|
|
Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Gert van Dijken, Editor |
| CTR Homepage | Island Index | Search |
Curtain Bluff in Antigua offers exclusive 7-night rate during Sailing
Week 2003 *
St. John’s, Antigua (December 12, 2002) – Experience
the excitement and rush of seeing hundreds of sailboats, sails raised,
catching the trade winds and surging through the Caribbean seas. Join
sailors and spectators from around the world as the 36th Annual
Sailing Week begins off the coast of Antigua. This “grand
daddy” of Caribbean regattas will take place April 27 through
May 3, 2003.
There’s no better way to experience Antigua’s Sailing
Week than with Curtain Bluff’s seven-night “Sail
Away” vacation, available April 27 – May 4, 2003.
“Sail Away” guests become part of the action as they sail
during the race on Curtain Bluff’s luxury yacht, the Sentio, and
are privy to a private celebratory party at Curtain Bluff owner Howard
Hulford’s cliffside home for a grandstand view of the first race
as it sails by on Sunday, April 27. Included in the 7-night rate is a
choice of two types of oceanfront luxury accommodations including
$5,995 for a Junior Suite or $7,395 for the Grace Bay or Morris Bay
suites (prices are per room, based on double occupancy and include
taxes and gratuities). This vacation rate is for two guests and
includes three full meals a day, bar drinks, afternoon tea, hors
d’oeuvres at cocktail time, nightly entertainment and numerous
activities including waterskiing, scuba diving (for certified divers),
sea kayaking, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, tennis, squash, use of the
full-service fitness center including bayside yoga and more.
The resort’s Grace Bay and Morris Bay suites are new
this season, featuring one or two oversized bedrooms with in-suite
bathrooms, spacious living rooms, and sliding glass doors that open
onto sprawling private terraces with outdoor Jacuzzis and sweeping
views of the turquoise Caribbean waters. At 750 square-feet, the
Junior Suites boast a luxurious bedroom with a king sized bed, marble
bathroom and a sunken living room with sliding glass doors opening
onto a beachfront terrace. Fifteen pairs of suites connect to better
accommodate families.
Curtain Bluff is located on 20 lushly landscaped acres on the
south coast of Antigua and is surrounded by two beautiful sandy
beaches. Under the same ownership and management for over forty
years, Curtain Bluff offers a total of seventy-three beachfront
accommodations including eighteen Deluxe rooms, forty Junior Suites
and two-one-bedroom rooftop suites, with connecting rooms to
accommodate families or large groups. In addition to the
comprehensive (all-inclusive) rates which in addition to meals and bar
drinks cover most of the activities available to guests, a freshwater
pool and two beaches are available. Breakfast and dinner are served
in the open-air dining room, with a view of the ocean and the
hotel’s grounds, and lunch and refreshments are served at the
Beach Club. Live bands play every evening for dining and dancing
enjoyment.
