If you want to go to Coral Bay and STILL do other things, then get a car. I lived in Coral bay until last May and although you CAN take a bus there for a buck, it's not advisable unless you're just going for lunch, then back.

The best place in my opinion to rent a car on St. John is C & C car rental, they have good rates, rent small Suzuki Jeeps and you can leave the car out front if they're closed when you leave. The last Ferry from St. John back to St. Thomas is 11PM. AND, understand that if you rent a vehicle on St. Thomas and take the CAR BARGE to St. John, it 47 bucks round trip and the LAST Car Barge back to STT is 6:30PM.

Hope this helps.

BE BLESSED!!!!!

Dylan, you're a breath of fresh air around here. Glad to hear your imput.

Lizard;o)

Lulu...i agree with you and intend to check those busses when i'm down there.

STT....last I heard the USVI's were owned by the US. Didn't know there were different customs. When you come to Philly will you say Hey?? How are ya???

Yes, Connie, there ARE different customs here. And I have indeed been to PA. Oh Lordy Lordy! I can do nothing but just shake my old head! Nighty-night!

Connie, Thanks for the kind words. And I must agree with STT on the greeting thing. People here in the islands tend to be fanatical about proper greetings; ie:

GOOD MORNING

GOOD AFTERNOON

GOOD EVENING

Alot of times, depending on where you are, you will not even get answered without using these greetings.

Hi Dylan, yes we greet that way in the VI's. I'm not saying that I don't do it...it just feels somewhat strange to say it.

Boy, you guys stay up late. I had already thought STT went to bed.

I'm smiling at this lively conversation.

When I was a little girl, I was always expected to 'speak' when I entered a room and found others there. And, while it's not necessary to say exactly "good morning -afternoon - evening", etc., it is considered polite to acknowledge those you meet on entering a room - or even if you brush through personal space. The prevailing aspect of this particular society is very genteel, in my opinion. The world could use a bit more of that...

I know we are not supposed to correct grammar here, according to the forum guidelines, but I also try to correct those who refer to St. John as "St. Johns" or "St. John's" since it's something I'd want to know myself.

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, AND Good Evening!

To the original poster about renting a 4-wheel drive, I always think about the
possibility of it raining, or having had recently rained. Having a 4-wheel drive certainly
helps in that type of situation, as you will find yourself in some sort of muddy puddle at some point. The roads
can be steep and slippery. And, on dry days, you'll no doubt be getting into the soft sand close to some of
the beaches.
Also, having your own car makes it easier to take a cooler, go shopping and leave the bags of goodies in
the car while you are off to eat or explore somewhere.
Too bad you have just one day, but hey, you're lucky.
Have a great time!! And, remember to drive on the left, Ha!!

Guy Benjamin has written about the importance of formal greetings in West Indian culture. He also points out that just because I greet someone properly, it won't necessarily make them want to be my friend or serve as a secret password to get me what I want quickly. But it will demonstrate to people that I was raised properly. It's also more involved than simply blurting out "Good morning", then rushing on with my business. It's taking the time to engage another person in a slow, respectful way. It's also a different communication style. I think ADavis's post is really illuminating on this and I particularly appreciated the description of the culture as "genteel".

The issue of "St Johns"---Personally, I never correct posters. I generally know what they mean and feel i'll give them a break, that they'll pick it up. I do think it's fine to do so when it's done with a light, helpful touch. When it's not done in that spirit, and occasionally it isn't, I think it uncalled for.

"Foreign"----well, of course the USVI is not "foreign" in the political sense. It's US territory. That's probably the most common meaning for the word "foreign". As far as being culturally different than the U.S. mainland, it obviously is. But I think it's pretty easy to figure out what the posters meant to say (just like with "St Johns")

I think some posters sit crouching in the weeds waiting for an opportunity to slam people. There seems to be a small group of posters who are generally engaged in arguing, insulting, bickering. I'm often curious if their online interactions are reflective how they interact in the rest of their life or if this just provides an outlet for those weirder parts of personalities.

Thanks Lex... if I'd gone further I would have made sure to let folks know that they should not take the welcoming nature of Caribbean people (in this case Virgin Islanders) as a license to be "forward"; to touch, approach physically, or ask probing personal questions.

Nor does it give one the right to barrel through as though the person does not exist. It does not take away from anyone or anything to be nice.

Part of what I enjoyed when we first started going to the Caribbean was experiencing a different culture. STJ has become so Americanized that the West Indian culture (and population) is lincreasingly less apparent than when we first visited. We recently spent a week on Virgin Gorda, which we liked very much. It's gorgeous, but we also really enjoyed feeling that we'd stepped into the old Caribbean. It seemed that the local population is still very much in control of their island. Indeed, the word "local" is used quite differently there than on STJ. West Indians own and run most of the businesses on VG. It was also very much low season, so few tourists were on the island. It was very clear that we were guests in a very different culture than our own and I've always found that an extremely rich experience.

Connie,

SOME OF US stay up late here. I'm a musician, I'm used to working until LATE, although that isn't the case here for the most part. But I have to stay in shape for when I go home to Nashville to either tour or record or whatever.

But nonetheless..............................................

OKAY, I'm off to have a BUSHWHACKER.......................................

Dylan, if you register I can pm you.

Have a bushwacker for me. I'll have one in 12 days.

Okay Connie, I'm all registered and stuff now so pm away if you want. Y'all have a safe trip down and holler at me.

BE BLESSED,

Dylan