usvi-on-line
Newbie with ????
Sounds like you'll be in STJ overlapping our vacation there- we'll be chillin' in STJ Nov-9 thru Nov-16...very excited once again.... first time on the Coral Bay side.
Take it from someone who's considered the same thing- waiting to rent a vehicle. After viewing the hills, the narrow roads, the local and tourist drivers- RENT A VEHICLE! You won't regret it. Lots of fun learning to drive on the left side and experiencing those steep switch backs... no problem- you'll adapt quickly.
I've seen folks walking the road up the hill from Cruz Bay to Lind Point Trail and to points beyond (Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, etc.) They looked like they were gonna die..... red, sweaty, ready for the EMS..... not what I'd call a vacation.
Have fun- YOU WILL ENJOY- I promise!
Take it from someone who's considered the same thing- waiting to rent a vehicle. After viewing the hills, the narrow roads, the local and tourist drivers- RENT A VEHICLE! You won't regret it. Lots of fun learning to drive on the left side and experiencing those steep switch backs... no problem- you'll adapt quickly.
I've seen folks walking the road up the hill from Cruz Bay to Lind Point Trail and to points beyond (Hawksnest, Trunk Bay, etc.) They looked like they were gonna die..... red, sweaty, ready for the EMS..... not what I'd call a vacation.
Have fun- YOU WILL ENJOY- I promise!
I have a side bar question on the Lind Point trail or access to Honeymoon/Salomon beaches. We stopped once in a parking lot off the hill above Cruz Bay and took a slip/sliding trail down down down to Honeymoon, and it was awful going back up. Is this that trail? I remember it split at one point, so maybe split to Salomon? Is there an easier flatter way to get there from the National Park Center (which I have to say I have yet to find in my past 3 trips, but mean to this time).
A car rental is kind of nice, but the first time we went we didn't have one reserved ahead of time. We stayed at Gallows and just rented one for a day which was fine. Otherwise we walked around. I have to admit to having the husband drive everytime-he's a lot calmer than I am on the hills after the rain
Good luck-you'll have a great time!
A car rental is kind of nice, but the first time we went we didn't have one reserved ahead of time. We stayed at Gallows and just rented one for a day which was fine. Otherwise we walked around. I have to admit to having the husband drive everytime-he's a lot calmer than I am on the hills after the rain
Good luck-you'll have a great time!
-
theshopper3
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:27 pm
- Location: Canada
WOW,
The number of responses is amazing.Thank you all so much.
I told my husband that I finally stopped lurking & signed on & he said it is about time.....
We are still torn on the vehicle rental from the start or after a few days & we have our bearings.
Yes Ruth, I am also a Smokin Ruth HAHA.. We will definatley be in to see you, as my husband loves spices,and sauces.
Can anyone advise on how much of a problem the sea Urchin's are. Hubby loves to snorkel & is a little concerned with these guys...
Toni if it is you that will be on the Island the same time, you never know we may run into each other. It will just be Hubby & I looking bewilder by all the beauty of the Island.
Tks Ruth & Rupp
The number of responses is amazing.Thank you all so much.
I told my husband that I finally stopped lurking & signed on & he said it is about time.....
We are still torn on the vehicle rental from the start or after a few days & we have our bearings.
Yes Ruth, I am also a Smokin Ruth HAHA.. We will definatley be in to see you, as my husband loves spices,and sauces.
Can anyone advise on how much of a problem the sea Urchin's are. Hubby loves to snorkel & is a little concerned with these guys...
Toni if it is you that will be on the Island the same time, you never know we may run into each other. It will just be Hubby & I looking bewilder by all the beauty of the Island.
