Pop Quiz: How’d you find St. John?
How did you discover St. John, and how many times have you been back since? (That’s right…you’re making the news today.)
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July 14th, 2007 10:54
We took a cruise in 1980 including PR, St. Thomas, and the DR, fell in love with Caribbean.
A partner had lived on STJ in the 70’s so we chose STJ for a company/family trip for Xmas/NewYears in 1989. We Stayed at the brand new Pastory Condos and some of us at the Virgin Grand. Our kids then were 16 Months and 4 and one half years.
We’ve been back with the company (about 30 people) 4 times and our family aboout 9 more times. One of our kids, now 22, the next generation, vacationed with friends this year.
July 14th, 2007 11:20
We went to St. Thomas in 2000 after seeing an ad in the New Yorker magazine for Pavillions and Pools. While vacationing there, we read about villas with their own pools and great views in St. John. In 2001 we stayed in one of those villas and have gone back every year since for two weeks and some years again with our kids for a week. All totaled, it’s seven years in a row to STJ with our 9th visit coming up in two weeks. We’re hooked.
Marcia (Mrs. Pete)
July 14th, 2007 11:29
In 1994 we actually won a trip from a 7-Up bottle cap(Uncola Island was the promotion) - 4 days, 3 nights on St. Thomas in November. It also happened to be our 10th wedding anniversary. We took the ferry over to St. John, rented a Jeep and fell in love. We snorkeled Leinster Bay our first trip, explored as much as we could in 1 day and vowed to come back for our 20th anniversary. We did, (in 2004) and have been back every year in December since. Can’t imagine going anywhere else, it’s now like home. And I must have my St. John “fix” here everyday!!!
July 14th, 2007 11:35
My mother picked up an old magazine (Southern Living?) at the place I lived in 1993. She read about Maho Bay Camps and wanted to go. So for Christmas 1995 that was our present from her! Hurricane Marilyn had damaged the area only a few months before, and Maho was about the only place up and running.
Yet the island was Beautiful and lush in December and all the beaches were deserted! The snorkeling was incredible and at that time it was an EASY day trip to the Jost, etc from Maho.(pre 9/11)
We visited every Christmas, and in 2000 I moved to St.John and lived there for 4 years. I have seen every part of the island and never got tired of being there. I drove an old white suzuki with holes in the floor and loved that old tin can. I miss it almost every day! I am in graduate school now for architecture, but coming for a visit in August!
July 14th, 2007 11:48
In the early 80’s when Cruz bay was pretty much non existent, I took a trip with my mom who loved the islands. We went to STT and took a ferry to STJ and I camped at Cinniamon and met Miss Lucy.
I fell in love with the island and even applied to the University and got accepted.
My dad said UNless I was Jacque Cousteau he was not paying for me to go to the islands.
I swore I would get back and did visit alot over the next 15 yrs. In 2003 I got accepted to teach pilates at the resorts in STT and STJ and moved on island. I also had my own pilates business and clients.
My mom got sick 2 yrs later and I left island to tend to family and be with her.
She has recently passed and I still want to come back and still consider my heart and soul on STJ.
July 14th, 2007 11:50
Jeff,
Our story is long and probably boring to some …so I’ll just take you to our site. This is how we found St John………
www.gooseneckwatergardens.com/history.ivnu
Since then, Bob has been on St John eight times and me only seven…..Jeff it is only fair, that you participate in this “Pop Quiz” as well…. We are going to see Inner Visions tonight it won’t be like on St John, but what the hex….
Linda
July 14th, 2007 12:00
We went to the Hyatt( it was a hyatt then) for our 1st wedding anniversary and fell in love with STJ. We have been coming back almost every year since then. We now rent a villa and bring our family with us. We just returned from our 15th visit.
July 14th, 2007 12:11
Sure, that’s fair!
We were invited to St. Maarten in 1999 by some friends who rented a villa there every year, the first time either of us had been to the Caribbean. It was fun, but not a real “gotta go back” kind of trip.
