Livin' It Up In St Thomas

Secret Harbor was a great choice for our hotel. It's located along a crescent beach and includes activities such as snorkeling, scuba, dive platform, and swimming right at your feet. I can't say enough about the location. The beach has hammocks, lots of swaying palms, and beach chairs lining the shore line. We paid $900 for nine days, including round-trip airfare from Philly.

We went during hurricane season, but apparently a hurricane hasn't hit the island since 1980. The room we had was a one-bedroom with kitchen and balcony. It was enormous--way to much for just two people! Our maid was very nice and always gave us extra towels. The bathroom wasn't as clean as I would have liked, and the water pressure was very poor, but you are on an island, so you need to be prepared for these little inconveniences. On the flip side, air-conditioning worked great, and there was no charge (some Caribbean islands charge up to $12 for electricity, and the resorts expect their patrons to pay).

There are three huge iguanas that make Secret Harbor their home. They are all docile and will eat food form your hand. Too many geckos for my liking. Every time you walk along the planted baths, you could hear them scurrying all over. No biggie... they didn't come in our room!

Blue Moon is a 2-second walk from Secret Harbor, where we stayed. Food is a little pricey, but then again, everything is imported. Omelettes were fabulous, as were the steak dinners.

This is an absolute MUST for anyone visiting the USVI. Duffy's is the coolest place for local tourists to hang out. It's right next to the ferry dock at Red Hook. Buy an "I got laid at Duffy's" shirt and got a fake tattoo (If you let the bartender lick it on, you get a free shot.) My favorite drinks are the Funky Monkey and the Shark Tank. You get to keep all the ceramic glasses the drinks come in, so expect to pay between $7-$12 a drink.

Paradise Point has one of the most breathtaking views in all of the Caribbean, especially at sunset. Sit back at the cafe with a bucket of beer and watch the cruise ships depart as the sun sinks under the ocean. There's a band that plays and a few pirate stores you can pick up some trinkets in. The tram down the mountain in the dark shows every twinkling light in Charlotte Amalie.