Tks Ruth & Rupp
Teresa_Rae,
Thanks for the friendly reminder....just for the record, I don't smoke on the beach. If I did I would never leave a cigarette butt there or any place else for that matter. I too feel disappointed and disgusted when I see butts littering the landscape.
mia
Thanks for the friendly reminder....just for the record, I don't smoke on the beach. If I did I would never leave a cigarette butt there or any place else for that matter. I too feel disappointed and disgusted when I see butts littering the landscape.
mia
It takes both the sun and the rain to make a beautiful rainbow. --Unknown
Access to Salomon/Honeymoon
In response to Toni's question about getting to Salomon/Honeymoon beaches, there are 3 ways. (1) The trail at the top of the hill overlooking Cruz Bay where the National Park housing is (never took that one, didn't want to have to climb back up). (2) The trail that starts behind the National Park visitors center in Cruz Bay. This one winds around the hill and has an upper (where there is an overlook) and lower trail. The lower trail I think may be a bit longer, but is much easier. The trail splits at a rock somewhere (we missed it the first time). Then when you start hearing water, keep a look out for a trail to the left for Salomon, or keep on going to Honeymoon. (3) The easiest way is to take a taxi to Caneel and walk to Honeymoon. It's relatively flat. Go past the lobby to the main beach where the dock is and turn left and you will end up on a dirt road. I think there are signs pointing to Honeymoon because Caneel considers it one of "their" 7 beaches. Once at Honeymoon, look for a fence with an opening, that is the trail on to Salomon.
-
wontongirl
- Posts: 518
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:19 pm
first timer
Sounds like we will be on the same ferry. We will be there Nov.11 at 2:15. I just can't wait, 21 days!
I agree with Ruth about renting the car part-time. On our first trip, we stayed at the Westin and did alright without a car. We reserved one for 2 days and drove over to Coral Bay and to some beaches. My husband was in a conference so that was enough for that trip. We get one for the entire week now, even if we stay at the Westin. Renting a villa is the way to go! So plan to reserve a car for a day or two mid-week- you will not be sorry!
Look for us on the ferry- We will be a group of 4 having a big ol' time, with a heavy Southern accent. We will probably have a Miller Lite in our hand!! We reserved a privat taxi also. We haven't done this before, we hope it will get us to the 3pm ferry on time.
I've heard that a carton of cigs at the airport are $18 or $19. I have no idea what kind they have.
I agree with Ruth about renting the car part-time. On our first trip, we stayed at the Westin and did alright without a car. We reserved one for 2 days and drove over to Coral Bay and to some beaches. My husband was in a conference so that was enough for that trip. We get one for the entire week now, even if we stay at the Westin. Renting a villa is the way to go! So plan to reserve a car for a day or two mid-week- you will not be sorry!
Look for us on the ferry- We will be a group of 4 having a big ol' time, with a heavy Southern accent. We will probably have a Miller Lite in our hand!! We reserved a privat taxi also. We haven't done this before, we hope it will get us to the 3pm ferry on time.
I've heard that a carton of cigs at the airport are $18 or $19. I have no idea what kind they have.
I have to say I pretty much totally disagree w/the others about the car. (y'all please don't yell at me after this!) Bougainvilla is the easiest walk into town--5 minutes if you go slow! (And my husband is a smoker.) A hike to Solomon is a fabulous experience...something you will not do everyday, but totally worth it. An open-air taxi to any of the other North Shore beaches (which you just hop on in town--5 minute walk)will cost you a maximum of $10-12 each roundtrip. Considering that a vehicle is more than $50 a day...easy math...nice ride.
For a first timer you could skip the vehicle entirely and still get to at least Caneel (Solomon, Honeymoon) Hawksnest, Trunk, Gibney, Jumbie, and Cinnamon (which is like a mini-island tour in itself getting to). So unless you are the type A extremely active, there is a whole lot of beach to be seen on St. John without ever having to drive on the left, possibly after drinking, and paying twice as much for the privilege.
Just my humble-on a budget-opinion...
For a first timer you could skip the vehicle entirely and still get to at least Caneel (Solomon, Honeymoon) Hawksnest, Trunk, Gibney, Jumbie, and Cinnamon (which is like a mini-island tour in itself getting to). So unless you are the type A extremely active, there is a whole lot of beach to be seen on St. John without ever having to drive on the left, possibly after drinking, and paying twice as much for the privilege.
Just my humble-on a budget-opinion...
Thanks ATG for the hike info-I hoped there was an easier way to get there! 
Good excuse to go to Caneel for the first time. We depart 6 weeks from today so we'll be missing you shopper 3; think tjwgrr will onisland the same time. Whatever you decide you are truly going to have a great time. And Mia, nice to see another western NYer posting! How western are you? We're between Buffalo and Erie.
