Monday, March 31, 2008
Traveling to St. John in the future?
If so, take a peek at www.stjohntravelforum.com, which has everything you need to know about travel forums, trip advisors, and google search results, including last-minute specials, weddings, honeymoons, and villas to rent.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday Hockey News
The Bruins won yesterday 4-0 and appear to be playoff bound. When they make it, I will invite them sailing. They will first visit www.stjohnyachtclub.org and find out about the St. John Yacht Club.
All about sailing in the Caribbean.
All about sailing in the Caribbean.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Frank Bay Villa Vacation Rentals St. John
If you are going to have a wedding or honeymoon or need a last-minute special rental on St. John, then you have to look at www.frankbayvillas.com to get all the info you need. Of course, this website realistically exists just to point people to www.stjohnvillarental.com, but so what. It is fun nevertheless and has good photos of rental villas.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Absolutely Nothing
Today is not a day to do anything, so I won't even mention st john. Can you believe Safari? Decorated with a Caribbean "flare"? What idiots. I put myself as the contact for them, because I think they are not in the villa rental market. Har har har har har har and a whole lot more hars.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Today's news about stuff.
Eventually, the St. John Yacht Club will appear on internet under the url www.stjohnyachtclub.org. This is the best yacht club website in the caribbean. Not as good as www.frankbayvillas.com or www.stjohntravelforum.com, but it is really good. Here is some info about the Rolex Regatta, published in The Source.
St. Thomas Yacht Club Makes Final Preparations for Rolex Regattaby Pamela Reid Bussard
Geoffroy Stephane and Ronan Kermoal of St. Barths prep their Nacra F18. (Photo by Pamela Reid Bussard.) March 26, 2008 -- Finishing touches to the headquarters of the International Rolex Regatta headquarters were well in hand Wednesday at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, a couple days before the start of the three-day race. About 45 or 50 visiting boats were already in Cowpet Bay, also undergoing final preparations for the annual Rolex Regatta. The club is "really happy with turnout" with more than 85 boats registered, and is especially pleased with the IRC turnout of around 15 boats, said William Canfield, STYC manager. IRC is a new rating rule, but is more popular in Europe. Significant because "it is the first time that we have a totally IRC class in the Caribbean," Canfield said. He continued, "We think this will be a great invitation for other boats coming down in the future, as IRC is the most popular rating system in the world." The Presidente Cup and the BVI Spring Regatta will also offer the class, according to the official regatta website. "We hope other regattas throughout the Caribbean will adopt the IRC class in the future and will give the foreign boats an IRC series throughout the region," Canfield said. Regatta competitors have a one-stop-shop awaiting them at STYC. "That's the nice thing about this regatta: You've got everything at your fingertips," Canfield said. "Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, an ATM, music and food, cases of water and beer." Earlier this week, regatta officials were concerned that there might be a shortage of ice because a local ice producer closed. (See "Freeze Out: Economics Drives St. Thomas Dairies Out of Ice-Making Business.") Canfield phoned around to other island businesses, and the community came through with offers of assistance. The club is "using a lot of ice from Bumbles, Eugene Smith and St. John Ice -- they all grabbed what they could for us, and two of the companies brought ice containers over," Canfield said. He continued, "Coral World really came through for us big time." Preparations have gone well, he said. And everyone is going to rent a St John Villa from www.stjohnvillarental.com.
"All the buoys and marks are ready," Canfield said. "The liquor and beer are already being chilled, and we're raring to go to really have a great show this year." STYC has parties scheduled Thursday through Sunday from 2:30 to 11 p.m., where sailors will hear live music from such acts as the Headline Band and One Blood. Many boats and crews from the Rolex fleet will stay on until early next week, when they will make their way to Tortola for next week's BVI Spring Regatta.
St. Thomas Yacht Club Makes Final Preparations for Rolex Regattaby Pamela Reid Bussard
Geoffroy Stephane and Ronan Kermoal of St. Barths prep their Nacra F18. (Photo by Pamela Reid Bussard.) March 26, 2008 -- Finishing touches to the headquarters of the International Rolex Regatta headquarters were well in hand Wednesday at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, a couple days before the start of the three-day race. About 45 or 50 visiting boats were already in Cowpet Bay, also undergoing final preparations for the annual Rolex Regatta. The club is "really happy with turnout" with more than 85 boats registered, and is especially pleased with the IRC turnout of around 15 boats, said William Canfield, STYC manager. IRC is a new rating rule, but is more popular in Europe. Significant because "it is the first time that we have a totally IRC class in the Caribbean," Canfield said. He continued, "We think this will be a great invitation for other boats coming down in the future, as IRC is the most popular rating system in the world." The Presidente Cup and the BVI Spring Regatta will also offer the class, according to the official regatta website. "We hope other regattas throughout the Caribbean will adopt the IRC class in the future and will give the foreign boats an IRC series throughout the region," Canfield said. Regatta competitors have a one-stop-shop awaiting them at STYC. "That's the nice thing about this regatta: You've got everything at your fingertips," Canfield said. "Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, an ATM, music and food, cases of water and beer." Earlier this week, regatta officials were concerned that there might be a shortage of ice because a local ice producer closed. (See "Freeze Out: Economics Drives St. Thomas Dairies Out of Ice-Making Business.") Canfield phoned around to other island businesses, and the community came through with offers of assistance. The club is "using a lot of ice from Bumbles, Eugene Smith and St. John Ice -- they all grabbed what they could for us, and two of the companies brought ice containers over," Canfield said. He continued, "Coral World really came through for us big time." Preparations have gone well, he said. And everyone is going to rent a St John Villa from www.stjohnvillarental.com.
