St John: New Beginnings & New Special Discounts (4th Couple Stay Free!) at Great Expectations

Enjoy our July newsletter:

New Beginnings 

Steve Simonsen captured these amazing photos as baby turtles emerged to see their new surroundings for the first time on a Virgin Islands beach

I can count 16 baby turtles (which coincidentally is the same number of beds as at Great Expectations). What an amazing event! Just as amazing is planning a vacation, especially to St John, with a large group (of people, not turtles). It can - but, does not have to be - daunting! We found a blog thread recently which you might find fun, relevant, and reassuring, if you have ever traveled with a large group. RickG, a regular visitor to St John and a USVI-on-Line contributor to their forum, posted his 'Group Travel Rules for St John'. As interesting are the comments by other experienced travelers who added to Rick's list.RickG's 'How to Plan a Vacation to St John with a Large Group': 1. Don't invite a whiner. Don't invite anyone that you would not spend a week with 1-on-1. 2. I pick the villa and the week and people get to decide if they want to come. It's OK if no one wants to come with me. 3. You get to pick your room in the order that you pay. I've already paid the deposit, so I go first. This deals with the equal room problem and #1 deals with whiners (Note - @ Great Expectations all 4 Main Villa Master bedrooms are 'equal'). 4. One vehicle per two couples. Expect there to be an early group and a late group each morning. This is not a problem I get my own vehicle and my lover is in the late group. 5. Pick a beach each day you want to visit. 11 AM is a good rendezvous hour.  The late group can usually make it and the early group will have done a hike and another beach already. It is OK if no one else shows up (you do not have to be joined at the hip all week!). 6. Do some happy hours at the villa. It's cheap and 6 -8 + people is a party. 7. Do some dinners at the villa (you can even have them catered for no more than the cost of a meal at one of St John's nicer restaurants) and do some date nights. Dinner out for 6 - 8 + people is a pain in the a$$. Meet for drinks before and after dinner.

8. Expect to spend a day without leaving the villa. Start the blender at 10 AM, put sunscreen on all exposed skin first. 9. Put $100 in the food kitty for initial food/drink provisioning. If someone is concerned that they won't spend that much and want differential treatment, that breaks rule #1 - they don't get to come. $800 will cover food and booze for a week.Some of RickG's lessons learned: -If someone whines at home, they will whine on St John (STJ). -If someone pitches in at home they will pitch in more on STJ. -The herd moves at the speed of the slowest beast. -Don't be afraid to say "I'm heading out. I'll be back for sunset." -Newbies will assume the villa is on the beach, even if you tell them otherwise and show them pictures. If they can't get over this, they stay at the Westin. -#1 takes care of almost every possible problem.

Some additional 'rules' added by others were: 1.  Let everyone book their own airline tickets. 2. Some people assign the days to have a different person responsible for each dinner (or planning the activities for the day). 3. Don't feel as though you have to be joined at the hip. It is OK to go off on your own to explore STJ.

The most important common thread was the 'no whiners' aboard. We know that it can be hard to do the planning for a large group but, we also know how much fun it can be to vacation with a group of friends.

This is why Great Expectations has just added a new discount to our family of 'specials' (Bride & Groom Stay Free!, Grandparents Stay Free! Active Military Stay Free!). The new special is specifically for groups of couples traveling together. See our website for details:

                             4th Couple Stays Free! when accompanied by 3 or more couples

We hope that this will make the planning for your St John vacation a bit sweeter (and more affordable) for all.

July St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• St John's 2013 Carnival was a great success again this year. This year's Festival Parade was colorful as usual. The winners, by category, were detailed in the St John Tradewinds and captured in this video by Virgin Islands Source.
• Delta and Jet Blue are expanding service to the US Virgin Islands. This winter Delta will have more direct flights to St Thomas including a daily flight from JFK to St Thomas. In addition both Cape Air and Seaborne Airlines are expanding their service from Puerto Rico to St Thomas.

• Speaking of airlines, News of St John recently had a great posting about 'Finding the Best Airfare to St Thomas' we thought would be of interest.

