This year we tried something different on our pilgrimage to the blue water. Our group, which consisted of three very young 50 something couples, did a Wednesday to Wednesday villa rental. Perched high above Chocolate Hole and Hart Bay our villa for the week, Solaris, could not have been better! The views were amazing and the horizon seemed endless from every room. Solaris is a 4 bedroom villa built on multiple levels and provides ultimate privacy for each couple, yet spacious common areas inside and out. The kitchen is well stocked with most appliances and gadgets anybody should need for a week in paradise. To our delight after a day of travel the owner had stocked the refrigerator with beer, soda, rum, cheese and snacks.

I would be remiss in not mentioning the folks at Catered To , the rental agency we used for this getaway. Tyler, Deb, and Fran left no question unanswered and everything went off like clockwork. They coordinated the car rental through O’Conner, and were right there when we stepped off the ferry. Even nicer - we were able to complete all business transactions electronically via email. No faxes, snail mail, or multiple calls were required. However, when I did call to ask a specific question – I got a specific answer. Nice in these days and times! The slide show on the Catered To website accurately depicts the layout and condition Solaris. And yes that the Infinity Pool is 20 yards and offers some of the best views hanging on the walls gazing out in space. We had a wonderful dinner out at the gazebo one night to enjoy the constant breezes the location offers and watch the cruise ships leave for their next destination.

Rock Ridge Road – Those who saw some of my earlier posts as we prepared for our sojourn, I was a little concerned of the road up to Solaris. No problem mon! The Dodge Durango had 4WD and plenty of power. Never slipped once nor a squealed tire was heard. When the road was wet after a rain a lower gear is recommended, but by no means was it a scary ride! For the passengers there were some great views coming down from the top. There was some construction of homes on the road so vehicle traffic at quitting time can get tricky.

BTW – I guess the market problems in the US have found their way to the USVI. I think three out of four villas on the way up Rock Ridge Rd are for sale.

Morgan’s Mango was the first meal on the island Wednesday night. The food was very good and the service was wonderful. We did call for reservations why we enjoyed the owner’s welcome snacks and watched the sunset. Since O’Conner Rental does not have space downtown, I was concerned about parking. We never really had a problem. Spaces could be found at the head of Lind Trail on the Mongoose side of town, and by the tennis courts in the IRS building parking lot coming in from the Westin side of town.

Our traveling companions had never been to the Caribbean, and had limited snorkeling experience. We were in the water less than 10 minutes day one before the first turtles were spotted in Leinster Bay – just not fair. We received a great tour of the Annaburg Sugar Mill from National Park Volunteers. For lunch we went to Maho Campground store to pick up picnic supplies and then over the hill to Maho for our lunch and relaxing swim. Well I am still not sure how I did it, but I locked the keys in the car. Lucky I had cell phone coverage (AT&T), but it was off the BVI tower. Made the call to O’Conner to come unlock the car and 30 minutes later and $45 poorer the car keys were back in my control.

I felt pretty stupid locking the keys in the car until a family pulled in to the spot next to us. Mom, Dad, 3 kids and grandparents, which had come from STT on the car ferry had just had similar experience. The mini van they rented had a smart key, which he kept in his pocket while swimming. The key went stupid, and it was $250 and almost 3 hours to get his vehicle running again.

As the week progressed, we experienced some great snorkeling at Trunk and we were pleased that the crowds were reasonable. We did a day over at Lameshur Bay which also provided some very impressive snorkeling and our second turtle sightings. I should note that the road to Lameshur Bay for the most part is paved. We spent a little time on Salt Pond in the afternoon, but some heavy rains moved in and we were pretty whipped so we did not stay long.

Some how or another we always found ourselves almost everyday downtown Cruz Bay around the 4 o’clock - Woody’s Happy Hour. We always meet interesting folks and have a good time standing on the street corner. While hanging at Woody’s this time we met 3 different people we knew or had common friends.
I really enjoyed the Quiet Mon next door and find it a great place to chill and talk about the adventure of the day when the sun at Woody’s is too intense. The other thing I try never to miss on STJ is Sunday Jazz at the Beach Bar. It was great, the Bushwackers were flowing and the music was hot! A 15 year old from STT joined the regulars on Sax, and he was very good. The band was tight and everyone had a really good time.

We caught the ferry over to JVD on Saturday morning and began the beach crawl at Seddy’s… Made it as far as the Soggy Dollar, and then caught a taxi over the hill for lunch at Foxy’s. I was sad to find that Foxy has had some throat surgery (I think) and no longer sings regularly, if at all. He sat in his old chair and quietly chatted with folks and had his warm smile, but none of his wit and storytelling was heard. And I have to admit the food was really good! However after 4 hours of the Pain Killer crawl over a White Bay I was ready to eat.

The other excursion for the group was Nauti Nymph trip to the BVI. We got underway at 8 am from the Westin with Capt Calvin at the wheel. He gave us a great tour of the North Coast of STJ from the water complete with stories and legends. Zipped over to the West End to clear customs, and then it was off to Virgin Gorda. It was a rough crossing, but found Devil’s Bay calm and for the most part deserted. What a treat! We played in the Caves, snorkeled, and just took in the beauty. Seas much calmer on the way home and we hit the HMS Rhone for a snorkel and The Indians. The visibility was great for both and all enjoyed. Well in all my years going to the USVI and BVI, I had never been to Willy T’s. Been there done that, and my wife got the T-Shirt. Both of us jumped. I told my wife when we are too old to jump we will have to start doing bus tours in Europe. She stood up, climbed up on the rail, and off she went. No bus tours in the immediate future for us.

All in all it was a great trip. Lots of fun!!! The group left as friends, used a common kitty for all the bills, stayed in one vehicle, and returned as friends. The three couples have decided to start looking into a sail charter.

I did not post many pics this time, but I just found a new site to host pictures that I am going to use. When I get them uploaded I will post the link.