"All the buoys and marks are ready," Canfield said. "The liquor and beer are already being chilled, and we're raring to go to really have a great show this year." STYC has parties scheduled Thursday through Sunday from 2:30 to 11 p.m., where sailors will hear live music from such acts as the Headline Band and One Blood. Many boats and crews from the Rolex fleet will stay on until early next week, when they will make their way to Tortola for next week's BVI Spring Regatta.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
From the St. John Source today
Leapin' Lizards! Some See Boom in Iguana Populationby Lynda Lohr
An iguana at the Westin Resort and Villas. March 25, 2008 -- Rafe Boulon, who heads V.I. National Park's Resource Management Division, has seen a marked increase in the number of iguanas on St. John. "They're all over the place," he said. Boulon used to see them only in places like Chocolate Hole and Great Cruz Bay, but now he sees the big lizards at such unlikely places as the driveway at Trunk Bay. And they've been spotted crossing Centerline Road near Grunwald. Renata Platenberg, a biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department, located on St. Thomas, isn't sure about the iguana situation on St. John, but said it's possible the numbers are rising. On St. Thomas, she said, they're everywhere. "I see them smooshed on the roads," she said. Females carrying eggs head for the roads because they're looking for a warm spot to heat up, Platenberg said. Frequent rainfalls during the winter increased the amount of foliage available for iguanas to eat, Boulon said. They're found in large numbers at the Westin Resort and Villas on St. John because of the lush landscaping at the resort, he said. Iguanas can move right into plant nurseries, Boulon said. Tourists often feed iguanas at St. Thomas restaurants and resorts, Platenberg said. Once the iguanas figured this out, they became permanent residents. "They like French fries," she said. Boulon also noted that a virus about 10 years ago reduced the mongoose population, which may have cut down on the number of predators attacking the baby iguanas. It's rare to see an iguana on St. Croix, said Planning spokesman Jamal Nielsen. Fewer Crucian sightings could mean they're not as welcome at St. Croix resorts as they are on St. Thomas and St. John, or that the island has more land for habitat, making them harder to spot, Platenberg said. Development on St. John could be pushing iguanas out of more remote areas so they're more easily visible, she acknowledged. "That's a good theory," Platenberg said. Iguanas are native to Central and South America, but no one knows when they arrived. "It's likely they were brought in as a food source, possibly by Amerindians," Platenberg said. "Or they might be more recent." In Puerto Rico, iguanas arrived about 50 years ago as pets, she said. While they're not dangerous, they will bite if provoked, she said. And iguanas can cause problems with walls. They dig under walls, Platenberg said, causing them to collapse.
An iguana at the Westin Resort and Villas. March 25, 2008 -- Rafe Boulon, who heads V.I. National Park's Resource Management Division, has seen a marked increase in the number of iguanas on St. John. "They're all over the place," he said. Boulon used to see them only in places like Chocolate Hole and Great Cruz Bay, but now he sees the big lizards at such unlikely places as the driveway at Trunk Bay. And they've been spotted crossing Centerline Road near Grunwald. Renata Platenberg, a biologist with the Fish and Wildlife Division of the Planning and Natural Resources Department, located on St. Thomas, isn't sure about the iguana situation on St. John, but said it's possible the numbers are rising. On St. Thomas, she said, they're everywhere. "I see them smooshed on the roads," she said. Females carrying eggs head for the roads because they're looking for a warm spot to heat up, Platenberg said. Frequent rainfalls during the winter increased the amount of foliage available for iguanas to eat, Boulon said. They're found in large numbers at the Westin Resort and Villas on St. John because of the lush landscaping at the resort, he said. Iguanas can move right into plant nurseries, Boulon said. Tourists often feed iguanas at St. Thomas restaurants and resorts, Platenberg said. Once the iguanas figured this out, they became permanent residents. "They like French fries," she said. Boulon also noted that a virus about 10 years ago reduced the mongoose population, which may have cut down on the number of predators attacking the baby iguanas. It's rare to see an iguana on St. Croix, said Planning spokesman Jamal Nielsen. Fewer Crucian sightings could mean they're not as welcome at St. Croix resorts as they are on St. Thomas and St. John, or that the island has more land for habitat, making them harder to spot, Platenberg said. Development on St. John could be pushing iguanas out of more remote areas so they're more easily visible, she acknowledged. "That's a good theory," Platenberg said. Iguanas are native to Central and South America, but no one knows when they arrived. "It's likely they were brought in as a food source, possibly by Amerindians," Platenberg said. "Or they might be more recent." In Puerto Rico, iguanas arrived about 50 years ago as pets, she said. While they're not dangerous, they will bite if provoked, she said. And iguanas can cause problems with walls. They dig under walls, Platenberg said, causing them to collapse.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
4-bedroom vacation villas
Loads of 4-bedroom vacation villas on St. John, and you can find them at www.stjohnvillarental.com.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Yacht Club 1st page
The St. John Yacht Club was founded in 1972 by a group of adventurous St. Johnians who loved sailing. www.stjohnyachtclub.org
Charter members included:
Stu Brown
Cees DeGraaff
Jack Dammann
Bob & Joyce Leigh
Henry & Maia Mongie
Tommy & Frances Smith
And our first commodore
Bob Eaton
Over the past 36 years, the St. John Yacht Club has grown to about 80 family memberships, including full- and part-time residents. We are members of the United States Sailing Association, with full reciprocal privileges with yacht clubs all over the world.
