US News and World Names the US Virgin Islands 'The #1 Place to Visit in the Caribbean'!

Each year the

US News and World Report

issues a ranking of 'best places to visit in the Caribbean' and this year's #1 slot went to the US Virgin Islands! They say the USVI won the #1 spot for its pristine beaches, accessible tourist sites, predictable weather and comfortable accommodations are all considerable factors. Based on those criteria, user votes and expert insight, U.S. News compiled the list below to help you choose your next Caribbean getaway.

The U.S. Virgin Islands are "America's Caribbean Paradise" — the place to see moko jumbies dance at a Carnival parade, hear the lilting patois of a Creole dialect or smell the spices in a saltfish pate (all without losing cell phone reception). You can visit either St. Thomas, St. John [our personal favorite!] or St. Croix, or better yet, spend a little time on all three islands. That way you'll get plenty of pampering, undisturbed nature and colonial history jammed into one vacation. And bonus: you can pay for everything with U.S. dollars.

Each island offers something different. Called "Rock City" for its hilly, craggy horizon,

St. Thomas

is known for luxury — from the mega-yachts moored in the harbor to the high-end storefronts along Main Street. Located a short ferry-ride east,

St. John

appeals to honeymooners and nature lovers, with more than 7,000 acres of dedicated parkland plus surrounding pristine beaches. Way down south in the Caribbean Sea, less-visited

St. Croix

has sugar cane plantations and rum distilleries that offer a glimpse into both the past and the present of the Virgin Islands.

Last year, the U.S. Virgin Islands was in fifth place. The territory consistently has claimed a spot on the best places to visit in the Caribbean list during the years, though it is the first time that it has scored the No. 1 position.

"We're proud to be recognized as the top-ranked Caribbean destination, and honored to know that it was from the recommendations of our visitors and the U.S. News & World Report's editorial staff," said V.I. Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "This recognition further illustrates our increased focus and work with partners to provide world-class tourism offerings that create long-lasting impressions."

To be fair, we will list the other islands on the list (below the USVI, of course!):

2. Cayman Islands

3. St. Kitts and Nevis

4. Barbados

5. St. Martin-St. Maarten

6. St. Lucia

7. British Virgin Islands

8. Turks & Caicos

9. Bahamas

10. St. Barts

11. Aruba

12. Curacao

13. Grenada

14. St. Vincent and

the Grenadines

15. Bermuda

16. Dominica

Best $25 Million Spent By US Government -- Happy 97st 'Birthday' to the US Virgin Islands

Today - March 31st - marks the 97th anniversary of the day the Danish government transferred the Virgin Islands to the United States officially making them the UNITED STATES Virgin Islands (USVI).  Around the USVI, each year the day which is officially referred to as Transfer Day, is marked by celebrations and lectures.

Looking back at the $25 million it cost to 'buy' the Virgin Islands it sure seems like a pretty good investment!

Here is an idea for next year's Transfer Day: come to St John yourself to celebrate your islands!

Love the Virgin Islands? Love Rum? Now You Have a Great Excuse to Drink More to Help the USVI

Cruzan Rum is made in the US Virgin Islands

Each year the US Virgin Islands receives tens of millions of dollars from the federal government as the result of a 'Cover Over Rate Tax' which is USVI rum excise tax monies returned to the US Virgin Islands from the federal government. Actually, over $250 million each year comes back to the US VIrgin Islands as the result of people buying USVI made rum! The cover over tax has been in place for nearly 100 years and benefitting the US Virgin Islands since 1954. The Congressional Research Service produced a history of the Rum Excise Tax Cover Over 3 years ago. 

The 'per gallon' excise tax rate is now in dispute between the US Virgin Islands government and the federal government. The difference is not peanuts in that the USVI is projecting $264 million and the federal government is projecting only $193 million. The difference is based on a lower per gallon reimbursement rate $10.50/gallon vs $13.25/gallon.  If you want to get into the details you might read the letter the USVI's Budget Director sent last Friday to the Department of the Interior appealing for relief of the per gallon rate calculation.

The bottom line for us, though, is the more US Virgin Islands rum that is sold the more money that is returned to the US Virgin Islands for support of our schools, streets,  etc so....drink up to help the islands you love.

Cruzan Rum Unveils New Campaign "The Don't Hurry" Which Could Have Been Filmed On St John

Ever See this guy on one of the St John beaches?

