usvi-on-line
How'd you get here?
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mountaineer girl
- Posts: 59
- Joined: Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:40 am
- Location: West (by God) Virginia
Well, as I mentioned before, my upcoming trip will be my first to the VI's. We are one of those couples who said, "ONce our kids are in college...", not so much because of the budget (college is much more costly than high school! 
) but because of the time issue (boys played basketball, football, and baseball) Anyhow, decided to do a trip with us and another couple. Friends of ours have a daughter than runs a B&B on STT, so we thought about that. THen we decided we wanted beachfront (and to be able to have free reign over a kitchen for drinks/snacks) so we decided on Secret Harbour. After we made our reservations, I started doing more research online, and told hubby we should've thought about STJ! But, I think I will like being steps from the waters edge on my first visit, and check out STJ a day or 2. I don't really think for my first visit I want to drive to the beach every day - and hopefully there will be a NEXT visit, and by then, I'll have things figured out (villa rentals, car rentals etc) thanks to all the wonderful people who provide the great info on this forum! 
) but because of the time issue (boys played basketball, football, and baseball) Anyhow, decided to do a trip with us and another couple. Friends of ours have a daughter than runs a B&B on STT, so we thought about that. THen we decided we wanted beachfront (and to be able to have free reign over a kitchen for drinks/snacks) so we decided on Secret Harbour. After we made our reservations, I started doing more research online, and told hubby we should've thought about STJ! But, I think I will like being steps from the waters edge on my first visit, and check out STJ a day or 2. I don't really think for my first visit I want to drive to the beach every day - and hopefully there will be a NEXT visit, and by then, I'll have things figured out (villa rentals, car rentals etc) thanks to all the wonderful people who provide the great info on this forum! 
When I was about 10 years old (a long LONG time ago!), I found an article about camping on Cinnamon Bay. I begged, pleaded, implored my parents to take us there for Easter vacation - to no avail, we ended up in Florida instead. The stage had been set however; from then on I had St. John in the back of my mind.
Fast-forward to 1995 - we were stressing with our wedding plans so decided a Caribbean destination for the honeymoon was in order. We liked the idea of a US territory, so that narrowed it down to the USVI & Puerto Rico. I bought a Fodors and after a bit of research, St John (there was that island again) seemed to be what we were both looking for. I told my mother about it and she said "You sound just like your grandmother". That came a quite a surprise - my grandmother? Well, she and my grandfather lived on PR for a several years during the mid-60s (my grandfather oversaw construction of one of the big hotel & casino resorts in San Juan) and they would take R&R on St. John (just imagine STJ circa 1965!). According to my mom, they absolutely LOVED St. John. That's all I needed to hear; with no background information except for a paragraph in Fodors, we booked a studio at Estate Concordia for a week, and I called one of the listed car rental agencies (Courtesy, I believe) to book a vehicle. The rest, as they say, is history.
We have been back 6 times since then (I wish we could go more often); with kids, without kids, and once on a sail boat. I can't get enough and doubt I ever will.
Fast-forward to 1995 - we were stressing with our wedding plans so decided a Caribbean destination for the honeymoon was in order. We liked the idea of a US territory, so that narrowed it down to the USVI & Puerto Rico. I bought a Fodors and after a bit of research, St John (there was that island again) seemed to be what we were both looking for. I told my mother about it and she said "You sound just like your grandmother". That came a quite a surprise - my grandmother? Well, she and my grandfather lived on PR for a several years during the mid-60s (my grandfather oversaw construction of one of the big hotel & casino resorts in San Juan) and they would take R&R on St. John (just imagine STJ circa 1965!). According to my mom, they absolutely LOVED St. John. That's all I needed to hear; with no background information except for a paragraph in Fodors, we booked a studio at Estate Concordia for a week, and I called one of the listed car rental agencies (Courtesy, I believe) to book a vehicle. The rest, as they say, is history.
We have been back 6 times since then (I wish we could go more often); with kids, without kids, and once on a sail boat. I can't get enough and doubt I ever will.
