usvi-on-line
Greetings & salutations from a newbie (& questions)
Greetings & salutations from a newbie (& questions)
Longtime lurker, first-time poster here.
A little over a month ago DH and I realized we had no travel plans on the horizon -- a rarity for us -- and had a 10-day window after the holidays. Where to go?
Lately our travels have veered toward places that take a LONG time to get to from the east coast of the U.S. -- Africa, Australia, Asia. With only 10 days, we didn't want to go that far, but still wanted to go someplace we've never been before, with great hiking and snorkeling, good restaurants, and gorgeous natural scenery.
I started lurking on various travel boards, including this one, to get ideas. With such great info here, we have just booked our first trip to STJ & cannot wait!
We have rented the Honeymoon Cottage near Francis Bay and have rented a vehicle from Denzil Clyne. So far we have bought FF&FWD, St. John Off the Beaten Track, and the St. John Beach Guide, and are pouring over the Virgin Islands National Park Illustrated Trail Map.
I would appreciate any info you all have for first-timers to St. John.
We always travel light, just bringing carry-ons and packing the bare minimum. So far, for this trip I think that means a few pairs of shorts & some T-shirts, a couple of swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray, snorkel gear, passports, drivers licenses, money, iPod/CDs, hat, sunglasses, camera, guidebook, map, hiking shoes, sandals. Any other must-brings?
We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated.
If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?
Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out.
Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know.
We have already learned so much from everybody here & can't wait for our trip. Thanks!
A little over a month ago DH and I realized we had no travel plans on the horizon -- a rarity for us -- and had a 10-day window after the holidays. Where to go?
Lately our travels have veered toward places that take a LONG time to get to from the east coast of the U.S. -- Africa, Australia, Asia. With only 10 days, we didn't want to go that far, but still wanted to go someplace we've never been before, with great hiking and snorkeling, good restaurants, and gorgeous natural scenery.
I started lurking on various travel boards, including this one, to get ideas. With such great info here, we have just booked our first trip to STJ & cannot wait!
We have rented the Honeymoon Cottage near Francis Bay and have rented a vehicle from Denzil Clyne. So far we have bought FF&FWD, St. John Off the Beaten Track, and the St. John Beach Guide, and are pouring over the Virgin Islands National Park Illustrated Trail Map.
I would appreciate any info you all have for first-timers to St. John.
We always travel light, just bringing carry-ons and packing the bare minimum. So far, for this trip I think that means a few pairs of shorts & some T-shirts, a couple of swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray, snorkel gear, passports, drivers licenses, money, iPod/CDs, hat, sunglasses, camera, guidebook, map, hiking shoes, sandals. Any other must-brings?
We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated.
If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?
Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out.
Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know.
We have already learned so much from everybody here & can't wait for our trip. Thanks!
homepage.mac.com/lisaandmarktravel
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Glad you found us.
Almost all the places to eat on STJ are casual. If you are just buying a few thing don't worry about stopping on stt for them. I bring a vcooler with meat and some other stuff but i love to cook for my island friends and others. there is great photo ops around every corner and the snorkleing off the beaches is great.
Tom
Almost all the places to eat on STJ are casual. If you are just buying a few thing don't worry about stopping on stt for them. I bring a vcooler with meat and some other stuff but i love to cook for my island friends and others. there is great photo ops around every corner and the snorkleing off the beaches is great.
Tom
Re: Greetings & salutations from a newbie (& questio
I'm sure you'll be in seventh heaven in the picture taking department. The entire island is one big photo op!lisa wrote: Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know.
Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you all are very seasoned travelers and have everything planned.
As far as buying wine and munchies on STT - I don't see why you would bother, but others who know more about that can clue you in better. Personally, I would just buy everything on STJ. We found everything we needed on island.
Have fun in your planning!!
As far as buying wine and munchies on STT - I don't see why you would bother, but others who know more about that can clue you in better. Personally, I would just buy everything on STJ. We found everything we needed on island.
Have fun in your planning!!
Coden
Welcome Lisa!! I hope you guys enjoy your trip. Sounds like you've got all that you will certainly need. Waterguy's tip about bringing a softsided cooler with some food for bbq'ing is the only thing I would suggest if you guys like to cook at your villa. The only other suggestion I would have is to make sure that you visit a couple of other islands, perhaps look into doing a charter or something. It is so much fun to see the islands from the water not to mention all that the Virgins have to offer.
Have a blast - both planning the vacation and being on island!!
Have a blast - both planning the vacation and being on island!!
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Hi Lisa,
I would purchase all munchies & wine on STJ....it will save you a lot of hassle. Charter a boat one day and sail the BVI. We absolutely loved doing that. Check out www.caribbean-vibe.com. You'll have a great visit on STJ no matter what!
