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OK, I know this is not travel related and I may come across as a techno geek but have you sat back and thought about how good things are with the Internet? It has become such a daily part of our lives we take what it provides for granted. Of course it won't solve all the worlds problems and probably added some but we are communicating about the USVI as if we all live 'around the corner'.
Prior to the early 90's (other than for residents), the only way any of us could see scenes of the islands was through a travel brochure or our own albums. Forget about what a villa or restaurant were like or what to expect when we got there. Now we live through others visits, learn about places to stay, get updated restaurant ratings and (heaven forbid) even check the weather before leaving home.
When my wife and I first started going to the USVI, none of this was available and although the 'unknown' added to the excitement of the trip, I much prefer the way it is now. Just wanted to acknowledge how good we have it and how much I appreciate this board.
I now step off my soapbox and return you to your regularly scheduled programming...
🙂
"I would always encouage someone to get a copy of "STJ: Off the Beaten Path" or "Feet, Fins & 4WD" to use as they explore the island."
Me too! But I'm starting to back off on doing so because it won't be long now before someone interprets this recommendation as a thinly veiled attempt to prop up the island's economy or suggest how a visitor should spend their vacation dollars 🙂 !
I started my vacation planning with a trip to our local travel agent where I was provided with an Apple Vacations book and a Funjet vacation book. That was how we planned our honeymoon 13 years ago, only now with the internet, I am wiser. I did a little research on Secret Harbour and started asking the agent some questions. The travel agent tried to pressure me into booking The Riviera Maya in Mexico. (This was a few weeks prior to them getting pounded by that hurricane.) I realized the agent didn't know much about the Virgin Islands and was not really listening to me.
I went to our online library catalog and ordered every book I could find on the Virgin Islands. I must have had about 10 different guide books. I started with Foders and found the condo that we ended up renting. I found their web page and I did some online research. I found nothing but good reports. I sent an email to the owner and was booked with a deposit down in two days.
I found out about this web site from the book Explore the Virgin Islands Guidebook which is sold above. That guidebook was a great starting point.
I took all my information, from both the internet and travel guides typed it up in word files and made it into my own personal guidebook. Our plane lands in STT 7 days and 18 hours from now. Life is Sweet.
