usvi-on-line
Cruzan Rum thoughts and Vacation Musings
This is a very interesting thread indeed!
We have always visited STJ as a couple, our first 'group' trip is scheduled for November. We are planning on one car to start the week and then picking up a second car later in the week as the newbies become familiar with the lay of the (is)land. I hope that this works out, if not, we'll get that second car a little earlier.
FF, the goat test is too funny! I like Augie's list of interrogations for possible travel companions. The bottom line is - who knows until you actually travel with someone how it will shake out.
I also found the dialog about living on STJ and returning fascinating. My hubby has fantasized about moving to STJ since our first trip and recently we dined with a couple who lives on the island and he just about picked their brains clean with questions. The interesting thing was that his and her views were not the same! He was seemed quite content with every aspect of island living, she, however, still has the need for shopping malls and mentioned rock fever. She also was quite adamant, "vacationing here and living here are totally different."
When we hit the lottery, my ideal retirement would be to winter in STJ and summer in Alaska. Aaaaah, it's good to have dreams.
So, XIG, which fare watcher do you use? Have you ever had any luck? I have set up a couple in the past and have never gotten anything on them.
We have always visited STJ as a couple, our first 'group' trip is scheduled for November. We are planning on one car to start the week and then picking up a second car later in the week as the newbies become familiar with the lay of the (is)land. I hope that this works out, if not, we'll get that second car a little earlier.
FF, the goat test is too funny! I like Augie's list of interrogations for possible travel companions. The bottom line is - who knows until you actually travel with someone how it will shake out.
I also found the dialog about living on STJ and returning fascinating. My hubby has fantasized about moving to STJ since our first trip and recently we dined with a couple who lives on the island and he just about picked their brains clean with questions. The interesting thing was that his and her views were not the same! He was seemed quite content with every aspect of island living, she, however, still has the need for shopping malls and mentioned rock fever. She also was quite adamant, "vacationing here and living here are totally different."
When we hit the lottery, my ideal retirement would be to winter in STJ and summer in Alaska. Aaaaah, it's good to have dreams.
So, XIG, which fare watcher do you use? Have you ever had any luck? I have set up a couple in the past and have never gotten anything on them.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
patr, BT and I have done STJ by ourselves twice,once with another couple for 2 weeks,and once with our son and his girlfriend for 3 weeks [as a college graduation present for them]. Each trip was great, in its' own way. The first trip there we were alone and it was a reawakening of the magic and romance in our relationship.
The 2nd trip was with another couple that we are great friends with, but our lifestyles are different. BT and I had been to the villa before and gave them the master bedroom. Two cars were so key for that trip! JT & BT get up early, explore a lot, enjoy down and dirty bars.Our friends sleep late and once they found out how easy Francis Bay was, never went to another beach. They like eating at Caneel Bay and Chateau Bordeaux. Over 2 weeks we spent lots of time as a foursome and lots as individual couples, and some with the guys going one way and the gals going another. One car would have been stifling and probably strained our friendship.
The trip with the "kids" was different yet. They couldn't get a car due to the under 25 rule. I couldn't imagine spending 3 weeks anywhere with my folks when I was 21 years old. But I gotta tell you, in many ways that was our favorite trip down there. The kids "got" STJ, Coral Bay loved them, and they loved Coral Bay. We did fine with one car, except after about a week when they wanted to go to Cruz Bay one day to party. I agreed to drop them off, but they had to find their own way back to Coral Bay. They hitched back, had no use for "town" for the rest of the trip, and melted into the eastern side with us. They got tears on the walk of woe, too!
So each way you do it is different. My personal preference is BT and I alone, but we roll with the flow. I would insist on one car for each couple, though.
The 2nd trip was with another couple that we are great friends with, but our lifestyles are different. BT and I had been to the villa before and gave them the master bedroom. Two cars were so key for that trip! JT & BT get up early, explore a lot, enjoy down and dirty bars.Our friends sleep late and once they found out how easy Francis Bay was, never went to another beach. They like eating at Caneel Bay and Chateau Bordeaux. Over 2 weeks we spent lots of time as a foursome and lots as individual couples, and some with the guys going one way and the gals going another. One car would have been stifling and probably strained our friendship.
