usvi-on-line
Trip Report 8/5-8/12
Trip Report 8/5-8/12
OK - so I got busted! I'm a little late on my trip report! 
8/5 Saturday - we fly from ORD to STT: direct flight! We had to stay in STT for one night because our villa was not ready for us until Sunday. No biggie...I hate flying so I wanted the direct flight! We stayed at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort that night. It was a nice resort w/ good food. We did the all inclusive thing which was nice. Our room view was on the wrong side though...couldn't see St. John. So, for dinner that night we ate at a restaurant on the Resort and had a window table that faced St. John. I was so excited and eager to get there. We went to the little casino for awhile that night at the resort and I ended up being picked to play in a slot tournament! It was kind of fun even though I didn't win.
8/6 Sunday - wake up very eager to get to St. John. OUr villa was not ready till 3PM so we slept in a little, then had a Sunday brunch at the resor that was very good. It was buffet style w/ plenty of food to choose from. Then we hung out by the pool until we took the 2:00 ferry to St. John. We arrived on St. John around 2:30 and our Carribbean Villa greeter was there waiting for us with our rental car. He was very nice and we followed him to our villa. I forgot how steep and turny the roads were on St. John. We almost got stuck on the one hill that takes you out of Cruz Bay towards the Westin. Some goofball couldn't make the turn into his driveway so we were stuck on the hill waiting for him to make the turn! Ugh! So, we get to our villa which was ALLESANDRA!(In Chocolate Hole) The pictures do not do this place justice. It was incredible. I knew it would be a long week though because as we were in the kitchen with the Villa guy, I got bit over and over by mosquitoes.
When we walked out onto the back patio...the views were breathtaking! We got a great view of St. Thomas. The pool/hot tub were awesome. The inside of the house was great too! After we took a dip in the pool we headed to Starfish Market to get our groceries! We spent over $100 and didn't seem like we got much at all. We bought food to grill out on our awesome patio and some snacks to take to the beach. Also, got the stick of NO BITE which helps a lot. We got back to the villa and enjoyed our patio so much that we cooked out that night on the patio and ate dinner while watching the sunset over St. Thomas. Nice relaxing night at the villa.
Monday 8/7 - had breakfast and lunch at the villa and then I began reading a book that was in the villa about a couple that decides to actually move to St. John and live there. I read the book in a few days. Then we decided to drive around and get familiar with the island that we had visited 6 years ago to see how much we remembered, etc. Loved driving along all the popularn beaches and seeing all the views again. I couldnt' wait to hit the beaches. We decided to cook out again that night as well since we enjoy our villa so much! Enjoyed getting in the hot tub around 9PM and just taking in the views of the stars and lights of STT.
Tuesday 8/8...today we began our snorkeling adventures. WE wanted to go to places we didn't go on our honeymoon. We went to Hurricane Alley and rented our snorkel gear - very nice people working there by the way. So, we head to Leinster Bay for our first snorkeling trip. The walk to get to the beach is a nice relaxing non uphill walk along the shoreline. When we got to the beach we could see Waterlemon, which I've heard so much about. I wasn't so sure about the swim out to the little island. So, we stayed at Leinster for awhile and saw a sea turtle and a nurse shark! I had asked some people if Waterlemon was worth the swim out there and they said YES. So, we left Leinster and followed the trail that takes you to the point that is the shortest swim. It's very rocky here so kind of hard to get in/out of the water. So, we made the swim which wasn't bad. Waterlemon was GREAT...I saw tons of starfish which is something I never saw before. They were awesome. Sea URchins too! And tons of colorful fish....angel fish too! After our swim back to shore I was afraid we had hti the best spot first...we should have saved it for last. So, after a logn day we went back to the villa and cooked out again! And again enjoyed the hot tub and some beers around 9PM.
