usvi-on-line
Am I spolied now?
Am I spolied now?
Here goes my confession: My first trip to the Caribbean was in 2005 to STT and then 2006 to St John and again I will be there this year. I have never been anywhere else tropical unless you count the Keys and a small poor town in Mexico. I have been looking at other places and honestly I find myself saying things like too flat, too much worrying about security, too built up, don't want to get sick from the water. So I think I am spoiled for anywhere else. I went right to the pinnacle or as one taxi says "The Beverly Hills of the Caribbean" I always wanted to see other islands especially St Lucia, St Vincent, Bahamas, Jamaica, Fiji Islands and Hawaii but I am worried I would be disappointed with some of those. After watching some travel shows about Hawaii I would be afraid to swim there even though the islands are beautiful. What do you all think? Is there no help for me now?
When will I see St John again?
Yes, you are spoiled! Just kidding. It truly all depends on your perspective. I LOVE STJ ... love love love it, but I also love exploration and finding new things. I have resolved to myself that there is only one STJ, but will I continue to explore the other areas I wonder about, you bet.
However, if you go to ___________ (insert tropical locale here) thinking its gonna be STJ, you'll be disappointed. If you go thinking this is new and exciting and different, then you'll probably enjoy it.
I done a bit of island exploring already and have found a few places that I was glad to see but probably won't go back to (St Martin, St Barths), others that I would go back in a heartbeat (Bermuda, Negril).
The list of those place I still want to go is long - Nevis, Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia (I have a friend who just raves about it, but she's never been to STJ), sleepy islands of the Bahamas - not grand bahama or freeport again thank you, and on and on.
I think I am just too nosey to not try anything else out. Just like I won't stay in the same house twice on STJ, I doubt I will ever just say that's it I am not going anywhere else but STJ from now on. Though I completely can understand the kind of personality that would choose that route.
However, if you go to ___________ (insert tropical locale here) thinking its gonna be STJ, you'll be disappointed. If you go thinking this is new and exciting and different, then you'll probably enjoy it.
I done a bit of island exploring already and have found a few places that I was glad to see but probably won't go back to (St Martin, St Barths), others that I would go back in a heartbeat (Bermuda, Negril).
The list of those place I still want to go is long - Nevis, Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia (I have a friend who just raves about it, but she's never been to STJ), sleepy islands of the Bahamas - not grand bahama or freeport again thank you, and on and on.
I think I am just too nosey to not try anything else out. Just like I won't stay in the same house twice on STJ, I doubt I will ever just say that's it I am not going anywhere else but STJ from now on. Though I completely can understand the kind of personality that would choose that route.
I feel the sam way mrsb.
I have been a few other places but I like STJ way better. I am supposed to be planning a possible trip to Hawaii in the Spring of 2008 and I can't get excited about it with 2 STJ trips coming up.
I can't find an active and informative forum about Hawaii either (haven't looked too much though).
I have been a few other places but I like STJ way better. I am supposed to be planning a possible trip to Hawaii in the Spring of 2008 and I can't get excited about it with 2 STJ trips coming up.
I can't find an active and informative forum about Hawaii either (haven't looked too much though).
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obsessedmuch
Mrsb, I was spoiled after only a day.
Really, though, I think all the places you mentioned have their attractive qualities. I've been to the Hawaiian islands several times and though I could do without a Honolulu trip again, Maui, Kauai and even the North Shore of Oahu were all nice. They're just different, so maybe try not to compare. I've also spent time in the Bahamas and the Out Islands of the Bahamas and if you like stretches of beaches and things like that (which I think might be the attraction of other Caribbean islands, as well) then that's actually quite nice.
Sort of like Flip Flop, I'll always want to see new places but as for repeat visits, well that's probably not going to happen everywhere.
Really, though, I think all the places you mentioned have their attractive qualities. I've been to the Hawaiian islands several times and though I could do without a Honolulu trip again, Maui, Kauai and even the North Shore of Oahu were all nice. They're just different, so maybe try not to compare. I've also spent time in the Bahamas and the Out Islands of the Bahamas and if you like stretches of beaches and things like that (which I think might be the attraction of other Caribbean islands, as well) then that's actually quite nice.
Sort of like Flip Flop, I'll always want to see new places but as for repeat visits, well that's probably not going to happen everywhere.
I will try to force myself away from St John one of these times. There are so many things that are easy about it though. It is a shorter flight than Hawaii or Fiji. We are not restricted to staying "at the resort". However, if I can calm my butt down I think I could lie on a beach day after day being served fruity drinks. Seriously folks, I am so high strung (I am type A all the way and sometimes I hate it), it takes a day or two for me to relax and just be. I should take some swimming lessons too. That travel show scared me poopless and has me thinking I will drown if I try to swim in the Pacific 
It also does not help that Mrb keeps looking at businesses for sale in St John 
It also does not help that Mrb keeps looking at businesses for sale in St John When will I see St John again?
