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Hi everyone!
I have been going to St. Thomas for two consecutive weeks annually since 1997. Each year I say that I will take a day trip to the BVIs, however I've never yet done so. It seems that there's so much to do on St. Thomas. Sometimes it's even an effort to get to St. John for a day. Although we almost always do get there.
Here's the scenario: We get up and linger over coffee on the terrace gazing out at the Caribbean, watching the boats, looking to see if St. Croix is visible that day. We discuss the daily plans.
"So, do you want to go to St. John today?"
"Sure! Sounds great!"
"People ferry or car ferry?"
"I don't care...Oh look, there goes the Atlantis sub out to Buck Island!"
"Oh, yeah, and look at that beautiful catamaran. We should go out on one of them one of these days."
"yeah...."
"More coffee?"
"Sure. It's getting hot. I'm getting my suit on and going down for a swim. No one's on the beach. I'll bring the coffee with me."
"Good idea. I'll join you."
And there goes the morning. After some swimming, snorkeling and liming on our beach we get hungry and plan a trip to Coki or Sapphire or Secret Harbour or riding out west or to the northside or going downtown or something because it's too late to make a big excursion.
Perhaps we're more "relaxers" than "doers," just enjoying that time away from the hustle and hassle of our everyday working lives.
But I am curious about one thing. Why do so many first time visitors to St. Thomas or St. John have such a need to go on excursions to the BVIs? Most visit for about a week. Doesn't the "home" island have enough to keep them there for 7 days? In all these years I've never felt I missed out on anything during vacation. In fact, I still have a list of "to do" things on St. Thomas. I want to get to the BVIs and I'm sure I will. Perhaps this year. But I don't think a single vacation has been incomplete because I've not left the island.
Just wonderin'
First time we went on a boat trip to the BVI's, I was blown away. It was just beautiful, the boat ride alone. Seeing Jost Van Dyke, the Baths (gorgeous)! It's something different and gets you off the island, onto the sea. It allows you to see different things.
The BVI's are so gorgeous, that our next trip will be a sailing trip in the BVI's
Relaxing is great and we can fit that in, but when i'm down the islands, I want to get out on the ocean.
You are not alone. I could just lay on the beach, snorkel & swim a bit for months without getting bored. We usually only rent a car one or two days a week to do some shopping, take a drive over to Coki or just around and go out to eat. We always do a dinner cruise during our stay, but we catch that right at Sapphire. Relaxing is an art form that some just never master, but you and I have it down. Slackers unite!
I am an explorer and want to see as much as I can. The Baths and Jost sound particularly strikig, so I will head there. Much of it has to do with being out on the water to get these places, then once there relax. Other days will be exactly like you described. Until I moved away from the west coast, I went to Hawaii every year. Like you, my days were spent just hanging around. I didn't feel compelled to do everthing because I knew I'd be back the following year. With STT, I have no idea when I will be back there, so I would like to see certain places in case it is a long time before I return. If the islands were not so close together and ferry service not as frequent, then I would probably not leave the island. Hawaii is a good example - with some limited exceptions, it is not convenient to hop on a boat and see multiple islands during a vacation.
As far as just getting on a boat for a day - to me that is more relaxing than just staying on the beach.
Gerie-
One thing that I tell people about when they go STJ, is that there are a lot of plans to make if you're up to it. Most of the time during our one week a year trip, we talk about "plans", yet don't particularly follow through with them. Mostly because wherever we happen to be is gorgeous and relaxing.
I've been on an excursion,or two, and it can be a real treat seeing the islands from the water, aside from the ferry ride to/from. Not to mention the wonderful destinations to behold.
Making plans can be a real motivator during the shared time in paradise, but I'm also easily lulled into the "island time" lifestyle, and am often asked if I'm 'ok', as I fall head over heals into relaxation. This past April, for instance, I completely lost track of the days of the week, and was told that it was Thursday, when I completely thought it was Wednesday. Silly 'for instance', I guess, but to me , I just lost an entire day!
