First time but definitely not the last!
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:17 pm
Wow what a trip! Before i had started planning this honeymoon I had never even heard of St. John. I started picking up some travel magazines to get the creative juices flowing, as this was our first major vacation, and I had no idea where to start. I read an article about this "virgin" island. National Park land, protected, beautiful, and relaxing. What more could a newlywed couple want or need? Next thing i know we are stepping on the tarmac in St. Thomas and our tropical adventure began. AMAZING!!! We were going to spend the first 4 nights at Maho Bay Camps, and the last 7 nights at Concordia Eco Tents. Maho Bay is definitely a magical place. The people, the surroundings, very unpretentious, and perfect for an eco friendly vacation. We enjoyed the dining pavillion happy hour/ dinner/ sunset. Please take the opportunity to visit this place as it wont be around long. I know we will be back! Im not going to go on and tell you about our favorite snorkel spots or restaurants or hikes or daysail charters. I would like to tell you about the wonderful locals we met that left a lasting impression on our minds and hearts. Ignore the racial tension you hear so much about. I sensed it too, but as soon as you let your guard down and take time to talk to these people you will se how how friendly and beautiful they are. I think some people expect everything and give nothing in return. That is the wrong attitude to have. You are essentially borrowing time on this island that they want to keep as virgin as possible. Yolanda owns a shop right next to The Fish Trap, she was the most welcoming person I have met in a long time. She sells great handmade items, and its a very unique shop compared to what you see around Cruz Bay, and Coral Bay. She offered some of the best advice I have ever recieved as well. Thanks Yolanda! Also Charles at the Annaberg Ruins garden, very friendly and contagious smile and personality. Took the time to explain each plant, and gave us some herbs to take home and make tea with. We wanted to hang out with him all day. And one more, who I will call Johnny Cakes lady, we didnt get her name unfortunatley, very friendly and contagious laughter had me smiling from ear to ear. As soon as she knew we were from Utah she told me how much she disliked Karl Malone. Very funny! She knew more about sports than I do! As we were getting ready to leave a family from Tennessee came in and her first comment was "you have that cute Young quarterback!". These were just a few of the people we will always remember. The scenery is burned into our imaginations. I just close my eyes on a hot summer day and can smell the ocean breeze, hear the waves gently lapping onto the shore. It is a special place to us now. If you ever make it out there please please please leave it better than you found it. Whatever that means to you. Its a simple gesture to one of the last few "virgin" islands. We will be back!!!
P.S. Thanks for all the great info on this forum!
P.S. Thanks for all the great info on this forum!
WOW! What an uplifting yet energizing trip report!