Speaking of rum (and, when do we not?)...Last week the Virgin Islands rum maker extraordinaire, Cruzan Rum, unveiled their new ad campaign, "The Don't Hurry". It is set on an island paradise where no one is busy, people enjoy zero-kilometer runs and sleep yoga, and every minute lasts 64 seconds. Even the animals are slow, including a rum toting turtle. Sound familiar? Could be St John! And, certainly was filmed in the Virgin Islands since Cruzan Rum hails from here (St Croix our sister island to the south of St John). 

What's your favorite way to enjoy our island beverage? With some of the St John Brewers Ginger Beer (new this year) for a Dark 'N Stormy? Tonic? Or just on the rocks or neat?

Satellite That Tracks Atlantic Weather Systems Fails on Eve of Hurricane Season Start Leaving Much of the East Coast and Caribbean in the Dark

This composite satellite image from Sunday shows a lack of data from GOES-13 over the east coast of the U.S.  (CIMSS Satellite Blog)

Things don't always go as planned and that certainly was the case recently when  the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) lost its major weather satellite, the GOES-13 (GOES- East) satellite, which was responsible for tracking weather conditions over most of the eastern North America, the Atlantic Ocean (including the Virgin Islands) all the way over to the easternmost part of the Atlantic just west of the African coast as depicted below:

Normally, this wide shot of the Atlantic would cover all the way to the Africa and Europe coasts.

As of this time the cause of the technical failure is still unknown but, understanding the importance of having functioning weather satellites in the Atlantic during hurricane season, NOAA jumped into action and repositioned a back-up satellite, GOES-14, which was activated earlier this week to fill part of the void left to satellite imagery in eastern North America and the Atlantic.

Normally, this wide shot of the Atlantic would cover all the way to the Africa and Europe coasts. While better than nothing, the substitute is not perfect. Images on the eastern edge of view, over the eastern Atlantic, are distorted because of the position of the temporary replacement satellite farther west.

GOES-14 will remain the primary GOES satellite over the Atlantic basin and Continental U.S. until the imager and sounder data issues on GOES-13 can be fully diagnosed and hopefully fixed. NOAA maintains backup GOES satellites in case unforeseen events occur, providing full redundancy for monitoring severe weather over the U.S. and its territories.

The image from GOES-14, while acting as GOES East, taken May 30:

Goes 14 stands in for the Goes 13 Satellite

If you are interested in understanding more about the satellites that are our eyes in the sky check out the NOAA website. You can keep up-to-date on the status of the Goes -13 satellite. Fingers crossed that we will have a very slow and quiet start of hurricane season which officially starts on June 1 (and runs through November 30). 

If you want to stay on top of the weather in the  Caribbean during this hurricane season two of my favorite Caribbean tropical storm tracking websites are:

 The Weather Channel - Hurricane Tracker

Caribbean Hurricane Network

By the way, don't let hurricane season deter you from a trip to the Caribbean. The weather is generally wonderful (St John averages 85 degrees year round!) and often cooler than many stateside locations.  Summer time is often when beaches and restaurants are less crowded (although crowded is not a word often used on laid-back St John) and villa prices are less than during the height of winter season. 

Caribbean Rum Wars Continue and and Bring in Vice President Biden to 'Brutal' Discussion

Rum produced in the Virgin Islands has been at the center of a debate

Rum was also on the agenda for frequent Virgin Islands visitor, Vice-President Biden, when he attended a meeting this week with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders to highlight concerns about the impact of US rum subsidies to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. “The most contentious issue is rum subsidies to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.  The main rum producers in question are Puerto Rico's Bacardi and Captain Morgan and the Virgin Islands Cruzan Rum. 

We don’t expect (Biden) to make a decision today but we expect to let him know the whole position and the full ramifications of continuing those subsidies and that it will clearly affect rum production,” Trade Minister Vasant Bharath said earlier this week. The talks have been described by some as 'brutal' (maybe the Vice President should head back to the Virgin Islands for some needed R&R - and rum?). 

It has been claimed by several several members of the Caricom that the US has been running a “Rum Cover-Over Programme” since 1917, which consists of a tax levied on sales of spirits in the US market. 

The “contentious issue” has to do with subsidies extended to rum producers in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. In January, President Barack Obama signed into law a bill averting a threatened fiscal cliff of higher taxes and spending cuts. That legislation included special gifts to several US corporations such as a provision extending a 1917 law that imposes  a $13.50 tax on  each gallon of rum produced in or imported into the United States. 

Most of this revenue is transferred to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico—US dependencies—to aid these territories’ economic development.  Many of the rum producing islands feel that Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands use much of these funds to encourage their local rum industries, at the expense of other Caribbean rum-producing countries.  The view from the Virgin Islands point of view is that the funds derived by rum products is essential fuel for the VI economy. So, know that wherever you are, when you enjoy your rum and tonic or dark n' stormy rum cocktail - which, hopefully, is made from Virgin Islands Cruzan rum - know that you are doing good things for the Virgin Islands economy!

