Just returned from a fantastic relaxing trip to st john and bvi. 5 days at maho bay and 4 days on sophisticated lady with captain rick. I read this forum almost every day in the winter and every other day in the summer dreaming of taking a trip to the islons. We chartered a cat in 2007 with some friends but this time wanted to take the girls ages 4 and 8. I was given a budget and did my best to stick to it. I am writing this lengthy trip report for those of you with small children to read. If you are on the fence (like I was) about taking your kids on this trip, don't delay and get it DONE! Let me reassure you that they will love it! I am also writing this lengthy report to let everyone know what a great time we had with Captain Rick on Sophisticated Lady!
The night before- downloaded a copy of The Buccaneer's Bible and put in a binder- a must have journal for kids 6years and up!
Day 1 Monday 3/9- 6am flight from st. louis to St. Thomas via connection in Miami. Ferry to St. John. Late lunch at High Tide, then Frett's taxi to Maho Bay Campground. We were in tent/cottage A31. Great ocean view, close to bathroom and close to beach. Was as I expected, girls were excited there was a lizard under the bed. They had live reggae at the pavillion so we danced until 10pm. Girls made friends immediately! We slept very well to the sounds of the tree frogs and the waves on the beach!! Bed extremely comfortable to my surprise!

Day 2- Tuesday-3/10- Breakfast of omelet and pancakes at the pavillion then straight to the beach!! Made more friends. Hiked over the rocks and shoreline to Francis Bay and played and snorkeled. Had happy hour and dinner then watched reef slide show that was entertaining. Fell fast asleep to the serenade of the tree frogs!

Day 3- wed 3/11- Another great breakfast in pavillion to start the day! Ate with our new friends! Family from atlanta and family from hartford. Also befriended a Naval officer and his girlfriend from Virginia. Spent the day on Little Maho snorkeling and hiked the trail to Big Maho. Played on the beach and snorkeled. Looked for the creatures that we saw last night in the slide show. Saw a sea turtle and stingray. The hike was filled wtih hunting for lizards, crabs and iguanas! Returned to camp and went on the camps treasure hunt- FUN!! Full moon night so went with a group to the beach at dark for star gazing. Very interesting and the 8 year soaked up all the info on the stars! Returned to pavillion for international folk dancing! I can't even tell you how much fun the adults, teens and young kids had! This place is girl scout camp with beer and wine!! PERFECT!

Day 4- Thursday 3/12. Hung out on the beach all day with our friends. Snorkeled, watched our navy friend wind surf, built sandcastles...etc. Very relaxing day. Watched glass blowing. Cooked hamburgers on the grill for dinner. Up to the pavillion for movie night- willy wonka and chocolate factory. Ate popcorn with wonderful island breeze- could life be any better?!? Kids crashed at 9:30 exhausted from a full day of fun.

Day 5 fri- 3/13. Another great breakfast then went with Hamilton the taxi driver who dropped us off at Salt Pond Bay- the most southern spot on St. John. Beachcombed, snorkeled all day. The 8 year old and I hiked the 1 mile trail to Ram's Head. Well worth the hike! We went to the very top of the 200 foot sea cliff and couldn't believe the view! Went back and hiked over to drunk bay where the kids had a blast building their own rock sculptures! Back to camp in the evening where the girls made paper out of lint and watched more glass blowing. Fell asleep exhausted again!

Day 6 sat 3/14- up early for ferry to soper's hole where we had lunch at Pussers and met up with Captain Rick of Sophisticated Lady. Got a few provisions then it was off to Cane Garden Bay. Girls played on the beach and then we joined in the happy hour celebration at Myett's where Kapeye was playing. This nice man gave the 8 year old his wooden instrument to join in the band. Found out later from Rick that this was Manpot! If you were there last saturday you may remember my girls- they were in matching hot pink suits and they LOVED playing with Kapeye and his band! Ate a great dinner at Myett's then went back to boat and tucked kids in. Rick and I returned to Myetts for the wig party. What a show this was! It was crazy and we had fun! There were some great constumes and wigs! Back to boat- don't know what time- didn't care- rocked to sleep by sophisticated lady...

Day 7 Sun 3/15- Sailed over to Jost and spent the day at Ivans and Soggy dollar. we were going to go on to great harbour but the girls made friends and were having too much fun so we stayed. went back to boat for cannonballs off the back before we motored over to diamond cay. Rick cooked us supper and taught the girls to use chop sticks. They loved Rick! And they loved Lucky the parrot! Fell asleep after lots of rum and after dinner caribs..

Day 8 Monday 3/16- Hiked over to bubbly pool. water was cool but it didn't bother the kids! Played in the pool and on the beach area looking for rocks and shells. Started raining on the way back to Foxy's Taboo- but who cares- rain in paradise is better than rain or snow in Illinois in March! Hung out at Foxy's for lunch and caribs. Back to boat to sail to Trellis for the Beans pirate show/happy Arrrgghh. Missed the ferry to Marina Cay so took the dingy- very wavey and we all were soaked-had a great laugh! The Michael Beans show is not to be missed! The kids loved it! The 8 year participated in the conch shell blowing contest and beat some of the adults! The prize was a bottle of rum-(mommy yelled "take the rum!") But Beans gave her one of his harmonicas instead. It is now the most prized possession in our house! They have played the harmonica and put on "pirate shows" nonstop since we got home! Went to Last resort for dinner and the singing chef. Kids passed out from such a fun day!

day 9- Tuesday 3/17- the saddest day for the trip- departure day. Hard to believe it's time to go home. Kids were up early playing the harmonica and dancing on the bow of the boat! Nice ferry ride back to St. Thomas. Got home at 1:30am.

My girls were so good on this trip. I can't recall any whining and they never once said "I'm bored". They played so good together. Rick was very good with them. They can't wait to go back. Life is so full of adventures and is all about the friendships you make and the sand in your pants! We went on so many wonderful adventures, made some great new freinds and had lots of wonderful beautiful white sand in our pants! Cheers to Captain Rick and Maho Camps!!