usvi-on-line
Newbie with lots of questions
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IslandElle
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:21 pm
- Location: Dallas
No skeeters, no thanks! My hubby is having a hard time with the iguana's which I think is funny since they don't bother me. I guess he had a bad experience in Mexico with one!
I think we are looking at getting there April 15th or 16th since that is when everyone seems to decrease their rates. I have been looking all through VRBO for a 1 bdrm villa in the Coral Bay area.
Well it looks like now I just have to decide about VG. I need to look into that more and check out places to stay. You guys were really a big help in all this! Thanks again!
I think we are looking at getting there April 15th or 16th since that is when everyone seems to decrease their rates. I have been looking all through VRBO for a 1 bdrm villa in the Coral Bay area.
Well it looks like now I just have to decide about VG. I need to look into that more and check out places to stay. You guys were really a big help in all this! Thanks again!
Not RickG but I think I can give you some Anegada information.IslandElle wrote: RickG, you say Anegada is REALLY rustic? Can you elaborate? Like your bathroom is dug in a ditch rustic? lol Or like eco tent rustic?
No, not that rustic
They have modern plumbing.I researched splitting VG and Anegada but then we decided to do just VG. When we went of VG, the plan was to fly down to Anegada for the day but the weather didn't cooperate.
From what I gathered, visitors should be prepared for blackouts, severe water rationing, cows on the beach and a general low level of services. There just simply isn't much of anything there.
Did you say 3 weeks??? I think you might need a guide...
I liked the one suggestion of a week on STJ...a week on a cat and a week back to the Rock.
We bareboated a 41' Cat out of Tortola for 5 nights with 3 other couples and went island hopping...anchoring out at a different island everyday...visiting the local bar/resturant...then off to another island the next day. Very cool experience to lay on the trampoline of the Cat at night counting the shootng stars at night as the tropical trade winds whistle through the lines on the mast and the lapping of the water on the hull lulls you to peaceful state of mind.
Whatever you choose to do, it doesn't matter...you've already chosen one of the best places in the world to be.
Dave
I liked the one suggestion of a week on STJ...a week on a cat and a week back to the Rock.
We bareboated a 41' Cat out of Tortola for 5 nights with 3 other couples and went island hopping...anchoring out at a different island everyday...visiting the local bar/resturant...then off to another island the next day. Very cool experience to lay on the trampoline of the Cat at night counting the shootng stars at night as the tropical trade winds whistle through the lines on the mast and the lapping of the water on the hull lulls you to peaceful state of mind.
Whatever you choose to do, it doesn't matter...you've already chosen one of the best places in the world to be.
Dave
If I had several weeks, I would definitely spend all but one week on STJ and would spend that other week in the BVI. From what I have seen, Virgin Gorda looks like it would be a great choice, but I have only been there for day visits. There are some great trip reports and photos on here for VG if you do a search.
Jost Van Dyke is somewhere I would want to spend a few days, but don't think I could do a week. If you could work it out logistically, splitting some BVI time between Jost and VG would be amazing.
In addition to the suggestions so far about getting to VG, there is also a ferry that goes from STJ to VG a couple of days a week. It's another possibility for you to consider.
Good luck and have fun with your planning!
Jost Van Dyke is somewhere I would want to spend a few days, but don't think I could do a week. If you could work it out logistically, splitting some BVI time between Jost and VG would be amazing.
In addition to the suggestions so far about getting to VG, there is also a ferry that goes from STJ to VG a couple of days a week. It's another possibility for you to consider.
Good luck and have fun with your planning!
Not sure what you're looking for in a villas, but theres alot of great ones on vrbo and the other sites. We're on STJ 4/17-24th staying in Coral Bay. This is our 1st time. Your trip sounds like a dream of a lifetime & it's nice to hear how appreciative you are of your ability to do this.IslandElle wrote:No skeeters, no thanks! My hubby is having a hard time with the iguana's which I think is funny since they don't bother me. I guess he had a bad experience in Mexico with one!
