Hello Ernie and family,

You are very welcome and I hope that your vacation on St. Croix is wonderful!! I look forward to reading your trip review when you get back! Again have a great time.

--Islander

Dear Islander,

So sorry that it's taken me so long to file this review, but I've been so backed up with work since our return that I did not have the time to respond until now.

Well we left on Saturday June 18,2005 4:40 AM. Everything went like clockwork though standing in line for check-in and airport security check was less then a pleasurable expierence it was not unbearable.

We arrived safe and sound on St. Croix at about 2:30 PM. The fights were OK but a littel bumpy some heavy weather on the way down.

However,it appears my wife (who's very afraid to fly) will fly again though she's not willing to say just how soon.

Our older son however,has vowed to "get us back" for making him fly on an American Eagle prop plane from PR to STX.

By the way a word to anyone out there with walking disabilities, the walk from the US Airways gate to the American Eagle gate is LONG!!! and fortunatly, a "golf cart" spotted us and gave us a ride. We made our connetion with 10 min. to spare, if I'd have walked all the way we would not have made it.

Anyway, once on the ground things continued to go well Budget Rent A Car at the airport was right on time with a nice clean well running mini van (big enough for 5 adults a a 9 year old) I recommend them highly however reserve with them as early as possible if you need a van as they seem to be in short supply.

Our villa (Reef Watch) on the "East End" Cotton Valley section was beyond words it had everything we needed and more and the view of Buck Island took our breath away nothing on the mainland eastern seaboard can ever compare with that view,it will be a memory forever!!!

McLaughlin Anderson on St. Thomas was our primary rental agent and I highly recommend them they were most helpful and accomodating I'll use them again when we return (and we will return!!!)

Karen, our on-island property manager from Vacations St. Croix was delightful,helpful and most understanding when one of my sons accidentlly broke a chair belonging to the villa.

In ten days we were able to see most all that St. Croix had to offer and it is to be sure a ("layed back island!!!) just what my family and I were looking for. If wild night life is your thing don't look here,

However,if peaceful sun filled days of summer beach fun good food and friendly people are what yor looking for then St. Croix is heaven on earth.

We ate most of our eveing meals at the villa and I'd recommend Pueblo or Cost U Less as the best places to shop for groceries.

As for eating out the Chaney Bay Resort has a good and reasonable lunch menu and the view will speak for itself. My wife and I may plan to return to The Chaney Bay resort on our own we were so impressed with what we saw.

Waves at Cane Bay is also good and afforable the staff was extra friendly. If I were 20 years younger Waves after dark would be where you'd find me.

For locale food I'd recommend Junie's hands down we had dinner there one night very local and low key unpretentious and unassuming, but the food was good hearty and there was plenty of it at very reasonably low prices. The staff was very friendly and helpful to an obvious bunch o tourists like us.

I had goat stew and surprisingly it tasted much like my mother-in-law's lamb stew with an island twist.

For upscale dinning The Bucanneer Resort is the place. Excelent food and service the only place I've ever eaten where you'll be asked to choose your on personnal utensils prior to the serving of each course!!! Very nice, very high end!!! Just the place for an intimate 30th Anniversary dinner for two (without the kids!!!!)
Too bad we can't afford a room there!!!

The highlight of the whole ten days has to be the snorkel tour of Buck Island everyone said it was a must and they were so right!!! It was fantastic!!! The boat ride over and back alone was worth the cost of the trip.

Captain Carl of Buck Island Tours was great and very informative and more than helpful. The Dragonfly is the perfect boat for 6 people.

If anyone see's Carl ask him if he remembers Ernie Pustorino and his family of "boys" the guy from Virginia he helped on the boat and lifted off the dock from his back!!! (long story but no alcohol or drugs were involved) but a simply fabulous trip.

Safari Tours with (Sweeney) as our tour guide is another must do trip. You'll get a visit to 1. Botanical Gardens 2. Whim Sugar Pantation, 3.Columbus's landing site, 4 The Rain Forest and much more its well with the price and time to get and overview of the island without the hassle of driving yourself.

Though we did drive around everywhere driving on the left was a challange for my wife she did very very well (no wrecks!!) we all helped by by always reminding ger to "KEEP IT ON THE LEFT!!!"