Favorite snorkeling spots around St John?

Snorkeling spot in Solomon Bay, St John

Right up there debating the 'best BBQ on St John' or the 'best beach' on St John is where the 'best snorkeling spot' is on St John'. The bottom line - for us, at least - is that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' answer!  This week the subject is getting a lot of attention on one of my favorite St John travel forums, the

USVI-on-Line

.  So far in just over 24 hours, 30 people have responded (and there has been more than 3750 views) to the basic question of '

best snorkel spot to see a turtle

'. Earlier the same day, on the same forum, Phyl posed the question of '

what are the top 3 snorkel spots on St John

' which has gotten just about the same level of response.

Day or night dives produce amazing finds around the Virgin Islands

What is your favorite snorkeling spot for seeing turtles? Maho, Francis, Salt Pond, Leinster were high on the lists which also included Scott, and Waterlemon. In other words, just about all over St John!

This picture taken at Maho was posted just yesterday by CptnKirk

As to the

'top 3' best snorkeling spots

? While there was vigorous debate as to the top 3, most will admit that the list changes regularly so people should explore new spots each year. Some of the 'must go' spots seem to be: Waterlemon (especially to see starfish), Saltpond, and Chocolate Hole (our guests swear that some of the best snorkeling around St John - or just about anywhere in the Caribbean - is right below our Villa - Great Expectations -  in Chocolate Hole harbor).  Haulover both North and South depending on the weather, Blue Cobblestone, Vie's beach out in the East End also make the list as do the good old standbys of Cinnamon Bay, Maho, Francis, Hawksnest, and Trunk.

The debate is fun to read. People are passionate about their 'favorite' places. The morale of these forum chats for me is that it is hard not to find good snorkeling around St John. Watch the winds though. If the north shore is getting huge waves then head to places on the south shore like Salt Pond, Vie's, and Chocolate Hole.

Some of the best snorkeling around St John is right in Chocolate Hole harbor

Bush Tea becomes the 'Official' Local Beverage of the Virgin Islands McDonalds (France has Wine and Germany Beer)!

Lemon Grass serves as one of many types of 'Bush Tea'

Bush tea is a healthy and nutritional beverage that has sustained the test of time as it remains in high demand in spite of culinary shifts in the US Virgin Islands diet.

It is therefore an historic moment as McDonalds in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands recognizes the cultural significance of this “hot beverage of choice” among USVI residents the

Caribbean News Now

reports.

Jacquel Dawson, the US Virgin Islands ‘Bush Tea Lady’, will be supplying free bush tea at all McDonalds on J’ouvert morning as a promotional kickoff to becoming a full-fledged menu item.

Bush tea is a local agricultural product and its inclusion in McDonalds’ local menu will ultimately stimulate agricultural production and increase economic activity throughout the territory.

Tourists visiting Germany find beer in McDonalds; in France, McDonalds serves wine; in Italy, they serve pizza; and in the US Virgin Islands - "the Tea Capital of the Caribbean", McDonalds will serve our culinary specialty, bush tea to residents and tourists alike.

Recently, free bush tea for J’ouvert was a kickoff promotion that measured bush tea's culinary strength in the community as McDonalds assesses its prominence among USVI residents. Residents participating in the bush tea kickoff provided a vote of confidence to this US Virgin Islands agricultural emergence since 17th century sugar.

The McDonalds success will place US Virgin Islands bush tea on the menu of the most recognized fast food chain in the world, but even more importantly, its success will make available to the US Virgin Islands community their own traditional "hot beverage of choice", loaded with invaluable nutritional and health benefits. Simply, this is what the people enjoy, for this beverage daily sustains residents, who are bush tea driven rather than coffee driven.

Bush Tea can serve as 'chicken soup' to cure all ills

Wikipedia puts the US Virgin Islands at top of another 'Tops of World' list but this one is NOT one we want to be on!

What do the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and the US Virgin Islands have in common? 

Wikipedia just published its 2013 list of Electricity pricing around the world and, sadly, the US Virgin Islands made it into the top 4 most expensive 'countries' (even though we are part of the good old USA, the US Virgin Islands is listed separately) around the world.

No one should be surprised that the cost of electricity is more expensive on St John or St Thomas than the mainland USA, but should it be more than 4 times as expensive? And more than 4 times as expensive as another Caribbean island (Jamaica)? Well, it is. Often guests at rental villas wonder what drives up the rental rates. Electricity has long been a huge part of the operating cost for rental villas (and an overwhelming cost for businesses like restaurants).  

