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Thanks !! - and brief Trip Report
Thanks !! - and brief Trip Report
A quick report and thanks for all the help we received from the Forum !
We went week of Dec 3 for our 30th anniv and 55th birthday. Stayed at Miles Away villa above Fish Bay and handled (at the time) by Dest St. John. Location was perfect and the villa was all we expected. Very private with great pool and very comfortable. Would also be good for 2 couples as 2nd BR is on opposite end with own entrance.
From the Forum we learned about Rachel's taxi and she was great ! Arrived on 11 pm ferry so stayed first night at Westin with Starpoints. Was fine for what we needed but villa is far better choice for our style. Rented our jeep from Courtesy and they were great. Be sure and ask for the cash discount (we did not know until turning in). Found our way around well (after having read Fins and Off the Beaten Path before the trip.
Enjoyed lunches from Sam and Jake's deli (bought meat and bread for the week there) Cooked our breakfasts in and grilled at home 2 nts. Ate out at Fish Trap (fairly good), Morgans mango (real good - first seating after sitting at bar at open), and ZoZos (very good) and a lunch at Miss Lucy's. Also had Ted's come and cook at the villa and this was a real highlight. We sat at the kitchen island and visited, ate, etc for more than 3 hrs. Highly recommend you consider this for a night.
Went to Frances, Jumbie, Salt Pond, Caneel, and Waterlemon for snorkels. North swell was up that week for most days (in fact north shore was "closed" some). Did not do Trunk trail as closed that day. Saw the usual creatures and while vis was not as awesome as could be - was still plenty good. Went also to Cinnamon, Trunk, Maho but did not snorkel at those. Showers each day and every night but never a real factor except for first full day and we used that day to tour the entire island. Favorite snorkel was Waterlemon (took a real nice turtle video there that we have on Youtube now) We are not really hikers so the hike to Waterlemon and Salt Pond were enough for us ! Saw a lionfish at Salt Pond but did not have a marker or anyone to tell. Some others had seen a shark out at the edge that they did not think was a nurse shark.
The trip was super relaxing - just as we hoped. We didn't stress about anything - just decided where to go that day. Thought about a dinghy hire but decided to spend $ instead with Capt Phil, Tarn, and Wayward Sailor for 1/2 day sail/snorkel to Levango (sp?). It was real good - a little quick but good reef and the sail was fun as well. We had max of 6 onboard and it was a good group. Booked through the kiosk at the
Starfish Market and this is a good idea as she has the availability of all the boats - saves you a lot of calling yourself.
Had a massage afternoon at Drift Away Spa and it was really a good time - as good as any spa we have been to in mainland US. Went there straight from the beach and showered and relaxed there.
Went back on Charlotte ferry and ate at Cafe Amichi(right near dock) and then took Desmond's taxi back to airport. Allow plenty of time at the airport as takes awhile for customs and lines were very long at airport counters. Think there were 7 jets there when we boarded.
All the locals we encountered were very tourist friendly and seemed glad to have us. Could go on but just wanted to give some highlights for future readers and also to thank the faithful Forum posters for all their insight - really helped us a lot ! We were there during a quiet week and not sure we would have liked as much if it was packed in high season.
We went week of Dec 3 for our 30th anniv and 55th birthday. Stayed at Miles Away villa above Fish Bay and handled (at the time) by Dest St. John. Location was perfect and the villa was all we expected. Very private with great pool and very comfortable. Would also be good for 2 couples as 2nd BR is on opposite end with own entrance.
From the Forum we learned about Rachel's taxi and she was great ! Arrived on 11 pm ferry so stayed first night at Westin with Starpoints. Was fine for what we needed but villa is far better choice for our style. Rented our jeep from Courtesy and they were great. Be sure and ask for the cash discount (we did not know until turning in). Found our way around well (after having read Fins and Off the Beaten Path before the trip.
