Perfect weather around the Virgin Islands for the 40th Rolex Regatta

This weekend's weather cooperated nicely for the 40th Rolex Regatta. Not a hardship to be out on the waters taking these shots that is for sure:

And finally, a wonderful video which makes you feel (and wish) you were 

actually on one of the boats:

The St John Source has a great article detailing the excitement of the 3 day race and how several of the classes were fighting to the last race for the overall lead. For even more details of the Regatta and how each of the classes fared you can look at the Rolex International website. 

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???

Support St John's kids and Enjoy a Day on the Water and Beach

This Saturday, March 23rd, the St John's Coral Bay Yacht Club is once again hosting the 'Almost Annual' Guy H. Benjamin School Benefit Flotilla. Whether you live on St John full time or are just visiting for the week, this is one of St John's most fun community activities. Sail on one of the many boats that volunteer to support this great initiative or drive out to Vie's beach by car, either way join in on the beach party to support the kids of Coral Bay. Needless to say there will be music and great food. 

Price of admission is only $10 for kids and $20 for adults who drive out to Vie's and $40 for those who want to sail out.  The Vie's activities start at noon, but those who wish to sail out should be at the Coral Bay dock by 9 AM. A $500 cash raffle will be held with tickets available before and at the event. All proceeds will go to Guy H. Benjamin School.

Delroy "Ital" Anthony keeps the beat going aboard Sliver Cloud as Guy Benjamin School students enjoy a sail to the flotilla on the Coral Bay tall ship courtesy of St John Tradewinds

Soon come: a Jimmy Buffett Original 'Virgin Islands Margaritaville' St Thomas Style

Thanks to the Virgin Islands Daily News reporting of Aldeth Lewin:

Buffett,Wyndham share 

vision of Margaritaville

Published: March 16, 2013

Daily News Photo by AISHA-ZAKIYA BOYD Wyndham Vacation Ownership President and CEO Franz Hanning greets Jimmy Buffet at the unveiling of the artist's rendition of the planned Margaritaville timeshare resort.

An artist's rendering of the proposed Margaritaville timeshare resort at the former Renaissance property.

ST. THOMAS - Jimmy Buffett has a long, colorful history with the Virgin Islands, but Friday he started a new chapter by officially launching the first Margaritaville timeshare resort.

Buffett and Wyndham Vacation Ownership President and Chief Executive Officer Franz Hanning officially unveiled the first rendering of the new resort to a small crowd of St. Thomas government officials and members of the business community.

Buffett is partnering with Wyndham to open the 262-unit resort, located at the former Renaissance Grand Beach Resort in Smith Bay on St. Thomas.

The hotel property has been abandoned for years, and Wyndham plans to invest $90 million to transform it into the flagship Margaritaville Vacation Club by Wyndham property.

Friday's reception took place at Penga, the Point Pleasant Resort restaurant that overlooks the site of the new Margaritaville resort.

Kicking off his flip-flops, Buffett picked up his guitar and sang three songs - "Boat Drinks," which he said was inspired by a trip to St. Thomas; "Volcano"; and, of course, "Margaritaville" - to the small crowd as the sun began to set over Water Bay.

Buffett came to St. Thomas on his first sailboat in 1972, a boat he bought with the money he made from his first album. He lived on his boat at the old Sheraton Marina off and on for about a year, playing gigs in the area and making friends.

Mafolie Hotel was a favorite hang out, he said, and he fondly remembers Maureen O'Hara waiting on the dock for her seaplane pilot husband, Charlie Blair Jr., to return.

"It was like a movie set," he told The Daily News on Friday.

When the opportunity to bring his Margaritaville brand to the Virgin Islands arose, Buffet said, he jumped at the chance, seeing it as a perfect fit.

"I wrote a lot of songs down here," he said.

Buffett first started the Margaritaville brand in the 1980s in Key West, when he opened a T-shirt shop, and a few years later a bar and restaurant.

Those enterprises have since grown to 16 restaurants in the United States, with two more opening soon; a hotel in Pensacola, Fla., and one on the way in Louisiana; casinos in Biloxi and Las Vegas and two opening soon in Atlantic City and Louisiana; and six Caribbean bars and restaurants in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos and San Juan.

Buffett said the brand is about a lifestyle, and a way to connect with his fans - also known as "parrot heads."

"We sell escapism," he said. "They've been escaping through our music for so long, this is a real place on the beach, Margaritaville. It's about appealing to the people who've been fans for so long."

