Just returned from another fabulous trip to St. John. Just wanted to update a few things from our trip. We love St. John and have been visiting 2-3 times a year for the last 10 years. We stay at Grande Bay and don't rent a car. We love Rum Hut, High Tide, Cruz Bay Landing, Drink and Banana Deck. We mostly just do beaches, but I wanted to highlight a few experiences from this trip.
1. We did a new tour which was so awesome. Newsofstjohn.com now does 5 hour land based tours. Jenn will pick you up and be your personal tour guide for the day. She'll take you wherever you want to go. She provides beach chairs, beach umbrella, first aid kit, a cooler with water (you can pay a small fee for rum punches or beer or your favorite drink)!! She knows everything about the island and will take you wherever you want to go. We LOVED her and did two tours. She is the sweetest person and so much fun. You won't regret booking this tour. And, because she knows the people on the island she can find out who is open and who is not open. So, if you want to go to Angel's Rest (see #2 below) she will text Captain Peter to find out where he is. Here is her website:
http://newsofstjohntours.com/2. We fell in love with Angel's Rest, the floating bar. Jenn took us there twice. Captain Peter was at Haulover Bay. You swim out to this floating bar. So cool. My husband was fascinated that Captain Peter built it all himself. You'll love this place and Captain Peter. I think he posts on facebook where he will be.
3. On a sad note . . . Honeymoom Beach will no longer be a regular spot for us. Each time we go it is busier and busier. It was so crazy this time. One day was like the Jersey Shore (or any beach, really) on the Fourth of July. In addition to the regular tourists, there were 80 cruise ship people and FIVE snorkel boats. It was insanity. Not a spot open on the beach. And, the water looked like craziness with all the people swimming and snorkeling. Then, on another day a group of 10 high school seniors set up their drinking and music party right next to us. The language and drinking were horrible. After they left, I said to my husband, "If you weren't afraid for our country's future, you are now!" I have taught high school seniors for 26 years and I love this age, but this was crazy binge drinking kind of stuff. So, we may visit once on a trip but not like we used to.
4. On a final note, the ferry to Jost, although still the same kind of chaos, has gotten more reliable and quicker. If not for customs, it would be so easy. It used to be the ferry people hand wrote every passport number, etc. Now it is electronic so it is a lot quicker. We have taken the ferry more now since it is easier.
So, those are just a few quick notes. We love, love St. John and can't wait to get back. What a special little island. The people and the beaches and the warm air!! Can't be beat.
