usvi-on-line
Best St. John Experience
Best St. John Experience
OK folks, our upcoming first trip to St. John is approaching and most of the logistics are coming together. Now we want to know what it is about this island that is so magical. What is it about the aesthetics, or perhaps the essence of this place that makes it so special? What are your St. John most memorable moments, or special experiences that draws your heart there?
Life is an adventure.
Treasure each moment.
Treasure each moment.
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Pete (Mr. Marcia)
- Posts: 1471
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:48 pm
- Location: Madison, Wisconsin
One evening we drove the North Shore road on the way to dinner in Coral Bay. On a whim, we stopped at Maho. Marcia was wearing a pretty sun dress and was all dolled up to go out. The water looked so inviting that she hiked up the dress and waded in the water.
Seeing her at peace in the water, so happy, as the sun was going down...it's those little moments that make the place special to me.
Seeing her at peace in the water, so happy, as the sun was going down...it's those little moments that make the place special to me.
Wisconsin, smell the dairy air
There are so many "bests"; one of the most unique happened in July 2006 when we were staying at Concordia. We had just returned from dinner and the moon was almost full, so we decided to hike down to Salt Pond Bay. As we approached the water, we could see greenish "sparkles" in the water as it washed up on the beach. We waded in - green sparkles like fairy dust everywhere! It was truly magical!
There's a special character to the place that catches you at surprising moments. Looking out over the green hills you realize how painfully beautiful St. John really is. I've looked for words that capture the feeling, and the best for me is "immanence."
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... 7610#27610
Cheers, RickG
http://virgin-islands-on-line.com/forum ... 7610#27610
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
The last time I was on the rock with my wife. She had been so sick I didn't think we would be going she wanted me to go alone I wouldn't, we got a wheel chair for her at ORD made the filght when the doors opened up on STT she was like the girl I had married 23 years before all week she wanted to be up doing one thing after another. Seeing the smile on her face was the best.
Tom
Tom
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piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Honestly...its everything...from arriving to the ferry dock, to the smell, the people, the beaches...its not just one thing...the only way you will understand is to stay there...you'll love it...I tell people all the time if you're looking for great night clubs and dancing Miami might be a better choice...St John is NOT that place...its about relaxing on all the beautiful beaches...enjoying adult beverages and loving the whole island culture and experience...its like being on another planet....
The first time was just the pure joy of the children when they saw donkeys and cows in the road and we would stop to take pictures. The cats at the Cinnamon Bay restaurant and counting how many goats we would see on our way to Coral Bay.
The kids trying to catch flies as pets in the beer bottles at Skinny Legs (now that's taking lemons and making lemonade!)
Now it is the smell going on North Shore road the first time every trip.
And Rick I have that same feeling looking up in the hills, usually while in the water, the sheer beauty and peace. Every time I look up, I just say to myself "remember this moment"....
The kids trying to catch flies as pets in the beer bottles at Skinny Legs (now that's taking lemons and making lemonade!)
Now it is the smell going on North Shore road the first time every trip.
And Rick I have that same feeling looking up in the hills, usually while in the water, the sheer beauty and peace. Every time I look up, I just say to myself "remember this moment"....
"Sponges grow in the ocean...I wonder how much deeper it would be if that didn't happen."
There is a certain "Je ne sais quoi" quality about STJ that is hard to put your finger on and I suppose for everyone it's different.
There's just something crazy magical about this place and either you get it or you don't.
Among those qualities that make STJ so special are the natural beauty of the island and the color of the water; the interesting characters that live on island; that hippie/caribbean vibe; the food; the smells; the potential for adventure; and driving the crazy curvy roads.
Most of all, I treasure the time I get to spend with my husband, friends and family and just the feeling of freedom from all the worlds worries -- even if it is only for a little while
There's just something crazy magical about this place and either you get it or you don't.
Among those qualities that make STJ so special are the natural beauty of the island and the color of the water; the interesting characters that live on island; that hippie/caribbean vibe; the food; the smells; the potential for adventure; and driving the crazy curvy roads.
