USVI-On-Line

Let me preface this with a few comments. We are total newbies. We'd never been to St John, Greg (hubby) and have only been on a "beach" vacation once in 19 years of marriage, we'd only snorkeled twice before this trip, and I've never written a trip report before. Bear with me and remember that everything that is "old hat" for you, was all new to us!

We were up at 4:00AM, which is the middle of the night! I don't care that I get up at 5:00 AM everyday during the school year. Any time that starts with a 4 is night time!!

As soon as we pulled out of the subdivision, we hit and killed a raccoon/possum/groundhog type critter--unidentifiable because it was the middle of the night! Then we passed what had to be a fatal semi-truck/compact car accident on the highway. Bit of an ominous beginning, but everything only got better.

Happily, our daughter, Layne, is now 15 and we can all sit in the exit row! Important when Greg is 6'3", I'm 5'10" and Layne is still growing at 5'9". We have legs that need room. CVG to ATL--all three stretched out in the exit row! ATL to STT--overbooked and no way to change seats. Then, they announce that someone needs to move out of the exit row and are there any volunteers. Greg is entranced in his Time magazine until I hand him the boarding passes and shove him out of his seat. He sprints to the counter narrowly cutting off a SHORT woman who was trying to get MY legroom. He gets the seats and she glares at me until our flight takes off. PLEASE! She couldn't have been more than 5'5". She can sit in the petite section! Layne was still two rows behind us, but she didn't mind having less legroom in exchange for not being seen with parents.

Greg made the mistake of buying the "chicken" sandwich now offered for $8 on Delta. I've seen "chicken" nuggets that were more like chicken. It looked worse than those heat-and-eat sandwiches at the gas station.

We arrived in STT on time, got our bags in 35 minutes and piled into the taxi/van to Red Hook. The van was full, so I rode shotgun. At one point, the driver laughs and says to me "You don't have to hang onto the door. I drive these roads all the time." I told him to keep driving and I'd keep hanging on for my own piece of mind!

We get to the ferry dock at 3:20. No one comes to sell tickets for the 4:00 ferry until 3:53. Okay, I'm learning. . .island time! As soon as we got off the ferry we sent Layne up to stand near the webcam while we get the luggage. Nana and Papa were watching the webcam at home. (Retired parents scarily become stalkers--watching the neighborhood comings and goings, tracking our flight, watching for us for 20 minutes on the webcam--but that's another story)

Christie from Destination St John met us and walked us to St John Car Rental. We had rented a Liberty, but they gave us a Nitro. Great car, but more room than we needed, and parking that thing was a bit of a challenge at times. (Greg drives a small convertible, and I drive a small sedan at home, so any SUV feels huge to us) Greg followed Christie out to Point Rendevous. I thought he was going to need to change his shorts the first time he went up Jacob's Ladder, but he did great!

We rented Miles Away and it was the perfect house for our family and for our first visit to St John. Joe Pagan has already written so much, but it really is a great house! Layne loved having her own master, although she did try to negotiate for the poolside master!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659686372/" title="P7020085 by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/265 ... 344290.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="P7020085"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2658815787/" title="Miles Away Kitchen by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/265 ... 5975e1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Miles Away Kitchen"></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659647704/" title="Veranda from 2nd Master by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/265 ... ea4e0d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Veranda from 2nd Master"></a>

We unpacked and headed into town for an early dinner at Banana Deck--Mahi sandwich, Caribbean Chicken and seafood platter. I started to relax as the sun was setting and my tummy was full, although you can tell we're looking a bit worn after a day of travel.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8989379@N07/2659658444/" title="Dinner at Banana Deck by sharikellyburrows, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3114/265 ... d0ecd2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Dinner at Banana Deck"></a>

We stopped at Starfish on the way home to get a few groceries for breakfast, lunches and snacks. I was prepared for the sticker shock, but can you ever really be prepared for $9.69 gallons of OJ or the four Fuji apples I bought for $9.51? They were good apples,however, and I hoarded them all for myself

Back at the house, Greg and Layne went for a swim and I went to bed. It was going to take a couple of days, but I could already feel my pulse slowing down to island time. I'm "getting" it!

Great first report! Can not wait to read more.

Good job, Shari!!! and a good start! Can't wait to hear more.

Hey Shari,

Great start! Has anyone else noticed how many "families of three" visit the island? We have one child, she's going on fourteen, this summer will be her @9th trip, she has always found another "only child" to hang out with on the beaches. I don't know why this stands out to me?

Great photo's, keep the reports coming please!

Budman

Great report Shari - can't wait to hear more.

$10 avocados caused the shoppers in our group to opt not to have guacamole

One note, cases of water at Starfish are at least $5.00 more than at Pine Peace and Dolphin Market.

nothintolose

Wow, the photos and prose were wonderful. Both those of us with little experience on STJ and those with many trips to "St. Elsewhere" enjoy seeing the island with new eyes.

Keep it up. We are watching for the next installment.

JIM

Ya, very well written and good detail. The voyeurs say thanks!!!

I think Starfish has a few items that are a bit of a tourist test. Pine Peace Market just seems not to sell some of those items. Remember, dry black beans are just $0.99 per pound at Pine Peace! 5 pounds of flour is very cheap. The buttermilk is expensive, but pancakes for 8 made at the villa is cheaper than pancakes for 1 at the Donkey Diner.

Cheers, RickG

Great start thanks

Great first time report, Shari! Love seeing the island through newbies!

Hey, don't pay too much attention to the cost of food. I went to our farmer's market and bought 3 tomatoes, one yellow onion and a small container of strawberries for $25! The tomatoes were worth it for $6.00 for 3!

Very nice start! Glad you all enjoyed STJ. We went for the first time last year with our teenage daughter, and we all fell in love with it. Thanks for the report.

Terry, where do you live? I love fresh tomatoes, too, but $6 for 3? Yikes!

Isn't it funny how leaving our lives behind in the states and making our pilgrimage to STJ is often stressful but by the end of the night we are sinking into our seats with dinner on island and finally our reactions to the stresses of life decrease as the temperature and humidity go blessedly up?

You’re off to a great start. I luv reading “Newbie Reports” – it reminds us of the first time we stepped on STJ.

Very nice start. The house looks terrific.

Another 3-pack family chiming in, with an exit row question - is there an age restriction in the exit row seating?

We are ticketed in an exit row for the next trip. Between a 3 year old and a medicated spouse, an unexpected move and possibly being seperated would not be a good thing.

Well, being seperated from the 6'2" tranquilized family member would be ok, let him fall asleep on someone else's shoulder!

Miles Away continues to interest me.

Another family of 3! This August we're also taking my son's best friend, who has been to STJ before with his whole family and loved it. Great report and pics!

Yes, there are age restrictions on the exit row. Here are the categories of passengers who are not allowed to sit in the exit row (found online--not sure if this is up-to-date):

* Children under 12 (sometimes up to 15) years old
* Unaccompanied minors
* Infants
* Passengers with any physical or mental limitations that may affect a passenger's ability to perform the functions required to remove the door and/or clear the path in the case of an emergency
* Passengers traveling with a pet or service animal
* Passengers who do not feel comfortable with the idea of performing the necessary duties in the case of an emergency
* Passengers who do not speak any of the languages used by the crew on board (passengers in the exit row need to be able to understand safety instructions in the case of an emergency)
* Passengers who have requested additional assistance from the airline, whether it be assistance to or from the aircraft, additional assistance on board, etc.