USVI-On-Line

Oooooo....a good theme song for a girl's trip is Michael Franti's "Sunshine Coming Down"....it'll get ya in the mood!!!

Lindy wrote:Oooooo....a good theme song for a girl's trip is Michael Franti's "Sunshine Coming Down"....it'll get ya in the mood!!!

Awesome, I'll check that out today. I'm in the process of changing all the music on my MP3 player to "island music"

Actually the song is call Sound of Sunshine. And it is a good one. Where are you in Michigan? I'm in Muskegon.

We're in Kentwood for me and Wyoming for Sherry

Well,

We are heading back for trip #3 in a couple of months. Looks like we arrive a couple of days before CBama. Here are some trip/forum inspired purchases and things we've done along with my perceived value of them....and a couple of planned purchases before this trip.

Canon D10. Two trips so far and definitely worth it. See planned purchase belw.

Collapsable cooler: overrated IMO since we didn't use it to bring food. Our villas have had great beach cooler options so far.

Snorkel gear: something new every year. My wife is only one that really doesn't care too much about hers.???

Mailing down snorkel gear & sunscreen: allows you to go carry on only, which is awesome but dang expensive really for family of four. Worked better on first trip with just my wife and I. Gonna check a bag this time with that stuff.

Private taxi/Rachel to Redhook: just do it IMO.

For this trip: canon D20!!!! Maybe a neat sheet, new fins for daughter since she grew about 3 shoe sizes since 2010, always some new tunes, and I'd wager at least a few bikinis for the girls, and probably a few new pairs of flip flops.

My thoughts on the KYSS bag are that it is totally unnecessary on STJ. A very good idea for cruise ships and crowded pools/beaches found at all inclusive resorts though!

Guys....hide the credit cards or your vacation costs definitely go up LOL!

KTinTX: we will be right behind you!!

I bought the 12 pack polar bear cooler but it just doesn't seem to hold as much as I wanted. I had planned on taking as someone's personal item on plane to take to beach with food and hopefully take a cooler from villa for drinks.

the KYSS bag...expensive for a beach bag...but I got one anyway..I think I am going to like it. It will also serve to carry my neat sheet and other items on plane.

We plan to rent snorkel gear since we only do a "big" trip where there is snorkeling so seldom. maybe we can change this when the kids graduate from college...

waterproof camera: still haven't decided on this..since we would use so seldom just doesn't make sense for us...BUT when I am snorkeling I know I will regret not catching all the great underwater life.

just ordered new swimsuits on Land's end clearance...but they were cheap...6.97 and 9.97...just took a long time to find matching colors.....

Renting the snorkel gear is a good idea, but I have never convinced my family that a mask and snorkel were sanitized well enough (don't worry...they are)! I also tend to wanna hit that first beach on the first morning with gear in hand.

Ok....I have to ask though.....matching colors on swimsuits? For the family, or matching up two pieces to make a suit? My kids never would go for the matching thing even when little at Disneyworld!

With the new Canon D20 coming out soon, you can probably find some deals on the D10 now.

KTinTx---haha...matching tops and bottoms for me. never thought how that sounded....we definitely would not have matching suits for the family.

LOL...that's what I figured but was ready to ask what color you guys would be wearing at Maho so we could look for you!

CBama wrote:KTinTx---haha...matching tops and bottoms for me. never thought how that sounded....we definitely would not have matching suits for the family.

we are staying in Coral Bay..so I hope to hit Crabbys' early (well first day on island we probably won't get started real early) for snorkel rental...and then head to Francis or Maho...surely the crowds will be died down from the excitement over the manta rays by then...

my kids have never worn matching colors!!! and they are almost grown now...so not much chance of that...