Westin St John review with Pics

Westin5Star · Jun 26, 2009

I love the pic of the crab pinching the nipple!!!

heckp · Jun 26, 2009

Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. I'm still waiting for my HRA to close and maybe eventually exchange to WSJ....LOL...your pictures are very inviting. :cheer:

tomandrobin · Jun 26, 2009

heckp said:
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. I'm still waiting for my HRA to close and maybe eventually exchange to WSJ....LOL...your pictures are very inviting.

What did you end up buying at HRA?

heckp · Jun 26, 2009

tomandrobin said:
What did you end up buying at HRA?

2BR LO EOY Even Year Phase 2 Gold Season.

tomandrobin · Jun 26, 2009

Very nice! We love HRA and the Gold Season! Did you get phase 1 or 2?

We bought a 3 bedroom in gold season last year.

tomandrobin · Jun 28, 2009

The Caribbean Beach BBQ was our reward for doing the owners update (timeshare presentation). We arrived early to make sure we could get two tables to seat our entire group, which was good idea since the BBQ was sold out that night. Most of the tables were under tents, just in case of rain. In the tropics, you can always expect a pop-up storm.....but it did not rain that night.

we grabbed two tables at the edge of the party, within easy walking distance to the bar! :woohoodan

There was a Caribbean band playing, a coconut man and fire dance performers during the BBQ.

coconut man

Paul in line getting a coconut for his wife....what a nice guy!

And a good tipper too!

tomandrobin · Jun 28, 2009

While eating dinner, listening to the music.....we got to be part of a beautiful sunset.

Robin and I on the beach at sunset. Can you spot the Mickey's on my Caribbean shirt?

The band and singers

tomandrobin · Jun 28, 2009

The master mixologist at work!

My happy party girl coming back with a two handed refill!!!

More fire dancer performances at night.

We stayed for the entire time. We had a great time and was worth spending 90 minutes to get the tickets. I didn't get any pictures of the buffet. I thought I did, but must have deleted them.....sorry. To summarize, the food was good and plentiful....good BBQ grub - burgers, hot dogs, BBQ spare ribs, fish, pasta salad, caesar and house salad, italian pasta and corn on the cob. We called it an early night after the BBQ. We have another snorkel day tomorrow!

sharktzu · Jun 28, 2009

Robin..great post! I feel like I was on the trip with you! My family did a bareboat charter in the BVI about 20 years ago and your pictures brought back memories of one of the best trips of my life. Thanks!

OCsun · Jun 29, 2009

I was so excited when I saw your pictures at Maho of the turtles and stingray. While there in April, I experience the same thing but did not have an underwater camera.

I have enjoyed reading both the wonderful SJ trip reports posted during the past month. Thanks! Pam

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

Day #6 (Wednesday)

Today we head out to the far end of the island to snorkel at Leinster Bay and Waterlemon Cay. See map below....

We park at the Anaberg Plantation parking lot and walk along the trial to our snorkel spot.

and walked some more.....

And walked on and on.....

Finally, we make it to the bay!

Actually, the walk wasn't too bad... .8 of a mile along the beach/shore line. But the trail was infested with mosquitoes. I had on my 98% DEET repellent and had no issues, but the girls got eaten alive. Those buggers were so aggressive!

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

There were a couple boats already at the bay.

We get on our gear and jump in. We have a long swim out to Waterlemon Cay, that is where the good snorkeling is suppose be located.

On the way over, we spot turtles again!

The water on the way over to Waterlemon Cay is loaded with "bait" fish, the water is thick with them.

And where there are bait fish, there are bigger fish to eat them.

Finally, we make over to the cay....yeah!

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

After the long walk and long swim, the under water sights were worth it!!

Pics of Robin's Favorite fish!

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

We spend a couple hours snorkeling before we decide to call it a day. We pack everything up and start our long march back to the cars. At this point of the trip, Dan has decided that he loves St John....even more then Atlantis. Wow, that was a surprise!

Dan proclaiming his Love of St John!

We head back to the resort. We take the scenic route over the top of St John. I was able to snap a shop of Coral Bay when we were near the top.

After all that walking and swimming, we are beat! My family heads back to the room for showers and naps. Our friends head down to the pool for Water Volleyball and some resort activities, like diving for beers! Damn....I hate that I missed that! The rest of the evening was just like the other nights. Cook on the grill, sitting by the pool drinking, watching the sunset!

mishpat · Jun 30, 2009

We are going in Feb.2010 for our 25th and your pics are, well, amazing. Two questions. First, how much is the Westin shuttle and second,if we want to spend a few hours in St Thomas before our return flight, any ideas what we can do with our luggage since the airlines do not allow check in sooner than four hours before the flight and we would have more than that to shop on St Thomas. Feel free to PM.

