Nearly every moment on island is a favorite moment. We love the USVI that much. One of my first favorite moments was when we spent our honeymoon on Water Island-when Sea Cliff still stood there. We were told about going down to the water-front to feed the iguana. I did not know what an iguana looked like. I'm a sucker for feeding animals so, off we went. We stood there for a few minutes before my husband said "there's one". Once I spotted it, I had second thoughts about trying to feed it. It was huge. We sat on the edge of some rocks. I freaked when I felt a tap on my lap, looked down and, had a big iguana sitting there eating the hibiscus I was holding. Once I realized that the iguana in this area were familiar with humans, we went daily to feed them. Then, we found out we would be staying on island for an extended time. Hurricane Hugo was heading for the island and, the airport was closed. The last time I was able to feed them, my husband took pictures . I had an iguana in my lap, one on my back ,and several others were huddled around my feet.

Another favorite is the moments when we have met each of our new "on-island" friends. We have met some wonderful islanders.

Other favorite moments-first landing on STT in 1989. Returning in, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and, in 10 more wks-landing in 2006.

My wife & I were snorkeling the rocks between Solomon & Honeymoon. She had gotten out of the water before me and was sitting in our chairs on the east side of Solomon. As I was getting out and walking towards her, she starting pointing to the other end of the beach and saying that something was jumping out of the water. So I starting walking that way to see what was up. I could see a huge school of fry was swimming around, so in I went to check them out. As anyone who has been in a school like this knows, it is very cool - thousands of tiny fish swimming in unison all around you. It's all you can see. As I came to the edge of the school, the first thing I saw was a school of huge tarpon swimming right by me. There must have been 50 of them, all a good 4 feet long. They were so close I could have touched them. They continued to herd the fry while I watched in amazement. This was definitely a favorite moment!

Thanks for letting us indulge our memories. What a great idea!

Here are my favorite moments from each trip:

Trip #1 - April '96 - Seeing that water for the first time and knowing that the world was a better place because that island existed.

Trip #2 - May '97 - Partying at Woody's and Shipwreck (back in my 20's when I still partied!) and having my future hubby see St. John for the first time and fall in love with it.

Trip #3 - April 2000 - Our Honeymoon - Seeing how unbelievably gorgeous the stars were from our villa on Fish Bay on the first night. Waking up the next morning and seeing the view from our villa in daylight for the first time.

Trip #4 - April 2005 - On our 5 year anniversary - sitting in the hot tub at night after a perfect day, watching the stars, listening to our favorite songs, never feeling more in love and two shooting stars went by. This is my all time favorite moment in life!

Trip #5 - November 2005 - Taking my 75 year old Mom to St. John for the first time. She grew up on the Connecticut Shore and has been a beach addict her whole life but never been off the mainland. Seeing her sink her toes into that sand and go "ahhhhhhhhh".

Trip #6 - June 2006 - Seeing the island through my step-daughter's eyes for the first time. How happy she was, how much she "got" St. John, and snorkeling Waterlemon Cay with her and Dan. And lots of laughter.

My favorite time is remembering every time my wife stepped on the Island and her face would light up.She was making plans for one more trip what would of been our fifth in the last year when the cancer that she battle for ten years took her from us on August first. So now our 2 boy's and selected friends will be going to celebrate her life and love what was St John.

Waterguy, I am SO sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you are going through. Those precious memories with your wife on St. John will always be there for you. God bless.
-Lisa in CT

After reading everyone's moments tears came to my eyes.

I have only been to STJ once and that was last year. I am now planning another trip for 2007. I am sad that I had to miss visiting in 2006.

I have so many favorite moments from that trip. I think one of my best moments was when we went to Trunk Bay and swam around the whole cay. I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was and there were so many fish! Another great moment was when we finally arrived at that Trunk Bay overlook that you see in so many pictures. I was awestruck by the beauty of the island. It definitely was the best trip of my life. I hope I can afford to keep going there often !

Watching a green turle graze on sea grass in Leinster Bay with my 10-year-old son who had never been out of the US before. A really magic moment for him. Another was when he saw a Fairy Basslet, which he had done a school project on last year. I think he really didn't think that existed. By the end of the trip he was diving down to 15 feet on live reefs looking for octopus dens.

You said it Chris- mine was maybe when we saw our two pre-teens at the time walking hand in hand up the wooden sidewalk at Maho Bay, not concerned about looking goofy just enjoying each others company. One priceless memory out of thousands1

Dancing at the Out to the reggae music of Prophecy (name of band before it became Inner Visions).

Dancing at the Inn, Daniels, Hilltop and Fred's.

Coral Bay - dancing at the Flamingo.

Fish Fries at Pound Mouth.

Listening to a small fungi band of Slim's that included Nickey Penn and Snoopy.

Papa Penn dancing with a beer bottle on his head.

Late nights with friends at the pool hall and the Crow's Nest.

another favorite moment each year when we go to stj is seeing the view from our cottage again. Always takes my breath away! I could look at that view for hours and never tire of it.

