usvi-on-line
Random questions.
Random questions.
Good afternoon.
How should I manage my cell phone? I have Verizon wireless and I understand there can be some enormous roaming charges.
Safety. I've heard both extremes. One villa we considered had no locks because they aren't needed on St. John. Another forum says crime is rampant and you can hear gunshots through the night. I know the truth is somewhere in between. I would think tourists would be safe. How careful do we have to be. (I live in an area where we can in fact sleep with our doors unlocked).
Should I bring my laptop? I get a lot of good info from the interweb.
What is Salomon bay really like?
How should I manage my cell phone? I have Verizon wireless and I understand there can be some enormous roaming charges.
Safety. I've heard both extremes. One villa we considered had no locks because they aren't needed on St. John. Another forum says crime is rampant and you can hear gunshots through the night. I know the truth is somewhere in between. I would think tourists would be safe. How careful do we have to be. (I live in an area where we can in fact sleep with our doors unlocked).
Should I bring my laptop? I get a lot of good info from the interweb.
What is Salomon bay really like?
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sailorgirl
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm
Anyone who says its ok to leave the doors open almost anywhere is just not being truthful. Best advice, is take the same precautions you would take at home. Lock doors and windows when you leave. Don't leave valuables unsecured in the villa, rental car or on the beach. Most villas have a safe, use it. Get a lock for the lap top or ask if it will fit in the safe. All the villa's I've rented we were able to get the laptop in the safe.
Think about it. If someone is of the mind to steal, what better target then a tourist in an unsecured villa.
Think about it. If someone is of the mind to steal, what better target then a tourist in an unsecured villa.
How should I manage my cell phone?
Can't help I have AT&T
"you can hear gunshots through the night"
Been here only 4 years and have yet to hear any - are you sure they are talking about St John and not St John's (not saying St John's has alot of crime as I have no clue)
Should I bring my laptop
If you want to
What is Salomon bay really like?
Beautiful - just like all the others
Pia
Can't help I have AT&T
"you can hear gunshots through the night"
Been here only 4 years and have yet to hear any - are you sure they are talking about St John and not St John's (not saying St John's has alot of crime as I have no clue)
Should I bring my laptop
If you want to
What is Salomon bay really like?
Beautiful - just like all the others
Pia
Realtor - St John Properties
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California Girl
I have Verizon and have never had a problem with it on St. John. Sometimes a little "scratchy" reception is all. I always call Verizon before I go to STJ so they know I'm there, and I've never had exorbitant roaming charges. I also keep my phone off when I'm not using it.
Gun shots in the night? Never heard 'em!
Take your laptop and post live reports for us here on the forum! If your villa doesn't have wifi, an AT&T Air Card works really good.
Salomon Beach... my mostest favorite of all! You have to hike a little, but if I can do it, anyone can, and it's so worth it!
Have an awesome time!
Gun shots in the night? Never heard 'em!
Take your laptop and post live reports for us here on the forum! If your villa doesn't have wifi, an AT&T Air Card works really good.
Salomon Beach... my mostest favorite of all! You have to hike a little, but if I can do it, anyone can, and it's so worth it!
Have an awesome time!
Cell phone....we have Sprint, never had a problem.
Netbook? Of course, you can get a lot of info, especially if you stay at a villa that has Wi-Fi.
Gun shots? Don't think I ever heard any (like CG and Pia said)
Saloman Beach? Well worth the walk to get there!
Doors and windows/ Have to keep em closed and locked or these guys will come right in!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mx ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_255pkid3BhE/SmykQ ... 9.JPG"></a>
-Bert
Netbook? Of course, you can get a lot of info, especially if you stay at a villa that has Wi-Fi.
Gun shots? Don't think I ever heard any (like CG and Pia said)
Saloman Beach? Well worth the walk to get there!
Doors and windows/ Have to keep em closed and locked or these guys will come right in!
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mx ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_255pkid3BhE/SmykQ ... 9.JPG"></a>
-Bert
The liver is evil, it must be punished!
On Verizon: Got hit with roaming in 2004 and 2006, but not in 1008 that I can remember. On the north shore, we got pinged by the Tortola cell tower with a message of "Hey Mon. Welcome to the BVIs"
Otherwise, I think, if anything, the phone was on "Extended Network" and not on true roaming. And...I used it a good deal while crawling around under the house looking for water.
And...as others have said, be as safe as you'd be at home.
Laptop: We bring it because I feel the compulsion to update my stupid blog and facebook while away. No work though. We don't even bring my laptop...the wife's.
