Six of one and half a dozen of the other, really. The "open air taxi" will afford more visibility and the humidity shouldn't bother you at all with all that air blowing through - and the humidity is minimal anyway at this time of year. I prefer "open air" driving any time of year here as opposed to being shut in with a/c. Have a great trip!

Soca-I'd go with the open air. We're Socals also and you can get used to the humidity pretty quickly. I don't find it as humid as Houston or even New York. But then again, maybe because I had to wear business suits when there instead of tee shirts.

Go open air for some great viewing.

Thanks STT Resident! I'd rather the Open Air too... I'm actually hoping there will be others so we can meet new people.

Oops... I was posting at at the same time as you, promoguy.

Thank you!!

Soca: Don't worry about stepping over promoguy, he's used to it, ho ho ho.

There will more than likely be more than just your family in the open air taxi but you'll have plenty of opportunities during your vacation to meet tons of people if them's is your druthers. Again, enjoy your trip!

OK... now what do I do?

I just re-read the email from the Taxi Association (not sure of their exact name)... Alvin (recommended by Ron) drives an air conditioned van... so if we want him we can't do the open air taxi.

Ron, are you out there? I know you recommended Alvin, but are the others good as well?

Thanks so much!!

Carole

Carole/SoCa, we're losing your train of thought, or at least I am. The VI Taxi Association business encompasses both open air (safari-type) taxis as well as enclosed cabs with a/c.

I mistakenly assumed from your initial post that you had already picked one or the other and were just looking for advice on which option would be best for your general comfortability. Anyone you contract with in advance who is a member of the VI Taxi Association is bound by certain rules and regulations whether they drive safari-type or conventional with a/c transportation.

Forgive me for not paying attention but should I assume that you're coming to STT for more than a one-day cruise ship stop? If so, your best bet would be to rent a car for the duration of your visit. But now I'm thinking that you might have posted previously on another thread and you're coming in on a cruise ship for just one day? Where the latter is concerned, no worries at all. In that case you'll be in very good hands dealing with the cruise ship personnel who will offer you multiple options for an island tour both open-air and enclosed with a/c. Cheers!

Hi STT Res - no cruiseship stop for us. We'll be on St. Thomas for 8 nights... then over to the BVI for 5 nights.

Since we've not been to STT before, we thought we'd do a taxi tour to get the lay of the land. We are renting a 4WD from Dependable for the entire time (and taking it over to St. John on the car barge, as well).

We're still considering just touring the island ourselves via a CD Audio Tour that Bluwater recommended... but I'm thinking if we take a taxi tour will give us the historical perspective. Either way, we're still going to explore as much of the island as we can on our own in addition to any tour.

Just trying to figure out what will be best, etc.... would like the kids to do things that are interesting and educational.

Carole

Haven't personally reviewed that CD but have heard from others that it's pretty good. I'd think with that, some general guide books, info from this board and your own vehicle you'd be in very good hands, if not better. The tours don't generally take you off any well-beaten path. Exploring is much more fun on your own and the island is small enough that t's unlikely you'll get lost. Have fun!

OK... maybe we'll just stick to the CD and a "do-it-yourself" tour.

I'm not sure why I'm agreeing so much today with STT, but yes use the CD and do a self drive.

I don't mean to be snarky or poofy on the history of the island, but will it really take more than a few hours. We're not talking Jamestown VA

Thanks STT Res and promoguy - guess you guys just saved us $100+ by not doing the tour - I'll make sure that money gets spent on some good drinks!! 🙂

I know of a great restaurant you could spend that money and meet some nice folks. It's called the Toad and Tart. Kind of an English kind of place. Check their schedule for hours since the owner, who is kind of nice but wackey isn't open every night. Go there and tell them Promoguy sent you.

OK - promoguy... thanks.

I will mark that in our notes and plan to stop by Toad and Tart!

Hope your CD can answer questions for you! I am going to look for it and check it out for accuracy.

RL

I purchased and reviewed the driving tour CD and thought it was just ok. This is my personal opinion of course and I don't mean to step on anyone's toes who might be participants of this board that might be authors or affiliated with the CD in some way. I didn't think it provided very much historical information. It provides the "lay of the land" - identifies 'destinations' along the way. But, I was not all that impressed. Actually, I found that pointing my car in a direction using the ESSO map was much more fun. Especially on the West End where, at many spots/places, I felt like an early day explorer and dreaming that I might be the first non-native/local human discovering some of these spots. I also think that exploring, passing up the road I should have turned on, reaching a dead-end and having to turn around in small space, .........was entertaining and kept me laughing........and thus, very enjoyable. Of course, there were only adults in my vehicle - no children/adolescents. On the other hand, the driving tour CD is not much money. Cheaper if you wait and buy it locally - most all the rental car companies are selling it - so, what the heck, GO FOR IT.

That's very true, Ron.... we won't be able to ask (or have answered) a single question with the CD!! 🙂

I started to buy the CD Audio Tour on-line and so I would have it in hand before the trip, but found that our car rental agency (as FL Barrier Islander suggests) has them for ~$15. I asked them to hold one for me.

OK... well, I'll think about all of this a bit more... maybe we will play it by ear until we get to St. Thomas and then decide.

I do want to check it out. Not that I am a pro or anything. I went on the new Duckaneer this morning with some travel writers. What ensued was downright ridiculous! Outright and blatant misinformation. I read when they first started that the tour guide was well versed in the VI and it's history. Well, I think not. When she said that the reason Hassel Island was called that, is because before they opened the channel, it was a hassle to go around the island to get the the other side! (Originally called Orkanhullet , Danish for hurricane hole, it became Hassel Island after being bought by a gentleman named Hassel) The travel writers were not impressed as well. I will be going to see if they need some help. My St. Thomas Historical Trust organization fears this with the myriad of tours being offered today.
The reason I recommend Alvin, and the group of tour guides that he belongs to, is that they went through a detailed course to make sure everyone was on the same page.
SoCa Girl, I spoke to him last night and he can get you one with open air if you like.

RL

Thanks Ron,

I'll send an email back re: the open air taxi scenario.

The other person I contacted, Henry of EEETours (www.eeetours.com) said he has been through the Univ. of VI taxi tourism program (I assume it's the same one?) too, and was a History major there as well. I read elsewhere that Henry is also a pastor and a very nice gentleman. He charges $30 pp (vs. $25) and seems to be geared more toward cruise passengers (for us, that would mean leaving a bit earlier in the a.m. than we would have to with Alvin or his group (8:40 vs. 9:30.... the latter is a little better for us!).

Carole