For a long time we have tried to minimize the electrical costs at our St John villa, Great Expectations. With the goal of cutting down our electric bills, over the last several years we have installed 33 solar photo-electric panels on the roofs of Great Expectations.  We also have 3 solar panels which heat our hot water. In addition to reduce consumption, we have installed energy efficient pool pumps, 12 hour timers for air-conditioners, and energy efficient appliances.  Our goal is to be as GREEN as possible since doing so is good for the environment and good for our guest's pocketbook.

We have added 36 solar panels on the roofs of Great Expecations

The full list can be viewed on Wikipedia, but here are a few of the highlights and highs and lows around the world:

COUNTRY/TERRITORY  US cents/kWh  As of Sources

Argentina                               5.75                  2006

Belgium                               29.08                  2011

Bhutan                                    1.88-4.40        2012

Brazil                                    34.20                  2011

Canada                                   6.3- 11.8         2012

China                                      7.5 -10.7          2012

Denmark                               40.38                 2012

Dubai                                       7.62                 2011

France                                   19.39                 2011

Indonesia                                8.75                 2013

Iceland                                    9 to 10             2012

Iran                                           2 to 19            2011

Jamaica                                 7.35-16.80      2011

Paraguay                                8.                      2011

Russia                                     1.7-9.58          2012

Solomon Islands                   84.8                2013 and the 'winner' is

Tonga                                      57.95               2011

USA                                        8 - 17; 37*        2012 *Hawaii

US Virgin Islands                 50.8 - 54.8       2013

Vanuatu                                  58                      2013

St Croix goes all out wining and dining April 14 - 20, 2013

Sunset BBQ takes place on the Pier in historic Frederiksted town

Interested in wining and dining all for a good cause, well, the St Croix Food & Wine Experience is just what the doctor ordered for you!  While this Blog is usually dedicated to all things 'St John', from time to time we think it is fun to highlight some of the happenings on our sister islands. This Blog posting is about a delicious 'happening' on our sister island St Croix, ~ 50 miles to the south of St John.  First, a bit of background about St Croix which is 28 miles x 7 miles is the largest (and flattest) of the US Virgin Islands and has the distinction of having the easternmost point (Point Udall)  of any place in the United States.  Unlike the other US Virgin Islands, for a a bit over 100 years from 1650 - 1733, St Croix was a possession of France. In 1733 France sold St Croix to the Danish West Indies Company and for the next 200 years St Croix was known as part of the Danish West Indies until Denmark sold all of what are now the US Virgin Islands to the United States in 1916 (for a sum of $25 million - less than one of the recent Peter Bay Villa sales!).   

Now on to the food and drink! In 2000, two Crucian (that is what St Croix residents are called - well, technically, one has to be born on St Croix to be a true Crucian!) restaurateurs started Taste of St Croix to bring the restaurant community together.  It became a great success and they quickly turned to the well-respected non-profit St Croix Foundation to invest the monies raised in worthwhile and successful education, community, and economic development programs throughout the St Croix Community.  Today, the St Croix Food & Wine Experience is a destination happening consisting of nearly a week of wonderful events including:

  ~ Gourmet Vintner Dinner at the Tutto Bene Restaurant featuring fabulous libations and food and a gourmet themed auction 

  ~ City Crawl limited to 25 people who enjoy specialty beverages and food samplings from participating restaurants and bars as they stroll through the street of historic Christiansted town 

  ~ Food Fight! on the beach which promises to be a wild & wacky competition, part game show, short part iron chef. Dig your toes in the sane and watch as celebrity chefs compete against local chefs in challenges such as blind identification

  ~ Galleon Wine Dinner consists of an elegant night out featuring a stellar menu with perfectly paired wines

   ~ A Taste of St Croix is the event that started it all in 2000. This tasting is held at Divi Carina Bay, local restaurants, chefs, farms and caterers provide a sampling of their delights.  This event continues to be one of the highlights of the week. 

For detailed information about the events and how to purchase tickets check out their website at St Croix Food & Wine Experience.

Yes, even dedicated St Johnians can venture over and support our sister island so travel on over to St Croix and eat, drink, and know that the proceeds go to support great programs throughout the island.