• Fodor's Travel Guide published its 'Top Reasons to Go to St John' including: beach hopping, hiking Reef Bay, Snorkeling at Trunk Bay, Relaxing at a Villa (we like this one the best and have a great villa to recommend!), and exploring Cruz Bay.
• Popular Cruz Bay restaurant ZoZo's will serve its last meal at Gallows Point this coming Saturday. Fret not though it is not closing but, rather, as of November it is just changing its vantage point for fabulous sunsets and panoramic views of Pillsbury Sound to the enchanting Sugar Mill Restaurant at Caneel Bay. We are now all waiting to see what will take its place at Gallows Point.
• Ever season the restaurant scene changes on St John and this year is no different. The successful Sun Dog Cafe owners are branching out and will open the Virgin Fire Bar & Grill Restaurant this fall in the Mongoose Junction space that housed the former LaPlancha del Mar restaurant. The owners promise to feature foods that are grown or inspired locally, hence the name.

• Great Expectations has a few openings during 2013 (summer and fall) and we are offering them at great savings so take a look our last minute specials. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for next winter (and spring).Contact us today to secure your week on St John.

Best,

Kristin & Chuck 

owners of Great Expectations

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

St John Artist & Filmmaker Seeks Crowdfunding

Repeating Islands reports that St Johnian artist & filmmaker, Andrea Leland, is at it again. Leland, an award winning documentary filmmaker, is the director of Yurumein (Homeland). She has just launched a crowdfunding campaign for this upcoming, groundbreaking documentary. Yurumein captures cultural revival among descendants of Caribbean natives and slaves, the Garifuna nation in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. See excerpts of the press release with related links below:

YURUMEIN (Homeland) a documentary about the revival of Garifuna culture on the island of St. Vincent. Through her fiscal sponsor, the Center for Independent Documentary, Leland is trying to raise $20,000 by August 16th to complete post-production on the film. Leland is requesting help to finish graphics and animation, sound design and color correction for the film. Any remaining funds will be used towards outreach and distribution efforts.

When Leland began to film YURUMEIN, Garifuna culture had been all but lost on the island of St. Vincent for the last two hundred years. The Garifuna people, descendents of the native Carib and Awarak people and West Africans, once lived freely on the island of St. Vincent. Forced into hiding and exile by British colonial forces during the 18th century, St. Vincent’s Garifuna descendants knew little of their ancestral language, rituals, dance, music or food. While traditions may have been lost on St. Vincent, Garifuna culture flourished in the exiled communities of Central America. In the film, Leland captures the efforts of St. Vincent’s Garifuna descended population to recover their cultural traditions by connecting with their brothers and sisters in the larger Garifuna disapora.  

For a video:

The Film:  

YURUMEIN (your-o-main) is an important UNTOLD STORY of Carib / Garifuna resistance against slavery that deserves its place in the annals of the African Diaspora. The film recounts the painful past of the Caribs on St Vincent and the extermination of scores of their ancestors at the hands of the British, while building an intimate portrait of Garifuna culture-in-transition today. We are given firsthand accounts from both Carib descendents who remain on the island of St Vincent and voices of returning descendents whose ancestors were exiled to Central America—where Garifuna traditional culture was able to survive and flourish.

When members of the Diaspora are first reunited and make a collective pilgrimage to the sacred site of Balliceaux (where the genocide occurred) the film reveals the beginnings of a movement among Garifuna people to revitalize traditional language, music, dance, and ritual. As Garifuna from around the world come together to remember and celebrate the lives and resilience of their shared ancestors, they also begin to discover possibility and hope for the future of Garifuna culture and a greater worldwide community....more info on the film can be found on the Center for Independent Documentary site. After reading about this amazing story, sign up to support her efforts. For as little as $5 you can help a St Johnian filmmaker realize her dream and help get an important story told.

Another related story of interest is the Miami Herald's Caribbean Becoming Hotbed for Film Production

Enjoy Carnival Music This Coming Week on St John

St John Sailor Takes 'Top Girl' During International Optimist Regatta

113 Sailors competed during this past weekend

The 21st International Optimist Regatta took place in US Virgin Islands waters this past weekend. Winds were tricky varying widely over the three day race with gusty squalls to barely a breeze to move the boats along. 

