usvi-on-line
Islands getting busier??? Thoughts???
I am not kidding, at least 3 hours, we were directly in front of it, the owners were down 20 or so yards.
At first I thought someone must be arriving or departing and had it running for the AC. After enough time past, I threw that theory out the window.
Then I thought maybe there was a kid sleeping in the car but
1.) what kid sleeps more than 3 hours in the middle of the day?
2.) why not just sleep on the beach? mine did but maybe I was crazy lucky
3.) who would let their kid sleep in a running car, out of your sight, for 3 hours?
After enough time past, I discounted the kid theory. I can't imagine why it was running for so long.
There was much "dare you to go turn it off, no you go turn it off" going on within our group.
At first I thought someone must be arriving or departing and had it running for the AC. After enough time past, I threw that theory out the window.
Then I thought maybe there was a kid sleeping in the car but
1.) what kid sleeps more than 3 hours in the middle of the day?
2.) why not just sleep on the beach? mine did but maybe I was crazy lucky
3.) who would let their kid sleep in a running car, out of your sight, for 3 hours?
After enough time past, I discounted the kid theory. I can't imagine why it was running for so long.
There was much "dare you to go turn it off, no you go turn it off" going on within our group.
Sounds a lot like the time we were at Maho and some people drove their Jeep through the trees onto the beach. They had the radio in the Jeep cranked up LOUD. They were drinking heavily, of course and they were loud and annoying. We finally went over and told them they couldn't park on the beach. They were less than friendly and said they were from Texas and they drive on the beach all the time. We told them they weren't in Texas they were on St. John and they should move the Jeep. They packed up and left. Good riddance. It's people like this that have earned Americans a poor reputation around the world. We aren't called the "ugly Americans" for nothing.
I am not a true old timer, but i have been visitin g the area since the mid 80's and it has gotten A LOT busier--
even in season Lameshur was a safe bet for being petty much deserted--not so now.
but the one thing that really, REALLY got me upset this year when we were there in December was the day we were at Vies, It was farily crowded due to A) north shore wind and b)Jellies at salt pond and lameshur-- we went to order and understood there was a wait--no problem. another woman (i hate to say it, she was proably a new yorker) had a real attitude--
a taxi tour was coming over from Maho and they had preordered all their food and so Miss Vie was super busy--this woman just COULD NOT understand WHY her order had to wait and she was SCREAMING at Miss Vie--I mean really YELLING--it was embarrassing. She finally just left and cancelled her order. I was just apalled by her behaviour. Miss Vie took it in stride, I was ready to pop the offending person.
even in season Lameshur was a safe bet for being petty much deserted--not so now.
but the one thing that really, REALLY got me upset this year when we were there in December was the day we were at Vies, It was farily crowded due to A) north shore wind and b)Jellies at salt pond and lameshur-- we went to order and understood there was a wait--no problem. another woman (i hate to say it, she was proably a new yorker) had a real attitude--
a taxi tour was coming over from Maho and they had preordered all their food and so Miss Vie was super busy--this woman just COULD NOT understand WHY her order had to wait and she was SCREAMING at Miss Vie--I mean really YELLING--it was embarrassing. She finally just left and cancelled her order. I was just apalled by her behaviour. Miss Vie took it in stride, I was ready to pop the offending person.
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
Just in case someone else encounters people parking on the beach at Maho, here is the # for the National Park - just put it in your cell phone and call them and 99% of the time they will send someone to deal with it, 340-693-8201
Yep I have used it many times - people drove and parked on the beach in off season when all but my car was parked in the trees so all other spots were open !!!! and when told nicely that you can't do that and that they could be fined (not sure if that part was true or not but I thought it might convince them) they wanted to know how much the fine was
and then they refused to move so out came the cell, along with the time people were jet skiing at Francis/Maho and the time a small Nauti Nymph boat threw their anchor on the coral at the right side of Maho about 25' from the shore - used it today actually after passing Trunk where people were parked on both sides of the street (in front of the "No Parking" sign) so only room for one car to drive by at a time and then I encountered people moving the large boulders at the side of the road so they could squeeze their car in a tiny space, I stopped and told them please don't do that and let them know that they have been issuing tickets there regularly but they just stared at me (what a surprise) - yep I'm a "witch" alright 
Yep I have used it many times - people drove and parked on the beach in off season when all but my car was parked in the trees so all other spots were open !!!! and when told nicely that you can't do that and that they could be fined (not sure if that part was true or not but I thought it might convince them) they wanted to know how much the fine was
and then they refused to move so out came the cell, along with the time people were jet skiing at Francis/Maho and the time a small Nauti Nymph boat threw their anchor on the coral at the right side of Maho about 25' from the shore - used it today actually after passing Trunk where people were parked on both sides of the street (in front of the "No Parking" sign) so only room for one car to drive by at a time and then I encountered people moving the large boulders at the side of the road so they could squeeze their car in a tiny space, I stopped and told them please don't do that and let them know that they have been issuing tickets there regularly but they just stared at me (what a surprise) - yep I'm a "witch" alright Realtor - St John Properties
It so saddens me to hear these stories, even though I know they do happen and I've wittnessed it also. It really is how Americans get a bad rap when traveling. Although I have to admit that while we were in the Cinque Terre area in Italy, we witnessed the most rude groups of Germans I'd ever seen. Pushing their way through folks to the trains, cutting you off in shops, talking at the top of their lungs, etc.
