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I don't want to take up everybodys time with a full trip report, so I'll be short and sweet. Islands visited: STT, STJ, Jost, STX. First, St. John is the most beautiful island I have ever been on. The beaches are pristine, and it looks like everyone there tries hard to keep it that way. Our vow renewal was perfect at Cinnamon. St. Thomas was beautiful too, CA got little busy with the cruise ships and "tourists" our last day, but it was all good. Jost was awesome, how could a place with a population of around 180 not be, Foxy was very accommodating on Halloween and the CAT fight was pretty cool. And now to St. Croix, we took the Seaplane over Nov. 2, and was prepared to explore the island and all it had to offer, but apparently the government decided to call this day a holiday, and literally almost everything was closed. All of our tours were cancelled, we ended up renting a car and made the best of it. All in all it was a great trip.
Welcome to the Virgin Islands, the islands where the government holds the record in observing holidays!
Because this is a US territory, local holidays, as well as US holidays are observed. You just happened to have been here on D. Hamilton Jackson Day.
So the lesson is, check for local holidays when planning a trip (anywhere - not just VI).
Glad to hear you had a good trip!
There was a great "Bull and Bread Day" party on St Croix for the holiday while you were there - speeches, food and drink, music - but the holiday was island wide, STT and STJ observed as well I think.
Hello Mike,
Thanks for the review. If you are inclined to do a full trip report please do, they are a treat. Lots of folks find them useful to their own trip planning and those that don't have a trip planned live vicariously through others' reports.
About the holiday & St. Croix: I remember you asked about visiting the first week of November and if there was anything you should know about besides the STJ ferry issues... didn't really think about holidays and that was likely the case for others that read that thread. The holiday is November 1st, but that was a Sunday so it was celebrated on Monday. It is celebrated more on St. Croix then on St. Thomas/St. John. I am surprised the tours you had inquired about didn't let you know of the holiday beforehand. In any case, glad you were able to make the best of it by renting a car and touring on your own. If you want to read about the holiday here is an article: D. Hamilton Jackson Day.
Congrats on your vow renewal, wonderful to hear that it was perfect and that the trip was great.
--Islander
List of vi holidays
http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays2009/virgin_islands__u_s_.htm