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StJohnRuth
- Posts: 1989
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:42 pm
- Location: St. John, VI
Well, I rode into St. Thomas in the 80s abourd a US Navy Ship (civilian contractor) and spent a couple of days there without visiting St. John. It was okay...
In 1996 I was in a difficult personal situation and decided to get away alone for a week to the islands and figure things out. I ended up staying on Tortola and day-tripping across the BVIs. It was a great week, I made a bunch of friends and spent a full moon at Bomba Shack and Thanksgiving at three different parties on Cane Garden Bay. There was always this beautiful green island in the distance that intrigued me - St. John.
So, in 1997 I took my immediate family and brother-in-law with me to St. John for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful time, new baby and all. Well, it's been 10 years and 11 or 12 trips. I took the the extended family with us for Thanksgiving in 2006. Still magical.
Oh, and the solution to the difficult personal situation has been to go to the islands with my lover Christine, whenever I get the chance! Two planned for 2007 and we are looking at spring break 2008.
Cheers, RickG
In 1996 I was in a difficult personal situation and decided to get away alone for a week to the islands and figure things out. I ended up staying on Tortola and day-tripping across the BVIs. It was a great week, I made a bunch of friends and spent a full moon at Bomba Shack and Thanksgiving at three different parties on Cane Garden Bay. There was always this beautiful green island in the distance that intrigued me - St. John.
So, in 1997 I took my immediate family and brother-in-law with me to St. John for Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful time, new baby and all. Well, it's been 10 years and 11 or 12 trips. I took the the extended family with us for Thanksgiving in 2006. Still magical.
Oh, and the solution to the difficult personal situation has been to go to the islands with my lover Christine, whenever I get the chance! Two planned for 2007 and we are looking at spring break 2008.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
Ok I wasn't going to do this and bring this thread down. My wife and I traveled all or the islands looking for that perfect place. Then I was the chef for a radio stations lobster cook out for there clients. We met a couple that own a couple of villas on STJ after a short time they invited us down well we went and fell in love with the place. They were great to us any time my wife felt up to going they opened up one of their house up to us. Well I would do anything for that couple for making the last years of my wife life so enjoyable. Now I have to go down to vist her ashes and have a few painkillers with her.
Tom
Tom
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Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
- Posts: 1576
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:40 pm
- Location: Madison Area, Wisconsin
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L & S in da UP
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Aug 18, 2006 1:51 pm
- Location: Upper Michigan
Only one trip to STJ (so far). Married on the beach at sunset at Cinnamon Bay last June. First four nights we stayed at Paper Moon Cottage - heavenly place - next six days at Estate Concordia - our version of roughing it.
S had stayed at Mexican resorts a couple of times with her ex, but wanted someplace tropical without the bad memories. She was referred to STJ by one of the doctors she works with. (Best advice she ever got from an MD) My travels had been limited to the continental US and southern Canada with one very forgetable stay in Thule, Greenland, courtesy of the US Air Force.
Those ten days on STJ were the first REAL vacation I had ever had. Just the two of us, the sun, the sand, and the warm sea. Perfect start to a new life together.
We purchased an RV this last fall, and plan to travel the US the next few summers. S has only seen Arkansas, Kansas, and far north Michigan. However, I am already looking forward to returning to STJ for our 5th wedding anniversary (maybe sooner!!) In the meantime, I have this forum and all the fine people here to keep the memories alive.
Still honeymooning,
S had stayed at Mexican resorts a couple of times with her ex, but wanted someplace tropical without the bad memories. She was referred to STJ by one of the doctors she works with. (Best advice she ever got from an MD) My travels had been limited to the continental US and southern Canada with one very forgetable stay in Thule, Greenland, courtesy of the US Air Force.
Those ten days on STJ were the first REAL vacation I had ever had. Just the two of us, the sun, the sand, and the warm sea. Perfect start to a new life together.
We purchased an RV this last fall, and plan to travel the US the next few summers. S has only seen Arkansas, Kansas, and far north Michigan. However, I am already looking forward to returning to STJ for our 5th wedding anniversary (maybe sooner!!) In the meantime, I have this forum and all the fine people here to keep the memories alive.
Still honeymooning,
L & S
These replies have been great! Rick, Full Moon At Bomba's? Now, that tells us a lot about you!