Our Mission Statement (Section 2 of the St. John Yacht Club By Laws)
The purpose of the club is to encourage and promote the sport of yachting in the Virgin Islands; to provide a social outlet and bond for those who would follow the sea as an avocation and to provide the organization to give collective voice in support of measures and programs, the objective of which is the maintenance and protection of the marine environment of the Virgin Islands. The Club may also award scholarships for marine studies.
Each year we hold three or four regattas
Around St. John – Starts and ends near Cruz Bay
Duke's Trophy – Near Cruz Bay, around the Pillsbury Sound Cays
Island Hopper – Near Cruz Bay, around the Pillsbury Sound Cays
Commodore's Cup – Coral Bay, to benefit Kids And The Sea (KATS)
More information and race dates can be found in the "Race Schedule" section of this web site.
Boats/sailors from anywhere are welcome to participate in the regattas. Call the Race Chairman at 340-776-6101 for information.
Social Functions
The St. John Yacht Club tries to hold monthly Socials during the high season for its members and their guests. Look in the "Next Social Event" section of this web site for information on what is upcoming.
Visiting Yachtsmen
If you are on St. John during one of our Social Functions, we'd love to have you attend (space available). Please call the Commodore at 340-642-3360.
Membership
St. John Yacht Club always welcomes new members who share our love of St. John and sailing. Please call the Membership Chairman at 340-626-0135 for information about becoming a member.
Our Club Insignia – The Maltese Cross (see insignia above, info from Wikipedia)
The Maltese Cross is identified as the symbol of an order of Crustian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller, or Knights of Malta. It was originally the symbol of Amalfi, a small Italian republic of the 11th century. The cross is eight-pointed and has the form of four "V"-shaped arms joined together at their bases, so that each arm has two points. Its design is based on crosses used since the First Crusade. The eight points are said to symbolize the chivalric virtues:
Loyalty
Piety
Frankness
Bravery
Glory and honour
Contempt of death
Helpfulness towards the poor and the sick
Respect for the church
Charter members included:
Stu Brown
Cees DeGraaff
Jack Dammann
Bob & Joyce Leigh
Henry & Maia Mongie
Tommy & Frances Smith
And our first commodore
Bob Eaton
Over the past 36 years, the St. John Yacht Club has grown to about 80 family memberships, including full- and part-time residents. We are members of the United States Sailing Association, with full reciprocal privileges with yacht clubs all over the world.
Our Mission Statement (Section 2 of the St. John Yacht Club By Laws)
The purpose of the club is to encourage and promote the sport of yachting in the Virgin Islands; to provide a social outlet and bond for those who would follow the sea as an avocation and to provide the organization to give collective voice in support of measures and programs, the objective of which is the maintenance and protection of the marine environment of the Virgin Islands. The Club may also award scholarships for marine studies.
Each year we hold three or four regattas
Around St. John – Starts and ends near Cruz Bay
Duke's Trophy – Near Cruz Bay, around the Pillsbury Sound Cays
Island Hopper – Near Cruz Bay, around the Pillsbury Sound Cays
Commodore's Cup – Coral Bay, to benefit Kids And The Sea (KATS)
More information and race dates can be found in the "Race Schedule" section of this web site.
Boats/sailors from anywhere are welcome to participate in the regattas. Call the Race Chairman at 340-776-6101 for information.
Social Functions
The St. John Yacht Club tries to hold monthly Socials during the high season for its members and their guests. Look in the "Next Social Event" section of this web site for information on what is upcoming.
Visiting Yachtsmen
If you are on St. John during one of our Social Functions, we'd love to have you attend (space available). Please call the Commodore at 340-642-3360.