The Taste of St Croix is always one of the hottest (and sold out) events

Is there a such thing as a Free Ferry? Maybe, soon come between St Croix and St Thomas

If  Senate President Shawn-Michael Malone has her way this Alaskan ferry will become a St Croix - St Thomas ferry boat

You know those sayings 'don't look a gift horse in the mouth' or 'there is no such thing as a free lunch'?  Well, If the US Virgin Islands Senate President gets her way we might just get the Alaskan equivalent of that 'free lunch'.  And, will it be really free? Time will tell. 

It turns out that the Alaskan Bourough of Matanuka-Susita was given the brand new $278 million ferry, which was built with federal dollars as a Navy prototype, in a deal that called for the borough to test it while shuttling people to Anchorage, BUT, the borough soon found that free was not free since they were saddled with the monthly maintenance costs of $90,000! Consequently, the Alaskan Borough officials are exploring giving it away. Our Senate President recently responded saying that the ferry might just be perfect for the US Virgin Islands. The brand new 200' long ferry can carry 20 cars and 120 passengers.  The ferry is described as "highly agile and able to say smooth in swells". Another great attribute that might not get much use is that it is also great in ice and can lift 2 feet of ice and snap it over its bow! If we get it, will we be grateful or will we, like our northern brethren's, look the 'gift horse in the mouth'? Again, time will tell.  

Should be interesting to watch since both Alaska and the US Virgin Islands also are both home to 'a bridge to nowhere'. The Alaskan bridge is between Gravina Island and Ketchikan; do you know where ours is in the Virgin Islands???

Good thing that St John is a little island! Gas prices are crazy!

With gas prices as they are this is how I fill up! Good thing St John is a teeny island!

The USVI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) recently issued its territory-wide gas price survey findings. The survey was completed last week, Sept. 13, on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. 

St. Croix 

If you want a full service station, the lowest price was found at Welco Gas Station: $4.89 for premium and $4.59. The 'cheapest' prices for self-service gasoline were $4.47 for premium at Supreme Service Station and $3.99 for regular at U&W Industrial Supply. Gas City and One Love Service Station tied for the lowest price for diesel @ $4.09 per gallon.

St. John

Currently, with only one gas station (E & C self-service station) on St John it is no wonder that we find the highest gas prices in the Territory!  Drum roll please.....premium $5.17, regular $4.88, and diesel at $4.91. Sadly, I don't think that the 'second' gas station currently being built on St John is a solution to the high cost of gas on our island. This is a picture that I took a couple of months ago as they were still building the MASSIVE retaining wall needed to hold back the hill next to where they decided to built the gas station. Any guess of how all that concrete will be paid?: 

Can you imagine what the price of gas will have to be to amortize the cost of the retaining wall?

St. Thomas 

Full service gasoline stations with the lowest prices are currently Boynes Trucking for premium @ $4.55 and Petro Gas @ $4.59 for regular. The lowest prices for self-service fuel were $4.88 for premium and $4.65 for regular at Giant Gas, One Stop and Race Track. Boynes Trucking also had the lowest price for diesel fuel @ a bargain price of  $4.40 per gallon.

The obvious solution -- solar cars!

If you let your kids see this schedule they will 'make' you move to the Virgin Islands!

These kids - and their parents - are doing something smart! Take a look at the scheduled events and tell me that you would not want to have this schedule (instead of your own work or your child's school schedule!):

Homeschooling in the Virgin Islands sure has its benefits if you like the outdoors!

USVI Megan Hodge helps Team USA overtake China at London Olympics

NBC interviews Megan Hodge after Team USA beats China today

Megan gave it her all and it sure paid off...18 spikes!!!! For more detail...

This is pretty, pretty sweet:

Megan in action

A recent profile of Megan:

Megan Hodge represents Team USA on the Volleyball Team

VI Daily News reports: Hodge's goal - Lead USA to the gold in volleyball

Megan Hodge, 23, a St. Thomas native, is a professional volleyball player who competes in Europe and will represent Team USA at the Games. She graduated from Penn State University in 2010 with a degree in business management and that was after she was named to the NCAA All-American Team four years in a row. Hodge was named the Most Valuable Player of the FIVB World Grand Prix earlier this month after leading Team USA to a 14-0 record and a gold medal. This will be her first appearance at the Olympics.

How did you get into volleyball?

Both of my parents played, so I grew up around the sport. I didn't really get into it until middle school, when most people start playing for their school team, and was playing both basketball and volleyball. As I got to high school, I stuck with volleyball, just because, and I've stuck with it ever since.

Now, I understand that you were also a competitive jump roper as a young girl. How did that evolve into volleyball and did it help your leaping ability?

I was. And I don't think there was any plan for the two to be correlated. As I got older I couldn't really make time for both so I had to choose. I chose volleyball, but I will give some credit for my jumping ability to jumping rope at a high level. It definitely impacted that.