Most of all, I treasure the time I get to spend with my husband, friends and family and just the feeling of freedom from all the worlds worries -- even if it is only for a little while
*Another fine scatterbrained production
Here is a post from my blog from 100 years ago when I was trying to define it for those in my circle who haven't been or don't know why I am so OBSESSED.
Single best moment was floating with my baby boy in Maho almost a year after he was born despite amazing odds!
St. John Magic
One of my favorite places in the universe to be is the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. What's the magic people will ask. It is so hard to define.
The magic is that after traveling to at least a 1/2 dozen other islands, I never have felt more at home than I do on STJ. I step off the ferry from St. Thomas and I just feel different. Calm, happy, sedate, warm, welcome. The stress and frustration of daily life just melts away with the sight of Cruz Bay.
The magic is that though this island is not perfect, it is real. There is traffic, congestion, overdevelopment looming ... but there are acres and acres of pristine park land, Francis bay with its sea turtles, Uncle Joe's with his finger licking BBQ, the goats that you nearly hit coming around the corners over in Coral Bay, and ultimately the freedom to wake up each day and say..."which beach is it today?" and know that NO matter what you choose you can't go wrong.
The magic is that no matter how many times I come back I discover something new each time. All I can say for sure is that the magic must be real, because my almost 4 year old who was 3 at the time - and has traveled all over - keeps asking to go back to our St John house!
I am usually a rush around kind of gal, do as much as I can as fast as I can. In STJ, I linger. I laze in the pool, nursing a frozen concoction. I smile more. I laugh so hard at times my stomach hurts the next morning. I dream more.
Single best moment was floating with my baby boy in Maho almost a year after he was born despite amazing odds!
St. John Magic
One of my favorite places in the universe to be is the island of St. John in the US Virgin Islands. What's the magic people will ask. It is so hard to define.
The magic is that after traveling to at least a 1/2 dozen other islands, I never have felt more at home than I do on STJ. I step off the ferry from St. Thomas and I just feel different. Calm, happy, sedate, warm, welcome. The stress and frustration of daily life just melts away with the sight of Cruz Bay.
The magic is that though this island is not perfect, it is real. There is traffic, congestion, overdevelopment looming ... but there are acres and acres of pristine park land, Francis bay with its sea turtles, Uncle Joe's with his finger licking BBQ, the goats that you nearly hit coming around the corners over in Coral Bay, and ultimately the freedom to wake up each day and say..."which beach is it today?" and know that NO matter what you choose you can't go wrong.
The magic is that no matter how many times I come back I discover something new each time. All I can say for sure is that the magic must be real, because my almost 4 year old who was 3 at the time - and has traveled all over - keeps asking to go back to our St John house!
I am usually a rush around kind of gal, do as much as I can as fast as I can. In STJ, I linger. I laze in the pool, nursing a frozen concoction. I smile more. I laugh so hard at times my stomach hurts the next morning. I dream more.
Last edited by flip-flop on Wed Mar 11, 2009 11:52 am, edited 1 time in total.
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John LMBZ06
- Posts: 286
- Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:52 am
- Location: Frisco, TX
2/3rds of the island is national park. They can not build on it or ruin it. It is a beautiful unspoiled mountain, unlike some other islands that I will not mention. Even in the winter, the water is still 80 or so. Maho Bay at low tide, the trees extend out over the water to give you shade while swimming. I purchased the "St. John Beach Guide". There are some secluded beaches I would have never been to without it. Try Jumbie Bay. My wife and I spent the entire day there and only saw two other people.
Life isn't perfect - not at home, nor anywhere that you travel to.
But STJ is the only place that for me, when "stuff" happens, it becomes a part of what I like about the place, rather than a reason not to go back.
And, like Gromit said, some people get the place and some don't. And that's a great filtration system, because the only ones that keep coming back are the ones that do get it, and that means you're a lot less likely to encounter unhappy people while you're there.