I was working at USA Today at the time and my boss there happened to be a guy named Frank Barnako. He mentioned St. John. We went that winter . And then two more times that year. And then four more times in the next two years. Somewhere in that first batch of trips was the cocktail napkin business plan and the Come to Realtor moment.
July 14th, 2007 13:20
Jeff,
We found St. John while planning for our honeymoon in 1998. Two people at my work had been before and sold us on trying it. Not knowing what to expect we booked and caught a flight out of Louisville in early Oct. We arrived and fell in love with the island. My wife had been raised around the water all of her life and was in heaven. Me a land lover soon learned what a wonderful paradise St. John was. By the end of our trip we were willing to sell t-shirts on the beach so we would not have to return home.
We made a second trip two years ago and now are planning the third trip for Oct. of 2008. When we talk of taking a vacation we only think of one place. St. John! We can never thank my co-workers enough for the suggestion for our honeymoon.
Larry
July 14th, 2007 14:01
In Feb-2003 we were looking at the most popular galleries on pbase and found this page:
http://www.pbase.com/mreilly01/st_john
So we emailed the artist and asked them where this :st. johns” place was and what villa they rented etc. We ended up renting the same villa in August of that year and of course fell in love with the island. We’ve only been twice because of other family vacation obligations, but we are always dreaming and planning our next trip.
July 14th, 2007 15:37
Long story short:
After Hurricane Marilyn (1995) I was worried about an ex that was living on STJ and tracked him down with help from Connections. Visited for 5 days in March ‘96, rekindled with ex, moved down in July, left ex in Feb ‘97, stayed for 4 more years.
July 14th, 2007 15:40
Three years ago I convinced my boyfriend to give up his annual trip to Florida, I told him I wanted to go to St. John for over 15 years since hearing about the camping on the Island. We didn’t camp but stayed at Cinnamon Bay Estate. Loved every moment. Last year we repeated the trip and while there ended up buying a three bedroom villa timeshare at the Westin, Knowing we would return every year anyway. He said it would be a great investment but I don’t see us selling it for any reason!
July 14th, 2007 16:07
In 1973 someone recommended the island to us. We stayed at Serendip. There was no Starfish or Dolphin. We had to stop at Pueblo on STT to get food before we got to STJ. There was Oscar’s and Miss Lily’s(where Tage is now.) Since that time we have done the following: bareboated and gone to STJ, bought a condo (since sold) and now have a boat in Coral Bay. We go down at least twice a year for an extended period of time. Up until this year I used to spend the summers there. We sailed down as far as Grenada and enjoyed the islands along the way but STJ will always be first in our hearts,even with all the growth it has experienced in all those years. You can’t even imagine all the changes we’ve seen.
July 14th, 2007 16:51
I fell in love with St. John back in the early ’70s when my first husband & I stayed at Cinnamon Bay campground on a recommendation from friends. My current DH (it’s been 22 yrs., so I guess this one’s gonna stick (-; ) had to put up with many years of hearing about the incredible colors (blue water, green jungle, white sand…) in this paradise I went to so many years before, so finally in 1997, we went back with our then 9 & 10 year old sons. Since he’s the original lobster man and not a beach guy, he was determined not to like St. John, and succeeded for the first 24 hrs. (”too hot/humid, too many bugs, ouch, that sunburn”…). But by the end of the week he was walking into real estate offices, “just to find out what it would cost to buy land…” We’ve since returned 7 times and ended up buying land in Coral Bay in 2000. We’re not sure what we’ll do with it yet, but we both - and our kids - consider it our spiritual home.
July 14th, 2007 16:55
First time was 1989. Visiting St Thomas and took a day trip over to St John. Rented a jeep for the day and fell in love with St John. It is my favorite island. The first time visiting Trunk Bay my mouth remained open for a full minute (hee hee)
Driving on the left was a hoot. Stay to left….stay to the left… I kept telling my husband. So much fun, we had to come back. Of course not as often as we would like. Back than we could buy a home on St John for around $300,000. We thought that was high but look at the prices now. WOW.
