Last Friday, after breakfast, hugs and a few tears (all mine, not Hailey’s), David and I took off to the airport around 9:15am. Our flight was at 11:50am and we needed to be there at least 2 hours prior to our flight. We were set to arrive in St. Thomas at 4:15pm.
We made it on the plane with time to spare and I relished in the peace and quiet of the plane seat. (You know you’re a toddler mom when…)
Our flight landed on time at 4:15pm.
We had exactly 45 minutes to grab out carry-ons, get off the plane, take a taxi to Red Hook (20 minutes away) and catch a ferry that left at 5:00pm to Tortola.
We hustled.
I stared anxiously at our watch as Rudy, our driver, gave us a tour of the mountainside and ran into a bit of traffic. The clock ticked to 5:00pm, then to 5:10pm. Rudy tried radioing the dock to hold the ferry. No one answered. I knew we had missed it.
I was wrong. Luckily everyone in the islands operates on island time- a foreign concept to me. The ferry didn’t end up leaving until 5:45pm and in perfect time to catch the sunset on our hour ride over.
Just gorgeous, I remember thinking while stealing a glance at the clock.
We arrived and went through customs (The US switches to Britain when you cross from St. Thomas to Tortola) around 6:45pm.
From there we hopped in a cab to take us to the opposite side of the island, to a small adjacent island called Beef Island.
After diverting our route due to an accident, scaling a road that was, I’m certain, 90 degrees to the island and watching the minutes tick by, we arrived at a small gate and a gravel road.
We had made it to Surfsong at approximately 8:00pm.
We were greeted by a friendly man named Simon, who had helped me orchestrate the journey from St. Thomas to Surfsong Villa Resort. He offered us wine, took our bags and showed us around. Immediately I began to relax.
We had made it! It was dark, but from what I could see, the grounds were beautiful. Our villa, which had its own private pool, was the epitome of simple elegance.
Since we arrived late, food had been prepared for us and placed in our room. We wasted no time consuming the cheese platter… and more wine.
Excited to explore, we grabbed our wine and headed out, where we ran into Cate, the owner. I’d been in email contact with Cate and she had been the one who offered to host us for the night before we jumped on our boat. I was so excited to meet her face to face and express my gratitude for her and Simon’s superior customer service and my awe of what she and her husband have created.
Cate is wonderful. Surfsong is paradise.
We spent the night walking the beach and swinging in hammocks, giddy that we were finally on vacation.
I have no idea what time we went to bed, but I know we slept like teenagers (who I’d argue from personal experience sleep MUCH better than babies).
I don’t know what time we woke up either, but I knew breakfast sounded great.
We wandered the road in awe of the beauty sunlight unveiled. In the light, Surfsong came to life.
We made it to breakfast where we were escorted to a table nestled by giant boulders and tropical plants. Surfsong is home to 7 private villas, which made me feel like Richard Branson, like everyone was catering all of this luxury exclusively to me.
Vegetable and bacon omelet, seasoned potatoes, fresh fruit and toast
David and I enjoyed our leisurely breakfast, then scooted over to the best seat in the house to sip our coffee.
If you think that looks nice, just check out the view from my seat-
Not a bad place to wake up 
We ran into Cate again who showed us around in the light. We recognized the well stocked honor bar from the night before. Wine, beer, liquor, sodas, espresso, tea- all at your finger tips. We simply took what we desired and wrote it down in a little book on the counter.
The beauty of Surfsong, though, is that it seems the resort simply grew out of the island. Everything blends in beautifully with nature because it is nature.
Plus, everywhere we went, this was our view.
Not. Too. Shabby.
I’m glad we brought plenty of sunscreen because the sun shone brightly and I didn’t want to end up like the tourist tree, named for its red and peeling appearance.
Every hideaway felt as though it was sitting there waiting for us to come enjoy it.
There were candles with matches, clean white cushions and hammocks to be found everywhere. David and I spent the morning hammock-hopping and soaking in the beauty.
We were to leave around 2:00 to head to the marina, but decided we’d just leave after lunch, which would be whenever we got hungry.
We had no need for clocks anymore. We had finally switched over to island time.
To be continued… on the catamaran!
Adria @ A Spoonful of Healthy says
So beautiful!! Hope you continue enjoying your vacation and I can’t wait to see more pics!!
emily s says
Stunning!!!! So jealous. This place reminds me of a resort we went to in the Ko Phi Phi islands in Thailand. Can’t wait to see more !
