USVI-On-Line

"Ropes, bungie cords, and a good knife..." Waterguy, are you planning a vacation or an abduction? Kidding, but didn't expect to see those items and I can only imagine the look on the x-ray technicians face at the airport. Add some duct tape and you might find a 5x7" glossy of yourself up on the wall at Customs or the casting call for McGyver: The Movie.

JMQ, I second the powered Gatorade...especially for those of us who go to STJ in the hot and humid off-season months. The mixture of heat and alcohol added to the fact that many of us work at at non-mobile desk job most of the year can really take its toll when it comes to dehydration.

Enjoying this thread, very helpful for my wife and I with another trip to STJ coming here in a few months. Thank you. [/quote]

This kind of doesn't count since I live here and all of my junk is already on island but, when I travel to the states in July and visit Michigan, I bring back blueberries. They are just right when I am returning every year and I have been known to bring up to 20lbs of them back with me. It perplexes the TSA people, but I usually end up handing out a couple of pounds in transit because I haven't met a person who doesn't love them. They are about as expensive as gold on St. John and they are never anywhere near as good as the ones my son plucks off the bushes in Michigan. A lot of my West Indian friends have never even had a blueberry that wasn't in a muffin so I have a good time sharing them with everyone.

[quote="liamsaunt"]The cds I bring for the car are burned playlists from my itunes, it works out OK for me. I can fit about 30 songs on each cdr. How much music do you need in the car anyway?[quote]

Hey, while your stuck on the interstate trying to get to Vie's you need lots of music.

See ya on the beach.

JIM

I pulled up our packing/shipping list and found the following "essentials" there.

Trash bags - we pack a manila envelope with small and large zip lock bags and small and large trash bags. They have a multitude of uses. Those that are left we stow in the kitchen for the next guests.

Wisk broom - We take a soft brisle brush in the car with us to knock the sand off our feet. It is also helpful when cleaning out the car before the walk of woe.

Insect repellants - we take the battery operated devices that clip on the belt. They also need refills and extra batteries.

Batteries - we take a fresh batch of regular and rechargable AA and AAA batteries. The rechargables seem to have a longer life in the under water camera.

There will probably be more as time goes by.

JIM

[quote="jmq"]Powdered Gatorade concentrate. Helps prevent dehydration and hangovers from the heat and rum.

[/quote

and orange rum and vanilla ice cream and you have yourself one hell of an alcoholic dreamsicle!

A soft-sided cooler

Ziplocs - I used them for so many things

Tote bag - I have a LLBean boat-n-tote that we use for the beach

Coozies

Neat sheets - 2, one for the beach and one for the rental jeep. I spread it on my seat so I don't get the seat damp and to keep stains off my clothing.

Hand towels - I put clean hand towels, water and ice in a ziploc and throw it in the cooler. Great way to cool down quickly and freshen up during the ride from the beach to lunch.

Corkscrew/bottle openner/knife combo tool

This sounds like an awful lot but it really isn't. But we are definitely not "carry-on" people.

Here's some of our more "unusual" must bring items.

Accessories

-Walkie talkies - come in handy when you are separated or ina large group with multiple vehicles and work even when cell signal sucks.
-Neat Sheets
-Bottle & can Koozies
iPhone Speakers-- I have these in silver and they are AWESOME (they fit in the palm of your hand and deliver some powerful sound anywhere: http://www.amazon.com/iHome-iHM77-Recha ... gy_e_img_c

-Chargers and adapters for iPhone, Speakers, camera and walkie talkies plus an extension cord.
-Bug Spray (Bens)
-Topical Benadryl/cortisone/afterbite
-Keens
-Dry bag
-DVD’s (for rainy days or nights)
-Nalgene Bottles- We load these up with water at night and stick them in the freezer. Net result is ice cold water when you want it the next day.
-Small flashlight
-First Aid kit

“To Bring” Food List & Other:

These food items are very light and can be packed easily in zip loc bags (which can be used on island)

-Jello (for my INfamous jell-o shots)
-Tea (cold brew)
-Equal
-Drink Mix (i.e. Gatorade and Crystal Light individual packets)
-Cereal/Breakfast Bars etc.
-Power bars
-Microwave popcorn
-Plastic Nalgene Bottles
-5 trash bags
-Whetstone (knife sharpener)-- often knives at the villas are CRAZY dull.
-Ziplock bags (Variety of sizes)

Note: -Buy gallon jug of water and keep in the jeep to rinse off feet.

Oh and hubby usually brings a machete (It's nice to munch on fresh coconut at the beach!)

Gromit...a MACHETE???? Even in a checked bag I'd imagine a few startled TSA workers have gone through your bag inside and out!


I'll add an item we took last summer and it was the 'motorized' insect repellent fans from OFF. they aren't worth *#$# if you are walking around with it clipped on your belt, but on the villa deck, or your favorite bar-stool, they work great.

The one thing I ALWAYS pack is rolls of bubble wrap and 2 gallon ZipLock bags. That way I can roll my Cruzan Rum up in bubble wrap, place it in a 2Gal zipper bag, and put it in my checked luggage. Never once had any of my bottles break open

stjohnjulie wrote:...but, when I travel to the states in July and visit Michigan, I bring back blueberries.

Yep, we're very proud of our blueberries here in West Michigan.

I swear the machete has NEVER been an issue. We've had zero problems since it is in a checked bag.

Nothing like a fresh coconut on a deserted beach!

Now you know why Gromit had to sleep on top of her luggage on the sailboat....just kidding....sort of....

There are lots of things I like to have, but quite honestly, the only must haves for me are my swimsuit and my camera. My camera is a significantly contributing factor to my overall enjoyment on a trip. It's sick, I know.

Hey Vicki-- sounds like a problem that a machete can fix! XOXO

My group looked at me funny in 2004...for good reason...when I unloaded a roll of duct tape and my 87-tool Swiss Army Knife. The tape repaired a ripped duffel and the bottle opener came in handy on Cane Garden Bay.

Zip locks are essential as are small rolls of foil and saran wrap. I just hate to buy that stuff while I'm away and you never know if the house will have any.

After 2008's stereo debacle "The pool deck is wired for sound" Just not hooked to anything...nice speakers though, we're bringing the dock, cables and everything else under the sun to keep us in tunes.

Pip --are you kidding? Duct tape is a necessity isn't it?

With duct tape and a knife you can MacGuyver yourself just about anything!