usvi-on-line
When and/or was your 1st Time on STJ
Re: Memories of first trip to St.John
Proof of snorkeling with broken arm by poolmom:poolmom wrote:...Last year two weeks before our trip I was in a car accident and broke my arm. ...Believe it or not I even snorkeled a few times with my cast covered in a trash bag and duct tape. That was a lovely site to see. ...
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kipspage/5533103413/" title="poolmom_snorkel by Kipspage, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/553 ... a023_z.jpg" width="640" height="286" alt="poolmom_snorkel"></a>
Poolmom: Don't worry. No one will recognize you. I disguised you
. See y'all soon on the rock.-John
Leap, and the net will appear.
- John Burroughs
- John Burroughs
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
WOW to some of these stories. Tears in my eyes.
We are forever grateful to friends that discovered STJ on a day trip from STT. They wanted to spend more time there, and booked a trip. It was the hubby's 40th birthday, and, to surprise him, the wife invited us down.
We were all staying at the Westin. We flew down the day after they did, and walked up to them at the Westin Beach Bar- completely surprising our friend for his birthday! That was fun.
It was a whirlwind 4 days trying to soak it all in and get to as many beaches as we could. Love at first sight. That was 2005. We just got back from trip #14 or 15- we have lost count!
This last trip we took newbies. It was such a joy to see STJ through their eyes. They've got it bad, and are returning with us next year.
Once or twice we have gone other places- we love to discover new spots, but it always tears at our hearts when we are not "home".
We are forever grateful to friends that discovered STJ on a day trip from STT. They wanted to spend more time there, and booked a trip. It was the hubby's 40th birthday, and, to surprise him, the wife invited us down.
We were all staying at the Westin. We flew down the day after they did, and walked up to them at the Westin Beach Bar- completely surprising our friend for his birthday! That was fun.
It was a whirlwind 4 days trying to soak it all in and get to as many beaches as we could. Love at first sight. That was 2005. We just got back from trip #14 or 15- we have lost count!
This last trip we took newbies. It was such a joy to see STJ through their eyes. They've got it bad, and are returning with us next year.
Once or twice we have gone other places- we love to discover new spots, but it always tears at our hearts when we are not "home".
Wow! There are some very touching stories here.
Our stories is, it was time for a vacation 2009, and the hubby wanted to go to Hawaii. I started looking into it and there was so much info and so many choices. I was finding it very frustrating. The entire time I'm researching, I am already dreading the flight. From Boston it's a looong flight. I don't like to fly. Somehow in my research I ended up lost on the web and looking at stuff for the USVI. We ended up booking a trip to St.John. 10 days at Concordia. Then I started to worry, what if he doesn't like it. He wanted to go to Hawaii, he agreed to this, but he wanted Hawaii.
It was dark when we arrived and couldn't see much. Waking up at Concordia the next morning to that view was life changing. We went to Salt Pond and no one else was there, no one at all. We snorkeled and had a hard time staying under the water because we wanted to talk about what we were seeing. It was so exciting. The next morning we again woke to that amazing view and my husband looked at me and said
"I'm glad we came here instead of Hawaii".
We just returned from our third trip to St.John, and never even considered for a minute going somewhere else.
Our stories is, it was time for a vacation 2009, and the hubby wanted to go to Hawaii. I started looking into it and there was so much info and so many choices. I was finding it very frustrating. The entire time I'm researching, I am already dreading the flight. From Boston it's a looong flight. I don't like to fly. Somehow in my research I ended up lost on the web and looking at stuff for the USVI. We ended up booking a trip to St.John. 10 days at Concordia. Then I started to worry, what if he doesn't like it. He wanted to go to Hawaii, he agreed to this, but he wanted Hawaii.
It was dark when we arrived and couldn't see much. Waking up at Concordia the next morning to that view was life changing. We went to Salt Pond and no one else was there, no one at all. We snorkeled and had a hard time staying under the water because we wanted to talk about what we were seeing. It was so exciting. The next morning we again woke to that amazing view and my husband looked at me and said
"I'm glad we came here instead of Hawaii".
We just returned from our third trip to St.John, and never even considered for a minute going somewhere else.
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EagleRayLover
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:56 pm
- Location: St. John -WooHoo!!
I just read some of these stories and they touched my heart so much, I wanted to restart this thread so others could feel the same!! My story is already here (under Augie's post), but can't wait for the next installment! hope you enjoy and hope we continue this thread- Thanks Big Cheese for starting this one!