I think we are looking at getting there April 15th or 16th since that is when everyone seems to decrease their rates. I have been looking all through VRBO for a 1 bdrm villa in the Coral Bay area.
Well it looks like now I just have to decide about VG. I need to look into that more and check out places to stay. You guys were really a big help in all this! Thanks again!
Have loads of fun planning it all. You will get the best advice from everyone here !
No ticker anymore. Next vac will prob. be the Fl Keys.
Yea....another Texan on the Forum! Welcome.
Y'all are gonna have an amazing belated honeymoon..wherever you end up!! You have great suggestions in the above posters & as you know this forum is a wealth of information!
Again, just wanted to say welcome & have a blast in the planning! That's part of the fun!
Y'all are gonna have an amazing belated honeymoon..wherever you end up!! You have great suggestions in the above posters & as you know this forum is a wealth of information!
Again, just wanted to say welcome & have a blast in the planning! That's part of the fun!
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IslandElle
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:21 pm
- Location: Dallas
Thanks for the welcome Pianogrl. You wouldn't happen to be in North TX would you?
Each day I get more excited for this trip! It looks like we may be there at the same time Tipsy, and in Coral Bay. I am hoping to finalize our villa choice this weekend and firm up the dates as to sometime in April. I think you have a good idea VickiH, about spending a few days on VG and a few days on another BVI island. I am going to look into Tortola and Jost, so we shall see! I will let you guys know about the progress! Thanks so much!
*edit*
Ok, I have another question. How important is it to have ac in the villa, or cottage. I guess I should say cottage since that is what we are looking at. I know it is breezy at night, but is the AC a must or a plus?
Each day I get more excited for this trip! It looks like we may be there at the same time Tipsy, and in Coral Bay. I am hoping to finalize our villa choice this weekend and firm up the dates as to sometime in April. I think you have a good idea VickiH, about spending a few days on VG and a few days on another BVI island. I am going to look into Tortola and Jost, so we shall see! I will let you guys know about the progress! Thanks so much!
*edit*
Ok, I have another question. How important is it to have ac in the villa, or cottage. I guess I should say cottage since that is what we are looking at. I know it is breezy at night, but is the AC a must or a plus?
Elle- First off, choosing the virgins is a great choice for snorkeling, diving and relaxing...you will have a great time, enjoy.
If I was ever so lucky to have three weeks there I would likely choose STJ as the "base camp" because it offers fairly easy access to STT (when craving civilization) as well as the BVIs....you can go left or right...
Personally I would do a number of day trips because my land legs are strionger than my sea legs...maybe one day trip on a boat each week or something.
It might be fun to design one or two of your own day trips too...I'm thinking about going to Great Hans Lollik for an afternoon next summer
http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=18.392 ... &a=1&tab=1
...where-ever...you could design your own day trip for one day and let the captain choose the others. There are also many different types of boats to go out on...you could charter a few different ones for variety..
And some unsolicited input--- I would stay in Reef Madness in Coral Bay or go up on Catherineberg myself...or maybe La Mer up on Bordeaux...
IMO- AC is a plus but it can be real handy if you are a light sleeper and want to sleep in...depends where you are located too.
Peace
If I was ever so lucky to have three weeks there I would likely choose STJ as the "base camp" because it offers fairly easy access to STT (when craving civilization) as well as the BVIs....you can go left or right...
Personally I would do a number of day trips because my land legs are strionger than my sea legs...maybe one day trip on a boat each week or something.
It might be fun to design one or two of your own day trips too...I'm thinking about going to Great Hans Lollik for an afternoon next summer
http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=18.392 ... &a=1&tab=1
...where-ever...you could design your own day trip for one day and let the captain choose the others. There are also many different types of boats to go out on...you could charter a few different ones for variety..
And some unsolicited input--- I would stay in Reef Madness in Coral Bay or go up on Catherineberg myself...or maybe La Mer up on Bordeaux...
IMO- AC is a plus but it can be real handy if you are a light sleeper and want to sleep in...depends where you are located too.
