USVI-On-Line

Hi folks. I wanted to introduce myself, as I'm new to your forum and to STJ. I'm Minde, late 40's, coming to STJ from just South of Buffalo, NY, in May. I hate being on a trip, and 1/2 way through discovering something that would have made life so much easier if I'd just known that at the beginning! So I tend to research the heck outta our vacations. It's part of the fun for me. I'll be reading every forum post here and at tripadvisor, and reading Bill's list, etc.
If you care to direct me to any good sites, please do so. I just ordered Fins, Feet and Four Wheel Drive on Amazon.
Now I'll shut up and read, asking questions after I've read everything!
Peace,
Minde

Welcome to the forum!

I recommend picking up a copy of Gerald Singer's Off the Beaten Track in addition to Feet, Fins, and Four Wheel Drive. Between the two, you'll be fully equipped!

Hi Minde, and welcome.

I haven't been to STJ yet, I'm one week out from my first visit, but I just wanted to let you know that there's a lot of good information here and the folks have the answer to just about anything you could think to ask, STJ related.

Welcome Minde! Please ask away and let you have no worries. We will plan your trip for you.

Welcome Minde to this little corner of paradise!
This is such a great forum because its filled with amazing people who I learned so much from when planning our first trip to STJ. Ask anything...somehere knows the answer, can get you the answer or direct you to someone else who can help you. The 2 previous books mentioned are a great resource....I also got the St John Beach Guide book which sits on my desk by my computer cause its got great pics & info...its just a beautiful book which I enjoyed before our trip & really appreciate more so since our STJ trip.
Anyway.....welcome & jump right in!

Hey Minde-We're from south of Buffalo too (closer to Erie)-welcome to the forum! You'll have a great time on STT and STJ-but feel free to ask questions-I agree that it's almost as much fun researching

Welcome Minde - helping you plan your trip is sort of a surrogate for those of us that currently don't have one of our own to plan - so ask away!

Welcome Minde!

Reminder to all the readers to buy your guides etc. from Caribmart, it helps support this forum.

Welcome to the friendliest Virgin Islands forum!

Cheers, RickG

Welcome! You're in great company!

Welcome! Now I am not the newest newbie. Everyone is very helpful.

We are heading down for our first extended stay in May. I can vouch for the book recommendations...They helped me decide to book my 10 day trip.

liamsaunt wrote:Welcome to the forum!

I recommend picking up a copy of Gerald Singer's Off the Beaten Track in addition to Feet, Fins, and Four Wheel Drive. Between the two, you'll be fully equipped!

OK thanks! Will do!

All right, I guess that I have a FEW more literary purchases to make! You certainly are a friendly bunch! Just reading posts, I was so impressed with how kind and cheerful you are. As if there's anything glum about an island paradise...LOL.
Right off the bat, I am faced with several decisions:
1) I'm pretty sure about Cinnamon Bay. My choice is bare site or cottage, as tent sites are filled. If I choose bare site then I have to figure out what's necessary and then cut that list in 1/2 and get those items to STJ.
2) Rent Jeep on STT or STJ? The ferry ride without the jeep sounds magical and I sort of hate to miss it. On the other hand, sounds like more Jeeps to be had, on STT. On the other hand, if my STT Jeep has a problem, we might be S.O.O.L.
3) Eating out looks really expensive for a newbie to the island, though I haven't seen very many menus. I tend to be frugal anyway, and this is a spur of the moment trip. It just occurred to us that we needed to get away and we're going in about 6 weeks. So I'm thinking of packing a cooler with frozen food and checking it. What do you think of this? I DO like to eat well, and it'd be so much cheaper to bring good stuff from home. Then there's the preparation of it, if we must bring cooking stuff from home. I want to support the local economy, so we'll buy staples from the local shops, but we're meat eaters and I like to prepare some sauces ahead of time, so those, I'd freeze.
4) I really, really, really want to snorkel. My hubby lived in Hawaii and he dives, snorkels and surfs, but I haven't. I'm not a good swimmer, so I see that I'll need a ski belt, and we need masks and snorkels. We'll rent fins in STJ. Problem is I wear glasses. I guess I'm going to have to get contacts so I'll be able to see anything.
5) What about medical care in the USVI? I had a mini-stroke in October (the day before our last vacation) and I'm a little concerned about something bad happening. Is there decent medical care there? Would my insurance cover me if something bad happened?

Well, at least I'm not worrying about the mosquitos anymore!
See, now you'll all wish I'd kept my promise and kept my mouth shut