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STJ Trip Review 7/14-7/22

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STJ Trip Review 7/14-7/22

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(@coco_de_mer_usvi)
Posts: 180
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Hey guys, I am not a professional at giving trip reviews but I will take a shot at it and give you what I got. Warning: The details may not be in order by the days it happened, lol.

7/14- Me, my 9 yr old son, my 15 yr old nephew, and my mom depart from PHL and arrive in STT. We quickly got our luggage and went to pick up our rental from Avis. In a matter of 5 min we were loading the vehicle with our bags. We rented a Chevy TrailBlazer which was perfect size for us and our luggage. Although we discovered thruout our trip it wasnt the right vehicle to navigate the roads on STJ. Next time we will go with something from Jeep. Off to RedHook, and loaded onto the car ferry. We waited about 45min and then took off. Arrive on STJ and next we checked in at the Westin. By this time it was dinner time and we were a little tired. So we had dinner at the Beach Bar Restaurant at the Westin, took a dip in the pool, and went back to the room.

**Here is where things wont be in order lol.

On Saturday we took the passenger ferry over to JVD. While on the ferry I finally met the owners of the Soggy Dollar Bar. Very nice people! We followed them over to White Bay and stayed about 3 hours. Stopped at Foxys for a few drinks and then it was time to head back to STJ. (** I wish the ferries would change their schedule as far as the times they go).

Sunday was my sons BDay, and we had a BDay cake for him at Chloe & Bernards. We looked at the menu first and didnt see much that we would of wanted, so we had his cake there and then went out to dinner in town. The cake was huge, and he enjoyed it. I asked the concierge and the restaurant to take the cake back to our room. When we got back later that night from dinner, we discovered the cake in the room not covered. Whomever delivered the cake back to our room, took it from the restaurant and didnt cover it with anything before taking it outside. Now we all know the mosquito problem, so could you imagine how many bugs were buzzing on the cake. I was a little ticked, so I went down to the front desk and told them of the problem. They credited us back the $55 for the cake which was the right thing to do, and removed the cake from our room.

Monday we were at the National Park Dock waiting to aboard the Stormy Petrel. This day trip to the Baths was the best highlight of our trip. I have been to STJ now 4 times but never made it to the Baths. We were on the boat at 8am and off we went. There were 2 captains which were awesome guys, and 11 passengers total. Each captain took turns sitting with us telling us stories, and jokes. I discovered paradise when sailing thru the Virgin Gorda. Absolutely beautiful!!! We cleared customs, and had a 20 min rest stop there. Then off to the Baths, and when we arrived there I never saw anything like it in my life. The captains took us thru the rocks, and there was 1 spot I couldnt go thru due to me probably being chlosterphobic. We stood on the edge of huge rocks and jumped 12 ft into water. It was soo much fun there. Everyone on the boat had a good time. Then we had lunch at Coopers Island which was pretty good, then it was a snorkel stop at the Indians. All in all it was well worth the money, and I would definately go with SP/ or PP again. The boat wasnt crowded as other charters are, they picked us up on time, everything was organized and went smoothly.

As far as restaurants we hopped around to quite a few. We went to Skinny Legs for lunch, Paradisio, Rhumb Lines, Morgans Mango, Lime Inn, Woodys, Cafe Roma, Ronnys Pizza. The only bad experience for us was at the Paradisio. We had a reservation for 630pm, and we sat at an outside table. Me and my nephew ordered Lobster, and thats where the bad starts. It was bad, bad enough that we were sick all night and the next day. Also, they put unnecessary charges to your credit card. We called our credit card and the charge should have been for $138 not $164. So my mom went to the restaurant and questioned them about this, and they said they only charged the $138, but credit card company says otherwise. We are still waiting on this matter, but I will definately update on this situation. Its a place we wont go back to eat at again. Rhumb Lines was delicious as always. I had steak and it was out of this world. The Lime Inn is also good as well. Skinny Legs well you cant go wrong there, never have a bad meal there. Also, Ronnys Pizza is a great place to take kids. My 9 yr old son loves it there, and its convenient.

The remaining days where we didnt have anything planned, we snorkeled and beach hopped. Took many drives around the entire island and took in the scenery. We just relaxed, and went at our own pace. We didnt spend too much time on the resort, and that is just why we are going to rent a villa again.

Update on laws, effective back in Jan you cant drive while talking on the cell phone. Last year we didnt see one police officer, and this time I was pulled over twice. First time, it was due to me not having my seat belt on which I normally do wear one just forget to put it on when I got back in the car. Police officer was extremely understanding and nice about it, thankfully we are buddies now because a few days later I was pulled over again while talking on my cell phone. When I got out of the car he started laughing and said "You Again", and told me to get out of here and hed buy me a drink later. So he was super about it.

I will post a link to my pictures later today, but all in all we had a good time.

 
Posted : July 25, 2006 10:03 am
(@mbw1024)
Posts: 21
Eminent Member
 

thanks for your review. we are thinking of taking the ferry to JVD as well. can you tell me more about what you did there and how you got around? thanks, appreciate it!

 
Posted : July 25, 2006 10:12 am
(@coco_de_mer_usvi)
Posts: 180
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

Well we spent most of our time on White Bay because your limited for time. We didnt get to White Bay until almost 1030am, and then you have to be back at the ferry dock by2pm to go back to STJ. Thats the only negative thing about taking the passenger ferry is your limited for time. Also, the ferry only runs on weekends to JVD. When we got there, there are taxis that will take you where you want to go.

 
Posted : July 25, 2006 11:35 am
(@mbw1024)
Posts: 21
Eminent Member
 

Thanks for the info!

 
Posted : July 25, 2006 2:21 pm
(@coden)
Posts: 112
Estimable Member
 

Thank you for your wonderful report and I'm so sorry that you two got sick, not pleasant, been there! Thanks for the heads-up/reminder of the seat belt law and the new cell phone law. I'll try to remember it come December.

Can't wait to go to Virgin Gorda. If we do no other excursion off the island I certainly hope to do that.

Thnx again!

 
Posted : July 25, 2006 6:03 pm
(@bluwater)
Posts: 2026
Noble Member
 

Thanks for the report. Whne did you stay at Coco? I thoguht it was on this last trip, but I see that you stayed at the Weston. Too bad about the cake. Someone there wasn't thinking.

 
Posted : July 26, 2006 1:12 am
(@coco_de_mer_usvi)
Posts: 180
Estimable Member
Topic starter
 

We stayed at the Westin. At the last minute COCODEMER was shy of 1 day we needed.

 
Posted : July 26, 2006 7:35 am
(@bluwater)
Posts: 2026
Noble Member
 

Bummer - I was hoping to get the scoop on and maybe some photos of Coco from you. Glad you enjoyed the westin and your son had a great birthday.

 
Posted : July 26, 2006 9:00 am

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