Ruth, how about your & Ron's story? I am amazed at how many New Englanders came down for a vacation and never left.
Tom, I can't think of a better way to honor the memories of the love of your life.
Jorge, thanks for the Montserrat link. It looks like a place to consider, if it ever settles back down!
Later, JT
Ruth, how about your & Ron's story? I am amazed at how many New Englanders came down for a vacation and never left.
Tom, I can't think of a better way to honor the memories of the love of your life.
Jorge, thanks for the Montserrat link. It looks like a place to consider, if it ever settles back down!
Later, JT
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
We'd never been to an island. Our friends had gone on a cruise and brought back this funny little map of this funny little island named St John. Pat and I really like the natural world, so since it was 70% National Park, that's all we needed to know. A bit of research said that Coral Bay was the most laid back part, so we called one of the villa management companies that advertised on the funny little map and rented a villa way out on the East End. Like the rest of you, we're hooked. Gotta get back there as much as possible. There should be a warning in the literature... "A trip to St John may lead to a Blue Water/White Sand addiction".
No matter where you go, there you are.
When I was a little kid we lived in San Juan, PR (mid 60's - late 70's). My family vacationed a few times in St. John. I had a lot of memories of snorkeling - especially in Cinnamon Bay (I recall we stayed there at least once in one of the cottages).
Fast forward 25 years later when my husband and I got out of CC debt & paid everything but the house off. All of a sudden we could afford a vacation anywhere we wanted. In 2002 I convinced him to go to St. John. Despite all the buildup from the sleepy island I (vaguely) remember, I loved it and so did he.
We went back again in November of 2003. In 2004 we went to Costa Rica because some friends had a condo they generously shared with us. We came back with a souvenier, and we named him Brenden 9 months later
This May we're taking him to St. John. He's only 2 but he's quite adventurous and I think he will get a major kick out of the island and the ocean. And the chickens, and the hermit crabs, and the lizards, and the donkeys, and the shells, and the sea urchins....
-Sandy
Fast forward 25 years later when my husband and I got out of CC debt & paid everything but the house off. All of a sudden we could afford a vacation anywhere we wanted. In 2002 I convinced him to go to St. John. Despite all the buildup from the sleepy island I (vaguely) remember, I loved it and so did he.
We went back again in November of 2003. In 2004 we went to Costa Rica because some friends had a condo they generously shared with us. We came back with a souvenier, and we named him Brenden 9 months later
This May we're taking him to St. John. He's only 2 but he's quite adventurous and I think he will get a major kick out of the island and the ocean. And the chickens, and the hermit crabs, and the lizards, and the donkeys, and the shells, and the sea urchins....
-Sandy
Our story started in 1997. My, soon to be, brother and sister in law, owned a charter boat in the CYOA fleet, and had for a few years. They invited Keith and I to go with them in Feb. that year.(all we had to do was buy plane tickets....the rest was on them) However, we had to turn them down, because of working in the trade show industry, early spring is very busy, there was no way I could get away. THAT JUST ABOUT KILLED ME! It was all I could think about. I had been on a cruise the year before, and couldn't wait to see that water again. I too, go crazy for the color.
So, when they asked us again in the fall of 1998, nothing was going to stop us. And, nothing has since then. This April will be our 12th trip. We had our honeymoon there in the fall of 1999, and this next trip will be my step daughter’s honeymoon.
My brother in law's boat is long gone. We have been paying customers since 2003, and as soon as I get home from one trip, I start working on the next one. I live, sleep, eat, and breathe, the Virgin Islands! Oh, and KC too.
Sydney
So, when they asked us again in the fall of 1998, nothing was going to stop us. And, nothing has since then. This April will be our 12th trip. We had our honeymoon there in the fall of 1999, and this next trip will be my step daughter’s honeymoon.
My brother in law's boat is long gone. We have been paying customers since 2003, and as soon as I get home from one trip, I start working on the next one. I live, sleep, eat, and breathe, the Virgin Islands! Oh, and KC too.