Membership
St. John Yacht Club always welcomes new members who share our love of St. John and sailing. Please call the Membership Chairman at 340-626-0135 for information about becoming a member.
Our Club Insignia – The Maltese Cross (see insignia above, info from Wikipedia)
The Maltese Cross is identified as the symbol of an order of Crustian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller, or Knights of Malta. It was originally the symbol of Amalfi, a small Italian republic of the 11th century. The cross is eight-pointed and has the form of four "V"-shaped arms joined together at their bases, so that each arm has two points. Its design is based on crosses used since the First Crusade. The eight points are said to symbolize the chivalric virtues:
Loyalty
Piety
Frankness
Bravery
Glory and honour
Contempt of death
Helpfulness towards the poor and the sick
Respect for the church
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Trip Advisor and Travel Forum
The st john travel forum is www.stjohntravelforum.com, and it contains a scoodlebikearoonie amount of information about st john in the virgin islands. Go there for a vacation villa rental.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
www.stjohnyachtclub.org
It is time today to mention the St. John Yacht Club again. You can find everything at www.stjohnyachtclub.org.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Information for everybody
This is a lot of stuff to read.
All About The St. John Travel Forum
The St. John Travel Forum was founded August 20, 2007, by a small group of people who know and love St. John, and who wish to share their knowledge with everyone. It is intended to be the internet's most complete collection of information about St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Inside you will find numerous articles about St. John. Topics include where to shop, water sports, boat charters, our beautiful beaches, the Virgin Islands National Park, weddings (officiants, jewelry, florists, even cakes), webcams, restaurants, activities, where to find just about anything.
You can get the ferry schedule, read a trip report, or see a photo gallery.
If you need to find churches, ATMs, books, newspapers, or the weather report, you can locate the information in the St. John USVI Travel Forum.
You can enter the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race from here. Or look at a live webcam of Foxy's Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke.
The restaurant section that we compiled is the most complete of any we have found on the Internet. Listed by location and price, with phone numbers and links to websites when available. We even list the places to get pizza. And as the Travel Forum gets more and more people registered and doing posts, you will have multiple restaurant reviews available at your fingertips.
The same is true of villa rentals. We are planning to have a complete list of available rental villas, organized by size and location. Cottages, small rental villas, large rental villas, Eco-tents, even Caneel and the Westin hotels. Multiple photos of each property, full descriptions, prices, and links to the availability calendars. You will be able to find the perfect villa for your next trip, and send an inquiry right from the Travel Forum. And there will be an ever-growing number of reviews, located in the same section as the villa descriptions, so you won't have to hunt all over internet for information.
Anyone can read any article at any time. No need to Register or Log In. Just go to the Topic that you are interested in and click on it.
If you want to post something, follow these easy directions. First, click on "Register" (top right of the Home Page). Check the box that says you are at least 13 years old. Then enter User Name, Email Address, Password, and Confirmation Code. There are some optional fields at the bottom of this screen that are informational only. Note: you need to register just once. After you have registered, you can then Log In and use all functions of the Travel Forum.
You can post information, questions, or replies anywhere. Click on a Category (example: Accommodations -- Get Information or Write A Review). Then click on a Forum (example: Large Rental Villas). To Post a Reply to an existing Topic, first click on that Topic to open it, then click on "Post Reply." To create a new Topic, click on "New Topic."
There are many different categories. Please try to find an appropriate place for any postings. If you are doing a restaurant review, for example, see if there already is a topic created for that restaurant. If so, then click on the topic to open it, and select "Post Reply." Otherwise, click on "New Topic."
If you have any difficulties with anything, send an email to stjohntravelinfo@aol.com. If you think something should be included that is not here, please send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible, hopefully within 1-2 business days.
The St. John Travel Forum is for people who have traveled to St. John, or who are planning a future trip. We hope that you will enjoy using it as much as we have enjoyed creating it. This is truly a beautiful little island, and we want you to come visit. Whether you come here once or many times, we know you will enjoy your experience, and we hope that the St. John Travel Forum will supply you with all the information you need.
If you own a St. John business that is tourism-related, and would like to be listed on the St. John Travel Forum, send an email to stjohntravelinfo@aol.com.
Any posts which have content that the Forum Administration judges to be offensive, overly critical, or inappropriate in any way will be removed.
Our Webmaster is the world-famous Ultmast, who loves St. John, but is now in Costa Mesa, California, running the internet business of a multi-million dollar enterprise. In his spare time, he plays soccer and is on the United States Masters Ultimate Frisbee Team, going to the World Championships this coming December. Naturally, he is a Red Sox and Patriots fan, like his younger brother and father.
The website is professionally optimized, and just 45 days into its existence made the first page of almost all search engine results.
The Forum Administrator was hired on August 27, 2007, a 7-year St. John resident. Another Red Sox and Patriots fan. He lives in Upper Carolina, 600 feet above Coral Bay Harbor, and can look at the warm Caribbean any time all day from his little "office" in the woods. His beautiful wife gives him all the inspiration he needs.