Stopped by Shipwreck landing and had my first conch fritters ever. Yummy.
Hope to be back in 2008. Stay away hurricanes that is my prayer for St John
July 14th, 2007 17:56
We went to a CME meetin on a cruise ship that stopped in STT. We took a champagne catamarran trip on the Dancing Dolphin for the day with Captain Sherry. One of the things that we did was to sail over to Honeymoon beach and snorkel and hang out. I asked her what island this was and the rest is history. At the end of that day, neither one of us wanted to get back on the ship. This cruise was at the end of NOvember 2001. By February 2002, we were at the Westin and on to our favorite beach Francis.
We will be making our 8th trip this fall.
July 14th, 2007 18:17
Friends of ours went every summer and stayed at Caneel Bay. It was our 25th anniv. and another friend offered up a week of their timeshare trade, ANYWHERE that was available for us! We were able to get a week on STT. On the 2nd day, we rented a jeep and headed to the car ferry in Red Hook to go over to STJ. Ended up catching the 1st ferry every morning for the rest of the trip. Our first beach on STJ was Lamshure! Gorgeous! Going back next year and only to STJ.
July 14th, 2007 19:25
These people had this blog I couldn’t quit reading. Weird, I know.
There also might have been a cruise one Spring.
July 14th, 2007 19:26
must thank my boss for pointing me in the right direction. she does the Westin time share thing and she kept telling me I would love it. So i listened to her, which is rare
We honeymooned there last year at a little place called Bongo Bongo - the first time for both of us. We will return this November to another villa. It will be wonderful, I know, but we will always have Bongo!
And btw, after I returned I told my boss how right she was and I asked her “did you go to this beach or that bar or this restaurant” and each time she said no. I was aghast to find out she really never leaves the Westin and NEVER rents a car “because the Westin has taxis”. Huh? Well, to each his own!
July 14th, 2007 19:45
Trip to St. Thomas in Oct. 2004. Back to St. John five times since. What can I say?…It’s addicting.
July 14th, 2007 20:16
Like many others, we visited St Thomas by way of cruise ship and spent the day at Magen’s Bay. We thought it was just about the most perfect place on earth.
So the next year we planned a week’s vacation in villa on St Thomas and while researching the trip I stumbled upon the VIOL forum and after reading all of the posts and seeing the passion everyone had for St John, we extended our week-long trip into a two week trip and spent the second week on STJ.
We will return in November for our sixth trip, it really gets into your blood. I can’t even think of a beach vacation anywhere else!
July 14th, 2007 20:16
I came down to Tortola on a yacht delivery October ‘06 with good friends who were Captain and Chef. Then returned to visit them in March ‘07 for a week long trip around St John. Now hooked on St John. Moving down by the first of August!
July 14th, 2007 20:30
Friends camped at Maho in 2002, loved it and wanted to share this spectacular island. We all went in July 2003, and absolutely loved it. I’ve never seen such colors, blues, greens, oh my!!! Been back two more times, and actually just got back a little over two weeks ago, spent two faboulous weeks there. I’d go back tomorrow if possible.
Love it!
July 14th, 2007 20:35
Use to spend a week or so during the winter on Grand Cayman for years. Friend was visiting and suggested trying St. John. That was about 12 years ago when Starfish was still in the old location, there were no big condo projects, you could find a parking space in Cruz Bay,there was only one ATM and that was at CitiBank, etc.
Early on, had a chance to buy a real nice villa for a little over $600,000…that shows you how dumb I really am…..
July 14th, 2007 21:28
We first came on-island in 2005 for our 10 year anniversary. We joined our dear friend that (as of thier last trip in June) have been 8 or 9 years in a row. We loved it so much we joined for their 06′ trip as well. Unfortunately we didn’t make it back in 07′ but definitely are planning an 08′ trip. We love it so much my husband is planning a Petroglyph tattoo just so he has a bit of the island with him at all times! Ugh, just writing this makes me want a Lime in de Coconut at the Beach bar! See you all next year!