Sail World reported that the trophy for Top Girl was awarded to 14-year-old Paige Clarke, from St. John, USVI. Clarke also finished an impressive eighth overall. 

'I felt more confident this year,' says Clarke, who has the experience of a number of continental Optimist championships now under her belt. 'I called every shift and always saw what was coming.' 

The USVI’s Clarke also won the Pete Ives Award, given for a combination of sailing prowess, sportsmanship, determination and good attitude both on and off the water. 

Covering the fleet and staying in front proved successful strategies for 15-year-old Romain Screve. Screve won the 21st International Optimist Regatta presented by Glacial Energy and held out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club, U.S. Virgin Islands, from June 21 to 23. At the conclusion of today’s final two races, the San Francisco, California-based sailor lengthened his lead from three points to a very comfortable twenty. That’s quite a feat considering the keen level of competition in the 81-boat Advanced Optimist fleet. 

A total of 113 sailors competed in the Advanced Red, Blue and White Fleets and beginner Green Fleet. The Advanced Fleets completed 10 races and the Green Fleet a total of 18 races over the three days of competition. Sailors hailed from 9 nations – Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and the USA and USVI. 

15 year old Romain Screve took overall top honors

If you are interested in doing some sailing yourself when you are on St John check out these sailboats.

Khadijah Lee Crowned St John Festival Queen and Faith Sweeney Princess St John 2013

Khadijah Ashiya Ann Lee as queen and Faith Marie Sweeney as princess - both contestant number 5. Guess that is the lucky number this year! Congratulations to all:

Get Your Appetite Ready - St John Carnival Food Fair Opens this Sunday!

Enjoy the best of Caribbean cooking at the St John Food Fair!

No diets on Food Fair day

For the complete St John Carnival schedule:

USA Today puts St John on Yet Another List

No US passport = no problem for you to enjoy St John Trunk Bay

USA Today and Smarter Travel have highlighted 5 Exotic Places you can go without a US passport. Are you longing for a long-distance getaway but don't have a passport? No problem! USA Today found five faraway places overseas where, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, you won't need to bring a passport. The one that is closest to our hearts (and, pretty easy to get to from the mainland US) is:

United States Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands lie mere minutes away from Puerto Rico by plane. Made up of three main islands—St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John—plus a scattering of smaller isles, the U.S.V.I. see some 2.6 million visitors each year. In fact, tourism and rum (things we think go very well together) make up the majority of the islands' economy. Each island has its own unique appeal. St. John, with its national parkland and legendary diving, will charm true escapists. St. Thomas is a shopper's dream, with countless boutiques and jewelers, as well as two bustling cruise terminals. And Dutch-flavored and diverse St. Croix is a favorite of luxury-seeking honeymooners. Find accommodations of every stripe, from St. Thomas' smart Ritz-Carlton to the luxe and immersive Caneel Bay resort on St. John [also, lots of private villas, including ours on St John -- Great Expectations]. 

Note: Travelers will need to have a passport to visit the neighboring British Virgin Islands.

Oh yes, I should mention the other 4 islands that made the list. They are: Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and our neighbor to the west Puerto Rico.

Parrots in the Wild Around St John

The blue, blue sky was a perfect backdrop to capture this parrot

Many people know that you can see parrot fish around St John and for sure a bar, restaurant, boat, or villa with the name 'parrot' in it but, not many know that we actually have wild parrots who visit us from time to time.  This guy hung out on a wire by our house and seemed quite happy to have me take his picture. 

We actually had 3 parrots that hung out on that wire most of one morning. I first noticed them after I heard a loud, squawking sound (not a pretty birdie call but, quite loud and could be somewhat annoying if around all day). I typically have seen them in the early morning hours. Where they hang out during the day I do not know!

Just hangin' out enjoying the view

Have you seen parrots on St John? Where? When?

St John Film Debuts 'The End Of The Line' -- An Ocean Without Fish?

A Fish-less Ocean - We cannot allow that to happen!

