Our only new beach we did was Brown Bay. The hike wasn't terrible, but I don't think it was worth it. Doubt we'd do it again. We had the beach to ourselves, which is always nice, but it was to rough and rocky to do much.
Solomon the hike is always a grind to me, I love the beach, but hate that hike for some reason.
Food highlights: Zozos at sunset was very nice. Food was great, though I wouldn't recommend the jumbo shrimp entrée I had, the shrimp were tough and actually to big for my taste. Everything else's meals was very good and the apps/salads were very tasty as well.
We ate at Spyglass twice, once for happy hour and once for dinner. Both times didn't disappoint, Shipwreck is always a favorite. I'm not sure why it doesn't get more love. Sad to hear it is closing!!
Bannana Deck was solid as well, the men's steaks were perfect.
For lunch or when we needed a quick dinner to take back to the villa.....Deli Gratto is always a must, but two new places that we tried may beat out DG. Sam and Jacks as well as Pickles in Paradise (Coral Bay) both were very tasty. The sandwiches were huge and plenty for dinner portions, even for the guys. Both made for perfect dinner pick-ups on the way back to the villa. And a little easier on the wallet.
Virgin Fire didn't make the top of anyone's list, it wasn't bad, just not memorable.
Columbo's and Scoops were tasty treats, but I think I'd choose Columbo's if I could only do one.
Weather was great, only rained once. Dust wasn't an issue either.
Thanks for reading my trip report and/or watching my video!!
