USVI-On-Line

I was speaking to some folks in my office yesterday about vacations and I was, of course, going on and on about STJ.
One of the girls asked if there was anything about STJ that I didn't like. As a former resident, I thought of a few things, but I tried to keep in vacation perspetive.

As a tourist, what don't you like?

Um, having to leave?

OK, in all seriousness, I don't like the walk back up from Salt Pond Bay. It's really hot! But I do like Salt Pond and Drunk Bay and Blue Cobblestone so it's worth it.

I'm sitting here thinking about this and nothing is springing to my mind. And I'm thinking of things I can't change about the place as a vacation destination. Like I hate the Wrangler but I can simply choose another vehicle.

However, depending on who I was talking to I could think of things they wouldn't like. i.e. lack of entertainment for those who need such things.

I have had several people talk to me about going to STJ and in most cases I can't say I'd highly recommend it to these folks.

That Salt Pond walk is a bear...I don't like that either

I don't like that it's so far away!
(at least the island is not in the Gulf of Mexico )

The bars. They give me scabs on my elbows.

Most of the things I can think of to not like may play a role in what I do like about the place, for example;

I don't like the condition of a lot of the roadways there, but if they were a lot better, there would be more traffic and people would drive faster.

I don't like how it's a relatively hard/expensive place to get to, but if it was a lot easier it would be more crowded, and there would be a lot more incentive for more unsustainable development.

I don't like the cruise ship crowds that invade the place, but they provide much needed revenue for many on island, and that is how I found STJ in the first place.

I don't like how long travel days are.
I can't think of anything else right now. I will tell you in a few weeks if I finds something....

Hubby and I have no issue's and love STJ the way it is- but on a girls trip these were issue's others had- they couldn't adjust to island time- and hated having to drive to the beach.

Well, one thing that's a put off for some is that, other than Caneel or Westin, you can't stay right on the beach. Caneel is prohibitively expensive for most folks and the Westin Beach is only mediocre.

There are plenty of vacation destinations where one can walk right out of their hotel or condo and step onto a beautiful beach. St. John takes a little planning and work.

Those of us on this message board feel it's worth the trouble, but many would not agree.

I agree with Mb, very little I don't like, but many people I talk to, there is alot they would not care for - mostly entertainment - nightlife, golf, etc. That being said - I get eaten alive by no-seeums, welts everywhere. I do hate that. Otherwise, I love everything. Island time is the bomb, you can wrangle a cocktail quickly and wait in a beautiful setting for food, normally I don't think I would linger and apreciate the view as much without island time! Well, I guess the Salt Pond walk back does suck, so I just avoid it all costs. There you have it - it's a quirky island and you have to be a little quirky to love it!

Well said Deb! I too hate the Salt Pond walk. I kind of forget about it til we're done and tired and packing up - then look up that hill and think - crap, here we go! I can't think of anything else I don't care for......but I'll let you know in a couple weeks!

The mosquitoes!!

The lack of restaurant choices. When we are on island for two weeks, the restaurants get pretty boring pretty quickly. If we don't want to go to a fairly expensive place (Zozo's, Asolare, Waterfront Bistro, etc...), the options are pretty limited. There are only so many times that you can go to the Banana Deck.

augie wrote:Most of the things I can think of to not like may play a role in what I do like about the place, for example;

I don't like the condition of a lot of the roadways there, but if they were a lot better, there would be more traffic and people would drive faster.

I don't like how it's a relatively hard/expensive place to get to, but if it was a lot easier it would be more crowded, and there would be a lot more incentive for more unsustainable development.

I don't like the cruise ship crowds that invade the place, but they provide much needed revenue for many on island, and that is how I found STJ in the first place.

I agree with you Steve, alot of the points you make have kept the island the way it is today. I also discovered STJ via a cruise to STT some 12 years ago. The fortunate thing is that outside of the condo invasion STJ has not changed that much, however I think STT has gotten to commercialized.

John