Last minute check list for newbie

[island5]

Hi all, I've been lurking or browsing the forum (as well as TA) for about 7 months and now I have a week to go before our first trip to St John! We're a family of 5, three teenage girls, the DH and I and we're all very excited. With all of your help I booked a villa, arranged for a rental jeep, decided what to pack and bought the books necessary to learn as much as I could before our holiday. We've confirmed with the villa owner and manager, arranged where to meet when we arrive, confirmed with Magdalena with arrival time and flight number, packed the snorkel gear, froze the steaks, packed the snack foods and spices, stopped the mail and paper, etc. We're staying on the Coral Bay side and I've even found it on google earth so I have a better idea where we'll be. So...what am I missing? Any last minute suggestions? For all you posters, I want you to know how appreciative the rest of us are for your insights and especially your trip reports. Thanks!

[needmesomesun]

My only advice would be to leave your spices at home (unless you have a favorite you can't live without) and head to St. john Spice. The smell of my bags from that store brings me on an instant vacation! I'm getting low. This usually means it's time for a trip back!

You'll know what I mean upon entering the store.

[CBama]

just get ready to enjoy and experience the most beautiful beaches and scenery!!!

Lily's and Love City Mini Mart in Coral Bay can provide most anything you will need. Seems like gallons of water and ice were cheaper at Lily's.

[jimg20]

Welcome to the Forum - even though you have been here a long time.

The other thing you need to do is to shift gears and get into "Island Time." Relax, slow down and enjoy your trip.

JIM

[silverheels]

I love St. John Spice but I always bring things like dried basil, garlic powder and a couple of other ones. St. John Spice has all the wonderful spices that you will need but to me it's for special things and not plebian things that I use the other common things for.
I love their coffees and lots of other things they have and especially the owners. It's the one place I love to shop. Don't miss it but pack your everyday spices.
Enjoy your time on island and if you are around either on July 29th or Aug. 5th come down to the Beach Bar (on the beach) and meet up with others who frequent this forum.

[Myheart'sinSTJ]

Sounds like you got all your ducks in order! Congratulations on your 1st trip and it won't be your last... if you have any extra room in your luggage for snacks you should take some, stuff like potato chips (oddly enough) can be very expensive. There is no way you can't love the rock, enjoy!

[SOonthebeach]

take half your clothes out of the suitcase- you won't need 'em. After 14-15 trips, I STILL over pack clothes!

[Xislandgirl]

1. Less clothes,more money
2. Pack ziploc bags. I use them for everything! beach food, wet suits, etc
3. baby powder in your beach bag gets sand off your feet before getting in jeep
4. If you are beer or soda drinkers, bring coozies or buy them on island
5. PLEASE CONSIDER: bringing reusable grocery bags and water bottles. The island has no formal recycling and plastic bags and small water bottles add up quickly
6. Have fun
7. Write a trip report

[jayseadee]

Don't forget any phone/camera chargers. Hard to find down there.

Have a great trip.

[Fisheye]

I enjoy binoculars , especially when staying at a villa with a sweet view!

[toes in the sand]

-I agree with the suggestions to remove half of the clothes you packed especially all but one pair of long pants, all but one loose fitting long sleeve item, nearly all of the shoes, replace these items with a hat. Did I mention leaving most of the shoes at home?
- I suggest that you freeze the cooler the night before If it doesnt fit in the freezer put it in the fridge or put ice in it overnight. Since you are flying in from "too far north" I imagine your bags will be in the hold or overhead for a long hot journey. You would be amazed at how much heat is transferred from a cooler at room temp to your frozen goods. Make sure the cooler is packed tight with frozen foods and/or frozen fillers. My wife thinks I am nuts for freezing a newspaper overnight so I have some frozen filler to pack the cooler tight.
-Sunscreen.
-Bug repellent.
-Snacks. We like to bring microwave popcorn
-anything to keep 3 teenage girls occupied to keep away the "I AM SOOOO BORED!" cry.

[Islandhopper114]

Pack bug spray. Something else we take are cheap $2.00 inflatable rafts that we use at the villa and the beach. We deflate partially and stuff into our trunk for the beach as we spend most of our time in the water.

[island5]

Wow, thank you all so much! I do have an array of bug repellant (in 1-3 oz sizes), lots of ziploc bags, and flip flops in the luggage. Thanks for the cooler tips, binoculars, and reminder to pack the huggers(cozies). Love the idea of the cheap rafts! I'm pretty sure I won't hear "I'm so bored" - these kids haven't had a moment to breathe this summer and are looking forward to kicking back even more than their parents, if that's possible. I have also (from reading all your posts) emphasized that we need much less clothes, so we have no limit on bathing suits but a two shorts maximum. So thanks again, and keep em coming!

[toes in the sand]

On the clothes issue, the only addition of clothes that I advise are loose fitting lightweight pants and shirt. For the almost cool evenings it is nice to keep biting insects off at the beach and at the villa

[DonnaM]

We always bring a deck of cards. We have lost power on every trip to STJ but even with electricity, we seem to gravitate to more laid back entertainment. One night last summer, we played solitaire, thumb wrestling, cards, indian leg wrestling and 6 inches ( a punching game - I have teenage boys!! ). I also bring Mad Libs on vacation. Still cracks everyone up when you have time to kill at the airport!