USVI-On-Line

so two days in. It is truly peaceful here in St. John and just starting to understand island time. . Arrival day was just a whirlwind (a hot one at that), but we finally settled in and grabbed one of the tastiest pizzas we've had from Cafe Roma and just chilled in the airconditioning. Yesterday was a market and exploring day with a nice dinner at La Tapa. Today we are appreciating the idea of villa gravity and planning nothing, but relaxation, a little grilling

Speaking of the villa - Villa Serenity is nice, all be it much buggier than we even imagined. Lots of foliage here and though its great for birds and other wildlife (we saw hermit crabs yesterday, who would have thunk so far off from the water) to attract all manner of flying pest. The mosquitos have been out and about this a.m. But we also have a whole slew of iguanas that hang around to keep us company - and got to say, they are amazing creatures.

What we're wondering is - where are all those great trade wind breezes we kept hearing about. Our deck is beautiful with fabulous views but a nice breeze to move the semi-sticky air around would improve it. Are we too low? We're off of Maria's Bluff - did we need to be higher yet to appreciate those great breezes that dry the sweat and deter the bugs? Or are we too packed in by foliage here - We had originally been planning to stay in Chocolate Hole - wondering - is it cooler there? Anyone on island that could let us know if they are experiencing th same "still" air we are? Or are we just experiencing the hot sticky days post a bunch of rain? We don't mind the heat and we do have air in the villa, just a little breeze our way would be nice.

More to update in a few days once we've had a chance to check out the beaches, hike a trail or two and really explore St. John. Cheers!

I am guessing that it is muggy because of the rain. John and I rented the house directly to your left a couple of years ago (just as an FYI, if there are people staying there they can see into your pool despite the privacy fence) and I remember how strong the sun was. We did a lot of swimming at night because the pool wasn't shaded and the sun was so hot. You can't beat the views from Maria Bluff though!

Thanks LiamsAunt - and for the heads up about the neighbors seeing into our pool - though we're not much for nude bathing , so all is good. Swimming at night sounds good, but how did you avoid getting eaten alive by the mosquitos. My poor fiance had residual sunscreen on him last night and he woke up with about 4-5 bites from our evening time out. It did me good though as I'm usually the magnet for them. Glad I brought lots of bug spray.

Right now waiting for the cloud cover to clear, so can enjoy the hot, hot sun on the deck. Had a little sprinkle and now the sun seems to be trying to fight its way out.

We had a most interesting experience yesterday on the deck - an iguana charged us - we read up on it and apparently he is an alpha male and is in peak mating time so will charge just about anything or anyone - so we're gonna have to keep an eye on him. We've nicknamed him Maurice. The rest of the iguanas and there are a ton seem to be pretty mellow and happy to share the space.

More soon.

In my experience those great breezes advertised by villas are their way of saying that they don't have air conditioning.

I don't know if that is true of your villa but that is usually the case

We've been 8 times and always needed a/c, at least at night for sleeping. We do always go in the summer though.

I think the mosquitos are likely from the rain that passed through in the last couple of weeks after such a period of drought! We hit that kind of situation in May a few years ago and the bugs were AWFUL. We were staying at a higher location and they were still horrible!

I'm glad you are settling in and getting on island time! Being in the water was the best way to combat the bugs, sitting on the beach in the early morning or late evening wasn't an option though because they were out so bad.

I hope a breeze stirs up for you soon!

Thanks Nic - yeah, the bugs are pretty heavy, so I believe the situation you're mentioning is what we're dealing with. Ahh well, looks like bug spray will be taken out of the plastic and be on in abundance for the next week. Good to know about the water - guess we'll have to spend more time in the pool then out - though its kinda dirty with so much foliage hanging over it....Maybe just douse ourselves good with a little deet enhanced spray and hope for the best. Hoping though that they're a bit less abundant on the beach around sunset tomorrow - would hate to be slapping at my arms and legs as I'm saying I do.

Cheers!

Teresa_Rae wrote:In my experience those great breezes advertised by villas are their way of saying that they don't have air conditioning.

I don't know if that is true of your villa but that is usually the case

We've been 8 times and always needed a/c, at least at night for sleeping. We do always go in the summer though.

Teresa_Rae - Yes I hear you, but we have great air conditioning both in the main area and then in the bedrooms, so no issues there. I'd just heard so much about the trade winds, I was hoping for a bit more air flow, but what can you do. It's beautiful here and the views are as advertised, along with the sunsets. The bugginess is really only an issue in that there seems to be not such good seals along some of the ceilings, so they're joining us in the villa at times. Mostly just those little moths that go into the light, but a few mosquitos have met their end as they attempted to enjoy us for dinner.

After tomorrow, I shall not care, but would like not to look like a mosquitos feast tomorrow as its a special day.

Hi! I just got an email from a friend that I will be traveling to STJ with next month. It says to put listerine (mouth wash) into a spray bottle and spray your surroundings to keep mosquitos away. Don't know if it works but it might be worth the try. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

We stayed two villas down from you last fall. The views really are spectacular! I don't recall it being particularly breezy, but it wasn't uncomfortable either. The bugs were a bit of an annoyance. We used the Deep Woods Off towelettes, simply because they were easy to pack. They helped some. I'd be interested to hear more about Serenity's interior. Always looking for the next villa!

I agree with Teresa, "tropical breezes" are not something I would count on at the villa.

Sparis, we returned Saturday from two weeks there. I'm positive you'll have much better weather as we had many cloudy and also rainy days. I hope the breezes kick up for you.

Be sure to check out the new deli in Starfish Market center - third floor. Sam and Jack's is amazing!

Have a great week!

We have stayed higher and had more breezes. Last year the breezes were good on the porch, just up from Coral Bay, but with the rain the bugs were bad. We are taking the off clip ons and bug spray. I have never had to use the air in the villa. Lucky I guess. Hopefully we get breezes this year! It is one thing I love about STJ. I have used the Listerine with some success. Use the old yellow stuff and spray it all around the bushes. You do have to repete every so often, but it is eco friendly. I would go for a major combo with your special day coming up! Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together. Lots of honeymoons in STJ!

Rains were so crazy last week, we even had a termite swarm. But the breezes were great!

Did the sun shine? Did the bugs go away? Did the breeze come back? I hope yes to all CONGRATS!!!!