St John USVI

[sandy]

The island of St John is about 12-14 miles long with 38 miles of paved roads. The island is so steep and hilly that there only one place that has a straight flat road. It's about a 1/4 mile long which is why it's called the drag strip. I saw this parked in the community of Cruz Bay. A local guy was nearby. Didn't get to speak to him.


http://s982.photobucket.com/user/sandyal55/slideshow/StJohn

[Jess from VA]

The bike to have in the islands is a small dual sport, with a basket.

[sandy]

Jess, you're right. I saw a few Yamaha TW 200's.

[Jess from VA]

I've been on some of the bigger islands, and there you would take your life in your hands on a bike.

Like the pirates of old...... the traffic code is more like guidelines than rules.  Most enforcement is after the accidents.

I have friends who worked hard and sold out and moved to St Croix to build a home.  A few years in with the home mostly built, tourism went down, crime went up, they got broken into while home, and have now rented and moved to FL.  They may or may not ever go back.  The stories about corruption at all levels of govt, payola, no work ethic, island time yada are unfortunately true.  Paradise Lost. 

It's a great place to visit, but I could never live there.

I may get a chance to do a big bare boat charter with friends out of the Brit Virgins.... if I save up enough money (damn expensive).   

[jima]

9 miles long, 3 miles wide. I've seen sport bikes there the last few times I've been there and they fly. I'll be back down 07/23 how,long you staying?

[jima]

I just checked the official description says 20 square miles. 7 mile long 3 miles wide. But it seems like you can drive 15 miles to get from Cruz Bay to Corral Bay.

[G-Man]

I may get a chance to do a big bare boat charter with friends out of the Brit Virgins.... if I save up enough money (damn expensive).   

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went sailing in January there and it is FANTASTIC.  Especially if you are going with folks who have been there before!

[Patrick]

I've been on some of the bigger islands, and there you would take your life in your hands on a bike.

Like the pirates of old...... the traffic code is more like guidelines than rules.  Most enforcement is after the accidents.

I have friends who worked hard and sold out and moved to St Croix to build a home.  A few years in with the home mostly built, tourism went down, crime went up, they got broken into while home, and have now rented and moved to FL.  They may or may not ever go back.  The stories about corruption at all levels of govt, payola, no work ethic, island time yada are unfortunately true.  Paradise Lost. 

It's a great place to visit, but I could never live there.

I may get a chance to do a big bare boat charter with friends out of the Brit Virgins.... if I save up enough money (damn expensive).   

We used to spend time there and St Kitts.  Corruption and crime are rampant !  Their prisons are over filled and they are real prisons.
As much as the crime rate is increasing in the Keys, it still doesn't compare to the Caribbean.

[sandy]

9 miles long, 3 miles wide. I've seen sport bikes there the last few times I've been there and they fly. I'll be back down 07/23 how,long you staying?

I have a friend who owns two business' there. I go down every summer for 16 days. I just came back last Wed. He owns a gift store. www.pinkpapaya.com

[Jess from VA]

I may get a chance to do a big bare boat charter with friends out of the Brit Virgins.... if I save up enough money (damn expensive).   

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went sailing in January there and it is FANTASTIC.  Especially if you are going with folks who have been there before!

They've been there before, and the friends are all power-squadron power boaters (42' Chris Crafts and such).  I am trying to talk them into a sailing yacht which is a much nicer way to travel than stinking diesel fumes.  A bit more work, and you might spill your margaritas.    We'll see.

Something like this might be tolerable.
 

[Wizzard]

I worked in St Martin for 2 years. Nice place but corruption is rampant there as well.

[jima]

What is the other business? That your friend owns.

[sandy]

He also owns the only bookstore on the island. Also serves many coffee drinks including Vietnamese coffee. He acquired that taste while serving on a gunboat in the Mekong delta. The bookstore is called the Papaya Cafe. No website for it.