Yay! Sure am glad TTOL is back! We've missed it!<br><br>We returned from our 4th great trip to STJ a few weeks ago, and here are some highlights:<br><br>Saturday, 5/25: The flight from Huntsville, AL > Atlanta > STT went smoothly. Arrived STT 3:15pm, took taxi to Red Hook for the 20-minute ferry ride to STJ, and was greeted at Cruz Bay ferry dock by our villa manager (Karen Baranowski, Windspree Vacation Homes) at 5:00pm. Picked up the rental car (2-door Suzuki Sidekick) from Denzil Clyne, stopped at Marina Market for groceries, beer, and rum, and we’re off to Villa Margherita, located in Upper Carolina in the Coral Bay area. What a lovely home this is! I won’t go in to a full description of the house; instead, see Villa Margherita’s website: http://stjohnvilla.com or Windspree’s website: http://www.windspree.com for details and photos (photos do NOT do this place justice – it is more impressive in person.). Or, I’ll be glad to answer any specific questions. Would definitely rent from Karen at Windspree again, and highly recommend this villa. <br><br>We settled in and then hopped back in the Sidekick to make our way to one of our favorite watering holes, Shipwreck Landing, which is only minutes from our villa! We are liking the Coral Bay side of St. John already, having stayed closer to Cruz Bay on our last 3 trips to STJ. Had drinks and supper at Shipwreck then called it a night. <br><br>Sunday, 5/26: Started morning ritual of drinking coffee and loving the fabulous views of Sir Francis Drake Channel, Tortola, Norman and Cooper Islands from the villa veranda! I put out a bowl of sugar for the bananaquits and within 30 seconds there are 6-12 there for breakfast. My husband, Mitch, and his saltwater fly rod take a morning ride in search of some good shore/flats fishing. When he returned, we head for Maho Bay, cooler packed with lunch, Cruzan and Carib. Spent the day there, then had supper at Skinny Legs (another of our favorites) for drinks and the BEST cheeseburgers. Lovely day, beautiful beach, smooth, crystal clear water, ok snorkeling. Life is good. (I do regret not making it to Miss Lucy’s for the Sunday brunch and jazz this trip; we’ll do it next time.) <br><br>Monday, 5/27: It’s Memorial Day, and we anticipate crowded beaches. Not so. We went to Cinnamon Bay and it was fine! Not too many people at all! The number of boats moored in the bay was different, though. I’ve never seen so many before! I think I counted at least 20. Still, a lovely sight. I make a mental note to plan that crewed sailing charter that’s on our wish list. Since it’s Memorial Day, and being southerners and all, we just had to have some BBQ! So we went to Uncle Joe’s BBQ in Cruz Bay, of course! Just as great as every other time we’ve been there. Went to the Beach Bar for liquid desert ;-) and back to the villa. Lovely day, beautiful beach, met some fun people at the Beach Bar, great BBQ. Lulled to sleep by a nice evening rain. Life is good. <br><br>Tuesday, 5/28: Mitch goes fishing in the morning at Leinster Bay (there are some flats there) and hits pay dirt, or so I’m told, since he catches/releases. We then head to one of our favorite snorkeling spots, Salt Pond Bay. Snorkeling was great. Saw all the expected tropicals, plus THREE turtles this time! Had picnic lunch and plenty of Carib and Cruzan while there. Later that evening, we head back to Skinny Legs for supper and a few games of horseshoes. Lovely day, splendid snorkeling, cheeseburgers in paradise. A few short showers to keep it all green. Life is good. <br><br>Wednesday, 5/29: Today, we decide to go to the end of the road on East End. I’m so glad we finally did this (after 3 trips to St. John), as we really enjoyed this area. At the very end of the road, and I mean the VERY end, we take a path that runs between two homes to the deserted beach, and we had this whole beach entirely to ourselves! Well, except for some goats and pelicans ;-) BTW, Mitch had politely asked one of the homeowners if it was OK to use the beach. So far on this trip, I’ve been able to read 2 books cover to cover that I’d been saving as “beach reads”. Later, we head home and stop at the Love City Mini Market for more groceries, beer and rum. This is a great little place to get your basic grocery items in Coral Bay. Mitch went fishing at dusk. Said he hit pay dirt again. Had supper that night at the villa. It was a fun day of exploring and finding new places, good reading, fantastic weather, good fishing, good food and drink. Life is good. <br><br>Thursday, 5/30: Today we make the obligatory trip in to Cruz Bay for some shopping. Got that out of the way, then went to Lime Inn for lunch (very good), then the Beach Bar for drinks and relaxing. We then went to Maho Bay Camps to see their eco-tents and the area. Very interesting, and a good choice for those looking for the camping experience. From there we go to Shipwreck Landing (again) for light supper and then back to the villa. Fun, albeit non-beach day, met more nice people (Mitch never meets a stranger), great star gazing that night from the Jacuzzi at the villa. Life is good. <br><br>Friday, 5/31: Only one more full day in St. John, so we head to the beaches! We made it to Lameshur Bay (on “our” end of STJ), then to Jumbie Beach. Both were great, and there were very few other folks sharing these beaches with us. Surprisingly good snorkeling at Lameshur this time, and good snorkeling at Jumbie, too. We had supper at Café Roma in Cruz Bay (great pizza) and headed back to the villa. Oh, had to go to Skinny Legs one last time for drinks and a game of horseshoes. Tired but happy, we plan for a return visit in December while gazing at the beautiful waters and Tortola from our villa veranda. Life is good. <br><br>Saturday, 6/1: Donkeys visited us at the villa this morning. Left a couple of packages for us, too, right by the rental car. We just laugh. We stall at the villa for as long as we can before packing up for the trip home. We go to Cruz Bay and spend some time there before boarding the ferry. Got some great photos of the STJ fire department water hose drills at the VI Park Center docks, and we also visited Coconut Studios to see Elaine Estern’s art. This was an enjoyable visit, and her studio and home at Frank Bay (I believe) is a painter’s dream. What a view she has! <br><br>This was our 4th trip to St. John, and each time we discover something new and memorable to keep us coming back. We love this paradise and all it has to offer. Life is good! <br><br>Thanks for taking the time to read, and happy travels, <br>Neysa (and Mitch) Delk<br>