Enjoyed lunches from Sam and Jake's deli (bought meat and bread for the week there) Cooked our breakfasts in and grilled at home 2 nts. Ate out at Fish Trap (fairly good), Morgans mango (real good - first seating after sitting at bar at open), and ZoZos (very good) and a lunch at Miss Lucy's. Also had Ted's come and cook at the villa and this was a real highlight. We sat at the kitchen island and visited, ate, etc for more than 3 hrs. Highly recommend you consider this for a night.
Went to Frances, Jumbie, Salt Pond, Caneel, and Waterlemon for snorkels. North swell was up that week for most days (in fact north shore was "closed" some). Did not do Trunk trail as closed that day. Saw the usual creatures and while vis was not as awesome as could be - was still plenty good. Went also to Cinnamon, Trunk, Maho but did not snorkel at those. Showers each day and every night but never a real factor except for first full day and we used that day to tour the entire island. Favorite snorkel was Waterlemon (took a real nice turtle video there that we have on Youtube now) We are not really hikers so the hike to Waterlemon and Salt Pond were enough for us ! Saw a lionfish at Salt Pond but did not have a marker or anyone to tell. Some others had seen a shark out at the edge that they did not think was a nurse shark.
The trip was super relaxing - just as we hoped. We didn't stress about anything - just decided where to go that day. Thought about a dinghy hire but decided to spend $ instead with Capt Phil, Tarn, and Wayward Sailor for 1/2 day sail/snorkel to Levango (sp?). It was real good - a little quick but good reef and the sail was fun as well. We had max of 6 onboard and it was a good group. Booked through the kiosk at the
Starfish Market and this is a good idea as she has the availability of all the boats - saves you a lot of calling yourself.
Had a massage afternoon at Drift Away Spa and it was really a good time - as good as any spa we have been to in mainland US. Went there straight from the beach and showered and relaxed there.
Went back on Charlotte ferry and ate at Cafe Amichi(right near dock) and then took Desmond's taxi back to airport. Allow plenty of time at the airport as takes awhile for customs and lines were very long at airport counters. Think there were 7 jets there when we boarded.
All the locals we encountered were very tourist friendly and seemed glad to have us. Could go on but just wanted to give some highlights for future readers and also to thank the faithful Forum posters for all their insight - really helped us a lot ! We were there during a quiet week and not sure we would have liked as much if it was packed in high season.
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
Thanks for the quickie trip report...always like to catch up on island adventures. Have always been interested in Miles Away and would love to stay there one day if we ever rent a villa again on STJ. That being said, I do love the Westin and hope to make it back there some day! Wondering how the lionfish are affecting the fish down there? I understand they have huge appetites. Remember seeing one at Maho on our last trip and thinking it wasn't good.
Hoping for a USVI ticker in 2013!
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Rachelle & Joe
- Posts: 677
- Joined: Sat Nov 18, 2006 4:23 pm
- Location: ohio
Thanks!! & Brief trip report
Thanks for the TR. We are fortunate to be staying @ Beautiful Miles Away for the third time in the spring 
we stay for 25 Glorious DAZE !!! The owners really stay on top of things, Love how CLEAN it is, & Beautifully Appointed & Oh so Comfy! we love the privacy & Tranquil setting with the Great views, the location is perfect for us! We had the pleasure of meeting the owners ,what a Lovely couple.Thanks for the info. about the cash car rental, did not know even after 6 stays on the island.That's why we love this forum, always something new to learn !What a great way to spend your anniv./B-day !!! Happy Belated Wishes
we stay for 25 Glorious DAZE !!! The owners really stay on top of things, Love how CLEAN it is, & Beautifully Appointed & Oh so Comfy! we love the privacy & Tranquil setting with the Great views, the location is perfect for us! We had the pleasure of meeting the owners ,what a Lovely couple.Thanks for the info. about the cash car rental, did not know even after 6 stays on the island.That's why we love this forum, always something new to learn !What a great way to spend your anniv./B-day !!! Happy Belated Wishes 