Sydney
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
My husband and I met and started dating in college. Our senior year we went to Jamaica with a big group of friends. I grew up in rural downstate Illinois, and I hardly knew anyone who had ever been to the Caribbean. When I came home from spring break and my friends and family asked what Jamaica was like, I told them it was beautiful as long as you looked straight ahead at the water without turning around, lol.
Fast forward a few years, and it was time for us to choose a honeymoon spot. At first, we figured we’d just go back to Jamaica since we’d been there before and thought the beaches were beautiful.
Then one of my then-fiance’s coworkers recommended St. John. He had been to Jamaica too and assured us that St. John was different…that we wouldn’t have to worry about being hassled on the beach to buy everything from cigarettes to “nose candy” (our least favorite thing about Jamaica).
Our honeymoon was in 2003, and we’ve now made it an annual trip…this summer will be our 5th year in a row. If I never go anywhere else on vacation, I’m just fine with that. I’m obsessed with St. John.
On a kind of funny note, the first day of our honeymoon we went to the Westin to hang out, even though we were staying in a villa. My husband’s coworker had told him that the beach at the Westin was great and that we should go there. If any of you have been there, you can imagine that we were disappointed. We sat there in the water saying to each other “the water here is so murky…we should have just gone to Jamaica.” It seems that my husband’s coworker was the kind who likes to pick a resort and pretty much stay there without venturing out. Then, the next day, we decided against the coworkers advice and ventured out...we discovered Cinnamon Bay…needless to say, I was hooked. And we haven’t been back to the Westin since
Also, we are selfish and don’t recommend St. John to anyone anymore since noticing the increased crowds over the past few years. We love St. John because it is underdeveloped…if it turns into a smaller version of St. Thomas, then we’ll need to find ourselves a new island. Most people we know don’t even know what island we go to every year…we just say that we’re going to the Caribbean and most people don’t ask any more questions.
If people do ask questions about STJ, I tell them that you have to pack a cooler and nobody will serve you drinks on the beaches of STJ...that usually deters them
Fast forward a few years, and it was time for us to choose a honeymoon spot. At first, we figured we’d just go back to Jamaica since we’d been there before and thought the beaches were beautiful.
Then one of my then-fiance’s coworkers recommended St. John. He had been to Jamaica too and assured us that St. John was different…that we wouldn’t have to worry about being hassled on the beach to buy everything from cigarettes to “nose candy” (our least favorite thing about Jamaica).
Our honeymoon was in 2003, and we’ve now made it an annual trip…this summer will be our 5th year in a row. If I never go anywhere else on vacation, I’m just fine with that. I’m obsessed with St. John.
On a kind of funny note, the first day of our honeymoon we went to the Westin to hang out, even though we were staying in a villa. My husband’s coworker had told him that the beach at the Westin was great and that we should go there. If any of you have been there, you can imagine that we were disappointed. We sat there in the water saying to each other “the water here is so murky…we should have just gone to Jamaica.” It seems that my husband’s coworker was the kind who likes to pick a resort and pretty much stay there without venturing out. Then, the next day, we decided against the coworkers advice and ventured out...we discovered Cinnamon Bay…needless to say, I was hooked. And we haven’t been back to the Westin since
Also, we are selfish and don’t recommend St. John to anyone anymore since noticing the increased crowds over the past few years. We love St. John because it is underdeveloped…if it turns into a smaller version of St. Thomas, then we’ll need to find ourselves a new island. Most people we know don’t even know what island we go to every year…we just say that we’re going to the Caribbean and most people don’t ask any more questions.
If people do ask questions about STJ, I tell them that you have to pack a cooler and nobody will serve you drinks on the beaches of STJ...that usually deters them
For me it was thanks to Nothintolose! Since she loved her trip so much she convinced our parents to use the air miles we had all been saving up to take the whole family. All 17 of us ranging from 60+ to 1yr old. It was the most incredible vacation we have taken so far (North Carolina is another favorite, I love the Smokey Mountains!).
Again thanks to her we will be going back this summer but just she, her SO, myself and hubby. I can't believe we are actually getting back so soon! Hubby is even talking about going back in 2 years for his youngest's 16th birthday. She won't be quite 16 yet but we need to go during the summer so she will just have to get her gift early.
