Day 2: Hello STJ, Lameshur Cottage, BEACH

[flip-flop]

Day 2: Breakfast at Mafolie, Pool Time, and Heading to St. John and the Lameshur Cottage

Woke up to a beautiful, crystal clear sky. The view from our room.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662459721/" title="View from our room at Mafolie by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/566 ... 226eb6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="View from our room at Mafolie"></a>

We were all pretty hungry, considering we had made dinner out of a few granola bars, some pretzels and gummy bears the night before, so we headed down to take part in the free continental breakfast. The breakfast was adequate and there was a lovely breakfast attendant lady who refilled coffees and generally made sure we had what we needed. Continental breakfast consisted of: orange juice, coffee (no cream or 1/2 and 1/2 ... one of my pet peeves), english muffins, toast, waffles, variety of cereals. I would have liked a boiled egg or some fresh fruit, but it served its purpose and we were no longer starving!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661972303/" title="Breakfast by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5150/566 ... fccf1b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Breakfast"></a>

View from the Restaurant

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I think the only reason I got them to eat breakfast before pool time was because they were pretty hungry!

The DIVA

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Happy Campers

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We wrapped up breakfast and decided it was time to hit the pool.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662461265/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/566 ... 287260.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Pretty irresistible

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The kids loved the pool. They love any pool! We met the resident 3 legged kitty, which fascinated Belly Flop, and just eased into our first island day.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663029172/" title="3 Legged Kitty by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/566 ... cfb442.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="3 Legged Kitty"></a>

I thinks its safe to say they have a firm handle on how to relax.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662537264/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/566 ... eb5119.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

Though the pool was lovely and comfortable, soon we were all itching to make our way over to St. John. We had booked the next 9 nights at the Lameshur Cottage and were eager to see it firsthand. Though I made it to St. John last March, the kids and Mr. Flip-Flop hadn't been to St. John since June of 2009! Everyone was excited to make their way to the island we love! We decided to get cleaned up, check out and catch a taxi to red hook.

Mafolie called us a cab and I checked us out. Really nice taxi driver who filled is in on some of the history of St. Thomas and the surrounding islands. He was a pleasure to talk with, and before we knew it we were at the ferry dock. We had a little time to kill so we decided to get a snack. It was the cheapest meal of the trip. Chicken, fries, rum with a splash of pineapple, and a watermelon soda - $12.

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I had never seen this soda anywhere, but the man in front of me ordered it and I was intrigued. It was pretty good. Though, Mr. Flip-flop's rum with a splash of pineapple was better!

Soon enough, it was time to buy Ferry tickets. For the four of us and 4 bags it was $24. Though it was a Saturday, the ferry was pretty quiet, not crazy at all. Soon enough Cruz Bay was coming into view. I left everyone at the dock and headed straight to Conrad Sutton's to pick up our island ride, a jeep liberty. Great condition as usual and a breeze to pick up. I headed back to the dock to pick everyone up and as is our routine, dropped Mr. Flip-Flop off to order Uncle Joe's takeout. Uncle Joe's, while totally 100% worth it to us - it is the ONLY requirement Mr. Flip-Flop has for the trip - can take a little while. Our routine is for Hubby to hop out and order, then run to Pine Peace to do a quick stock up for the house. By the time we are back, it is ready and waiting.

There is much debate about where to get groceries, which is cheapest and/or most convenient. Starfish is the most like a US grocery. Pine Peace is more like a 7/11 on crack. It is a bit grungier, a bit more crowded, but they have everything you could need. and I think it is way cheaper. That and they are very helpful. I grab a little cart and go to town stocking up on the basics there. Our standard shopping stock-up is: bacon, 2 kinds of bagels (they have the best damn bagels), butter, eggs, milk, cream, bread, peanut butter, jelly, cookies, chips, pretzels, 12 pack of soda, bottle of rum (or 2), OJ, a couple small frozen pizzas, apples, bananas and water. I got all of that for $130. I thought that wasn't bad. Though I was on island and I tend to loose all sense! I was in and out, and back on our way to Uncle Joe's and our first drive out on the North Shore road.

Ahhhhhh.....its good to be back!

I had booked the Lameshur Cottage. It is an adorable cottage way the hell out past Salt Pond!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662354620/" title="The Cottage by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/566 ... 0e56a3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="The Cottage"></a>

When I told Ruth where it was she looked at me like I said we were staying on mars! Same difference to her The cottage was just barely past Salt Pond. About 10 minutes or so from Lilly's market, Aqua Bistro, etc.

The cottage is extremely well maintained, spotlessly clean, and adorable. I loved it! There is no a/c, so I would consider this a November - April (maybe May) spot, but it got fabulous breezes and had plenty of fans for air circulation. There were tons of books, DVDs, and games. There are a fair amount of stairs. There are two driveways, one up and one to the side. If you park in the lower lot, you have two flights of stairs up to the cottage. Information that would be good to know. I was glad my mama wasn't with us

The lower set of stairs

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662354354/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5305/566 ... bbe44d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

The view from about mid-way down the stairs

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661786529/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5228/566 ... 5099f5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

IF you go up the upper driveway (which they tell you not to use because its a bit tricky to back out of) you have 1 flight of stairs up to the cottage.

Another thing I would have liked to understand better is that it is really Lameshur Cottage(s). There are two on the property. They share parking, the stairs and at the top of the stairs, to the left is the main cottage (ours) and to the right another smaller cottage (two lovely ladies were staying there the same exact dates as us).