Buffett said he plans to buy the first four timeshare units at the resort so his musicians and crew can rotate through. Music will be a big part of the resort, with live acts playing regularly - maybe even Buffett himself.

Buffett currently lives on St. Barths and pilots his own seaplane, which he said would be very easy to land in Water Bay.

"You never know when I'm going to show up," Buffett said, referring to the future resort.

Construction on the resort will begin in July. The first phase - which includes the main administration buildings, restaurant, common areas and the units by the pool - will take about 18 months to complete.

Phase two will include hillside units, which will not be started until the units renovated in phase one are sold.

Rather than a traditional timeshare system, in which owners have a deed for a set number of weeks per year for a specific unit, owners can purchase points, which can be used at any of the Wyndham's timeshare properties.

Wyndham formerly managed the Sugar Bay Resort and Spa, but the company pulled out of that property when their management contract expired in July 2011.

The former Renaissance has changed hands multiple times in the last decade and has been completely shuttered since 2004.

Wyndham St. Thomas Development LLC bought the property in 2007 for $31 million.

Wyndham's original plan to renovate the hotel was sidelined by the recession in 2008, which Hanning said was a blessing in disguise as the delay led to the partnership with Buffett.

"It was just fate," Hanning said.

Hanning said that although some of Buffett's Margaritaville properties have casinos, a casino never was part of the concept for the St. Thomas resort. He said the property will be family-friendly and cater to the laid-back traveler.

"A good time will be had by all," he promised.

Support St John and sail away

Every year the prizes get better and better and this year is no exception. Some of the 'big ticket' prizes this year include: 

  

   -3 night stay at Caneel Bay

   -3 night stay in Jamaica

 -2 US Open Tennis: tickets for 2 people for 3 sessions, transportation, and   accommodations

  -NBA Finals for 2 plus accommodations for 2 nights

 - one week's stay at an Aspen, CO villa

 - Sunset sail for 45 people on the wonderful St John Kekoa including appetizers

and the list goes on!  Take a look at the list and decide which treat you want.  Whether you are on St John or in Oshkosh, you can buy a ticket for only $100! 

Beloved Woody's on St John is sold

Sure we expect restaurants to come and go, especially on an island 1,000 miles out to sea, but somehow when a place like

Woody's Seafood Saloon

actually does sell it seems like a passing that should be noted.  Have you ever sat on the curbside during one of their happy hours? Or, passed by wishing that you were there (or wondering why in the world it is always so packed???).  Regardless of whether you are a Woody's regular or have just passed by, if you have been to St John you know Woody's.  According to the current owners Woody's regulars should not fret, the new owners - Paul and Scott - promise "that nothing will change"...

Just last year, at the other end of the island in Coral Bay, a similar event happened. Many thought the world would end when it was announced that the

nearly

world famous

Skinny Legs Bar and Grill

 was sold to long-time manager Doug Bean and his wife Jaime Elliot (on April Fool's day no less!).  While they have added a wonderful smoker and now - occasionally, offer great smoked shoulder, brisket, and even oysters! 

The smoker at Skinny Legs has been a great addition

What has not changed, and hopefully never will, are the

atmosphere

which is very family friendly and their

commitment of supporting the community

. Stop by on the way home from the beach or spend the evening listening to music. 

These two 'institutions' of St John make our island the happy and funky place that we love. 

Whales, Whales, and more whales -- around St John

From our March newsletter....  

Whale sightings are all around St John

The website USVI Weddings posted this amazing shot 

Spring is a wonderful time to visit St John, our island in the sun. The waters are warm, the breezes are blowing, and whales abound. Whale sightings so far this year have been amazing. And, thanks to the quick actions of several folks we have pictures to share. This video was shot recently by Jason Siska of Coral Bay, St John and posted on Facebook:

Famed St John photographer, Steve Simonsen, captured these wonderful shots last week while running about in his beloved motorboat, Jackson:

 There she blows!

These shots were taken just south of where Great Expectations is located

March St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• March not only brings whales to our waters, but mega-yachts also have been spotted around St John recently. News of St John blogged this photo taken by St John Captain John who pilots the charter boat Palm Tree. The owner of this small craft that measures a mere 288 feet is Mark Cuban (owner of Landmark Theaters). One would guess that the 35 crew aboard can and do cater to his every need. Rumor has it that Paul McCarthy and Bruce Springsteen were spotted on another mega-yacht, The Rising Sun belonging to David Geffen, which was moored just off Honeymoon Beach. Ah, what a life!