Wednesday 8/9 - We did some more snorkeling today! We went to back to one of our favorite spots...Salt Pond. We were the first ones there and had the beach to ourselves. Saw more sea turtles here and a stingray that was hanging out w/ some squid! The squid were neat to see! We hung out here most of the morning and more and more people kept arriving. I really enjoyed just hanging out w/ the sea turtles and watching them. After our hike uphill back to our car...we headed to Coral Bay and to Skinnny Legs! I had the GTO sandwich - basically a grilled cheese w/ tomatos! Hubby had a cheeseburger. IT was good and I love the atmosphere here. Then we headed back to the villa for some lounging around the pool. For dinner that night we ordered pizza from Cafe Roma and broght it back the villa. Good pizza and reasonably priced.
Thursday 8/10 - woke up to all the terrorist news on the TV! Just makes my fear of flying that much worse hearing that news! So, we had enough of the news and headed out to the beaches again! WE headed to Hawksnest first and snorkeled there a little bit. Snorkeling isn't nearly as good here as the other places we went. We relaxed on the beach for awhile and then I wanted to go to Trunk Bay since we have never visited there. Well we drive down and there is no parking anywhere. So, I say let's go to Maho Bay for awhile and hope people leave. We go to Maho and the mosquitoes are really bad. I couldnt' relax and read my book! Even though I had bug spray. So, we leave and go back to Trunk. Some cab guy saw us driving around the parking lot and told us to park behind his truck. I was much thankful. So, we get to Trunk and it's not too crowded (I had checked to make sure no ships ported that day)! We head out to the snorkel trail which was good but not great. Then we got some beer and just relaxed. We headed back to Cruz Bay to return our snorkel gear adn then got Chinese at the China Shack at Marketplace. Took it back to our villa and ate on the deck. It was good food!
Friday 8/11
Today we did our shopping in Cruz Bay. I've always regretted not getting a hook bracelet when we were here 6 years ago so this year I was determined to get one! We went to Palm Jewelers in Wharfside Village and I fell in love w/ the dolphin hook bracelets. So I got one of those. We got some cute T-Shirts for the nieces and nephews. I got a cute St. John Xmas Ornament in MOngoose and a T-Shirt w/a sea turtle for myself. We had lunch at the Deli Grotto which I LOVE for some reason. I remembered the sandwiches from them from our honeymoon! For dinner that night we ate on the deck again and took in the views from our last night on St. John!
Saturday 8/12 - I woke up and couldn't believe our week went by so fast! I was eager to get home to see my horses though ( we have a small horse farm in IL). We packed up the villa and said goodbye to the wonderful home. I would absolutely stay at this villa again. We headed to the Red Hook and it was so crowded! Took forever to get all the bags on the boat. then when we finally got to STT, it took forever to get all the bags off of the boat. We headed to the airport and I didn't know what to expect w/ all the new security. But it wasnt' bad at all...what was bad is we had to stop in San Juan for a half hour layover. We didn't have to change planes or anything but we ended up on the ground in San Juan for 2 hours and 45 mins! UGH! Everything on the plane kept breaking....but the plane was OK on the flight from STT to San Juan! Go figure. Luckily we were in 1st class so we were more comfortable than the coach passengers. Finally landed in Chicago around 9:45PM ... full day of traveling!
I'm already thinkign about my next trip. I asked the hubby if we can come back for our 10 year anniversary! (This trip was our 6 year). The only complaint were the BUGS! There is something about ST. John that keeps making you want to come back.
8/5 Saturday - we fly from ORD to STT: direct flight! We had to stay in STT for one night because our villa was not ready for us until Sunday. No biggie...I hate flying so I wanted the direct flight! We stayed at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort that night. It was a nice resort w/ good food. We did the all inclusive thing which was nice. Our room view was on the wrong side though...couldn't see St. John. So, for dinner that night we ate at a restaurant on the Resort and had a window table that faced St. John. I was so excited and eager to get there. We went to the little casino for awhile that night at the resort and I ended up being picked to play in a slot tournament! It was kind of fun even though I didn't win.