July 14th, 2007 22:13
I have to say this is soooooo enjoyable reading about how so many of you found STJ and your love for the little island.
It is definately a place that forms an attachment to each person that visits………
July 15th, 2007 07:44
When my husband and I were dating, we took our first trip together to St Thomas…we took the ferry over to St John for the day and fell in love. We then spent 10 days on STJ for our honeymoon and have been back every year since… this winter will be our 6th trip. It’s a magical place that will always be a part of our lives.
July 15th, 2007 08:21
In 1992 I went with my husband on working cruise (for him) with the Petty family and lots of Nascar fans. On the STT stop we took the ferry over to STJ and snorkeled Trunk. While we were waiting at JJ’s for the ferry to pick us up we decided that one day we’d come back to this spectacular island for a whole week.
It took us 10 years to do it, and we’ve been back at least once a year since (except this year
).
I love St John!
July 15th, 2007 10:10
Hawaii had been our vacation destination of choice….we had been there 12 times with our three kids. I distinctly recall my husband saying that we should try the Hyatt on an island in the USVI…St Johns or John or something like that:) The majority ruled…”Why go someplace else when we can go to Hawaii?” We had a family trip planned for Feb.2002. Tragedy struck our family on Sept.11, 2001….our daughter Melissa was taken from us, she worked on the 102 floor of Tower 1 at the WTC.
Fast forward to Dec.2005…I knew that I needed to get away after Christmas. We had made reservations on a small island off the coast of Mexico. Hurricane Wilma(I think)changed our plans and we arranged a last minute trip to St John. We have been there 3 times, we have a trip planned for Sept. and I’m in the process of finding villas for two anticipated trips in 2008.
St. John just “feels right”. It holds a spiritual reality for us. After seeing our first St. John rainbow on New Year morning of 2006….we were hooked. A rainbow on St. John is a hug sent to us by Melissa…I am sure of it.
July 15th, 2007 11:11
A friend of the family suggested STJ to us when we were planning our honeymoon. My boss at the time had visited several times and liked it. He mentioned how his wife wanted to stay at Caneel Bay. That got me looking and we ended up honeymooning at Caneel and loved it.
We have been back six times since, both at Caneel and villa rentals. We have been to other places and just really enjoy coming back to STJ.
July 15th, 2007 11:17
Was buying birdseed at a little shop in Evanston, Illinois and saw a Sierra Club book about the Caribbean. Never really thought of the Caribbean as a Sierra Club kind of place (no one I knew had ever been there). So I bought the book, read it cover to cover, and booked us on a cruise that stopped at about 6 islands to get a taste. Was intrigued by Dominica, “the nature island”, but it was the description of a US National Park in the Virgin Islands that kept me fascinated. A year later we booked a platform tent for 2 weeks at Cinnamon Bay; after that it was 3 weeks in a cottage (much of that looking at lots for sale). Now we’ve been back 5 or 6 times– the second trip 7 months into a pregnancy, then with 2-year old twin girls, again as 3-year olds, then 4-year olds… they’ll be 6 on our next visit… can’t wait!
July 15th, 2007 13:54
Bareboating out of STT in 1985 we “discovered” St John, sailing around the whole island, stopping in a half dozen bays with the woman I would later ask to be my wife. At anchor one night we talked about never leaving. Unfortunately it took 25 years before we finally bought a place near Cruz Bay and are now looking forward to returning much more often.
July 15th, 2007 14:11
What wonderful stories about our love for STJ! And I thought I was the only addict!
In 2001 our neighbors asked if we wanted to split the cost of a villa on St. John. At the time, we declined thinking it was not worth the hassle to get our family to STT then drag our kids & luggage on some kind of boat all the way to STJ! The neighbors came back with beautiful pictures of their trip and we swore we would get there someday.