On June 19 @ 7:30 PM @ Cases By the Sea in Coral Bay, St John Film Society (SJFS) brings to St John the world’s first major documentary about the effects commercial overfishing has had on the world’s fish populations!  Michelle Ward reports that: along the lines of An Inconvenient Truth, this film is important – especially here in the Caribbean where fishing is a way of life for so many.

Filmed at global locations from the Straits of Gibraltar to the coasts of Senegal and Alaska to the Tokyo fish market, and featuring top scientists, indigenous fishermen, and fisheries’ enforcement officials, The End of the Line premiered, and competed for best World Cinema Documentary, at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. 

The End of the Line will be the last film presented by SJFS until November as SJFS takes a seasonal hiatus.  If you’ve been meaning to come out this season and haven’t yet made it, this is a great film to make an effort to see. For more info on the film you might read the recent St John Source article or look at the film's website (which includes lots of great info on fishing and what fish are still OK to buy). Enjoy the film under the stars at Cases of the Sea in Coral Bay. What better way to spend an evening on St John!?

Interested in the local angle of this story? Check out the St John Source story on 'Changes Afoot in Fisheries Management' that was posted this past week.  If you are going to be in the Virgin Islands and want to go fishing check out these options for St John fishing charters. 

Join in the St John Carnival Festivities - Bike Race this Saturday AM - Ride or Root for the Riders

While this year's course has not been detailed, we can use last year's route as a marker of just what a tough task these folks will have:

This route starts at Cruz Bay and follows Centreline Road to Coral Bay where the turn-around takes the riders back up the hill and then along the North Shore via a steep descent down Kings Hill.  After cycling past Maho, Cinnamon and Truck Bays, the course ends at Hawksnest Bay Beach for the finish and a total of  just over 14 miles and about 2,700 feet of climbing.

PHEW...I am exhausted just reading about it. If you cannot muster the energy to ride, surely you can come out to cheer them on! They sure will deserve a dip in the Caribbean at Hawksnest.

Time for Action on St John is NOW, not this Fall, or next Winter!

This section, one of 5 along a two-mile section of Centerline Road, is being undermined each day picture courtesy of St John Tradewinds

Lets hope that it does not take a horrible accident before Centerline Road is actually fixed. This week Linda Lohr of the St John Source reported the Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls confirmed that the portion of Centerline Road which is literally falling by bits and pieces into the valley far below should be repaired by March. Others have also recently written about the collapse of this important road: after a torrential rain last month, the Virgin Islands Daily News reported last month that the Centerline Road is Collapsing, St John Tradewinds warned Time to Raise the Alarm about Centerline Road and News of St John posted Sign Warns Drivers About Deteriorating Conditions.  Some people have tweeted about it and, of course, it has made it onto Facebook.  

St John Source reports that: Smalls said the project will go out to bid the week of June 17, if not before, and if the bids are “responsive,” they will be evaluated and awarded in July. He said work should start in September.

Over the years, the road faced occasional erosion issues but things really went south in October 2010 [nearly 3 years ago!] when Hurricane Otto passed through. It caused massive undermining of the road in one location and serious erosion and undermining in others.

Thankfully, some temporary fixes will happen 'right away' [today?, tomorrow?, or 'island time' right away?] according to Federal Highway Administration's construction manager crews will seal the crack in the road that sits just a few feet from the edge of the abyss. Additionally, they will construct an asphalt berm at the edge to divert the water away from hole.  Public Works says it will install speed bumps to slow people down and 'look for' a portable traffic light. We hope the National Park electronic sign that has been borrowed from the National Park Service (see below) stays in place to continue to warn drivers of the very narrowed road. 

News of St John took this picture recently

In the meantime, St John residents have taken to the road (literally) to get the backing of folks for action NOW! Coral Bay resident Beverly Melius took to the road with a petition the other day and within a few hours of standing by the hole in Centerline Road gathered 255 signatures on her petition to request that the Legislature hold a hearing on the road matter. A copy went to Smalls as well.  

