U.S Virgin Islands

The Trip

On our previous trip to the Islands, we stayed on St. Croix at the King Christian hotel in Christiansted right by the docks. It was convienent for night time activities as we didn't have to drive anyhere. During the day, we visited different beaches around the island.

So... we figured on the same game plan for St. Thomas. Ooops! Doesn't work the same way there. Blue Beards castle sits on a hill overlooking the city. There isn't much you can walk to and especially not at night. We tried when we arrived and were warned by a hotel security guard to stay well clear of the nearby project which looked half vacant and quite dilapidated.

That night we called my sister who lives on the island. I hadn't told her I was coming and played a little game with her on the phone, trying to figure out exactly where she lived by picking out landmarks I could see from our window. I really had her going before I broke down and told her where I was.

We alternated between hitching rides with my sister and riding the local taxis. They have fixed fares there which are posted at the hotels and most drivers follow them. (Except for the jerk who took us to the airport.. needless to say, he didn't get a tip). I just am not comfortable driving on the left side of the road.

Beaches

COKIE BEACH: Some of the best snorkling, fishwise, I've seen. They are pretty tame and if you have food, they will swarm all around you. The coral is not bad either. Nice rocky coastline you follow for quite a ways. Some of the locals have set up food and drink service and will walk it out to you on the beach, although there was a bit of competition so expect to be approached.

MEGANS: Visually, this is an impressive beach. It is set inside horseshoe shaped points of land and is quite large. If I am not mistaken, it is a state park and has lots of parking and picnic tables. The snorkling (can you guess, my favorite activity) was ho hum. Lots of sand, an old engine block, a few bits of coral. The neatest thing was when I spotted a school of fish that was the target of some birds which were dive bombing into the water to catch them. Megans also has on-the-beach food & beverage served by cute waitresses (OW! Honey, stop that!)

Many of the other beaches we visited are located by resort Hotels. Some of these were pretty good. If we ever go there again, we'll probably stay at one of them so. At least then, if we don't feel like packing and travelling, we can just "stay home".

THE TRIP HOME

What had, up until we left, been a pleasant trip turned suddenly ugly upon our departure. After having been overcharged by our cabbie, we arrived at the airport in plenty of time. After getting seated on our twin engine puddle jumper for the hop to San Juan, we were informed that there was a problem and our flight would be delayed. Okay, we thought, there's enough time. As the delay stretched, we told the stewardess that we had to catch a 7 oclock flight in San Juan. No problem they said. Well, can you call ahead? No, don't worry about it. Eventually, we had to change planes. I was getting seriously worried by this point. At take off, I knew it was going to be very tight.

When we finally arrive, we race thru the airport as fast as we can with another older couple who missed the same flight in tow. We arrive at the boarding gate out of breath, but the plane is still there! Yay! We made it!

WRONG! The seats had been given to someone else.. the plane is full. My wife, with severely sunburned feet and desperately wanting to get home, starts to cry. My wife NEVER, EVER cries. She composes her self and lets the people at the ticket counter have it!

There are no more flights to Baltimore Washington Airport that night. We can stay in a hotel in San Jan or take a flight to Miami and stay there or....there's a flight to New York. What do you want to do.

We decided on New York as they had the earliest flight to Baltimore the next morning. The flight didn't leave for a couple of hours, so they gave us a voucher to get something to eat while we waited. In the restaraunt we decide we just want drinks at this point. The voucher clearly states "Cannot be used for alcoholic beverages". Damn!!

The flight was half full and pretty boring. I tried to sleep but could not get comfortable.

On our arrival at midnight, the airport was empty and closing up. We were met by airline representatives (at least I think they were) who said they'd put us up for the night. (I think they heard about my wife!) Another guy approached us and said that a taxi could take us home right now! All I wanted was to go to bed, but my wife was desperate to get home. She wanted the taxi. It turned out the older couple that also missed our plane lived pretty close to us so we decided on the taxi.

Four hours later, we arrive at our doorstep. We thanked the driver, who dozed a few times on the Jersey turnpike, and warned him to take a break before returning. No tip. Let the airline cover it.

And while most people were about to get up and get ready for work, my wife and I fixed drinks and sat at the kitchen table and tried to unwind. We slept most of the day.

Next time, we take a direct flight.