Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
We are planning to spend Jan & Feb 2008 on St. Thomas.
Because of this I have spent a lot of time on the internet seeking as much info as possible about visiting and or living on St. Thomas and have not been very successful. We would appreciate honest feedback:
(1) We understand crime has been a serious problem on the island. What areas & beaches should we avoid?
(2) Are there any items we may need to bring along because they may not be available or very expensive on the island?
(3) Do any places offer free WIFI on the island?
(4) Are sweaters or jackets needed in the evening during this time?
(5) Are there any discount books or coupons to attractions or events on the island available?
(6) Does anyone know the name & phone number of the man & women that use to manage a marina on St. Thomas that now do six packs on their restored sailboat? Several years ago we went out with wife and had a wonderful experience and want to do it again.
Dear Traveling man,
Crime issues on island have been discussed at length on many different posts on this forum. If you research this forum you will read everything you need to know about crime and will come to understand that any one story has many facets and that not everything is as it might appear to be.
Where are you staying? I know nothing about WIFI but I know many other posters are not as technologically challenged as I and can give you an answer in a heartbeat if they know what is to be your home base.
Items you might miss and want to bring with you? That's so subjective and is hard to answer unless we know exactly what you might miss if you can't find it here! If you have a major craving for some specialty you might find it here or not. Inventiveness and creativeness are "key" here.
Sweaters//jackets? If you check out the mean temperature in the Virgin Islands it's highly unlkely that you'll need either.
The Rotary Club of STT puts out a coupon booklet every year which, via participating restaurants, offers a two for one deal,
Cannot help you with "the man & women that use to manage a marina on St. Thomas that now do six packs on their restored sailboat?" People come and go here like the wind!
Cheers!
The boat you are talking about may be the Winifred. They are based at Red Hook in Sapphire Beach Marina.
http://www.sailwinifred.com/
Jay
PS as a general rule of thumb bring half of what you think you need in the way of clothes etc and twice the money.:)
If you haven't found helpful information, you haven't been to vinow!! I live here and always take a light wrap (sweater, jacket) with me at night. In the day, you will feel toasty warm, but when the sun goes down and the trade winds blow, you can feel chilly. The Rotary book mentioned above is only good from May through early December. Unfortunately January and February are high season, and the time most businesses try to make hay!!
The boat was Independence with the Stoekens, correct? They operated Independent Boatyard. I am not sure about their day sail business now that they are retired.
i take my laptop over to paradise gate at the end of the cruise ship dock in havensight and i've never had to pay it's popular with the crews from the ships, you do have to pay if you use their computers, beans and bytes is 8.99 for the day or 24.99 for the week for wi-fi, the off shore bar is free upstairs if you bring your own laptop, barefoot budda is 3.00 for 15 minutes and then 10 cents a minute after that, these are the ones i'm aware of
STT Resident;
Thank you for responding to my posting about crime.
I have lived and worked in over 20 states in the USA over the last thirty years. I have also traveled international more them most. I too have been a victim of crime more the once so I know first hand that anything can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. But most places can tell you where the risk is higher.
Yes, I have read at length about crime on St Thomas including the Doctor that was shot in a hold up at Belongo Bay Resort several years ago. Maybe it is me but I get the feeling that many want to down play crime on St. Thomas. That being said all I'm trying to learn where is it safe on St. Thomas and where is it not?
When you visit places like China the tell you in advance you are very safe in China but pick pocketing is a very serious problem and I know from personal experience their info is very accurate.
Pat and Pieter Stoeken are fine and still chartering on Independence. You can reach them at 340-775-1408 or go their website at www.independence44.us
Cheers!
Good morning ~
Free WiFi at Kokopelli Cafe, right next to Cost-U-Less...and they have great pizza too (half-price Monday-Thursday)!
Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone that has responded to my request for information about St. Thomas.
Crime is seldom about visitors. What crime there is is related to drug deals not poaching on the visitors. relax.
Visit water island - hasn't had a crime since 1972....
Sweaters? Only if you get cold at 74 degrees. The weather is wonderful all year round and none of the locals even own a sweater.
Bring as little as possible. Money helps, lots of staples are more expensive here. Fact of life.
Alex: While I hate to argue with the good news guy... I am a local and do own sweaters! And yes, 74 degrees is cold.;)
i wear my jean jacket sometimes at night and i also have a comforter i sleep under in the winter on colder nights,once your blood thins and your body adjusts to the climate you notice the seasonal changes here
