2) We'll be dining out only a few nights; any recommendations for a restaurant with good views, nice atmosphere, great food, but no too pricey?

Shar-

good views and not too pricey? That's tough....good views an pricey go hand in hand.

Deals on rum? KMart!

The grocery store I enjoy shopping and not too far for you is Marina Market...
I always enjoy my dinner and the view at Room with a View...
I have purchased jewerly at Cardow and did not have any problems. I did purchase a new diamond setting for my engagment ring and the diamonds turned a cloudy yellow color. (it wasn't a cheap setting and did not look anything like it when I bought it) I purchased it from one of the smaller venders on main street. I can't remember the name of the place. It could be I just bad luck on my part-but thought I would mention it.

We spent our 25th anniversary on St. John and went diamond shopping on St. Thomas. Diamonds Intl. had the best prices. There are several Diamonds Intl. stores in the main shopping district. The farther down the street we went...the cheaper the prices were for the same ring. We learned a lesson...find what you like at one store and get the other stores to beat the previous price. We saved about $300 for the same ring. Also, Dimonds Intl. has an excellent warranty. My wife lost a diamond out of the ring that we bought. We sent it to New York for repair and they replaced the diamond at no charge.

Have fun!!!

I, and several others I know, have had very good luck buying jewelry at a small store called Imperial Jewelers. Everything we have purchased there has appraised for much more than we paid for it, and have never had any problems with quality or cusomer service. Friends and family through the years have bought numerous pieces such as rings-diamond and colored stones, diamond bracelets, earrings and slides.

Enjoy your trip.

Hello Shar,

1. Since you have a rental car drive out to Tutu area and you can grocery shop at Cost U Less for bulk things (if you want a case of little bottles of water to take to the beach with you ect.). Also in that area is Plaza Extra and K-mart. There is a K-mart closer to you just passed Havensight (where the cruise ships are), its easy to spot where you can pick up alcohol and some food products and snacks.

2. Dining out a few nights. (Your pricey might not be my pricey, so you might give an idea of how much you want the dinner for two to cost so we can give better suggestions in the that price range.) In any case I would suggest Banana Tree Grill for you aniversary dinner - tell them its your anniversary when you make the reservations and request window seating. A bit of a drive but you might try Blue Moon Cafe for dinner or maybe a lunch and then you can have a beach day at Secret Harbor Beach (which is where Blue Moon Cafe is located).

3. Diamonds International is a good choice but as suggested shop around; there are lots of jewerly stores in Charlotte Amalie so just walk around and note the ones you like and the prices and the store name and then go to another shop and compare.

4. A leather brief case you might try Little Switzerland, I beleive they have a Coach boutique but haven't been there in a long while so can't say what they have in terms of selection. Perfumes you can shop around on this too but I find the prices at each store are pretty consistant and if they are different its only by a couple dollars. You can look in AH Riise or Tropicana for perfume, but there are several other stores as well. If you like shopping then you might visit a couple boutiques. Rum and alcohol, K-mart has good prices.

5. Live lobster; You can try heading to Fort Mylner Shopping area, there are usually one or two fishermen there, go in the am and see if they have any lobster, they always have fish and sometimes lobster and when in season conch and whelks. There is a small fish market area by Lionel Roberts Stadium but you have to get their bright and early to catch the fishermen.

--Islander