News of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Taxi drivers endorse Pond Bay

Update:  Gov. John deJongh was among 100 people who attended the official groundbreaking of the Pond Bay luxury hotel project at Chocolate Hole on Tuesday, according to the St. John Source. 

The ceremony follows almost 30 years of planning and previous failed efforts to develop the land.  Leona Smith, St. John Administrator, said Pond bay will be good for the economy.  And the Source quoted Sen. Roosevelt David saying, “The taxi drivers are in favor of it.” 

Full story: http://www.onepaper.com/stjohnvi/?v=d&i=&s=News:Local&p=1206159868

Believe me, there's been plenty of ground broken already.  Here's what it looks like.

Marketing for the 15-acre “Luxury Private Residence Club” is well underway.  There is a sales office at the Marketplace. 

Plans are for 50 three-bedroom villas and cottage, a 140-seat fine dining restaurant and a 12,000 square-foot world-renowned ESPA destination spa which will, according to promotional material "feature relaxation rooms with tropical gardens, (and) heat experiences with coral steam rooms," Vitality Pools, Body Jet Showers and Rock Saunas and a gym.

Here’s a Web site promoting Pond Bay.  It’s been on the web since last July.  Things still move slowly on St. John: http://www.foliocollection.com/#pb-intro  Islandia Real Estate is also marketing the project.

Condo owner likes Grande Bay's 'European' flavor

A few owners of the St. John's new condo development overlooking Cruz Bay have moved in and one has talked about it.  Raymond Krek says he likes the “European living” experience of being close to town, restaurants and the ferry dock. 

The trial lawyer from Wisconsin spoke about life at the waterside condominium development to Eloise Anderson, publisher of the St. John Sun Times.  About the controversy surrounding the still-unfinished project, Krek said, “If someone says they’re upset we bought here, well I’d say, ‘Let’s talk about it.’  I think we’d have more things in common than we would have differences.”

Krek said that even though the controversial Grande Bay is years behind schedule, and not exactly what he contracted for, “It was worth the wait.” Anderson’s impression of Krek’s unit: “It’s a fine view, but it’s quite small.”  (Reading the article, you get the idea it’s a one-bedroom condo.)

Another condo owner refused Anderson's interview request, “fearing negative publicity," she wrote.

West Va. bloggers on St. Thomas

Here's another Web log you might enjoy visiting:  Live de Life Living in the usvi's.

"My husband and I moved to St. Thomas from West Virginia in Jan 08. We love the island and have no regrets about making the move," says Deb on the Web site at http://livedelifeusvi.blogspot.com/.  Her husband is Captain Jay - they both love sailing.

The decision to move to St. Thomas was a quick one, after Debi snagged at job at the University of the Virgin Islands.  Here's that story: http://livedelifeusvi.blogspot.com/search/label/Intro%20Virgin%20Island%20Move. Their blog is "a rambling record for anyone that ever dreamed of giving it all up and moving to the Islands to learn from or just laugh at."

You won't find much touristy information on the site, but for a sense of what it like to jump into island living, cold turkey, it's a good read.

The cost of living

St. John  is in the middle of the ocean.  Practically everything you eat or buy has had a long boat ride from somewhere.  Basic services like electricity and telephone are produced locally, but not without time, effort, raw materials, and lots of expense. 

This month’s bill from the Water and Power Authority will give you a sense of what home owners face.  Blue Tang is a two-bedroom house.  The bill is for the last month.

No air conditioning was used. This was for a time  when we, the owners, were in residence, i.e.  We really watch the utility use. 

Bottom line: take a look at the cost per kilowatt hour:  33 cents.  Compare that with your own bill in the states.

So, now you know why the management companies urge renters to conserve electricity.