For Curtain Bluff reservations and information call
1-888-289-9898 (in New York City 212-289-8888), or visit Curtain Bluff
online at www.curtainbluff.com
***Photography is available upon request***
COZUMEL, Mexico (Dec. 20, 2002) -- Sixteen hotels and resorts located in Isla Cozumel, the largest island in the Mexican Caribbean, have announced value-priced dive packages for 2003. Brisas Cozumel offers 2003 all-inclusive three, five and seven-night dive packages ranging from $399 to $929 based on per person, per night. All packages include deluxe accommodations, two-tank morning boat dives with dive master, use of tanks, weights and belt, as well as a snack and water. Formerly Costa Club Cozumel, Brisas also includes airport transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and alcoholic beverages from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.brisashotel.com or call toll-free 1-877-454-4355. Casa Mexicana presents dive packages ranging from three nights/two days of diving starting at $193 to seven nights/five days of diving starting at $465. Packages are priced per person, based on double occupancy, two-tank dives, unlimited tanks for shore diving, daily full breakfast buffet, a free T-shirt, free affiliation to the hyperbaric chamber and are valid Jan. 3 through Dec. 31, 2003. For more information call toll-free 1-877-228-6747. Casa Del Mar Cozumel features five different dive options, beginning with a three night/two day package starting at $185 and extending to a seven night/eight day package starting at $442. The packages include accommodations, daily breakfast, boat diving, unlimited tanks for shore diving, a T-shirt, welcome drink, and a 10 percent discount at Nachi Cocom beach club. Rates are per person based on double occupancy, and are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 22, 2003. For more information visit www.casadelmarcozumel.com or call 1-800-235-5892. Coral Princess Hotel & Resort offers three night/two days of diving packages starting at $238 and seven night/five days of diving packages starting at $574. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy. Packages include standard deluxe room, daily breakfast, two-tank dives, 20 percent discount on massages, 15 percent discount on food and beverage per room, one free welcome shore dive, a 30-minute snorkel tour to San Juan Reef and 25 percent discount on car rental. Packages are valid from Jan. 3 to Dec. 25, 2003. For additional information and reservations, visit www.coralprincess.com or call 1-800-253-2702. Days Inn Villa Iguanas offers five nights/three days of diving for $435 per person, double occupancy and seven nights/five days of diving for $650 per person, double occupancy. Both packages include accommodations, daily continental breakfast, two tanks per boat dive and all taxes. Packages are available from Jan. 1 to Dec. 20, 2003. For more information on packages and reservations, call 1-800-325-2525. El Cid La Ceiba Cozumel features a three night/two days of diving package starting at $250, a five night/four days of diving package starting at $446, and a seven night/five days of diving package starting at $551. Packages are priced per person, based on double occupancy, and are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 21, 2003. Packages include hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, two tanks per day for boat dives, unlimited tanks for shore diving, a welcome drink, beer bucket and taxes. For information on additional packages and reservations, call 1-800-437-9609 or email delmar@cozumel.com.mx. El Cozumeleño Beach Resort offers a variety of dive packages ranging from three night/two days of diving packages starting at $401, to seven night/five days of diving packages starting at $943. Packages are per person, based on double occupancy, and include ocean-view accommodations, two tanks per day, all meals and beverages, room service, daily activities program, mini golf, game room, non-motorized water sports, gym and diving T-shirt. For information on additional packages and reservations, visit www.elcozumeleno.com or call 1-800-437-3923. Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort is offering two dive packages in 2003. The three night/two days of diving package starts at $299, and the seven night/five days of diving package starts at $718. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy and are valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 19, 2003. All packages include two tanks per dive, weights, belt, soft drinks in the boat and unlimited shore dives. For more information on additional packages and reservations, visit www.fiestamericana.com or call 1-800-FIESTA1. Hacienda San Miguel Hotel & Suites features a variety of diving packages ranging from short dives to exclusive insider dive trips. Short dive packages start at $439 for 3 night/four days and insider dive trips start at $995 for 7 night/8 days. Packages are per room, based on double occupancy, and include hotel accommodations and free upgrade to deluxe suites upon availability, personalized certificate, daily in-room continental breakfast, two tanks per dive, weights, beverages on board, and a two-hour snorkeling trip for non divers. Regulator and BCD rentals are available for $6 each, per person, per dive. For information on packages and reservations, visit www.haciendasanmiguel.com or call toll-free 1-866-712-6387. Melía Cozumel All Inclusive Golf & Beach Resort presents all-inclusive dive packages ranging from three nights/two days of diving starting at $419 to seven nights/five days of diving starting at $970. Packages are per person, based on double occupancy and include all-inclusive deluxe accommodations, airport transfers, two-tank dives with weights and all taxes and gratuities. Formerly named Paradisus Cozumel, Melía Cozumel offers additional information at www.solmelia.com or 1-800-33MELIA. Plaza Las Glorias Cozumel provides three dive packages that incorporate diving with island excursions. From May 1 through Dec. 18, 2003, rates start at $713 for a three-night package and extend to $1,676 for a seven-night package. All three options include an ocean-view junior suite, daily breakfast buffet, two tanks per dive and passes to Chankanaab Park, Punta Sur Ecological Reserve and the island museum. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy. For more information, call 1-800-342-AMIGO. Presidente Inter-Continental Cozumel features five dive packages for 2003, based on ability level. Rates begin at $650 with the ^ÓDiscover Scuba Diving^Ô package for five nights superior accommodations, a welcome drink, daily breakfast buffet, discover scuba diving lesson with private instructor, two days of one-tank shallow dives, and dive equipment. The ^ÓDive Cozumel^Ô five-night package for $788 includes deluxe accommodations, welcome drink, daily breakfast buffet, three days of two-tank boat diving, unlimited shore diving, one night dive, dive equipment, and fruit and water. The most comprehensive package invites travelers to ^ÓGet Certified In Paradise^Ô for $1,148 and includes five nights deluxe accommodations, a welcome drink, daily breakfast buffet, private instructor, five academic modules, five confined water sessions, four open water training dives, PADI open water manual and table, one tank boat dive and equipment. Rates are per person based on double occupancy. For more information on these and other advanced diver packages, visit www.cozumel.intercontinental.com or call 1-800-327-0200. Reef Club Isla Cozumel Beach Resort offers four, six and eight-day dive packages with rates ranging from $301 for three nights/one day of diving, to $825 for seven nights/five days of diving. Valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 22, 2003, packages are per person, based on double occupancy, and include all-inclusive hotel accommodations and two tank dives per person. For more information visit www.reefclubcozumel.com or call toll-free 1-888-773-4349. Sol Cabañas Del Caribe features a variety of dive packages ranging from three night/ two days of diving starting at $274 to seven night/five days of diving starting at $625. Packages include ocean-view accommodations, tanks, weights, airport transfers and breakfast. Packages are priced per person, based on double or single occupancy, and are valid from Jan. 3 to Dec. 19, 2003. For information and reservations, visit www.solmelia.com or call 1-800-33MELIA. Suites Bahia and Suites Colonial, both located steps away from the heart of San Miguel, are offering five packages of varying lengths, all valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2003. Dive package rates at Suites Bahia start at $159 for three nights/two days of diving and extend to seven nights/five days of diving for $385. Suites Colonial^Òs three nights/two days of diving package starts at $157, while the seven nights/five days of diving package starts at $381. Packages are priced per person, based on double occupancy, two-tank dives, unlimited tanks for shore diving, daily continental breakfast, a free T-shirt, free affiliation to the hyperbaric chamber and are. For more information call toll-free 1-877-228-6747. Named "Cuzamil" by the Maya who inhabited it more than 2,000 years ago, Isla Cozumel or "land of the swallows" is located in the state of Quintana Roo, east of the Yucatan Peninsula. Cozumel, approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, has an international snorkeling and diving reputation with the world's second-largest reef network featuring limestone caves, tunnels and rare black coral. Cozumel Reefs National Park, a protected 30,000-acre national area covering 85 percent of the island^Òs dive sites and embracing the southern section of Cozumel, was created in 1996 for the purpose of conserving, monitoring and researching the reef formation and its natural habitat. In 2002 a U.S. News & World Report Travel Agent Survey recognized Isla Cozumel as the North American/Caribbean destination offering the best vacation value. Visit Cozumel on the World Wide Web at www.islacozumel.com.mx.
New airline launches convenient, low cost direct flights to Roatan
Roatan, Bay Islands- Sol Air announced today that the first of its'
weekly direct Saturday flights from Dallas has landed in the Bay
Islands of Honduras. The airline, which began operating in July, now
flies into Roatan Island, the largest of the Bay Islands.
Visitors to Roatan flying from Dallas previously landed on the
Honduras mainland and took a smaller plane to La Ceiba before being
transported to the island. The direct route shortens flight time and
provides a more comfortable, hassle-free trip.
"Our goal is to provide passengers to the Bay Islands, and Honduras,
with an exceptional flying experience based on our quality guarantee.
This includes superior customer service from the time the ticket is
booked until the customer has claimed his luggage at the airport where
the journey began. We offer exceptional ground and on-board service,
with no additional or hidden charges or restrictions," explains
Ricardo Martinez, president of Sol Air.