8/6 Sunday - wake up very eager to get to St. John. OUr villa was not ready till 3PM so we slept in a little, then had a Sunday brunch at the resor that was very good. It was buffet style w/ plenty of food to choose from. Then we hung out by the pool until we took the 2:00 ferry to St. John. We arrived on St. John around 2:30 and our Carribbean Villa greeter was there waiting for us with our rental car. He was very nice and we followed him to our villa. I forgot how steep and turny the roads were on St. John. We almost got stuck on the one hill that takes you out of Cruz Bay towards the Westin. Some goofball couldn't make the turn into his driveway so we were stuck on the hill waiting for him to make the turn! Ugh! So, we get to our villa which was ALLESANDRA!(In Chocolate Hole) The pictures do not do this place justice. It was incredible. I knew it would be a long week though because as we were in the kitchen with the Villa guy, I got bit over and over by mosquitoes.
When we walked out onto the back patio...the views were breathtaking! We got a great view of St. Thomas. The pool/hot tub were awesome. The inside of the house was great too! After we took a dip in the pool we headed to Starfish Market to get our groceries! We spent over $100 and didn't seem like we got much at all. We bought food to grill out on our awesome patio and some snacks to take to the beach. Also, got the stick of NO BITE which helps a lot. We got back to the villa and enjoyed our patio so much that we cooked out that night on the patio and ate dinner while watching the sunset over St. Thomas. Nice relaxing night at the villa.Monday 8/7 - had breakfast and lunch at the villa and then I began reading a book that was in the villa about a couple that decides to actually move to St. John and live there. I read the book in a few days. Then we decided to drive around and get familiar with the island that we had visited 6 years ago to see how much we remembered, etc. Loved driving along all the popularn beaches and seeing all the views again. I couldnt' wait to hit the beaches. We decided to cook out again that night as well since we enjoy our villa so much! Enjoyed getting in the hot tub around 9PM and just taking in the views of the stars and lights of STT.
Tuesday 8/8...today we began our snorkeling adventures. WE wanted to go to places we didn't go on our honeymoon. We went to Hurricane Alley and rented our snorkel gear - very nice people working there by the way. So, we head to Leinster Bay for our first snorkeling trip. The walk to get to the beach is a nice relaxing non uphill walk along the shoreline. When we got to the beach we could see Waterlemon, which I've heard so much about. I wasn't so sure about the swim out to the little island. So, we stayed at Leinster for awhile and saw a sea turtle and a nurse shark! I had asked some people if Waterlemon was worth the swim out there and they said YES. So, we left Leinster and followed the trail that takes you to the point that is the shortest swim. It's very rocky here so kind of hard to get in/out of the water. So, we made the swim which wasn't bad. Waterlemon was GREAT...I saw tons of starfish which is something I never saw before. They were awesome. Sea URchins too! And tons of colorful fish....angel fish too! After our swim back to shore I was afraid we had hti the best spot first...we should have saved it for last. So, after a logn day we went back to the villa and cooked out again! And again enjoyed the hot tub and some beers around 9PM.
Wednesday 8/9 - We did some more snorkeling today! We went to back to one of our favorite spots...Salt Pond. We were the first ones there and had the beach to ourselves. Saw more sea turtles here and a stingray that was hanging out w/ some squid! The squid were neat to see! We hung out here most of the morning and more and more people kept arriving. I really enjoyed just hanging out w/ the sea turtles and watching them. After our hike uphill back to our car...we headed to Coral Bay and to Skinnny Legs! I had the GTO sandwich - basically a grilled cheese w/ tomatos! Hubby had a cheeseburger. IT was good and I love the atmosphere here. Then we headed back to the villa for some lounging around the pool. For dinner that night we ordered pizza from Cafe Roma and broght it back the villa. Good pizza and reasonably priced.
