Hello all! And Happy Fri-YAY! After I posted about the BVI on Wednesday, a ton of you wrote in and commented about the status of travel protocol for the USVI. And, on that front, not much has changed. But, here’s a refresher and update for all of you lucky ones out there who have upcoming trips to St. John on the horizon 🙂
Hillary Bonner
Tropical Storm Sam Forms in the Atlantic
Hello! I may be getting a bit ahead of myself here in mentioning this storm, but if any of you are headed towards the USVI this weekend, I wanted to make sure you had a heads up for your packing list!
BVI Update- Arrival Protocol Restrictions Ease Up on October 1
I saw a Facebook post in my morning internet wanderings today that made me go “Hmmmm.” A friend of mine had shared a post from an individual who blogs about the BVI that basically said day trips would be allowed as of October 1. Well, that’s totally true and there will be some changes made to the current restrictions as of that day that will likely make that a bit easier. But, don’t book a boat for the BVI and pack your bags quite yet. There is some serious fine print to look at….
Read moreBVI Update- Arrival Protocol Restrictions Ease Up on October 1
Local Livin’: Baked With Love in Love City
A while back, I was privileged enough to sit down for dinner with two dynamic and talented St. John born women to chat about their homegrown business in Coral Bay. An ingenious build out of a shipping container with the lingering smells of freshly baked treats sits adjacent to the building that used to house Pickles in Paradise. And within the walls of this shipping container, Ann Monsanto and Brenda Stephenson create magical, freshly baked flavors on par with the quality of a decadent corner bakery in Manhattan with the charm and hospitality of Love City. Building their dreams, one muffin at a time.
Beloved St. John Captain Sets Sail on His Final Voyage
Well, the St. John Community received some heavy news over the weekend. A Love City Legend, an iconic presence, an incredibly talented and knowledgeable mariner and all around charismatic character has set sail for his final destination. After decades of exploration, Captain Phil Chalker left this world on Friday afternoon in a facility in Atlanta with his island daughter by his side and voice mail messages from his St. John family playing in the background.
Read moreBeloved St. John Captain Sets Sail on His Final Voyage
Caribbean Cocktails at Home – The Rum Punch
We all know it. We all love it. And we have all had some very different variations of it in our travels. I personally, have made Rum Punch according to the staple recipes of five or six different establishments on St. John. Not one of them is the same but all are similar in their exploration of tropical juices, Cruzan flavored rum and, for many, the simultaneous splash of bright red Grenadine that gives the concoction its notable pink hue. Some places add fresh nutmeg. Some a dark rum float. But all of them have a very similar outcome. A “goes down too easy” fruit rum libation that is sure to please anyone who enjoys a good easy going tropical cocktail.
Turtle Alert! A Busy Nesting Season on St. John
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park turtle team has been busy…As have the turtles of St. John. HA! This non-profit coordinated, National Park partnered, volunteer driven Sea Turtle Program aims to protect sea turtle nests, facilitate research projects and spread awareness of sea turtle preservation in the Virgin Islands. And this nesting season, they have had their work, gratefully, cut out for them!
ALERT: Ferry Schedule Changes!
Good Morning! I know I JUST posted about the St. Croix Ferry schedule yesterday, but I noticed immediately after that the Red Hook to Cruz Bay Ferry schedule changed. Which could alter travel plans…But only a little bit 🙂 So, at the risk of being redundant with my boat talk….
Explore St. Croix For the Day!
Good Morning, Good Morning! I hope you all had a lovely weekend and are staying safe, happy and healthy out there in the world 🙂 A lot of folks have recently asked about going to St. Croix for the day. Well, during normal times of year, I might not necessarily recommend the ferry…Especially if you have a tendency to get a little woozy on the water! But, during these beautiful months of the year where the water is calm and the breezes have subsided, The Native Son Ferry to St. Croix is a lovely option for a day trip from St. Thomas!
Caribbean Cocktails at Home: Dark N Stormy
Good Morning, Good Morning! Today, we dive deep into the Dark n Stormy story (and recipe!). A drink that looks like a sailor’s worst nightmares but tastes like a spicy rum infused daydream. Truth be told, its origins lie in a shipwreck that spiraled into the founding of an island based rum that we all know and love!