The reason for concern is real. Centerline Road is the lifeline for Coral Bay since it is the only road which can accommodate trucks which bring in food, water, and propane and really is the only usable road attaching the east end of the island to Cruz Bay. As shown below, the only other access to Coral Bay is over Bordeaux Mountain (small road depicted by yellow line going into Coral Bay) which can be treacherous even in good weather but, especially so when roads are wet or at night.  The Bordeaux road is not a road to be used in any sort of emergency (for an ambulance, police, or fire vehicles) or for anyone who is at all timid about St John roads.

Centerline Road is the Route 10 (with arrow) and Bordeaux Mountain Road is the yellow line flowing into Coral Bay from the south

If you are as concerned as many of us about getting this road back to a safe condition as soon as possible (and, certainly before the end of hurricane season), please contact the Governor's Office and urge our Governor to do everything he can to expedite this important project. 

Want a Pain Killer Island Style (for either $800 or $8.00 can't decide)?

Sign on St Thomas - St John Barge

The other day we wandered up to the upper deck of the St Thomas - St John car barge to enjoy the views as we made the trip back to St John and noticed this sign at the bar on the barge. Don't know which is funnier, the price or the spelling? Must be one mighty good 'Pin Kila' for $800!

When do you want to be on St John?

Enjoy our June newsletter (to subscribe go to lower, left section of this page):

When do you most like to be on St John?

Just this month St Johnian Homer Hickam captured this photograph of a
green turtle while snorkeling in Francis Bay
 

There are lots of debates that occupy those in love with St John. Which is the best beach for snorkeling? Most romantic beach? Where do you find the prettiest sunset views? Sunrise views? Best hiking trail?

Recently the folks who participate in the popular USVI-on-Line St John Forum have had a spirited discussion about WHEN is it best to go to St John. Seems like there is no 'right' answer. Some say just about any time is right. Others are absolutely adamant that their time is the right time. Birthday or anniversary dates sometimes determine the schedule.

Many have practical ($$$ or school vacations) or romantic (an anniversary) reasons why they visit St John at certain times of year:

Summer is popular - Teachers and families with students, some who depend on teachers or students to house sit their pooch (or children, yes, some people escape to St John without their children!). It is cooler on St John than 'back home' (in Midwest, South, and sometimes even the Northeast). Many said that summer is also a more 'laid back' time on the island. Some mentioned that the villa prices are often significantly less than during the winter months.  Carnival season (June and into the first week of July) were mentioned as driving the schedule.

Fall is also popular; just before it  gets cold 'back home' so they can get away without fear of running into snow storms (back home, of course, and not on St John!). Others like the fall shoulder season rates. Certainly, being on St John for Thanksgiving is a treat. A farmer (of a vineyard) wrote they go in the fall immediately after harvest. The water is warm, the beaches and restaurants are 'all yours'. Halloween on St John is a 'blast' wrote one person.

Winter, to no one's surprise, is a popular time for many. The frigid - and long - Mid-West and New England winters were reasons many chose the winter months as the most desirable time to be on St John. The 8-Tuff Mile race in the middle of February is a draw for many. Spending Christmas or New Year's on St John was mentioned as very, very special.

Spring, yup, also popular - Many said that the Caribbean is where they head as soon as the villa rates drop (usually mid-April). There were votes for spring or fall to 'flank our long awful winters with trips to St John' wrote one.

There were many who go to St John several times a year. I guess there is a season for everyone when it comes to planning a trip to St John! 

June St John news flashes & fun St John clips:

• St Croix and St Thomas have had their festivals, now it is St John's turn! Carnival season is in full blast. We have already had the Pan-O-Rama with a wonderful array of music and this past weekend Cruz Bay was hopping with the Festival's Beach Jam. This coming weekend will be jam packed with activities including the Senior Variety Show, the Festival Bike Race will take place for those energetic to ride our wild and hilly roads, and the Princess Pageant. The theme of this year's festival is "Come and Explore the Culture Scene for Festival 2013".
   