Leslie, Kids Night In Babysitting
I agree EagleRay - these stories are awesome and many have brought love and happy feelings to my heart. Thnx for bringing the thread back up. 
Our story is:
Feb 2002 - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Oct 2005 - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Dec 2006 - Spent 10 Glorious days on STJ over Christmas with our son.
Feb 2009 - - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Now, Aug 2011 - Spending 2 Fantabulous weeks on STJ with my honey for our 30th wedding anniversary.
Can't wait!!
Our story is:
Feb 2002 - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Oct 2005 - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Dec 2006 - Spent 10 Glorious days on STJ over Christmas with our son.
Feb 2009 - - Cruise to STT, dock, get off and make a B line for STJ on a Catamaran.
Now, Aug 2011 - Spending 2 Fantabulous weeks on STJ with my honey for our 30th wedding anniversary.
Can't wait!!
Coden
Some day I hope our 16 year-old granddaughter will be writing her own story. We brought her to STJ for her first trip Friday. She is between her junior and senior years. She has known since she was about 7 that she wanted to be a marine biologist. Our plan was to get her certified as an open water diver and let her see some marine life first hand. We expected it to be great, but I would have to describe the last three days as spectacular.
Fridy afternoon we quickly check into Luna Vista and headed to Maho. There she saw her first sea stars, southern rays and turtles. Saturday we snorkeled Francis where she saw a very large turtle, several peacock flounders and lots of very nice coral. Anticipating today's first dive, I asked her how she thinks it will look in 3-D.
We left from Low Key first thing this morning and headed to Grass Cay. She did the usual first dive and got back to the boat. As we were preparing to leave Grass, someone shouted, "DOLPHINS, DOLPHINS, DOLPHINS! GET YOUR SNORKEL GEAR ON AND GET IN THE WATER!" Hot Wings got into the water and saw three of the five that were in this pod. During the second dive she saw a five-foot-long reef shark.
That's a fast start for a STJ newbie and begining marine biologist. What will the remaining time here show her? What will future trips give her?
I believe there's magic here.
JIM
Fridy afternoon we quickly check into Luna Vista and headed to Maho. There she saw her first sea stars, southern rays and turtles. Saturday we snorkeled Francis where she saw a very large turtle, several peacock flounders and lots of very nice coral. Anticipating today's first dive, I asked her how she thinks it will look in 3-D.
We left from Low Key first thing this morning and headed to Grass Cay. She did the usual first dive and got back to the boat. As we were preparing to leave Grass, someone shouted, "DOLPHINS, DOLPHINS, DOLPHINS! GET YOUR SNORKEL GEAR ON AND GET IN THE WATER!" Hot Wings got into the water and saw three of the five that were in this pod. During the second dive she saw a five-foot-long reef shark.
That's a fast start for a STJ newbie and begining marine biologist. What will the remaining time here show her? What will future trips give her?
I believe there's magic here.
JIM
Man it's like some dream we live down here....
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SOonthebeach
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Tue Jan 19, 2010 10:01 am
- Location: Texas
Ha, forgot to share our story.
We first came to STJ in 2001 on our honeymoon via a Barefoot Cruise. That cruise line has since gone out of business, but we spent a week island hopping.
Our day on STJ consisted of a mountain biking tour to the ruins that started at Maho. We never even went down to the beach???? But we took pictures in front of the blue building while on our bikes. I should look up those pics.
For the afternoon, we took a cab to Waterlemon, hiked in and snorkeled all by ourselves. There was no one else there. It was lovely and amazing! When we finished snorkeling, we hiked back past a couple of young guys smoking dope. We greeted them and kept hiking back to the road to wait for a cab. We waited and waited. No cab came so we started walking. Ha, we had no idea what to do. Then it started to rain on us. We will never forget those 2 fellows who were smoking pot because they are the ones who let us ride in the bed of their small truck back to Cruz Bay to get on our little cruise ship.
We could never thank those guys enough as we rode back there in the rain. It's one of our favorite memories!
We first came to STJ in 2001 on our honeymoon via a Barefoot Cruise. That cruise line has since gone out of business, but we spent a week island hopping.
Our day on STJ consisted of a mountain biking tour to the ruins that started at Maho. We never even went down to the beach???? But we took pictures in front of the blue building while on our bikes. I should look up those pics.