I have many moments of absolute joy from many trips there. In some ways, the most precious, though, was one trip when I went in deep despair. I'd suffered the deepest loss I've had so far in my life. I was devastated and not sure I could bear that much grief. STJ seemed like the only place that I could tolerate being. And it healed me. Anyway, the healing began there. I understood that I could go on and that it was worth going on. It's a powerful, profound place. There's a lot more going on there than the party.

Please indulge me in one more "favorite" memory:

When I finally convinced my good friend of 15 years to join my wife and me on a VI trip and the love he immediately felt for the islands. It's incredible - his pre-conceived thoughts of this vacation versus what he actually felt and experienced - pure exhilaration and fascination! I saw in him what I felt myself a few years prior. I am a Virgin Islands Lover and believe that i will continue to visit for the next several decades. I've also created another VI apostle in my friend who would have never known the incredible beauty of this part of the world without some friendly coercion from me!

My favorite moment was they way the island made me feel. I felt like I had made it to the place that I was mean to be. Its hard to explain the way taking the ferry to St. John, meeting the wonderful people, snorkeling with sea turtles, and swimming in crystal clear water can be a life changing experience, but it definitely was for me. Also, meeting someone special (at Woody's of all places!) and spending all night on the beach at the Westin talking under the full moon. Heading back down in 4 weeks and can't wait to see that someone special and make some more great memories!

Waterguy, we are also very sorry for your loss! Your few words here have put so much into perspective. On our trip back in November I will give hubbie an extra hug or two and will remember how important these special moments in Paradise are. Karrieb (and Chuck)

Playing golf with Doug from Skinny Legs. Pulled out some pictures this past week-end and found some from one of our golf outings.... always had an outrageous time. Unfortunately, only have the pics and memories anymore.

I read my 4 trip reports from STJ and STX and here is what I came up with. I had my husband list his too....
1- Going to Little Cinnamon which we called Gilligans Island (b/c there was no one else there and NO footprints but ours) and finding the old Cesna Engine totally exposed underwater (our first time is was almost covered by sand).
2-My husband seeing a 4 ft nurse shark in Leinster Bay..... but even better was his seeing a seahorse while snorkeling at Jumby.
3-Swimming with a family of seaturtles. I will never forget it.
4-Going back to STX with my hubby after 18 yrs and seeing the old Grapetree BAy hotel that was ruined by a hurricaine but b/c it was never demolished (and they are cleaning it up) remembering being newly married...... ; )
5-taking our children to the USVI 4 times instead of Disney (no offense to anyone; this is just they way we are) to see the beauty of things above and below the ocean.
It is a magical place. I love STJ more than anything in the world but I am so hesitant to return b/c of the growth.
Does anyone else feel this way?? I know things never stay the same, but man, my memories of STJ are truely those of paradise. I hear about all the building, and the crime and it makes me so sad.

I have only been to STJ one time in 2005. I still loved it and it is my favorite place in the world so far. How long has it been since you have been there? The crime scares me a little. The beaches are beautiful and we thought that it was not built up too much at all. However, we never saw it back in the day...

I would rather take my kids to STJ instead of Disney World any day. My son picked Sea World over Disney and I can't wait to take my kids to STJ. They are now 11 and 15, I think that they will really enjoy it.
We are trying to plan a trip for 2007, but unfortunately, my husband may get laid off and he might not be able to go if he has a new job. I still want to take my kids, but the crime scares me a little since we are staying in Cruz Bay. Also the driving scares me a little, but I think I can handle it. I often said that I would go alone if I had to.

STJ would be different for you now probably. Almost any place that you go back to changes some. I still think that you would find it to be paradise.

Every time my favorite moment is just stepping off the plane in STT and having that hot air just hit ya....and also knowing the vacation has finally begun!

We went in 2000, 2003 and 2004 with our twin boys which are now 16. I'm sure it is still the most wonderful place in the world but it was changing rapidly in the years b/w our trips. Reading our old trip reports brought tears to my eyes....it was that memorable.....alot of it had to do with who I was there with too. When we first went we stayed in Serendip and a studio sold for $110,000.....last time we looked a few years ago, they were going for $395,000. Why didnt we buy when we could afford it???????? The crime is a bit worrisome but we were just in STX which also can be questionable....we were just careful and everyone there is very aware of their surroundings. I think in STJ everyone was so used to the lack of crime that this new trend will take some getting used to. It seemed to us that the ultra rich are driving up the cost of everything that the locals are just getting pissed......that's our theory in a nutshell.
In any case, I have 2 juniors in highschool so we may not take a caribbean trip (I have to really beg on this one) for a year or 2 (until we get our finances straight with college) but we will definitely be back. The last thing I said in all 3 of my STJ trips reports was WE WILL RETURN. I liked STX alot, but it didnt beat STJ, even with all the ongoing construction, crime, etc.
Your kids will LOVE STJ especially if they love the water!!!!! Have fun!!

just coming back every February--see you see you in 6mos.