USVI-On-Line

I'm copying another thread ...

What 5 things do you consider Must Do for a first timer?

Thanks!

It is hard for me to pick just five but here goes -

1. visit the sugar mill ruins.

2. take a leisurely drive out to the east, back to Coral Bay and down to Salt Pond and finish with a late lunch at Shipwreck

3. Snorkel

4. Beach day at Maho

5. an early evening stroll around town

Go to Trunk Bay before and/or after the cruise ship crowds are there.

Watch the sun set over and the lights come on, on St. Thomas.

Get lost - it will be one of the highlights of your trip when you look back and reminisce.

Take some time to sit and talk (listen mostly) to a long time resident of the island.

Do something you've never done before - even if that just means eating or drinking something new.

And a bonus one - take some time to just enjoy being there - look at the scenery, be free to dream wildly and share those dreams with your loved ones, and start planning for your next visit!

1. Arrive early in the morning to Trunk Bay to enjoy that amazing beach before a lot of people arrive

2. Drive the entire island slowly checking out everything and taking notes of where you might want to return. Take pictures as you drive.

3. Sit at the Beach Bar and talk to one of the locals hanging around.

4. Highly recommend getting on the water either with a snorkel trip or sunset cruise. Save visiting other islands for the next trip!

5. Stop at Shipwreck Landing for a drink, snack or meal after being at the beach. Such a relaxing way to spend an afternoon!

Stop at the smoothie truck and get one with

slow down to island time right away
sunset sittings for supper
cocktail at the end of the beach day
bug repelant on your legs befor you go out at night
I does not really matter because now you will be back

LOL, I love this one:

"I does not really matter because now you will be back"

More like the first five things to do, but still apples for first timers I think...

1) Go see Ruth at STJ Spice...get some Jumbie Coffee, some grill rub, maybe a book about the island (i.e., Feet Fins 4WD), and practice your island pleasantries (good morning, good afternoon, good night, happy Tuesday to you, etc.)...Ruth's a little a more forgiving to the newbs.

2) Go to one of the markets and get a big ass thing of water and a bunch of alcohol...drink them about in equal parts.

3) Just get in the car and drive - an easy route would be North shore road from Cruz Bay, then over to Leinster, up to Centerline, and over to Coral Bay 3-way stop adjacent the soccer field/donkey and goat pasture. Once you've made this drive you pretty much feel like you own the island and there isn't any place you're afraid to go. Plus, you're no longer weirded out about driving on the left side of the road.

4) Find a bar or restaurant that looks packed and go in and get a drink or some food - the service will be slow, but who cares, just soak up the vibe.

5) First night back at the villa...make a stiff drink or get a cold beer and just sit out on your balcony or porch and look up at the sky and say, "thanks, it's good to be alive and on STJ."

5 Do Not Miss Things...

Let's see......

#1 Do not miss your flight! It will ruin the rest of the week.

The rest is up to you. You will find the places to eat, drink, shop, swim, visit, etc. that you like while you are there. It will be different for every person. The great part of this island, IMHO, is that you can do all of the things my friends noted above, or you can do nothing at all. You will also find the places you want to go for the first time and places you want to revisit on the "next trip." And, as sure as the Sun rises over Rams Head and sets behind STT, there will be the "next trip."

JIM

1. Island Time is a better way of life, Relax and enjoy being on it,even if its only for a week.
2. Enjoy the simply beauty around you.
3.Appreciate that you have now seen what many never will.
4 & 5.Life's too short-Enjoy it!

Is it weird that a lot of these entries made me tear up?

OMG I just came back and I need some island time again!!

I agree with the drive- windows down- go all the way out through Coral Bay both ways- around to Lameshur and out East End to Sloop Jones- stop at Skinny's for a burger or Tourist Trap for one of Larry's awesome creations (and a chat with Larry) in between. Look for donkeys on the beach across from Shipwreck (stop in there too- yummmm).

Another great place for sunset is the overlook over Cruz Bay- love to just sit on that wall and watch Cruz Bay and STT light up

Take the short hike to Salomon.

Drink a Painkiller!

Visit the ACC and walk some dogs- you get such a good feel for the community and how caring everyone is, imho. You can stop in in the morning as you head into town for shopping day, or in the afternoon (they have specific walking times)

This is a fun thread......

We're newbies, so we don't have MOST of these experiences. One thing we really enjoyed last time, was renting a kayak at Maho and kayaking to Whistling Cay and around the tip of Mary's Point. The guy at Maho gave all kinds of great directions and hints. We only did 1/2 day last time, but plan on a full day, this time.

Otherwise:
recommend Candi's Ribs

Pick up a hitchhiker and hear a neat story about how they came to be where you found em

and I'm keeping my yap shut about our favorite beach now...so we can still have a place there!

We want to visit the visitor's center, this year, too!

Hmmm, 5 Must do things for a first timer:

1)Go to the Trunk Bay early in the morning and enjoy! Catch a glimpse of it first at the Trunk Bay overlook. Leave once the crowds come! Definitely snorkel here!

2)Snorkel! Snorkel! Snorkel! Try Haulover, lots of great things to see!

3)Smoothie Stand is a must! At least daily! :)Loved the coconut pineapple smoothie and enjoyed talking/meeting others..

4)Listen to the steel pan (drums?) Beautiful sound..the children playing that we heard on a previous visit were amazing..gives you that true island feel. We bought a CD and listened to it every time we were in the rental jeep!

5) Walk along the Leinster Bay Trail and find a spot along the way under a tree/bush on the waters edge and take it all in. My husband and I sat there for some time picking up shells out of the water...little did we know the 'shells' were alive..we laugh when we think about it now..it was so peaceful..

Many of these things have been mentioned because St. John is such a beautiful place..you can not go wrong with anything you chose to do..it's all good...