Hanging loose or over planning?

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:15 pm

I haven't really put that much thought into my trip at all. I don't want to feel like I have an itinerary. I'll just get up in the morning, maybe take a hike, hit the beach, find some food and rum and repeat the next day.

I've already resigned myself to the fact that I will be returning to STJ soon enough, so I'm not particularly worried about having a "must-do" list. And besides, the only "must do" anyone has given me is to have conch fritters at Woody's, and that doesn't sound too hard.

I do have two days planned. I have reservations for the Reef Bay Hike and I've made plans to go to Jost on Friday. Other than that, I'm just chilling and catching up on my tan and my leisure reading.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 4:56 pm

My rule is, have a plan. If you want to ditch it, ditch it.

But it's better to have something under your hat than for everyone to stand around going: "Yeah, well, that sounds ok... what do you want to do?" It's amazing how any group of well educated folks can be reduced to repeating this last sentence over and over again! Never fails.

Flip Flop and I are planners -- Our motto: Better a plan that you can trash than no plan at all!

Looks good Rick G!

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:06 pm

So, now that I'm packed and can't have any more packing crises, I guess I should come up with a plan because I'm being way too easy-peasy about this.

Wolfhound · Post by **Wolfhound** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:09 pm

It looks like a great plan to me. I am very jealous. We won't be back until June. Call Vie first. We didn't and she wasn't there. So I've still not been.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:10 pm

Hey Lulu-- sorry I've been off the board for a while -- busy with work. My previous rule goes out the window if its a non-group trip.

If it's just you or you with one other person this changes the whole dynamic and you can fly by the seat of your pants

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:34 pm

Neeners wrote:Hello from a newbie! Your plan looks good to me. It looks like we will be there about the same time (we get in the 27th of THIS MONTH - woo woo!). I spent so much time looking at villas that I'm only now looking at actual stuff to do! The only thing I have planned so far is a birthday surprise on the 31st for him. Yes, he's a Halloween baby.

Definitely join us on the 28th at The Beach Bar for the Sunday Jazz. I'll wear my forum geek t-shirt.

Gromit, I'm a planner. When we take the kids I tend to plan the down time, since we pack in activities. Kids go horseback riding, Dad goes to Skinny Legs, kids go horseback riding, Dad goes to Haulover North... I keep a list of things to do so that when it comes up I have an answer. I always try to do something new on each trip - I haven't run out yet.

Cheers, RickG

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:38 pm

Well, there are a group of us staying at the house, but I don't really see the need to travel around in a pack like the Swiss Family Robinson, so I'm just setting my own itinerary, and I've told folks that if they'd like to join me they are more than welcome. For the most part our group is newbies like myself, but we have two girls who were on STJ for a weekend once and one girl who is a seasoned traveler to the VIs. So I thought maybe I'd poke around with some of them too, but I really would be content with reading a book on a beach somewhere.

I just need things to freak out about, I guess. I do have a few things planned that I really want to do but honestly as long as I have some sort of fruity rum drink I think I'll be OK.

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 6:33 pm

Looks like a good plan to me and should definitely satisfy the go-getters and the loungers! I'm pretty sure I'll be doing some morning hikes without our whole group (maybe alone) because I'm not a morning lounger. (In fact, my ideal vacation involves some kind of physical challenge every day. Gotta feel like I earned that boat drink!)

A couple additional things I'm planning: kayaking (at least once, hopefully more) with our whole group or just my hubby and kids, and a masseuse (or 2) coming to the villa. That would satisfy the loungers, too!

Have fun!

Jo Ann - VA · Post by **Jo Ann - VA** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:28 am

Last year we had one planned day (day sail) and we planned the rest of the days the morning of.

I can't stand to have my time planned while on vacation. I have to deal with that when at home too much.

FlaSteph · Post by **FlaSteph** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:40 am

Haven't traveled with a group yet, but your plans look great RickG...
DH is a planner, however with just the two of us, it works well...both early risers, and if we decide to ditch a plan for something else, no problem-o

...

Bug · Post by **Bug** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:45 am

Your plans look great to me and SOTB will be waiting for the phone call for our beach day!!

XOXO
Bug

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:11 am

Hubs claims to hate planning/looking ahead for pleasure trips since his real life involves so much of the same. (he is more than happy to let me take the lead) When I try to get a commitment about booking things like our BVI trip, he rolls his eyes. He literally doesn’t want to think about it until one week before we leave.

Yet, guess who is bouncing around at 6:30 am asking 25 times before 7 am “what are we doing today? Which beach today? What about lunch? Is there enough beer? What is for breakfast?”

For us, having a plan at least enables me to point at the plan and say, “pick one” while I enjoy my coffee in peace.

One of the other husbands in the group is also a planner (as well as one of our oldest friends) so he and I cover all the bases and our respective spouse tag along happily in ignorant bliss.

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 10:54 am

I think that sums it up for me. I spend my whole life planning and vacation -- especially to a somewhat secluded Caribbean Island -- is about getting away. So, I'm just going to get away. I've done enough planning. I helped people get plane tickets; I rented a villa; I read this board. I think that's all I need. And if it's not, then point me in the direction of the rum.

Kentuckygirl · Post by **Kentuckygirl** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 12:10 pm

I think your plan looks great Rick! I am a planner too, but want plenty of time for beaches and limin', especially on St. John. I am going with a group next June, and I'm sure that I will have some sort of "plan", that they will all tease me about. It won't be too scheduled though, probably quite similar to yours.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 1:08 pm

Our gang met on this last night. The only real change, and a change from previous years, is that we want to eat dinner out a couple of times. With 8 or 10 people eating out is tough; with 6 people it is easier. Plus, this 6 does not have any pathological problems dealing with relaxed service or dinner/bar tabs.

We are changing one tactic this year: grocery shopping. In the past we would do the big shopping trip the day we got there. That's too stressful. We are going to bring down some prepared food frozen (Big Red's beer can chicken) in a cooler, along with some steaks and pork tenderloins. We'll hit Pine Peace Market for breakfast items the first day and shop as needed. That makes our first night a low stress dinner with a focus on getting on island time. Buying booze and beer on St. Thomas at Cost U Less will get that out of the way early and get the beers on ice faster.

It was quite nice sitting down with experienced STJ travelers and talking about what we wanted to do for the week. They actually had opinions! This is going to be a great trip

Soon come!

Cheers, RickG

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