Because I go to St. Thomas in August, I need to pack the same things I'm wearing, so I pack the night before after doing laundry. I also rarely get any sleep, mostly because I'm a big time procrastinator and I'm packing all night long. Big Blue, the huge duffel that holds the snorkel/beach/sunscreen stuff mostly stays packed all year and things that don't fit other places get thrown in there as well. I'm quite proud that after many years I've learned to pack really lightly.

I, too, am a sundress wearer, both at home and down there. They pack wonderfully and are appropriate for just about anything I do on vacation. I buy a new dress each year, either at Market Square or in the back "clearance" room of my favorite shop in Havensight.

Last year was the first year my boyfriend travelled with me and he immediately claimed the island his second home. He's created the tradition of going to the Delly Deck for a western omelet before reaching our place. Well, I suppose we'll have to do it this year in order for this to actually become a tradition. I sure hope they'll serve a western omelet at about 12:30 in the afternoon.

Gerie

Gerie-

What shop in Havensight? How much do you spend on your sundresses there?

Hi Bluwater,

I have no idea of the name of the store. I just know it when I see it. And going in there and browsing each year has become a tradition.

You sent me on a search. I found a site that showed a map of Havensight mall, but I didn't recognize the name among those listed. I suppose those are shops that pay for advertising. If you stand at the head of the shopping center and look toward the cruise ships, the shop will be on the left side of one of the rows of buildings. It is closer to the street than the ships. It's not a typical "t-shirt/souvenir" type of store, rather a tropical clothing store. They have lovely tropical clothing in the front, but go straight through to the back, the clearance room. On the right side wall are sundresses typically 50% off. They are not as low-cost as in Market Square, but with the discount, quite reasonable. I don't always find something I like, but almost always do.

If you go and find the shop, perhaps you'll post the name of it in the trip report that I'm sure you're going to provide us all.

Gerie

Most of what is traditional to us seems to do with bananas: St Thomas French toast at the Green House (made with bananas and coconut) before shopping in CA. Another must do for us is a drive to Mountain Top for one of their famous banana daiquiris, then down to Megan’s Bay from there. Yet another tradition is dinner at Banana Tree Grill.

We shop the outdoor marketplace, which is another tradition of supporting the local economy there. Among other things I always buy bright colored sarong skirts and sun dresses as gifts and for me, the light airy kind that can double as beach cover-up. Sunday beach party at Sapphire is tradition as well. We do the same things over and over but never tire of doing them.
LB

We check our frozen meat and carry the important stuff(snorkeling gear)becouse we dont want to be without it for a minute. The meat stays frozen all day if packed tightly and wrap it in plastic then newspaper.

Oh, another tradition as stated above a couple times is to buy the wife a sundress at the outdoor market.

What's a fun tradition is to shut down the timeshare folks on the corners in CA, and then walk past them a couple more times in the same afternoon. They finally start recognizing you and become friendly instead of just being sales people. 🙂

Funny string! As far as packing - - usually a day in advance. The best thing to remember is bug spray and to NOT paint toenails red (lOVE the iguanas though 🙂 Clothes....who needs 'em.

Here's our funny tradition. Whenever we get on any shuttle (to airport in STL or in shuttle from STT), my husband (God love him for his sick sense of humor) always tells the same joke aloud for all to hear...

So there's this magician. He asks for a volunteer from the audience. A gentleman raises his hand and goes on stage. The magician says, "I want you to take this sledgehammer and hit me as hard as you can over my head." The volunteer hesitantly states, "I don't know, sir, I don't think that's a good idea." The magician replies, while placing his head on the table, "Oh, no...this'll be great...my best trick yet." Reluctantly, the volunteer takes the sledgehammer, swings it back and hits the magician square on the head. 10 years later, the magician awakes from his coma and says "TA DA!!"

Whoever laughs on the shuttle is surely ready for a good time....or a sanitarium. Whichever applies.

Gees Kitty, we must be anal-blood sisters! We don't leave till November this time but I have the list already started so I don't forget the stuff like benedryl (already hit by fire coral so that's a given) and antibiotics. I actually just came back from Nova Scotia and forgot all this stuff despite the LIST so now I'm obsessing even more!!!! I too pack from a month or more before on to throw in the little stuff before I forget it. First stop- any place with Red Stripe! Clothes? For what? Just get those bathing suits, a couple of pairs of shorts, one nice cool easy dress, and the T's and away we go!

Your husband and I would get along great! As to red and Iguanas...if you have anyone who likes to sleep in the shade on the beach, or by the pool, take a red hibiscus blossom and slip the stem side between the big and second top on the top side of the foot. Be ready with camera!

Packing: We usually back the night before...well actually my wife packs...she has her own method and system of packing, I just lay out the stuff I'm taking and then, GET out of her way!!! 🙂

Tradition: Since I travel for my job and stay at Holiday Inn's most of the time I build up Priority Club points, so we fly in a day early (Friday) stay at the Windward Passage on my points.

It's a beeline from the airport to the hotel, toss our bags down, get into shorts (if we're in jeans) and head right over to the Elysian, stop at Bonnies for some chicken wings and a couple of drinks and the over to Roberts for a couple of more...let everyone know were baaaack 🙂

On Saturday AM we head over to Molly Malone's for breakfast and bottomless Bloody Marys, then stop at the store for a few items head back to tthe Elysian to get checked in and really get into some serious VACATION TIME!!!!!

See you all in November.

2 WEEKS YEEEEHAAA

Red toes? Just keep you toes under the sand and you'll be ok - you'll just have to shuffle a little more than most other vacationers are shuffling.

lol...just kidding. Red toes are fine...I think :/

True about the red toes! I have witnessed it many times. We have stayed at the Wyndham a few times, and they have about 100 iguanas on site. They have feedings in the morning where they give a little "education" about iguanas. They LOVE the color red, and they will run up to see the ladies with red toes! Now, I love the iguanas and am not afraid of them. However, I have seen many a woman running and screaming when they approach. Kinda funny! I always wear a light pink on the toes, through. But I do feed them cherries (they LOVE that since it is RED and fruit 🙂

Usually I start the week before getting stuff together-cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. I try to bring sample sizes of toothpaste, shampoo, etc., packs smaller. Then, I get the snorkel gear at the bottom of the suitcase, the shorts, shirts, shoes. Take it all out again, throw some back in the drawer, replace it with other stuff. Do that a few times. Stress a little about what I'm taking. Then we are on our way!! Yae! Traditions. Well, get to STT, start limin' on island time, no stress. Get to STJ, get our rental, hit the grocery, and, here comes the tradition--on the way to the cottage, pop open a beer or three and drink it on the way there. I know, I know, we're bad, but, as it's hot out we usually sweat the beer out before we get to the cottage. The traditional island dinner is at Skinny legs, because we love the burgers, atmosphere, and people, and it's close to the cottage. We're usually dog tired by that time, that it's early to bed. See you in about 8 months everybody!