Well, the following year we went on a Disney Cruise with one of the stops to STT. This was our chance to visit STJ, even for a few hours. Seeing the Trunk Bay lookout for the first time blew me away! We hung out at Cinnamon Bay, bought a bottle of wine and christened our new vacation spot. After lunch at Woody’s and our first painkillers, the island (or the drinks) cast its spell on us! I don’t quite remember how we made it back to the cruise ship but we knew we would never go on a cruise again!!
We will be leaving in 2 weeks for our 5th trip to STJ celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary ! Many thanks to this wonderful St. John website and forums that keep our STJ memories alive until we meet again . . .
July 15th, 2007 21:35
After hearing about how beautifuk St John is, I planned a honeymoon to STJ in 1999. Now divorced, I got the Westin timeshare, she got everthing else. I am looking for a girl who loves ST John as much as I do.
I have been to St John 8 times in the past nine years.
July 15th, 2007 21:58
IT WAS 1966 DURING THE FIRST MARRIAGE - CAMPING AT CINNAMON BAY WITH TWO OTHER GUYS AND MY HUSBAND. NEXT IT WAS 1971 AFTER THE DIVORCE - A GREAT HEALING PLACE SITTING ON THE ROCKS AT THE FAR END OF THE BEACH. IT WAS THEN 1977 WHEN I FOUND MY TRUE LOVE WOW! AND THEN IT WAS 1986 WITH MY 4YEAR OLD TWINS. WE WERE LIVING ON ST THOMAS.
I RE-DISCOVER ST.JOHN OVER AND OVER - IT NEVER LEAVES ME. WE ARE ON OUR WAY BACK - THIS TIME FOR GOOD.
July 15th, 2007 22:01
Friend of mine went down 18 years ago and raved about it ! My first trip was 5 years ago in June! Been back so many times I’ve lost count! Love it and it great to have a relative living down there!
hi to Wade!
July 15th, 2007 22:17
IT WAS 1966 DURING THE FIRST MARRIAGE - CAMPING AT CINNAMON BAY WITH TWO OTHER GUYS AND MY HUSBAND. NEXT IT WAS 1971 AFTER THE DIVORCE - A GREAT HEALING PLACE SITTING ON THE ROCKS AT THE FAR END OF THE BEACH. IT WAS THEN 1980 WHEN I FOUND MY TRUE LOVE WOW! AND THEN IT WAS 1986 WITH MY 4YEAR OLD TWINS. WE WERE LIVING ON ST THOMAS.
I RE-DISCOVER ST.JOHN OVER AND OVER - IT NEVER LEAVES ME. WE ARE ON OUR WAY BACK - THIS TIME FOR GOOD.
July 16th, 2007 05:16
We were first on St John for our honeymoon in 2002. We’ve been back every year for our anniversary. We were just there in JUne for the 6th time and we have next year’s villa rented. Can’t wait!
July 16th, 2007 07:37
Decided to elope to the islands in 1997, wound up trading our timeshare in Aruba for one in STT. Married on a beach in STT and daytripped to STJ. DOH! We realized STJ is the island for us! Now rent my timeshare in Aruba to augment the STJ trips. STJ in 2001 with daughter #1, 2006 with daughter #2 and returning in Nov. for 10th anniversary with husband, kids, my Mom and an Aunt who used to sail charters in the USVI in the 70’s.
July 16th, 2007 07:53
Our first trip to St John was in 1995. We stayed at Caneel Bay as a friend of our’s had been there several times and loved it. We liked Caneel but loved St John. We have been back 9 or 10 times since, renting villas either in Coral Bay or the East End. We go back to Caneel every once in a while to visit, ride the shuttle to see the place, grab a drink and hold onto our wallets.
There is nothing better than a day at one of the Northshore beaches, a St John style Smoothie on the way home, a home cooked meal with a view to end all views –oh and perhaps a tiny bit of dark rum poured over some puerto rican punch, limes, nutmeg and lots of ice!
Thank god rum is cheap on St John, that’s all I can say!