Brittany says
Oh wow, in Thailand? Fancy! What was the name of it?
Emily S says
Phi Phi Island Village! http://www.ppisland.com/index.php The breakfasts outside were one of our favorite parts. A real tucked away, small place, too!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
What awesome photos, so far!! I look forward to seeing more, especially of your delicious eats. That breakfast looks fantastic.
And thank goodness for island time! You lucked out ;).
Parita @ myinnershakti says
So much fun! I love that you and David got some time to yourselves to relax and just be. As much fun as parenthood seems, a little time off is probably much needed! Can’t wait to read about the rest of your trip. 🙂
Brittany says
Though I missed Hailey SO much, being just the two of us with no regards to nap times or meal times was AHmazing.
Jen says
Wow that really looks like the most relaxing place on earth! SO glad you and David had fun!
Brittany says
You know, it just might be! I get all relaxed just looking back at pictures. But alas, my tan is already fading… 😉
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome says
Gorgeous! That sounds like such an amazing resort!
Sarah@ making thyme for health says
Surfsong looks amazing! I can’t wait to see more from your trip!
Paulina says
Looking to book a trip to the US Virgin Islands now. Can’t wait to read about the rest of your week!
Maria says
Oh goodness, I would have had a heart attack if I knew I was missing the ferry…this island time thing is intriguing to me. I wonder how we get it to work here in the States 😉
And just when I was over the post-vacation blues, your recaps arrive! Keep ’em coming though!
Brittany says
Sadly island time is clearly named island time because it would never work on the mainland. I tried to keep it alive today, but emails, schedules and reality smacked me right back into mainland time. Sigh… 😉
Kelli H says
It’s sooo beautiful!
Sarah says
Cannot wait to see more- what an exotic getaway!
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness says
The Sunset is amazing, post card perfect! I love all of these pictures so far and it sounds like it was a wonderful place you stayed for the night!
Joanna @ Midwestern Bite says
Just so you know . . . as I read this it is crazy wet and gloomy outside here. Thought you should know in case the guilt gets to you and you want to spring and send me on a vacation too. Thinking out loud here.
Brittany says
If I hadn’t drained our vacation fund, a ticket would be on its way to you right now. I’d have to go back with you though, to show you around of course!
Jessica says
Oh my gosh, it looks amazing!!! After your recaps — you’ll have to dish on details!! I’m looking for a place to “honeymoon” with my husband this winter. (We never got a real honeymoon and I’ve been begging for one!)
Brittany says
If you want a relaxing place in paradise with plenty of fun (sailing, kayaking, hiking, etc) around the corner, you must check out Surfsong! It’s idyllic and would be amazing for a “honeymoon” 😉
Lisa says
Oh my goodness, how absolutely breath taking! The views are stunning and gorgeous.
You can never go wrong with lots and lots of wine on vacay:)
I totally would’ve been stressing too if I thought I were going to miss the ferry, being late is so anxiety producing!! It drives me crazy to be in that state;) I let myself get there too often sometimes.
Can’t wait to see more!
Kelly @ Runmarun says
I am loving reading all about your vacation- it looks like you had a fantastic time…in paradise!
Danica @ It's Progression says
Those views are just so, so gorgeous!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
That looks PERFECT. I could so use something just like that right now. 🙂
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Wow! I am quite jealous. I want to be there right now!!
Avery @ YoungAspirations says
WOW. So jealous. It’s so gorgeous there! Can’t wait to see the rest 🙂 Glad you’re back!
Shari says
Oh my goodness, what a stunning view!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Sounds like an amazing trip!
Lindsay says
Beautiful! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a beach where the water looks so pristine. It must have been incredible. Looking forward to seeing more pictures!
blackhuff says
This would make anyone jealous of the kind of holiday the two of you had 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Well, I just had to point out that I actually have that wine you had the first night in my kitchen right now. Unopened, it sits, apparently waiting until I can have both a friendboy to enjoy it with…and the ability to get on some island time myself! SO jealous. This reminds me of being in Panama a little bit. When my brother and sister-in-law took their honeymoon, they spent half the time at a Sandals and the other half at a place more like this. They by far preserved the secluded, villa vacation.
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