Wow. That is the only word to sum up the USVI.
We had a great time, and took lots of pictures that I will share when we get them on a site.

We (me, my husband, our 20 month old and a friend) left Birmingham and flew to Charlotte, NC. From Charlotte we flew into STT.
My oldest, closest friend lives on Water Island, so we taxied to Crown Bay Marina to meet her and ferry across together. We had a snack at Tickles Bar and then we headed across. Water Island is breath taking. A small residential island just a short ferry ride from STT. The people we met there were wonderful and welcoming. You have to have a Saturday night dinner on the beach prepared by Heidi of Heidi’s Honeymoon Grill. During the day she runs a lunch wagon on the beach and on weekend nights, you can eat by candlelight. We had steak one night and it was great. Lots of locals hanging out and also people who ferried from STT. It was a blast and a great time.
We took a sailing trip on the Doubloon Saturday! It is a pirate ship run by the most fun and amazing crew. We snorkeled and saw Turtles and tons of awesome sea creatures. Billy Bonez and Trisha made sure our drinks stayed FULL all the way back. It was a party not to be missed. I recommend this trip!!!!! Even my friends, who live there, had a ball! They have a website if you search for doubloon.
We did some shopping in Charlotte Amalie. Typical touristy things. We hit the market to find T-shirts and knock off bags. One thing I regret is NOT taking a picture with Oprah! (Oprah being a donkey wearing sunglasses, lipstick and a straw hat.) When asked if you want a picture with her, do yourself a favor and do it. You may have to shell out a few bucks a courtesy, but you will want it later…
To make up that few bucks spent on the pic with Oprah; I recommend you learn the words DOLLAR MAN!!!! The taxis and shuttles are everywhere. My friend travels only by Dollar Man. You just stick one finger out wherever you are and when a shuttle stops, you say Dollar Man? If they say no, then wave em on.. in about 10 seconds someone else will stop. Repeat. Eventually (and it never took long) someone will say yes! Joe (hubby) took Dollar man from Crown Bay to Red Hook! LONG RIDE. This is the best money saving tip I can give. If the bus is full of tourists, you won’t get Dollar Man, if it full of locals, you will get the price.
We went to St. John to see some family camping there..HI SIOTHA…and it was beautiful. See Siotha’s Cinnamon Bay trip report.
We ate a wonderful restaurant in Charlotte Amalie. It has great local food. Cuzzin’s. Everyone knows where it is. Just ask. We also went to a little internet café so my friend could email some work to her office. It had a great coffee bar.
I know I may have missed a lot. If you have any questions, PM me!
All in all it was a great vacation. I loved that I got to see my best friend. And that we got to experience a wonderful place.
Water Island is a dream. If you stay there, get the 10 punch card to ferry back and forth. It is 38 dollars for 10 punches. Definitely hit the beach at honeymoon beach and eat some food from Heidi’s….(and she mixes a great drink)
My friend’s house is on Limestone Beach, and we slept with the windows and doors open and watched the Cruise ships roll in and out in the early am and pm.
I felt safe and secure on the island. The people who live there look out for each other. It is a dream. Everyone was friendly and helpful. We were always asked if we needed a ride from the beach or ferry. People wave and smile at one another.
We will definitely be back. The USVI has captured us.