Westin St John review with Pics

[tomandrobin]

We arrive at our first destination, Vigin Gorda where "The Baths" is located. The Baths is a unique arrangement of granite boulders, left over from the islands volcano origin. Over time the volcano rock around the boulder eroded away leaving the boulders in a giant pile at the beach.

Robin and I didn't climb and snorkel through the boulders with the rest of our group. Her foot still isn't quite ready for that kid of activity. So Robin and I just snorkeled around the outside of the boulders and the beach.

The Harbor at Spanish Town where we go through customs.

View of the Baths from the boat as we anchor.

The water here, where we are moored is about 20 feet deep. You can see the bottom of the ocean.....nice!

Robin and I jump right in and right away we find a sting ray with a escort fish.

 

[tomandrobin]

More snorkel shots from The Baths....

My favorite Caribbean fish.....The Robin fish.

 

[tomandrobin]

We head to the beach to wait for the rest of our group to complete their tour through the boulders. The beach and the surrounding boulders are breath taking.

The palm trees helps give you a perspective how big those boulders are in real life.

 

[tomandrobin]

Our group returns and we all swim back to the boat. Wjile waiting for the last couple to swim back, the Captain lets everyone jump/dive off the top of the boat. Most of of us took at least one jump! What fun....

Best dive of the day!!

I really love that last picture!

We finish up, head off to Cooper Island for lunch. We are all very hungry. All that snorkeling, swimming, climbing, jumping and drinking has us all looking forward to eating.

 

[tomandrobin]

It's only about a 20-25 minute ride over to Cooper Island and lunch. (Or maybe it just seemed that short with the painkillers and bushwackers flowing) The Island is the ultimate getaway hideaway. There is only one resort with six cottages on the whole island. When we arrive, our table is already set and waiting for the group. The crew took our lunch order prior to Spanish Town and had called it in to the restaurant. I really liked the overall efficiency of the crew and the excursion. Within a few minutes of being seated, lunch is served! Love in Paradise....It doesn't get much better that this!

More of the crazy clear ocean water at the pier.

Lunch!

Views from our table.

 

[DeniseM]

Fantastic trip and fantastic pictures! Tom, do you mind disclosing how much an excursion like this costs, and what was included?

 

[saluki]

I could get REAL comfortable at that Cooper Island lunch spot. That looks awesome.

 

[pianodinosaur]

What an absolutely fabulous vacation you had. The pictures are fantastic. We do not own a Starwood TS but do participate in SPG. Would you be able to comment on the adjacent hotel facilities?

 

[OCsun]

Wow! Great pictures and trip report; thanks for sharing. Pam

 

[tomandrobin]

Fantastic trip and fantastic pictures! Tom, do you mind disclosing how much an excursion like this costs, and what was included?

The Bad Kitty costs $145 + $25 for customs + $8-$18 for lunch + money for Soggy Dollar (if you choose). There are cheaper charters, but not that much cheaper and the Bad Kitty is awesome.

This price is per person.

 

[DeniseM]

What a great deal!

 

[pointsjunkie]

What an absolutely fabulous vacation you had. The pictures are fantastic. We do not own a Starwood TS but do participate in SPG. Would you be able to comment on the adjacent hotel facilities?

the hotel is on the old side. was not impressed with the rooms. they had a mildew smell. the staff at the pool was not at all helpful. they asked us for drinks 2 times in 5 days. and i had at least 3 a day so i went to the bar myself.

 

[stevens397]

Wow!

WSJ was our first Starwood experience and an incredible memory. We got what I later learned was a ridiculous trade into a 3 BR for Presidents Week! Your incredible pictures brought it all back.

Alas - not something I crave on a regular basis. The lack of golf is the killer here for me. But it's sad that it is unlikely that I'll make it back again and now they have changed the points so no 3 BR ever again.

Again, thanks for the wonderful pictures. I've never seen such a great trip report.

 

[tomandrobin]

After lunch, we board The Bad Kitty and head to our next destination....Norman Island, also part of British Virgin Islands. Norman Island is famous for two things. First, Its said the epic by Robert Louis was based in the island, and second, its tales of pirates and treasure caves. So we are heading to those fabled caves to snorkel.

We put on our "snorkel" vests, required by the park service and jump in.

We are not in the water long and we have an incident. Back earlier, when we were putting on our snorkel vests, the captain and crew emphasized for us not to touch the coral, especially the yellowish coral. This coral is called fire coral and apparently upon contact, can and will cause inflammatory pain. Fire Coral. One of the kids was having problems with his mask. He decided to climb on the rock ledge to fix it. While he was adjusting his mask, he slipped off the ledge on to the coral. Instantly, Shane's side was burning.

Poor Shane, he laid on the boat for the next two hours....withering in pain. It was hard to watch and not be able to help him.

Needless to say, I took no more pictures that day.