• The popular Cafe Roma was burned to a crisp a couple of months ago but, the owners are determined to rebuild and reopen their St John restaurant. Just prior to the fire, Cafe Roma owner John Hiebert, was notified that his restaurant had been awarded the 2013 St John Small Business Award by the Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Quite an honor! Hiebert has also had the backing of people throughout the islands. Just this past month the St Thomas Restaurant Group, Bellows & the West Indies Corporations threw a fundraiser to support the rebuilding efforts showing that we are one community when hard times happen. Keep tabs on the renovations or just pop in to their Facebook page to wish them well.
   

• Speaking of restaurants and good causes, this past weekend the St John community came together to support the ever popular all-volunteer organization -- St John Rescue. There might not be a better non-profit on St John then this group. Their mission is 'saving lives and dedicated to building better lives through education, participation, and community'. And, save lives they do. They are the folks who drop everything to go looking for missing snorkelers or hikers, climb down the ravines of St John's hillside when there is an accident, drive the ambulance boat often in the wee hours of the morning. Their first-ever ST JOHN RIBS COOK-OFF was held this past weekend, with more than 6 restaurants and cooks vying for the title which was won by The Tourist Trap with their Asian Deep Fried Ribs! They had over 400 people at the opening and sold out completely in less than an hour! Clearly, this Cook Off will be an annual one so plan now to attend next year! All proceeds from the event will go to support their goal of raising $250,000 to purchase a permanent building. If you want to support their efforts you can donate on-line.  

• Great Expectations has a few openings during 2013 (summer and fall) and we are offering them at great savings so take a look our last minute specials. If winter time is your preference to be on St John, do not dilly-dally since our calendar is already filling up for next winter (and spring).  Contact us today to secure your week on St John.

Best,

 

Kristin & Chuck 

owners of Great Expectations

 

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

First (Now Annual) St John Ribs Cook Off a Sold Out Event!

They had all the ingredients the good people from St John need in order to turn out:

1. a great cause - Supporting St John Rescue

2. great food - 6 restaurants and cooks grilling up some mighty fine BBQ Ribs

3. some fine libations - St John Brewers, West Indies & Bellows International providing the liquid refreshments

4. music - a St John event just isn't without music

5. great weather

 

While all ribs were considered 'delish', it was The Tourist Trap that captured 'the Best Ribs' title with their Asian Deep Fried Ribs! The event was a sold out which surely means it will now be an annual happening and, possibly best of all, money raised to support St John Rescue's goal of buying a building to be their permanent home. If you missed the Cook Off (sorry) you can still support this great cause by donating on-line.  Check out their website to learn more about the great work this all volunteer organization does for the St John community.

St John Rescue loading injured person onto their boat

UPDATE 2016:

Best Ribs on St John? Come out Tonight to Help St John Rescue and Devour Some Fabulous Ribs! What is not to like?

If you are lucky enough to be on St John today then do we have a delicious suggestion for you! Head on over to Mongoose Junction today, anytime from 4:30 PM on to participate in the 1st Annual St John Rib Cook Off. Not only will you help one of St John's most important volunteer organizations (more on that in a moment) but, you will be able to devour ribs some of which will be declared the 'Best of St John' for this year. Will your 1st choice win this year?

This year, at this time, there are six restaurants and cooks who have risen to the challenge and will be presenting their ribs for the ultimate judgment. They are: Aqua Bistro, Skinny Legs, Boozie Q, Steve Yerger of St. John Catering, The Tourist Trap and LaPlancha del Mar.  And, it would not be a St John event if there were not music (local musicians, including Mikey P., Freedom Boat and Mark Wallece, will provide live entertainment) and liquid refreshments (St John Brewers and West Indian and Bellows International will donate their proceeds to St John Rescue).

Check out the Virgin Islands Daily News for more details on the Cook Off and please take a look at the St John Rescue website and like the  St John Rescue Facebook page to learn more about this amazingly important all volunteer organization whose mission is 'saving lives and dedicated to building better lives through education, participation, and community'  (what could be more worthy than that!).

The VI Daily News captured this picture to tempt us - which style of ribs is your favorite? All possibilities will be at the Cook Off so come with a BIG appetite!

Not on St John today to partake in the First Annual Ribs Cook-Off? Don't fret, you can still help by donating to St John Rescue. Start your planning now to be on St John for the Second Annual Ribs Cook Off!