July 16th, 2007 07:56
A friend of a friend lived there for 9 years. We decided to hold our 2001 wedding there without ever having been, made all the plans then decided to visit in June 2000. We LOVED it! Our wedding was fabulous in May of 2001 - Trunk Bay, reception at a villa (Casa Del Sol) and amazing dinner by Shay (and super yummy cake!). Have visited 14 times since. We stayed at Bongo Bongo this past Jan/Feb - your place is awesome guys!
St. John is heaven on earth!
July 16th, 2007 08:19
Just like many have said before. I was on a group trip to St. Thomas about 1986 and we took a day trip to St. John. We rented a car and beach hopped and drove around the main loop of the island. I was blown away with just how beautiful and quiet it was. There was another group trip to St. Thomas and ferry ride to St. John. Then it was a five days at the Hyatt.Then the house rentals started. Married on Hawksnest in 1997. Purchased land in 2002. They are putting the roof on as I type. We are making plans for half a year on Bordeaux Mountain and half a year near Washington DC. It has changed my life and the way I see my future.
July 16th, 2007 09:34
Our friends who had been to STJ recommended we try a trip to STJ (with them of course). So instead of going to Aruba for out 25th in 2004 we came to STJ and stayed at Tango Mare. We absolutely loved being there that in 2005 we took our 2 sons and their girlfriends and stayed at Primaria. In 2006 we came back and stayed at Bongo Bongo. Scheduled another trip for this fall. We still haven’t been to Aruba!
July 16th, 2007 09:37
In 1984, friends of ours visited St John and couldn’t stop raving about it. We made our fist visit in ‘85 and have visited a dozen or so times since. 25 days until our next visit!!!
July 16th, 2007 10:05
2001, my in-laws had their kids and spouses down as a (very nice) gift. They stayed at Cinnamon Bay, we rented a condo in town. This year was our 5th trip down!
July 16th, 2007 10:07
We used to go to Bermuda every yeat until 2003, when a hurricane came through and destroyed our hotel about 20 days before the trip. John’s passport was expired so we had to find a place we could go with just his birth certificate.
One of my coworkers told me that she had a friend that camped at Cinnamon Bay and loved it, so we took a chance and made last minute plans to come down. We knew nothing at all about the island. Thank goodness for the copy of feet fins and four wheel drive someone left in our rental jeep!
That first trip was scheduled for 10 days, but we fell in love with St. John and extended for another 4 days. We came back for two weeks in June ’04, then 2 ½ weeks in July ’05, 2 ½ weeks in June ’06, and 20 days in May/June 07. Last night we finalized plans for a week in October, and we are already talking about making it 10 days instead.
We are hooked on St. John, and have not been back to Bermuda at all!
July 16th, 2007 10:22
I LOVE these stories! In 2002, we took our kids on a 7 Night Disney Cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. One of the stops was STT. Through research, I knew the thing to do was take the ferry over and see Trunk Bay.
Well because of northern swells, all of the cruise trips were cancelled but I didn’t care. We grabbed our stuff and the kids and took a taxi to the ferry dock. From the moment the dock came into view I just knew it was my special place.
We had a taxi drive us to Trunk and the overlooks just took my breath away. With each passing curve I fell deeper under it’s spell. Trunk was unbelievably gorgeous and deserted with big swells and hardly any beach but I didn’t care. I was in the moment.
We stayed as long as we possibly could then had the taxi drive us back to the ferry dock. I cried cause I didn’t want to leave and made Honey promise that we’d come back for an island stay. I left a piece of my heart there that day. I’ve never felt that way about any other island.
We are on our way back in June of 08 for our 3rd visit and am busy wishing my life away hoping it will come sooner.
St John is it for me.
July 16th, 2007 13:09
We wereon a cruise in January 2000, and while docked in STT, EXTREMELY reluctantly took the ferry over to STJ.
We fell in love on the spot and gave consideration to moving.