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LandLockedBeachLover
- Posts: 374
- Joined: Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:16 am
- Location: St. Louis, MO
You know, I was always of the thought that I would NEVER want to vacation at the same place every year. However, when my then-boyfriend (now husband) took me to the VI's back in 2004 -- I have no desire to go anywhere else! I am perfectly content with the idea of going back time and again to such a beautiful place and have such a great sense of nostalgia about the VI's! And this forum helps for between my "fixes" 
! The great thing about the VI's is that there is SO much to explore on the various islands, that each time we go there is always something new to see!
Spoiled, yes! And LOVIN EVERY MINUTE OF IT
! The great thing about the VI's is that there is SO much to explore on the various islands, that each time we go there is always something new to see!Spoiled, yes! And LOVIN EVERY MINUTE OF IT
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
Yes, you are spoiled! But you are not alone!
Hubby & I travelled all over the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, etc., etc. then we found the Virgin Islands and STJ. The Islands are all different and offer things that the others don't. We personally wouldn't go back to Hawaii unless there was a special reason. It's a very long trip and we found the Islands expensive and too touristy. If you are looking for a week of total relaxation and pampering, the all inclusive resorts offer thinngs that STJ doesn't. We have wonderful, fond memories of so many places; I wouldn't trade those times for a month on STJ. There is better snorkeling, pretty resorts, and touristy things on other islands.
For us the villa vacationing suits us to a "T", the National Park Beaches are perfect for fair skinned me, and the ease of travelling within the U.S. makes it so simple. We have simply put, fallen head over heels in love with STJ.
You might want to try some other places, you really should. But STJ may always pull you back, give it a try and see what's out there!!
Just my thoughts.........
Jan (akaCharlie)
Hubby & I travelled all over the Caribbean, Bahamas, Hawaii, etc., etc. then we found the Virgin Islands and STJ. The Islands are all different and offer things that the others don't. We personally wouldn't go back to Hawaii unless there was a special reason. It's a very long trip and we found the Islands expensive and too touristy. If you are looking for a week of total relaxation and pampering, the all inclusive resorts offer thinngs that STJ doesn't. We have wonderful, fond memories of so many places; I wouldn't trade those times for a month on STJ. There is better snorkeling, pretty resorts, and touristy things on other islands.
For us the villa vacationing suits us to a "T", the National Park Beaches are perfect for fair skinned me, and the ease of travelling within the U.S. makes it so simple. We have simply put, fallen head over heels in love with STJ.
You might want to try some other places, you really should. But STJ may always pull you back, give it a try and see what's out there!!
Just my thoughts.........
Jan (akaCharlie)
Yes, we are spoiled! I have been to several other tropical places...St. Maarten, Jamaica, Bahama's and I NEVER am able to find the "total package" like STJ. Some places are too dangerous to walk around on your own, why would I want to be afraid on my vacation? Some are so party oriented that you never get that tropical lazy feel. Everytime I give up a STJ vacation to try somewere new, I always end up wanting to kick myself in the a$$!
Bug
Bug
I understand where you are coming from. We have been to a few other tropical places in the Caribbean and Mexico and keep coming back to STJ.
We did like Provo, Turks and Caicos for the beaches, snorkeling and the people. Three years ago it was possible to rent a brand new, 3 BR/2 bath beach front house with a pool for $3,000. That is pretty tough to beat.
There was a beautiful reef directly in front of the house we rented and we spent lots of time snorkelling. This trip was for my mom's 50th b-day. The first time we she went to St. John, she said "aren't we staying on the beach like Provo?"
The island residents were great. Each time we went to eat or to a bar, we ended up talking to belongers, as they came themselves. Because of the non-resident employment restrictions, the standard of living is high and the residents are more than happy to be making lots of money off the tourists.
The down side is that the only tax is on imports, which makes food and booze extremely expensive. Also, the island is condo-crazy, the developments are sprouting up everywhere.
We did like Provo, Turks and Caicos for the beaches, snorkeling and the people. Three years ago it was possible to rent a brand new, 3 BR/2 bath beach front house with a pool for $3,000. That is pretty tough to beat.
There was a beautiful reef directly in front of the house we rented and we spent lots of time snorkelling. This trip was for my mom's 50th b-day. The first time we she went to St. John, she said "aren't we staying on the beach like Provo?"
The island residents were great. Each time we went to eat or to a bar, we ended up talking to belongers, as they came themselves. Because of the non-resident employment restrictions, the standard of living is high and the residents are more than happy to be making lots of money off the tourists.
The down side is that the only tax is on imports, which makes food and booze extremely expensive. Also, the island is condo-crazy, the developments are sprouting up everywhere.
Once we found st john, we were spoiled too. We went to St Kitts next and boy, those beaches were nothing like st john! We found ourselves constantly comparing. But we did find that when we allowed ourselves to just enjoy how different and new it was, we loved it. In fact we loved it even more after we got home and thought about it! Barbados was our next stop, and though the beaches and food were great, the snorkelling and the TRAFFIC were terrible! Again, we thought of comparing, but when we allowed ourselves to enjoy that it was different, we had fun. However, we are back to st john this summer. 
Maybe I need to watch more travel show, MrsB, but what is it that has you afraid to swim in the Pacific?