Peace
STJ Villa Map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie ... 2&t=h&z=14
Hey IslandElle.....why yes I am in NorthTX...there are several forum folks here representing Plano, Frisco, Allen, Dallas as well as the Ft. Worth area & Houston areas. I think we're also planning an April STJ trip but towards the first of that month.
How's your planning going? Sounds like a trip of a lifetime! You're gonna love STJ....prepare to fall in love with this island!
How's your planning going? Sounds like a trip of a lifetime! You're gonna love STJ....prepare to fall in love with this island!
We have spent vacations on both STJ and Virgin Gorda and love both. We are actually doing another trip this April, first one week in a 1 bedroom apartment in Coral bay and then one week at Guavaberry in Virgin Gorda.
There is a ferry that used to operate on Sundays and Thursdays, that goes directly from STJ to Virgin Gorda (just stopping for customs in East End). It only took 1,5 hours if I don't remember wrong and it's a great opportunity to watch all the islands on the way there.
I also like both Jost and Anegada, but would not stay there for a week. Tortola would also be nice, but are more busy and don't have the same gorgeous beaches that STJ and VG have.
There is a ferry that used to operate on Sundays and Thursdays, that goes directly from STJ to Virgin Gorda (just stopping for customs in East End). It only took 1,5 hours if I don't remember wrong and it's a great opportunity to watch all the islands on the way there.
I also like both Jost and Anegada, but would not stay there for a week. Tortola would also be nice, but are more busy and don't have the same gorgeous beaches that STJ and VG have.
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bubblybrenda
- Posts: 549
- Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2008 10:57 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
My trips to STJ have always been 2 weeks in length. Last trip I planned one off-island adventure each week. Sailed to Jost for a day with Capt'n Phil and took the ferry to Virgin Gorda for a day. I really enjoyed getting off of STJ and having something else to look forward to. However, next trip I ideally I would try to stay on Jost for 2 days and get to Anegada for an overnighter but would still have STJ as my base.
~Brenda~
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msgcolleen
- Posts: 1497
- Joined: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:33 am
- Location: Allen, Texas
Another Big D hello & welcome to you Island Elle!
Congratulations on your marriage and excellent honeymoon choice~ 3 weeks in the VI's is a dream come true and you can't go wrong with the great advise from these St. John lovin' forum friends!
(oh, and A/C is nice to have but it really depends on the location and if you are a light sleeper or not)
Cheers & happy planning~
Congratulations on your marriage and excellent honeymoon choice~ 3 weeks in the VI's is a dream come true and you can't go wrong with the great advise from these St. John lovin' forum friends!
(oh, and A/C is nice to have but it really depends on the location and if you are a light sleeper or not)
Cheers & happy planning~
I've got 2 tickets to paradise~Pack your bags we'll leave tonight!
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
The need for AC is totally dependent on what time of the year you're on STJ and whether there's good cross-ventilation in you bedroom.
When we were there in March we never turned the AC on. In June we needed it as the bedroom in our villa didn't have good ventilation breezes.
Some people don't like the 'night sounds' and want the AC to drownd out the frogs, bugs and night birds. We love the STJ night sounds but if it's too hot and humid I turn on the AC.
When we were there in March we never turned the AC on. In June we needed it as the bedroom in our villa didn't have good ventilation breezes.
Some people don't like the 'night sounds' and want the AC to drownd out the frogs, bugs and night birds. We love the STJ night sounds but if it's too hot and humid I turn on the AC.
It depends on what you are wanting. We have spent part of the time on St John and part in the BVI's. We have also spent 2 weeks on Jost. We LOVED that. It was completely relaxing, but we also went on some day trips. Next summer we are doing Virgin Gorda. Island hopping is easy when its just the two of you. It gets a little stressful when you have kids in tow.
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IslandElle
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:21 pm
- Location: Dallas
I just wanted you all to know what you have done to me. I have turned into some sort of forum monster. It is 3:30 AM here in Texas and I cant tear myself away from this board. I think I have been at it since 10:30. I am so tired and my eyes are so heavy I can barely keep reading but that's not stopping me! There is just too much useful info here from all you great people! So thanks!