Military couples 1st trip to STJ

MSGARMYGIRL · Post by **MSGARMYGIRL** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:31 am

Hi, Love this forum!!! We will be arrving 17-24 Aug and I can't wait

We will be staying at Siempre Azul. Has anyone ever stayed there? Also, do you know if the rental car places give military discounts?

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:57 am

I don't know if there are any. But thankyou for your service. Your going to love it here

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu May 28, 2009 11:57 am

It doesn't hurt to ask but I wouldn't hold your breath on the discounts.

MSGARMYGIRL · Post by **MSGARMYGIRL** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:06 pm

TH
hank you for the reply. Have you ever heard of the Siempre Azul Villa?

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:18 pm

Edited to reflect "near Johns Folly, not past Johns folly")

MSG Army Girl-- I have driven by this villa several times. It's way out near Johns Folly. It looks great from the outside (never been inside).

If this is your first time to STJ I might recommend finding something a bit closer to Cruz Bay. For a first timer this may seem a bit remote although there are plenty of dining, shopping and grocery options in Coral Bay these days.

The other thing is not to get hung up on "ocean front" Often these beaches are rocky and most folks drive to a different national park beach everyday anyway. So we generally opt for a nice villa with great views. Not that ocean front isn't great but there are plusses and minus either way.

From this location, unless you are headed to Salt Pond, you have a bit of a drive to get to any of the North Shore beaches. If you are OK with that, great. But honestly I'd want to be a bit closer in (again if I was a first timer).

To be clear it will take you approximately 20+ mins to get to the North Shore beaches from this house. It doesn't look far on the map but the curvy roads take time.

We love to stay in Coral Bay these days for the peace and the quiet. Just be aware that if you plan on wanting to be near lots more shopping and restaurants than Coral Bay has to offer, that from this house it will take you a solid 30 min drive on curvy roads to get to Cruz Bay from here and longer if you take the North Shore Road.

Just depends on what you want to do and where you want to do it.

MSGARMYGIRL · Post by **MSGARMYGIRL** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:49 pm

GROMIT
Thank you, I don't mind the drive, we need this vacation. We have six teenagers

the seclusion is what were looking for. We are looking foward to privacy which we never get at home, and venturing out to verious beaches for for fun in the sun and a parasail. Oh yeah and some good drinks!

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu May 28, 2009 12:56 pm

Army Girl-- then as long as you're good with that then this place seemed great.

Keep in mind that the noseeums are an issue at dusk on the beach and at beachfront properties so bring the Ben's.

You'll be close to Miss Lucy's and you'll also enjoy Island Blues, the Tourist Trap, Skinny Legs, Shipwreck Landing, Sweet Plantains, Big Belly Deli and Aqua Bistro for food and libations!

Tourist Trap rocks it for lunch!

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:11 pm

I don't have too much to add to what was already said.

Thank you for your service. Welcome to our little piece of Paradise. You will not find anything like base housing here.

Good luck on the discounts. Since we are not eligible for such discounts, we don't ask.

As far as the teens go, it might be better to be further away from Cruz Bay.

Remember, the drinking age in the USVI is 18. I doubt that many of these places are too serious about IDs.

Enjoy your stay and feel free to ask any questions you want. For some people, when they first arrive in STJ they don't "get it." We want you to "get it" like we do. Hopefully that happens on the ferry on 17 Aug.

Keep in mind that STJ does not observe daylight savings time. They are effectively on Eastern Daylight Time. That means the Sun comes up about 0500 and sets about 1900.

Gromit has given you some excellent advise. Look at RickG's guide for nubies. It will help as well.

JIM

MSGARMYGIRL · Post by **MSGARMYGIRL** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:30 pm

Hey hows the weather down there in mid August? Besides the possibility of a hurricane is it usually raining or just hot and humid. I lived in Puerto Rico when hurricane George blew in right through the island. But it wasn't the rainy season that alwasys came in December.

Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:37 pm

jimg20 wrote:As far as the teens go, it might be better to be further away from Cruz Bay. Remember, the drinking age in the USVI is 18. I doubt that many of these places are too serious about IDs.

It sounds to me like they'll be coming to STJ to get away from the teenagers?

The weather in mid-August is hot and humid but cooler than much of the United States that time of year.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:39 pm

August is hot and humid-- but honestly it's the same all summmer IMHO -- just depends on what you are used to. Just get trip insurance in case there's a hurricane.

layla · Post by **layla** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:49 pm

MSGARMYGIRL wrote:Hi, Love this forum!!! We will be arrving 17-24 Aug and I can't wait We will be staying at Siempre Azul. Has anyone ever stayed there? Also, do you know if the rental car places give military discounts?

hiya msarmygirl,
we are also a military couple and our first time to st thomas/st john. We cant wait 13 days to go!!

MSGARMYGIRL · Post by **MSGARMYGIRL** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:50 pm

yes you are right, we are coming alone

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:57 pm

Alone? That's even better. It won't matter too much how far the beaches are from your villa. You will be on Island Time. But the drinking age is still 18.

JIM

wonderlost · Post by **wonderlost** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:57 pm

Siempre Azul is an amazing private house. It is super smalI, but comfortable. I have been there many times as a real estate agent on St John and find it to be a sweet spot for just two people. Nice hot tub too. The beach is not swimable, but sitting outside on the cliffs over the sea is hard to beat anywhere on this island. FYI, it takes exactly 10 minutes if you drive slow to get to Maho from the Coral Bay triangle. It will take you another 5-10 to get to Siempre Azul. I wish I could buy this house.

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