We waited until I’d accumulated enough FF Miles to go and did for the first time in 2004. The rest is history
July 16th, 2007 13:24
Back in 96 we were on a crusie when we went over to STJ fell in love with it. After that we would be up as soon as the gang plank touch down so we could spend as much time there as possible. We never thought of staying there always though we couldn’t afford it. Then we met some people that own a couple of villas on it they had us down. As my wife got sicker they had a open inventation to come down when ever she felt up to it. No matter what she had gone thru or how she feltbefore we got on the plane when we step off she was like a new woman. we were there 5 times in 2005 and 2 in 2006 before she died. I’ll never be able to repay them for whet they have done for us. Now just have to get back twice a year isn’t enough.
July 16th, 2007 16:05
Husband had been bareboating in the area for 30 years - had always been intrigued with STJ. After we met he took me on a romantic trip to Caneel. Loved it! Then we went back a few more times and stayed in villas all over the island. Loved it more! Impulsively bought a villa together, luckily before the prices went insane. Got married on STJ with all our friends coming down, many for the first time. Come down 2-3 times a year for a month or so at a time. It’s not enough!
July 17th, 2007 09:35
1996. We arrived as many others, on the Jolly Mon day sail excursion to Honeymoon, skipping yet another shopping tour for an adventure of a different sort. The dream was born, our search over.
1997. Jim Labrenz smiled as he handed yet another smitten couple off to his newest agent.
1998. We stand on the platform overlooking Coral Bay, knowing someday, someday we WILL be here. The ink on the purchase agreement is barely dry. The dream takes shape.
1999 - now. We come every year to get our fix. Honey drips on my chin after biting into Vi’s Johnnycake. Donkeys bray at our approach down the Lameshur Trail to Europa. Mongoose scuttles across the road. The racket from the trees at 5 am. Feeding the Bananquits from your hand. Reef Bay. These are the things that are fixed in our minds. Six more years. Then we break ground. The dream lives. We cannot wait to insinuate our souls into the fabric of this island. Just six more years.
See the last 50 entries? They all understand. They all have the passion. Once it gets you it will never let go.
July 19th, 2007 06:48
A coworker/friend recommended STJ for a honeymoon trip. We went in September 2000, for 5 days–not long enough!! Fell in love with the island! We talked our neighbors into going back with us in 2002 for 10 days–they are also now hooked. We now have small children, and haven’t been back since then, but are already planning a trip for 2010 (again with our neighbors) to celebrate our 10th anniversaries–we can’t wait!! We love STJ!!
July 20th, 2007 08:12
In 1970 I went on a vacation to San Juan, PR. In those days they had cheap flights to the VI for duty free shopping. I flew over to St. Thomas on the third day to get some cheap rum. Took the local bus around the island to see what was there. You know when I came over the hill at Red Hook and saw St. John, I have to go over there. St. John drew me to it. I had never heard of the Virgin Islands before! I stayed at Cinnamon Bay then the Accommodations Inn (now Cruz Bay Inn…that’s a story in itself!) I only went back to the hotel in San Juan the last day to pick up my luggage. It’s not only the beauty of the island but also the people living there that drew me back.
Perhaps another topic could be interesting local people you’ve met there…. besides Laluna, Patrina and Lindy… although I got some good one on them too!
July 20th, 2007 08:22
We have spent a lot of time in the islands, but never the VI. In 2003, friends set up a trip to St John. We spent 10 days falling in love with the island. As the ferry was taking us back to St Thomas and our flight to the states, my wife got teary-eyed and didn’t want to leave. I felt the same way.
We’ve seen a lot of friends, family and acquaintances that worked hard all of their lives, planning for a retirement that never happened. Too many 48 year-olds with heart attacks and people with incapacitating strokes or some variation of getting hit by that bus. I got to thinking about our plans to someday retire somewhere tropical. I thought, maybe we don’t need to wait - maybe we should go now. We’re smart people, we could make it work. When we got back to Connecticut, I booked another trip to St John for the two of us.
