Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: Re: St. John USVI info
From: clark_b@cho006.cho.ge.com
Date: 5 Nov 92 10:50:40 EDT
Organization: GE Fanuc Automation, North America


<Posting mail from John@spss to me regarding St. John USVI>

>If you could, could you please post this in rec.travel for me?  I have several
>folks who are interested in St JOhn as well... John
>
>
>> 
>> 
>> Hi John,
>> 
>> Yes, I do mean St. John's USVI.  I'm trying to get a feel for how
>> developed it is.  I know that a lot of the island is national park,
>> but that there is a city (town?) there too.  I don't want something
>> like St. Thomas or Waikiki, but I do want civilization.  
>> 
>> Please send me any comments you have.  There are some particulars:
>> 
>> - where did you stay, what sort of place was it, how much did it cost,
>>   did you see other places that looked appealing
>>  
>   I stayed at the Hyatt Regency.  Basically 15-20 smallish buildings 
>holding 12-15 rooms each.  All had their own balconies with either a garden
>or ocean view.  The hotel has its own cove and beach.  From the cove they 
>had sailing expeditions around the other islands, scuba and snorkeling
>tours (highly recommended) as well as game fishing.  The hotel will arrange
>all of these for you, and even tack them on to your kbill. Just like everything
>else in the Carribean, its expensive.  A room for two was $245 a night!  There
>are a few restaurants on the hotel property--the hotel restaurant was outrage-
>ously overpriced, $16 for a hot breakfast buffet--but was decent.
> 
>> - where did you eat, (same questions as above)
>> 
> 
>Being a fairly adventurous cook and eater, we went to the better places to
>eat on the island.  Again, expect to pay considerably more for food there,
>as everything has to be flown in.  As I mentioned above, breakfast (which 
>was usually small due to the heat) was confined to the hotel.  Dinners we
>ate at the Lime Tree, several different types of fish daily, very touristy
>but OK, good for a quick, casual dinner.  $12-14 per entree, ok portions;
>Ellingtons, a very good restaurant, more "dressy" and with better food.
>$14-16 per entree.  I highly recommend this spot.  The last night we were
>there we ate a Le Chateau de Bordeaux.  Nestled on the side of the islands'
>highest mountain (1700 feet) this tiny spot serves French inspired cuisine.
>Really dramatic view as you look out over Coral Bay and the Carribean Sea.
>MAke reservations as it seats maybe only 35 and expect a 20-30 minute drive 
>up and down lush national park hills to get there. $18-25 entrees.  I would 
>do this as a last night venture.
> 
>I was mildly disappointed by the lack of what I would call "local" food.
>Most places were surisingly skimpy on fresh seafood and fruits, which you
>would expect to be abundant.  I don't know about you, but I don't go to 
>a tropical island to eat Wendy's or pizza, but these can be found in Cruz  
>Bay, the heart of the island.  I did try some "shack" cooking--jerk BBQ
>ribs and fungi, a mixture of okra and cornmeal, and I ate conch fritters
>at every restaurant I went to.
> 
> 
>> - are there tourist activities available, like snorkel renting shops,
>>   boats for hire, rental cars
>> 
>We got around with taxis.  These are converted trucks which can hold up 
>to 20 people--they are open air, regulated and suprisingly cheap.  They 
>will take you anywhere on the isalnd, and will even drop you off and 
>pick you back up at a specified time at beaches and restaurants.
> 
>If you opt for renting, you'll wind up with a 4 wheel drive vehicle like 
>a Samurai.  These usually run $55-65 a day, gas included.  You *will*
>need a 4 wheel drive vehicle because the roads are incredibly curvy and
>steep.  Remember, VIslanders drive on the *left* side and love to stop
>and chat.
> 
>Scuba and snorkeling are all over the place--what is maybe the most beau-
>tiful beach in the world, Trunk Bay, has an underwater snorkeling trail!
>It is really breathtaking.  They rent equipment for $4 with a $20 deposit
>at the booth on the beach.  Highly recommended.  Since the island is a       
>national park, all the beaches are accessible to the public and are free.
> 
>There are day hikes through the mountains, cruises to St Thomas and the 
>British VI's, scuba trips, you name it.  Your hotekl is the best place to 
>ask about these activities.  Oh yeah, almost forgot, check out Hitchcock's
>for lunch ior dinner--a really great bar.
> 
>> - how do the residents treat visitors
>> Very well.  They speak patois amongst themselves, "American" to you and
>me.  Lots of transplanted "continentals" as well.  Be prepared to respond
>to "Good day!"--the common greeting during the am--and "Good night" as the 
>greeting during the pm. 
>> - I would like to visit St. Thomas, and maybe other nearby islands.
>>   What ferry service is available
>> Again, check with you hotel--lots of folks make the day trip.  You will
>be flying into St Thomas, as St John has no airport, so you can check out 
>ferry schedules when you sail into St John.
> 
>> - Do you have any information about nightlife - this is not a big item
>>   for me, I'm just curious
>>
>Nightlife was something we didn't really explore.  St John has the nickname
>of "Love Island"--meaning there is nothing to do other than make love.
>I would check out Hitchcock's, Pusser's and maybe the Lime Tree.
> 
>> - Would you recommend some other Caribbean destination over St. John's?
>> If you want a relaxing, quiet vacation--take St John--if you aren't the
>type who likes quiet, postcard beaches, restaraunts where mongooses and 
>iguanas roam freely and where the people move sssssssllllllllooooowly, this
>isn't for you.  St Thomas and St Croix are much more "lively".  And much
>more "touristy"
> 
>> Thanks for the info.
>> 
>> 	Beth 

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