All About The St. John Travel Forum
The St. John Travel Forum was founded August 20, 2007, by a small group of people who know and love St. John, and who wish to share their knowledge with everyone. It is intended to be the internet's most complete collection of information about St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Inside you will find numerous articles about St. John. Topics include where to shop, water sports, boat charters, our beautiful beaches, the Virgin Islands National Park, weddings (officiants, jewelry, florists, even cakes), webcams, restaurants, activities, where to find just about anything.
You can get the ferry schedule, read a trip report, or see a photo gallery.
If you need to find churches, ATMs, books, newspapers, or the weather report, you can locate the information in the St. John USVI Travel Forum.
You can enter the 8 Tuff Miles Road Race from here. Or look at a live webcam of Foxy's Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke.
The restaurant section that we compiled is the most complete of any we have found on the Internet. Listed by location and price, with phone numbers and links to websites when available. We even list the places to get pizza. And as the Travel Forum gets more and more people registered and doing posts, you will have multiple restaurant reviews available at your fingertips.
The same is true of villa rentals. We are planning to have a complete list of available rental villas, organized by size and location. Cottages, small rental villas, large rental villas, Eco-tents, even Caneel and the Westin hotels. Multiple photos of each property, full descriptions, prices, and links to the availability calendars. You will be able to find the perfect villa for your next trip, and send an inquiry right from the Travel Forum. And there will be an ever-growing number of reviews, located in the same section as the villa descriptions, so you won't have to hunt all over internet for information.
Anyone can read any article at any time. No need to Register or Log In. Just go to the Topic that you are interested in and click on it.
If you want to post something, follow these easy directions. First, click on "Register" (top right of the Home Page). Check the box that says you are at least 13 years old. Then enter User Name, Email Address, Password, and Confirmation Code. There are some optional fields at the bottom of this screen that are informational only. Note: you need to register just once. After you have registered, you can then Log In and use all functions of the Travel Forum.
You can post information, questions, or replies anywhere. Click on a Category (example: Accommodations -- Get Information or Write A Review). Then click on a Forum (example: Large Rental Villas). To Post a Reply to an existing Topic, first click on that Topic to open it, then click on "Post Reply." To create a new Topic, click on "New Topic."
There are many different categories. Please try to find an appropriate place for any postings. If you are doing a restaurant review, for example, see if there already is a topic created for that restaurant. If so, then click on the topic to open it, and select "Post Reply." Otherwise, click on "New Topic."
If you have any difficulties with anything, send an email to stjohntravelinfo@aol.com. If you think something should be included that is not here, please send us an email. We will get back to you as soon as possible, hopefully within 1-2 business days.
The St. John Travel Forum is for people who have traveled to St. John, or who are planning a future trip. We hope that you will enjoy using it as much as we have enjoyed creating it. This is truly a beautiful little island, and we want you to come visit. Whether you come here once or many times, we know you will enjoy your experience, and we hope that the St. John Travel Forum will supply you with all the information you need.
If you own a St. John business that is tourism-related, and would like to be listed on the St. John Travel Forum, send an email to stjohntravelinfo@aol.com.
Any posts which have content that the Forum Administration judges to be offensive, overly critical, or inappropriate in any way will be removed.
Our Webmaster is the world-famous Ultmast, who loves St. John, but is now in Costa Mesa, California, running the internet business of a multi-million dollar enterprise. In his spare time, he plays soccer and is on the United States Masters Ultimate Frisbee Team, going to the World Championships this coming December. Naturally, he is a Red Sox and Patriots fan, like his younger brother and father.
The website is professionally optimized, and just 45 days into its existence made the first page of almost all search engine results.
The Forum Administrator was hired on August 27, 2007, a 7-year St. John resident. Another Red Sox and Patriots fan. He lives in Upper Carolina, 600 feet above Coral Bay Harbor, and can look at the warm Caribbean any time all day from his little "office" in the woods. His beautiful wife gives him all the inspiration he needs.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A lot of text about St. John
St John Villa Rental USVI Pool Wedding Honeymoon Frank Bay
Frank Bay Villas -- Nature a Sure Lure for Visitors to St. John
This text is also in St. John Villa Rental. If the characteristic personality of each United States Virgin Island could be captured in a word, the flurry of activity, premier resorts and world-class shopping districts of St. Thomas would likely bring "energetic" to mind. Considering its rolling green hills dotted with centuries-old sugar mill ruins and the Danish-inspired architecture of its two towns, "historic" aptly describes a more quiet St. Croix. But what word best describes the 11,560 acres of largely undeveloped sparkling beaches, private lagoons, nature trails and lush foliage that both complement these two larger sister islands and complete this beautiful Caribbean trio? It is "serene," and that is the hallmark of the island of St. John.