A couple of months later, we were stepping off of the ferry from Red Hook. We felt like we were back home. We spent a lot of time exploring the island, talking to people, checking out the real estate market, and questioning ourselves if this was just a fling or the real deal. A few days before we headed back north, we came to the conclusion that St John was where we truly wanted to spend the rest of our lives. This was in spite of having reading various blogs and web sites detailing the trials and tribulations of other lovesick soles that were building on St John. Of course, we would learn from all of their mistakes and have a much easier time with our build. We’re smart people.
On our next trip “home”, we started looking at properties. We bought a trusty little Suzuki that gets us over impossible roads (road being an embellishment - goat path is closer to the mark for most of them). A friend pointed out a boat for sale in Coral Harbor. We bought it to use as a base camp (floating condo) and to sail around to explore other islands. Of course the sailing part required “a little work”, but that’s another story (and yes, he’s still a friend).
After several more trips and looking at 48 differentr properties all over the island, we finally found a parcel above Coral Bay that we could call our own. We are now completing our site and building plans for submission to the permit process this fall. Hopefully, we’ll be able to start work on our modest home in earnest by next spring. Our plan is to become full-time residents in about two years or so. We know it will take a lot of effort to accomplish our dream, but we’ll get there. After all, we’re smart people.
July 20th, 2007 10:26
April 1975, a friend who I always traveled with suggested St. John in the VI - her very wild and crazy cousin had just moved there. I arrived in the evening hours a light rain was coming down and I believed I was on the wrong island as no one spoke English or so I thought. I was happy when my friend and her cousin showed up to meet the ferry after I waited in the park for awhile which seemed hours. The cousin was driving a mini moke, an open-sided built vehicle that resembles an early miniature Jeep or dune buggy. Off we went in the rain and dirt, gravel roads with thick bush on each side. I knew then this was sure to be a start of my “Adventures in Paradise” maybe good maybe not. The next morning, I awoke to a very strange animal noise, a honking sound, but not geese. Everyone in the household was asleep, I cautiously opened the door of the quaint island cottage perched on a mountain top. The scene was of a male peacock opening his tale feathers like a large, colorful fan - standing on the edge of a cliff, the sun was coming up over the turquoise Caribbean sea. I will NEVER forget that scene as it is a permanent video embedded in my memory. That had me hooked on St. John. I became a full time resident in 1980. I was right about my Adventures in Paradise for 27 years “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it ws the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.
July 20th, 2007 21:36
Our first visit to the VI’s was to St Thomas in 1987. We wanted to take a day sail and hooked up with a boat out of Cruz Bay. After the sail we wondered around Cruz Bay, stayed for dinner, and decided to return to check out some of the beaches we passed during the sail. So the next day we came back and went to Hawksnest and Trunk, I was hooked.
The natural beauty is obvious and unquestionably part of the attraction, but the unrestrained friendliness of all we came in contact with is what started the parade of return trips.
We have returned at least once a year since that first sail. Some combination of our five children and four grandchildren have accompanied us on each trip. Now the older “children” occasionally spend time on island and they have even invited us old timers to accompany them, how sweet is that.
Our next trip is only three weeks away, we arrive on August 11 for 9 days. Can’t wait for Francis Bay, Skinny’s, Beach Bar, Woody’s, Cafe Roma………
July 24th, 2007 12:45
In ‘98 my Hubby and I decided we could afford our first “island” vacation. We searched for info and were told by a business associate about this little island called St. John. After some research we booked our first trip staying at the Westin. I can remember each first (the first time I saw the island from the ferry, the first time we went into Cruz Bay, etc.) like it was yesterday. During that week I broke the rental jeep, was extremely sunburned, stung by a full nest worth of bees, cut up by barbed wire fence and, last but not least, fell and was road burned from head to toe. Despite all of this, it was the best 7 days of my life. I figured it was just part of the charm. I cried for days when I left STJ. I have returned every year since (staying at villa’s) knowing full well that when I arrived I would have an advanture at hand. Did you ever see someone get shot on STJ - I did!!! Boy, the stories I could tell. There is truly no place like STJ!