USVI-On-Line

Gromit wrote:KYGirl-- just remember: we were all "newbies" once.

Newbie Survival 101 for the Non-Newbie bringing newbies:

**Prepare cheat sheet for the newbies-- ferry times, favorite restaurants, rules of the road, tips, etc.
**Make sure they understand how much things cost in advance (food etc.)
**Separate vehicles-- A MUST!!!
**Have an itinerary or plan for each day-- even if you don't use it.
**bring walkie-talkies (use while in the separate vehicles and around town if needed).
**explain the "water thing" in advance.
** explain the food/garbage thing -- no food left out EVER and garbage needs to be taken out daily!** Make sure they bring plenty of sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and bug spray.
** make sure they know it's HOT-- you're 14 degrees off of the equator.
**Make sure they know to ALWAYS smile and say hello BEFORE asking a local something!!
**Stay left!
**Decide how you are determining the bedroom selection BEFORE you go.

Okay, we're newbies. Can you explain these two?
I know you drive on the left and the speed limit is 20mph. What else should I know?
Also, is it just an ant thing for the food, or will bigger critters come around?

We have done both thing with a jeep - shared as well as getting our own. I vote one jeep per couple.

Our shared experience worked out very well but the couple was extremely laid back, wanted to do what ever we decided AND wanted to share in the driving after the first day. (It was their first trip to the island.)

The next year, they said right away that they wanted their own Jeep and ended up doing a ton of their own exploring and shopping and had a blast.

We shared a jeep last year with my family and it didn't go so well. My mom and her friend were absolutely not driving for any reason (scared) and also didn't want to spend the money (super frugal). It sort of sucked because even though I was very upfront about NOT playing taxi, we did end up shuttling them around more than I expected. It was also a little too much togetherness.

I will chime in about the food - bugs will appear in seconds if the smallest crumb is left on the counter - seriously, the ants will swarm.

Now, I have never seen one but an island resident did tell me that rats can be a problem when food is left unattended.

minnjim wrote:

Gromit wrote:KYGirl-- just remember: we were all "newbies" once.

Newbie Survival 101 for the Non-Newbie bringing newbies:

**Prepare cheat sheet for the newbies-- ferry times, favorite restaurants, rules of the road, tips, etc.
**Make sure they understand how much things cost in advance (food etc.)
**Separate vehicles-- A MUST!!!
**Have an itinerary or plan for each day-- even if you don't use it.
**bring walkie-talkies (use while in the separate vehicles and around town if needed).
**explain the "water thing" in advance.
** explain the food/garbage thing -- no food left out EVER and garbage needs to be taken out daily!** Make sure they bring plenty of sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and bug spray.
** make sure they know it's HOT-- you're 14 degrees off of the equator.
**Make sure they know to ALWAYS smile and say hello BEFORE asking a local something!!
**Stay left!
**Decide how you are determining the bedroom selection BEFORE you go.

Okay, we're newbies. Can you explain these two?
I know you drive on the left and the speed limit is 20mph. What else should I know?
Also, is it just an ant thing for the food, or will bigger critters come around?

Here's a link to a thread I started about critters if you want to read it. http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... ters+gross

I had heard about it before hand but somehow it didn't occur to me that this would happen while I was eating dinner. Lesson learned

Particularly the sugar ants are a problem. And once they show up, it's hard to get them to go away and they get all over everything.

Another thing is to keep EVERYTHING in the fridge. DON'T leave bread or crackers or chips out or they will be MUSH within a day.

Never seen any rats, but the garbage rule exists for the same reason the "no food on counter" rule exists. Take it out to avoid any issues. There is usually a dumpster around somehwere. Just ask the villa folks where the nearest one is.

minnjim wrote:

Gromit wrote:KYGirl-- just remember: we were all "newbies" once.

Newbie Survival 101 for the Non-Newbie bringing newbies:

**Prepare cheat sheet for the newbies-- ferry times, favorite restaurants, rules of the road, tips, etc.
**Make sure they understand how much things cost in advance (food etc.)
**Separate vehicles-- A MUST!!!
**Have an itinerary or plan for each day-- even if you don't use it.
**bring walkie-talkies (use while in the separate vehicles and around town if needed).
**explain the "water thing" in advance.
** explain the food/garbage thing -- no food left out EVER and garbage needs to be taken out daily!** Make sure they bring plenty of sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and bug spray.
** make sure they know it's HOT-- you're 14 degrees off of the equator.
**Make sure they know to ALWAYS smile and say hello BEFORE asking a local something!!
**Stay left!
**Decide how you are determining the bedroom selection BEFORE you go.

Okay, we're newbies. Can you explain these two?
I know you drive on the left and the speed limit is 20mph. What else should I know?
Also, is it just an ant thing for the food, or will bigger critters come around?

Also, as far as the garbage goes, we drove ours to the dumpster every morning. I believe that is usually what the rental agencies want you to do.

minnjim wrote:

Gromit wrote:KYGirl-- just remember: we were all "newbies" once.

Newbie Survival 101 for the Non-Newbie bringing newbies:

**Prepare cheat sheet for the newbies-- ferry times, favorite restaurants, rules of the road, tips, etc.
**Make sure they understand how much things cost in advance (food etc.)
**Separate vehicles-- A MUST!!!
**Have an itinerary or plan for each day-- even if you don't use it.
**bring walkie-talkies (use while in the separate vehicles and around town if needed).
**explain the "water thing" in advance.
** explain the food/garbage thing -- no food left out EVER and garbage needs to be taken out daily!** Make sure they bring plenty of sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and bug spray.
** make sure they know it's HOT-- you're 14 degrees off of the equator.
**Make sure they know to ALWAYS smile and say hello BEFORE asking a local something!!
**Stay left!
**Decide how you are determining the bedroom selection BEFORE you go.

Okay, we're newbies. Can you explain these two?
I know you drive on the left and the speed limit is 20mph. What else should I know?
Also, is it just an ant thing for the food, or will bigger critters come around?

Also, as far as the garbage goes, we drove ours to the dumpster every morning. I believe that is usually what the rental agencies want you to do.

"Rules of the road"

Honk twice (just a couple of beeps) when you're heading around a blind curve. often you will have to cross into the other lane on the curve.

If a local (in a car) stops in front of you to chat with someone on the street. DON'T honk like you would at home. Just wait for them to finish or go around them.

Stay left.

watch out for the water trucks -- those guys are insane!!

I have always gone in the "off season." For the first time, I have booked a trip for January. Also, I am not taking any food. I am not taking any family. I am not taking an itinerary. I am just going to pack a bag and go.....

Ooops, sorry about that.

Like CypressGirl I am going with 5 women I don't know!
I also have only gone in June and now it will be Nov.
I'll be there without a husband for the first time.
(It is only my third time, though).
But, I hope that there will be a lot more!!

VickiH wrote:I have always gone in the "off season." For the first time, I have booked a trip for January. Also, I am not taking any food. I am not taking any family. I am not taking an itinerary. I am just going to pack a bag and go.....

Vicki that sounds like a damn fine plan. You have no idea how often I am tempted to do just that!

Not without me you don't!!

VickiH - sometimes you just gotta leave it all behind!

GIRLS Trip!

The boyz would be pi$$ed!!!

but hey, you know me-- I'm ALWAYS game!