Here are some of my answers regarding St John:

My favorite place to stay is:
In the water snorkeling.

The best cheap eats are at:
Island Blues: nachos and chicken fingers

The best "pricey" meal is at:
Haven't really ben impressed by any of my pricy meals. However, I did have a chicken dish at the Lime Inn that woke my mouth up with carribean tastes. wasn't good enough to justify the $25, though.

We can't leave without:
snorkeling at Haulover

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
5-6 squid hovering and staring at me with those big eyes.

My best photograph was of:
off the back of our daysail toward the weathered dingy floating in the blue, clear carribean water with an american flag blowing in the breeze.

I never want to leave:
the porch at night listening to the frogs and insects buzzing even though I can barely keep my eyes open.

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
snorkel

I almost gain weight thinking of:
ice cream boat drinks

The "funnest" person I met on vacation was:
our waitress at Miss Lucy's as she chased the sugar-packet-eating goats with a yard stick.

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
It's not what I picture....it's what I smell and hear. It's that perfumed air, thick and humid and perfumed with tropical scents like flowers and sea salt. then it's the sounds of the frogs and insects at night.

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
relax even more.

Our next trip isn't until May and I just don't know how I am going to get through it! We are also in IL and know that the worst of old man winter is on its way. So here goes:

My favorite place to stay is:
On the beach. So much so, we rented Gibney Beach House this time!

The best cheap eats are at:
We love Woody's take out for a quick, cheap & greasy fix. Oh and to absorb some of the Caribs' we've sipped on all day at the beach

The best "pricey" meal is at:
Zozo's, definitely.

We can't leave without:
Spending a long day at trunk. Even though its the most crowded and filled with tourists, it will always be our first love and the reason why we decided to make St.John our main vacation island.

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
Squid, Spotted Rays, and the starfish "party" at Waterlemon.

My best photograph was of:
A baby stingray swimming in shallow water at Hawksnest.

I never want to leave:
I agree with HH about Trunk. But I have a feeling we are going to become extremely attached to the GBH this year!

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
Float in that beautiful water after some snorkeling.

I almost gain weight thinking of:
The coconut/chocolate smoothies with rum that we have to get from the smoothie stand on Centerline.

The "funniest" person I met on vacation was:
It would have to be some of the iguanas that we've gotten to know. They are so fun to watch.

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
That walk down to the path to any of the wonderful beaches hoping to see no people, just baby blue.

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
Also in agreement with Lysa. Relax more. Learning to let go sooner and longer.

Whew, with no replies I was beginning to think I was invisible for a minute! Lol. I enjoyed reading your answers, Lysa and Bridget. I was kind of hoping for some new ideas for our next trip to STJ and you guys both sound like you had some fun things for us to try.

I KWYM, Lysa, about the smells and sounds of the island 😉 And, Bridget, I'm sure my husband is green with envy about you staying at Gibney Beach House--that area is so lush and green.

HH, I think your survey is great idea for remembering why we love to visit St John! Especially with all the bad vibes lately on island.

Our third visit is coming up in less than 2 weeks. Bridget, we looked at Gibney as well when we were planning but it was a bit out of our price range for just the two of us. Good lord how nice it must be to have that beach right in front of you! You MUST write a trip report when you get back!

My favorite place to stay is:
The Westin

The best cheap eats are at:
Woody's & Joe's BBQ

The best "pricey" meal is at:
Stone Terrace - Lobster Bisque and Carribbean Lobster

We can't leave without:
Having a $1.50 El Presidente from Caps Place. Gping on a night snorkel.

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
A nice sized Nurse Shark, Turtle, Sting Ray, and Moray at Waterlemon and an Octopus at Trunk.

My best photograph was of:
My daughter snorkeling for the first time at Francis Bay (3 1/2 years old)

I never want to leave:
STJ period

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
Snorkel many of the beautiful beaches and then have a cocktail at Woody's later in the day to talk about that days excursion. Float around Little Maho with my little ones.

I almost gain weight thinking of:
The numerous great places to eat on the Island

The "funnest" person I met on vacation was:
Some of the cab drivers are awesome and many have wonderful senses of humor.

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
The plush green hills jetting out of the bluest water that you have ever seen.