• St John is once again in the news as the 'go-to' island. USA Travel writer, Melanie Renzulli, has declared the US Virgin Islands and St John, in particular, one of America's best islands!  The fact that we are part of the USA so that no passport is required is one of many reasons she cites for making it to the list. Calling St John 'the most natural' island is another reason. The beauty of St John is inescapable. CNN Travel featured as the #1 'Beaches we'd like to be lounging on', you guessed it - Trunk Bay!

• The Virgin Islands National Park Service (VINP) made the news nation-wide with its recent announcement banning smoking on any of our National Park beaches or at their facilities. From the Huffington Post and the Seattle Times, the word got out that our beaches are to be forever smoke free!
• You know you are in the Caribbean when three of the top blogs and newspapers on St John feature a new brew! And, why not, since the new offering comes from our own St John Brewer's and is a key ingredient for the favorite tropical drink...the Dark & Stormy! The St John Brewers have been serving up, on tap, their home made Ginger Beer at their pub for a long-time, but they have just perfected the bottling of it and the Ginger Beer will be distributed to a larger market throughout the Virgin Islands (yes, you must make a trip to the Virgin Islands to taste this, but it will be worth the trip...).

• Great Expectations has a few openings this spring. What better way of ending the winter than enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean? Contact us today to take advantage of our last minute specials this April and May.

We sure hope we see you at Great Expectations or Beau Geste this year or next!

Best,

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

Folk Life Festival comes to St John US Virgin Islands

For history buffs this year's Folk Life Festival will be a dream. The theme 'From where We Came' will highlight the cultural diversity and heritage of the United States Virgin Islands.  Sponsored by the Virgin Islands National Park the Festival will take place this coming Thursday, February 28 and Friday, March 1 at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation (from 10 AM to 3 PM). 

Those attending will learn through interpretation, presentations, and interactions with speakers about life long ago.  Take a step back and enjoy the Virgin Islands of yesteryear.

St John Arts Festival 2013 - music & dancing is filling the island!

All news and fun facts about the Caribbean and Tropics (and St John, of course)

After you have come in from the cold having shoveled the snow that blanketed many of us over the last several days, grab a warm cup of coffee, tea, or coco and enjoy some of these Blogs that focus on the warmth of the Tropics and Caribbean.  

St John, in the US Virgin Islands, happens to be our favorite island so we tend to head to all things St John, however, we thought it would be fun to include some others here as well:

St John blogs:

We encourage you to bookmark some of our favorite St John blogs & Newspapers:

Great Expectations Blog (well, why not read our blog be first? Hope you enjoy it)

News of St John

On-St John 

St John's Full Moon taken by Gerald Singer
author of the See St John blog 

See St John 

St John Source

Virgin Islands On Line/St John - great forum where people bring up just about any topic regarding St John

St John Sun Times monthly free newspaper & website which, sadly, is ending its monthly newspaper as of April 2013

St John Tradewinds monthly newspaper, subscription based & website

Virgin Island Daily News this is the only Virgin Islands newspaper, think of it as our 'New York Times' and 'Washington Post'; published 5 days a week; subscription based & website

There are also great Blogs that focus on Caribbean and Tropical activities, adventures, gifts, places. A couple of the best are:

Tropicalogy: how to be Tropical -  A fairly new blog featuring fun tropical art, gifts including music, photos and ideas about great tropical places to visit. Billy Walsh, the owner of the Blog, is committed to hearing from locals about finding the best of on each island.  He has a passion for the tropics and wants to 'infect' you with his love of the island life. Maybe its because Billy lives in the cold of the northeast United States that he admits his "Tropicalogy is dedicated to those who love the tropics and want to bring it into their lives through travel and adventure or capture it in their homes through decor and other products".

One of his first feature posts happened to be about our favorite island - St John - and he got it right about what makes St John so special. Stay tuned (bookmark his page) for posts about other islands and, hopefully, more on St John as well.  

Trunk Bay beach St John US Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands On Line - features travel information and forums for all of the US Virgin Islands. This is possibly the most comprehensive website about the Virgin Islands and most active forums on anything dealing with life or travel to the Virgin Islands.

Rum Shop Ryan - offers information from almost A - Z in the Caribbean starting with  'A' -Ambergris Cave in Belize to U - Utila, just off Honduras. Sorry, no 'Z' yet to be found.  Ryan has his ear to the conch shell and  has fun tweeting and blogging about current happenings on all the islands.  Ryan calls his blog the Caribbean Escape, and why not!