For the afternoon, we took a cab to Waterlemon, hiked in and snorkeled all by ourselves. There was no one else there. It was lovely and amazing! When we finished snorkeling, we hiked back past a couple of young guys smoking dope. We greeted them and kept hiking back to the road to wait for a cab. We waited and waited. No cab came so we started walking. Ha, we had no idea what to do. Then it started to rain on us. We will never forget those 2 fellows who were smoking pot because they are the ones who let us ride in the bed of their small truck back to Cruz Bay to get on our little cruise ship.
We could never thank those guys enough as we rode back there in the rain. It's one of our favorite memories!
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piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Our first trip was June 2003 when my husband and I decided to skip the fancy wedding and get married on the beach...Trunk Bay, actually...its been 'our place' ever since...our daughter has adopted it as 'her place' as well...It feels like going 'home' everytime we're there...can't wait to get back...5 more sleeps for us...
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ColatoStJohn
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:03 am
- Location: Columbia, SC
What a wonderful topic
Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. St. John is truly a special place.
Our first trip: On a cruise with husband and good friends in '94 (I think)and St.Thomas was our last stop. I'd done all my research and had asked everyone if they would be willing to adventure to St.John and visit this beach called "Trunk Bay". Everyone agreed, and off we went. I was so nervous because we were tired of cruising by that point and I didn't want our last day to be a disappointment. My friend was seasick from the CA ferry and I was sweating. We piled into a Taxi in Cruz Bay and headed off for the beach. I still remember cresting the hill the North Shore drive and seeing Caneel below us, an impossibily beautiful postcard. We knew then we had to come back for real.
Our first real trip: February 1996. We lived in Minneapolis then and were so excited to escape the cold. We were clueless and didn't realize that we were arriving after Hurricane Marilyn had devastated the island. We stayed at Orchid Hill on Maria Bluff and woke up every morning watching the waves crash against the rocks across the bay. Everyone was kind and friendly and we loved it.
People on the island were very anxious about the Hyatt and when it would re-open - those jobs and the tourists were important to people's livelihoods. As we know, Hyatt abandoned the property, but Westin came in and re-opened. I always favor Starwood hotels because of this (even though I know they don't do anything out of the goodness of the hearts).
Thanks for the chance to stroll down memory lane. Looking forward to my next visit in 9 days
Our first trip: On a cruise with husband and good friends in '94 (I think)and St.Thomas was our last stop. I'd done all my research and had asked everyone if they would be willing to adventure to St.John and visit this beach called "Trunk Bay". Everyone agreed, and off we went. I was so nervous because we were tired of cruising by that point and I didn't want our last day to be a disappointment. My friend was seasick from the CA ferry and I was sweating. We piled into a Taxi in Cruz Bay and headed off for the beach. I still remember cresting the hill the North Shore drive and seeing Caneel below us, an impossibily beautiful postcard. We knew then we had to come back for real.
Our first real trip: February 1996. We lived in Minneapolis then and were so excited to escape the cold. We were clueless and didn't realize that we were arriving after Hurricane Marilyn had devastated the island. We stayed at Orchid Hill on Maria Bluff and woke up every morning watching the waves crash against the rocks across the bay. Everyone was kind and friendly and we loved it.
People on the island were very anxious about the Hyatt and when it would re-open - those jobs and the tourists were important to people's livelihoods. As we know, Hyatt abandoned the property, but Westin came in and re-opened. I always favor Starwood hotels because of this (even though I know they don't do anything out of the goodness of the hearts).
Thanks for the chance to stroll down memory lane. Looking forward to my next visit in 9 days
May-June 2005. 20th Anniversary trip. I saw the island from the ferry and knew it was "the place" I had always dreamed about. I didn't want to go home but I had kids back there. I wanted to return asap but did not get back until 2007. I was really sad in 2006 when I could not go. I have been back 1-2 times a year ever since.
I wanted to return asap but did not get back until 2007. I was really sad in 2006 when I could not go. I have been back 1-2 times a year ever since.We were planning our honeymoon and knew we wanted to go to the Caribbean and actually picked our wedding date based on travelling during low season.
A close friend of my parent's has travelled the world suba diving and based on his travels and what he knew about my likes and dislikes, he recommended Bonaire or STJ. The logistics of Bonaire were too much to deal with so STJ it was.
