Virgin-Islands-On-Line

good radio station for weather reports?

lark22 — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:24:35 GMT

We won't have computer access on our next trip, and last time we were down we had trouble finding weather reports. Does anyone have a good radio station for forecasts?

Thanks!

thefts from the beach

Joppa — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:59:30 GMT

I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had a problem with thefts from the beach. I am most concerned about a camera. I am preparing to buy a new camera and there is not an underwater housing available for it. I am considering buying the Canon D10 so I don't have to worry. Then I saw the TGIF photo with the extreme zoom and I don't really want to sacrfice that.
Has anyone ever lost anything on a beach on STJ.

hockey equipment

loria — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:59 GMT

ok, i wash, i febreeze, but hockey has to be the most RANK sport of them all--i put the kids bags into the car and PRESTO Car smeillloa
and it's too much laundry -- three games this weekend!!! this working Ma needs a break!

so how do i keep they hockey locker room out of my car (and my HOUSE! )

ICK

any other hockey moms out there with advice?

Very sad - pics from tinypic don't display

B&J in VA — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:26:02 GMT

I have so enjoyed reading Mindehankins reports as I am missing the islands big time this fall. When I look at her reports in Mozilla Firefox, most of the pictures only display as the top half of the pic. Some of them display fully, but many don't. Any ideas on why and how I can fix it? I feel like I am really missing out on seeing every picture from her trip!
thanks

Crystal Palace location

jaytee — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:38:02 GMT

We will be staying our first night at the Crystal Palace in STT. We would like to catch the 9 am ferry over to STJ. Is the Crystal Palace close to the CA ferry dock - walking distance??

Did I see you yesterday in Charlotte?

djmom — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:25:51 GMT

I saw an SUV with a STJ sticker and a SOGGY sticker. Ballantyne Commons Pway...

Just curious!

We get it! Newbie TR VII

mindehankins — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:56:46 GMT

We woke to yet another perfect morning and left home headed for Waterlemon. We hadn't gone looking for a snorkel vest but I figured if I did it last time.... Right? En route, Blaine decided to go to Maho instead, rent a kayak and do Whistling Cay and Mary's Point. We'd intended to do that last trip but were too tired by the time we got a decent day.
We stopped for a few photos.
Cruz Bay:

Trunk Bay:

We bumped our way into Maho and asked a guy in the parking lot, if Maho was renting kayaks. They were. We explained that we didn't plan on renting, so we had no credit card with us for a deposit, but we had $180 cash between us. He said he'd ask George the owner and the decision would be up to him.
We walked down to the water sports area and George approved us with no deposit. We rented snorkel vests there at Maho for something like $5. The kayak was only $45 for 4 hours.
We waited and enjoyed the really chill vibe at Maho, until the water sports area opened.
Little Maho Bay:

Almost to Whistling Cay!

Through the guard house window:

Maho had a summer camp type atmosphere, with signs that said things like "What I saw....Where I saw it" and other interactive displays.
The water sports guy gave us a fantastic orientation to kayaking (that we didn't need) and how to plan the trip (that we did need). He said to kayak directly to Whistling Cay, snorkel the beach area, be careful of the shallow water reefs. Then he said we'd be best off to kayak to the beach just around Mary's point and snorkel there, then stay really close to the point in the kayak on the trip back, close to the rocks that are the right of Francis Bay, to avoid the wind. He also said that the iguanas on Whistling Cay are bigger and not at all afraid of humans and will "rush" you, so don't be afraid. Very helpful guy!
We did exactly what he said.
WOW! BEST CORAL EVER!

Then we followed this couple across Fungi Passage, to the little rocky beach around Mary's Point.

for more WOW!

He looks friendly

We brought the kayak and snorkelling vests back and said goodbye to Maho. We're going to our favorite place again!
A switchback:

Here you can see North and South:

Vie's beach and Snack Shack

First, a little float. What you lookin at?

Then some food and resting under the Sea Grape trees.

We left after saying goodbye to Miss Vie, with heavy hearts! We will so miss this place!

Yet another spectacular sunset awaited us.

I steamed our crab legs on the grill (Thanks Liamsaunt!!!) and we pigged out with a big ol dinner, watching this.

We went to sleep dreading the end of our time in paradise!

SOTB III

sea-nile — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:23:08 GMT

We had a great week! 8 of us stayed at Estate Fortsberg in Coral Bay. The villa is gorgeous and the view is amazing there. The road up to it requires 4WD. If I can drive it anyone can.
There are 4 equal bedrooms with Kings and a bunk bed room. One of the Kings is actually twins.
I am not sure if we will do a complete trip report. We have to discuss it and agree on the pictures.

View from Estate Fortsberg:

We get it! Newbie TR VI 1/2

mindehankins — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:09:44 GMT

After lunch, we decided to try CaptKirk's beach; Little Lameshur. Wow, the road really is pretty rough in spots.

Beautiful beach!

I got right in to float.

Blaine sat this float out and read. Eventually, we packed up and headed home. We were on a really rocky area when we commented on how bad it would suck to blow a tire here, when we came across a stranded family of 7. They had rented from Avis on St. Thomas and something had happened to their transmission. Blaine and another guy tried to get it to work but couldn't. We tried to phone Avis but we had no service. I suggested we leave dad with the car, take the family and call for help when we could get a signal. Blaine spotted the look of panic on the wife's face and said "nah, we'll pile you all in our Explorer." And we did. BOY was it tight. Blaine drove them very VERY carefully back to their villa. They had been living in NYC and were spending 5 weeks on St. John before moving home to France.

Coral Bay on the trip home:

We ate dinner watching yet another beautiful sunset.

with DickHead

Then slept another night in paradise!

Canon camera and waterproof housing question

sea-nile — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:23:11 GMT

My Canon WP-DC4 SD600 waterproof case leaked on my second day of diving. The camera appears to be ruined but the case seems OK. There was probably some debris that I didn't see when I closed the case.
Does anyone know if any newer models of the Canon powershot cameras fit in that case? Perhaps the SD1200IS? It looks like in the pictures online that the cases are exactly the same.
It was hard to not take any pictures for the second half of my trip! But, I did not let it ruin my good time!