St. John 2026

We went to Chicago on Friday for park sleep and fly. Ate in Elmhurst at Ella’s was good will try their pizza next time .We left at 0600 shuttle. AIRPORT was a zoo. We flew American . Grabbed a bagel for breakfast and had a sub sandwich for flight. Cooler came off early, always glad to see it.Was 330 so took taxi to Red hook. I got us a pain killer and Bushwacker while Jim got ferry tickets. Taxi took half hour and was 23 a person.ferry and luggage 32.we got our taxi from Curtsey 2100 for 22 days.

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Stopped at
Grocery store and got chicken and salad by Westin.Got to Lunazul cottage at 7 pm . 54 steps below lunazul.

Smaller but just the two of us. The view is to die for.Kelley the manager showed us around

Sunday January 11 th,

We got to Francis at 0900. Able to park right by beach. One of our favorite beaches to begin trip

rom our garden

Back at lunazul cottage made a turkey breast, rice and carrots from our garden.

Monday Jan 12,

had eggs sausage and toast,

the winds were down so went to Haulover North Calm no current snorkeled a hour and half

we then went to beach by pelican rock to read and snorkeled fringe reef to far left

We went to Extra Virgin Bistro

and at bar where can order off ale cart I had grapefruit margarita

we shared calamari

I had mushroom pappadelle my favorite

and Jim had Cioppino (Caribbean lobster,muscles,shrimp,roasted seafood brada

Wednesday Jan 13

We hiked to three mooring balls lots of fish but coral is damaged from many excursion boats coming hear. Glad to see have AED at many of beaches it must be the nurse in me.

We hiked to Annaberg st John. The Virgin Island NationalPark it has a self guided tour of historic Sugar Mill ruins

It was first established in 1718

We spent rest of day at Mary creek reading

Thursday Jan 14

Bacon eggs Mac muffin

We went in search of Flamingos did not see them at Mandolin. Went to Grootpan

No one on beach Jim went searching and found the flamingos but they were a long way in distance

We made homemade pizza with trader Joe garlic bread turned out pretty tasty

Thursday Jan 15

We went to little Lameshur right before we entered park saw that flamingos were close to road. What beautiful creatures.

Lameshur

We parked down by frank bay

had reservations at the Saint Restaurant Airel
Had best ceasarsalad ever had

Oysters on half shell

The view was spectacular reminded me of the old Zozo bar view

J

Friday Jan 16

16

We just had bagels with cream cheese for breakfast. There were not supposed to be any ships in St Thomas so we thought it would be a good day for Trunk Bay. Well every one on island must of thought the same. We arrived parking lot at 815 and the lot was almost full. We had a good day people watching and walking the beach . Luckily we did find a place in shade

We wanted to try Johnny Lime for lobster so stopped and ordered a pound and 1/4 43 a pound. They smoke it and she said would be ready at 615 when husband went to get not ready till almost 7. It came with butter only. It was good but I would not get again

Saturday Jan 17

We stopped at new bakery Dazy and got a almond croissant and mango scone both were outstanding

Hiked over to. Blue cobblestone I drank lots of water but became dizzy before last part up I think my blood pressure was low. Sad first time in 17 years did not make it to top. We sat on beach listening to waves over blue stones. Love that sound.

The trail to Drunken bay was cleared it was super windy there it is the Atlantic side always love seeing the rock people

The restaurant at Concordia is open so went up for sandwich. Shared Maui Mauiwe arrived at and plantain chips was tasty

we arrived at Oppenheimer Beach the three spots by gate were taken so Jim dropped me off and went to the one spot on the curve. We found a nice spot in the shade. We asked the other people what time they got there to get one of the three spots said got there 0745.

We decided to try Longboard in Cruz Bay for happy hour

Drinks were good I had a blood orange frozen margaritas

i had a tropical poke bowl mango,pineapple,cucumber passion fruit aioli sesame ponzu

Jim had pad Thai

Monday Jan 19

A friend who just left island said she saw several octopuses at Haulover South. We went there in search of one. We got lucky and one came out to play

squid

Supper was leftovers from longboard

Tuesday January 20 th my 69 th birthday

Jim stopped at new bakery where Rumblines used to be and got me a almond croissant

We went to the main beach at cancel. We were excited to see another octopus this one looked like a skunk when he swam how they transform and change colors is mesmerizing. He played quite a while then went in hiding. The way they change colors are insane. Octopuses change color instantly for camouflage,communication and defense by using specialized skin cells,chromatophores,iridophores and leucophores,controlled by their nervous system. They expand or contract pigment sacs to blend into their surroundings.

Saw a southern ray

Starfish

We had reservations at Morgan Mango for 530

Ceviche

I had coconut shriimp

Jim had paella

My friend Becki had arranged to pay the bill. What a treat they brought a piece of key lime pie out and sang happy birthday

Wednesday Jan 21

got to Hawknest about 845

left about 2 ate leftovers from Morgan Mango for supper

Thursday Jan 22 got there 0830 Denis Bay and had beach to ourselves had a soaking rain for about 1/2 hour first time got all wet this trip. It conveniently has rained at night.

We stopped at long board for happy hour both had blood orange frozen margaritas. Had chips and salsa we had 4 Maui Maui sandwiches enough to share

Friday 23

Went to hike Lindt trail got there 830 ranger gave us parking pass took us 1/2 hour to hike

To Solomon first one on beach until 1030 then several came . Forgot what a great beach it is

Saturday this evening the kids arrive we are moving up to Villa LeMur a 4 bedroom villa right above Lunazul.

lunazul cottage was fine for the two of us decided to rent for next year