Callaloo

I've written up my trip to St. John in these two blog posts:

https://sabrecalypso.wordpress.com/2...house-hunting/

https://sabrecalypso.wordpress.com/2...ost-and-found/

Jimmie

Thanks for a nice report. I've been going to St. John for many years, and lately I am really noticing the crowding on the north shore beaches, esp. Cinnamon and Trunk. Hawksnest, Maho, and Francis are our go-to options now, as early as we can make it and leave by lunch.

SDL02675

I have been going to St. John for the past 3 years. I always felt safe until this year when my 30 year old son was mugged by two men and the police did NOTHING! As a matter of fact they turned the whole incident around onto my son. The best advice they gave us was to get off the island. After speaking to Americans who have lived there for 15 years or more I was told repeatedly there is a "tribe", "gang" whatever label you want to put on it that the police will not do anything about. Two days after my son was assaulted we were walking through Cruz Landing. Cops were everywhere. There were 4 cops just in the landing alone and one was interviewing 2 men (American). Police were patrolling the streets. I saw more police in one day than I had in the previous years. I have a comment to the police. Either do something to protect people or you won't have to worry because no one will visit your island. We finally got off the island and unfortunately the experience left such a bad taste in my mouth I doubt I will return.

eastenderusvi

I'm not sure what you are talking about "Americans living there for 15 years", but the people of the Virgin Islands are all Americans... A "tribe"? Really?

brubenow

Great pictures! Do you feel the crowds are mostly because of the cruise ships?

Callaloo

Brubenow, yes, the crowds seem mostly to have come from cruise ships -- you can usually tell from their matching towels. But I also noticed a LOT of jitney buses bearing a Westin placard transporting people over -- I'm guessing they are hired out to the cruise ship excursion providers or daytrip providers from St. Thomas, or they are otherwise ferrying visitors around the island from Cruz Bay.