Get it on tonight! Beach Jam 2013 on St John...It is Carnival Baby!

The complete St John Carnival schedule for 2013...if you cannot make the Beach Jam hopefully you can make it to one of the other fun events over the course of the next several weeks. It is a great time to be on St John!

St John Carnival 2013 Schedule of Events - This Year's Theme is "Come and Explore the Culture Scene for Festival 2013"

If you have questions or want more information about any of these events you should contact the Festival Hotline at 340 690-3692 or 340 690-1725

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?

Carnival Season on St John Begins!

The Carnival flags went up (as tweeted by Gretchen Labrenz, owner of Cruz Bay Realty) last week, this past weekend the Pan-O-Rama rocked the Cruz Bay Ball Field with steel drum music getting people to their feet to feel the music! It is Carnival Season on St John!

Carnival is colorful and exciting

The month of June always brings an extra step and bit of excitement for those who live and visit St John for it is Carnival Season.  What does this mean? Music! Parades! Boat Races. More Music! Great Food!  Now, I know each Caribbean island has its own 'carnival' (sometimes called 'festivals') and I am pretty partial to St John, but the truth is St John has the very best Carnival.  It is not too big and overwhelming...or, too small but, just right in size. 

Coming up in 10 days (Friday, June 14)  is the Senior Variety Show where seniors show they still have what it takes!

And, then:

Saturday, June 15 @ 8 AM - Festival Bike Race

Saturday, June 15 @ 9 PM - Festival Music Mix @ the Winsten Wells Cruz Bay Ball Park

Sunday, June 15 @ 6 PM - Princess Selection Pageant (@ the Cruz Bay Ball Park)

Saturday, June 22 @ 8 PM - Queen Selection Pageant (@ the Cruz Bay Ball Park)

Sunday, June 23 from 1 PM on - Food Fair and Coronation 

Sunday, June 23 @ 3 PM - Boat Races

Sunday, June 23 from 6 PM - Children's Festival Village opens (National Park Field)

Friday, June 28 from 8 PM - Festival Village Opening (Cruz Bay Parking Lot)

Thursday, July 4 from 4 AM on - Jouvert

Thursday, July 4 @ 11 AM (remember this is island time) - Festival Parade 

Thursday, July 4 @ 9 PM - Festival Fireworks

For more details and phone numbers check out the Virgin Islands This Week or our website's St John Carnival page. Join in on the festivities this year, you will be in for a treat!

St John Waters Get Invaded Every Year (and not only by Tourists) And This Year You Can Participate

Steve Simonsen captured the migration

Love them or not, hermit crabs are prevelent on St John (and many other tropical locations). Some people find them creepy while others find them cute. 

What St Johnian Pam Gaffin [yes, the same Pam Gaffin who is the author of the popular book  St John: Feet, Fins and Four Wheel Driveso best believe she knows St John] found last year were millions of them migrating to the sea from the highlands of St John. Pam immediately contacted her friend and noted St John photographer Steve Simonsen knowing that his whimsical personality and fabulous eye for the unusual would love to capture this migration.  Steve got to the site and captured the little critters as they scurried along the shoreline into the waters of St John. His video went viral and he has received nearly 1,500 likes and comments and even got featured on Smithsonian.com:

The adult hermit crabs are terrestrial, but the larvae develop in the sea. The adults must migrate to the waters edge in order to reproduce and release their eggs into the water. They then cast their fertilized eggs in the sea where the newly born hermit crabs spend their next few months before returning to land.

This year, Steve and Pam have teamed up with researchers from Tufts University in Massachusetts to build a website to help better track the movements and activity of the hermit crabs. The migration period happens during the summer and, most importantly the third and fourth weeks in August. They would love to have you participate in helping them locate the hermit crabs as they make their trek to the sea, if you are going to be on St John during this period.

For more info on the hermit crab I recommend reading the Blog entry on SeeStJohn.com which has a detailed description of how (and why) the hermit crabs acquire their shells (and sometimes shed them). 

While you are waiting on the beach for the crabs make sure you have a copy of Pam's book about St John's most interesting day trips. It really worth getting if you are going to be on St John: