St Thomas trip
May 23rd, 2003, 06:11 AM
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St Thomas trip
I just got back from a recent trip to the Virgin Islands. I will not go back. I had a great time, but Hawaii was so much better than the Virgin Islands. We went to St Thomas and St John, the majority of the people are living in poverty. 80% of the houses were shacks and dirty. It was really slummy. If you do decide to go, the best thing to do is stay at a Resort, but be prepared to pay high prices for food etc, or rent a villa for a week. Most of the beaches were really nice. If I had to do over again I would go to Hawaii instead. The poverty was just awful and the atmosphere couldn't compare to Hawaii.
May 23rd, 2003, 08:20 AM
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My husband and I married in Hawaii almost nine years ago. Since that time, we have traveled only to the Carribbean. We were in St. Thomas in February and found people to be extremely friendly. Although we are going to Kauai next winter, it has nothing to do with poverty, shacks,dirt or slummy. When we arrived in Hawaii to be married, I was impressed. This was an anticipated trip for a long time. However, once we got out, I became a little anxious. Just because we were in the US, Hawaii consisted of shack-like houses, dirty areas and many were just plain slummy. I have gotten a cheerful greeting, no matter where I have ever visited, and found good everywhere. I have to believe you proceeded to your hotel via cab in Hawaii and no one ever shared any other part with you. I guarantee you if they had, you would have obtained those same feelings as you did in the USVI.
gt;
May 23rd, 2003, 08:52 AM
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I did go out and explore Hawaii, we went to Maui and Oahu. The road to Hana remnided me of the streets in St Thomas. The poverty in Hawaii didn't come close to St Thomas. I'm not trying to be mean, I'm just posting what I thought of the island, just like everyone else. I just want people to be aware of what they will see if they do choose to go to the Virgin Islands. I didn't read about this anywhere and wish I did before going, maybe my expectations wouldn't have been that high when I arrived.
May 23rd, 2003, 11:21 AM
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Traveler4 has no idea what he is talking about. Go back to Disney.
Besides that, didn't we do this yesterday? Since it got deleted yesterday you felt you HAD to post it again. How about getting a life? Try that...
Besides that, didn't we do this yesterday? Since it got deleted yesterday you felt you HAD to post it again. How about getting a life? Try that...
May 23rd, 2003, 11:35 AM
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How about not being so rude. This forum is suppose to be used to post reviews and questions about travel destinations. I just wrote what I thought about St Thomas. You're rude comments aren't necessary.
May 23rd, 2003, 11:50 AM
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OK. You insist you are not a troll. 
Let's have some specifics that might actually help someone instead of nasty generalizations to help drum up business for your timeshare condo in Hawaii.
Where did you stay. Why was it so awful.
Where did you eat. What beaches did you visit.
What areas did you visit that you thought were slummy. How long did you stay.
But most of all, WHY DID YOU JUST SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GO SOMEWHERE YOU DID NOT SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL CHECKING OUT BEFORE YOU WENT THERE?
You answer those questions with information that might help someone looking at going to USVI's, and I'll believe you're not just someone trying to stir up trouble...
Let's have some specifics that might actually help someone instead of nasty generalizations to help drum up business for your timeshare condo in Hawaii.
Where did you stay. Why was it so awful.
Where did you eat. What beaches did you visit.
What areas did you visit that you thought were slummy. How long did you stay.
But most of all, WHY DID YOU JUST SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GO SOMEWHERE YOU DID NOT SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL CHECKING OUT BEFORE YOU WENT THERE?
You answer those questions with information that might help someone looking at going to USVI's, and I'll believe you're not just someone trying to stir up trouble...
May 23rd, 2003, 11:55 AM
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The reason I'm "being so rude" is that you posted this yesterday. It got deleted for whatever reason. So you felt you had to post it again? Thats what makes me feel compelled to be rude.
I also agree with Diana and find it hard to believe you have any intent of informing travelers but instead just want to start a fight by posting generalizations.
I also agree with Diana and find it hard to believe you have any intent of informing travelers but instead just want to start a fight by posting generalizations.
May 23rd, 2003, 12:13 PM
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I didn't delete the post. I stayed for a week. Stayed at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef and Holidy inn downtown. The Marriott facilities were very nice, the rooms were soso (a little run down). The holiday inn was ok besides the noisy air conditioner and location. We rented a car and explored the entire island of St Thomas. This is were we saw all of the bad areas and from walking around from downtown near the holdiay inn. We did take some of the inner roads instead of all the scenic routes. We also toured St John via car. St John wasn't as nearly as bad as St Thomas. We saw alot of weird people downtown St John. We also saw alot of bums near Charlotte Amelie. We enjoyed all of the beaches we visited. We liked Hawkenset, Caneel Bay, Watermelon Cay, Sheraton Beach, Frenchman's. We didn't care too much for Meagan's bay (another crowd favorite, too many people) We also toured a lot of the resorts which were nice. I think St Thomas lacks atmoshpere were Hawaii there was culture and atmosphere. They could also clean up a lot of areas.
And I did research St Thomas and St John before going. All I heard were good things, that is why I was so disappointed.
And I did research St Thomas and St John before going. All I heard were good things, that is why I was so disappointed.
May 23rd, 2003, 01:11 PM
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Well traveler4 that is a little better of an explanation. The caribbean isn't for everyone. And I think the reason why was discussed in enough detail yesterday.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion and I am mine. There are areas of St. Thomas that are not beautiful but on a whole I think it and St. John are 2 of the most beautiful having some of the kindest, friendliest people I've ever met. I'm not saying all of them are - but most. Sorry you couldn't see the beauty that I see.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion and I am mine. There are areas of St. Thomas that are not beautiful but on a whole I think it and St. John are 2 of the most beautiful having some of the kindest, friendliest people I've ever met. I'm not saying all of them are - but most. Sorry you couldn't see the beauty that I see.
May 23rd, 2003, 01:27 PM
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traveler4, I owe you an apology.
I'm sorry you did not have a good time, and I can only hope that you give the Caribbean another chance, because it is one of the most wonderful areas on the face of the earth.
I respect your opinion of what you saw and experienced. The people and places that exist there are very exciting and interesting to some people because they are so completely culturally different from what most of us see in our day to day lives.
The state of living there is charmingly nostalgic to some, and disturbingly nonchalant to others.
The first trip I made to the Caribbean to St. Lucia in 1992 was such an eye-opening experience for me.
In retrospect, thinking about your trip, I hope you focus not on the lack of glamour of the homes of the people living in humble houses in paradise, but the obvious total lack of the rat race and stress that pervades our daily lives.
You didn't see bums standing around with nothing to do, you saw a whole social strata of people chatting with neighbors catching up on social events.
You didn't see slums and dirty areas, you saw houses that may not be slick condos or airy transitionals, but were passed down to them by their family, and are spotlessly clean inside, and owned by people with no house payments who are proud of having their own place and making the best of what they have been blessed with.
When you travel, it expands your ideas of what life is all about and sometimes makes you appreciate what you have all the more. I think you got a lot more out of your trip than what you may realize...
I'm sorry you did not have a good time, and I can only hope that you give the Caribbean another chance, because it is one of the most wonderful areas on the face of the earth.
I respect your opinion of what you saw and experienced. The people and places that exist there are very exciting and interesting to some people because they are so completely culturally different from what most of us see in our day to day lives.
The state of living there is charmingly nostalgic to some, and disturbingly nonchalant to others.
The first trip I made to the Caribbean to St. Lucia in 1992 was such an eye-opening experience for me.
In retrospect, thinking about your trip, I hope you focus not on the lack of glamour of the homes of the people living in humble houses in paradise, but the obvious total lack of the rat race and stress that pervades our daily lives.
You didn't see bums standing around with nothing to do, you saw a whole social strata of people chatting with neighbors catching up on social events.
You didn't see slums and dirty areas, you saw houses that may not be slick condos or airy transitionals, but were passed down to them by their family, and are spotlessly clean inside, and owned by people with no house payments who are proud of having their own place and making the best of what they have been blessed with.
When you travel, it expands your ideas of what life is all about and sometimes makes you appreciate what you have all the more. I think you got a lot more out of your trip than what you may realize...
May 24th, 2003, 10:05 AM
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I did see bums on the streets, some sleeping in alleys, others on park benches with alcohol. I know there are different societies everywhere and I wasn't expecting to see all condos and mansion. I don't know what the houses I saw looked like on the inside, but on the outside they were trashy. They had garbage in their yard, some had houses falling apart, etc, their wasn't any upkeep at all. Also a couple of people where yelling remarks to woman in the streets. It sounds like we visited during different times and/or different parts of the island. The lesson I did learn was not to go back to St Thomas or St John. Everyone else can, but I choose not to go back.
May 24th, 2003, 02:56 PM
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You know what? You are 100% correct.
Do not go back to anywhere in the Caribbean. It's just not for you.
Since you enjoyed Hawaii, it's best that you go back there year after year. As I suggested the first time you posted this earlier in the week, the only places you might like there are Aruba and Grand Cayman.
I'd also suggest that you spend a lot of time online checking into where you are interested in going before you actually book the trip.
