St. John – April 2023

Wednesday, April 5

Started the morning by renting a car. First place was sold out, as was the second, but fortunately our old friends at Varlack had one Jeep Wrangler available! We had to wait until 11am but that was ok.

We headed up Centerline Road, and despite a little rain, made our way to the other side of the island and Coral Bay. My hope was that Salt Pond and Ram’s Head would be dry and warm and they did not disappoint! Funny to drive through what seems like a rainy tropical jungle and end up at a dry and desert-like location, only a few miles away from each other!

It was a great hike, sunny and warm (and windy near the point) and when we stopped by Salt Pond, we saw flamingos! The thought is that 16 or 17 of them may have flown down from Anegada, way up north and east in the BVI. We only saw 2, but still, very cool to see these exotic birds in the USVI! 🦩🦩

Crummy iPhone photo of the flamingoes, part 1

Crummy iPhone photo of the flamingoes, part 2

In Drunk Bay, we saw what the Caribbean is like when there’s no protection from a bay or other islands. No swimming here, but as always, great views!

Trunk Bay, looking east at Norman Island and Peter Island in the BVI 🇬🇧🇻🇬🇻🇮

From Drunk Bay and Salt Pond, we began the hike up and south to Ram’s Head. Passing Blue Cobblestone Beach, which was empty, we took the trail out to the point.

Looking back at the southern side of St. John from Ram’s Head

Thanks to the nice lady for snapping this photo

After hiking back down the trail to Salt Pond Beach, we got in some relaxing swims and were able to cool off some! We didn’t really snorkel here, just swam and cooled off in the sea. We did see a few more turtles though and Andrea was able to get some great underwater photos and videos!

Andrea’s underwater photo of an endangered Hawksbill Turtle

After Salt Pond Beach, we hiked back up to the Jeep and drove through Coral Bay and out to East End. We drove as far as we could drive, with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns, then reversed course and went back to Haulover Beach for some late afternoon snorkeling! Andrea a shark, a puffer fish, an eel, and a big conch shell.

(Will add more photos and videos when Andrea processes them.)

After a dinner at Skinny’s (heard some Mt. Joy over their speakers) we drove back across the island to Cruz Bay.

The moon rise over Coral Bay and the BVI in the distance

(More pics and videos to be posted later)

🇻🇮

St. John – April 2023

Apr4

Tuesday, April 4

The best laid plans…

After a great day of exploring Hawksnest, and swimming along Gallows Point, we went out for an equally incredible dinner at Morgan’s Mango! We started the meal with a delicious yellowfin tuna tartare, and I had perhaps the best scallops of my life, while Andrea dined on a delicious grouper breaded with a sweet coconut on top. Andrea was drinking mojitos while I ordered a bottle of Louis Jadot Pouilly-Fuisse. For dessert, a delicious passion fruit ice cream. Our best dinner of the trip so far at a restaurant that lived up to its reputation. Ask for Jake!

The dinner turned into a bit of a late night, and neither one of us slept well. So we bailed on our plan to try to make it over to the National Park visitor center in an attempt to hike the daunting Reef Bay Trail, and decided to sleep in instead. I don’t regret the decision one bit.

Andrea did a little shopping in town, we had a late breakfast in our condo, and to this point on a Tuesday, have had another relaxing, quiet and chill day in the Caribbean. Moreover, I’m REALLY enjoying my book, “Not On Any Map”, by former St. John resident AND reporter from Philadelphia, Margie Smith Holt.

Great book ABOUT St. John being read while ON St. John 🙂🌴☀️

Looking north and west toward Lovango, Mingo and Grass Cays

A sailboat with black sails and a pirate theme – the Kekoa? ⛵️🤔

You don’t see planes very often when on St. John (the airport is on St. Thomas) but there was no missing this one!

He came back for another pass before heading back east toward St. Thomas and maybe Puerto Rico

Andrea chilling on the floating dock and getting some snorkeling in

A breezy view of Cruz Bay (and a dove) taken right before I hit “publish” 🕊🌞🏝😎

St. John – April 2023

Apr3

Monday, April 3

Today, Andrea got up before I did to capture the sunrise. I’m so grateful she got this video!

Sunrise over Cruz Bay

This morning, after we were BOTH out of bed, we made a breakfast here at Gallows. After breakfast, we walked into town and over to the national park visitor center. Sadly, we were informed that the guided hike down Reef Bay Trail, and to the bay itself, is sold out for tomorrow. However, if we show up early tomorrow morning, around 8:15 or 8:30, we might still be able to join them. Hopefully, there will be two or three no-shows. Today they were four, so we still have hope! From the visitor center, we hiked up and out of town towards Caneel (which is still closed post-hurricane) and then onto Hawksnest.

The view above Caneel Bay and Caneel Resort, which is mostly deserted

I snorkeled in the bay and saw SIX Hawksbill sea turtles! They’re endangered, so to see that many was very exciting. 🐢

We spent a few hours chilling at Hawksnest before returning to Gallows, where we both jumped into the bay and did a little snorkeling around the point and out to the floating dock. Chatted with Ben and hung out down by the water where we were able to see another beautiful sunset once again over St. Thomas!

Looking out from Gallows by the pool

The sun setting and views from the water

St. John – April 2023

Apr2

A relaxing getaway. A week at Gallows Point in St. John, right near Cruz bay. I’ve been here before, fortunately, and I’m thrilled to share it with Andrea for her first visit to this island.

The first two days, we didn’t do much of anything. It was a day of travel on Saturday, but getting out of Philly wasn’t that bad. Direct flight to St. Thomas, then the cab ride to Red Hook. Then the ferry to St. John. We had a van waiting for us at the dock, which brought us directly to the hotel. Checking in was seamless and we had a wonderful dinner at Oceans 362: seared tuna for me and Mahi Mahi for Andrea. 😋🐟🎣

We had a late breakfast in town, which was cool and relaxing. Met two locals (Megan and Porscha) and chatted with them about art and music and the possibility of going to Lovango.

Hung at the pool and in the condo and just chilled at Gallows for most of Sunday. Tomorrow, we might start to explore some of Virgin Islands NP, but yesterday and today were about resting and relaxing.