Is it dumb that we want to go back???

[Need2GetAway]

Got back from our first trip in April. Now we are planning next year's trips and we want to go back to St. John. That's unusual for us - we usually like to try new places. But something is drawing us back there hard.

Our April trip was pretty expensive in the over all scheme of travel, and I am trying to think of ways to do it cheaper, but instead it's looking more expensive (in season vs. off season). But we can't imagine staying in a less-appointed villa, or missing Palm Tree Charters, or not doing the dinghy day, or not eating out every night...LOL.

Oh well, not really looking for any advice, just yakking.

Thanks!!!

[lazylane]

Good morning! No one on this forum will think that is weird at all. We are on our 10th trip this December and really can't imagine going anywhere but "home"!!! There are still things we haven't done and after a while, you start feeling like a "local"!!! I was lucky enough to go twice last year!! It can get expensive, but we take food to cook which helps and also have got some great deals on villas!! They can be found and you have lots of time to search! Welcome to the obsession!

[SOonthebeach]

Not dumb at all- that's true for just about all of us here!!! We can never seem to go there as cheaply as we would like (we're like you- just don't want to give up on all the great stuff to do) but there are some ways to save a little.

Occasionally we go somewhere else and it's great- but we ALWAYS want to come back "home" to STJ!!

[mbw1024]

Dumb? No such thing. Yak on......

[EagleRayLover]

welcome to the club!! I feel so lucky when I know we have an upcoming trip and I was almost giddy when we had two tickers at once for awhile! we like to grill many dinners in (bringing food in a polar bear cooler from home) and eat lunches out. That helps a little with the expense.
I kind of wonder about the people who don't want to go back... maybe they are the really "dumb ones."

[jayseadee]

Not dumb at all! How could you not want to go back? We don't go for every vacation, but do go fairly often.

There are ways to do it less expensive, but you may need to give up some of the amenities you enjoyed the last time - you'll still have a great time.

We travel in off-season, find accommodations for <2,000/week or more (we're just 2), eat many breakfasts at the villa, pack lunches for the beach and eat out most nights (have actually never grilled at the villa). We have also stayed close to Cruz Bay and not kept a car for the full week. For 2, taxi's can be less expensive than a days rental (especially if you factor in gas/parking).

I know many forumites have shared days with Palm Tree, so on your next trip you may be able to find forum friends to help with the cost.

Have fun planning for the next one:)

[RickG]

The best way we've found to travel cheap is to look for cheap airfare and then rent a villa last minute. This easily saves us $1,000 for a 2-person trip.

Of course, our next trip is Thanksgiving week with the kids and we aren't able to do that - no break on airfare for 4 people and a premium villa with no discount. But, we only take the kids every 2 or 3 years.

Cheers, RickG

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

I am echoing every one else. We start planning the next trip on the plane back. One thing you can think of on saving money besides the things already mentioned are... airline miles, doing something just as fun, but different and less expensive than Palm Tree, and dingys once in a while to experience all the great things the island has to offer that are free or cheep, the food thing is just a state of mind, we found our favorites, plan those, and cook in the rest of the time. We don't have a big thing with breakfast out, for instance, so we usually cook breakfast, and we realized our favorite places can be done for lunch, and we have one or 2 dinner places we just have to go to. We did find out it is fine to grocery shop on the island ( and we do send a small box) when you weigh convinience v. cost. We are on a seriously limited budget and love STJ, so if we want to go we have to look for ways to economize, so we spread out the good things, and look for deals.

[turqsea]

Not dumb at all, not everyone Loves St John but they tend to be high maintenance folks who are probably not happy anywhere. Enough about them, we were so obsessive we bought property in the 90s and held to a 5 year plan to make St John our permanent residence. When we do get off the "Rock" and travel stateside we are a bit shell shocked every time by the pace and the price and variety of produce!! BUT, we can't wait to come back home, we count the days. I am delighted to see so many on this forum who love it here. Every day, looking out at the turquoise sea, smelling the latest blooms, walking through the sand and so many more very important daily rituals... just confirms to us that we made the right decision. We always count our blessings and feel so fortunate to be HERE. So ENJOY, isn't it LOVELY?!!