This way, you can avoid disappointment.
Best of luck to you.
Do not go back to anywhere in the Caribbean. It's just not for you.
Since you enjoyed Hawaii, it's best that you go back there year after year. As I suggested the first time you posted this earlier in the week, the only places you might like there are Aruba and Grand Cayman.
I'd also suggest that you spend a lot of time online checking into where you are interested in going before you actually book the trip.
This way, you can avoid disappointment.
Best of luck to you.
May 25th, 2003, 03:33 PM
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I have done a fair amount of traveling and I have seen slums and street people from Paris to Rome to Oahu to San Francisco to New Orleans...even in my own home town.
That's because these are real places with real people.
I agree with some of the above posters that some people do not do enough research for their trips. Before I take a trip, I know what I want to get out of that trip. If I want to escape reality and go to a perfect world, then I go to places like Disney World and Las Vegas - which are completely contrived and artificial.
Although I have had a good time at Disney and in Las Vegas, some of my favorite memories have been from trips to the Virgin Islands. I met a female taxi driver who took me to her home to meet her family and cooked me a delicious dinner. I have met many wonderful people, who inspite of their poverty, have a gracious and generous spirit and big hearts.
Traveler4, I am glad that you made these comments. Perhaps that would keep away the maddening crowds from the hidden beauty of St. Thomas ( as well as places in Hawaii)
That's because these are real places with real people.
I agree with some of the above posters that some people do not do enough research for their trips. Before I take a trip, I know what I want to get out of that trip. If I want to escape reality and go to a perfect world, then I go to places like Disney World and Las Vegas - which are completely contrived and artificial.
Although I have had a good time at Disney and in Las Vegas, some of my favorite memories have been from trips to the Virgin Islands. I met a female taxi driver who took me to her home to meet her family and cooked me a delicious dinner. I have met many wonderful people, who inspite of their poverty, have a gracious and generous spirit and big hearts.
Traveler4, I am glad that you made these comments. Perhaps that would keep away the maddening crowds from the hidden beauty of St. Thomas ( as well as places in Hawaii)
May 27th, 2003, 07:41 AM
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Timmy,
Don't know where you are from pal but have you walked around in any US city lately? Bums, poverty, drugs abound! Evry civilized palce on earth has its share of less-than-ideal living conditions. Step back and thank the deity of your choice that you are able to travel to such beautiful place like the USVI's. Sokme of these people that you are putting down will never see a nice bed never mind a airplane or resort.
Don't know where you are from pal but have you walked around in any US city lately? Bums, poverty, drugs abound! Evry civilized palce on earth has its share of less-than-ideal living conditions. Step back and thank the deity of your choice that you are able to travel to such beautiful place like the USVI's. Sokme of these people that you are putting down will never see a nice bed never mind a airplane or resort.
May 28th, 2003, 09:22 AM
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I feel compelled to respond to your post with regards to St Thomas. I do understand that there are people who will not agree on islands. One person may love a particular island, while another person may not see the beauty.
However, if your main reason for not liking the island is the poverty, I have to wonder where you live that you manage to not see homeless people and poverty around you? I live in Atlanta and I have to admit that I rarely go a day without seeing homeless people. It is a fact of life that exists everywhere. I also see run down homes each and everyday. I live in a nice section and I still encounter these things going about my everyday life. It must be nice to live in a place where you are only surrounded by beauty. I really do not mean to come off harsh but geez, cut the place a break. Have you ever checked out the cost of living there? I have. My husband and I were offered jobs in St Croix and whereas we would have LOVED to have packed and moved no questions asked, we both knew that the salary ranges there and the cost of living were going to make things pretty hard on us. Let me also state that I have been to Hawaii as well and have a friend who just moved from there to Atlanta and poverty exists all over Hawaii just as it does St Thomas. You must have been able to ignore it better.
However, if your main reason for not liking the island is the poverty, I have to wonder where you live that you manage to not see homeless people and poverty around you? I live in Atlanta and I have to admit that I rarely go a day without seeing homeless people. It is a fact of life that exists everywhere. I also see run down homes each and everyday. I live in a nice section and I still encounter these things going about my everyday life. It must be nice to live in a place where you are only surrounded by beauty. I really do not mean to come off harsh but geez, cut the place a break. Have you ever checked out the cost of living there? I have. My husband and I were offered jobs in St Croix and whereas we would have LOVED to have packed and moved no questions asked, we both knew that the salary ranges there and the cost of living were going to make things pretty hard on us. Let me also state that I have been to Hawaii as well and have a friend who just moved from there to Atlanta and poverty exists all over Hawaii just as it does St Thomas. You must have been able to ignore it better.