The trip with the "kids" was different yet. They couldn't get a car due to the under 25 rule. I couldn't imagine spending 3 weeks anywhere with my folks when I was 21 years old. But I gotta tell you, in many ways that was our favorite trip down there. The kids "got" STJ, Coral Bay loved them, and they loved Coral Bay. We did fine with one car, except after about a week when they wanted to go to Cruz Bay one day to party. I agreed to drop them off, but they had to find their own way back to Coral Bay. They hitched back, had no use for "town" for the rest of the trip, and melted into the eastern side with us. They got tears on the walk of woe, too!
So each way you do it is different. My personal preference is BT and I alone, but we roll with the flow. I would insist on one car for each couple, though.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.
In joining the discussion re: moving to a vacation spot- my parents retired to Maine because they both liked vacationing there throughout their lives.
They sold our family home, upgraded the "cottage on the lake" to a home and loved it...at first. After few years of Maine winters where everything shuts down and the lake view is a cold expanse of white, it got to them.
Now they do 6 months in a condo in FLA- which was not in either of my parents plans when they retired (my mum hates the heat)- and six months in Maine.
And the MAine lake house is so much more work than the FLA condo! My stepdad has to powerwash the house cuz all the shade under the trees casues mold to grow on the siding, my mum struggles with her gardens cuz the soil is sandy and rocky, they have to drive at least 20 minutes to a grocery store (45 to a retail store), leaves/pine needles/etc are always needing to be swept/raked up, the boat always needs work, etc etc.
They sold our family home, upgraded the "cottage on the lake" to a home and loved it...at first. After few years of Maine winters where everything shuts down and the lake view is a cold expanse of white, it got to them.
Now they do 6 months in a condo in FLA- which was not in either of my parents plans when they retired (my mum hates the heat)- and six months in Maine.
And the MAine lake house is so much more work than the FLA condo! My stepdad has to powerwash the house cuz all the shade under the trees casues mold to grow on the siding, my mum struggles with her gardens cuz the soil is sandy and rocky, they have to drive at least 20 minutes to a grocery store (45 to a retail store), leaves/pine needles/etc are always needing to be swept/raked up, the boat always needs work, etc etc.
Lysa, are you telling me NOT to buy my favorite house on Mousam lake while I'm up there this year?????LysaC wrote:In joining the discussion re: moving to a vacation spot- my parents retired to Maine because they both liked vacationing there throughout their lives.
They sold our family home, upgraded the "cottage on the lake" to a home and loved it...at first. After few years of Maine winters where everything shuts down and the lake view is a cold expanse of white, it got to them.
Now they do 6 months in a condo in FLA- which was not in either of my parents plans when they retired (my mum hates the heat)- and six months in Maine.
And the MAine lake house is so much more work than the FLA condo! My stepdad has to powerwash the house cuz all the shade under the trees casues mold to grow on the siding, my mum struggles with her gardens cuz the soil is sandy and rocky, they have to drive at least 20 minutes to a grocery store (45 to a retail store), leaves/pine needles/etc are always needing to be swept/raked up, the boat always needs work, etc etc.
I agree with the two cars right off the bat! When we went with another couple we got one car with the plan of getting a second. Well after us being their designated driver for a couple nights, they found no need for their own. They simple complained every where we wanted to go, drank to the fullest every night (why not, they had a driver), and didn't have to pay a dime towards the transportation. In their minds we rented it, we drove it, we pay for it! Lesson Learned 
My husband has said for years that he would like to live on St. John but I know the reality would fall far below his fantasy. In his mind, living on St. John would be:
1. a vacation that would never end.
2. we could go to the beach all the time.
And the biggest fantasy of all -
3. we would live in the type of house that we rent!
We did vacation on Provo in the Turks and Caicos a few years back and because of the development on the island (ever improving infrastructure, skilled workforce, standard of living, access to services) it did seem like a reasonable dream to spend future years on the island but the country has serious restrictions on work permits.
It is nearly impossible to get a work permit as a foreigner if the job could be filled by an islander. hence, the skilled native workforce and standard of living.
Seriously not likely to happen but who am I to squash his dreaming…..
1. a vacation that would never end.
2. we could go to the beach all the time.
And the biggest fantasy of all -
3. we would live in the type of house that we rent!
We did vacation on Provo in the Turks and Caicos a few years back and because of the development on the island (ever improving infrastructure, skilled workforce, standard of living, access to services) it did seem like a reasonable dream to spend future years on the island but the country has serious restrictions on work permits.