I think we agree that none of it sucks, and it's all sublime and beautiful. If it was up to me, I'd have my butt planted on the beach for 7 straight days, much like your way-cool picture by your name. We're doing our best to get back in October, and I can't wait.
See you on the beach-
Smiles-
MJ
cdamion, You make a good point about knowing a return visit is in store. I know, owning a timeshare there, that I'll be back each year. As a matter of fact, we plan to retire on one of the Virgin Islands in a few years. So perhaps that mindset makes us not rush out to do everything during our two week stay. We always get at least one day sailing around St. Thomas and St. John and the surrounding islands, and we enjoy exploring different places on those two islands, getting to see them and all they have to offer, getting to meet people who live there and understand what the island is about.
I still think that St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix is each in itself a wonderful destination with so much to do and see. I think when I do get to see the BVIs they will be my destination, just as Connie plans to do. Then I'll get to really see them, not just on short stops at a couple of touristy spots. Kind of why I don't think I'd like cruising either.
However one enjoys the Virgin Islands, I've almost never heard of a bad vacation. I'm starting to excitedly count down to my August trip.
We never got to the BVI until our third trip to STJ. We'd thought about going sooner, but there was always so much that we wanted to do and see on STJ that we just never left the island. We've been going there for over 20 years and there's still stuff on my list to see on STJ.
Gerie,
Your scenario sounds almost exact to ours. We've been going to STT for two weeks since 1999, and have been to STJ three times, Water Island twice, we say we're going to make it to the BVI's but just run out of time. We spend alot of time on STT revisiting places we've been in past years, just because we enjoy them so much, but we somehow seem to be able to find new spots to explore, and places to hang out that we never knew were there, and we put many, many miles on the car exploring. We also enjoy sending time with the friends we've made on STT over the years, it's always a good time just to sit, relax and enjoy their company. I guess we really haven't felt that we had to leave STT to make our visit complete.
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Gerie,
You remind me of me, only I'm not doing the relaxing part! lol! I have lived here for 26 years and have only been to Tortola once on a day trip and never anywhere else outside of St. John a few times when I have guests or a wedding to do and St. Croix a couple of times to go over and help a friend work on his house! Mind you, I WANT to go over to the Baths, etc. badly, but never seems to be a priority! If we get out on the boat, it is to go fishing! I have only gone out a few times with our visitors to actually go snorkeling of bays off STT! This I LOVE to do! I have been telling my honey for a couple of YEARS now, that I want to go and see some other things! There is no excuse for it since I LIVE HERE!!!!!! 🙂
As for my guests, I have mostly doers. Once in a while, I have guests that hardly go anywhere and simply stay and hang out at the villas! I can certainly understand why they do this (hang out). How relaxing!
STT and STJ are nice destinations for the reasons of going Island hopping tho, we are so close to so many Islands and it is easy for these little side trips to take place and to see more than you even bargained for! Thing is, for some of these people, it is the only trip they will be taking to the area and how nice for them to see it all!
So many perspectives! 🙂
Will have to meet you next time you are here!
Gerie,
If we didn't have a boat that allowed us to visit all the other islands, I think we would have just stayed on STJ and visited STT. As some people have mentioned island gravity hits frequently when you are on island. Years ago we went to White Bay on Jost. Now that it has become a mega tourist spot and loads of people and boats i doubt that we will ever go there again. So many of the little harbors that we used to go to are full of nearby islanders with loads of kids and runabouts that are noisy and somewhat dangerous.
If you have never been to the BVI it's no big deal. It really is a boaters paradise. The Baths on VG are beautiful but they also have become a major tourist attraction.
I'll tell you more stories when I see you in August. Can we settle on the 12th at T&T?
Sherri come along and meet some of the former AOLer's. And by the way, have you heard anything from Blu. I miss her comments, stories and pictures.
When I go some place new, I like to explore and try to get a feel for the area. We did all kinds of boat trips and resort visits etc when we started going to STT. That was over twenty-five years ago, and I am glad we did it. The last few years we have done STJ a few times because my wife loved it, but mostly just relax on the beach.