Best BBQ on St John? There is a new contender on island!

Reggie's BBQ is a bright, clean, outdoor setting right across from Island Blues (with great views of Coral Bay)

For more than 10 years we have been true blue Uncle Joe's BBQ loyalists, and, we still are; however, there is a new BBQ on island that is definitely 'worth the drive'!  Reggie's BBQ opened recently in Coral Bay, right across from Island Blues and, conveniently adjacent to Cases By the Sea. Reggie is THE same Reggie who, for years, worked for Uncle Joe's BBQ. We loved it when Reggie was on the grill at Uncle Joe's for he always had a great smile and attitude, and, served up mouth watering wonderful BBQ!

This is Reggie serving up his yummy ribs with his wonderful smile

Well, he recently opened his own 'restaurant' (an open air tent with a number of tables with Reggie's 'kitchen' and grill).  We had not seen Reggie for a number of years but he greeted us with his huge smile and laugh as old friends. Best of all his ribs and cole slaw (our favorite 'side dish') are spectacular!  Give him a try the next time you are on St John.  His phone number is:

Reggie's BBQ 340 714-1020    

Other BBQ options you should try while on St John are:

Uncle Joe's BBQ 340 693-8806 across from the Post Office and Cap's in Cruz Bay

Candi's BBQ 340 779-1452 on the way to Starfish Market, right by the turn to the Barge

Driftwood Dave's BBQ 340 777-4015 by the Lumberyard in Cruz Bay 

People are serious about their preferences when it comes to BBQ so let us know what you think!  Recently there was a thread on the USVI-on-Line St John forum about BBQ you might want to check out.

And, what is not to like about this:

Fall off the bones luscious ribs served with great sides

Movies under the stars on St John, USVI

What could be a better way to watch the movies than being on St John, out under the stars, able to enjoy your favorite liquid refreshment and great BBQ (more on that one later)? St John Film Society (SJFS) is including in its 2013 season screenings in Coral Bay at Cases By the Sea.  The SJFS recently announced:

St. John Film Festival Screenings in Coral Bay

We are pleased to announce that the St. John Film Society will be screening select films during the 2013 season in Coral Bay!  Please join us in kicking off  the Coral Bay film series on Wednesday, February 20 at Cases By the Sea with the 87 minute documentary film Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story, directed by Ron Berger and Dan Klores.  Bring your own chair or sit at the picnic tables and enjoy food from Reggie’s (optional)!  Stay tuned here for more Coral Bay film series details!  St. John Film Society is partially funded by the National Endowment of the Arts, Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, and YOU!  Your $5.00 suggested donation is greatly appreciated.

Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story

Directed by Ron Berger & Dan Klores,  87 minutes, Documentary, 2005

February 20, 2013/ 7:30 pm / Cases by the Sea, Coral Bay

Join St. John Film Society at Cases by the Sea in Coral Bay!  Bring your own chair or sit at the picnic tables and enjoy local food at Reggie’s.  Documentary filmmakers Dan Klores and Ron Berger look at a dark moment in American sports history — March 24, 1962 — when St. Thomas’s Emile Griffith fought Cuba’s Benny “Kid” Paret for the welterweight boxing championship. At the weigh-in, Paret taunted the gentle giant with an anti-gay slur. Later, Griffith pummeled Paret into a fatal coma as a nationwide TV audience watched. Decades later, six-time welterweight champion Griffith spoke of the fateful night that haunts him.  The film includes compelling boxing footage and interviews with Griffith and family, historians, and sports journalists.  Ring of Fire was a 2005 Sundance featured film and called “extraordinary” by The New York Times.

The St John Source also reports:

"We are very excited to have films in Coral Bay once again after a brief hiatus," said Andrea Leland, director of the St John Film Society. "For our first film we are particularly happy to have found a partner in Cases by the Sea, which features a large screen and food and drink for sale - it can be an evening out." Cases by the Sea and Reggie's feature food and drink at picnic tables under their open-air pavilion "or, bring your own chair if you like," suggests Leland.

Cuba comes to St John, USVI -- at least on film

Support the St John Film Society's 2013 season opening screening:

Films from the

4th TRAVELLING CARIBBEAN 

SHOWCASE OF FILMS

 Spotlight on CUBA

February 5, 2013/ 7:30 pm  

St. John

 School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Join us for an insightful look into contemporary Cuba.  Three filmmakers capture the stories of teachers, cigar-factory workers, and taxi-drivers from urban Havana to rural Baracoa – inspiring, controversial, and uniquely Cuba!