Just a 45-minute boat ride from St. Thomas' Charlotte Amalie, this smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands was once a thriving agricultural society established in the early 1700s by Danish settlers attracted by the island's lucrative prospects of cultivating sugar cane. More than 100 cotton and sugar plantations flourished throughout all three U.S. Virgin Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the emancipation of slaves in 1848 led to the plantations' eventual decline. What remain are the ruins of St. John's now-famous Annaberg Sugar Mill and other smaller plantations.
Once known for its sugar cane and farming industries, St. John today is recognized for its pristine beaches and conservation-minded residents who dedicate themselves to preserving the island's natural and cultural resources. Diminutive in size but not in natural splendor, this 19-square-mile island offers a glimpse of what life is like unfettered by commercial development and the trappings of a more modern lifestyle. Since philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller deeded two-thirds of the island - plus 5,000 offshore acres - to the federal government as national park land more than 40 years ago, St. John has retained a tranquil, unspoiled beauty that leaves visitors vowing to return for a longer stay.
For a vacationer with a mind to escape life's faster pace, there is snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing on St. John's calm, clear waters, and sunning on one lovely beach after the next. More than one-third of the national park land is underwater and home to brilliantly-hued coral reefs, plant life and tropical fish. Some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean is at Trunk Bay, where an underwater trail with submerged markers leads visitors on a fascinating journey amidst the island's colorful marine life.
Coming ashore to soak in what St. John most abundantly affords visitors - peace and quiet in the realm of gorgeous scenery - vacationers have 40 numerous beaches on which to spread their towels for an uninterrupted day in the sun. Beginning at the island's western end, three of St. John's most famous beaches are strung together, fringed with tropical palms and sea grape trees. Hawksnest, Trunk and Cinnamon Bay beaches are likely to be the most crowded of St. John's sunning spots, but only relatively-speaking, considering the privacy and seclusion offered by the island's countless other bays and cays.
Maho and Francis bays and Watelemon Cay are just a few more of the beaches encountered as visitors continue eastward along St. John's gently curving coastline. Powdered with sugary-white sand, the beach at Leinster Bay is a haven for those seeking the solace of a more private, sunny retreat. When not soaking up the sun's rays, vacationers can swim in the bay's shallow waters and snorkel in the company of an occasional turtle and stingray among spectacular, colorful coral.
Vacationers who don't take to the sea for recreation or spend day after day on the beach may instead choose to explore any of the 22 self-guided nature trails managed by the National Park Service. In sharp contrast to its white sand beaches, St. John's woodland trails wind through subtropical vegetation, keeping determined hikers occupied for miles - and hours - at a time. The three-mile Reef Bay Hike, offered by the National Park Service, leads nature enthusiasts past ancient Arawak Indian carvings called petroglyphs.
After touring the island on foot, visitors may also choose to wind their way along the island's scenic but narrow roads in a rented car or jeep, making sure to drive on the left as is the law in the USVI. Or, for those not interested in exploring the island on their own, two-hour safari bus tours, colorfully narrated by guides full of both West Indian folklore and first-hand knowledge of the island, take visitors to key observation points around the island.
After taking any one or all of these numerous forays into St. John's flora and fauna, visitors to the island still should save time to explore Cruz Bay, once a bustling port serving the sugar and rum industries and now home to most of the island's residents. Here, visitors won't find fast-food chains, discos or movie theaters; rather, an eclectic mix of interesting boutiques, art galleries, bars and fine restaurants populate what's considered the island's social and business center. Just north of Cruz Bay, vacationers will find one of the prettiest shopping areas in the Caribbean, Mongoose Junction. Cruz Bay is also home to Wharfside Village, another shopping area in town located right on the beach. Both Mongoose Junction and Wharfside Village offer everything from funky local crafts and fashions to elegant jewels and exotic imports.
Valued by many for the slower pace it affords its visitors, St. John has everything to offer in terms of rest, relaxation and recreation. Whether coming to this tiny island for sunning, snorkeling, or even shopping, vacationers will find ample opportunities to enjoy all three and more on St. John.
Information from US Virgin Islands website
Frank Bay Villas -- Nature a Sure Lure for Visitors to St. John
This text is also in St. John Villa Rental. If the characteristic personality of each United States Virgin Island could be captured in a word, the flurry of activity, premier resorts and world-class shopping districts of St. Thomas would likely bring "energetic" to mind. Considering its rolling green hills dotted with centuries-old sugar mill ruins and the Danish-inspired architecture of its two towns, "historic" aptly describes a more quiet St. Croix. But what word best describes the 11,560 acres of largely undeveloped sparkling beaches, private lagoons, nature trails and lush foliage that both complement these two larger sister islands and complete this beautiful Caribbean trio? It is "serene," and that is the hallmark of the island of St. John.