Could the islands be more crowded this year #1 Due to the horrible winter most of us have had and #2 Maybe not taking a vacation in the past year due to the economy and just 'cashing it in' for one this year?
Sorry to hear it's so busy. Good for the local economy, but hard to take if you're there experiencing it.
I like to use the verse, "Don't harsh my mello!" when wittnessing a rude travelor. That usually gets their attention.
Could the islands be more crowded this year #1 Due to the horrible winter most of us have had and #2 Maybe not taking a vacation in the past year due to the economy and just 'cashing it in' for one this year?
Sorry to hear it's so busy. Good for the local economy, but hard to take if you're there experiencing it.
I like to use the verse, "Don't harsh my mello!" when wittnessing a rude travelor. That usually gets their attention.
These stories are despicable, it boggles my mind how some people act.
With that, I do take a little offense to the “ugly Americans” thing. I have spent time at a few resorts that cater to Europeans and they are no better. Cigarette butts EVERYWHERE. Littering in generally seems to be pretty well accepted and littering is something I cannot tolerate. There is just ZERO excuse for it and it disgusts me. Jumping in front of you in line seems to be a common hobby of many Europeans.
Rudeness knows no nationality, I’m afraid.
Off tangent story, but I was at all inclusive in Mexico and went to the made to order omelet stand, choose my fixings, and was waiting, as a young girl made my omelet. Up walks a 45 year old French woman who walks up and stands there and as the girl takes the omelet off the pan, she sticks her plate in front of mine and demanded that she receive the omelet. The poor girl tried and tried to maneuver the omelet onto my plate, but this lady kept moving her plate in front of mine. Finally, I just said “It’s OK” to the girl and she gave up my omelet. Poor girl looked so upset. I just laughed it off with her and got her smiling again. Every time I saw that lady for the rest of the week with food or a drink, I wondered what poor soul she stole that from.
Less than 2 months until my first STJ experience!
With that, I do take a little offense to the “ugly Americans” thing. I have spent time at a few resorts that cater to Europeans and they are no better. Cigarette butts EVERYWHERE. Littering in generally seems to be pretty well accepted and littering is something I cannot tolerate. There is just ZERO excuse for it and it disgusts me. Jumping in front of you in line seems to be a common hobby of many Europeans.
Rudeness knows no nationality, I’m afraid.
Off tangent story, but I was at all inclusive in Mexico and went to the made to order omelet stand, choose my fixings, and was waiting, as a young girl made my omelet. Up walks a 45 year old French woman who walks up and stands there and as the girl takes the omelet off the pan, she sticks her plate in front of mine and demanded that she receive the omelet. The poor girl tried and tried to maneuver the omelet onto my plate, but this lady kept moving her plate in front of mine. Finally, I just said “It’s OK” to the girl and she gave up my omelet. Poor girl looked so upset. I just laughed it off with her and got her smiling again. Every time I saw that lady for the rest of the week with food or a drink, I wondered what poor soul she stole that from.
Less than 2 months until my first STJ experience!
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GraysonDave
- Posts: 479
- Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2010 7:41 am
- Location: Georgia
I wonder if that "large Southern university" in this thread was the University of Georgia. (It's my alma mater and I have a kid there now, and I know some of the Woody's waitresses are former UGA students). Georgia has the HOPE scholarship, so those kids have their tuition paid for already in most cases. Parents who have been saving in 529 plans all these years all of a sudden have nothing to spend the funds on so the kids end up with pretty large spending allowances for "room and board". It's not all of them, but there is a fairly large group of students who have plenty of cash to spend.
I also hate boorish behavior. I'm a St. John newbie but I know that folks who have been travelling there for years hate how crowded it has become. I feel the same way about the spot on the gulf coast that we have vacationed at since the 80's. It used to be deserted but now it's overrun with people. Ugh.