Thursday 8/10 - woke up to all the terrorist news on the TV! Just makes my fear of flying that much worse hearing that news! So, we had enough of the news and headed out to the beaches again! WE headed to Hawksnest first and snorkeled there a little bit. Snorkeling isn't nearly as good here as the other places we went. We relaxed on the beach for awhile and then I wanted to go to Trunk Bay since we have never visited there. Well we drive down and there is no parking anywhere. So, I say let's go to Maho Bay for awhile and hope people leave. We go to Maho and the mosquitoes are really bad. I couldnt' relax and read my book! Even though I had bug spray. So, we leave and go back to Trunk. Some cab guy saw us driving around the parking lot and told us to park behind his truck. I was much thankful. So, we get to Trunk and it's not too crowded (I had checked to make sure no ships ported that day)! We head out to the snorkel trail which was good but not great. Then we got some beer and just relaxed. We headed back to Cruz Bay to return our snorkel gear adn then got Chinese at the China Shack at Marketplace. Took it back to our villa and ate on the deck. It was good food!
Friday 8/11
Today we did our shopping in Cruz Bay. I've always regretted not getting a hook bracelet when we were here 6 years ago so this year I was determined to get one! We went to Palm Jewelers in Wharfside Village and I fell in love w/ the dolphin hook bracelets. So I got one of those. We got some cute T-Shirts for the nieces and nephews. I got a cute St. John Xmas Ornament in MOngoose and a T-Shirt w/a sea turtle for myself. We had lunch at the Deli Grotto which I LOVE for some reason. I remembered the sandwiches from them from our honeymoon! For dinner that night we ate on the deck again and took in the views from our last night on St. John!
Saturday 8/12 - I woke up and couldn't believe our week went by so fast! I was eager to get home to see my horses though ( we have a small horse farm in IL). We packed up the villa and said goodbye to the wonderful home. I would absolutely stay at this villa again. We headed to the Red Hook and it was so crowded! Took forever to get all the bags on the boat. then when we finally got to STT, it took forever to get all the bags off of the boat. We headed to the airport and I didn't know what to expect w/ all the new security. But it wasnt' bad at all...what was bad is we had to stop in San Juan for a half hour layover. We didn't have to change planes or anything but we ended up on the ground in San Juan for 2 hours and 45 mins! UGH! Everything on the plane kept breaking....but the plane was OK on the flight from STT to San Juan! Go figure. Luckily we were in 1st class so we were more comfortable than the coach passengers. Finally landed in Chicago around 9:45PM ... full day of traveling!
I'm already thinkign about my next trip. I asked the hubby if we can come back for our 10 year anniversary! (This trip was our 6 year). The only complaint were the BUGS! There is something about ST. John that keeps making you want to come back.
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California Girl
Niiice report! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! 
Just curious about the book you read about the people who decided to move to St. John... was it "Desiring Paradise"? I read that book (and "The Settlers Handbook") and loved it. For one thing it convinced me that I really don't want to move to the VI, but instead, keep it as a special place to visit.
Just curious about the book you read about the people who decided to move to St. John... was it "Desiring Paradise"? I read that book (and "The Settlers Handbook") and loved it. For one thing it convinced me that I really don't want to move to the VI, but instead, keep it as a special place to visit.
Ah! The Trip Reports are back
I really enjoy reading your report. It has been a dry spell here with trip report. So, yours hit home.
Too bad you were "Bug Meat", but I see that won't keep you away. We always take the bug coils with us and light 2 or 3 of them on the deck and the bugs are gone.
Thanks so much for the report.
Too bad you were "Bug Meat", but I see that won't keep you away. We always take the bug coils with us and light 2 or 3 of them on the deck and the bugs are gone.
Thanks so much for the report.
FlaGeorge
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
"Swim Against The Current - Even a Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow"
trip report
i too have read Desiring Paradise and loved it. the villa they stayed in on St. John when they decided to move there was Villa Opar, in rendezvous bay.
another great book to read about moving to the islands is called A Trip to the Beach. About a couple who decide to move to Anguilla. i just love these stories!
thanks for the great trip report.
another great book to read about moving to the islands is called A Trip to the Beach. About a couple who decide to move to Anguilla. i just love these stories!
thanks for the great trip report.
