tds@ihlpg.UUCP (Tim Sullivan) (12/03/85)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** In 2 weeks (Dec. 13) I am going to be heading to the Virgin Islands, specifically, St. Johns Moho Bay campgrounds, for a vacation. This will be my first opportunity to experience snorkeling in the ocean and I am looking for some tips, places to go/not go, things to do/not do from all of you. I already have snorkeling equipment and I am an excellent swimmer. I might also try a class in scuba diving if it is highly recommended by the net.world. Other things I am interested in hearing about from others who have been there: 1. Places to hike. 2. Great restuarants (I love seafood) 3. Great bars (I love rum and brewski's, but hate touristy type places) 4. Renting a sail boat for a day. 5. Deep sea fishing. 6. Private beaches. Thanks in advance. Tim Sullivan 312-979-6379 ihnp4!ihlpg!tds
stuart@tellab1.UUCP (Rick Stuart) (12/11/85)
This was intend as a letter to a Tim Sullivan at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Naperville IL. He inquired about St John, a U.S. Virgin Island, in net.rec.scuba artical 165. I thought some other people might be interested so I am posting it in this news group. ================================================================== Tim: My wife and I spent a week in St Thomas in the summer of `84. We visited St John for a day by taking a tour of the island. If you like nature you'll like St John. Most of it is some sort of forest preserve donated by the Rockafellars (sp?). Judging from that one day tour I wouldn't expect to find much of a night life on St John, but it doesn't sound like your looking for that anyway. In the afternoon the tour guide took us to a snorkelling area with well marked under water signs. This was, however, a disappointment. Most of the coral appeared dead or covered with silt from the large number of snorkelers who visit the sight. There are most likely other places to snorkel in St John if you inquire about them. As far as scuba is concerned, don't miss this chance to dive! You are visiting an area that offers an excellent opportunity for this activity. I would recommend you take a Basic Open Water course from an internationally recognized organization such as PADI or NAUI before you go. Since it appears you don't have the time your still in luck. Almost everybody offers a introductory scuba lesson. The lesson and dive will probably take up the better part of a day. I only have met one diving instructor while in St Thomas, but I feel confident enough to recommend him. Joe Vogel is located on St Thomas. He teaches out of his house and will most likely take you there for the morning to "scare" as much sense into you about diving as you can take :-). Then you will go out for a shallow dive to get used to the equipment. If all works out well you can arrange for subsequent dives and get to see some real coral and fish! This is how my wife and I got introduced to diving and, consequently, we took lessons locally to be certified as Open Water Divers. As far as restaurants, the Mafaly (sp?) on St Thomas has great broiled tuna and a very tender prime rib. You find it half way up the side of the island so take a cab to get there. Concerning sailing, although I have never done this, I might recommend you spend a day aboard someone else's sail boat and let them worry about how to get around. Ask around, many groups and couples own sail boats and take a dozen or so people for all day trips which usually include lunch. Most of what I have talked about is on St Thomas and you will be on St John. Let me point out that there is a boat which you can take between the two islands. I think the trip is well under an hour. On other thing, you shouldn't need anything more than a birth certificate or voter's registration card to prove to anyone who you are in the U.S. Virgin Islands. But, if you want to travel to any of the British Virgin Islands I believe you will need a passport! The B.V.I.'s are very close and you never know! Check all this out with the U.S. Virgin Islands office in downtown Chicago. There is an article on page 20 about the U.S.V.I.'s in the December `85 issue of Underwater USA which talks about snorkelling and diving. There is also a list of dive shops for all three of the islands. Have fun... Rick Stuart 969-8800 ext 2457 Tellabs Lisle, IL =================================================================== If I am inaccurate on any point please correct me. Let's hear from anyone else who's been anywhere!