Maestra 'The Teacher' highlights how thousands of young women taught nearly a million kids to read and write in a year

 ADOLPHO : 45–min , fiction, directed by Sofie Delaage 2006 Poor Adolpho yearns for life beyond his broken-down taxi and plots a journey across the sea in this contemporary Cuban comedy of errors.

CON EL TOQUE DE LA CHAVETA:  28-min, documentary, directed by Pamela Sporn In the cigar factories of Cuba, a unique tradition persists: ‘la lectura de tabaqueria’ . Every day, specially employed workers read out loud to the two or three-hundred tabaqueros as they sit rolling the country’s famous cigars. From classic novels to national politics and local baseball results, for centuries this daily tradition has been an education for the workers, or chavetas. But after years of listening, they are now knowledgeable and demanding, and the readers must be at their very best if they are to keep their discerning audience interested.

MAESTRA (THE TEACHER):  33-min, documentary, directed by Catherine Murphy, 2011 In 1961 Cuba 250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in one year. 100,000 of the teachers were under 18 years old, over half were women.  The  Bay of Pigs invasion took place in Cuba impacting the both the women and the literacy campaign.  The young women who went out to teach literacy in the rural communities across the island found themselves deeply transformed in the process. This documentary includes present day interviews with women who volunteered to teach their country to read in 1961 along with archival footage and still photos from the 60’s.   Catherine Murphy has begun the recording of an oral history of one of contemporary Cuba’s greatest achievements.

It is that time of year around St John & St Thomas - look out for the whales!

This whale was spotted off St John, near Jost Van Dyke, during last year's migration

Spending the day on the water out and about around St John is a wonderful time any time of year; however, as we enter the whale migration season you might just be able to experience something extra special - a whale sighting! While there is never a 'guarantee' since these creatures move to their own tempo, it is well worth the journey - just in case.  If you happen to be around St John during one of the EAST outings hop join one of their tours. While they depart from St Thomas, it is an easy ferry ride over to St Thomas's Red Hook to grab a cab.  You might also consider going out on one of the many St John sail boats that charter out.  The folks on Kekoa and Wayward Sailor have had great luck with their whale sightings (and, even if you do not get to see a whale you will have a whale of a time! - sorry, could not help myself!).

This photo was taken aboard The Wayward Sailor

For more info see what St Thomas Source reports:

Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John Plans Whale Watchings

BY SOURCE STAFF — JANUARY 25, 2013

 Join the Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John (www.eastvi.org) as it heads out on one of the three scheduled annual whale watches on The Spirit of Christopher. The first one will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Sapphire beach parking lot (directions to parking will be provided at the gate for confirmed passengers). The other two will be held on Feb. 23 and March 2.
Enjoy the day as the Environmental Association searches the high seas for humpback whales, dolphins and sea birds just off the coast of St. Thomas and St. John. A light lunch and drinks will be provided, and later in the day, there will be a brief stopover at one of the many coves in the area for a refreshing swim or snorkel dive.
Available spots move fast so please register today. On line reservations available at www.islandtimestours.net

Love animals? Love St John? Then this party, raffle & auction are for you!

If you are on-island then party with the animals Saturday night! An Evening in Paris (on St John, without the jet lag no less!) is the theme of the evening.  Put on your best duds & dancing shoes and get ready to enjoy some of the island's best catered food and local music.  The St John Animal Care Center (SJACC) is hosting its annual Gala complete with both a silent and on-line auction - so for those not lucky enough to be on St John in body but whose hearts are here - you can still participate.  Whether you want to bid on art, loads of water (which sounds pretty good to me, a property owner who buys LOTS of water!), boat rides, catered dinners, there is something on the list for you I am sure. 

To entice you, here is the current list of items up for raffle and silent auction. The raffle tickets are only $5 (or 5 for $20) and every dollar goes to help the animals of St John.

Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Nest, St Johnimals, Catered To Vacation Homes or by calling the ACC @ 340-774-1625 or stopping by.

