Crystal D’Abbraccio has been in love with dancing for as long as she can remember. Starting at the age of five, her training was well rounded, progressing through performance, to costumes design, to dance education. Since moving to St. John in 2012, Crystal has taught dance, theater and creative movement to both children and adults. Crystal’s […]
The Virgin Islands is a paradise not only full of beauty but also an alluring history. Just below the surface of our ever changing sand and unbelievably blue waters is the story of square riggers battling for their crown, pirates trading goods and hiding in the protection of promises made by corrupt governors of St. […]
During college freshman orientation, Bryan Barnes, owner of Busy Bee Charters was asked what he wanted to do when he grew up. His response, “Run a fishing boat in the Caribbean.” This answer surprised not only the counselor, but Bryan himself! He wasn’t a fisherman, he had no interest in fishing, and he had never been […]
One word, Summertime. You know what I’m talking about. If you live in the Virgin Islands, this is the game changer. The mad rush of tourists dwindles to a trickle. The water warms up and the people slow down, way down. If you work in the tourism industry (and who doesn’t), then you are either […]
St. John, US Virgin Islands, affectionately nicknamed “Love City,” is the scene for some of the most fantastic Festival revelry in the Caribbean. The St. John Festival is a month-long celebration that kicks off energetically with live music and performances and ramps up to an awe-inspiring fireworks display in the Cruz Bay harbor on the […]
When Bob Shinners imagines the movie of his life it opens with him as a young man standing on a Milwaukee bridge in a thick parka. He climbs the safety rail, closes his eyes, and jumps. As he plunges into the icy water, his steel-toed boots and heavy winter clothes suck him into the murky […]
Rum is very much a part of Caribbean drinks culture. This is the home of rum and where some of the world’s best are made. So you probably won’t be surprised to find out that the Virgin Islands are home to more than a few excellent rum distilleries. Rum drinkers should definitely add the Virgin […]
Carolyn Goodlander is truly a woman of the world. When I met with Carolyn to share lunch and words at the Cruz Bay Landing on St. John, she had just returned from her third circumnavigation aboard the sailboat home she shares with her writer husband Captain Fatty Goodlander, the editor-at-large at Cruising World Magazine, author […]
Lots of cruising sailors wash over the collective bow of St. John. Many are capable and navigate the Sir Francis Drake Channel like it was a lake. Others fall into the category of quirky and fade quickly from memory. Others just stick because they are so real. John St. John is one cruiser that I […]
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau The Virgin Islands are a rich paradise full of a diverse things to do from hiking, to bar hopping, to photography, to sailing. These are a few of my past times. I find it impossible to […]
Virgin Island transplants get a lot of questions. Most are easily answered with, “The beach is that way,” or “You know, working hard, mom.” Another type of question, that is not so simply answered, revolves around moving to the islands. If you already live here, these queries come from cyberspace like meteors. You’ve got mail […]
Sailors are as vast and varied as their vessels but it doesn’t matter if you have a 3 million dollar boat or a 3,000 dollar one, the sea doesn’t discriminate. Sailors know this which is probably why there are unwritten rules and courtesies when we find a fellow mariner’s boat in distress.
“He just bought 1000 earthworms on Amazon,” Mathayom Vacharat’s girlfriend whispered to me as I sat down next to her at Ground Breaking, one of the themed full moon dinners presented by St. John Catering and Mathayom Private Chefs at their St. John event venue at the Windy Level. “Mysterious purchase,” I laughed, but we […]
Every year Carnival has a theme and 2017 celebrates our Centennial anniversary when the Virgin Islands officially became a part of the United States. St. Thomas is home to one of the largest festivals in the whole Caribbean and features food, games, music, and entertainment for people of all ages. It is an annual highlight […]
Coral Bay’s motto is “Successfully avoiding progress since forever!” and they mean it. Welcome to a small corner of the world where folks would die for one another, yet they don’t know each other’s real names because everyone goes by a nickname. Coral Bay will have you wondering where the conveniences are hidden. They certainly […]
Last summer I asked some friends if they would be interested in doing a bareboat charter in the British Virgin Islands. I was not surprised to find that they were interested since the BVI is one of the most popular boat charter destinations in the world! For the past 15 years, I have been lucky […]
In an age of unlimited streaming movies, music and video games, how do we convince the next generation that folk ways have value and beauty? When any product we dream of is mass produced, available and affordable, why keep oral storytelling, boat building, basketry, herb lore, woodwork and sewing alive? These questions can be answered […]
The Virgin Islands are a must visit for any self respecting foodie. If you’re visiting the islands, you’ll find endless opportunity to experience the culinary delights we have to offer. Once you’ve dined at the top local restaurants, the next thing on your agenda should be to check out some of our many fantastic food […]