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
Get over to White bay on Jost to float around and have a few at the soggy dollar. Maybe entice my wife to go back to the Willie T.

This survey is a great idea. Its really nice to hear other peoples Likes concerning STJ. Lysa, I am jealous you get leave so soon! Gibney is out of our price range too- but after some tragedy occuring in the family this year, hubby and I decided we deserved it and could come out with the money if we didn't eat for 6 months :-).

My favorite place to stay is:
Spyglass villa in Coral Bay

The best cheap eats are at:
Skinny Legs and Polli's

The best "pricey" meal is at:
crabmeat stuffed filet at The Lime Inn

We can't leave without:

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
my first "real live" stingray at Hawksnest

My best photograph was of:
the first tropical sunset off the deck of our villa

I never want to leave:
STJ period (had to leave this one...it says it all!)

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
hike, snorkel, relax, eat and socialize at Skinny Legs, wake up for the sunrise each morning.

I almost gain weight thinking of:
The numerous great places to eat on the Island

The "funnest" person I met on vacation was:
Doug and Moe at Skinny Legs (can you tell I'm a little partial to that place??). If any of you like the history of the island, go talk to Moe...he's a walking encyclopedia!

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
The plush green hills jetting out of the bluest water that you have ever seen. (again, had to leave this one...poetic)

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
snorkel and hike more--I'm bound and determined to try all the recommended spots, no matter how long it takes me!

The smell of curry wafting from the roadside carts in Cruz Bay....love it!

My best photograph was of:
My daughter snorkeling for the first time at Francis Bay (3 1/2 years old)

That sounds like a terrific picture to have!

VT2STJ--we enjoy Skinny Legs too. Something about that laidback, very casual atmosphere.

And, Laura, I never noticed a curry smell in Cruz Bay--but I bet I'll notice it now!

Hey, now I'm beginning to feel sorry for the other islands--STT and STX! Doesn't anybody like anything about them? 😉

My favorite place to stay is:
During our last visit, I liked St John Villas at the Westin during, but my heart will always be at the Estate Concordia studios.

The best cheap eats are at:
Woody's is always our first stop, but we love Vie's Snack Shack too.

The best "pricey" meal is at:
The Equator Restaurant at Caneel Bay. I can't remember what I had (it was 10+ years ago), but I do recall it was excellent!

We can't leave without:
Grabbing one last pain killer at Rumbalaya to sip on the ferry back to STT.

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
A huge manta ray (~4 ft "wingspan") who surprised us by swimming between us at the surface of the water. It looked like a giant, graceful bat.

My best photograph was of:
Just had to look through them again... there are so many good ones, but my favorites are the pictures of my kids enjoying the island as much as we do.

I never want to leave:
...ever!

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
snorkle, hike, relax, and take in the local sights, sounds, and flavors while on "island time".

I almost gain weight thinking of:
Woody's or Vie's conch fitters! Yum!

The "funnest" person I met on vacation was:
The cashier at the small beverage store in Coral Bay who told my then 16-year-old that he couldn't sell her the SoBe tea she wanted to buy - his reason: "because it has no alcohol". The look on her face was priceless! LOL!

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
Blue seas, blue skies, lush foliage, green hills, breathtaking views...

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
Take at least one day-trip to the BVI.

My favorite place to stay is:
The Westin, its clean and nice. Food a little pricey but doesnt mean you always have to eat there, we would have some meals there and most of them in town.

The best cheap eats are at:
Woodys and the food is awesome.

The best "pricey" meal is at:
The Westin when we would eat there. In town I would say Duffys, but then again maybe the bill was high due to the amount of drinks.

We can't leave without:
Making a trip to the BVI

The coolest thing I saw when snorkeling was:
Herds of fish millions all swimming around, very colorful taking bread from my hand.

My best photograph was of:
The flowers in Peter Bay

I never want to leave:
The island period.

My favorite thing to do on the island is:
Stop along the road at the overlooks and stand up on the side and see the views with a drink in my hand.

I almost gain weight thinking of:
All the good food that I eat down there.

The "funnest" person I met on vacation was:
Ivan over in BVI, he was awesome and soooo welcoming to us.

When I think of the islands, this is what I picture:
Us having a helluva time and just being who we are.

Next trip, I want to make sure to:
I definately will go to the Baths, Virgin Gorda.