Politico · Jun 30, 2009

Camera

Aesome pics! Are all of these underwater shots witht he tough digital camera you posted a link to earlier? Or are some of them with a pure underwater camera. If it is the former, then I HAVE to get that camera, although some of the amazon.com reviews have me worried about it's durability/quality.

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

mishpat said:
We are going in Feb.2010 for our 25th and your pics are, well, amazing. Two questions. First, how much is the Westin shuttle and second,if we want to spend a few hours in St Thomas before our return flight, any ideas what we can do with our luggage since the airlines do not allow check in sooner than four hours before the flight and we would have more than that to shop on St Thomas. Feel free to PM.

Thank you for the compliment!

Its $100 r/t for non-owners, $95 for WSJ owners.

Sorry, I do not have answer for your luggage.

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

Politico said:
Awesome pics! Are all of these underwater shots with he tough digital camera you posted a link to earlier? Or are some of them with a pure underwater camera. If it is the former, then I HAVE to get that camera, although some of the amazon.com reviews have me worried about it's durability/quality.

All of the pictures in this trip report were done with the same camera I posted earlier. I bought it last year in September and have had zero problems. Its been to Maui, Oahu (my neighbor borrowed it for their trip), Disney three times and St John. Plus I have used it pretty regular around home.

DavidnRobin · Jun 30, 2009

tomandrobin said:
All of the pictures in this trip report were done with the same camera I posted earlier. I bought it last year in September and have had zero problems. Its been to Maui, Oahu (my neighbor borrowed it for their trip), Disney three times and St John. Plus I have used it pretty regular around home.

I ordered the latest model (Olympus Stylus TOUGH-8000 + Spare Li Battery + Case + Accessory Kit) on-line for ~$340 (total cost).
After seeing your great photos - wish we had one during our trip.

Like with TripAdvisor - be careful of reviews. I have had Olympus products without issue - but that doesn't mean there will not be problems w/ this one (as with everything) - just saying...

DavidnRobin · Jun 30, 2009

mishpat said:
We are going in Feb.2010 for our 25th and your pics are, well, amazing. Two questions. First, how much is the Westin shuttle and second,if we want to spend a few hours in St Thomas before our return flight, any ideas what we can do with our luggage since the airlines do not allow check in sooner than four hours before the flight and we would have more than that to shop on St Thomas. Feel free to PM.

You may be able to keep at the Westin STT office... call and ask.

Politico · Jun 30, 2009

DavidnRobin said:
I ordered the latest model (Olympus Stylus TOUGH-8000 + Spare Li Battery + Case + Accessory Kit) on-line for ~$340 (total cost).
After seeing your great photos - wish we had one during our trip.

Like with TripAdvisor - be careful of reviews. I have had Olympus products without issue - but that doesn't mean there will not be problems w/ this one (as with everything) - just saying...

When's your next trip? Perhaps I see how the camera fares for you before taking the plunge.

DavidnRobin · Jun 30, 2009

Politico said:
When's your next trip? Perhaps I see hwo it fares for you before taking the plunge.

The true test will be from mid-Sept to mid-Oct when we spend 2 weeks in Kauai (WPORV) and then 2 weeks in Maui (WKORV).

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

Politico said:
When's your next trip? Perhaps I see hwo it fares for you before taking the plunge.

I'll be taking the camera to Disney next week and to Harborside Aug 1st.

So you'll seeing pics of the Aquaventure from the water. If it survives that, it'll survive anything.

tomandrobin · Jun 30, 2009

DavidnRobin said:
The true test will be from mid-Sept to mid-Oct when we spend 2 weeks in Kauai (WPORV) and then 2 weeks in Maui (WKORV).

I will be looking forward to the shots!

Transit · Jun 30, 2009

tomandrobin said:
All of the pictures in this trip report were done with the same camera I posted earlier. I bought it last year in September and have had zero problems. Its been to Maui, Oahu (my neighbor borrowed it for their trip), Disney three times and St John. Plus I have used it pretty regular around home.

I was very impressed by this camera also.I picked up the Stylus tough 6000 today. We are headed to Ft lauderdale beach for the 4th I'll get to try it out.