USVI-On-Line

Gromit wrote:@brenda-

long answer: Their sheets are pretty rough (low thread count). We prefer softer sheets. So we buy them for cheap at a local junk store and wash the heck out of them. We don't spend more that $5 on them and will just leave them behind.

short answer: I have a sensitive butt and am spoiled.

Gromit - my husband has brought up the sheet idea in the past but I have to draw the line somewhere. Just saying, you are not the only one doing stuff like that!

@Brenda-- in answer to your second question about walking. I've never done it myself but Vicki H tells me that it's about 15-20 minutes.

Longer if you're intoxicated and forget your shoes.

@GraysonDave- I, too, am a devout pool lover. HOWEVER, it depends on what time of year you go. If traveling to the VI in the Summer I put a pool on my MUST HAVE list (yeah, I'm high maintenance like that). A dip in the pool in the afternoon to cool down is almost a necessity for me.

But I have found over the past few years, when we travel in December, that the pools are just too cold for my taste and we didn't get much use out of them. I think the pools are cooler for a combination of reasons: shorter days, location of sun to the villa and the ambient temps are generally a bit cooler.

So if you opt for coming down during the winter months the pool is less of an issue for me.

The other bonus (if you really want to convince your wife) is that you can stay longer for less $$$.

I like to take a trip down in early December, because:
1) it's not high season until Dec 15 (usuallY);
2) it's cold at home, and
3)it's right around my brithday.

Plus being close to the holidays most folks don't want to take vacay between T'Giving and Christmas. So airfare is decent and I find that it isn't all that crowded compared to other seasons.

As I mentioned before, this excursion isn't for everyone but it really is a reminder that you don't need much to really enjoy yourself.

Of course after a week at Ivans, a week at Sailview will feel like the Ritz and I'm bound to enjoy it that much more!

Are all the cabins that close to the beach? If not, do you mind me asking which one you stayed in? We are going to STJ in January and I've considered staying overnight at jost.

What is there to do/see "in town?" Thanks for this helpful post...

We stayed in the Arawak cabin. Each cabin is different and should be considered no more than glorified camping.

I posted pics from my TR last June and if you check out my review on ANOTHER forum (under my same name) I have attached pics (same one as my TR here on the forum). Just Google Ivans and images and you will come across a lot of pics.

As far as things to do "in town" there's not much.
There are some little shops but it's not a place to necessarily shop.

It's a place where you go to hang out at a restaurant or bar or on the beach.

Jost is a place where the only thing you really do is a whole lot of nothing. And sometimes that can be just what the Dr ordered

PA Girl wrote:

Gromit wrote:@brenda-

long answer: Their sheets are pretty rough (low thread count). We prefer softer sheets. So we buy them for cheap at a local junk store and wash the heck out of them. We don't spend more that $5 on them and will just leave them behind.

short answer: I have a sensitive butt and am spoiled.

Gromit - my husband has brought up the sheet idea in the past but I have to draw the line somewhere. Just saying, you are not the only one doing stuff like that!

Ditto that! I put my favorite squishy down pillow into one of those travel compression bags that you can squeeze the air out of and bring it along with me.

Gromit - have you ever experienced the "December winds" thing in early Dec., and if so, what is that like/what does it impact, if anything (such as church-going ), on both STJ and BVIs?

I have been to Jost many times but only on day trips. So--at the risk of sounding very ignorant--I just have to ask. What (and where) exactly is 'town?' (in relationship to Foxy's or Soggy Dollar which really are the only 2 places I've been.

No worries!

"Town" such that it is could best be described as the sandy road leading up to Foxy's. That's pretty much the main strip and the center of things.

It leads down from Foxy's to the official customs building and lined with little bars, shops and restaurants connect the two.

There's also Christines Bakery down one alley, an ice house on the back street and a gas station -- if you blink you miss it.

Then at Soggys, you have several beach front bars/restaurants that serve food and rent chairs, but that's not really town.

If you've been there and to Foxy's no doubt you were there

There's really nothing to be said that hasn't but as someone who's stayed at Ivan's a couple times, once just a month ago, I must remind you to please, PLEASE remember to seal your food and then put it in the refrigerator or another sealed place (cooler) in the cabin. We did this but unfortunately the people either around us or before us did not and we had what can only be described as a COMMUNITY of critters interested in our cabin.

I don't know why people wouldn't do this or be aware of the need to do this anywhere in the tropics but nonetheless, it needs to be said. It was one rough night of literally being chased out of our cabin and sleeping on chaises on the beach with Deet and flashlights (we moved the following night).

In no way do I blame this on the campground at Ivan's. They were extremely understanding and helpful. Just be ye not stupid, seal your food so that the only sounds you hear at night are outside your cabin and the only thing you feel on your face is the ocean breezes.

We've spent the night at Ivan's too- a few years ago- and it was awesome! Gromit gave some great advice. Ditto all of it- and also LMGs! We loved it. A very slow pace, nice people, and very peaceful. We had dinner at Foxy's and walked back over the hill (it is about 15-20 minutes) and saw the most glorious Milky Way I have ever seen. Wonderful. Headed over there tomorrow (just a day trip on the ferry this time)- and am hoping to say hello to Ivan!