Just a 45-minute boat ride from St. Thomas' Charlotte Amalie, this smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands was once a thriving agricultural society established in the early 1700s by Danish settlers attracted by the island's lucrative prospects of cultivating sugar cane. More than 100 cotton and sugar plantations flourished throughout all three U.S. Virgin Islands during the 18th and 19th centuries, but the emancipation of slaves in 1848 led to the plantations' eventual decline. What remain are the ruins of St. John's now-famous Annaberg Sugar Mill and other smaller plantations.
Once known for its sugar cane and farming industries, St. John today is recognized for its pristine beaches and conservation-minded residents who dedicate themselves to preserving the island's natural and cultural resources. Diminutive in size but not in natural splendor, this 19-square-mile island offers a glimpse of what life is like unfettered by commercial development and the trappings of a more modern lifestyle. Since philanthropist Laurence Rockefeller deeded two-thirds of the island - plus 5,000 offshore acres - to the federal government as national park land more than 40 years ago, St. John has retained a tranquil, unspoiled beauty that leaves visitors vowing to return for a longer stay.
For a vacationer with a mind to escape life's faster pace, there is snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing on St. John's calm, clear waters, and sunning on one lovely beach after the next. More than one-third of the national park land is underwater and home to brilliantly-hued coral reefs, plant life and tropical fish. Some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean is at Trunk Bay, where an underwater trail with submerged markers leads visitors on a fascinating journey amidst the island's colorful marine life.
Coming ashore to soak in what St. John most abundantly affords visitors - peace and quiet in the realm of gorgeous scenery - vacationers have 40 numerous beaches on which to spread their towels for an uninterrupted day in the sun. Beginning at the island's western end, three of St. John's most famous beaches are strung together, fringed with tropical palms and sea grape trees. Hawksnest, Trunk and Cinnamon Bay beaches are likely to be the most crowded of St. John's sunning spots, but only relatively-speaking, considering the privacy and seclusion offered by the island's countless other bays and cays.
Maho and Francis bays and Watelemon Cay are just a few more of the beaches encountered as visitors continue eastward along St. John's gently curving coastline. Powdered with sugary-white sand, the beach at Leinster Bay is a haven for those seeking the solace of a more private, sunny retreat. When not soaking up the sun's rays, vacationers can swim in the bay's shallow waters and snorkel in the company of an occasional turtle and stingray among spectacular, colorful coral.
Vacationers who don't take to the sea for recreation or spend day after day on the beach may instead choose to explore any of the 22 self-guided nature trails managed by the National Park Service. In sharp contrast to its white sand beaches, St. John's woodland trails wind through subtropical vegetation, keeping determined hikers occupied for miles - and hours - at a time. The three-mile Reef Bay Hike, offered by the National Park Service, leads nature enthusiasts past ancient Arawak Indian carvings called petroglyphs.
After touring the island on foot, visitors may also choose to wind their way along the island's scenic but narrow roads in a rented car or jeep, making sure to drive on the left as is the law in the USVI. Or, for those not interested in exploring the island on their own, two-hour safari bus tours, colorfully narrated by guides full of both West Indian folklore and first-hand knowledge of the island, take visitors to key observation points around the island.
After taking any one or all of these numerous forays into St. John's flora and fauna, visitors to the island still should save time to explore Cruz Bay, once a bustling port serving the sugar and rum industries and now home to most of the island's residents. Here, visitors won't find fast-food chains, discos or movie theaters; rather, an eclectic mix of interesting boutiques, art galleries, bars and fine restaurants populate what's considered the island's social and business center. Just north of Cruz Bay, vacationers will find one of the prettiest shopping areas in the Caribbean, Mongoose Junction. Cruz Bay is also home to Wharfside Village, another shopping area in town located right on the beach. Both Mongoose Junction and Wharfside Village offer everything from funky local crafts and fashions to elegant jewels and exotic imports.
Valued by many for the slower pace it affords its visitors, St. John has everything to offer in terms of rest, relaxation and recreation. Whether coming to this tiny island for sunning, snorkeling, or even shopping, vacationers will find ample opportunities to enjoy all three and more on St. John.
Information from US Virgin Islands website
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Where to rent villas on St. John USVI
Rental villas on St. John USVI, or vacation villas, are all listed at this incredible website that everyone is using -- www.stjohnvillarental.com.
Perhaps I should list my tree house there, except the tree house is not built yet and will sleep just two people barely, and may have electricity (one double outlet) that will be used for a lamp and to blow up an air mattress.
But it will be a good place to find villa rentals.
Perhaps I should list my tree house there, except the tree house is not built yet and will sleep just two people barely, and may have electricity (one double outlet) that will be used for a lamp and to blow up an air mattress.
But it will be a good place to find villa rentals.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Celtics Win 1st of 4 games on road trip
Yes, that little cute old guy Sam Cassell got a 3-pointer in the last minute of play as the Celtics won the first of their 4-game road trip in San Antonio. Therefore, they can all come to a st john villa rental if they click on www.stjohnvillarental.com.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Travel forums
When you have your own travel forum, you can rent st john villas from it. Or do anything else you want.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Here's a villa list
If you are staying on St. John, you should rent a villa. www.stjohnvillarental.com includes the following vacation rentals.
