st.john veteran secrets...

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:11 pm

Wow Jayseadee, I'm glad you're going on the SOTB trip. You are going to have all kinds of neat stuff to share with your new friends.

StJohnRuth · Post by **StJohnRuth** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 7:43 pm

Pete,
What is the extension cord for, again? It scares me a little.
-Ruth

Ksea · Post by **Ksea** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:29 pm

lol Ruth! I thought the same thing! I had no trouble finding outlets for my phone, computer and portable dvd player. Our villa also supplied binoculars. The lights worked fine so we did not need a flashlight. The headlights on the jeep worked great while we were out at night

patr · Post by **patr** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:16 pm

Great tips!

Here's

patr · Post by **patr** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 9:23 pm

Oops - I don't know what happened!

Here's some of my favorites:

Rent your Jeep in Cruz Bay so you'll always have a parking spot in the evenings.

Don't overpack!! I am still working on this one! Every trip I take less and less, but yet it is ALWAYS too much

Stop by Connections on your departure day and print your boarding pass, if you carry-on like us, you can skip the check-in counter.

Some management companies discount return guests, it doesn't hurt to ask, you may be pleasantly surprised.

And the #1 tip -
check in often with this forum for the most up-to-date information and news.

theoverman · Post by **theoverman** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:08 pm

thanks, this is a nice group in here...best advice i got was 'wake up when you're done sleeping, and do what feels right'

mia, thanks for getting me rick's site, it really makes my post moot.

...and can i nominate rick for mayor of st.john?

what is SOTB?

laurie · Post by **laurie** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:30 pm

We have travelled STJ 7x and always find something new and improved that we do each time, mostly info from this forum that makes each trip better.
Neat sheet
Polar bear cooler, techni ice
gorilla pod
stj coupons
car barge stthomas if travelling with more than 2 (loved it)
sunday jazz beach bar
pizza @ donkey diner
printing boarding passes at connections............laurie

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:58 pm

StJohnRuth wrote:Pete,
What is the extension cord for, again? It scares me a little.
-Ruth

Well, I can't speak for Pete, but I'm surprised the extension cord got your attention and not the handcuffs.*

Don uses a CPAP machine (for sleep apnea) - you'd be amazed how many places don't have outlets close enough to the bed. We keep spares in most of our luggage (extension cords, not handcuffs).

cypressgirl wrote:Wow Jayseadee, I'm glad you're going on the SOTB trip. You are going to have all kinds of neat stuff to share with your new friends.

And if anyone is a size 7 shoe, you're in really good luck

theoverman wrote: what is SOTB?

SOTB stands for "Six on the Beach". Six women from this forum went to St. John last November. 8 (or maybe 9) of us are going back in November. We are SOTB II, we just haven't decided what the "S" stands for this year.

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:03 am

SOTB II..........we could have another contest to name the "S"!!

J........no size 7 here.

traveler22 · Post by **traveler22** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 10:56 am

1.Pack light!
2.No whiners (Rick G's motto)
3.Greet people you meet with Good morning , good afternoon etc, it makes a difference!
4.I only plan a day (boat trip) or two and go with the flow on the rest.
5.Check the cruise schedule,it helps plan what beach on which days.
6.Pack light!
7.Shop at Peace Pine for most of you food and Spanky's for alcohol if possible.
8.Relax and enjoy youself, it goes fast
9.This past trip was my first to spend a day in St.Thomas first. I enjoyed a night in STT and the Early trip (12pm ferry) to St. John made it much more relaxing and we had more beach time our first day.
10.Pack light!

rloyola · Post by **rloyola** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:35 am

I have often travelled to St John with other people and I insist that they rent their own car so that I will never hear this: "What are you doing today? I don't really want to do that."

We have an ultra light half dome tent that we use for sun shelter on beaches that have little shade (Salt Pond comes to mind immediately). This is particularly helpful if you have young children who get tired and hot.

Always bring a hat

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:54 am

Wear lots of sunblock and reapply often! Nothing wrecks a vacation more than a sunburn.

Pete (Mr. Marcia) · Post by **Pete (Mr. Marcia)** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:58 am

StJohnRuth wrote:Pete,
What is the extension cord for, again? It scares me a little.
-Ruth

Oh, so many, possible, smart-ass responses...but, I won't go there.

Mostly it is so we can put the iPod dock/speaker where we want it...especially out by the pool, where there tends to be fewer outlets. I bring my laptop for work purposes, so I have used it for that, as well.

I dunno, it seems to be one of those things that every year I say, "gosh, I'm glad I brought that."

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:51 pm

Something I need to add to my packing list: Wireless Power Adapter

Cheers, RickG

Margy Z · Post by **Margy Z** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:11 pm

Great thread! Lots of great tips here!

The pool is it for us first thing. Upon arrival – as soon as we shoo out the villa greeter, it’s suits on (or not, depending on the villa location) then make a couple of drinks, then into the pool. It’s a long hot travel day, gotta start letting the blood slow down. Put the drinks on the edge of the pool, often a pitcher of drinks. We don’t get out until we are completely cooled off, can feel the “travels” start to lift so we can float without sinking. We get out only to enjoy whatever view is left from the deck or make a very quick easy dinner. If we get platters then we have been known to eat from the side of the pool, too. We don’t unpack until the next morning anything we don’t need to refrigerate or use the first night. First morning at breakfast we have the ceremonial putting away of the watches and the switching to island time.

Handcuffs? Bungee Cords? Hot Tub Lube? I think we lead a sheltered life here in the Midwest…I turned six shades of crimson when my battery operated toothbrush went off in my carry-on while going through TSA

– not sure what I woud have done if they had found handcuffs…btw, for carry-on only, does the lube have to go into that little quart baggie thing?? Ohhh, boy...

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