St. Thomas, USVI - America's Paradise

There are so many things to see and do on St. Thomas. It's hard to narrow down the list. In my opinion though, you owe it to yourself to take the time to visit Drake's Seat. The seat isn't that impressive, but it's the stunning view that you have got to see! The image of Meagan's Bay stretches out before you in spectacular fashion. The blue sky, the turquoise waters, the horseshoe bay with the sparkling white sand beach will be emblazened in your mind and enter your blood, calling to you to return again someday.

After that, visit the beaches, shop 'til you drop, check out the historical Fort Christian, golf, snorkle, or just veg out. You can find all kinds of music from reggae to steel drum to rock at the local clubs. Whatever your pleasure, I'm certain you'll find St Thomas up to the challenge.

Quick Tips:

Save some money by staying in the smaller hotels and inns. Beachfront stays can be pricey, and according to the law, all beaches are public domain (although be careful about traipsing across private property to access the beach) and for all to enjoy.

The U.S. gives each person the allowance to re-enter with purchases up to tax free. You may also bring back 5 fifths of liquor, if you so desire. Buy a fifth of locally made liquor (Cruzan Rum, Southern Comfort, and Chococo) and the limit is extended to 6 bottles. The duty free shops are full of great deals on jewelry, electronics, perfumes, and camera equipment. Shop carefully and wisely; it helps to know stateside prices before you buy. I bought a Seiko watch ( in the states) for a mere . Have fun!

Best Way To Get Around:

If you're going to be on the island for a few days, bite the bullet and rent a car. Be forewarned - driving in the Virgin Islands is a little different, as they drive on the left. You'll enjoy the freedom of your own transportation (helps in planning your day), and when you total up taxi fares, you usually end up spending the money anyway. Just remember - Think Left!!!

Looking for a comfortable place in St. Thomas that won't leave you light on funds and yet has personal service and nice ammenities? Try the Galleon House on for size. The small hotel is located on Government Hill in the downtown area of St. Thomas and is situated with a view of the harbor and city that is truly wonderful. The rooms are inexpensive, not elaborate, but quite clean and comfortable. I stayed there for a week last time in St. Thomas, and was absolutely pleased. Every morning I made coffee (in-room coffee makers and refrigerator), walked out onto my private veranda, relaxed in the hammock chair, and watched the cruise ships motor into port. The price includes a marvelous homemade breakfast every morning on the main deck.

After the first morning, my coffee and newspaper arrived almost before I could pull my chair up to the table. The staff is friendly and more than helpful with information and recommendations. The hotel sports a fresh water pool, cable TV, FREE use of snorkeling equipment, direct dial phones and AC. The least expensive rooms share a bath so you might want to spend the extra $10 so you won't have to do that. The only drawback I could find about the place is that as most places on the hills of St. Thomas, you have a few sets of stairs to climb to reach the hotel. On the plus side, the higher you go, the better vantage point for your view of the island.

Sample the local delicacies at the Diamond Barrel. This little restaurant serves up West Indian and Caribbean cuisine that will delight your tastebuds and not drain your pocketbook. Fresh fish dishes (I love the Yellowfin), Red Pea soup, curried chicken, and other specialties fill the menu, as well as local side dishes. My favorite side is fungi (pronounced FOON-jee) which is a mixture of cornmeal and onion that has another seasonal vegetable (like okra) blended in and cooked into a firm mush consistancy.(Don't be chicken- try it!!) Portions are large and service is friendly and laid back. You'll like it!

Zorba's has great Greek cuisine that will make your mouth water. Aegean Sea Shrimp made with feta cheese, tomatoes, shrimp, and greek spices and served over rice was my choice and it was a home run! The meal started with a greek salad and oven-fresh, whole-grain bread. Dessert looked like another Mount Vesuvius, only erupting chocolate - thank goodness I split it with someone! I couldn't have eaten the whole thing by myself. I slipped in for the baklava on another afternoon- flaky pastry, oozing with honey, and it was still warm- absolute heaven.

Impeccable dining, beautiful ambiance, and magnificent presentation await you at the Hotel 1829. When it's time to just forget prices and spoil yourself and your companion, THIS is the place. The menu is vast with it's continental selections, including Chateaubriand, Red Snapper Oscar, Rack of Lamb, and Medallions of Veal. Get tableside-tossed spinach salad or a souffle. The sky is the limit and the chefs of the Hotel 1829 will make your evening one to remember. Service any finer will be hard to find. Oh, if you eat on the veranda, you can also enjoy gazing at the moonlight on the harbor.

Mahogany Run is a challenging course designed by George and Tom Fazio. The landscaping is gorgeous and sculpted to fit the hills. The fairways are a little narrow at times, but that just makes one concentrate on accuracy instead of distance. The greens are smooth and lush, some with bunkers that end up being a help instead of a hazard. The crowning touch to this course are holes 13, 14, and 15, known as the Devil's Triangle. The green for 13 is a fun one to land without rolling off and into the drink. Hole 14 is a tough par 3 that goes across a small cove well below the tee box and green. (Yes, 1 of my golf balls is down in the floor of the cove.) And to round out the triangle, 15 is a long par 5 that ends with an unavoidable over water shot to the green. The course as a whole is an enjoyable and challenging day of golf, and as they say - even a bad day at the golf course beats a good day at work.

Coral World was a nice way to spend the better part of a day while in St. Thomas. The day we were there, the park wasn't crowded, so we were relaxed and had no pressure to hurry while checking out the exibits.
They have all sorts of pools and ponds with everything from young sharks and stingrays, to sea turtles and a host of fish varieties. There are aquariums, a mangrove lagoon, and a tropical nature trail to enjoy, but the big attraction is the underwater observation tower. The tower has 3 levels, each with a different view. The upper level is open air and offers great views of the surrounding islands and sea. The mid-level houses the Predator Tank, featuring full grown sharks and other sea predators. The lower level is (in my opinion) the best part of the tower. You look out into the open sea and reef from the 24 underwater picture windows and can observe the non-captive fish and other aquatic life go about their every day routine without a mask or even getting wet. This is great for folks who can't snorkel, yet want to see sea life in action. The facilities changed ownership in 1998 and have been completely renovated after having been clobbered by a hurricane, so they are getting better and better.
P.S. If the lobsters look nervous, it's because I scared them with tales of boiling pots and melted butter. Mmmmm.