Visitors traditionally see the Bay Islands as an attractive
destination for family vacations as well as providing world-class reef
diving. However, the cost of airfares has made traveling to the
destination prohibitive. The creation of Sol Air, along with the
introduction of the new route, will reduce the cost of airfare to
Honduras, and the Bay Islands, by more than fifty percent.
Sol Air understands the importance of developing a good relationship
with the travel market and has developed a strategy that ensures
visitors traveling to the Bay Islands have the most positive
experience. This plan includes providing convenient flights, at a
great price, throughout all seasons. Sol Air is also paying special
attention to every minute detail from the booking process, through to
reliable baggage collections and overall service.
In keeping with its' low cost strategy, Sol Air will maintain an
economy class US $399 roundtrip airfare annually, from Miami, and $499
from Dallas. The company uses a newer, modern fleet of Boeing 737-300
aircraft.
Through its regular Miami to Central America route, Sol Air has
already collected a loyal following of satisfied passengers. A study
conducted by the University of Tegucigalpa showed 99% of all Sol Air
passengers would use the airline as its preferred air partner when
traveling to the destination.
Passengers flying with Sol Air have a choice of daily morning or
afternoon flights from Miami and a once weekly flight from Dallas,
which is direct to the Bay Islands.
Issued by: Sandra Sampayo
Bay Islands Marketing
sandra@bayislandstourism.com
+504 455-5841 (Roatan, Bay Islands)
www.bayislandstourism.com
On behalf of / info: Ricardo Martinez
Sol Air
+504 220-6543 (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
rmartinez@solair.net
www.solair.net
Three times a charm!!! What can I say after our third visit, June 1 . 15, 2002 to the Inn of Last Resort in Roatan, Honduras that I have not said already except, we.ll probably go back for a fourth visit next year. The Inn of Last Resort suits us perfectly! Easy diving with lots of colorful fish, creatures and coral, great food and accommodations, helpful and pleasant staff and a chance to relax, relax, relax surrounded by blue water and blue skies. My husband and I have spent 2 weeks in each of the past 3 years at ILR and although with each visit some things have changed, we have always had a Great time. ILR is a small, rustic resort set on Gibson Bight (which is a small cove or harbor, they say one of the safest of the island). The resort is made up of 4 buildings. The lodge which faces Gibson Bight encompasses the dining room, bar, lounge, game area, gift shop, TV and library. The other 3 buildings are the guest quarters, each with 10 rooms on 2 floors. The 4 buildings form a square with cement walkways and tropical gardens in between. The rooms are large and rustic with wood paneling and flooring. Each room has a queen size bed and 2 twin beds. The bathroom is small with a stall shower, but functional. All the rooms are air conditioned with 2 ceiling fans as well. Each room has a large open closet with built in shelves and hanging space as well as overhead storage for say your luggage. The rooms have a large window that faces out into the jungle like gardens. The food is great. This trip the Inn had a new restaurant manager and he was still trying out some new recipes. So after many meals we were asked what we thought. Breakfast is whatever you want off a standard menu (Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, French toast, Pancakes, Toast, Fresh Fruit, Juice, etc) or the daily special. Lunch and Dinner are a fixed menu that is posted in the Lodge. Lunch is usually a one plate meal such as Chicken Kabob.s with rice and beans, Baked Fish with vegetables and rice, Spanish Enchiladas with rice and beans or on picnic day ILR.s famous Fried Chicken and potato salad and always served with some kind of cookie or cake for dessert. Dinners are a little more formal with several courses. Dinner starts with some kind of appetizer such as soup, pasta, salad or maybe even shrimp cocktail. Then the main course is meat, potatoes and vegetables. A few examples that we had were Pasta with tomatoes, Bacon Wrapped Filet, Broiled Potatoes and Cheesecake or French Onion soup, Lobster tails, Baked Potatoes, Peas and Carrots and Banana Pie or Tossed Salad. Baked Red Snapper with Pasta and Key Lime Pie. All the meals were plentiful, but you can always ask for seconds. There are appetizers served at the bar each evening before dinner. The bar in on a check system. Each time you get something from the bar or the gift shop they fill out a slip and