I also hate boorish behavior. I'm a St. John newbie but I know that folks who have been travelling there for years hate how crowded it has become. I feel the same way about the spot on the gulf coast that we have vacationed at since the 80's. It used to be deserted but now it's overrun with people. Ugh.
Its very sad, when people who cause they're on vacation & spending their money think they deserve royal treatment. That the locals would starve w/o them coming there. I apologize to all STJ locals for the rude behavior that they have to deal with from those few fellow Americans who need to feel superior.
As for the "crowded" beaches, come to NY,Jones Beach or Robert Moses on a hot,humid summer wknd day, then tell us about crowds.
As for the "crowded" beaches, come to NY,Jones Beach or Robert Moses on a hot,humid summer wknd day, then tell us about crowds.
No ticker anymore. Next vac will prob. be the Fl Keys.
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
Yeah, it hasn't been my imagination. I didn't think it was. Remember a few years ago we never ever had a problem parking in town. Now it's like...ok, $10 for Slim each time we need to park. I'm a travel agent in real life and rarely send people down to the USVI. Not because I don't want to, but because there are a lot of less expensive options out there and most people choose those. Like All-inclusives, Cruises, Disney and Europe. Yeah, just about all can do done cheaper than a trip to the USVI. Not talking the campground trips though. Those are reasonable...but not for everybody, or truly not for most people.
Personally, I am very busy with bookings. It is pent up demand, people tired of winter, war, and all those who are just generally saying to heck with it all. I have more buyers today than I have shoppers. My least favorite being the person that starts out a conversation with me saying...I know nobody is traveling now so I expect you to get me a deal! Don't recall ever sending spring breakers to the uSVI, mostly Cancun, Florida, Etc. Hate to see those type crowds spilling onto the beachs of STJ or STT. Truly, hate to see the crowds, but know the business is good for the ecoomy and yes, sadly the secret about the island is out.
Personally, I am very busy with bookings. It is pent up demand, people tired of winter, war, and all those who are just generally saying to heck with it all. I have more buyers today than I have shoppers. My least favorite being the person that starts out a conversation with me saying...I know nobody is traveling now so I expect you to get me a deal! Don't recall ever sending spring breakers to the uSVI, mostly Cancun, Florida, Etc. Hate to see those type crowds spilling onto the beachs of STJ or STT. Truly, hate to see the crowds, but know the business is good for the ecoomy and yes, sadly the secret about the island is out.
Hoping for a USVI ticker in 2013!
I was going to save this comment to sum up our trip this year, but since the thread is started I'll chime in.
We usually come the last two weeks of March sliding into April. It's a time share thing and we've been doing it for a while. This year because of Easter and Spring Break it does seem a lot busier. We've had to adjust our schedules slightly, but we still find room when and where we want, we just have to do some planning before hand and get ourselves in gear a little earlier. And this will work because we travel light and move fast! As long as people travel in large groups that have to be rounded up and organized and have all sorts of coolers, chairs, beach toys etc., we'll be fine. It is still nice to travel home in the evening from Coral Bay on the North Shore Rd with a full or near full moon. The traffic is light and it is a pleasant unhurried ride. Even now you can still find a personal private moment here.
As far as we (the tourists) are concerned. By and large we are not a bad bunch. We do have our moments though. Some of us more than others. I think it is a good thing to stand up for the locals once in while as long we aren't making things worse. There are a-holes everywhere and some of them travel too. I think we need to respect the St Johnians enough to realize that they know that too.
And to all the people that walked past me this morning that I said good morning to. Your on vacation. For crying out loud, smile and wish me a nice day.
We usually come the last two weeks of March sliding into April. It's a time share thing and we've been doing it for a while. This year because of Easter and Spring Break it does seem a lot busier. We've had to adjust our schedules slightly, but we still find room when and where we want, we just have to do some planning before hand and get ourselves in gear a little earlier. And this will work because we travel light and move fast! As long as people travel in large groups that have to be rounded up and organized and have all sorts of coolers, chairs, beach toys etc., we'll be fine. It is still nice to travel home in the evening from Coral Bay on the North Shore Rd with a full or near full moon. The traffic is light and it is a pleasant unhurried ride. Even now you can still find a personal private moment here.
As far as we (the tourists) are concerned. By and large we are not a bad bunch. We do have our moments though. Some of us more than others. I think it is a good thing to stand up for the locals once in while as long we aren't making things worse. There are a-holes everywhere and some of them travel too. I think we need to respect the St Johnians enough to realize that they know that too.
And to all the people that walked past me this morning that I said good morning to. Your on vacation. For crying out loud, smile and wish me a nice day.