1-Bedroom Villas – Apartment Suite Dreams, Azul de Mar, Bananaquit, Bougainvillea, Captain's Cabin, Caribsea, Caribsurf, Catch n Keep, Coconut Coast, Coral and Blue, Coral Dream, Far Horizons, Fishbone Cottage, Garden By The Sea, Hillcrest Guest House, In Harmony Retreat, Lavender Hill Suites, Meritage Cottage, Papaya Moon, Siempre Azul, Star Villas, Tranquility, Trinidad Charlie Eco Cottages, Valley View, Windcrest.
2-Bedroom Villas – Blue Tang, Cameron Cove, Caneel Trailside Cottage, Carnival Beach House, Castle St. John, Coconut Coast, Daffodil Villa, Hibiscus Gardens, Horizons Cottage, Kamabesu, Lavender Hill Suites, Louisenhoj, Luna Vista, Mystic Ridge, Panacea, Sea Turtle Villa, SeaCruz, Star Villas, Starlit Escape, Tradewinds Cottage, Villa Cielomar, Windcrest.
3-Bedroom Villas – Allesandra, Andante by the Sea, Blue Palm Villa, Cari-beana Villa, ChocoCruz, Cinnamon Stones, Idyllic Villa, Odessa, Rendezvous By The Sea, Safari, Serenity, Still Waters, Villa Mollo.
4-Bedroom Villas – Acqua Blu, Amani, Blue Skies, Chateau La Tete Rouge, Fish Bay Hideaway, Meritage Great House, Rendezview, Sea Turtle Villa, Sol Inclination, Villa Claudia, Villa Colorado, Villa Venturoso.
5-Bedroom Villas – Crystal Seaview, Kismet, Mystic Ridge, Peter Bay Beach House, Starlit Escape.
6-Bedroom Villas – Villa Tesori, Chateau Margot, Great Expectations, Villa Paulette.
1-Bedroom Villas – Apartment Suite Dreams, Azul de Mar, Bananaquit, Bougainvillea, Captain's Cabin, Caribsea, Caribsurf, Catch n Keep, Coconut Coast, Coral and Blue, Coral Dream, Far Horizons, Fishbone Cottage, Garden By The Sea, Hillcrest Guest House, In Harmony Retreat, Lavender Hill Suites, Meritage Cottage, Papaya Moon, Siempre Azul, Star Villas, Tranquility, Trinidad Charlie Eco Cottages, Valley View, Windcrest.
2-Bedroom Villas – Blue Tang, Cameron Cove, Caneel Trailside Cottage, Carnival Beach House, Castle St. John, Coconut Coast, Daffodil Villa, Hibiscus Gardens, Horizons Cottage, Kamabesu, Lavender Hill Suites, Louisenhoj, Luna Vista, Mystic Ridge, Panacea, Sea Turtle Villa, SeaCruz, Star Villas, Starlit Escape, Tradewinds Cottage, Villa Cielomar, Windcrest.
3-Bedroom Villas – Allesandra, Andante by the Sea, Blue Palm Villa, Cari-beana Villa, ChocoCruz, Cinnamon Stones, Idyllic Villa, Odessa, Rendezvous By The Sea, Safari, Serenity, Still Waters, Villa Mollo.
4-Bedroom Villas – Acqua Blu, Amani, Blue Skies, Chateau La Tete Rouge, Fish Bay Hideaway, Meritage Great House, Rendezview, Sea Turtle Villa, Sol Inclination, Villa Claudia, Villa Colorado, Villa Venturoso.
5-Bedroom Villas – Crystal Seaview, Kismet, Mystic Ridge, Peter Bay Beach House, Starlit Escape.
6-Bedroom Villas – Villa Tesori, Chateau Margot, Great Expectations, Villa Paulette.
Yacht Club
The St. John Yacht Club is going to have a party. You can check it out at www.stjohnyachtclub.org, a website that the beloved Captain G. Piecost created. It is mentioned in the st john travel forum, www.stjohntravelforum.com, which contains lots of stuff about vacation villa rentals on st john in the virgin islands.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Weather
Today on St. John, the weather is ideal. That is a good thing, because with ideal weather all the time, people can come visit and see the whole island without getting rained on. And they should stay at one of the vacation villa rentals that can be found at www.stjohnvillarental.com. That would make everyone happy.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Google Page Rank
Eventually there will be a better google page rank for this blog. I think it will be good in about a month. I hope so.
Friday news
Tonight it is time for a lobster cookout at Mary's. So we are all going there. The lobsters, of course, all come from Boston. Home of the Celtics, Bruins, Patriots, and Red Sox, world champions all.
Be good everyone, and visit St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Be good everyone, and visit St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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