And of course when you do encounter those folks, you just make them a part of your story!
On our most recent trip last fall we planned to hike to Brown Bay to snorkel, then back to the villa for lunch and pool time. We found the trail, didn't take the fork down to the water and ended up hiking with all of our gear one hour to the beach rather than twenty minutes. But where we ended up was at Waterlemon Cay, which we absolutely love - so we had a great time snorkeling. Then the hour hike back to the jeep (along the way we noted where we should have turned off of the trail for another day)only to find one of the tires flat! So after changing it we headed into town to see about getting the tire fixed and since my shirt was too sweaty and dirty to go into Mongoose Junction for lunch, my wife bought me a new tshirt from the Tap Room that I just love! And we had a great lunch at the Sun Dog Cafe!
Change of plans? Yep.
Is there a better way to waste an hour on STJ than changing a flat with a hidden jack and having to put it in three different places in order to raise it up high enough on an empty stomach during the heat of the day? Assuredly.
But I got a great new shirt, ate lunch at a place I never had before, got some experience in changing the tire on a jeep (that I would use later on in the same trip!), and my wife and I have a story that will stick out among what I hope will end up being hundreds of our STJ adventures!
But STJ is the only place that for me, when "stuff" happens, it becomes a part of what I like about the place, rather than a reason not to go back.
And, like Gromit said, some people get the place and some don't. And that's a great filtration system, because the only ones that keep coming back are the ones that do get it, and that means you're a lot less likely to encounter unhappy people while you're there.
And of course when you do encounter those folks, you just make them a part of your story!
On our most recent trip last fall we planned to hike to Brown Bay to snorkel, then back to the villa for lunch and pool time. We found the trail, didn't take the fork down to the water and ended up hiking with all of our gear one hour to the beach rather than twenty minutes. But where we ended up was at Waterlemon Cay, which we absolutely love - so we had a great time snorkeling. Then the hour hike back to the jeep (along the way we noted where we should have turned off of the trail for another day)only to find one of the tires flat! So after changing it we headed into town to see about getting the tire fixed and since my shirt was too sweaty and dirty to go into Mongoose Junction for lunch, my wife bought me a new tshirt from the Tap Room that I just love! And we had a great lunch at the Sun Dog Cafe!
Change of plans? Yep.
Is there a better way to waste an hour on STJ than changing a flat with a hidden jack and having to put it in three different places in order to raise it up high enough on an empty stomach during the heat of the day? Assuredly.
But I got a great new shirt, ate lunch at a place I never had before, got some experience in changing the tire on a jeep (that I would use later on in the same trip!), and my wife and I have a story that will stick out among what I hope will end up being hundreds of our STJ adventures!
Come see us!
As a newbie,9 trips & a few years ago, I found myself walking around bewildered by how gorgeous everything was there.
Everyone else seemed to be so happy & equally astounded by the islands' beauty.
From the scenery, to the island aromas that hang on the warm breezes, to the subtle excitement of simply recognizing how to relax...
YUM!!!
Everybody was just so happy & nice, ya' know?
I get a kick out of bringing folks down that have never been there, and watch their reaction.
I think you get to see people, for the most part, as them being at ease, and kind.
I always remember to bring that wonder and sense of peace home with me.
I also always remember to look at STJ the same way I did the first time, with each visit.
It's delicious, and I hope you enjoy yourselves!
Smiles-
MJ
Everyone else seemed to be so happy & equally astounded by the islands' beauty.
From the scenery, to the island aromas that hang on the warm breezes, to the subtle excitement of simply recognizing how to relax...
YUM!!!
Everybody was just so happy & nice, ya' know?
I get a kick out of bringing folks down that have never been there, and watch their reaction.
I think you get to see people, for the most part, as them being at ease, and kind.
I always remember to bring that wonder and sense of peace home with me.
I also always remember to look at STJ the same way I did the first time, with each visit.
It's delicious, and I hope you enjoy yourselves!
Smiles-
MJ