I'm back from St. John, Virgin Islands....

[bsnyder]

Oh WOW! What an incredibly beautiful place!

We had such a good time. The villa we rented was perfect for our group (5 couples) and had the most spectacular view looking down on Cinnamon Bay.

We only spent one day boating, but what a day it was!!!....went snorkeling in the Indians, had lunch and Zeus Juice at Willy T's, and then spent the afternoon on Jost, at Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar. Finished that day off at Woody's in Cruz Bay.

We also spent a lot of time in Coral Bay.....Skinny Legs, the Jolly Dog and the Island Blues! So fun! And we did lots and lots of beach hopping. I think we explored every one of the North Shore beaches, and I loved all of them!

We came home with one entire suitcase of clothes we never wore.....we spent the whole time in our bathing suits and coverups. So I don't even have the usual mountain of dirty laundry to do post-vacation!

We will definitely be going back someday!

 

[Kitty 34]

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip!!! We just got back from Vegas late last night. Trips are loads of fun but that coming back can be kind of a drag!! Glad you don't have a lot of laundry.....we sure do!!!

 

[bsnyder]

How was your Vegas trip, Kitty?

 

[debster812]

I'm sorry, I will be unable to participate in this thread as I am INSANELY JEALOUS of both of you!

Glad you both had great trips.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

What a nice vacation - welcome home Bet

 

[DaisyDebbie]

You could've had a DIS meet with FigmentVI while you were there.

I want to go to ST. Johns and the villa sounds like the way to go

 

[Krissalee]

I am envious! We spent our honeymoon on St. John in 1998! It was the best trip ever! Since we were honeymooning, we stayed at a resort - Caneel Bay - and it was incredible!

We are planning to return soon, and rent a villa, rather than stay at a resort. It seems like there is so much more to do, when staying in a villa and having a rental car, rather than staying at a resort and having to rely on resort activities, the day long rental car, and taxis into Cruz Bay. We are rather low-key people, and resort living is really not our style! Although we did enjoy it for our honeymoon!

Caroal bay seems to have expanded. When we were there 5 years ago, Skinny Legs was the only restaurant in the area. The Jolly Dog and Island Blues must be new - would love some details!

I can't wait to return to St. John!

 

[bsnyder]

Krissee, we went to the Caneel Bay Resort to watch the sunset last night. Beautiful!!

It's kind of hard to believe that was only 24 hours ago...and I've had the wierdest sensation all day today. I feel like I'm still sitting in the surf, even though I'm sitting still! I've had that happen after being on a boat all day, but not like this!!!

We loved having the villa and really got a lot of use out of it. It was gorgeous, and very nicely laid out. It had a huge great room with double french doors all around it, leading to the outdoor living areas....pool, huge bar area with seating for six, and four different sitting/eating areas scattered around. We spent most of our time outdoors! The only night we ate out at a restaurant was the last night. We cooked on the grill 3 nights, and we splurged one night and had a caterer come in and cook a delicious steak and lobster dinner.

We rented 3 cars (there were 10 of us) and I have to say those steep mountain roads left me a little weak-kneed!! But it was great to be able to go where ever we wanted, on our own schedule, and not have to rely on taxis.

Not sure about Jolly Dog, but Island Blues is only about 3 years old. They had great food, and great live music.

I just can't say enough about what a great vacation desination St. John is!! If anyone is thinking about going there, you will have a wonderful time!

 

[gina2000]

Wow, Bet! Sounds like an absolutely awesome time! I love the Carribbean but have never hopped over to St. John. I think it's time to plan a trip!

I'm glad you had a wonderful time but it's nice to have you back.

 

[Ranatra]

Bet, Welcome Back!
Glad to hear you loved your trip! Any photos to share?

 

[CathyCanada]

Is the villa in your signature where you stayed? Looks like heaven!!!! I LOVE St. John, it is just so amazingly beautiful. Wish I was there now........
CC

 

[bsnyder]

Yes, CC, that picture in my signature is the place we stayed.

I only took a few pictures....I'm hopeless with a camera, and I don't have any idea how to post them on the internet. But here are some more from the villa's website:

Ranatra, I love your pictures of Punta Cana....it looks so relaxing!

 

[nativetxn]

That sounds so wonderful Bet. I would love to visit there sometime.

I'm glad you're back, though. We missed you.

 

[figmentvi]

Man talk about lifestyles of the Rich and Famous That villa is awesome!!!! And that bar is very, very cool. It kind of looks like the windmills that you see around the islands.

Seeee.......I told you you'd have a great time !!!

Did you see anybody jump nekked off the Willy T????

So glad you had a great time in our islands, come back soon !!!

Linda

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by figmentvi

Did you see anybody jump nekked off the Willy T????

Linda, I'm pleading the Fifth on this one, but we seem to have come home with a couple of new t-shirts in our suitcase! I have NO IDEA how that happened!

The bar was really neat....it had seashells and sea glass mortered into the rocks. And a really handy pop-up blender!

We will be back....I'm sure of it! How the heck do you ever get any work done though, if you live there?

 

[Ranatra]

Wow! That villa is gorgeous!
Can you send me the link to the website? I'd love to check it out!
We've been considering a trip to the Virgin Islands.

Punta Cana WAS relaxing. I'd go back in a hearbeat.

 

[bsnyder]

Here you go, Ranatra:

http://vivacations.com/villas/villa-lasusa.htm

 

[Blondie]

I've always heard that the Virgin Islands are gorgeous!

Sounds like you had a great time!

Welcome home!

 

[lulubelle]

Welcome Back!
We went to St. John (stayed at the Westin in a villa) last year and it was the best vacation we have ever had (WDW and Wonder Cruise coming in a close second, of course ). We did the same day tour you did thru Cruz Bay Watersports - our captain was Chris and he was great (and handsome!) and this day was our favorite. The snorkeling spots were unbeliveable and Foxy's and White Bay were so much fun. We also did "Snuba" one day (at gorgeous Trunk Bay), that was really neat, too. The beaches there are so awesome and relaxing. Had a fun time and meal at Woody's. We also loved to drive around the island. Did you see all the goats in the mountain areas? The only bummer about this vacation is how long it takes to get there. With three lengthy lay overs and the ferry ride from St. Thomas (we come from CA) it took about 18 hours, but it was worth every minute! We are defineately going back. Thanks for sharing, I just got out my photo album from the trip and relived it. Ahhhh, Cinnamon Bay.....

 

[figmentvi]

Linda, I'm pleading the Fifth on this one, but we seem to have come home with a couple of new t-shirts in our suitcase! I have NO IDEA how that happened!

Hmmmmmm Bet......methinks Painkillers may have played a small role in this.

How do we get work done???? We have to keep repeating over and over......."I gotta do this in order to stay here"