The good the bad and the details. We are moving to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. We will try to keep a rambling record for anyone that ever dreamed of giving it all up and moving to the Islands to learn from or just laugh at.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Apartment Search
Monday, March 30, 2009
Downsizing
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Bomb Scare in Frenchtown
More information in the St. Thomas Source.
America's Most Wanted
Friday, March 27, 2009
50 Cent to Sponsor the Red Hook Ferry Terminal
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Celica For Sale
The Celica comes out in the Island Trader today. It is officially for sale. I have been driving it back and forth to work for a week or so now since getting it inspected and finishing the repairs and it is running good. So if you are in the market let us know. I also have it listed here on the relocation boards classified section.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Beachcomer Hotel
We met some friends at the Beachcomer hotel. The beach bar and
courtyard area is very nice. They said the rooms are decent too,
especially for $118 a night.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Get Your Stimulus Money Now
"Despite the current economic environment, we're finding a desire to travel among potential visitors, provided they can take advantage of a high value offer," said Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty. "By extending this offer early in the season, we will maximize our opportunity to capture summer and fall business, while continuing our ongoing commitment to our industry partners."
The Sizzlin' Sampler is valid for bookings made from March 15 to October 15, 2009 (or until the $1.6 Million financial commitment has been expended) for travel between April 15 and October 31, 2009 and is based on a four-night minimum stay. The package is already creating quite a "sizzle," as almost 300 packages (approximately 1400 room nights) were sold in the first 96 hours, representing more than $400,000 in revenue for the USVI during first four days after the package was launched.
The Department of Tourism is taking a multi-faceted approach to address the current economic environment by promoting the Sizzlin' Sampler nationally via print and broadcast outlets and retail partnerships. A national radio campaign valued at $500,000 and a $50,000 newspaper insert campaign will debut in April, along with a $750,000 national TV advertising campaign to commence in June. All advertising to support the offer will feature a call-to-action to book through one of the Territory's major airline partners.
In addition, a partnership with the CW Daily Buzz, a popular national morning show, will result in a 3-minute broadcast segment filmed on St. Thomas that will support the Sizzlin' Sampler offer and showcase the destination. The segment will air on 157 stations across the country including key markets such as New York, Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit and Tampa/Orlando.
Hotels participating in the Sizzlin' Sampler include: The Westin St. John; The Buccaneer, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Chenay Bay Beach Resort, Club St. Croix, Colony Cove, Company House Hotel, Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort, Frederiksted Hotel, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Holger Danske Hotel, Hotel Caravelle, King Christian Hotel and Sand Castle on the Beach on St. Croix; Anchorage Beach Resort, Best Western Carib Beach, Best Western Emerald Beach; Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Crystal Cove, Marriott Frenchman's Reef, Pavilions and Pools, Point Pleasant Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, Sapphire Beach Resort, Sapphire Village, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, Windward Passage Hotel and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa on St. Thomas.
The Sizzlin' Sampler applies to new bookings only. Reservations for this promotion can be made through a number of tour operators, including Apple Vacations, BookIt.com, Certified Vacations Group, CheapCaribbean, Classic Vacations, Costco Travel, Enjoy Vacations, Expedia Inc., Island Resort Tours, Libgo Travel, The Mark Travel Corporation, MLT Vacations, Orbitz Worldwide, Pleasant Holidays, Total Vacations, Travel Impressions, Travelocity, US Airways Vacations and Vacation Express.
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel - including on-line check-in - making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Celica is Inspected
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patricks Day
We're hanging at Tickles for St. Pats day. The Fiddler is getting
ready to play and the green beer is flowing. All the staff is dressed
in green and look so good! This makes our second St. Pats day as
virgin islanders. Where had the time gone.
BTW - Happy Birthday Mike!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
La Plancha Del Mar
Other online reviews:
Review on On-St. John
Review on St. John Sun Times
Review on St. John Talk Blog
Review on News of St. John
Review on St. John Dining
Review on Virgin-Islands-on-Line
Saturday, March 14, 2009
It is 10:37pm Do You Know Where The Band is?
We are at The Caribbean Saloon and the band Spiritual Rez was supposed to play at 10:00PM. I am so glad we didn't pay a cover.
Jay
They eventually showed up and started playing around 11pm. They were very good, but I still don't understand the whole hour late thing. They played a mix of reggae jazz which is called ska. I really liked them and would like to see more.
Deb
Happy Birthday Silvia
It's Silvia's birthday today! So we're hanging at the beach. We couldn't decide which one to go.....Sapphire, Lindquist, Bolongo, Secret Harbor, Emerald....so finally we decided on Sapphire since Silvia had never been here. The sun keeps going in and out and it's pretty windy but it's still nice!
Tonight we are going to the Caribbean Saloon to see a band Spiritual Rez to celebrate Silvias birthday. RickG saw them Thursday on STJ and said they were great. Now we just need to make sure we can keep Jay out late!
Bananas.....yea!!!
Yea!!! Finally got some bananas from the tree that's on the property! Sooooo good! We thought we weren't going to have any because they were gone Wednesday after the Gardner was here so we thought he took them. I emailed our landlord to tell her the news and she immediately
sent the Gardner an email and asked if he would please bring them back. It was a really nice email about how we were really looking forward to having fresh bananas right off the tree in our front yard. Come to find out that they had cut the bananas down because they were ripe and left them by the front door of the apartment downstairs! The tennant thought we had left him the bananas so he didn't say anything to us about them. When I told him the situation he immediately took a big bunch and left them by our front door! Yea!! We had some for breakfast this morning...soooo good, sweet, yum. For lunch I'm thinking BBC (bailys banana colada). Let's see, hmmm......what else can we make? Banana bread, Banana pancakes, Banana daiquiri, BBC .......