It is nearly impossible to get a work permit as a foreigner if the job could be filled by an islander. hence, the skilled native workforce and standard of living.
Seriously not likely to happen but who am I to squash his dreaming…..
mary beth-
You're so funny!
Before making that sort of plunge, remember: Mousam in the summer/fall is fun but Mousam in the winter can be cold and lonely
.
Although, if you break up that cold lonely Maine winter with a few trips to STJ and The Keys as you are known to do
, you & Charlie will probably be just fine!
You're so funny!
Before making that sort of plunge, remember: Mousam in the summer/fall is fun but Mousam in the winter can be cold and lonely
.Although, if you break up that cold lonely Maine winter with a few trips to STJ and The Keys as you are known to do
, you & Charlie will probably be just fine!-
martini girl
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:29 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
I've been on vacation with friends whom I would never in a million years travel with again, it was not good. We now have been blessed with friends who travel with us exceptionally well, both with kids and without. What a difference it makes. I can't imagine NOT going with them on a trip. I plan the whole trip and they just give me their credit card number and show up when asked.
What I do keep in mind, however, is the fact that while we all may think we are the perfect traveler, perhaps we are not. I know my husband is no box of chocolates on vacation, even though he thinks he is very laid back. We all have our own particulars, like spending money or not, all day at the beach or not, etc, so I always try to remember that the way we perceive ouselves may not necessarily be the way we are perceived by others.
What I do keep in mind, however, is the fact that while we all may think we are the perfect traveler, perhaps we are not. I know my husband is no box of chocolates on vacation, even though he thinks he is very laid back. We all have our own particulars, like spending money or not, all day at the beach or not, etc, so I always try to remember that the way we perceive ouselves may not necessarily be the way we are perceived by others.
We all have our own particulars, like spending money or not-
I have family members that are serious cheapies - drinking two day old coffee, stretching one take-out dinner over four meals (this for two adults mind you), scrapping the mold off bread before toasting - which sort of drivers my hubby nuts.
He bites his tongue but is always asking "is this today's coffee?" and "just how old is this muffin? Is it from the hotel breakfast bar, which was 5 days ago?"
I swear the island probably loses money when they visit.
Our only trip to STJ solo (hubby and me) was for our honeymoon. After that we started asking folks to come down. Flip flops first intro to STJ was thru us.
We have traveled quite a bit with various folks ranging from family to friends.
Including Mr. Spring Roll-- OMG. Mr. Spring Roll was the new husband to my maid of honor. She and I went thru college together and traveled a lot together. Mistakenly I figured that her hubby would be as laid back as she was---- not so much.
When he made the Spring roll comment,
I thought I would pee my pants. This was the same guy who's first goal on STT was to head to the KMart to look for Star Wars figures. Huh? They were also too cheap (and scared) to rent a car on their own. So we played taxi driver A LOT. Ugh! He was a picky eater and they literally brought all of his food down with them. He woudln't eat Uncle Joes BBQ steak because of the BBQ sauce on it. His loss, my gain. He was also a prude and freaked out when he saw girls in the pool with no tops on. He also complained about how "hot" it was on STJ. DUH. We're like 14 degrees off of the equator. What did you think?
Our faves of course are the flip flops. She and I are both "planners" and have hubbies who just go with the flow. We are in the same income bracket and we've traveled with each other a lot on long week-ends as well as two trips to STJ. We just "get" each other and we both know that finding another couple that you enjoy traveling with can be TOUGH!
That being said I want to emphasize a few things:
1) Make sure every couple has their own vehicle
2) Make sure they are not cheap. In other words are they too cheap to get their own car? Are they always undertipping or shortchanging/arguing about the restaurant bill? Also, be clear about what things cost on island. They are more expensive there than at home. If so, keep looking...
3) Keep in mind that people can be very different in a new environment-- which means they can go both ways. A relaxed person on the mainland can get very difficult when things aren't the "same" as they are at home and someone (like myself) who can be very high stress at home, becomes very relaxed on STJ and Vacation.
I suggest taking a few long week-end trips with the other couple before committing your time and money to a vacay together.
4) Create a plan in advance with touring plans for each day AND the understanding that the "plan" can go out the window and participation isn't mandatory. Somehow this satisfies both types of people, the planners and the slackers. This way people know where everyone else will likely be and can participate or not. Chances are people will start out following the plan and then slack off as the week moves on.
