dawnie9

There's a lot of construction going on in the Cruz Bay area. The resort they're putting up on the main road from Gallows going into town is insane! The rooms are literally on top of the road & when completed, the traffic will be standing still! The weird part is that there's also a lot of abandoned construction sites all over.
As far as crime, unfortunately, it's common for petty crime to rise on an island as tourism heats up. I've seen it happen in the T&C's islands where there is a building boom still going on.

Except for a few nasty encounters, the islanders were really friendly & we felt very comfortable there. I'm sure there have been a few NYC tourists who would say that I was nasty when I pushed past them for walking too slow on my city streets!Who me?!

Ahhhhh...driving over impossible cliffs, adorable lizards, curiously friendly sharks and that magnificent carribean sea....I'll miss ya!

brenandg

I concur with some of your issues about GP. The place could use some refreshing. The positives make up for it in our case and I'm glad that overall, you enjoyed your stay.

Those shower heads are pretty crappy. Ours actually broke off the holder and had to be hand held. I dealt with it for a day or so, then called the office and it was promptly replaced. I have never been lucky enough to have great water pressure anywhere I have been in the Caribbean. Decent, but never great. One thing I can say about Gallow's is that they promptly fixed anything I reported.

We had a similar situation with a wake up call our first trip. No call. I was a little irritated and called the office. Now we just use the alarm clock .

The Grande Bay resort does indeed look huge now. We have sort of watched that thing erect as we have been to STJ three times since last March. I think it is way behind the original projected opening. I am concerned about the impact it will have on CB. Time will tell.

I've enjoyed reading your report. Glad you and Dad had a nice time. It's nice meeting friends while on vacation too. Our November trip we met a great couple from Denver that we spent a fair amount of time with.

dawnie9

Brenandg, I think u & I are on the same page as far as restaurants & the resort. I'm glad I took your advice in staying at Gallows, especially for the first trip there. I wouldn't have been too happy to drive every night from another place into town for dinner. I told Akhil that many people have posted on the web that they have not been happy with the overall condition of the resort. He told me that it's hard to make changes when everyone complains on the web after they leave & not while they're there. So I took his advice & carefully filled out the evaluation form before leaving. You're right about service. They do attend to things very quickly when any requests are made. It's important to get what you pay for, and as you noted, the place certainly needs a little refreshing. And yes, the positives did outweigh the negatives for us too. Thanks to you & other Fodorites we had a great trip!!!!!!

mymoosie

Great, funny report! Love your sense of humor. It's been several years since we visited StJ and I do remember those crazy, curvy, steep, roads! Those are some of the more white-knuckle rides I've ever been on.

Joe's BBQ rocks! That's one of the things we miss about StJ. The last time we went it was the first place we hit after arriving, and the last meal before leaving. I even wanted to take some food home. LOL.

Glad you and your dad had a great trip.

owa

dawnie9, you wrote an awesome report. I mentioned in my trip report (should post today) how I wish I could write like you. I agree with you on your comments about Gallow. Your dad is a lucky man to see St. John with you. owa

dawnie9

Owa, thank you!!!and I'm sure your family is very grateful to have you in their lives!!!

JoenShell

OK ...... U made me feel as though I was there with u!!! U sucked me right in!!!! I would of been the one climbing on top of your shoulders at the site of that Shark!!! Sounds like great fun!! can't wait to be back on the island next May!!! 260 DAZE to go!!! now about that SHARK! Holy poop!!! have been to that gorgeous beach & have not encountered anything!! Thank God! I'm one who likes to play a lil' at the shore & than hit the beach for some sunning! I've snorkeled a bit but realy not into it...... hubby does more but has not seen a shark yet! anywho.. Thanks for a fun report!!!!! when will u go back? ps glad u made that ferry!!!!!!!

dawnie9

JoenShell, Maybe I would have been ok not making the ferry!!!!I normally do the carribean in July since that's my slowest season for work. I loved St.J & there was a large part of the island I didn't get to explore yet...so...