Here are some banana facts! :-)
Taken from the Beach Bar web site:
BBC
Similar in Texture and Richness to a Bushwacker. This Lesser Known, Easier Prepared, Concoction Can't be Beat When the Banana is Really Ripe. Just Like in Baking, an Overripe Banana is Going to Be Delicious Here!
For 1 Drink:
1.5 oz Bailey's
1 oz Light Rum
1.5 oz Coco Lopez
1/2 of a Fresh Very Ripe Banana
Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend till Smooth.We garnish with a cherry, but you may think of something more creative...If you do drop us an e-mail and tell us about it!mailto:it!thebeachbar@thebeachbar.net
Ok, so I couldn't wait for lunch......had to have a BBC right now, so here you go!! (BTW I used Cruzan rum cream instead of Bailey's, yum!)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Rick and Christine on Island
So Rick and Christine booked a last minute trip to St John so Deb and I are heading over this evening to meet them for dinner.
Jay
Friday Beach Picture
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Shootings - a little too close for comfort
Full article in St. Thomas One Source paper
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Celica Lives
So this morning I decided to road test the car and take it down to get it inspected. So I top off the fluid and head out. At this point I am filling pretty good about the whole thing. The car is shifting fine, even after reaching operating temperature all is good in the universe. When I get down to the DMV to do the inspection ting all is still good I am the only car at the inspection booth line. I pull up get out and hand the paperwork to the tech. Well the Jumbies are about to take revenge. He takes a look at the paperwork, makes a comment about the dead inspection sticker. I have to have a trip permit to bring the car down to the DMV, now mind you I am already there but that doesn't matter and I have been here long enough not to bother with logic. So I pull the car out of the booth and park it then I walk around to the cashier and give her $5 for the permit to drive the car down. Then I see a sign that says the DMV no longer accepts checks, since I gave her the only money I had on me to pay for the permit, and I will need money for the inspection, and the car is illegal to drive, I walked to Nisky and got some cash from the ATM.
OK I know its the islands so at this point I am fine with this. Then I get back to the car and try to start it to get back in the inspection booth. "RutRo Raggy", in my best Scooby Doo, dead battery, more Jumbies, while trying to figure out how to get the car started it also comes to my attention that it is now leaking Transmission fluid, allot, out of the newly installed pan gasket. So I go over to the police mechanics and politely borrow a jump box to start the car, then I put the last of the transmission fluid that I have into the transmission and figure I will take the car home, make my repairs then bring it back another day. I stop at NAPA to get more fluid then I start home. I get about two blocks from NAPA, not any place near home, and the car dies in the middle of the road. Now the Jumbies are getting a good laugh out of this one. I get the car out of the road with the help of a stranger, thanks. Then call Deb to get the number for Siblly & Bryan the mechanics we used last year to press in the wheel bearings. Their shop is only a couple of blocks from were I broke down. I gave them a call they came and hooked up a jump box and tested the alternator I was already pretty sure it wasn't charging and they confirmed that. So I drove the car to their shop, with the jump box under the hood and bungee cord holding the hood down after adding another quart of transmission fluid.
So at this point I was pretty well done with all of this. They agreed to repair the leaking pan and get the alternator rebuilt for me. I didn't even ask how much. I just gave them the keys walked to Tickle's to meet Deb for lunch and have a beer or three. Yes all of this happened before noon. They fixed the pan and had the alternator rebuilt and reinstalled it on the car. They called me at 3:30 to let me know that it was finished and that I owed them $240. I hate to say it but by island standards that's a good deal and great service.
I did drive the car home without a proper trip permit. Yes I actually should have gone back to the DMV to get another $5 permit to take it home. Now It is in the driveway, running well and still not inspected.
By the way it is For Sale. In the past year we have replaced the wheel bearings, brakes, battery, hoses belts, transmission shift solenoids, temperature sensor, vacuum switch and rebuilt the alternator, serviced the transmission, and charged the Air Conditioning.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sisters Trip Report
They got to see most of the "tourist" stuff.... Mountain Top, Paradise Point, overlooks, Sapphire Beach, Magen's Bay, Red Hook, Charlotte Amalie, shopping, several restaurants (Greenhouse, Hook Line & Sinker, Wikkid, Iggies, Caribbean Saloon, Tickles). Magen's Bay was packed on Saturday. I guess with the yucky weather we had earlier in the week, everyone wanted to get to the beach to get some sun.
They made it home safely last night and are resting up today before going back to work. Hopefully they'll come back again soon!
Magens Bay Beach
View from Magen's Bay overlook
Friday, March 6, 2009
Mango Cheesecake Anyone?
We went to Tickles tonight for dinner and saw this yummy cheesecake on the menu so, of course, we had to order it. It had a mango topping with apple and rasberry syrup drizzled on top. Yum! Come to find out it was one of Eds from Edible Arts. Good job Ed!!!
Late Friday Beach Pic
Friday Beach Picture
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Great weather for Ducks
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Family soon come
Thirteen Restaurant
It is located on Crown Mt. road - rt 33 for those who have a clue about the road #'s - on the North side in Estate Dorothea - west of 4 Corners intersection, west of Friendly gas station, west of Ag Station and Fire Co.E, west of Bryan's Nursery. (directions borrowed from ExitZero from the relocation board)
The phone number is 340-774-6800 and reservations are a good idea.
Jay
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Triple protection
We tried to sit out by the pool today and was getting eaten alive. So we got out the triple protection kit! Jay fogged the whole pool area with the Black Flag propane powered bug fogger. I got out the Off and the bug zapper. Between the three, the eating frenzie calmed down a bit. They're still flying around but in smaller numbers. So that's where my trusty zapper comes in. Crazy!