Well we are back from a wonderful week in paradise! This trip was all about my sweetie checking off a bucket list item and swimming in the 3.5 mile beach to beach to power swim. The start was at Maho and 1 hour and 47 minutes later she walked out of the water and under the finish line banner in Hawknest. Not bad for a 50+ something swimmer. Of course she had my support, and I must say I was the best damn towel boy on the beach.
Once again we came down on US Airway out of DCA via CLT with a STT arrival of 3:20. All the flights were perfect, smooth, and on time. I was pleased to that US Airways have switched to the 757-200 (the stretch version), and we were in row 6 where you have enough room to host a high school prom. Life was good, but turned great when we arrived early. Sitting by the door we were the first out and with carry-on and skipping the free rum shot we were on our way to Red Hook in minutes. We were able to catch the 4PM ferry to STJ it was an amazing turn around. The way back was even better when we got upgraded to 1st Class.
Lodging this trip we used VRBO and stayed at Rendezvous Cottage. This one bedroom is part of multiple villa configurations. There is a two bedroom 2 bath villa that is for rent. A two bedroom villa that the owner and his family live in and the 1 bedroom cottage. Each unit is at different elevation and share a common pool. The villa was built in the 70s, but the owner has taken great care of the living spaces and was adding solar panels and upgrading the outdoor spaces while we were there. Unfortunately for the owner and good for us, he accidently drilled into the water pipe that fed the cottage. So halfway through our stay we had to move up to the two bedroom villa… ahhhh rats. The one common theme in both the cottage and the villa is some wonderful art work and photos. The cottage and the two bedroom were both great for us and I am sure we will return in the future. They are not shiny new but in good shape, the location to Cruz Bay is excellent, the owner on site is a big plus (especially for newbies), and OMG the view. We absolutely fell in love with the screen porch in the cottage, and when we moved up to the villa a great view became an excellent view.
As normal the best meals in STJ can be found in the Villa. We both love to cook and teamed up created some great meals. We did eat at Beach Bar, Tapas, Rhumb Lines, and ZoZos. It is hard to beat Beach Bar for a Mahi sandwich and it was first night easy.
Our dinner at Tapas the food was absolutely amazing, but unfortunately our first wine was corked. They gladly took it back, but the second one was iffy at best and we just endured it.
Rhumb Lines has always been one of our go to places, but on this visit my wife’s Pad Thai was wonderful, and I ordered Cuban Mojo Pork (I have had it there before). I can honestly say the Cuban Pork was the worst thing I have put in my mouth in 32 years of visiting St John. The pork was tough and rubbery and garlic lime mixture was so overwhelming it was replusive. It was nowhere close to being a Rhumb Line meal - we will return, but if this sub par meal is served again it will be the last.
It was our first visit to ZoZos. The meal was excellent and only surpassed the service. It was just a great dining experience. We will return even if it is a little pricey. The one thing I will not do is go for the sunset seating. The view was better from Villa Rendezvous and sitting on the rail at ZoZo’s is some kind of hot. The glittering lights of St Thomas hillside homes later in the evening were much nicer view than the heat of a falling sun. Below you will find a link to our blog with a sunset view from Villa Rendezvous – I highly recommend the 8pm seating and plan not to rush.
Because swimming the Power Swim was our goal this trip we hung at the North Shore. Maho, Cinnamon, Jumbie, Denis Bay, Hawknest, and Honeymoon were all visited. Denis was a new beach for us and well worth the hike.
In fact as we sat on our porch overlooking the island I asked my sweetie, tell me three new things that made this trip excellent. We both agreed: 1) Denis Bay what a great day; 2) Miss Josephine’s Greens sold at Starfish market. (Great Salad Mixture); and meeting Bryce Rhymer. Bryce is a 72 year old that did the swim with my wife. At the awards ceremony we sat on the ground and discussed people, places, and things. We found out that Bryce was a poet who lives in St Thomas. Returning to Rendezvous we googled’ him and found this poem –
Skeletons Cursor down and click on Bad Conscience -Pretty on the spot for me and a great guy to spend a day with. We also met Capt Mark at the award ceremony - always good to meet another TTOL member.
There was not a drop of rain in our 7 day visit. The water clarity was the best we have seen in years, and the snorkeling was absolutely amazing. I did keep a blog for family and friends
(Race For A Reason) while we were there and some of the pics will show you how clear the water really was.
Once again STJ provided a week of paradise.
