St John 2020

We went to Chicago on Jan 7th. Stayed at our usual Best Western in Des Plains. Jim asked check-in girl for recommendations and she said the Boston Fresh Food Market. Walkable from the hotel. We drove and was pleasantly surprised. They sell all fresh unfrozen fish. We had a couple of delicious sandwiches. The next time we will share a freshly grilled fish meal. It comes with vegetables, rice, and baked apples.

Up at 4 am and took a shuttle van to the airport. We had pre-check but my shoe caused alarm and of course total knee requires a pat-down. Flew to Charlotte and ate lunch. Bought salad and sandwich to eat on the plane. Arrived at 430 and luggage took awhile a big spirit airline had just landed.

Left at 510 and was able to catch the Crown ferry at 530. It is less than 10 minutes from the airport. Do ask what charge is we got gouged on the price but was in a hurry so did not bicker. I love this new addition.It felt so good to have the warm wind in our faces. A bird entertained us the whole ride over.

We arrived and Curtsey was there to pick us up along with a big group. We got our 4 door jeep and was off for groceries. We got the basics, creamer, milk, eggs, rum, beer, pop, water, We each brought a cooler with meat, lunch meat, cheeses, bacon, sausages, potatoes, chips and snacks, shrimp, We called Doug and Michele who was already at Villa Lunazul and told her our arrival time. We arrived at 0730. She had cooked us a lovely meal of chicken cordon Blue and rice. Doug and Michele live in Slinger WI and arrived a couple of hours earlier than us and got a ride to the villa. They do not want to drive on the island

Villa Lunazul is my all-time favorite Villa when renting with another couple.

We have stayed here 3 times, Dorthy and Edward are new owners and live down below in the villa down the hill. Always available for any questions or anything we needed. Nonatrusive would not even know they are there. We had a beach chair break and it was immediately changed out and Edward fixed it. A shutter was loose in the high winds and he fixed it the same day. Everything you need for the villa is there. Dorthy is a wealth of information and gave us several tips even though we have been here many times. The view is priceless from here. I find I sleep less. Always up by 6 to watch sunrise peeking over the horizon. This is the first time we experienced high winds and howling at night in Jan. I can not EVEN imagine what it was like during the hurricanes of 2017.

First Day Thursday, Jan 9th. Doug picked Maho. We arrived early and was able to get a place in the shade.

This beach has changed a lot since the new area with a bar and food has opened up. It definitely makes the beach busier. We did walk down and get a drink and they were very good at $8 average. There is a place to rent boards. In my opinion, it was a tastefully done area.

I prefer quieter areas but can see why some people like the addition. We snorkeled and you can always see turtles here. Maho is a beautiful sandy beach easy walkout for children. Great calm beach to learn to snorkel. Supper tonight was a pork loin, Cauliflower and smashed little potatoes in the oven. The first game of dominoes.

Friday Jan 10th

Frances for the day. It was pouring rain when I ran upstairs to start the coffee. It soon stopped. We stayed at Frances whole day had a 2o minute soaker rain. then it cleared out and we stayed until 330 and the No seeums carried us out. Steak, potatoes in foil and corn.

Full Moon Tonight

Saturday, Jan 11th
Went to Salt pond had been very windy during the night. Sunny, Saturday tends to be turn around day so not many people on the beach. We were able to find some shade.

Jim and I walked the short 10-minute walk to Drunk Bay. It is not good for swimming. The coastline here is wild and rugged. Good for beachcombing. it is open sea that rolls all the way from Africa. Many times you can find unique rock formations.

Miss Lucy's for late lunch

Nothing like grouper Ruban sandwich The lime in coconut drinks are awesome here.

Since we had late lunch just had shrimp and crackers with fig jelly and cheese

Sunday, Jan 12th

Today was a Trunk Bay beach day from 9-3. We sat up in the shade and enjoyed the beach and water. We walked the beach in the morning

We had Michele's lasagna and a salad. I must admit we are eating well on the islands.

Sunday is Packer Sunday

Packers played the Seahawks Packers WIN 28 Seatle 23 Packers play San Francisco for Divisional Playoffs,

Monday, Jan 13

Very high winds during the night. We decided to go to Lameshur
The roads were the worse we have ever seen. Definitely need a jeep to get here.

