Outhouse survives devastating earthquake!
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007
With debris and rubble all around, the old Bongo Bongo outhouse was the only thing left standing after the island’s latest major earthquake!
Yes, there was another earthquake. No, there was no reported damage. It was a MINOR earthquake two dozen miles north of the island that measured a reported 3.7 magnitude. And there was one last October, and two in August and one in June and one last January. And those are just the ones that made the local news. According to the St. John Source, the Puerto Rican Seismic Network has actually recorded 156 quakes across the territory THIS MONTH! Now you know why the pictures on the walls are always crooked in those villas. (Read about the latest little shaker here.)
Looks like mangroves have been planted at Enighed Pond. It was something the Army Corps of Engineers required as part of the new barge arrival facility. Good thing, ‘cuz even though the new barge dock is nice, it’s really ugly. The mangroves will grow and cover the boggy landfill behind the dikes and help protect against erosion. Mangroves may not sound all that exciting, but the Friends of the VI National Park has a couple of mangrove-centric outings scheduled this year. You missed this weekend’s kayak tour of the mangroves in Hurricane Hole, But on March 24, an island-wide tour led by VINP’s chief of resource management, Rafe Boulon aboard the Sadie Sea includes snorkel tours of mangroves and seagrass beds. Learn more about it 
Welcome our newest advertiser! Rapture is one of those gorgeous, brand new luxo-villas in Virgin Grand Estates and it’s pretty sweet. Four bedrooms, killer views, sunny pool. If you like to have an audience while you cook, you’ll love the kitchen. If you like to watch TV (shame on you, you’re on an island!) you’ll love the widescreen. Great décor. Great covered veranda. The bedrooms are all private and there’s a foosball table! 
Don’t expect that new gourmet wine shop at Marketplace anytime soon. On-StJohn has learned it may be awhile. The Chelsea Drug Store moved to the second level, vacating its old space where Starfish Market plans to open the much-anticipated wine store. But the drugstore moved in September, and its old space is still vacant. Now we’re told a springtime opening of the new Starfish venture may not happen until this summer, missing the entire high season. It is still unclear if Starfish plans to completely jettison its wine, liquor and beer department in the grocery store, and if it does, what it plans for that space.
Crime scene tape cordoned off downtown Cruz Bay’s park recently, shattering the usually peaceful downtown afternoons. The offense? Old, worn, peeling, tattered looking park benches. The arresting officers took their job seriously. Spending the entire afternoon going over every inch of those benches with a fine-toothed paintbrush. Crime solved. A fresh coat of British racing car green on all the benches, just in time for high season. Not exactly the park overhaul we’ve been expecting. 
No grumbling about development, okay? It’s on St. Thomas and it’ll be great for the economy. And we can’t wait for this place to get done. The new Yacht Haven Grande is still under construction, but a restaurant and a couple of shops are already open. And this is going to be a way cool place. Someplace to see how the other half lives. Some of the biggest, most-expensive private yachts in the world will be using this marina, and that’ll make it a great place to watch rich people and spot celebrities. We love celebrity/rich people-watching (mostly because they generally look miserable and that makes us feel better about not being rich.) Anyway, high end shops, probably great outdoor cafes, pools, fountains, boardwalks. It’ll be kind of Disneyland-ish, but it’s “over there”, so if you’re curious, take a day trip. If you’re not, ignore it. 
Okay gang…first a warning. This place seems to be a magnet for families with little kids and I don’t like little kids at restaurants. That’s what babysitters are for. If you don’t mind un-tethered little brats running around while bad parents don’t watch, then you’ll be okay even on a bad night here. That said, Banana Deck is really one of Cruz Bay’s most underrated restaurants. Come on! Beautiful, breezy outside dining, nice views from the rail tables, a wait staff that’s having fun and a great menu. Banana Deck grills up a mean ribeye, gives you 3 ways to have the nightly fish, has great, unpretentious specials and a kooky drink menu. If the baked potato soup is on the menu when you’re there, puh-LEEZ order it. This soup is so good I want to put the bowl on the floor and slop it up like a wild dog. The bar is a locals hang out. Banana Deck is also pocketbook friendly. And another bonus: The place isn’t always packed which means you can walk right up the stairs and get a table. 
This week’s Beach Break is definitely a beach that is off the beaten track, but it couldn’t be a more beautiful beach. The gated walkway down to the beach on the western side is on private property, but you can get to the beach from the other end. And if you hike over a rock outcropping, you’ll get to a little cobblestone beach that is so secluded, no one would ever find you (so don’t die there.). Recognize it? First one to get it right wins a….um, well…you don’t win anything. But you’ll have the satisfaction of being first. (The correct answer tomorrow.) Watch the mystery beach 
A funny thing happened to St. John lover Derek Abbott one evening at Villa Capiz. A prolonged encounter with a very curious little frog. Derek named the frog Fritz, and happened to have his camera handy. Several great shots, including one, well, head shot. You can read Derek’s funny Fritz the Frog story 
Things are about to get a whole lot nicer at the Red Hook ferry terminal. The project is about three months behind schedule, but will reportedly be up and running by the end of February. No more ticket shacks. No more food trailers. The 8,000 square foot building, officially called The Red Hook Intermodal Transit Facility, has proper restrooms, indoor concession areas, a bar, a newsstand and several ticket counters. Cost of the project? $9 million. Having someplace to get out of the sun while you wait for the ferry? Priceless. 
