| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 04/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 52 |
| Copyright: Other |
Operator view
Be charmed by a spirited time in the tropics
Hayes and jarvis product manager Paul Shields reports from the operator’s latest addition – the USVirgin Islands
The moment I stepped off the plane I knew my visit to St Thomas would be different.The immigration officer was immediately polite and friendly, and when the customs officer found out I work for a UK tour operator he said: “Welcome to St Thomas, sir, we love having your guests here; it is excellent news for the island.”
Quite a change from the usual gruff greeting you get at airports. St Thomas is the larger and livelier of the two US Virgin Islands in our Caribbean programme. It is a well developed and bustling town.
A great way to get a feel for the whole island is on an open-sided sight-seeing vehicle. They can be used as taxis or booked for sightseeing. The skyline drive through mountain ridges and hills is striking – a spine of hills separates bays and coves filled with fantastic seas. The island has many good beaches, with most of the hotels enjoying prime spots. The best is Magens Bay, which is well tended and the whole area has been designated a national park.
The highlight of my stay was a night out at Duffy’s Love Shack – an open-air restaurant/bar based in the car park at Red Hook Marina. In the style of an old-fashioned Caribbean drinking hole, the atmosphere has made it one of the most popular nightspots for locals and visitors alike.
St Thomas is also great for getting to many of the other Virgin Islands. There are regular services to Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Joost Van Dyke (all part of British Virgin Islands) and neighbouring St John.
Not surprisingly, day trips with snorkelling and a barbecue lunch included to these and a number of small, uninhabited islands nearby are very popular.
The ferry to St John takes 20-40 minutes and can be picked up from Charlotte Amalie or the Marina at Red Hook. A sea plane also operates to Tortola and St Croix.
In contrast to St Thomas, St John, which is two-thirds national park, is undeveloped, lush, green and very peaceful. To discover the beauty of the island, a guide from the park will show you secret beaches and unspoilt scenery. Many boats head for Coral Bay for diving and a visit to Skinny Legs where local hippies hang out.
The main town, Cruz Bay, caters mainly for the day trippers. There are lots of upmarket artist’s studios and gift shops – an excellent opportunity to purchase a painting or hand-made jewellery. Alternatively go to a local rum shack, sit back and take in the atmosphere.
factfile
USvirgin islands
Cost of living: very reasonable prices (compares favourably with Eastern Caribbean). Ferry from St Thomas to St John is about $3.
Sample product:Hayes and Jarvis’ lead-in price is £529 for the Carib Beach Hotel, St Thomas, for seven nights’ bed and breakfast, this month. One of the Caribbean’s leading hotels is Caneel Bay on St John, a deluxe property with seven private beaches and surrounded by national park. Prices in September start from £1,085 for seven nights’ room-only from Hayes and Jarvis.
St Thomas: take overland and sea-based tours from the busy capital
Catch a wave: the region is ideal for water sports