St John 2024 sharing with best friend Becki

St John 2024

29.01.2024

St John 2024 sharing with my best Friend Becki. I have known Becki since Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. 1975. She lives about an hour from me. I have tried to get her to join us in ST John for years. Her husband does not like warm weather trips. This year our friends were not joining us and we had a two-bedroom villa rented. I told her she might as well come at no charge for her just to get here. She is a very generous person and treated us many times to dinner and drinks and beautiful excursions to baths and Norman Cave.

Before this trip, we would have two trips to Med Point before we left. My husband, who rarely gets sick had a terrible cold and went on Sat. I was fine. On Wed I developed a horrible cold that went straight to deep chest cold. I went to Dr on Wed. I had wheezing that have never had. Dr did a COVID test and I was sitting there I was thinking, great I am not going to be able to go. Jim and Becki will be there without me. Whew, the nurse came back and I just had flu and a Negative Covid. The antibiotics kicked in and I felt better I just had a cough. We went to Indy and stayed with our daughter for the night. My lovely son-in-law took us to the airport at 3 am. We had 530 flight. Yippee we had been upgraded to first class for the first leg to Dulles. The plane was de-iced. we would miss some sub-zero weather at home and lots of snow while we were gone. We were on our way. We only had a 50-minute layover. And had had to go from terminal A to terminal C. When we got they were boarding. We lucked out and got an open seat so I could put my feet up. The bad news was we were next to a screaming toddler for at least an hour. Thanks to noise-canceling earplugs.

We arrived an hour before Becki. Always glad to see our cooler come off the conveyor.

Becki arrived on time with carry-on bags only. Yeah, we were off to the 330crown ferry. We arrived early enough for a drink at Tickles.

Courtesy picked us up at Crown Ferry. We got a bright orange Jeep.

Stopped and got milk, eggs, cream, juice, booze, beer, and water and was off to the wild side.

I thought I had reservations at Rumblines but they were closed. On to Skinny Legs for burgers that were so delicious. Tip order medium well mine was pretty red at med.

The next stop is Lunazul for our stay. Dorthy and Edward were out of town until TUE.

We unloaded and unpacked.

Sunday, Jan 14th.

Up at 0500 my favorite time on the island listening to sounds as the island wakes up. 615 for sunrise. Had sausage egg McMuffins and Becki was a great help in the kitchen. She always had coffee ready the night before. Just had to push the button. We usually leave for the beach at about 0830. Becki was a novice snorkeler. We picked Francis, it was windy but calm but the visibility was not good. saw turtles and rays. We had a quick sprinkle, rainbow and it cleared up for the day.

Back at Lunazul had appetizers and cocktails

Our supper was chicken cordon blue, rice, and pasta salad.

We were all tired and turned in early.

Monday, Jan 15

Blueberry pancakes and Steven's homemade bacon for Breakfast

We arrived in the parking lot at Maho 0845 and several early birds there. We got a nice spot right in the shade. It rained off and on for short periods for an hour or so and then it became sunny. Becki saw her first turtle and ray

We stopped at Annaberg and the plantation on the island of Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands. It is uninhabited and part of the Annaberg Historic District within the Virgin Islands National Park.

I had reservations at 530 at La Tapa a waterfront restaurant in Cruz Bay

Becki and I had sangria. We shared an appetizer of bread and 3 toppings

Jim had paella and we had pasta shrimp, longastino with lemongrass, and salmon. The chief outdid herself, everything blended together so well.

Tuesday Jan 16,

Virgin Gorda by Viator, The Baths is a collection of massive granite boulders as large as 40 feet in diameter, with white sand beaches and secret rock pools. short for batholiths) are comprised of a labyrinth of massive, awe-inspiring granite boulders that form an amazing array of cavernous passages meandering through sheltered sea pools along a sun-drenched shoreline.
These boulders, some as large as houses, are thought to be remnants of volcanic activity millions of years ago. Over time, the relentless forces of nature sculpted and eroded the rocks, creating narrow passages and hidden chambers.

Becki was treating us to the excursion that left from Westin.

It said to get there at 730 and would leave at 0800. There were 3 crew and 20 people going. They served a continental breakfast. The seas were rough but the vessel had a smooth ride. We arrived early at o930 and there were no other tours there so it was easy to walk through the baths.