All in all is was truly the trip of a lifetime memories we'll treasure forever!!! We took over 250 dgital pictures (unfortunatly my wife is too shy to allow me to post them)

Well that's about it ( atleast for highlights) for further details contact me directlyif you wish I'd love to hear from you all.

Thanks again to all of you!! (especially Islander) for all the pre-planning help and advice As We say here in Virginia Y'all are somthin' special!!

So long for now!! Se Ya the next time around!!!!

Warmest Regards

Ernie Pustorino

Hello Ernie,

You are very welcome!

Thank you for getting back to us and sharing your trip report. I am so glad all your planning paid off and you and your family had a great time. (tu)

Were you able to find a jewerly shop for picking up your wife some emerald earrings? I remember you were asking about this and didn't get much feedback so I am curious as to what you found on your own.

All the best,

--Islander

Hi Islander!!

In answer to your question,she actualy decided on a silver hoop bracelet rather than emerald earrings. She said she wanted something to remind her of St. Croix. We visited Bucci duty free shop, Island Boy Designs, and The Purple Papya The Gem Shop, as well as many others the names of which I can't remember now.

However, she actualy bought the bracelet in a littel shop that faces the water in C'stead's harbor on the boardwalk near the Customs House and STIXX the name of which I can't remember now either, (its hell getting old the first thing to go is your mind. When the second thing goes I'm outtta here!!!.)

But the lady behind the counter was tall with a lovely Island accent who has family living in Maryland, so of course we just had to go with her.

Hope my reoprt wasn't too borning or hard to follow. I also hope any useful info will get passed on to furture travelers to STX. It really is a hidden gem and deserves better from the tourist industry than its gotten so far!!

Just as long as it keeps its layed back personality!!!

All The Best Back To You!!

Ernie

Ernie

Sounds as if you had a great time.
Having now experienced it for yourself, were you able to bring any 'island time' back with you to Virginia? Of all the things I miss when away from the USVI, that is the most valuable. We can all do with a slower pace in our life.

Good Morning Chris,

What I took back from St. Croix is a desparate desire to go back!!

A need to try to find a way to live there at least between the months of December to April. (I hate winter!!!)

And a much greater appreciation and understanding of Bob Marley and Bill Bass and the trade winds.

Also,some wonderful lasting memories (over 250 digital images) of how blessed I am to have the most loving wife and family any man could ask for, and, to have a chance to share a littel piece of heaven on earth with them,even if it was only for 10 (very short!!) days.

Chris, you are so right we all need to slow down the pace in our lives. Unfortunately, working in Washington, D.C. and living in Northern Virginia makes that very difficult!!!

As I see you responded to my postings at around 6:00 PM it seems to me that you might need to set your clocks to "Island Time" yourself!!!

All The Very Best To You

Ernie

Glad to hear you had a wonderful trip to STX. This board seems lopsided most of the time in favor of St. Thomas or St. John so its nice to hear another St. Croix post. My fiance and I went there and got married last May and spent three weeks there. We've been home for over two months and STILL miss it!

Hello Ernie,

Thank you for the follow up on jewerly shopping.

You really sound like you had a wonderful time as per your followup to Chris.

Thanks again for sharing,

--Islander

Ernie,
Where do you live in NVA?

Jim W

Good Morning Michael,

STILL MISS IT!!! is an understatement for me I wish I'd never left!!

I only wish I could find a way to live there at least for the winter months when I retire.

By the way,are you and your wife the folks that posted your trip pictures on photobucket.com ?

Here hoping we all get back there real soon!!

If anyone has any suggestion please feel free to let me know.

Regards
Ernie

Good Morning to Jim W,

Jim I know you'll understand when I say that my exact location must remain a secret.

But in general let me say that I'm south of Springfield and north of Richmond. and I can reach Potomac Mills Mall all too quickly.

Do You live in Northern Virginia Jim??

My wife used to go to school in the area & my brother lives in Herndon. So I'm VERY familiar with the area but it sounds like you are south of DC. If you an avoid the traffic I love the area.

Good Morning Jim W.

My wife went to Herdon High School (class of 71) and use to live off route 50.

We now live in the Woodbridge/ Lakeridge area and have for the past 25 years.

As for me I'd rather live in St. Croix then here!!!

Best Regards

Ernie