St. John

January 2012

For Rachel's 30th birthday, I planned a trip to St. John. It was the first time either of us had been to the Caribbean. I decided on St. John because the majority of the island is a national park. Also, there aren't any casinos, high-rise hotels, or even an airport. Most of the beaches are public, and they are both beautiful and not crowded.

St. John, Virgin Islands
6 days, 5 nights

  • Snorkeling and Sailing
  • Pain Killers (the drink)
  • National Parks
  • Mamiya 7
  • Holga
Jan

St. John

2012
St. John

This was one of the first trips where we just relaxed as opposed to rushing around trying to do everything possible. I dream of coming back here.

St. John

Day 1: Villa Capiz

01

We rented a house called "Villa Capiz" and it was amazing. As soon as I walked in I went out to the deck and stood there for about 20 minutes.

Day 2: Beach Time

St. John

02 Sunrise from our bedroom. I could get used to this.

St. John

03

First things first, find a quiet beach.

St. John

04 I've never had a vacation where I didn't want to leave the "hotel."

St. John

Day 3: British Virgin Islands

05

We took a boat to see The Baths on the British Virgin Islands.

St. John

06

Giant rocks!

St. John

07

A prehistoric landscape.

St. John

Day 4: Snorkeling

08

We went out with Kekoa Sailing for drinks, snacks and snorkeling.

St. John

09

I enjoyed snorkeling a bit more than Rachel did.

St. John

10

Post snorkel, post snacks, post drink.

St. John

11 Just around the corner from the dock is another quiet beach.

St. John

Day 5: Island Adventures

12

The east side of the island is primarily residential, with goats.

St. John

13 Ram Head trail is an short and easy trail that I recommend.

St. John

14

Vie's snack shack is as good as anything on the island. Maybe it's the combination of sun and beach, but her fried chicken and johnny cakes are the things dreams are made of.

St. John

15

Across from Vie's snack shack is Vie's private beach that costs $2.50 to get into. After eating fried chicken, it's worth it.

St. John

16

On Cinnamon Bay you can rent kayaks. It was surreal looking back to the island and only seeing forest, as opposed to fancy hotels.

St. John

Day 6: One for the Road

17

The drink of the Virgin Islands is called the Pain Killer. It's rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut and orange juice with fresh nutmeg. They go down a little too easy.