RAFFLE PRIZES: 

• Bajo el Sol Gallery Livy Hitchcock 1 Pastel Pet Portrait - $1,000
• St. John Inn - 2 night stay – based on availability - $600
• St John Maintenance - Water Delivery 1 truck load - $375
• Beachwalk Charters - Weso & Mary - ½ day 4 hr local waters (gas additional) - $350
• Cruz Bay Watersports - Sunset Sail for 4 pp - $280
• Kekoa - 2 person sail - $200
• Shangrila Spa - Massage & Body Scrub - $200
• Paradise Lumber - Gas Grill - $168
• Drift Away Spa - Makeup Package - $151
• Arawak Expeditions - 2 full day paddle board rentals - $150
• Freebird Creations - Sterling Phases Necklace with Tahitian Pearl - $150
• Paradise Gas - 100 lb tank - $127
• Pink Papaya - Coconut Clock - $125
• Lina Guild Massage - 1 hr in office or home massage - $123
• Hypnosis and Life Style Change by Lucy Portlock - 1 session - $100
• Alfredo's Landscaping - Plants - $100
• Saint Jan Botanical - Plants - $100
• Nest - Gift Certificate $100
• Low Key Watersports - 1 two tank dive or Discover scuba diving trip - $98
• Pampered Pause - Kim Templeton - Pedicure $50/Carol Ayn - Hair Cut - Blow Dry $40
• Grapevine Salon & Spa - 1 hr massage - $85
• Coral World - Family Pass - $60
• Caravan Gallery - Hand carved Elephant from Bali - $58
• St. John Hardware - Gift Certificate - $50
• Coral Bay Garden Center - Plants & Pots - $50
• Big Planet - Gift Card - $50
• Fabric Mill - Gift Certificate - $50
• La Plancha - Gift Certificate - $50
• Kickboxing - 1 week pass - $35
• Connections -Two $25 Gift Certiicates for services some restrictions apply - $50

Silent Auction Items  Bids will be accepted for Silent Auction items until 12 noon on January 19th via email to Debbie@cateredto.com

• Plumeria Villa - 1 week stay - Alyce & Paul Jordan - $3,400 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#341389
• Colorado Log Cabin - 1 week stay - Maggi & Jon Ward - $3,000 (Min bid $1,500) Subject to availabilitywww.vrbo/#183093
• BVI Package - Sand Castle JVD - 1 night - Some restrictions apply $250, Soggy Merchandise -Hat,Blanket,Koozie,Stickers,KeyChain,Crokie $110, Corsairs Dinner for 2
• Grande Bay Resort & Residence Club - 3 night stay - 1 bdrm suite - $1,350
• St John Dental – Teeth Whitening & Esthetic Consult - $1,000
• Singing Dog Sailing - 1/2 Day Sail for 6 on Luxury catamaran - $800
• String of Pearls Villa- 2 nights - No restrictions - Subject to availability - $600
• St John Inn - 2 night stay – Subject to availability - $600
• Caravan Auto Parts & Service - $500
• Kathy Depree – Will - $500
• Mermaid Charters - 1 full day for 6 $495
• Harbor View Villa- 2 nights – B. J. Harris- No restrictions - Subject to availability - $420
• Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel - 2 nights - standard room – Some restrictions - $390
• Into the Blue - Necklace and earrings set - $384
• PropertyKing – 1 day yard clean up – some restrictions -$350
• Passion Fruit Chef Service – Private In Home Chef Service - $350
• Shangrila Spa - Massage, Facial, Body Scrub - $300
• Core Pilates with Keryn Bryan - 2 - 1 hr in home session for 2 - $260
• Pet Package $205 - St Johnimals – Dog Bed & Toys $100
• Canines Cats and Critters 3 night stay - $105
• St John Repair Shop - For services - $200
• Mathayom Private Chefs - 3 bottles of wine/cheese platter 4pp - $200
• Caravan Gallery – Multi strand pearl necklace w/abalone accent - $180
• Cimarron Yacht Charters – ½ day sail or sunset for 2pp - $140
• Meagan Crandall - 1 hr in home massage - $100
• Kaye Thomas – Porcelain Bowl - $75
• Avelino Samuels - Numbered Wood turned Mahogany bowl - $50
• Caneel Bay Resort – Sushi and Beach for 2 

Trunk Bay St John from the Front and Back

There is something magical about St John and pictures of Trunk Bay capture this magic whether the pictures are taken facing Trunk Bay or even with your back to the beautifiul Caribbean Sea. Don't know what I mean? Well, this past weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity to take a photography class 'Beyond the Basics' with the fabulous St John photographer, Steve Simonsen. Steve is a pro who clearly loves his craft. He is fun and a great teacher. Not only does Steve want you to learn the basics but he encourages you to have fun with your photos and to tell a story.  