Welcome.
Jamestown
I would purchase all munchies & wine on STJ....it will save you a lot of hassle. Charter a boat one day and sail the BVI. We absolutely loved doing that. Check out www.caribbean-vibe.com. You'll have a great visit on STJ no matter what!
Welcome.
Jamestown
Re: Greetings & salutations from a newbie (& questio
Welcome Lisa. You have chosen wisely.
Any other must-brings?
I think you have the packing covered. Maybe afterbite & bandaids
We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated.
My favorite casual eats:
• Banana Deck Cruz Bay Across from Wharfside
• Beach Bar Wharfside
• JJs Near the ferry, great BLTs and breakfast
• Rhumblines a little more expensive, but completely casual.
• Skinny Legs out in Coral Bay. Best Burgers. Laid-back.
• Island Blues Coral Bay Rt 107 on left great painkillers!
• Vie’s Snack Shack far out Coral Bay Great garlic chicken & tarts - literally a shack!
• Donkey Diner great breakfast. Also Coral Bay Closed Tuesday I think.
If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?
I would not waste my time doing this on STT now that the Starfish gourmet market is open.
Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out.
There is great stuff in Mongoose Junction (main part of town) and Wharfside (by the dock), including local jewelry and art. I can't recall any of the names of the places, I just know they are there.
Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know.
I would check out the national park offerings while you are there. The Reef Bay hike sounds like a great one for you. Also, hike out to Rams Head from Salt pond. They also do a few guided tours along the shore at Cinnamon and demonstrations at Anaberg. See http://www.nps.gov/viis/.
Have a great trip & I can't wait for the photos!
Any other must-brings?
I think you have the packing covered. Maybe afterbite & bandaids
We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated.
My favorite casual eats:
• Banana Deck Cruz Bay Across from Wharfside
• Beach Bar Wharfside
• JJs Near the ferry, great BLTs and breakfast
• Rhumblines a little more expensive, but completely casual.
• Skinny Legs out in Coral Bay. Best Burgers. Laid-back.
• Island Blues Coral Bay Rt 107 on left great painkillers!
• Vie’s Snack Shack far out Coral Bay Great garlic chicken & tarts - literally a shack!
• Donkey Diner great breakfast. Also Coral Bay Closed Tuesday I think.
If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?
I would not waste my time doing this on STT now that the Starfish gourmet market is open.
Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out.
There is great stuff in Mongoose Junction (main part of town) and Wharfside (by the dock), including local jewelry and art. I can't recall any of the names of the places, I just know they are there.
Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know.
I would check out the national park offerings while you are there. The Reef Bay hike sounds like a great one for you. Also, hike out to Rams Head from Salt pond. They also do a few guided tours along the shore at Cinnamon and demonstrations at Anaberg. See http://www.nps.gov/viis/.
Have a great trip & I can't wait for the photos!
Hello Lisa! From another Lysa- WELCOME!!
"We have rented the Honeymoon Cottage... rented a vehicle... have bought FF&FWD, St. John Off the Beaten Track, and the St. John Beach Guide, and are pouring over the Virgin Islands National Park Illustrated Trail Map."
I must say that you seem to be pretty thoroughly prepared for STJ!!
"We always travel light, just bringing carry-ons and packing the bare minimum. So far, for this trip I think that means a few pairs of shorts & some T-shirts, a couple of swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray, snorkel gear, passports, drivers licenses, money, iPod/CDs, hat, sunglasses, camera, guidebook, map, hiking shoes, sandals. Any other must-brings?"
Again, you already have it down my friend.
"We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated."
"Dress up" on STJ is really casual. I usually bring a fun/nice/sparkly pair of flip flops or comfy sandals, a nice pair of khakis and a flowy blouse. Hubby brings a nice pair of khakis, his golf shoes and a short sleeve golf shirt or hawaiian shirt and we can go into any of the high end restaurants on-island. You don't have to "dress up" by any means. Regardless, shirts and shorts work at Skinny Legs (lunch/dinner), Island Blues (lunch/dinner), Shipwreck Landing (lunch/dinner), Miss Lucy's (for lunch). You can also get pizza at the Donkey Diner on certain nights. These are all cheap to moderately priced and no dressing up required. NOTE: You must cover up when out in public- bathing suits are not acceptable!!
"If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?"
IMHO- too much of a hassle on STT. There are a few options in Cruz Bay as well as a few in Coral Bay for all your grocery needs.
"Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out."
The Syzygy Gallery at Skinny Legs- good art cheap. There's also a woman wqho makes leather stuff at Skinny. There's a few places on Cruz Bay (Coconut Coast being another one).
"Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know."
Photo ops of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color will be all around you. You won't have to travel out of your way at anytime. STJ has it all and you will be vacationing among it. There's lush green hills & mountains, thriving coral and sealife, wandering cows & pigs & wild donkeys & wild goats & wild sheep & wild geep/shoats & land crabs & elusive deer & bannaquits & iguanas & poisonous trees and barrel cactus and palm trees & flowers that smell so good it makes you want to cry.
Man, it's really an amazing place!! I hope you have a great time!!
"We have rented the Honeymoon Cottage... rented a vehicle... have bought FF&FWD, St. John Off the Beaten Track, and the St. John Beach Guide, and are pouring over the Virgin Islands National Park Illustrated Trail Map."
I must say that you seem to be pretty thoroughly prepared for STJ!!
"We always travel light, just bringing carry-ons and packing the bare minimum. So far, for this trip I think that means a few pairs of shorts & some T-shirts, a couple of swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray, snorkel gear, passports, drivers licenses, money, iPod/CDs, hat, sunglasses, camera, guidebook, map, hiking shoes, sandals. Any other must-brings?"
Again, you already have it down my friend.
"We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual, inexpensive to moderately-priced places for this trip so we don't have to bring any dress-up clothes. Restaurant suggestions from anyone here would be appreciated."
"Dress up" on STJ is really casual. I usually bring a fun/nice/sparkly pair of flip flops or comfy sandals, a nice pair of khakis and a flowy blouse. Hubby brings a nice pair of khakis, his golf shoes and a short sleeve golf shirt or hawaiian shirt and we can go into any of the high end restaurants on-island. You don't have to "dress up" by any means. Regardless, shirts and shorts work at Skinny Legs (lunch/dinner), Island Blues (lunch/dinner), Shipwreck Landing (lunch/dinner), Miss Lucy's (for lunch). You can also get pizza at the Donkey Diner on certain nights. These are all cheap to moderately priced and no dressing up required. NOTE: You must cover up when out in public- bathing suits are not acceptable!!
"If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies to have in our villa, is it better to buy it on STT before we get on the ferry, or wait until we get to Cruz Bay?"
IMHO- too much of a hassle on STT. There are a few options in Cruz Bay as well as a few in Coral Bay for all your grocery needs.
"Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts so would love thoughts on galleries or shops we should check out."
The Syzygy Gallery at Skinny Legs- good art cheap. There's also a woman wqho makes leather stuff at Skinny. There's a few places on Cruz Bay (Coconut Coast being another one).
"Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color. If anyone has ideas for places that would be a "don't miss" in that regard, please let us know."
Photo ops of wildlife and natural places, interesting flowers & plants, and local color will be all around you. You won't have to travel out of your way at anytime. STJ has it all and you will be vacationing among it. There's lush green hills & mountains, thriving coral and sealife, wandering cows & pigs & wild donkeys & wild goats & wild sheep & wild geep/shoats & land crabs & elusive deer & bannaquits & iguanas & poisonous trees and barrel cactus and palm trees & flowers that smell so good it makes you want to cry.
Man, it's really an amazing place!! I hope you have a great time!!
Re: Greetings & salutations from a newbie (& questio
1. Thank you for de-lurking!!!!lisa wrote:1. Longtime lurker, first-time poster here.
2. So far we have bought FF&FWD, St. John Off the Beaten Track...
3. So far, for this trip I think that means a few pairs of shorts & some T-shirts, a couple of swimsuits, sunscreen, bug spray...
4. We like good food, wine, beer, etc. but plan to stick to casual...
5. If we want to pick up a couple of bottles of wine & some munchies...
6. Neither of us are big shoppers but we do like buying local art & crafts...
7. Finally, we are both amateur photographers and especially love taking photos of wildlife and natural places...
2. 'off the beaten track' is referred to by Mrs B and I as "The Bible"...We think it's all you need.
3. Sounds like about it. Stop by St John Spice and pick up a Zapper from Ruth. It's the most fun you can have at your villa with your clothes on!! Revenge on the mosquitos!!
4. PLEASE check out The Balcony. They sniped the chef from Asalore, and it kicks ass now! Best dining for us this trip!
5. For the money, Pine Peace Market is your best bet. Since you are out on the North Shore, Maybe Dolphin will be more convinent. Starfish is over-rated IMO.
6. Do not miss Pink Papaya. It's right in front of The Lime Inn, and has LOADS of local art and crafts.
7. If you walk 20 feet on St. John without a photo op, then you are not on St John!!!! If you are lucky, you may find this guy.....
