What did you wish someone told you for your first trip

[jmq]

Bring more quick dry rash guards aka surf shirts - put one on in the morning and forget about it and avoid upper body sunburns (esp while snorkeling) and less application of sunblock. This applies for both men and women.

See if your camera can accept a polarizing filter - SLRs will and as well as some older point n shoots will with an adaptor kit. It will really make those colors of the water POP in your photos (think of it as sunglasses for your camera)

Second on the Gatorade mix. They sell it like this too - scoop out the powder into a pitcher of water or large water bottles and mix it up for the beach to help offset the effects of tropical booze consumption

[RickG]

Laughing at the Gatorade comments. I've become a big believer in the last couple of years. Drinking reverse osmosis jug water seems to deplete my electrolytes. Gatorade helps a lot.

Other things I wish I knew? Well, there weren't too many resources back 1997 for my first big family trip. I wish I knew if I could get baby formula!

Cheers, RickG

[liamsaunt]

I think the tip that would have been the most useful for me to know before my first trip is this: If staying in an open air style dwelling, when you are home at night leave the outside lights on and as many interior lights off as possible. The memory of the night that we unknowingly left the bedside bedroom lights on is deeply seared into my brain. Picture a wall (and a bed!) full of hundreds of pretty much every bug that exists on the island and you will get the idea.

[Pia]

Liamsaunt - with all that you have experienced (this, the outside trash bag "incident" and the grill "visitor" to name a few) I'm amazed you ever came back (lol)

Pia

[sasky]

I just sent this to the 3 newbs we'll be visiting with in June. Great thread!!

The first time we visited we knew almost nothing about the island. And I'm so glad it happened that way. We discovered heaven on earth with no plan, no expectations, and fresh eyes.

[PaminMaine]

I think the tip that would have been the most useful for me to know before my first trip is this: If staying in an open air style dwelling, when you are home at night leave the outside lights on and as many interior lights off as possible. The memory of the night that we unknowingly left the bedside bedroom lights on is deeply seared into my brain. Picture a wall (and a bed!) full of hundreds of pretty much every bug that exists on the island and you will get the idea.

OMG !!! Gross ! I kind of enjoyed our little gecko that would come in and sit on the dresser and stare into my sunglasses, but bugs... uhh no!

So, the first thing that came to my mind was from our first trip was .. BRING EARPLUGS! It is amazing how far a roosters crow can carry during the middle of the night

[TrvlJohn]

Here's mine

1. Don't cry while leaving on the ferry. You will be BACK.

2. Better yet you're young - why don't you stay. Take a year or two and enjoy. Adult life will be here for you when you get home.

This should be printed on the wall of the ferry terminal - well said!

John

[Terry]

Don't go to STT thinking that is the best place on earth and end up taking the ferry every day to paradise of STJ in your jeep. Better off spending the time on STJ and really not worrying about catching the ferry back each day.