Good excuse to go to Caneel for the first time. We depart 6 weeks from today so we'll be missing you shopper 3; think tjwgrr will onisland the same time. Whatever you decide you are truly going to have a great time. And Mia, nice to see another western NYer posting! How western are you? We're between Buffalo and Erie.-
theshopper3
- Posts: 523
- Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:27 pm
- Location: Canada
Thanks again for all the info & opinions.
Taminark, we will be on the Island the same time, will look for the Miller Lite & listen for the southern accent. We will be the ones saying EH.....
It would be nice if we can make the 3.00pm ferry.
Were are you staying???
Toni, you are not to far from us actually, we are about an hour & a half from Nigara Falls.
Scrumblin thanks for the assurance that the Bouganvilla is a short walk to town, I am sure we can do that treak with no problem.
Teresa Ras, no worry's we have our butt can packed.
Have a Great Saturday......
Ruth AKA The Shopper3
Taminark, we will be on the Island the same time, will look for the Miller Lite & listen for the southern accent. We will be the ones saying EH.....
It would be nice if we can make the 3.00pm ferry.
Were are you staying???
Toni, you are not to far from us actually, we are about an hour & a half from Nigara Falls.
Scrumblin thanks for the assurance that the Bouganvilla is a short walk to town, I am sure we can do that treak with no problem.
Teresa Ras, no worry's we have our butt can packed.
Have a Great Saturday......
Ruth AKA The Shopper3
-
Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
There is an easier trail to Salomon and Honeymoon then Lind Point trail and starts in Cruz Bay from National Parks headquarters parking lot. We think this trail option is flatter, wider and less confusing then the Lind Point trail.liamsaunt wrote:You can walk to Solomon and Honeymoon via the Lind Point trail. Just realize though, that you will need to walk out of town, and up the hill to the start of the trail.
Bob & Anita
-
nothintolose
- Posts: 1960
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:36 pm
- Location: New Orleans, LA
I would rent a car for at least one day and plan to drive the entire island just to see what's out there and how different all parts of the island are.
We do this our first day every time and also do it our last day just to say goodbye.
It's amazing how different the vegetation is on the north side of the island than the south side.
Also, if you go towards Coral Bay, you are more likely to see all of the goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, etc. just roaming the streets than you will in Cruz Bay
nothintolose
We do this our first day every time and also do it our last day just to say goodbye.
It's amazing how different the vegetation is on the north side of the island than the south side.
Also, if you go towards Coral Bay, you are more likely to see all of the goats, cows, pigs, donkeys, etc. just roaming the streets than you will in Cruz Bay
nothintolose
Toni,
Check out the Trail Bandit's web site for some excellent maps detailing the trails:
http://www.trailbandit.org/
Click on the link for maps.
Check out the Trail Bandit's web site for some excellent maps detailing the trails:
http://www.trailbandit.org/
Click on the link for maps.
Patr
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
~~Longing to be back on St. John~~
Have to love this site! Thanks all for the trail help-that trailbandit site is great-I hadn't seen it before-really appreciate the info on it.
Mia-missed the big Buffalo storm luckily! We did get a couple inches last Saturday but otherwise the big one just roared up lake Erie and dumped on the city and surroundings. After 8 days I think they're finally getting power back to everyone-almost as bad as a hurricane
Thanks again!
Mia-missed the big Buffalo storm luckily! We did get a couple inches last Saturday but otherwise the big one just roared up lake Erie and dumped on the city and surroundings. After 8 days I think they're finally getting power back to everyone-almost as bad as a hurricane
Thanks again!
-
Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Yes, see our post above. This alternative route is accessed from the National Park Headquarter's parking lot.toni wrote:I have a side bar question on the Lind Point trail or access to Honeymoon/Salomon beaches. We stopped once in a parking lot off the hill above Cruz Bay and took a slip/sliding trail down down down to Honeymoon, and it was awful going back up. Is this that trail? I remember it split at one point, so maybe split to Salomon? Is there an easier flatter way to get there from the National Park Center (which I have to say I have yet to find in my past 3 trips, but mean to this time).
Bob & Anita