have you initial it. That way you need no money during your stay. On you last day, you settle up your bar bill. So now your wondering about the diving, isn.t that why we came?? Yes. The diving is great. ILR has 2 large dive boats the Miss Susan and Special Lady. Each has a dry box as well as area in the center of the boat. They have 2 rinse tanks in back, one dedicated to cameras. There is plenty of storage under the benches for weights or fins. They have a platform on the back, so you enter via Giant Stride and then 2 ladders for exit. The boats are covered and their roofs have access via a ladder for those who want to sun bathe on the ride. Most of dive sites are within a 10-minute ride of the resort and there are 3 single tank dives planned per day. Most of the time you come back to ILR for your surface interval. It gives you a chance to change film, batteries, get a soda or whatever. Dive times are 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM and 2 PM. Dives are lead by a Divemaster and last usually 50 minutes with a 3-minute safety stop required. Depending on the site some of the dives are a drift and others are moored. The diving is mostly wall diving, going down to a planned depth and then slowly working your way back shallow. Once a week the resort does a 2 tank AM dive, usually to the other side of the island, since the coral formations are different. We even had the opportunity to go to Mary.s Place this trip. Mary.s Place is a site that what closed for several years and is now open with restrictions. For those staying at ILR it is a 90 minute boat ride to get there, so that day we only did 2 dives, but Mary.s Place was a neat dive. Once a week, weather permitting they also have a picnic lunch down on West Bay Beach. They also do one boat night dive a week, omitting the 8:30 AM dive and adding 6 PM. The life is incredible!!!! All of the sites have tropical fish galore. This trip was lots of turtles. We saw turtles at least once a day if not more. We only saw a few Spotted Eagle Rays all at a distance. Even thought this was our 3rd trip to Roatan there is always something new to look for and see. After 12 days of diving and 16 rolls of film later my camera was glad when the trip came to an end. There is so much to see, the slower you go the more you can find and finding something unusual is the golden prize. They have a set of Humann.s books so that you can look up any fish or creatures you want to identify. The dive shop is just a few feet away from the boats. They have several fresh water rinse buckets out on the dock for your gear at the end of the day. Each room has four pegs in the shop for your gear storage and the shop is locked when no one is inside and at night. The resort has a lagoon that is a short walk from the room with a dock and chairs to watch the sunset and it is beautiful. The water at the dock is about 4-5 feet deep and goes to about 10 feet out by the reef. There is a natural cut in the coral with a marker on it and you can swim through and be out on one of the dive sites, Fish Den. You can dive from the lagoon any time, just let them know ahead and the staff will have tanks down there for you. Fish Den is a nice dive site and is easily navigated at night. What else can I say?? What more could you want, eat, sleep, dive and relax. A perfect diving vacation. There are some places that you can visit topside and the Inn has a receptionist who can help you make any arrangements needed. Be sure to check out their website at http://www.innoflastresort.com or email them your questions at dive@innoflastresort.com.
December 15-22, 2002
We just returned last night from our second incredible trip to
St. John. The first time that we vacationed in St. John (October
2001), we stayed at the Westin. This time we decided to rent a home on
the Coral Bay side of the island. Our villa, La Sirena, overlooked
Kiddle Bay, which is located just on the other side of Salt Pond from
Coral Bay. The location of the villa was very remote (but it was
fabulous to be so far away from everyone and everything (except for
the donkeys which came to visit each night). The home is very new,
having been completed in July of 2002. It was a perfect retreat for
two couples, but would definitely accommodate additional (older)
children in a third sleeping area which is located in an upstairs
loft. The owners of the home reside on the island, which was a plus
for us as they were available to answer questions when necessary. All
in all the home was excellent for our needs: small pool, outside
pool/cabana area, well-equipped kitchen, and inclusion of all desired
random supplies (i.e., coolers, beach chairs, CD player).