This was 1995 and internet research, for me at least, didn't exist yet. Someone mentioned to us that they always wanted to stay at Caneel so I called Rock Resorts and requested a brochure. (Caneel was sold to Rosewood prior to our honeymoon.) We went for the full-meal plan, honeymoon package that included sailing, a VG day trip, sunset cruise, etc. I think our room on Scott Beach, with all meals and activities, transfers and taxes/fees was $395 per night, maybe less.
We rented our Jeep from Penn's and I was all sorts of bent out of shape because all it took was a phone call, no deposit, no questions, just show up and we will have a jeep for you. I was convinced we would arrive and no jeep.
We were hooked immediately as soon as we stepped on the boat. There was an employee who was catching a ride back to STJ and he told us all about the island, the resort and the national park.
I remember there were a bunch of other honeymooners at Caneel close to our ages (24/29 yo) that hated Caneel and hated STJ. One in particular went back home to NJ after 3 days because STJ was "boring."
A close friend of my parent's has travelled the world suba diving and based on his travels and what he knew about my likes and dislikes, he recommended Bonaire or STJ. The logistics of Bonaire were too much to deal with so STJ it was.
This was 1995 and internet research, for me at least, didn't exist yet. Someone mentioned to us that they always wanted to stay at Caneel so I called Rock Resorts and requested a brochure. (Caneel was sold to Rosewood prior to our honeymoon.) We went for the full-meal plan, honeymoon package that included sailing, a VG day trip, sunset cruise, etc. I think our room on Scott Beach, with all meals and activities, transfers and taxes/fees was $395 per night, maybe less.
We rented our Jeep from Penn's and I was all sorts of bent out of shape because all it took was a phone call, no deposit, no questions, just show up and we will have a jeep for you. I was convinced we would arrive and no jeep.
We were hooked immediately as soon as we stepped on the boat. There was an employee who was catching a ride back to STJ and he told us all about the island, the resort and the national park.
I remember there were a bunch of other honeymooners at Caneel close to our ages (24/29 yo) that hated Caneel and hated STJ. One in particular went back home to NJ after 3 days because STJ was "boring."
Loved Megan's story! Thanks for turning me into a blubbering mess at work! Reading things like this reinforces in me to always live today to the fullest. Best wishes to Megan and your family!
My story is so cliche. 2001. Disney cruise. Had planned on the Trunk Bay excursion through the ship. Cancelled due to northern swells. I just thought...we've come all this way and now we won't see it? I don't think so. I grabbed my peeps and hopped a ferry not knowing squat about anything. Went on our own and it was glorious! From the moment I stepped off the ferry, I knew I was home...and that was the spot for me. Stood at the ferry going back and cried. I so didn't want to leave. We made a pact and were back on island the following year and every other year since. Have also discovered a love of the BVI's as well, so now we combine. So many wonderful memories. So grateful to be able to go with those I love to this beautiful, special place! Can't wait to go back!
My story is so cliche. 2001. Disney cruise. Had planned on the Trunk Bay excursion through the ship. Cancelled due to northern swells. I just thought...we've come all this way and now we won't see it? I don't think so. I grabbed my peeps and hopped a ferry not knowing squat about anything. Went on our own and it was glorious! From the moment I stepped off the ferry, I knew I was home...and that was the spot for me. Stood at the ferry going back and cried. I so didn't want to leave. We made a pact and were back on island the following year and every other year since. Have also discovered a love of the BVI's as well, so now we combine. So many wonderful memories. So grateful to be able to go with those I love to this beautiful, special place! Can't wait to go back!
Great stories!!! Our first was on our STT honeymoon in 1989. We took the ferry over and hopped on an open air taxi for an island tour and Trunk Bay visit. We stopped at the Hyatt to look around. Did they pay the taxi drivers to bring tourists there to hook them in? Well, it worked. We thought it was the most beautiful place we had ever seen and we vowed to go back. It took 19 years but we brought our sons in 2008 and 2009 and had the best vacations of our lives.
So, the day this thread first appeared, I didn't see it because I was doing laundry and getting back to normal after a 4 night trip to STJ which resulted in us buying a house there. We settle this Thursday and arrive on Saturday for vacation!
So, the day this thread first appeared, I didn't see it because I was doing laundry and getting back to normal after a 4 night trip to STJ which resulted in us buying a house there. We settle this Thursday and arrive on Saturday for vacation!