What is your favorite thing about playing outside hitter?

The ability to do it all. In this position, at this level, you have to have all the skills, a generalized specialist if you will. You don't get that in other positions. It always gives me something to work on.

Your parents - Michael and Carmen Hodge - each played for the USVI senior volleyball teams. How did they influence your life and early volleyball development?

My parents were, and still are, awesome. They did everything they could to support me. Never forced me to play. They did always make it clear that they didn't want to waste time or money if I wasn't serious about the game. So, in retrospect, they taught me some major lessons on decision-making and commitment as a teenager. I'm so glad to have parents like them.

You won three straight NCAA national titles while at Penn State. How is the college game different from the professional game?

The only way to compare it, and I don't think this even does it justice, is to compare it to moving from a high school level to college level. Everyone's better, faster, stronger. The major difference though is the mental game. It's more intense, the level of focus and concentration, the ability to be consistent at a high level.

You've been working with Team USA since 2010, describe the relationship you have with your teammates?

I think we have a really good group. Our chemistry is very functional. We have a lot of wonderful pieces and we know how to make each other better. It wasn't always this way, but we've all put in a lot of time and effort to get to this point. I think it's exactly what we need for London.

It must be a comfortable relationship because the team was featured in ESPN The Magazine's Body Issue last month. What was that like?

It wasn't the whole team. Just a few of us. It was a good experience for me, personally. We have received a lot of mixed feedback on the magazine, but at the end of the day, for me, it was tasteful. We got to show the feminine side of women's sports. My biggest supporters - my family and loved ones - liked it so I'm happy with it.

Team USA is ranked No. 1 in the world and the favorite to win the gold medal in London. Is there any added pressure with those expectations?

I don't think so. I think most of our team have been in situations where they're "supposed to win" or something like that, but we know that all we can worry about is our performance; doing everything we can to win each point. Our coach has really harped on that this quadrennial so we understand. The No. 1 ranking is a distraction that we all are aware of but not concerned with.

Why and how is Team USA going to win the gold?

By playing USA Volleyball. We've put in the work and we have the right mental game to go in there and bring the gold back for USA.

--

What are the Summer Olympic Games?

The Summer Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event, which occur every four years and are organized by the International Olympic Committee. Medals are awarded in each event, with gold medals for first place, silver for second and bronze for third, a tradition that started in 1904.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Olympic Committee is recognized as a separate "sports country" by the IOC. USVI athletes have competed in each Summer Olympic Games since 1968, except the 1980 Games, which were held in Russia and boycotted by the United States

Swimmer from USVI takes to water today at Summer Olympics

St. Croix native Branden Whitehurst

Whitehurst takes to the water in the 100m Freestyle Tuesday, July 31 @ 10 AM in Heat #4. Details....

VI Daily News reports: Whitehurst eager to experience Olympics

BY AARON GRAY (DAILY NEWS STAFF), Published: July 20, 2012

St. Croix native Branden Whitehurst will be the only swimmer to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, which start on July 27. Whitehurst will compete in the 100-meter freestyle.

Branden Whitehurst, 22, is a St. Croix native who lives and trains in Miami, Fla. He was the territory's most successful swimmer at the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games when he advanced to the finals in four events. At the 2011 Pan American Games, Whitehurst finished second in the men's 200-meter Individual Medley "B" finals. He holds several USVI records, and this will be his first appearance at the Olympics.

Growing up on an island, I can only assume you have been swimming your whole life?

I started swimming when I was 5 years old, and I got into it because of my older sister, Kerrie. She went on to swim at Florida State and was definitely one of the main reasons I got into the sport.

I started to get competitive when I was about 11, and that was the same time I started to represent the V.I. at CARIFTA and other swim meets in the Caribbean. I swam with the Marlins swim team on St. Croix and then joined the Dolphins right before high school. I swam with them consistently until college.

You are one of just a few USVI athletes in this Olympiad who have competed at the CAC Games, the Pan Am Games and now the Olympics. Talk about what the journey has been like?

The overall process has been great. I've competed all over the world, so I can't complain about that. I'm just very grateful for the USVI Swimming Federation and what they have allowed me to do these last four years. It's been a one-of-a-kind experience.

In the pool, I have definitely improved each time out. The CAC's were tough. I had a great meet at the World Championships the next summer, and then the Pan Ams were sort of a surprise because I wasn't in prime shape.

For the Olympics, I want to end my career on a high. I've been working for the last three years toward this and I believe I'm peaking at the right time.