The smaller cottage from our cottage door

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663029912/" title="Cottage by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5106/566 ... 6a1482.jpg" width="368" height="500" alt="Cottage"></a>

It is still plenty private, I suppose if either groups was excessively loud you would hear it but we barely heard them at all. I am not sure they could say the same Though we tried to be cognizant of the noise level with the kids.

You enter into kitchen/living area.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662462277/" title="Kitchen by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5309/566 ... f3c157.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Kitchen"></a>

Off of living room to the left is a bright sunporch with a twin bed.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663030054/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/566 ... 8c2deb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663030228/" title="Cottage Sunroom by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5230/566 ... cd97c2.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Cottage Sunroom"></a>

Through the living area there is a very spacious and clean bathroom/laundry area.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663030854/" title="Bathroom by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5109/566 ... 48101a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Bathroom"></a>

Down the hall past the bathroom was the Master bedroom with French doors to a small deck. (view from the deck back into the room)

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663031400/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5301/566 ... 4b9527.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Out on the deck and around the corner, there is a lanai and hot tub.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663031030/" title="Lanai by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/566 ... f5739d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Lanai"></a>

The view from the cottage

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663058674/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/566 ... 65b183.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

There is not a water view from the cottage, but mountain views all around. I think Mr. Flip-flop missed the water views and the kids missed having a pool, but for the money this cottage could not be beat. $150/night! Remember this trip began with the thinking "Mini Flip-Flop has spring break, we're going to have to pay for a spring break camp, we might as well go on vacation"....again, not logical but I will use any ExCUSE!

The owner, Russ, is an absolute pleasure to work with and obviously takes great care of the place.

We settled in, I felt immediately relaxed. We were pretty hungry so we dug into our late lunch/early dinner from Uncle Joe's.

I love the Chicken

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662463245/" title="Uncle Joe's BBQ Chicken by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5069/566 ... 789ec7.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Uncle Joe's BBQ Chicken"></a>

Hubby goes for the ribs! He even got an additional order of ribs to guarantee he'd have leftovers! This is one order of ribs. The other was already in the fridge!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663031740/" title="Uncle Joe's Ribs by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/566 ... 9973d3.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Uncle Joe's Ribs"></a>

Settled in and fed, we decided to head to the beach. Lameshur and Salt Pond are both close by, so we decided to head to Lameshur for a late afternoon swim.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663032388/" title="Lameshur by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5145/566 ... c1f008.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Lameshur"></a>

It is a little rocky to enter, so someone convinced her daddy to give her a lift!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662507873/" title="@Lameshur by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/566 ... 4a2eee.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="@Lameshur"></a>

Beautiful late afternoon, it was virtually empty

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662463695/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5022/566 ... cf4023.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Someone else got right down to the business of playing

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661966311/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5146/566 ... 07bf8a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Happy People

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663032692/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/566 ... fb5b34.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

That smile makes it all worth while! She is her mama's girl

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662534366/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/566 ... a4b0f8.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a>

Heaven on earth

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5661964981/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5229/566 ... c25198.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt=""></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662464739/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5261/566 ... 475e7b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

Soon everyone was in on the action

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5663033200/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5102/566 ... 171a9a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt=""></a>

As the sun started to set it began to get buggy so we packed it in and headed for the house, with a pitstop at Lilly's for some ice cream (it would not have survived from Pine Peace to Lameshur without a cooler)!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/flipflopmom/5662463831/" title="Untitled by flip-flop, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/566 ... b5f978.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt=""></a>

Tomorrow: MAHO, Skinny Legs, and Woody's!

[ski2play]

Both installments of your trip reports have been delightful. I do so enjoy the pics of your kids and the commentary that goes with! The details are all being absorbed as this "newbie" gets ready to visit the island for her first time in 35 days.....thanks for the information!

[mbw1024]

Great pictures! Lameshur looks heavenly!

The cottage looks so happy

[bevm]

Love the pics. of your kids....The cottage looks so cozy. Lameshur is pretty far out of the way to Cruz Bay folks but to us Coral Bay people its not that far. We get to Coral Bay and pretty much stay there. Looking forward to your next installment.....

[CariBert]

Ahhhhh, great times with the Flip Flops! Thanks for the installments and the pics! Wonderful as usual! Keep em coming Flip! We're really enjoying your trip!

-Bert

[msgcolleen]

Love, love, loving your trip report and pics! Killer views at Mafolie and cute cottage on Mars! We stayed out there a few years ago and felt like we were the only ones on the island. So peaceful! Thanks for sharing!

[stjchica]

LOVE the pic of your daughter at the STT pool. So cute..and love the bathing suit and those blue toenails I usually do hot pink, but am thinking a pretty turquoise polish might be needed for the next trip Loving the reports~

[Lovermont]

That's a whole lotta cuteness! I'm talking about your darling kids and that cottage. Looking forward to reading more. Thanks flip-flop!

[Hawaii]

Flip Flop - Thank you so much for doing a report. Our family is so excited for our July trip. I hope I can figure out how to post pictures by that time. I will probably have to ask our 13 year old how to do it. Looking forward to your next report!

[jaq w]

Another great installment! I love what you did with the edges of some of the pics.

[sailorgirl]

Mini Flip is looking like a real young lady... they get big fast!

[PA Girl]

that cottage looks absolutely lovely.

[suzi]

lovely to read your reports as always...wasn't your little boy just a baby last week????????????????????
Time sure does fly!

[mindehankins]

Oh, I love trip reports with kids! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[EagleRayLover]

Looks like a lot of fun for everyone so far! The villa looks sweet! I love that area! Thanks for the report- looking forward to more!