St. John newbie groceries question

[lazylane]

Lazylane - please let me know your opinion on that new service. We always provision and I am looking at different options for the upcoming trip.

We arrive December 3, when is your trip PA Girl?

[PA Girl]

2nd week in February.

[Caw954s]

Oh kgolden, I really appreciate the tip on connections. I just looked them up and that service sounds perfect. I can send a bunch of dry goods and pick them up when we get there! Brilliant! Thank you again for the great tip...

[stjchica]

Now you guys have me thinking of sending down some villa snack food ahead of time...Crackers, chips, coffee, cereal, etc...and maybe some bug spray, etc...Hmmm~
What are some villa snack food ideas that you guys like, or any food that I could send ahead of time? Just looking for some new ideas..

[mindehankins]

We've done the shipping ahead deal before. If you decide to ship, make sure that you research Connections' hours, so you know you'll be able to pick up your box (es) when you need them. Also, do a search on the forum for Connections, and you'll find information on how to ship them most reliably - ie. Priority Mail all you can fit boxes and a very specific way to address the box. Also, call ahead to Connections and "ask" if you can send something.

[Terry]

Here is just a reminder about going out for dinner. It gets dark early on island. So if you are not comfortable driving on the left on narrow windy roads, eat that meal in. That's what we've done.

Breakfast in, lunch out, dinner in. Grilling a meat with a salad or grilled vegies is all we need for dinner...oh and a nice bottle of wine!

After consuming a few adult beverages, driving in the dark on those roads takes too much effort.

Just a thought.

[stjchica]

Here is just a reminder about going out for dinner. It gets dark early on island. So if you are not comfortable driving on the left on narrow windy roads, eat that meal in. That's what we've done.

Breakfast in, lunch out, dinner in. Grilling a meat with a salad or grilled vegies is all we need for dinner...oh and a nice bottle of wine!

After consuming a few adult beverages, driving in the dark on those roads takes too much effort.

Just a thought.

We chose Grande Bay just for that reason...didn't want to have to drive after dark and after having a drink or two..

[DonnaM]

If you Google Starfish Market and click on the Specials tab, you can see their sales flyer. I don't think the prices are that bad.

[Caw954s]

Here is just a reminder about going out for dinner. It gets dark early on island. So if you are not comfortable driving on the left on narrow windy roads, eat that meal in. That's what we've done.

Breakfast in, lunch out, dinner in. Grilling a meat with a salad or grilled vegies is all we need for dinner...oh and a nice bottle of wine!

After consuming a few adult beverages, driving in the dark on those roads takes too much effort.

Just a thought.

Yes, I have thought about how dark it will be and we're staying on sky top, we will make sure to be back by sunsets every night. We are early risers, so I am imagining breakfast between 6-7 am, enjoy sunrise, wait for our 21 year old to awake, that will take us to 10 am, she'll be hungry and we could have a light lunch and then head out to the beaches for the afternoon with dinner on the way back between 4-5 pm. That's the "plan" we'll see how it goes! But thru this post I now know I have to have more food available in the villa than I had originally thought. So, I will send some snacks, we will stock up on fresh groceries when we get there, and we will pick up adult beverages to enjoy at the villa! Thank you for taking the time to reply, it really does make me think about the details of our trip a little more so that we do not have any snafu's!

[tincansailor]

Speaking of wine- what are the prices and selection like compared to "back home"? Suggestions as to best store to purchase in?

I see that Zozo's has a wine list but did not see one for Rhumb Lines-what is typical for restaurants?

If I run out of cigars, is there a tobacconist there?

Getting closer--10 days to go!

[Dome526]

Well, thanks to DonnaM's suggestion, I goggled Starfish Market, and went to the website to view: http://starfishmarket.com/PDF/Circular10132012.pdf
What I learned is that prices aren't as bad as I thought...when you look at the Specials. This is casuing me to rethink my food strategy. I was originally planning to bring a Polar Bear 24pack filled with frozen meat for a carryon. I don;t think I will fill it, but bring some meat. The cooler will be handy for our stay at Cinnamon Bay Campground. After 1 night at the CB Boutique Hotel, we will hit Star Market, and taxi to CBC with 4-5 days of provisions. Pictures at Star Market show a wide variety of fruits, veggies, etc. I am impressed with the store.
Tom in CT.....counting the days!

[andee515]

There are 5 of us; me hubby and kiddos 11,7,5. My husband arryon is a cooler with steaks, chix breast, cheese, chocolate and lunch meat. we usually bring granola bars, fruit snacks and peanut butter crackers stuffed in our other carryons with snorkel gear and a few clothes

[PaminMaine]

I usually ship 2-3 boxes ahead to our villa owner. I sent 1 box toiletries, sun tan lotion (x many cans, the sun is HOT there!), bug spray. 1-2 boxes of granola bars, canned tuna, crystal lite packets, etc. Also bring 1 polar bear color with meats, and lunch meat.

I " think" the most expensive thing when we went last time was the fresh fruit, milk, bread and .. ummm.. bacon! We also foolishly purchased invidual drinks when we 1st arrived instead of going to St. John Ice.

[stjchica]

What kind of individual drinks? What did you get at STJ ice instead...

[Xislandgirl]

I am guessing individual drinks are the smaller bottles of water.
PSA

STJ has limited recycling and every individual water bottle will end up in an already over loaded landfill. Purchase a reusable water bottle for each member of your party and bring it in your luggage then refill from gallon jugs. The amount of plastic you will save from a landfill is huge and the money savings is even better!

end of my soapbox rant