Croix I honestly don't recall where we stayed in St. Thomas. It was just a regular hotel, 3 star, on the beach. I remember the beach being pretty but the hotel service was, well what one would expect from a cheap hotel. This was before we wised up and decided to only stay in one or 2 bedroom units with full kitchens. We were not harassed. The only prob we had was being cheated by cab drivers.

I just found the island boring and not very attractive except from the top of hills. Lots of poor looking areas/broken down homes. The supposedly best beach was mediocre and the water was not as clear as other islands I've been to and I didnt find any snorkeling. However since I've been I keep hearing people say how crime ridden St. Thomas is including a travel agent I used recently so go figure.

And yes as stated earlier I liked St. John. The only downsides for me are the smallness, it's very hilly and the roads are narrow and curvy, and you have to drive or take cabs to the beaches. But they are beautiful and have an 'unspoiled' feel.

Beanie,
Too bad you didn't enjoy Barbados. Although not one of my top places I've visited I did enjoy my trip there. I think it all depends on how you visit a place, we have a private villa with staff and rental cars therefore we were out of the main stream of tourism, did our own tours and had a great time. Again to each his own but most of all enjoy and happy travels!

Animal lover? I am surprised that you didn't go to the Wildlife Refuge. It's a "must see". Maybe the weather had something to do with it....that in itself would have colored my opinions. But by no means, did I find Barbados anywhere near your description.

I was in Ocho Rios, Jamaica twice last year and never encountered any vendors on the beach. Vendors have to keep it on the street. And locals have to pay to enter the beach.

But I am on my way to Barbados on Sunday. Hope I have a better time than you did. I have to see for myself.

Jenny , I am sure you will have a wonderful time , Barbados is very well liked on this board , go with open an mind and carefree spirit !!!! LOL , Faith

Exactly, I listen to what everyone has to say but have to form my own opinion. I loved Jamaica too. It's all in the attitude and what your expectations are. Personally, I enjoy the locals. Where else do you learn about the country you are visiting.

Agree----Naomi Campbell owns a villa in Goldeneye Jamaica and Tiger Woods I understand spent his honeymoon at SandyLane---so must be something to both places. I think you make what you want of a trip if you are prepared what to expect from research. Most of the Caribbean is not Disneyland which is why we go.

I had a phone call last night from a 12 yr. old little girl whom we met while in Jamaica . She lives in Ocho Rios , we have kept in contact for almost a year now , she has sent me a hand sewn hankercheif with flowers and my name handstitched on it (among other things ). She asks nothing of me . I consider myself lucky to have gained a sweet little friend from my vacation . I do not consider she nor her home vile , I cant stand blanket statements . Absolutely fine if you do not like one place or another for whatever reason . Understood . Do NOT put the whole place under the same hat . That goes for any island .

To Faith....

Well stated as always, and I applaud your restraint and your good manners in your responses to the original poster.

I would not be as tolerant as you have been.

Generalizations and or stereotypes cause pain to many.

When will we learn ? I grew up listening to the sound track of "South Pacific". If we can't learn, what will we teach...."they have to be carefully taught".

Marion

Marion , It has been difficult .(I do not want to come off as a trouble maker, so biting my tounge !! ) Smiles , Faith.

LOL so sorry you are having such 'difficulty'.

How is the judgement you are expressing any different than my judgement of an island or some of its people?

SOMETIMES generalizations and blanket statements are appropriate, as in Jamaica does have more crime and poverty than many other islands. Fact. And in the words of one of the greatest tell it like it is'ers around, Bill Maher, stereotypes are real; they exist because many many many people fit them.

Guilty . I have been on Fodors for Awhile , you have the honor of being the first person to really get my goat . Somehow , I still think my annoyance with some of your statements is different than your harsh statements about a few island nations .Call me crazy . Also guilty for responding and getting myself drawn into this . I do hope you find the island , or place to suit your needs and not muddy your shoes . Faith

I can't believe after 10 years, Barbados still have that problem. It has always been known for people harrassing tourists and begging for stuff. One of the main reasons I don't visit B/Dos. Hope Jamaica has it hecklers under control too.

Unfortunately,my experience in Barbados was similar to beanie's. My husband and I experienced unpleasant harassment. We were constantly harassed on the beach by individuals who did not take no for an answer.I enjoyed Jamaica but would never return to Barbados.

Beanie - What's wrong with 125th street in Manhattan? I can't believe the people on this board let you off the hook so easily (except Faith). Maybe you should stick to Disney World, it's a lot less reflective of the real world.

faithie, you have been very nice and once again I applaud your restraint. I. too, was OK with beanie's trip report until the ugly truth came out.

I can only imagine the horror beanie would have experienced if along on my recent trip when we were forced on quite a few occasions to come into contact with locals.

beanie, next time consider:

An AI and not leave the property (Maybe you can helicopter in from Miami so as not to have to deal with the local airport)

Atlantis (so much like the US you'd never know you weren't in the States)

Vegas (you can stay at Bellagio and pretend you are out of the country)

Busch Gardens (they have all kinds of different "countries" there)

beanie, it is obvious that the Caribbean is not going to suit your needs and I'd hate for you to keep wasting your money going places where people just can't seem to leave you alone while they are trying to scrape together enough money to buy some food and the scenery is not to your liking.

It might be helpful if you were to do some more research prior to going somewhere. Some empathy for others whose circumstances may not be as good as your own might be nice as well...

Welcome back Diana ! I hope you had a great trip ! Indeed I missed your ability to give a MUCH needed straightforward response , as opposed to my somewhat toe the line approach !!! LOL , Faith .

I have to agree with Beanie. In the 12 hours I spent on the island, we were constantly offered weed, harassed by many "vendors" while on the beach, had our cab driver get into a cursing match with a pedestrian, have another cab driver try to rip us off on a negotiated price. And we weren't a group of women. I don't blame any women who wouldn't feel safe there. I was on higher alert there than I would have been on 125 street which by the way, is still a ghetto unlike what some businesses in that area want you to believe. That is what the previous poster meant by the reference to 125 st in Harlem.

There was never an issue to agree or disagree with the O.P., we are not here to change how a person felt about a place . Thats impossible , if that is how they felt , those are their feelings and they have every right to voice their opinion . The issue was with the derogatory and insulting statements . Faith

Personally I did not find anything Beanie said to be offensive. In addition, her opinions were straightforward with examples to back them up.

The comment about 'natives' beings somehow offensive is too funny. Maybe the word 'locals' would better suite Faith but there is nothing wrong with calling someone a native.

Bummer you spent all that dough and did not have a good time. I agree that an AI might be your best next bet.

mm