5) provide packing list suggestions to people who are newbies. This way they know what to bring and won't be bugging you to borrow all the crap they left at home.
6) make sure that they have the same sense of responsibility and time management as you-- whatever that is.
This year we've decided to head back to STJ alone. Our first trip alone in nearly 10 years. It's not that we don't enjoy our friends, but we're looking forward to just spending together time. Althoug Flip flop keeps threatening to stay on STJ and wait for us to show up (they are going the week before we are this year).
We will miss them, but we'll enjoy running around the house nekkid!!!
We have traveled quite a bit with various folks ranging from family to friends.
Including Mr. Spring Roll-- OMG. Mr. Spring Roll was the new husband to my maid of honor. She and I went thru college together and traveled a lot together. Mistakenly I figured that her hubby would be as laid back as she was---- not so much.
When he made the Spring roll comment,
I thought I would pee my pants. This was the same guy who's first goal on STT was to head to the KMart to look for Star Wars figures. Huh? They were also too cheap (and scared) to rent a car on their own. So we played taxi driver A LOT. Ugh! He was a picky eater and they literally brought all of his food down with them. He woudln't eat Uncle Joes BBQ steak because of the BBQ sauce on it. His loss, my gain. He was also a prude and freaked out when he saw girls in the pool with no tops on. He also complained about how "hot" it was on STJ. DUH. We're like 14 degrees off of the equator. What did you think?
Our faves of course are the flip flops. She and I are both "planners" and have hubbies who just go with the flow. We are in the same income bracket and we've traveled with each other a lot on long week-ends as well as two trips to STJ. We just "get" each other and we both know that finding another couple that you enjoy traveling with can be TOUGH!
That being said I want to emphasize a few things:
1) Make sure every couple has their own vehicle
2) Make sure they are not cheap. In other words are they too cheap to get their own car? Are they always undertipping or shortchanging/arguing about the restaurant bill? Also, be clear about what things cost on island. They are more expensive there than at home. If so, keep looking...
3) Keep in mind that people can be very different in a new environment-- which means they can go both ways. A relaxed person on the mainland can get very difficult when things aren't the "same" as they are at home and someone (like myself) who can be very high stress at home, becomes very relaxed on STJ and Vacation.
I suggest taking a few long week-end trips with the other couple before committing your time and money to a vacay together.
4) Create a plan in advance with touring plans for each day AND the understanding that the "plan" can go out the window and participation isn't mandatory. Somehow this satisfies both types of people, the planners and the slackers. This way people know where everyone else will likely be and can participate or not. Chances are people will start out following the plan and then slack off as the week moves on.
5) provide packing list suggestions to people who are newbies. This way they know what to bring and won't be bugging you to borrow all the crap they left at home.
6) make sure that they have the same sense of responsibility and time management as you-- whatever that is.
This year we've decided to head back to STJ alone. Our first trip alone in nearly 10 years. It's not that we don't enjoy our friends, but we're looking forward to just spending together time. Althoug Flip flop keeps threatening to stay on STJ and wait for us to show up (they are going the week before we are this year).
We will miss them, but we'll enjoy running around the house nekkid!!!
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Gosh, Gromit, and Flipper says I'm funny! I loved hearing the saga of Spring Roll Man.
When we went with another couple the whole 2 weeks was great, but we weren't attached at the hip for the whole time. That was actually discussed before we went down there. Money was never a problem,, though they had a lot more then we did, we split everything pretty much to the dime, at my insistence.
The hardest thing was getting them to be water frugal with the dishes, showers and commode. I'd scold them if they let the water run in the kitchen. They thought I was a bit anal about dumping the dish water off the deck to water some thirsty plants. I see that as part of getting STJ.
When we went with another couple the whole 2 weeks was great, but we weren't attached at the hip for the whole time. That was actually discussed before we went down there. Money was never a problem,, though they had a lot more then we did, we split everything pretty much to the dime, at my insistence.
The hardest thing was getting them to be water frugal with the dishes, showers and commode. I'd scold them if they let the water run in the kitchen. They thought I was a bit anal about dumping the dish water off the deck to water some thirsty plants. I see that as part of getting STJ.
When you find yourself in a hole.... quit digging.