On to the trip...
Day One
We arrived on Sunday night and were met at Cruz Bay and escorted to
pick up our rental car and then on to our villa (after a short stop at
the Love City Minimart for some basic supplies) by the owner of the
home. After a brief orientation and a bit of unpacking/unwinding, and
with nightfall quickly closing in, we headed to Shipwreck Landing for
dinner and a few beers. The atmosphere there is great.and the food is
very good. Both of us had the Mahi.one blackened and one
.herbed.. After some unwinding, we headed back to La Sirena to settle
in for the night.
Day Two
Rising with the sun, we got up early Monday morning and headed out for
Kiddle Bay, which is visible from our villa. The realtor.s description
of the home indicates that it is a .two minute walk to the
beach.. They were right on the money; it took us about two minutes to
walk down a path to Kiddle Bay. The beach is beautiful, but is made up
of smooth round dark pebbles, and the bay is less protected (resulting
in rougher water) than some of the other beaches on
St. John. Regardless, it is a very .swimmable. and beautiful
bay. After walking back up the trail, we jumped in the car and headed
to Salt Pond Bay. This is a great place to relax on the beach and
snorkel. We headed up the left side of the bay, then across and back
down the right side, seeing tons of multicolored fish, a turtle and a
stingray along the way. Around 2pm, we headed to Pickles for
lunch. Great sandwiches and Gazpacho! Post-lunch, we drove back up the
road to Little Lamshur Bay. Lamshur has, up until recently, been
difficult to reach. However, the steepest part of the road has been
paved, so the bays are more accessible than they once were. We
snorkeled the second bay (Little Lamshur), and saw turtles, eels and
stingrays in addition to some beautiful coral and fish.
After Lamshur, we drove the east end of the island where there are
some beautiful views.though the majority of the waterfront is
inaccessible or private. We ate steaks at the house Monday night
(brought from the states in a collapsible cooler with dry ice) along
with broccoli purchased at the minimart.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning we decided to hit the Brown Bay trail. Given
directions by the owner of our villa, we parked near Estate Zootenvaal
(next to the National Park firing range) and hiked the rather
challenging trail (only about 45 minutes) to Brown Bay. Worth every
ounce of effort, this is a beautiful secluded beach and bay! Again, on
the advice of our villa owner, we set out snorkeling to the left of
the bay. About 20 yard out began the most incredible snorkeling
experience I have EVER had! The coral is so preserved, and we were
able to see multitudes of fish and sea life around the reef. This is
by far the BEST snorkeling we have done in the islands.
After our hike back to the car, we went to Skinny Leggs for
burgers. Great atmosphere and great burgers. It always amazes us what
a small world we live in-while we were there a guy walked up to our
table and said-"Are you Bo Ivester? I went to Clemson University with
you". Turns out this person now makes his home on the island.
Dinner that night was pork chops (brought from home) back at the
house.
Wednesday
On Wednesday we drove into Cruz Bay to do some shopping and barhopping
before picking up some friends at the ferry. Our favorite food on the
island is Uncle Joe's BBQ (the best ribs, chicken and macaroni salad
you can ask for), so we had anticipated the opportunity to visit this
place since our arrival. After picking up our friends at the ferry and
a short stop back at the villa, we headed to Miss Lucy's for
dinner. The restaurant sits right on the water near Coral Bay, and
being one of only two parties there, we selected a table outside on
the water. The food, atmosphere and service here were all excellent!
From mahi to crab cakes and paella, all of our meals were out top of
the line.
Thursday
On Thursday we chartered a boat/captain through Odyssey in Coral
Bay. Though our original intention was to visit the BVI's and snorkel
some of the out of the way reefs, we wound up sampling more pain
killers at various bars than snorkeling in the islands. We did visit
the Baths in Virgin Gorda, which was overrun with tour boats and
tourists. After that we visited Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar in
Yost Van Dyke and then Willy T's off of Norman Island. We did get some
snorkeling in towards the end of the day in the Caves at Norman
Island. It's still hard to beat some of the reefs off of St. John,
though. I would definitely recommend Brian and Wayne at Odyssey. They
are more flexible and personable than some of the other charter
companies that we've dealt with in the past.