We left Norman Island and headed to Jost Van Dyke and our final stop. We pulled off shore of Jost Van Dyke and swan a shore. There are no docks at the beach, so to get the bar....all must swim to shore....hence the name - "Soggy Dollar Bar". Soggy Dollar Bar Website

 

[tomandrobin]

What a great deal!

That cost is per person.

 

[jenniferhu]

What kind of camera?

Would you mind sharing what kind of cameras you were using? The underwater photos are great! Thanks.

 

[DeniseM]

That cost is per person.

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH..... Well it looks like a fabulous trip!

What did you do about Shane's injury?

 

[taffy19]

What a great trip report and with all these colorful photos too. They are awesome and it all looks so inviting, especially the clear water. I have only one problem here and that is the two Robins in their user names. I have to reread again which Robin we are reading about like Tom or Dave since both were here at the same time. I think I have it figured out now by the photos in the avatar, who is posting.

What a pity that you had so little time to spend some more time together. It would have been fun.

 

[tomandrobin]

Would you mind sharing what kind of cameras you were using? The underwater photos are great! Thanks.

Its an Olympus Digital camera that is waterproof and shockproof. Its great for traveling and in the water. Its relatively inexpensive for what it does.

Camera link

I think I paid around $250 for the camera.

I have a much nicer 35mm camera for "better" pictures. But for all around usability, the Olympus gets used more often. Its nice just to be able to slip the camera in my pocket.

 

[tomandrobin]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH..... Well it looks like a fabulous trip!

What did you do about Shane's injury?

Not much.....A few tylenols and some meat tenderizer. The pain eventually subsides after a few hours and the swelling went away after a day.

 

[pharmgirl]

Thanks for the great pictures. We have gone sailing (chartered boat, we are captain/crew) many times in the BVI. Cooper is my favorite island!
We own in Maui KORV but also Oahu Marriott. have traded our marriott for frenchman's Cove in St Thomas. We will try to trade into St John's now The Robins' pictures show the scenery and units so much better that Starwood's site

Now I am planning to take the same charter to see the BVIs again. Will we need to get to St John's first? or does it pick up from St Thomas?

 

[DavidnRobin]

I have to get us one of those waterproof/shockproof digital cameras - so much to see and photograph underwater. Nice pics.

Last year Bad Kitty was $135+$20pp - I agree it is a great charter. You said there were some minor issues - what were they?

While in Poipu (Kauai) years ago - I lost a fin in a strong current and ended up on a reef - I still have scars on my knees from it - those rocks/corals are all living creatures and getting them in/under your skin is painful and highly inflammatory.

As I wrote last year - I actually went out and brought a snorkel vest (one that fits well) after our Bad Kitty trip (Norman Island caves). I love it and do not care if it makes me look like a geek. It allows me (or Robin holding on to me) to adjust things or just take a break to rest when needed (like feet cramps) - especialy when you get far away from land. The snorkle vest, the sun/water shirt (SPF50), soft-sided cooler, and the neat sheet are must haves (for us) for beach/snorkeling activities - and now will add a waterproof digital camera.

 

[DeniseM]

David - I want to get a snorkel vest for DH - what kind did you get? I float like a cork, but he is a big guy and muscular and he floats like a rock!

 

[DavidnRobin]

David - I want to get a snorkel vest for DH - what kind did you get? I float like a cork, but he is a big guy and muscular and he floats like a rock!

XL Blue (on-line) with adjustable straps for waist and between legs and an inflate/release tube-valve - I don't recall brand or store, but it is a standard one - and was around $40 (there are plenty on-line) - very light-weight and compact.

I float well also - big, but heavy - and even more buoyant with the water/sun shirt (as shown in photo of me floating w/ pelican - lol) - Robin got a water/sun shirt also because she gets cold. I like the comfort the vest gives me (and Robin) in case something happens as it can/will in the ocean. Besides - I have heard too many horror stories from dive instructors and lifeguards about how things that seem calm can go bad quickly.

...back to the regularily scheduled trip report - I am really enjoying Tom's - they did have a different trip than ours.

 

[tomandrobin]

After our all day excursion of sun, snorkeling, drinking and touring the British Virgin Islands, we head back to the resort for dinner. Our friends are staying in a two bedroom unit up on the hillside section. They have the private pool with propane grills. Tonight we have hamburgers on the grill and eat poolside, while watching the sunset for the evening. We grilled every night in St John, except for two of the dinners.

We all crashed early into bed that night, which seems to be the theme on this trip....9pm!

The next two days are resort days. We rented a Cabana at the pool and that become our "home" for the next two days. We pretty much just floated in the pool, played water volleyball, went down to the beach and had lots of rum drinks!

Paul, Dan, Greg and I floating in the pool

Robin getting her "sun" on!

Billy and Shane taking a break after water Volleyball.

Mary Ann, Holly and Luke floating on rafts in the Bay.

Rose, Shane and Grace also floating out in the bay.

Pic of the outdoor cafe where we ate lunch the first day.