USVI-On-Line

This was the only thing I didn't know, thanks to this forum:
If the mosquitoes/bugs like you on the first day, they will like you just as much on the last day. Don't slack on the 'OFF' just because it's the end of the trip.

My advice is to remember before you leave home that you are on vacation! Go for two weeks! One week goes by very quickly. With two weeks you spend a week slowing down and getting relaxed and then actually spend a second week being relaxed. Tell the people you work for that there is no phone where you are going. If you even think that you are going to be checking in at work with your laptop.... then leave the damned thing home. That's not vacation.
I think too many of us think that our work "has" to be able to reach us. I think that if you're an owner, or an upper management person, if you're really a good manager the place can survive without you for two lousy weeks. Send 'em a postcard via snail mail.

JT makes a good point. Although my compromise is 10 days. Cause let's face it, the first and last days are travel days and don't really count. That leaves 8 days in the middle for real R&R.

See my Do's and Don'ts list from my recent trip report.

But my biggies are:

1) Sunscreen: don't leave the villa without first applying sunscreen; and reapply throughout the day-- waterprrof/sweatproof is best;

2) Hydrate: drink plenty of water or Gatorade throughout the day(especially when visiting during the summer months)

3) Always keep bug spray on you. Ben's works best.

Things we wish we knew the first time? That is an interesting question. The short answer is that, for the most part, we had it all from our experienced and sharing friends on this forum. We did learn a few things that were covered in our last View from Luna Vista report. To recap for those who are not aware, we spent several vacations on St Thomas before we learned from this forum that we could stay on STJ for essentially the same money. (This I wish we learned before our three STT trips. ) Last May we did stay in STJ for the first time. We pestered the Forum’s Brain Trust for answers and got good, reliable information from them.

Here are a few things we learned and share with the group:

We learned two days into our scuba adventure that parking is available for Low Key customers on site. The entrance is just past Low Key and the Beach Bar.

All electronics should be kept in a dry bag (Diana’s cell phone went skinny dipping on the way to the Low Key boat one morning).

Car keys should be kept in a more secure location when in the water than one’s pocket because they cost $150 to replace.

Diluted vinegar is a great remedy for the treatment of sea urchin stings (it goes without saying that the best treatment is to stay away from those spiny little devils). Medicinal rum is also helpful for painful stings and sore muscles.

Some (or perhaps all) rent car companies will not allow you to take the top off their Jeep. Since rental car companies can charge an extra fee for cleaning the vehicle, bring a bottle of water or soft whisk broom ($2 at Target) to the beach so you clean the sand off the feet before getting in the car.

Frequently we found the restaurants’ servings to be so large that it pays to share something instead of taking leftovers to the villa.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that when we visit the island, we are guests in paradise. The people who are lucky enough to live there graciously share their home and their experiences with us. Everyone greets you warmly, willingly gives you directions and even walks you to where you are going, and makes every effort to make sure you feel genuinely welcome. We need to remember to treasure the gift that the island and the island culture are and thank the locals who are willing to share paradise with all of us whenever we can.

Enjoy your trip and tell us all about it.

JIM

Try not to count how many days you have left in paradise. It's still really hard for me to forget the calendar and just enjoy each day as if it were the first. It really helps to have a return trip planned, but if you don't, just tell yourself "I'll be back" and then get busy planning the next one when you get home.

Also, you can eat out cheaper than buying a lot of groceries. If you need a list of "cheap" places to eat, this forum can give you the complete list.

Pia, if I looked as darling as you, I'd leave the makeup and hair dryer at home too.

50/50 mix of dish detergent and water in a small bottle. Apply inside and out of snorkle mask as you enter. Rinse, fog free. Wish I had known that one the first trip.

1. open your suitcase, throw out half your clothes.
2. open your wallet, go to the atm, double the amount of cash in wallet.

I go with Pia on the Johnson's Baby shampoo mixture. One time some of the mixture ( dish detergent) actually dripped in my eye. Not a good idea, especially since I wear contacts. Baby shampoo = no eye problems!

I tell people that my phone doesn't work there (It does, but like they're going to check.). And now that they charge for luggage, I have absolutely no intention of EVER taking my computer. Work has always managed without me. I think you have to leave your watch and your cell phone in a drawer at the villa to truly enjoy St. John the way you're supposed to enjoy it.

Thanks for all the info so far and keep it coming. This is great!

We're really trying not to overplan as suggested but we do want to tap into other's knowledge in regard to beaches, restaurants etc. too. I've made note of suggestions from the forum compiled it in a file in my computer to print off and bring with us. We're pretty laid back anyhow. We moved to our new home near the beach this summer and spent the month of August chasing tides- high tide jumping off the boardwalk and low tide at the beach for the great tidal pools. We tripped over moving boxes until October.

My plan is carry ons only. We have an overnight in Atlanta and then onto STJ. I don't want to deal with the baggage BS.

We're going to ship some stuff ahead. Would you all suggest to send down the sunblock and bug spray or just buy it on island? Anything in particular you would suggest to send ahead?

We haven't really thought about dining much just the stuff I found here online. Cheap and local would probably be our choice. The kids are great breakfast chefs so we've got that covered. Any suggestions for a GREAT BOLD coffee I can buy on island or should I bring my own?

Part of our not overplanning thought process was tapping into the knowledge of locals. We love meeting new people and getting their perspective. Those connections are sometimes the most memorable part of a vacation.

I'd love to take the suggestion of 2 weeks but the kids have school and we own a business so we could only manage 10 days. I might start drinking rum a few days ahead to get myself into "vacation mode" early.

Only problem with carry on only is that you can't bring the bug spray or sunscreen in your luggage-- but for a small fee you can ship some stuff down in a box for around $20 or so.

I find that sunscreen and bug spray can be pricey on island (although with shipping costs this is balanced out) and you may not get as many choices depending on where you shop.

As long as you're not picky you can just shop for sunscreen while you're there although you probably won't find something like Ben's on island.

I like specific types of sunscreen so I'd rather bring it with me than risk not finding what I want-- but that's just me!

I think most of the best one's have been covered, so I'll throw in a few of my favorites.

1. Mix drinks the night before and freeze them. Throw them in a cooler before you head to the beach and you'll have the perfect slushy drinks for "Beachtime Happy Hour"

2. Buy a wide-angle lens for your camera.

3. Take pictures in (and around) the villa you're staying at. They come in handy when you plan your next trip, and for helping others on the forum.

4. Explore the island on Google Earth. It's fun and you might find something new. At the least, it'll help you get your bearings as to where everything is in relation to each other.

5. Slow down.

6. Breath.

7. Relax.

8. Make new friends.

9. Disconnect and then reconnect.

For going to STJ, fly in a day early and fly out a day later. This way you can spend the first and last nights on STT. This extents the vacation by two days on either end and makes the ferry/car barge to and from STJ a lot less stressful. We wish we had done this our very first trip.