Let’s Be Tourists: The Frederiksted Pier

Recently, a viewer posed the question, “Do you do the touristy things?”  Well, yes, we have to.  But they are not touristy to me, only you.  They are our “regular things”, but our “regular things” on a tropical island are what travel brochures are made of.  But, we tend to kick it up a notch.

Like what?  Well, going to the Frederiksted Pier:

The FSted Pier is where the cruise ships dock.  Thanks to the massive $4million waterfront renovations, cruise ship lines think St. Croix is cool again.  Actually, the same ol’ destinations are getting boring for their sandal & sock wearing passengers, so they decided to look the other way on all the things they said was wrong with St. Croix in the past, and return to port.  Am I digressing?  I have a tendency to do that.

When there are no ships, The Pier is a great place to go for the evening.  We usually walk (or ride bikes) along the waterfront and then down the pier itself.  As locals, we have a contest to see who can spot the first rat.  SC knows their hiding spots:

This night was a treat; JUMPERS:

The Pier holds fishermen, walkers, vagrants, what have you.  People just doing the same thing we are:  Getting out of The House.  With the kids, we walk right over to Napoleon’s Pizza for a slice (try the chicken curry) and then head to Polly’s for a little ice cream, ice coffee or any of their delish desserts.  This type of evening happens on a regular basis, not just when we have guests in town.

If you are a diver, try a night dive with a local shop.  Under the pier is home to really cool saltwater life that you don’t see in the open water that much - starfish, sea horses, boogity boogities. (just seeing if you are paying attention).

Frederiksted in general holds a plethora of activities for our family and you’s.  The BEST beaches, local restaurants, no crowds, SUP, and Kmart West.   Going “out west” is like packing and going from Austin to San Antonio for the day.  You don’t need to stay the night, but you want to make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand for the drive.

Stay tuned for more Let’s Be Tourists.

In The Press: Buck Island

I am a self-proclaimed magazine whore.  I love magazines.  Recently, I am addicted to home decor and food titles.  One of my favs is Coastal Living.  Love seeing how people “live on the coast”.  What the magazine does not address is how to ret rid of mosquitoes, rats & roaches:  the REALity of living on a Caribbean island.

Our U.S. Post Office just returned from their USVI Emancipation/USA Independence Day 4-5 day holiday weekend.  I seriously think some Crucians/St. Thomians and what ever people are called who live on St. John purposely planned their emancipation the day before a US holiday so they get longer holiday weekends.  Well, it worked, didn’t?

SO- at the post officve today was the July/August 2009 Coastal Living.  Get home, put the kids to nap and plop on the comfy chair for a little look-see.  I usually thumb through, and then go back with a fine tooth comb, paper, pen and sometimes even little tape flags to flag something I want to come back to…but almost never do.

With a bit of time on my hands, I decided to read the first article: Top Spots to Snorkel.  Ok, interesting.  #1 sounds like a pretty cool place in the Bahamas.  Turn page to #2 and dropped my jaw to read BUCK ISLAND, ST. CROIX USVI.  Not because I don’t think it is awesome snorkeling, but was surprised at the press.  I always am.  Great little write up about the incredible snorkeling trails at Buck Island, turtles, and of course the beaches.  And then the icing on the cake- they direct readers to www.gotostcorix.com/buck_island.php.  LOVE IT!   When I produced GoToStCroix.com, I was all over the press sending them info even if they didn’t request it, and LOVED seeing my efforts turn into a bit of press for this island who is always in the need of a little push.

So, congrats to Buck Island for once again claiming the heart of a dreamy travel writer, to Coastal Living for their large viewership and GoToStCroix.com for continuing to provide the rest of the world with quality, up to date information about our little island.