At this time my wife is very restricted as to what she can do physically, so we wouldn't be able to do now what we did in the past. She is not that old, but sometimes medical problems develop very quickly.
My advice is to do things while you can, the beach will still be there and you can enjoy that part forever.
mspolhman,
Talked with Blu last month and talked for quite some time! More catching up to do! She came on the forum briefly and then disappeared again! She has been very busy.... I miss here here too! Keep hoping she'll show up!
June 12th? Another gathering? I would love to, but if it is the 12th of June, I won't be on Island! Going to AK and my first time going someplace differant than back home! Keep me posted!
Hi all,
Well, I am one of the fortunate and live on STT. Before we moved back down, we usually stayed on STJ, rented house and had a great time. Since I have been back, I do have a "commute" to Tortola every 2-3 weeks. I take the Roadtown Fast Ferry. Zips me from STT waterfront to Roadtown (leaves 9:05AM and arrives 10:15 AM). I sometimes stay the day (;eave same ferry @ 2:30 PM) or overnight @ Maria's by the Sea. Tortola is a grand island to visit. We have sailed here frequently in the past and love all the BVI - my absolute favorite is Anegada.
Each island has it's own story so it all depends how you want to venture out......it's just nice to know you have choices!
Sherri
Thanks for the info on Blu. I do think that we will be getting together on Aug. 12th. Do come!
Marie....So far each of the former AOL regulars who plans to be on island has agreed on August 12. I'm sure if Sherri is around that weekend it will be possible to coax her to come along as well, right Sherri? I'd be looking forward to seeing an Islander again also. And it will be great to meet any others who care to join us.
I know, it seems so far away, and who can plan that far in advance? Well, I can!!! I start planning my next visit as soon as I get off the plane coming back home. I've even got a plan to get to the BVIs this year. Maybe. Or next year.
Gerie
Looking forward to the get together. Right now I'm not sure where I am staying on STJ. My usual place is occupied for the summer. But have no fear I will be there!
Years ago we went to White Bay on Jost. Now that it has become a mega tourist spot and loads of people and boats i doubt that we will ever go there again. So many of the little harbors that we used to go to are full of nearby islanders with loads of kids and runabouts that are noisy and somewhat dangerous.
Marie,
I can so relate. We were lucky enough to live in PR in the late 70s and made numerous trips to the bvi in the 80s. JVD has changed the most. We were there a few months ago and we had a blast with our friends that have never been, but honestly my wife and I had a tear in our eyes from memories of years gone by. Greturde was the only place on white bay and it was an honor bar. Most days she was no where to be seen.
We saved are money for 18 months and had enough to stay at Little Dix for 3 nights. Wow - a boat would take you to Honeymoon or the Baths and drop you off with a lunch and come back and pick you up 4 or 5 hours later. In fact my wife skied the whole way form Little Dix to the Baths... Me not so far ... 🙂
But once you got there it was only you and the one you loved and no hand rails, no T-shirts for sale, or beach merchants... Not saying it is bad, but so glad I could enjoy then...
1979 - the only thing different is no people
Yes STT and STJ have also changed... I will never forget Carnival 1978 in CA, but the changes have been evolutionary in the USVI vice revolutionary in the BVI
BTW - I had some nice looking legs in 79? 😉
Hi there! My niece is visiting me on Aug 12th (arrives the 11th), but I am guessing I might be able to convince her to come! Have to also make sure I am not working at the time! Will put it in my calender! 🙂
Gerie, when are you coming down?
Tom-
Classic pic's. Beautiful...
Thanks!
Smiles-
MJ
Mid-week on the beach in front of Gertrudes on Jost is the most glorious thing ever. 😎 We've been around the world to beautiful beaches with water the colors many people only dream about. This has to be one of our favorites - but only if you like relaxing. Jost could be boring for some - but limin' is the ticket here! Weekends are CRAZY with much partying, so if you're going to do it, take the midweek advice! Beautiful.....it's always hard to take that ferry back. Last time we stayed a few days.