We stopped for a drink at Aqua Bistro

Had painkiller and lime and coconut.

Tuesday Jan 14

The boys and Michele picked Frances again to look for sea glass. One of my favorite beaches. It was cloudy and we had a downpour that lasted for about 20 minutes. The rain went away and we had a great day until the noseeums ran us away.

Tuesday means Chicken-fried Chicken with pecan honey sauce at Carribean Oasis. It has become so popular we called our order to be picked up at 600. We all went down and had a drink.

Bingo was ready to start so Jim and Michele bought cards. We enjoyed talking to the man Henry next to us. He invited us up to his house tomorrow. We decided to eat there. a quick pop up rain shower came and went. We left we noticed Henry and Betty were leaving ahead of us. We followed them up and decided to stop. They are such a cute couple he showed us his 2 bedroom place that he rents out when they are not here. They stay a couple of months, they are Italian and he told us of great Balsamic Vinegar that Starfish Market has that can refill. We later would stop and get some to bring home.

Wednesday Jan15th

Mostly sunny with a couple rain burst. We went to Hawknest from 10-3

.

We went to eat at Rumblines for appy and 1/2 off drinks at 5 0'clock at the bar. We had great service and food came out fast compared to last year's slow service. We had egg rolls, french fries, and spicy noodles and shrimp. I had mango Margaretia I liked.

Thursday Jan 16th,

We went to Cinnamon Bay. 930-300,

They have paved the road that goes by Catherineberg Ruins. I have driven by but never stopped to check them out. Since we were so close we stopped and enjoyed them.

Friday, Jan 17th

We went to Maho.

I had a good snorkel and saw 7 turtles. Came in at 130 and 4 people had sat up camp right behind us in our shade., Mind you we get to each beach early to find shade. We did not say anything gave them a hard look like REALLY and packed up. Went to
Frances.

Saturday we packed up. Edward and Dorthy came up to talk. We moved our stuff to Jane and Larry at Angel Roost

and took Michele and Doug to catch the 11 Crown Ferry.

We had so much fun with our friends. Not everyone you meet can you travel with. We might only see each other once a year but until next time my friends take care.

We went to Haulover South and snorkeled and relaxed.

First day we did not pack a lunch so stopped at Skinny's and shared a burger and chips and had my favorite drink Mango Painkiller. We went back to settle in and unpack.

Sunday, Jan 19th

We drove out to Pelican Rock. Parked and donated $5 It was calm and we snorkeled for 3 hours resting on shore for a while. Saw a spotted ray.

shelf reef close to shore

We had shrimp for supper. Packers played 49 ers It was not the outcome we wanted.

Monday, Jan 20th 63 birthday

Walked over to Haulover North but seas too rough. Went to Groupon the no see ums ate us alive so drove to Annaberg.

and checked out ruins. then went over on the side and read and enjoyed the area where they fly fish.

We chose La Tapa for birthday dinner. Some places are closed on Mondays

I had a Sangria and we shared a octopus appetizer

I had a shrimp pasta with shitakes mushrooms and sugar snap peas and arugula

We shared a flowerless choc cake with carjillao ice cream.

Tuesday Jan21st

Hiked to Brown Bay so much easier since I had a knee replacement last May
I was slower but the trail was cleared. Water was churned up and rough disappointing snorkel

.

We scored a parking spot at Oppenheimer at the fence

Wed Jan 22

We have done excursions with friends of the park in the past. I signed up for the all day one on Piracy of islands We met at the visitor center at 0945 Captain TOM of Sadie Sea, Archeologist Ken was the speaker. We Boarded and sat on the bottom in shade. We went to Henley Cay and parked you could snorkel if you wanted. other stops were on Mary's cay and last at three mooring balls at Leinster bay.

The archeologist was very long-winded it was interesting hearing all his stories. We made it back to dock at 4 pm.

Thursday finally calm enough to snorkel Haulover North.

Miss Lucy's for lunch

Went to Liensterbay and talked to Laurie and Chet from Minnesota, We relaxed and read on the side.

Friday January 25 th

Winds were down and had to Haulover North for last snorkle. It was like glass and was able to go way out to left.

Denis Bay for last afternoon.

Saturday
Last but memorable sunrise.

Up early packed and cleaned up went up to say goodby to Jane and Larry. Returned jeep and caught 1000 ferry.