Otherwise, I think, if anything, the phone was on "Extended Network" and not on true roaming. And...I used it a good deal while crawling around under the house looking for water.
And...as others have said, be as safe as you'd be at home.
Laptop: We bring it because I feel the compulsion to update my stupid blog and facebook while away. No work though. We don't even bring my laptop...the wife's.
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BuffaloGal
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:48 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
We have Verizon and have never had a problem. The connection is usually good from just about anywhere on the island. Actually, we lose more calls at home. Lock up your villa and your rental car, use the safe, and don't let it worry you while you're there. We've been to St. John several times and never heard anything remotely close to gunshots at night -- just tree frogs. Common sense is enough to keep you safe in St. John. Finally, Salomon is one of my favorites - absolutely beautiful and well worth the walk. Relax and enjoy![/img]
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BuffaloGal
- Posts: 307
- Joined: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:48 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
We have Verizon and have never had a problem. The connection is usually good from just about anywhere on the island. Actually, we lose more calls at home. Lock up your villa and your rental car, use the safe, and don't let it worry you while you're there. We've been to St. John several times and never heard anything remotely close to gunshots at night -- just tree frogs. Common sense is enough to keep you safe in St. John. Finally, Salomon is one of my favorites - absolutely beautiful and well worth the walk. Relax and enjoy![/img]
How should I manage my cell phone? I have Verizon wireless and I understand there can be some enormous roaming charges.
We have US Cellular and wish I could remember exactly what we did. I called them before we left and let them know that we would be leaving and they put us on another plan temporarily. Make sure to call Verizon a few days before you go. It made a huge difference. We forgot to do it when we went to the Bahamas and the bill was horrible.
Safety. I've heard both extremes. One villa we considered had no locks because they aren't needed on St. John. Another forum says crime is rampant and you can hear gunshots through the night. I know the truth is somewhere in between. I would think tourists would be safe. How careful do we have to be.
At the end of our first trip my husband and I looked at each other and said that we felt completely safe. That said, when we went to Puerto Rico we were warned by my sister-in-law the night before we left and we could not shake the warning. We did not sleep well and we were essentially ill at ease. IF you feel that way then you might want to switch from a villa to one of the resorts or condos. I think the Grande Bay is offering good prices right now. Only you know if you are going to be able to relax. We felt very safe.
Another thing that I often suggest is a door jam/alarm. We have 4 and travel with them everywhere. They are VERY loud and the few times I wake up in the night I remind myself that I haven't heard anything and go back to sleep. We sleep much better. Type this into Amazon to see what I am talking about: GE 50246 Smart Home Door Stop Alarm by General Electric
Should I bring my laptop? I get a lot of good info from the interweb.
Does your villa have a safe? The only way I would bring something that would be so expensive to replace is if there were a safe. We normally bring ours.
What is Salomon bay really like?
I am ashamed to tell you that I haven't been there!!
Next year we are going!
Have a great trip! You will love St. John!! This forum is great--look through all the trip reports to plan your trip.
GG
We have US Cellular and wish I could remember exactly what we did. I called them before we left and let them know that we would be leaving and they put us on another plan temporarily. Make sure to call Verizon a few days before you go. It made a huge difference. We forgot to do it when we went to the Bahamas and the bill was horrible.
Safety. I've heard both extremes. One villa we considered had no locks because they aren't needed on St. John. Another forum says crime is rampant and you can hear gunshots through the night. I know the truth is somewhere in between. I would think tourists would be safe. How careful do we have to be.
At the end of our first trip my husband and I looked at each other and said that we felt completely safe. That said, when we went to Puerto Rico we were warned by my sister-in-law the night before we left and we could not shake the warning. We did not sleep well and we were essentially ill at ease. IF you feel that way then you might want to switch from a villa to one of the resorts or condos. I think the Grande Bay is offering good prices right now. Only you know if you are going to be able to relax. We felt very safe.
Another thing that I often suggest is a door jam/alarm. We have 4 and travel with them everywhere. They are VERY loud and the few times I wake up in the night I remind myself that I haven't heard anything and go back to sleep. We sleep much better. Type this into Amazon to see what I am talking about: GE 50246 Smart Home Door Stop Alarm by General Electric
Should I bring my laptop? I get a lot of good info from the interweb.
Does your villa have a safe? The only way I would bring something that would be so expensive to replace is if there were a safe. We normally bring ours.
What is Salomon bay really like?
I am ashamed to tell you that I haven't been there!!
Next year we are going!Have a great trip! You will love St. John!! This forum is great--look through all the trip reports to plan your trip.
GG