Dinner on Thursday was Island Blues (this was Pepe's last time we were
in St. John). The food left a bit to be desired (except for the
outstanding wings!), but the atmosphere is great for a potential happy
hour!
Friday
On Friday we headed back to Salt Pond Bay to do some snorkeling. The
water was a bit choppy, and therefore a bit murky. However, we were
able to get in a pretty good snorkel anyway. Friday night we had
dinner at Chateau Bordeaux. The view and the food are to die for. We
arrived early for a 6:30 reservation in order to enjoy the view before
sunset and wound up watching a dark storm move across the BVI's. The
food at Chateau Bordeaux was a bit expensive, but the quality was
outstanding.
Saturday
On Saturday we lounged by our villa pool, and then headed into Cruz
Bay late in the morning. We again opted to eat at Uncle Joe's, eager
to share our delight with our friends. We spent the day shopping and
again bar hopping in Cruz Bay, and then picked up salad makings at the
Star Fish Market to compliment a steak dinner at our villa. We were a
bit surprised at the appearance (quality) of the meat in this
store. The steaks, chicken, fish and chops all looked very good (and
the price was not out of sight), so this might be something to keep in
mind in the future.
On the way back to Kiddle Bay we stopped at Voyages de st Jan in Cruz
Bay to check out the opening of a photography exhibit by an artist
that had drawn our attention earlier in the week. After going to this
restaurant-which we thought all week was a fancy boat charter
company-we were disappointed that we had not visited during our trip
for dinner or at least happy hour. We settled for dessert to go after
looking at their yummy-looking menu.
Sunday
Our friends left for an early flight, and Bo and I set out for one
last snorkel at Little Lamshur. We spent about an hour at the bay, and
then headed back to our villa to clean up and pack. What a difficult
place to leave, but it was nice to have Christmas waiting upon our
return to the states.
A quick note: Another writer had mentioned renting Dinghy's to visit
some of the beaches that are inaccessible by boat (Crabby's in Coral
Bay, Little Noah's Arks). However, the rental companies suggest that
you stay in the bay (in which they are rented) which really limits
your "sightseeing" around St. John.
Our favorite places in order of preference.....
Snorkeling: 1. Brown Bay, 2. Little Lamsheur, 3. Salt Pond Bay
Eating: 1. Uncle Joes 2. Chateau Bordeaux (for upscale)
Can't miss BVI's: 1. Foxy's 2. Norman Island, 3. Indians,
4. Sandy Cay
Resources and References:
jivester@mindspring.com
Our email address (for questions)
www.onlinevacations.com
Our villa rental service
http://www.usvi.net/usvi/html/st__john_map.html
This is a great map of St. John. Good level of detail (not too much or
too little) not found (by us) anywhere else.
http://www.st-john.com/nps/trails.html
Good information on hiking trails
http://www.usvi-on-line.com/usviforum.html
Forum discussion of things to do, places to see etc.
St. John Car Rental, Inc.
340/ 776-6103
Chateau Bordeaux (Reservations Recommended)
340/ 776-6611
Miss Lucy's Restaurant & Bar
340/ 693-5244
Odyssey VI Boat Rentals
340-776-1080 odyssey@unitedstates.vi
Shipwreck Landing
340/ 693-5640
Skinny Legs
340/ 779-4982
Voyages de St. Jan
340/ 774-1566
Singer, Gerald. (2000). St. John: Off the Beaten Track
The official Caribbean Travel Roundup World Wide Web site is http://caribtravelnews.com. Any material or views posted on this website in any context whatsoever represents the views, and is the responsibility, of the individual author only and as such The Caribbean Travel Roundup Newsletter cannot be held responsible or liable for the content or accuracy of posted material. The inclusion of such material within the website does not represent the position of, or an endorsement by, The Caribbean Travel Roundup. Contact: Gert van Dijken, e-mail: editor@caribtravelnews.com