thoughts and impressions of St. John from a first-timer

stjohnnewbie · Post by **stjohnnewbie** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 9:48 pm

1) What heat?? Perhaps it’s just a uniquely cool week. Have not been uncomfortably warm in the slightest.

2) Island time? Must be an on season thing only? The service is noticeably QUICKER than at home.

3) It’s SUPER super casual. I know I read this before I came in, but I guess it didn’t quite sink in.

4) Feet, Fins & Four-Wheel Drive is priceless. Have had a blast exploring with the help of the book. Met Ital’s wife and she was tickled pink to hear and see her husband’s name in the book. The guy with the refreshments was so proud of the line about the “mobile concession stand” and kept exclaiming over and over, “That’s me!” I can’t believe we are the first ones who have told them this, so maybe they’ve just been drinking a lot of rum and forgot.

5) Restaurants:

- La Tapa. Love. LOVE. LOVE.
- Banana Deck. Eh. Not a fan, but it might just be that they screwed up my dish. My boyfriend liked his.
- Skinny Legs. Enjoyed. Fun for lunch.
- Lime Inn. Rich is great. Kelly the bartender downstairs (Lime Bar?) is awesome. Best people we met, along with the couple at Pink Papaya.
- Rhumblines. Like, but not quite love. Great ambiance.
- Jake’s. Adore. Who could not fall in love with little Jake? Breakfast was great, but the Bailey’s in my coffee was the highlight.
- Colombo for smoothies, with a shot of rum. Perfection.

6) Snuba was the only scheduled activity of the vacation and we are glad we did it!

That’s all for now. We have a little more time on the island and will hopefully get to soak in a lot more. I haven’t met a beach I don’t like yet and hope to meet several more. Have seen a lot of the ruins. Can’t really shrink the beaches or any of that down to words.

Fluffy · Post by **Fluffy** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:16 pm

Yeah, you get it.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:18 pm

welcome to the forum!

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:54 pm

Welcome! Love your newbie impressions. I agree- you get it

rpplano · Post by **rpplano** » Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:47 pm

Hey newbie, in what area do you live?

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 2:35 am

And another unsuspecting visitor to St. John becomes hooked!

Now you're going to have to change your forum name, you know! You won't be a "newbie" anymore when you get back!

Nancie-Pa · Post by **Nancie-Pa** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:22 am

Welcome Newbie! Sounds like you're hooked like the rest of us. You didn't mention any so I'm assuming you were "skeeter" free. Great report. Where did you stay?
Nancie (wish I was there) in Pa.

Diana2 · Post by **Diana2** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:29 am

We here in the 'choir' love to hear the new converts sing St. John's praises. Welcome to the choir!

msgcolleen · Post by **msgcolleen** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:35 am

La la la love your positive vibes! Enjoy the rest of your trip~

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 4:41 pm

Welcome to the forum! La Tapa is one of my favorites too.

Enjoy the rest of your trip! When you are home, if you would like to share some of your photos or even a trip report I know lots of people would like to see them!

stjohnnewbie · Post by **stjohnnewbie** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 7:01 pm

Thanks for the warm welcomes! We are from the Mid-Atlantic region.

Nancie, unfortunately, I have been eaten alive by the mosquitos. Luckily my bites blend in nicely with the section of my back that was severely sunburned the first day and is now covered in what I can only guess is a heat rash. I know, beautiful! Oh, well. What can you do.

Staying at the Westin. I know it's not a popular choice. It has been fine for us, although we will definitely explore the villa option in the future.

I'll try to write a trip report when I get back. Neither of us are photographers, though. It seems like there are a lot of photographers here. They would probably be horrified at our bad photos!

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