Newbie leaving in 2 days, getting nervous

Carebare · Post by **Carebare** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:03 am

We are flying out Friday night for our first trip to St John. Will be staying at the Blue Stone Grotto, a guest house under the Cari-beana Villa. I am really excited to stay there, it is a brand new addition and we will be the 4th group who have ever stayed there. It looks fab.
I am getting nervous about the travel. We have to drive 2 hours to the airport in Denver, our flight leaves at midnight, we have a 3am layover in Philly, arrive at STT at about noon. Taxi, ferry, rental car, find villa. I am just nervous about the travel day, it seems like it is going to be a hard day. Any words of encouragement about the long travel day? Will it really be that bad?

Thanks for listening to me vent, I am kind of a worrier. I promise I will post pictures when I get home!

Ondine · Post by **Ondine** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:19 am

Since you will likely be sleep deprived, what with travel time of day, just let that aid you in adopting the "island mentality", just relax and roll with things, you are on your way to paradise!
I just got back from first trip and beyond loved it! If you have a jeep, go exploring, out to the far reaches, very beautiful and untouched...enjoy.

ccasebolt · Post by **ccasebolt** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:06 am

Grab some breakfast in PHL and try to nap on the flight to STT if you can. Once you're on STJ, you'll be much more relaxed. Take it easy the first day and settle into island time. Most of all, have a great time! The crazy travel day will be well worth it!

Dave-a-roni · Post by **Dave-a-roni** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:32 am

Ondine wrote:
"just let that aid you in adopting the "island mentality", just relax and roll with things"

Yeah she's right, chill out on that half day and ease into island time. Nuff said, you won't believe STJ when you see it...

LMG · Post by **LMG** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:14 am

Hey, CO neighbor!

Yes, the travel day for anyone out West is not what I'd consider fun. But it sounds like you only have one connection? Awesome. Well planned.

And look what you're leaving? What is it, about 20 degrees and snowing and blowing snow around here right now? It's all good. You'll be tired, but you'll be warm and happy.

Have a great time! I'll save you a snowball.

jayseadee · Post by **jayseadee** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:30 am

Blue Stone Grotto looks wonderful.

Try to catch as much sleep on the flights as you can. Once on St. John, try not to sleep the afternoon away. A dip in the pool might help revive you (do you have access to the Caribeana pool?) Otherwise, take a stroll through town and have an early dinner, but do your best to adjust to island "time".

Have a great trip.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:55 am

get to the villa and soak it all in. Hop in the car and head to starfish for snacks and booze. Head back the villa and take a nap, wake up and watch the sunset with a cocktail and a snack and get to bed early. That way you are well rested on the first full day and you can hit the ground running.

LysaC · Post by **LysaC** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:07 am

I've done the 12 hour travel day to STJ a few times s/w layovers and such. It sucks.

All I can say is that it is TOTALLY worth it once you get there.

Make the first day on STJ a mental & physical catch-up day. Give in to villa gravity. Take some naps.

Carebare · Post by **Carebare** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:12 am

You guys are the sweetest! Thank you so much for reassuring me. I know it will be worth it

lazylane · Post by **lazylane** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:13 am

When you step off that airplane, you will relax immediately!!(maybe it's the rum punch at the airport!!) I too WAS (key word-past tense!!) a worry wart on our first trip! Don't waste the energy!! Island time is a fantastic feeling! Enjoy your trip, I'm so jealous as I look out at snow again today!! Have a rum punch for me!!

RJ in Wisconsin · Post by **RJ in Wisconsin** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:19 am

You won't believe what those views coming into St. Thomas will do to your demeanor! And, they will get better and better - the mountains more green, the sea more vivid with all of its colors and clarity. And then, wait til you see St. John! You will change - you know you are in paradise when you pick up that little cup of rum punch right after getting off the plane. The calypso music, the warmth of the sun, the sea breeze, the laid-back people - it will take you about two seconds to relax and go with the flow of it all. Maybe its because you don't mind waiting for things when there is such sheer natural beauty everywhere and you are coming out of snowy, cold, dreary days. You are in for a treat - just keep that in mind and you'll be fine. The craziness of travel & all of its connections, timings, etc. are worth it to get to St. John! Have a blast!

chicagoans · Post by **chicagoans** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 9:57 am

Bring a great book and good tunes on your iPod. Look through the pictures in St. John Off the Beaten Track, and realize that soon you'll be there in the warm sun with your toes in the sand. Soooo worth it!

Suds · Post by **Suds** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:47 am

Carebare Newbie,

Weather for Philly tomorrow is a high of 52 partly cloudy as the day progresses. Should be a GOOD day to fly so I think you're ok.

Get in the mood and watch the IslandChef video link on this site. Hit the free rum @ SST grab a beer while waiting for luggage, get a taxi and hang on! It is going to be FUN.

Check out Woodies IMHO it is the quintessential dive bar on this planet. Something about that place- the food is great, happy hour 3-6 $1. beers!!! People all sunned up jammed in there, nice young ladies serving out beers and drinks as fast as they can.The music is cranked up and people are singing along. I get buzzed just thinking about it. Oh yeah I forgot to mention the KNOCK OUT BEACHES! Enjoy every minute.

Suds

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:54 am

The upside of all that travel is getting to St. John early. I like that early Philly flight, it allows one to get to St. John, swimming, drink, and relax - all before the sun goes down!

Have a wonderful time and report when you return!

jimg20 · Post by **jimg20** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:21 am

I agree that you should sleep on the planes not that it is any quality rest, because it is not. It does, however, help pass the time.

Shift your frame of reference to to STJ's time zone. Start eating and sleeping on the same schedule as STJ as soon as you can. Crossing three or more time zones can cause jet lag for many people. Making the transition enroute generally lessens the effect. In short, that means that it is nighttime in STJ during your DEN-PHL flight. Ccasebolt has the right idea. It will be breakfast time either during your layover or at the beginning of the PHL-STT flight.

The most important thing is to get on "island time" as soon as you can.

That is not a timezone but rather a frame of mind.

The warm humid air at the door to the plane and rum punch inside the terminal go a long way to starting the celebration.

Have a wonderful trip and be sure to tell us all about it!

JIM

usvi-on-line

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Newbie leaving in 2 days, getting nervous

Newbie leaving in 2 days, getting nervous