We haven't traveled very much in the Carribean so I would still like to explore some other islands just for the experience. We loved Hawaii (Maui and Lana'i in particular and the North Shore of Oahu) but it is very different than STJ. Except for Lana'i, Hawaii is built-up, but the beaches are still beautiful and there are places where you can get away from the crowds if you want to.
We haven't traveled very much in the Carribean so I would still like to explore some other islands just for the experience. We loved Hawaii (Maui and Lana'i in particular and the North Shore of Oahu) but it is very different than STJ. Except for Lana'i, Hawaii is built-up, but the beaches are still beautiful and there are places where you can get away from the crowds if you want to.
...ron
Time to start working on convincing the wife that we have to go back soon!
Time to start working on convincing the wife that we have to go back soon!
This is a long explanation, here goes:
I have never been a swimmer really. Grandparents had a pool, would kick around in the pool but nothing crazy. We went to the Jersey Shore many times as kids but again really not much swimming going on, can't see what's in the water so I stay near the shoreline. I avoid the pool in high school and take summer gym instead. Pretty much never done any ocean swimming and oh yes, I have never been able to float either. I also had pneumonia 3 times as a child so I think maybe my lung capacity is compromised? In 2005 we go STT. We go to Coki beach and have a great time. Mrb gets in the water to snorkel and I follow then I say I am going back to the beach but I decide maybe I will keep snorkeling-bad idea. I am close to shore but not close enough and no MrB in sight. I start panicking. By dumb luck Mrb turns the corner and grabs me so I don't drown. Scary. So then I am watching a travel show this year about Hawaii and they continue to reiterate how it is not safe to swim here and here and there and don't stand on this point as a rogue wave could knock you off and more tourists drown in Hawaii than other tourist destinations because people underestimate the powerful waves. That was enough for me. I can swim just not for long and I can't float. It is embarrassing to have to wear floaties as an adult but I do it cuz I love the cool stuff underwater. That's my story. And Mrb is a fish, loves to be in the water. We are quite the odd couple.
I have never been a swimmer really. Grandparents had a pool, would kick around in the pool but nothing crazy. We went to the Jersey Shore many times as kids but again really not much swimming going on, can't see what's in the water so I stay near the shoreline. I avoid the pool in high school and take summer gym instead. Pretty much never done any ocean swimming and oh yes, I have never been able to float either. I also had pneumonia 3 times as a child so I think maybe my lung capacity is compromised? In 2005 we go STT. We go to Coki beach and have a great time. Mrb gets in the water to snorkel and I follow then I say I am going back to the beach but I decide maybe I will keep snorkeling-bad idea. I am close to shore but not close enough and no MrB in sight. I start panicking. By dumb luck Mrb turns the corner and grabs me so I don't drown. Scary. So then I am watching a travel show this year about Hawaii and they continue to reiterate how it is not safe to swim here and here and there and don't stand on this point as a rogue wave could knock you off and more tourists drown in Hawaii than other tourist destinations because people underestimate the powerful waves. That was enough for me. I can swim just not for long and I can't float. It is embarrassing to have to wear floaties as an adult but I do it cuz I love the cool stuff underwater. That's my story.
And Mrb is a fish, loves to be in the water. We are quite the odd couple.When will I see St John again?
One of our best friends who visits STJ with us has a fear of swimming. He's a larger/taller than life character. Once he found a swim vest that fit his XXXL frame he was hooked. This is more like a water skiing vest. If he feels the panic coming on, he just floats with his head above water for a while.
What got him comfortable with snorkeling is the little reef on the left point of Vie's beach. You can stand in sand and check out the reef critters.
Cheers, RickG
What got him comfortable with snorkeling is the little reef on the left point of Vie's beach. You can stand in sand and check out the reef critters.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
MrsB you sound like me and my husband in reverse. I came darn close to what I would consider saving his life! The panic in his eyes was frightening! After that I didn't care what he had to do to make himself comfortable in the water. I can't comprehend that he can't float but he can't. It just baffles my mind since it comes so naturally to me.
This is the big reason we don't want to do the all day excursion to the Baths or JVD.
This is the big reason we don't want to do the all day excursion to the Baths or JVD.
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California Girl
I was NEVER able to float... until I got to the VI! My head would float, but my feet would sink, so I was floating "standing up"! But once I got in the water in St. Thomas, I just laid back and floated and floated... even my feet floated! Love that super salty water!
Mrsb - I got caught in a really strong undertow in Hawaii a lonnng time ago. I was trying to get out of the water, but the waves were really strong and kept pulling me back out. I know that panic feeling. Most of the time in Hawaii, I did just fine, but there ARE those places. I think if you choose your spot wisely, and find a nice calm bay you wouldn't have a problem. Also, wear those floaties if you want... it's not a fashion contest! If you're having a good time, there's no room for the word "geek".
Mrsb - I got caught in a really strong undertow in Hawaii a lonnng time ago. I was trying to get out of the water, but the waves were really strong and kept pulling me back out. I know that panic feeling. Most of the time in Hawaii, I did just fine, but there ARE those places. I think if you choose your spot wisely, and find a nice calm bay you wouldn't have a problem. Also, wear those floaties if you want... it's not a fashion contest! If you're having a good time, there's no room for the word "geek".