St. Thomas

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Being a "native" in St. Thomas

A February 1997 trip to St. Thomas by BeAdventureous!

BreakMore Photos

Having lived in St. Thomas 1980-1982, we often go back to see how the place has changed and visit old friends.

  • 6 reviews
  • 1 photo

Being a "native" in St. ThomasBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Break
Sunsets on Magens Bay, snorkling at Coki Point, feeding the iguanas hybiscus blossoms at Frenchman's Reef, golf at Mahagony Run, banana daquires at Mountaintop, where they claim to have invented them, shopping on the waterfront, rum punch, day sails on the True Love from the movie days.

Quick Tips:

Buy your rum at the grocery store, it is much cheaper than the liquor store. Bring back guava juice, the secret ingrediant in the great rum punch and passion fruit liquor, can't find it just anywhere! Avoid red polish unless you want the iguansa mistaking YOU for a hybiscus and nibbling your toes. Sunscreen a must! Avoid shopping on the waterfront when the cruise ships are in, it's always crowded. Try conch fritters.

Best Way To Get Around:

There is no public transporation except a ferry to St. John which is a MUST! Shop at Mongoose junction- you will probably see a mongoose or two. Taxicabs are expensive and rude. I'd rent a jeep if I were you, but be careful to buy insurance and lock up, vandels abound unfortunately!

Frenchman's Reef MarriottBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Frenchman's Reef"

Spacious rooms with views of Morning Star Beach accessible by elevator. The propery is covered with hybiscus, bouganvillas and almond trees. White sand and sun. The iguanas roam free at the pool area, avoid red polish lest you want them nibbling at your toes! Great amenties and food is ok. A little off the beaten track, it''s not like you can just walk to any shopping.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 27, 2001

Frenchman's Reef Marriott
5 Estate Bakkeroe St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00801
(340) 776-8500

CharthouseBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "The Charthouse"

A great place, they make their own salad dressing, it is excellent. A generous salad bar with all the fixin's. The desserts are masterpieces. The steak and seafood is very good and the atmosphere has a very nautical theme.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 27, 2001

Charthouse
Waterfront St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
452-8115

True Love Boat CruiseBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Day cruise on the True Love"

It is a pretty sailboat and the skipper is most knowledgeable and friendly. The lunch was excellent, a crabmeat and lobster salad, all you can drink and eat. Fresh fruit. We swam and snorkled and sunned like beached whales.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 27, 2001

True Love Boat Cruise
Sapphire Beach Resort Marina St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
340- 779-1640

Mountain TopBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Mountain Top Shops"

On the top of St Thomas is a place that to get to, you feel like you are traveling in the rainforest: Mountain Top, where they claim to have invented the banana daquiri, made from fresh bananas grown there. The views are astounding, and there are saltwater aquariums teeming with sealife amidst all the specialty shops. Buy local teas, like melon tea or banana tea, jams, like guava, beads, tee-shirts of course, and lots of fun stuff!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 27, 2001

Mountain Top
Route 33 Estate St. Peter, St. Thomas 00802
+1 340 774 2400

Royal CaribbeanBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

When you step aboard and are offered a pretty drink with an umbrella, beware it is NOT complimentary. You are issued a ship card which is like a credit card and everything goes on it. Boy can it add up. The shops on the ship are not open when the ship docks so as not to compete with the local shops, the casinos also shut down. Want 2 entrees, be their guests, 2 desserts, go ahead, whatever you want. The shows are excellant and don't miss any. There are two seatings for dinner. If you want to enjoy the sunset, have dinner later. The staff is great, but many don't quite understand English but they try hard to accommodate. The rooms were nice, but small, we had an ocean view, a porthole basically. Daily there is a newsletter with all that is going on, make your calls before you board, it is expensive on ship, they do have internet at a charge. You are always being photographed by papparazzi, so that at the end of the cruise, you can claim your photos for a price.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 27, 2001

Royal Caribbean
33 Main St Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 00802
+1 340 776 4110

About the Writer

BeAdventureous!
BeAdventureous!
Little Rock,, Arkansas

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