For the first hour, we sat at a picnic table at Hawksnest beach (not a bad 'class room' venue) and were taught some of the basics. Steve then gave us some assignments which challenged us to capture the scene but make sure the light (and shade) did not capture us. I partially succeeded but lost the beautiful greens of the sea grapes in the foreground:

The surf was high at Hawksnest Beach

We then drove to the Trunk Bay overlook which is one of the most photographed venues, not just on St John but in the Caribbean. And, no wonder. The views are magical!

Barely a person comes to St John who does not stop to capture a picture of  magnificent Trunk Bay and its beach

Then Steve challenged us to have fun with the view and try to see something 'new'. At that time a car drove up, parked, and voila...a new 'canvas' was created...we turned our backs to Trunk Bay and took pictures of the reflection as it was shown in a rental car window - go figure! St John and Trunk Bay are beautiful whether you are looking at the Caribbean Sea or you, literally, have your back to it!

This is a picture OF a car window - truly!

We then drove to the ruins at Cinnamon Bay. Rather than being in the bright sun the ruins are in a bit of a forest. Lots of shade with hints of sun. Different challenges to be learned regarding lighting lessons. 

The red of this door was compelling

Not a bad way to spend a morning on St John!

Sail Evenstar: St. John and USVI National Park, Part II

Sail Evenstar: St. John and USVI National Park, Part II
Welcome to St John! We are glad you 'discovered' us and appreciate your posting which is spot on about what makes St John so magical. Our National Park, which covers more than 2/3's of St John, with its wonderful beaches and hiking trails that will be forever protected from development is so very special.

These are just for you if you love the colors - and views - of St John

Hot off the press the January newsletter from Great Expectations:

Artist Sloop Jones captures the beauty of the St John sunrise
on his 'canvas'

Photographer Steve Simonsen uses a camera to as his 'canvas'
to capture the sunset's colors
 

Both Sloop Jones and Steve Simonsen are passionate about their respective crafts about the beauty and colors of St John. Sloop is an artist who captures the colors of St John on anything 'wearable and useable' whether T-Shirts, dresses, hats, rugs, wall hangings, or banners and signs. Rather than a paint brush, Steve Simonsen uses a camera to create his art. Steve often takes to the skies (in an airplane or helicopter), water (diving or boat), or the beach or hills of St John to capture his pictures. His fabulous photography can be seen on the covers of travel magazines, walls of cruise ships, or art galleries around the world.

Both Sloop and Steve offer workshops aimed at giving you a peek into their worlds and helping you capture the magic that is St John:

Sloop Jones Workshops: Every Tuesday morning from January - April, 2013. Classes are limited to 6 people to ensure that everyone gets a good deal of Sloop's attention.

Steve Simonsen Workshops: Scheduled sporadically (it is the islands 'mon) are workshops on Underwater Photography, Snorkel, Tropical Light, and Beyond the Basics. Steve looks for groups of 6 people for his workshops. This weekend I am attending the Beyond the Basics Workshop with the hopes of being able to capture in a lens the beauty I see through my eyes.

OK, assume that you have worked all morning at one of these workshops, what better way of relaxing than spending the afternoon in our new pool:

Watch the clouds float over St John from our new pool

January St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• Once again St John makes several 'Best of' lists. Travel + Leisure launched its first annual 'Beach Beach on Earth' survey and after much debate identified the top 30 best and several Virgin Islands beaches made the list including St John's Trunk Bay in the 'Best for Wildlife Watching'. The Toronto 'The Star' newspaper/blog declared that St John is THE Caribbean island to explore.

• The latest issue of St John Magazine is now available and the reviews are terrific (maybe the best yet!). Each year, MaLinda Nelson outdoes herself to produce an issue that is fresher, bolder, more interesting, and more beautiful than the year before. The 2013 issue is just that! Steve Simonsen's fabulous photography captures St John's magical beauty and Amy Roberts captures, in words, the turmoil in our plantation years. Come to St John to buy one yourself or, if you must order on-line contact MaLinda directly. 

• News of St John (a wonderful blog) had a great posting about how to prolong the 'St John buzz'. We have great musicians on the island and always have lots of live music options available. Several of the groups have put out their own CD's so you can hear St John even when not here. Here are just a few: Inner Visions (for Reggae), Victor Provost has perfected steel drums & pans, and Marty Beech who you can hear at Caneel Bay's Turtle Bay where he sings songs of Frank Sinatra. Best to come to St John to hear these folks in person!
   
