First night tradition?

[nascarfan59]

Drop off the bags at the villa and head to Woody's.

[Agent99]

Almost the same as Waterguy. We usually get in around sunset, have an inaugural cocktail, order Uncle Joe's take-away, unpack a little, have another cocktail, pick up the ribs then look at the stars and breathe.

[vi lover]

We normally stay on STT the first night then head to STJ after visiting Magans Bay. So - first night for us is to check into Mafolie (or this year Island View Guest House), immediately put on bathing suits and head to the pool for cocktails and watching the cruise ships depart. After sunset, we go to K-Mart for provisions (non-grocery) then head to The Greenhouse for dinner.

[islandgirl]

wooo hoooo!! We get off the ferry(and feel the magic) and go directly to Cool Breeze car rental, then to Beach Bar for couple drinks to go, drop off carryon at villa, go to Starfish for a couple things (do major shopping next day) then get to MAHO BAY for our fix!! Get something to eat at Woodys and then crash for the night!!

Islandgirl

[djmom]

Unpack, get organized and off to Beach bar!~

[KTinTX]

I love this thread and hope it gets many more posts. We are SO looking forward to starting our tradition this June and I love all the ideas.

I can guarantee ours will involve at least some type of beverage to ease into the evening. I imagine the pool/hot tub will be involved and maybe check out the beach bar.

Keep 'em coming!

[Xislandgirl]

After dropping everything at the villa we stop at Larry's to pour a drink. Early dinner at Cafe Roma, drink at Quiet Mon, back to the villa........

[Sailin'Steve and Peachie]

After leaving the house @ 3:45 a.m. tomorrow for a 7:15 a.m. flight out of Boston, I'm sure we'll get to our condo, shower, eat light (or not at that point, we may be starved) and crash!! Will stop @ Starfish for a couple of day's worth of groceries on the way. Yikes, we need to get to bed NOW!! Sun, fun & honeymoon starting soon!!

[KatieH]

We usually drop off the bags and head for the beach.

Dinner the first night is almost always the Banana Deck - primarily due to the proximity to Lavender Hill. If BD is closed (as it was last year- on a Wednesday, I think) we'll have dinner at the Lime Inn.

This year we're staying on the other side of the island, so we'll probably adopt a new restaurant for dinner. As long as we arrive in daylight, I'm putting my toes in the sand on day 1.

[NoWorriesMom]

We'll be arriving in daylight (a first) with no kids in tow (a first) so we get to WING IT! We will probably get our car, find the house, dump our bags, head to the nearest beach, have dinner out with a cocktail or three! ooh, can hardly wait!

[mahojim]

wooo hoooo!! We get off the ferry(and feel the magic) and go directly to Cool Breeze car rental, then to Beach Bar for couple drinks to go, drop off carryon at villa, go to Starfish for a couple things (do major shopping next day) then get to MAHO BAY for our fix!! Get something to eat at Woodys and then crash for the night!!

Islandgirl

I LOVE your style!!!
Our first nights' tradition is usually dictated by which side of the island we're staying on.
We usually do some light food shopping, beer,ice, burger buns,fruits,breakfast stuff,juices,tons of rum,etc...(ok, so maybe not "light" shopping, we're usually too excited, and treat the cash like it's Monopoly Money!!! )
We then hit the villa to unpack which my Sweet Amy does in a jiff,(it's remarkable how quickly this woman gets organized!)
Then if we're there early enough, like island girl, we hit Maho.We set up camp, walk out into that heavenly water, and float on the waves,followed by our introductory long-missed snorkel, and beat it before the 'no-seeums' get us...
For the most part we like to eat a casual dinner out the first night. Even though a 'travel-day' can be exhausting,it's one of the only nights we really stay up late. Like most, we get up at the crack of dawn to hit the beaches. Usually Woody's if we're near Cruz, and Island Blues when we stay near Coral Bay.
The past 2 times we stayed over Coral Bay,come to think of it, and found sucking on a few chilly ones at Aqua Bistro was also in order.
Life in slow motion...
I love it, I love it, I love it!
I'd like to try and make hitting Duffy's Love Shack for those soul-crushing wings on STT my first nights' tradition, but we're usually too concerned about catching the ferry.
First "full day' tradition;big breakfast w/ mimosas and/or Bloody Mary's on the deck, followed by swimming,drinking, and picnicking on Maho.
I have to remember the boomerangs next trip, but that's another story!
Smiles-
MJ

[toes in the sand]

drop off the bags, head to Starfish, stop at Woody's for a burger and a couple of cold ones. Back to the villa, sit on the deck with a couple more cold ones.

[Sunflower]

After getting to Gallows, have a celebratory rum and ting, change into bathing suit and then head for either snokeling in front of Gallows or jump in the pool. Sit on the deck a while then head to the Beach Bar for dinner.

[pswlrw]

Our trips always involve various relatives/friends coming in at different times. We all eventually meet up and head to the villa. Soak in the amazing views, plug in the St. John Ipod, start up the blender and hit the pool to wash off our day of travel. And sigh our collective "ahhhh".

I am so lucky that my brother lives on St. John and he and his fiance do a "welcome to St. John" Starfish run for us so we arrive to a well stocked villa - and they cook dinner for us too!!!

This really is one of my favorite parts of our trips. Because we only see our California cousins once a year, this first evening is a great time to reconnect. Drinks flow, music plays, lots of laughs, and everyone gets caught up ... it is just awesome.

[mahojim]

Paula-
That's awesome!!!
Smiles-
MJ