Which event will you be swimming in London? What other events do you like to swim?

I will be swimming the 100-meter freestyle at the Olympics. I also like to compete in the 200 IM, 50 free and 200 free. I swam in each of those events at the 2009 World Championships, and I believe I still hold the USVI record for all of them but the 50 free. I would have to go back and check that, though.

Describe your daily training regiment, and has it picked up leading into the Olympics?

This week and last week, I've been going hard in the weight room and training very hard in the pool. It will probably taper off next week and the week leading into the Games.

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. and I'm in the gym by 6 a.m. for an hour workout. We swim from 7 to 9 a.m. and it's a constant swim, which means there are not a lot of breaks, if any. We get back in the pool from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. again. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, we usually do just one two-hour swim.

Sounds like you work up quite an appetite?

I started a new diet, too. Mostly a lot of protein. Meats, salads, fruit and egg whites. I basically forgot what pizza tastes like.

Which swim meet is more competitive in your opinion: the NCAA National Championships or the Olympic Games? Why?

It's a toss up. I would say the NCAA's is the fastest meet in the world. Only because it seems like all the best international swimmers have trained at some point in the U.S. But it's hard to compare the two meets. It's long course versus short course and meters versus yards - they are almost two different worlds.

After the Games, I understand you will go into training to become a Navy SEAL. How did you come to that decision?

When I was a kid, I was always running around with my friends in the bush and played cops and robbers and that kind of stuff. Plus, my father was in the Air Force for 15 years. One day, he mentioned the Navy SEALs to me and he may have been joking at the time, but I took it to heart. I found myself thinking about it every day.

For my future, I wanted a physical and mental challenge. I don't want to be stuck behind a desk. As of now, I'm scheduled to go to boot camp on Dec. 8, and after that, I'm hoping to train to become a Navy SEAL.

What are your ultimate goals for these Games?

I've been working to hit that 49-second mark in the 100 free for years. I was a half-second off when I was at Auburn University, so I just want to hit that mark. That's everything I can hope for.

For me, it's a personal race against the clock. It doesn't really matter who else is in the pool or whether I finish first or last. I've been working hard for the last three years and I really just want to have fun and enjoy myself. But this will be the last meet of my swimming career, so if I can hit 49 seconds, it would be a huge success for me.

For more info:  http://www.london2012.com/swimming/event/men-100m-freestyle/index.html
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Swim on!

How could we have missed it this week? Hurricane Supplication Day!

This is the type of map we like to see!

According to the Free Dictionary the fourth Monday of July (July 23) is Hurricane Supplication Day, that is if you happen to live in the Virgin Islands:
Observed in the U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John—Hurricane Supplication Day marks the beginning of the hurricane season [in the Virgin Islands territory]. Special church services are held to pray for safety from the storms that ravage these and other Caribbean islands. The custom probably dates back to the "rogation" ceremonies which began in fifth-century England—from the word rogare, meaning "to beg or supplicate." Rogations usually followed a frightening series of storms, earthquakes, or other natural disasters, although sometimes they took place annually on the Rogation Days that preceded Ascension Day.  At the end of the hurricane season [in the Virgin Islands] in October there is a Hurricane Thanksgiving Day . Church services are held on the third Monday in October so that the islanders can give thanks for being spared the destruction of a major storm.

Until recent years Hurricane Supplication Day was actually an official holiday in the Virgin Islands. While Hurricane season officially starts June 1 and lasts through the month of November, it is the late summer months of August and September that we tend to see most storms here in the Virgins. Hence the reason for prayer (however one does it!)!

Well, we are now 1/3 of the way through the 2012 Hurricane Season with 4 named storms so far: Alberto, Beryl, Chris and Debby.  The next fellow up will be Ernesto.  The rest of the names for this hurricane season...

Some of the hurricane watch websites I particularly like are:

Caribbean Hurricane Network

National Hurricane Center

Stormpulse

Keep doing what you have been doing whether it is praying or just wishing the storms away because so far, so good this season!   

It sure is nice seeing 'USVI' on boats at the London Olympics

Virgin Islanders & Olympians Cy Thompson and Mimi Roller in the Olympic Village in Weymouth

Both Mimi Roller, from St John, and Cy Thompson, from St Thomas, are competing in Lasers this summer. The first races start on July 30th with medal races taking place on August 6th.  The Olympic website details the race guidelines as:

Fleet races competition format

All the Sailing events on the Olympic programme apart from the women's Elliot 6m event are fleet races and follow the same competition format.

In fleet racing, each event has a series of races. Points are awarded in each race: first scores one point, second scores two points, etc.