• Carnival season has begun in the Virgin Islands. St Croix ends the 'old year' and starts the 'new year' with its Festival. This year's activities were, as usual, spectacular. The next Festival will be on St Thomas during the month of April. St John rounds out the activities for the Virgin Islands with its Festival activities (our favorite) which are scheduled during the last couple of weeks of June and culminate with food fairs, parades, and music during the first week of July.
   
• Rumored for years but it finally happened: Maho Bay Campgrounds was sold! Just as the clock struck twelve on the old year, the deal was sealed so says the island's rumor mill. No one knows for sure who the buyer of the spectacular site is for a steal of a price ($13.9 million), but we can all hope that it is someone who appreciates the beauty of St John who believes in preservation. The Campgrounds is open until May 15 after which they plan the biggest 'garage sale' in the history of St John. If you are interested in a propane burner, tent, table, or other camping gear contact the Stanley Selegut, the owner of Maho Bay Campgrounds, directly.

• Beau Geste, the Guest House of Great Expectations, is currently available for 10% off from Saturday, February 16 - Sunday, February 24 (President's week). Beau Geste has 3 bedrooms, including a connecting bedroom, swimming pool and hot tub, and, of course, fabulous Caribbean views. Contact us today to get out of the cold!

  Enjoy the holidays and we hope we see you at Great Expectations or Beau Gestein the new year!

Best,

 

Chuck & Kristin

owners of Great Expectations

P.S. While Great Expectations is already booked most of this winter, we have a five night opening in March (check out our March Madness Special), 5 night opening in April, and then no  availability until May. We are already taking reservations for 2014, so contact us soon  for your choice dates.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news about Great Expectations specials & St John activities

The 2013 Film Series kicks kicks off on St John

Can't you just feel the waters and hear the waves break on the shore? This very well could be St John but actually was shot on Takuu, a small Polynesian community which is part of Papua New Guinea

Courtesy of St John Film:

There Once Was an Island

Directed by Briar March,  80 minutes, Documentary, 2010

January 15, 2013/ 7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Among the world’s first climate change refugees, a unique Pacific island community considers leaving their homeland forever to escape life-threatening sea level rise.   There Once Was an Island presents the human face of climate change, challenging audiences everywhere to consider their relationship to the earth and to their neighbors.

What if your community had to decide whether to leave its homeland forever and there was no apparent help available?  This is the reality for the culturally unique Polynesian community of Takuu, a tiny, low-lying Pacific Ocean atoll within Papau New Guinea.  As a tidal flood submerges this fishing and agricultural community they experience the devastating effects of climate change, firsthand.

In this documentary, the three intrepid characters of Teloo, Endar, and Satty allow us into their lives and culture, showing us the human face behind environmental crisis.  Two scientists, oceanographer John Hunter and geomorphologist Scott Smithers, investigate the impact of climate change on communities with limited access to resources and support, while the citizens of Takuu consider whether to move to an uncertain future in Bougainville or to stay on Takuu and fight for a different, but equally uncertain, outcome.

Find out more about the movie THERE ONCE WAS AN ISLAND here.

Thanks to our official film premiere sponsor,  ST. JOHN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. 

Thanks to Elaine Ione Sprauve Public Library, home to the St. John Film Society film collection.

The last day of the year on St John...a mixed day but both of the 'book-ends' were pretty! Check out our St John webcams

The day started off with threatening skies note the rain shower on in the far right

but, the rain went south of St John and the last day of the year ended with pretty pink skies:

As they say 'pink skies at night...sailor's delight!'

And the next morning brought

The first day of the year was gorgeous

Bodes well for 2013! May it be filled with pretty skies, warm waters, and wonderful tidings! So, what are you waiting for? Come on down and enjoy...

Can't come today - sad for you - check out these webcams to get your St John 'fix':

Rendezvous Bay this is our favorite -- from our St John villa Great Expectations so, we admit, we are not totally objective!

Other great St John webcams to bookmark are: 

Chocolate Hole - Villa Serendipity

Cruz Bay Dock - St. John Spice

Cruz Bay, Pillsbury Sound & St. Thomas - Tap Room

Cruz Bay views - Beach Bar

Cruz Bay views - Hillcrest Guest House

Ditleff Point - Kaleidoscope Villa

Peter Bay - Villa Amorosa

Overlooking the BVI's - Skyridge Villa

Enjoy our views, until you can come to St John yourself to feel the wind and warmth and enjoy the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore beneath your villa!