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Well, the time has finally arrived! After much planning and anticipation we leave for St. John on Friday. Many of you (are you there Blu) gave me much needed advice when I was planning this trip and for that I am very grateful. Now if my son's flight just arrives on time Thursday night so we can turn him around and leave at 5 Friday morning all will be well! This is our first villa experience and we hope it will be the first of many. I am not shlepping food down with us. I will go grocery shopping when we arrive (we get in early afternoon) and plan on breakfast at the villa, picnic lunches most days and dinner out.....always. We will stock snacks and drinks. Though it might be a little cheaper to bring some stuff with us I'd rather travel light. Am I being naive? As for packing I'm trying my best to get my family to travel really light. My daughter usually packs much of what she owns and I'm really trying to get her to edit. Is it true that they can go into most restaurants in shorts, even for dinner? I mean nice shorts and polo shirts, not basketball shorts and t-shirts. We have dinner reservations at Ocean Grill and La Tapa for Christmas Eve and Christmas. I will be reconfirming all reservations this week, including checking in with Caribbean Villas regarding making sure that all appliances are in working order at Orchid Villa. Actually, all I care about is the washer/dryer so that we can really pack light. Is there anything I should absolutely not forget? CV booked our Jeep Liberty with Paris Car Rental. Haven't heard much about them on this board (or any others), but that's where they arranged it and when I called around to the more popular places they had no availability for CHristmas week. Hope it's ok. We have cash, cc's, passports, confirmations, plane tickets, bug spray and dive gear. Any other MUST NOT FORGETS? Or things that will be so prohibitively expensive that I should give in and bring from home? Thanks to everyone who helped me make the villa selection and have shared their own experiences with me.
You forgot The most important thing stuff me in your bag. Have good time and slow down take time to enjoy yourselves and above all relax your on Island time
I don't know what type cameras you use but film, underwater & regular disposables as well as batteries are much cheaper in the States than down here so you might want to bring those with you.
Enjoy your stay!
Hi lwbe.....you sound ready!! I am so excited for all of you holiday travelers. I know it has been a long time coming! yes, you can absolutely wear your shorts and shirts into the restaurants. I have not dined at Ocean Grill, but enjoy La Tapa a great deal!
I like your idea of breakfast at the villa, picnic lunches and dinners out. You'll be fine without taking food. Just don't give the prices too much thought.....and if you are from the East or West Coast cities, the prices may seem absolutely reasonable. I have found some things to be cheaper down there.
So, since today is Sunday - you can now say "hey, I'm going to St John THIS week!". I always get a kick out of doing that just before a trip. I ask my kids "hey, what do you want to do tomorrow?'....and since they know the game, they'll reply "welllllll, why don't we just go to St Thomas?!". Or we do the "Next week this time we'll be on Magens Bay!'...or wherever. I'm sure others do this, too. FUN1
I like to make the week before the vacation part of the vacation...trying to extend it as much as possible 🙂 Start to slow your mind down.....take time to breathe deeply and get yourself relaxed a few days before your departure.
In years past, I would pack the night before and be so darned frazzled that I had to take a day or two just to wind down on the trip. No more! Now I pack in advance and clean the house so that I have a few days at home to begin the decompression. You sound so organized already....so I'm sure you'll be dreaming of beaches and bushwackers by Wednesday!
I don't think you have forgotten anything....and, if you do, you'll probably find it there or not need it anyway. Maybe pack a magazine for reading on the plane...but you can grab that at the airport.
Have an amazing trip!!! Enjoy every moment!
Thanks for all the great thoughts and advice. I'm trying to get the wind down started now, but with packing and getting the holiday cards out and convincing my daughter that she still has school and papers and no, she isn't on vacation yet, it's a little hard. I will try to pack earlier rather than later so that we can depart in an "island frame of mind!" We are from a NYC suburb, so I doubt the prices will shock us, but I already prepared my husband that we are really 5 adults eating at real restuarants every night. He claims to understand! And since 2 of my 3 kids are over 18, that means 4 people drinking too....you know, its vacation and they don't come around all that often, especially with the whole family. My very best wishes for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season for all. We'll be thinking of you. And Blu, your advice during the villa selection process was invaluable. Don't know if we'd be so ready to go without your help.
Definitely pack lightly, you will be amazed at just how little clothing you will need. As far as groceries for breakfast and lunches, Starfish Market in Cruz Bay will have everyting you will need, Their selections are decent and the prices are a bit higher than mainland prices but not all that much. The Gourmet Market in Coral Bay is smaller but carries a good selection of beer and wines. The price difference is not worth dragging a supermarket along with you. If you plan to snorkel, you might want to bring your own mask and snorkel. A mask that fits well makes a big difference in the enjoyment. Don't drag the fins along, you can rent those rather reasonably. In my experience, most places take credit cards, so unless you are booking a daysail, you will need need bundles of cash.
Man, I am envious as all billy hell! I have only been back two months but have a bad case of island fever already.
Enjoy, and don't forget to post a trip report.
