The Ultimate Vacation - HERE!
Review Submitted: July 7, 2009
Date of Stay: June 2009
The view from the balcony is a little different from the photo shown. This room is actually a few more rooms to the right, so you don't have that roof in the way (seen in the center of the balcony photo), and get an even BETTER view!
WOW - THE VIEWS - JUST INCREDIBLE! Just outside the building is a private, almost deserted, beach with LITERALLY crystal clear water - PERFECT for swimming and snorkeling! You can actually SEE the fish swimming in the rocks at about knee-deep in the water! The little kids nearby were really excited! Or, lay out at the two-level pool visible from the room! All of the Sapphire staff were helpful, and kept everything clean, safe and sound. Paula and Randall (two of the grounds security guards) were very helpful with island information and places to go! (Did you know there is a "Bridge to Nowhere" here too?) On weekends, David, another worker there, brings fresh coconuts for sale and shows off his machete-wielding skills as he cuts them into drinkable jars! (how cool is THAT?)
Besides the beach at Sapphire, snorkeling at Coki Beach was also great! (it's located next to Coral World) It's very commercialized (unlike Sapphire), but you can purchase fish food there. The fish REALLY go crazy for it, and swarm - great for underwater photos!
If you enjoy geocaching, there are some great spots on the island that will take you to special hideaways that the travel guides don't tell you about! You will want to rent a car, as it gives you more freedom to explore, and taxi fares can really add up fast! We ate at Cuzzin's in Charlotte Amalie - really great local food!
By the way, we HIGHLY recommend bringing a suitcase FULL of food - sounds strange, but true! Eating out for EVERY meal is pricy (Wendy's has NO "dollar menu" here!) and even store-bought food is VERY EXPENSIVE - eg. milk is $6.99 a gallon vs $2.29 at home! (the ONLY thing that is cheap here is rum!)
It's a good thing that this unit has a full kitchen w/ most of the things needed to prepare meals (stove/oven, fridge, microwave oven, coffee pot, dishes)! After a busy, fun-filled day and a home-cooked meal, you can use the blender to make tasty "island drinks", then watch the sun set on another PERFECT DAY in paradise! (wish we could post even a few of the photos we took!)
Sadly, we weren't able to go to half of the places that Henry suggested - guess we'll just have to return!
When's the next flight out? Can't wait to go back!
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Helpful votes: 3/3