Devils Bay and the baths

We ordered our lunch for the top of baths from the menus The food was very good. Get the onion rings here. We took a taxi back to the boat. Next Norman Island and the caves
Known for tales of buried treasure, these caves are appreciated even more for spectacular snorkeling

we'd biscuits and gravy for breakfast

Wednesday Jan17

We arrived at Salt Pond at 0845 and there were 8 jeeps already there. We found a place in the shade and started the hike. We took our time and enjoyed the views. The view from the top was worth it.

When got back donkeys were on the beach

Becki and I walked to Drunk beach

Miss Lucy's for 3 pm lunch/supper 3 grouper Reuben with fries please extra reumalaude sauce please, they have good coconut and lime drinks too!. My favorite on the island. Would only get to go here once next week it was closed for the week.

Thurs Jan 18

Little Lameshur the road has gotten worse since last year. Wish they could grate it. The second jeep is in lot atO845. Got the large shaded area with a tree and picnic table to the right. My favorite spot. This beach gets hot and this area stays shady.

Becki and I walked to the ruins at the right end of the beach

snorkeling out at rocks

Friday Jan 19

We went to Haulover South and had a good snorkel to right

I had made reservations to get to Lime out from Skinny's on Salt Lime at 1130 it was 107 for the three of us both ways it was a pontoon. You had to wear a noodle I was almost bellied up to the bar and turned round and no Jim or Becki there were a few swells and Jim was having a hard time getting there. Thanks to Becki who stayed with him. boy did I get a look from him. We got up to the bar and placed our order. Becki went out to the tube and had a hard time getting up. Next, I tried took a couple of tries, I don't have the best upper body strength. Jim is strong but still struggled but finally, we were up and our drinks were ready we joined a couple who were on an excursion from St Thomas. The tacos were great and the drinks were good. I had a ceviche taco, they had shrimp tacos. Danger was my spicy drink they had hunter drink. The fish are well-fed there. You drop anything and they are there to gobble it up. It was fun and a one-and-done for me.

We parked At Skinny's so shopped on the way out.

Had a taste for key lime pie and wanted to stop at Windmill
Bar. Each year they added on it was bigger than ever. Still irks me they charge you to park. Seems like if you get a drink the charge is not needed.

Sat was my 67 birthday. So blessed to get to spend it in my happy place. Jim picked Trunk. When we got thereO830. The beach was filling up. Jim found a spot in the shade. He thought since turn around day would not be crowded! Wrong cruise ships galore were in port. It was packed but actually fun to people-watch.

We had reservations for Morgan Mangos at 530. I always say island restaurants are good but not as good favorite restaurants at home. Tonight all three of us agreed overall one of the best meals we have ever had. From start to finish And Julia our waitress gave super service

Martini’s were spicy mango, key lime pie and pomegranate & pear

Appetizer was Peruvian fusion
Shrimp marinated in lime and tossed in a Spanish salsa. Served with crisp homemade yuca chips

the beet, scallop, and lamb medallions were superb

Caribbean lobster

coconut-encrusted grouper melted in your mouth

We shared white choc mousse key lime pie this is the best I have ever had.

Sunday, Jan 21

Becki's last day the winds were finally down and we were able to get to Haulover North for our favorite snorkel Becki said it was like an aquarium.

we climbed to top of Denis Bay for the 360 view

We spent the afternoon relaxing in Denis Bay

Becki wanted to go to Skinny’s for a burger. They had bands playing for a benefit. Good food and fun time.

Monday, Jan 22
We took north shore drive and stopped at Trunk for pictures on the way to take the ferry back.

We dropped Becki off at 0900 ferry and went to the deli for an Italian sandwich

We went to Oppenheimer and got the extra spot down the road.

IMG_2166

Supper was a homemade pizza with Trader Joe's garlic dough, ham, salami, and bacon. Better than island pizza.

Tuesday Jan23

we went to Grootpan we were the only ones on the beach till we left at two.

We snorkeled to the left pretty rough today. Left to stop at Miss Lucy's but it was closed. Not much on this side to eat at so back to Skinny’s to eat.

Wednesday Jan24

was a wash out it pretty much rained all day We stayed at the villa and enjoyed the sunshine pool area when the sun came out for a short time. We decided to go to Cruz Bay and eat at Greengos in Mongoose Junction. We hit happy hour so had 5 dollar mango margaritas
We had shrimp appy and shrimp tacos