Questions from 1st Timer

[cruiserkcs]

I'm mostly a forum lurker since we've only been to STJ on cruises, but you all have been a wealth of info. Our 1st trip to stay in a villa on STJ will be at the end of May. I have a few questions (& I'm sure many more to come as the time gets closer).

We have not booked our airfare yet. One of the options is a 9:40 a.m. flight out of STT. (This flight gets us home at 5:30 instead of the afternoon flight that gets us home at 11:15) Courtesy Car Rental does not open until 8:00a.m. Has anyone ever made arrangements to return the car before the agency opened?

How far in advance of our departure time when leaving STJ do we need to catch the ferry back to STT? (For instance, if we have the 2:30p.m. flight or the 9:40a.m., which ferries do we need to catch?)

We would like to take a day trip to the BVI. Of course, I want it all in one day, but I'm open to suggestions. I think I would like to go to the Baths & Indians with a stop at a bar or local restaurant (I prefer a popular one like Willy's or some other). Is this even possible? If so, do you know which sailing companies offer this itinerary?

Will we have a difficult time driving on STJ since we've never driven there? (I'm a very nervous passenger, but I think I will leave the driving to my husband).

We are staying at Calypso del Sol in the Chocolate Hole area. Where should we go to buy a few groceries?

St. John Ruth, I would love to stop by your shop & meet you (& buy some spices, of course). I feel like I know you already from reading the forum.

Again, thanks for everyone's help and advice. I apologize for all the questions, and, I'm sure I'll have more before the trip.

[bert]

If you take the 7:00 boat, you will make a 9:40 flight with time to spare. Courtesy will let you drop the keys in their key slot, no problem.

Cruz Bay Watersports does a great BVI trip with continental breakfast, full lunch and open bar for arond $120 pp. That includes Virgin Gorda and Norman Island (the caves) and they will also do the Indians if conditions are right.

Starfish market, on the way from town to Chocolate Hole, is probably best for groceries. Pine Peace market, a little further up, has slightly better prices on some things but the store is small and parking is minimal.

Driving on the left is easy - it puts the driver alongside the edge of the road, where he/she can see the drop-offs before they are under your tires!

No worries.

peace... bert

[cruiserkcs]

Thanks for all the good info, Bert. So glad to hear that Courtesy has a key drop. I tried emailing them, but the email would not go thru. I had not gotten around to calling them with the question, yet. I'll check out Cruz Bay Watersports for the day trip.

[waterguy]

You could look into New Horizins 2 for the BVI trip just did them last week it was great.
Tom

[PA Girl]

Please post about your rental villa when you return. It was at the top of our list but not available for the week we will be on island.

[Steve S]

Cruiser - If you are a nervous passenger, you're going to love riding on St. John. Being on the side of the oncoming traffic is something my wife never really gets used to. The actual driving adjustment is easy with the occasional confusion going into and out of parking lots. Why don't you offer to drive?

[cruiserkcs]

Thanks for all the replies and useful info.

PA Girl, after all the help I have received from this forum, I will definitely try to return the favor and write about the villa and the trip.

Waterguy - New Horizons 2 seems to be recommended a lot on the forums. I will look into it. Thanks.

Steve S - Thanks for the warning. I hadn't really thought about being on the side of the car meeting the traffic. Maybe I'll ride in the backseat behind the driver (another couple will be with us -- maybe the gals should stay in the backseat to do the backseat driving) I'll just have to close my eyes or have a few drinks before riding in the car, but I think I better leave the driving to my husband. He'll do better with the hills, although all of us here in Louisiana are only accustomed to driving on flat land (an overpass is a hill to us).

[nascarfan59]

I agree with Bert with driving on the left you can see the edge of an often narrow road. But not much comfort to the passenger when you meet a big truck coming the other way I have posted this in the past that anyone who rents a red Jeep Wrangler from St. John car rental those fake finger nails stuck in the dash are my wives