Again thanks to her we will be going back this summer but just she, her SO, myself and hubby. I can't believe we are actually getting back so soon! Hubby is even talking about going back in 2 years for his youngest's 16th birthday. She won't be quite 16 yet but we need to go during the summer so she will just have to get her gift early.
Like many posters before, it was a cruise ship that originally brought us to the VIs.
We spent that day in port at Magens Bay. I thought it was the most perfect place. The turquoise water was so clear and calm, the sand so soft and white. So, we decided we would return and spend an entire week on St. Thomas.
I rented a STT villa and started to research the island. I stumbled onto this forum (actually the old forum) and most of the posts referred to St John, so I broadened my research and it was the forumites' love and devotion for StJ that made me extend the one week trip to two and I booked a villa for the second week on St John. That was 5 years ago. We have returned annually to St John and this year we will do it twice.
I agree that the forum and brochures should include a warning alerting folks about the extreme risk of addiction/obsession.
We spent that day in port at Magens Bay. I thought it was the most perfect place. The turquoise water was so clear and calm, the sand so soft and white. So, we decided we would return and spend an entire week on St. Thomas.
I rented a STT villa and started to research the island. I stumbled onto this forum (actually the old forum) and most of the posts referred to St John, so I broadened my research and it was the forumites' love and devotion for StJ that made me extend the one week trip to two and I booked a villa for the second week on St John. That was 5 years ago. We have returned annually to St John and this year we will do it twice.
I agree that the forum and brochures should include a warning alerting folks about the extreme risk of addiction/obsession.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
Nice stories - nice thread idea.
Long story short - 1968 - I was an orphan living in an orphan's home in Florida (no, I am serious)....at the tender age of 3 months. My soon-to-be adoptive parents had moved to STT as newlyweds to live their dream on the island. They couldn't have children - decided to adopt- and came to Florida to visit the Children's Home.
2 months later I was being flown, by a social worker, from Florida to STT...where I was hand-delivered to my new parents in my first real home.
Almost the entire family from the states flew down and I was Christened at the Sts Peter and Paul Catheral in Charlotte Amalie. The stories are that this was the party event of the century. I have this awesome photo of everyone standing on the Cathedral steps - maybe 25 family members who didn't live in the VI.
It's cool that my Baptismal Certificate is from the VI. All of my baby photos are from life down there - on the beach, on the gallery of the house, on STJ - etc.
We later moved back to the states - and then moved BACK to STT when I was 7...with my newer little brother in tow (also from the same Children's Home). Really good memories of growing up on STT and spending lots of time on STJ - camping on Cinnamon Bay, riding in the backs of pick-up trucks on STJ.
Of course, we all live here in the states now. But, the VI is like home and we all go down as often as we can. Every once in a while, I'll be driving along on STT or STJ and I'll see something that will spark a long-burried memory. It's just so sensational!
Long story short - 1968 - I was an orphan living in an orphan's home in Florida (no, I am serious)....at the tender age of 3 months. My soon-to-be adoptive parents had moved to STT as newlyweds to live their dream on the island. They couldn't have children - decided to adopt- and came to Florida to visit the Children's Home.
2 months later I was being flown, by a social worker, from Florida to STT...where I was hand-delivered to my new parents in my first real home.
Almost the entire family from the states flew down and I was Christened at the Sts Peter and Paul Catheral in Charlotte Amalie. The stories are that this was the party event of the century. I have this awesome photo of everyone standing on the Cathedral steps - maybe 25 family members who didn't live in the VI.
It's cool that my Baptismal Certificate is from the VI. All of my baby photos are from life down there - on the beach, on the gallery of the house, on STJ - etc.
We later moved back to the states - and then moved BACK to STT when I was 7...with my newer little brother in tow (also from the same Children's Home). Really good memories of growing up on STT and spending lots of time on STJ - camping on Cinnamon Bay, riding in the backs of pick-up trucks on STJ.
Of course, we all live here in the states now. But, the VI is like home and we all go down as often as we can. Every once in a while, I'll be driving along on STT or STJ and I'll see something that will spark a long-burried memory. It's just so sensational!
Bluwater