Finally getting around to posting our Land Based Trip Report for September 21 - October 1, 2003! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />

This trip was a combination of the first five days with a group of 100 from Metro Atlanta at Caneel Bay on St. John and the remaining five just Belinda and I at Coconut Point on Tortola <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> The STJ portion was earned by selling memberships/ advertising/investments for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is the 18th year I've gone on one with them.

St. John - Caneel Bay
We left Hartsfield-Atlanta Sunday 9/21 and had a good flight until we approached STT where we had to circle the island for about an hour due to storms! The pilot announced that "he only had a 1/4 mile visibility, a short runway, and hills all around" so he would "wait for an opening <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> We finally landed, went right to the bar for a Bushwacker!!! and then boarded the pre-arranged taxi to Caneel's private boat for the trip to Caneel Bay. About the time we landed until we got on the boat, the rain had slacked off. Once we left the dock it came down so hard you couldn't see 100 yards in front of you...more Rum Drinks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> The ride was great though, hell we're on VACATION <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

To sum up Caneel Bay, it was our first time there and it was OUTSTANDING!! The room was fabulous, walk out the back door onto our deck then through the banyon trees to the water less than 20 feet away <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> Service was friendly everywhere on the property and the food was very good especially serving a group of 100 the two nights we had everyone together. As has been discussed often on TTOL, all it takes is a friendly "Good Morning, or Good Afternoon" as you start a conversation in the islands. I'll try to give a "thumbnail" of each day.

Monday - took an all day sail on two Cats. Snorkled, rum drinks, went to Foxy's for his outstanding BBQ and heard him sing his "stories" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> Belinda saw her buddy "Zuke" sleeping under the dock and got him out to play in the water like they did last year. BTW, Zuke's a large dog <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> We then sailed to White Bay, floated in the water while we had more drinks, and then sailed back to Caneel while Belinda had to "rest her eyes" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> Had dinner that night, just the two of us, at Mongoose Restaurant. Came back to the room and decided to take a swim. Absolutely no one else was out on the entire beach in front of our buildings so Belinda and I just got in the water with our drinks (That's right, there's a continuing activity here <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />) and I held her feet up while she floated on her back star gazing!! What was really cool is the phosphorous (sp?) in the water. Everytime you'd move your arms/legs under water, little lightning bug type dots would glow!! New stuff for us! We wound up our evenings in the water every night while at Caneel.

Tuesday - took two of our friends who have never been to STJ (we've been almost a dozen times over the years) on a jeep tour of the island. Started out with b'fast at JJ's, went to our favorite beaches, lunch at Skinny's, more beach, then back to Caneel where we had a group dinner in the ruins!!

Wednesday - This was just a "Bear Day" (long story!) so Belinda and I snorkled off the beach at Caneel, not great but DAMN close to get to <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> Had to convince Belinda that it's not a good idea to snorkle around the dock when a ferry approaches <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" /> Went to lunch at JJ's, great sandwiches and drinks and later took my small group to dinner at Lime Inn Always good to see Rich and partake of his hospitality...dinner has always been outstanding, and he treats everyone like old friends <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thursday - the majority of our Chamber group left this morning so Belinda and I did the neighbourly thing by waving to them from our floats in the water with a drink in our hand and a smile on our face as the boat left...we were going to Tortola tomorrow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> That night we had a small group dinner and then they had a huge telescope set up for us to take turns stargazing or just lay on blankets on the lawn at Caneel's Equator Restaurant. Don't see quite that many stars here in Atlanta! Friday was a travel day to Tortola and there's much more to tell about that island which has become our favorite place to escape!! I'm probably leaving something out but you get the drift. I'll post the remaining report tomorrow, provided I get my real work done <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />