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Is the grass always greener or be careful what you wish for…
Is the grass always greener or be careful what you wish for…
For the last 3 winters (and that’s Chicago winters) my family & I have been lucky enough to spend 10 glorious days each year in STJ. I feel blessed that we have had that opportunity. We “got” STJ the first time we stepped off the ferry. We felt comfortable there, like a well worn pair of flip flops. We loved the vibe, the beaches, the water, the neighborhoods, the people, the food, the chickens, the dogs, the cats, we loved it all, even the roads.
Foolishly, for vacation 2011, I set off on a quest to broaden our horizons, to explore the unknown (at least to us). We choose another Virgin, St Croix. Now to all you STX lovers out there I do apologize but STX is no STJ. To some that is probably the appeal but to us it left us longingly looking northwest straining our eyes to see the rock that we love so much.
We had fun, we laughed. We ate good food. We drank great drinks. We met some very nice folks. We heard some great music. We stayed in a beautiful villa right on the water. So, you might ask yourself "what’s the problem then?" Here’s my list:
Shore snorkeling was almost non existent- we went to Buck Island one day which was nice and ok but not great snorkeling.
Restaurants are really spread out (as STX is a lot larger geographically). We stayed on the East End and while there was great restaurant right across the street most were a 20-40 minute ride. Traffic is a headache at certain times.
STX beaches, while long (Shoy’s, Cane Bay, Coakley Buccaneer) are just not that pretty- Lots and lots of sea grass & garbage (wish people would clean up after themselves).
Fredriksted is pretty quiet if there’s no cruise ship in port & insane if there is.
Christiansted is just Boring. Shopping was mediocre with the usual assortment of jewelry stores and such but everything closes at 6 pm. (We did attend "Art Thursday” which is the 3rd Thursday of the month and that was really nice). I will openly admit we are NOT shoppers but even to us the available shopping seemed lame.
It seemed like an older demographic. Most nights we we’re the youngsters and we are in our mid 50’s.
All in all nothing terrible but just not us I guess. It isn’t STJ and that’s OK but I won’t go looking to replace STJ with another island again. I may learn to embrace the differences but STJ will always have my heart.
Foolishly, for vacation 2011, I set off on a quest to broaden our horizons, to explore the unknown (at least to us). We choose another Virgin, St Croix. Now to all you STX lovers out there I do apologize but STX is no STJ. To some that is probably the appeal but to us it left us longingly looking northwest straining our eyes to see the rock that we love so much.
We had fun, we laughed. We ate good food. We drank great drinks. We met some very nice folks. We heard some great music. We stayed in a beautiful villa right on the water. So, you might ask yourself "what’s the problem then?" Here’s my list:
Shore snorkeling was almost non existent- we went to Buck Island one day which was nice and ok but not great snorkeling.
Restaurants are really spread out (as STX is a lot larger geographically). We stayed on the East End and while there was great restaurant right across the street most were a 20-40 minute ride. Traffic is a headache at certain times.
STX beaches, while long (Shoy’s, Cane Bay, Coakley Buccaneer) are just not that pretty- Lots and lots of sea grass & garbage (wish people would clean up after themselves).
Fredriksted is pretty quiet if there’s no cruise ship in port & insane if there is.
Christiansted is just Boring. Shopping was mediocre with the usual assortment of jewelry stores and such but everything closes at 6 pm. (We did attend "Art Thursday” which is the 3rd Thursday of the month and that was really nice). I will openly admit we are NOT shoppers but even to us the available shopping seemed lame.
It seemed like an older demographic. Most nights we we’re the youngsters and we are in our mid 50’s.
All in all nothing terrible but just not us I guess. It isn’t STJ and that’s OK but I won’t go looking to replace STJ with another island again. I may learn to embrace the differences but STJ will always have my heart.
-
California Girl
Personally, I have found my "spot" on this Earth, and it is the Virgin Islands. All of them. There's so much to explore and see, I don't need to look further. Anguilla, Grenada, the Seychelles and Tahiti call to me, but I know without any hesitation that I'll be happy on St. John... I don't need to go anywhere else! I like a sure thing! 
Do not, I repeat...Do Not go to another Island looking for a replacement of St. John. You jess ain't gonna find it. On the other hand, it sounds like you did enjoy much of St. Croix, but did you see the beer drinking pigs? The botanical gardens, go in July for the Mango festival....they have WONDERFUL tree ripened mangos everywhere! Go see Sonya for an original hook bracelet. Go to the Rain Forest and the Mahogany wood craftfers. Go to Udall Point and stand on the furtherest most tip of the US. Did you go with Big Beard to Buck Island? If the snorkeling wasn't very good, just go again. It is half price when you go a second time with Big Beard.
You are correct, nothing is going to take the place of the beloved St. John. It's not supposed to, or it wouldn't be St. John. But I'm glad you got to experience the Big sister Island.
Oh, and as far as the demographics go, it is considered a major retirement destination now. I wish I could make it mine!
What villa did you stay in? Do you have any pictures? A TR, no matter where its from is always good! Welcome back home, and maybe we'll see you on St. John soon!
-Bert
You are correct, nothing is going to take the place of the beloved St. John. It's not supposed to, or it wouldn't be St. John. But I'm glad you got to experience the Big sister Island.
Oh, and as far as the demographics go, it is considered a major retirement destination now. I wish I could make it mine!
What villa did you stay in? Do you have any pictures? A TR, no matter where its from is always good! Welcome back home, and maybe we'll see you on St. John soon!
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
I'm the decider. Then Mrs Ramdom decides if it's a good decision. If not I get to decide again. This goes on until I make the right decision.augie wrote:Interesting...PA Girl wrote:I can relate. I was out voted 3 to 1 to try a new island this year.
In my house big decisions go to a vote also.
EagleRayLover gets four votes, our two sons get one vote each, and I get to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie...
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
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We did see the beer drinking pigs. I'm still not exactly sure how I feel about it though. Interesting is what I would say, take that how ever you like 
.
We did a day sail to Buck Island with Capt Llewellyn on his boat Chartis, we had a great day with him and he is a very interesting guy. We also went to Blue Water Terrace to hear him sing on Friday night which we all enjoyed.
We stayed on the east end at 'paradise found" which we rented through Vacation St Croix. They were great to work with, true professionals and I would not hesitate to recommend them. It's a beautiful 5 bedroom 4.5 bath home that has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths under one roof and a 2 story 2 bdrm 1 bath pool house. Right on the water with a fantastic view of Buck Island.
I will post some pics soon
. We did a day sail to Buck Island with Capt Llewellyn on his boat Chartis, we had a great day with him and he is a very interesting guy. We also went to Blue Water Terrace to hear him sing on Friday night which we all enjoyed.
We stayed on the east end at 'paradise found" which we rented through Vacation St Croix. They were great to work with, true professionals and I would not hesitate to recommend them. It's a beautiful 5 bedroom 4.5 bath home that has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths under one roof and a 2 story 2 bdrm 1 bath pool house. Right on the water with a fantastic view of Buck Island.
I will post some pics soon
I know what you mean about the pigs! I was just glad to learn they are giving them the alcohol free beer! But it is a hoot to watch!
Was there any beach access at Paradise Found? Where is Blue Water Terrace? Is it in Christiansted or on the other side?
Thanks for the info, and I'm looking forward to seeing the pix!
-Bert
Was there any beach access at Paradise Found? Where is Blue Water Terrace? Is it in Christiansted or on the other side?
Thanks for the info, and I'm looking forward to seeing the pix!
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
Yes there is a small beach but it is all rocks and the water has a full sea grassbottom. The guy next door walked out every morning to about waist high, we didn't have water shoes so we didn't want to take a chance on what we might step on. There were alot of kayaks as well as a few kite surfers a couple of days.
Blue Water Terrace is on the East End about 15 min or so east of Christensted. It's a newer restaurant. Nice location, good view during the day. They have a small and pricey market with carry out gourmet deli items as well as full sit down restaurant & bar serving breakfast, lunch & dinner 6 nights a week. Food was really good, they have entertainment every night as well.
Blue Water Terrace is on the East End about 15 min or so east of Christensted. It's a newer restaurant. Nice location, good view during the day. They have a small and pricey market with carry out gourmet deli items as well as full sit down restaurant & bar serving breakfast, lunch & dinner 6 nights a week. Food was really good, they have entertainment every night as well.
I keep thinking I should look at other islands, and I do when we cruise. We've even taken private taxi tours to different places on Antigua and St. Lucia to see what they're like if we wanted to come back for a week. And they are beautiful islands in their own right with very friendly people. But St.John calls me and I don't even really snorkel so that's not part of the equation.
You just know what "fits".
Would love to see a TR with pictures though!
You just know what "fits".
Would love to see a TR with pictures though!
Don't apologize.....this actually gives me an answer to my questions!! I've seen a slice of St. Thomas on my flight into and out of the Virgins Islands but I've always wondered if I was "missing it" by not going to St. Croix. On my second trip we ran into a couple on the ferry fron STT who told us that they live in STX and love it because it was bigger and less expensive but I'm a "vacation" person, not concerned with the day to day existence in the islands and I thoroughly enjoy the ambiance, slow pace and beauty on STJ and find it difficult to dip my toes into and another "pool". It's SO nice to know that my intial impression is correct and it saves me alot of time and money exploring other options. Thank you!!!!
I know many of my friends wonder why I go back to the same place all the time. They don't really know the difference between St John or Virgin Gorda, which happen to be my favorites (with VG as no 1).
But I'm also curious about other countries or islands and want to explore more. It's just very important to do your homework and have realistic expectations before you go, so you won't be disapponted. And don't compare. Go to experience something different. Every trip is not going to be a success (I know that) but at least you are one experience richer.
So for me it's a combination between VI's and new or other old favorites.
And when it comes to planning and deciding...hm...if I didn't decide, we would probably be mostly at home
.
But I'm also curious about other countries or islands and want to explore more. It's just very important to do your homework and have realistic expectations before you go, so you won't be disapponted. And don't compare. Go to experience something different. Every trip is not going to be a success (I know that) but at least you are one experience richer.
So for me it's a combination between VI's and new or other old favorites.
And when it comes to planning and deciding...hm...if I didn't decide, we would probably be mostly at home
.
I'm sorry for the OP that the vacation didn't turn out as wonderfully as in years past. I love St. John, but I also love trying other places. I don't compare - I never look for a replacement, just try to embrace the beauty in other places. It's possible STX just wasn't for you. C'est la vie. I felt that way about Grand Bahama, Maui and Riviera Maya. Nice places all, but no true desire to return (yes, I realize some may think I'm insane for saying that about Maui).
On the other hand, we've enjoyed fabulous vacations in Costa Rica, Italy, St. Martin, Aruba, and our recent cruise to the Southern Caribbean. I find most of the islands have something to recommend them: but we didn't go to St. Croix to snorkel, because I knew it wouldn't live up to prior experiences. Tobago... ah, now that's a place that rivals St. John in snorkeling. Not off the beach, but in secluded coves. Puts even the Indians to shame.
On the other hand, we've enjoyed fabulous vacations in Costa Rica, Italy, St. Martin, Aruba, and our recent cruise to the Southern Caribbean. I find most of the islands have something to recommend them: but we didn't go to St. Croix to snorkel, because I knew it wouldn't live up to prior experiences. Tobago... ah, now that's a place that rivals St. John in snorkeling. Not off the beach, but in secluded coves. Puts even the Indians to shame.