After 10 races (15 races in the Skiff event), points from the worst race are discarded. The remaining points are added together.

The 10 best athletes/crews then advance to the medal race. Points are doubled, so first place gets two points, second gets four, etc. The points total after the medal race determines the placings.

The athlete/crew with the lowest number of points is the winner.

Whatever the results over the next couple of weeks we are really proud of both Cy and Mimi and happy to have them flying the USVI flag for us!

The US Virgin Islands flag flies proudly at the London Summer Olympics

The US Virgin Islands flag flies proudly in London at the Summer Olympics photo credit Mimi Roller

Can you name the flags flying next to the US Virgin Islands flag? Did you know that the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (VIOC) has sent a team to every Central American & Caribbean, Pan American and Olympic competition since 1966.  With the exception of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow which the VIOC boycotted, it has sent a team to every Olympic competition since the mid 1960's. The first medal - a silver - was won at the 1988 Seoul Olympics by Peter Holmberg in Yachting.  Might this year be the year to add to that medal?

This year the US Virgin Islands qualified 7 athletes in 3 different sports for the London Summer Games which start tomorrow, Thursday, July 26, and last through August 12.  Additionally, the USVI will be represented in the Paralympic Games, with an equestrian athlete, which also takes place this summer starting on August 29.  Let us celebrate them all:

• Lee Frawley Equestrian, Paralympic Games
• Muhammad Halim Athletics Triple Jump
• Tabarie Henry 4th in the world 400m
• Laverne Jones-Ferrette Athletics 100m & 200m
• Allison Peter Athletics 100m & 200m
• Mimi Roller Laser Class Sailing
• Cy Thompson Laser Class Sailing
• Branden Whitehurst Swimming 100m Freestlye

USVI makes Islands wish list for 'Best Island to Live On'

Wish List write-up about why USVI is 'the best' island to live on

Those of us who have spent time in the US Virgin Islands fully understand why the USVI made the Islands Wish List for the 'Best Island in the World to Live On'!  

Enjoy their photo essay and you, too, will understand why the USVI made the list once again this year as it often does.  Yes, it is the beaches, it is the National Park, but so, so much more!

USVI Olympic athletes head to London while all are being honored at home

VI Daily News reports -- USVI Olympic exhibit opens on St. Thomas

BY AARON GRAY, Published: July 16, 2012

USVI University Sports Federation president Ron Harrigan looks over the USVI Olympic Committe exhibit in Royal Dane Mall on St. Thomas on Saturday. The exhibit, which depicts the history of the Olympic Games and the territory's involvement in the Games, will opened this week to the public and will remain open during the London Games from July 27 through Aug. 12.

U.S. Virgin Islands Olympic Committee members attend the grand opening of the USVI Olympic Committee Daily News Photos by AARON GRAY

ST. THOMAS - U.S. Virgin Islands Olympic Committee executive board members Hans Lawaetz, Angel Morales and Leonard Bonelli Sr. walked into the USVI Olympic Committee Exhibit in downtown St. Thomas on Saturday, and it was like a walk down memory lane.

The two-room exhibit in Royal Dane Mall depicts the history of the Olympics, the territory's involvement in the Games and features several information panels, pieces of artwork and memorabilia. Admission is free.

"Our initial goal was to promote the Olympic movement in the Virgin Islands," said exhibit organizer Yuri Gaspar, who is also the USVI Winter Sports general secretary. "You would be surprised. A lot of people we talk to don't even know we're sending athletes to London."

The USVI is sending track and field athletes Tabarie Henry, LaVerne Jones-Ferrette, Allison Peter, and Muhammad Halim; laser sailors Mimi Roller and Cy Thompson; and freestyle swimmer Branden Whitehurst to the Games.

The territory has participated in every Summer Olympic Games since 1968, except for the 1980 Games, which were held in Russia and boycotted by the United States.

Gaspar described the exhibit as a lounge area for local residents and tourists walking around downtown. There are two 42-inch flat screen televisions inside air-conditioned rooms that will be playing live coverage of the Olympics, starting with the opening ceremonies on July 27.

"One main thing we will feature is the schedule for when each of our USVI athletes will be competing at the upcoming Games," said Gaspar, whose 17-year-old daughter, Veronica, represents the USVI in alpine skiing. "Of course, if there is a final or something, we will stay open later or earlier so Virgin Islanders can take in all the action at the exhibit."

There are also preliminary plans to move the exhibit to St. Croix and St. John in the coming weeks but those plans are pending office space and security, Gaspar said.

The complete article can be read...