What airline did you fly from ORD to STT? You say non-stop to STT, but you had to stop in PR coming home? Is there no non-stop from STT to ORD?
Anyway, thanks for the trip report. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Hearing about the terrorist plot when you're that far away from home must have been pretty creepy.
Isn't it great to eat at the villa? We always want to eat out, but we end up eating in more often than not. We enjoy lunches out, though, and that way we avoid the worst of the mid-day sun.
Thanks again.
Anyway, thanks for the trip report. I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Hearing about the terrorist plot when you're that far away from home must have been pretty creepy.
Isn't it great to eat at the villa? We always want to eat out, but we end up eating in more often than not. We enjoy lunches out, though, and that way we avoid the worst of the mid-day sun.
Thanks again.
Jan N.
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
THANK YOU for your trip report! Sounds like a good week, it was cute how you couldn't get close enough to the island that first night. It kept pulling you and pulling you..............see it IS addictive!
We are looking seriously at Allselandra for our next trip. We LOVE to cook out and eat at the villa, especially when you face West and can enjoy the sunset while dining. Candles, good music, good drinks, it just doesn't get any better.
Thanks again, Can I email you specific questions about the villa?
Jan (aka Charlie)
United does ORD-STT nonstop. STT runway too short (7000') in warm and humid conditions for the long flight (2116 miles) from STT-ORD nonstop.... stops in SJU on the way back to the mainland.Jan N. wrote:What airline did you fly from ORD to STT? You say non-stop to STT, but you had to stop in PR coming home? Is there no non-stop from STT to ORD?
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Thank You! I didn't expect my little bit of prodding to result in such a timely trip report! I really appreciate it and enjoyed hearing about your vacation. Thanks!
Oh, and by the way, those little bugs adore me as well - still doesn't stop me from coming back.
Tracy
Oh, and by the way, those little bugs adore me as well - still doesn't stop me from coming back.
Tracy
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
Sure...my email is jumperdoc@hotmail.comJan&MikeVa wrote:
THANK YOU for your trip report! Sounds like a good week, it was cute how you couldn't get close enough to the island that first night. It kept pulling you and pulling you..............see it IS addictive!
We are looking seriously at Allselandra for our next trip. We LOVE to cook out and eat at the villa, especially when you face West and can enjoy the sunset while dining. Candles, good music, good drinks, it just doesn't get any better.
Thanks again, Can I email you specific questions about the villa?
Jan (aka Charlie)
Thanks, but I don't understand. It can land after the long flight but it can't take off? Seems counter-intuitive to me. Is it a fuel thing?tjwgrr wrote:
STT runway too short (7000') in warm and humid conditions for the long flight (2116 miles) from STT-ORD nonstop
I've wondered about your sig, too. (Direct KNOBS, maintain 2700' until established on the localizer, cleared ILS approach 26 left.) Always figured it had something to do with aviation. Are you a pilot?
Thanks.
Jan N.
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nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
Suzy - thanks for the trip report - it sounds like you guys had an amazing trip. Sorry about the bugs - they get me all the time too.
Bill - I was going to mention A Trip to the Beach as a good read as well. I actually liked it better than Desiring Paradise because the latter spent too much time (in my opinion) talking about everything they did to get there and not enough time on the island. A Trip to the Beach is mainly on the Island (even though it's Anguilla) so you get more of that island feel.
nothintolose
Bill - I was going to mention A Trip to the Beach as a good read as well. I actually liked it better than Desiring Paradise because the latter spent too much time (in my opinion) talking about everything they did to get there and not enough time on the island. A Trip to the Beach is mainly on the Island (even though it's Anguilla) so you get more of that island feel.
nothintolose