US Virgin Islands News

Taming the St. Thomas airport

The only thing worse than having to leave St. John after a vacation ... is having to navigate the security and Customs lines at the St. Thomas airport.  Lines onto the sidewalk are not uncommon.  Waits of an hour or more ... sometimes in hot, hot weather ... are not unheard of. Here's how to avoid them. Hire a porter.

On a recent TripAdvisor thread, Mir214 asked "How do they work and how much do they cost?"  The simple answers are ... they work fine and the cost is about $10/person.  For that money, you get someone to help you with your bags, puts them on a dolly, and manages to wheedle you through faster than you could yourself.

"Well worth it if the lines are really bad," said Itsconnie on the TA forum. Snorkle2007 said, "The place was packed and we were able to bypass most of the lines except the security line."  StJohnMax said, "I think they charge $3 per bag.  I gladly gave the porter $26 for my two bags.  Saved me an hour." Tnkbstr55 said a porter "took us to the American self-check-in kiosk, checked us in and got baggage tags. We saved an hour of time, at least."

• TripAdvisor thread: Porters at STT

In search of a $500,000 fixer-upper

In a real estate market where two out of three homes are priced at $1 million or more, how do you get a reasonably nice house for a reasonable price?

Answer: the old fashioned way: you haggle and do a lot of repair work yourself.

That's the story House Hunters International told in their latest St. John-focused episode, To Renovate or Not.

The show followed Stan and Rob in their quest for a $500,000 house.  Their priorities: privacy, close to town, good view, and two bedrooms/two baths.

A Fish Bay house failed because it needed a lot of work, a lot! - more than even the below-budget cost of $395K would justify.  Another property near Coral Bay was just too far out, so they chose a two bedroom/two bath house with a so-so-view of Chocolate Hole.  They got it for $50K less than asking price and began spending the 'savings' on their fixer/upper.

Rob and Ken also own, and started, the St. Johnimals pet store.  The store is for sale for $95,000.

Their House Hunters International show will be aired again at 6pm eastern on May 27. 

Must see TV alert

Friday night ... 10:30pm,. EDT, HGTV

Grande Bay's Final Four

Advertorial

The developers of the Grande View Residences at Grande Bay Resort on Cruz Bay are finishing the project with a quartet of new penthouse  homes.  Called "Whole Ownership Residences," the one or two bedroom units start at $900,000. 

John Alvarado, director of sales, said the Residences "represent the best of St. John in terms of location refinement and convenience.

"The big distinction is that owners have the option to live here year round," he said.  The units can also be rented, in which case guests will be pampered with "exclusive amenities such as daily housekeeping and a complimentary in-room mini bar that is replenished daily." Whole Ownership owners also get priority access to use of the resort's power boat and Jeep.

• More information and a brochure is available here.

Where to pop the question?

Don't tell Dave A's girlfriend, but the New Yorker is planing to propose.  In a month, they'll be on the island and he's asking the St. John Travel forum for some guidance to the most romantic place on the island and the fanciest/nicest restaurant.

Ski2play2002 suggested "any beach with a westward viuew" at sunset time and then a trip to the Sugar Mill at Caneel Bay. "Absolutely loved the romance, food, and service."

54b is an outdoorsy person, suggesting Peace Hill at dusk, between Hawksnest and Trunk bays. "It has a neat windmill ruin and a large outcropping, wide panoramic views."  Ram Head Bay at dawn was also an idea. "Nothing says 'take the plunge with me' like standing on top of an overlook with 100-foot clffs on three sides."  However, 54b reminded, "it does require a three-mile round trip hike from the Salt Pond Bay parking lot."

Dreamshark from Minneapolis remined, "The tiny biting flies tend to come out at dusk.  So, if you're both dancing around and slapping no-see-ums, the romantic quality of your proposal may be affected."

After reading more of the responses, it appears Dave A and spouse-to-be will be on the water when it's Question Time.  They're staying at the Treetops villa and its co-owner Hank Slodden does sunset cruises with his New England lobster boat, Pot Luck.  Dave's asked Hank to find the perfect spot.

It’s all happening at the St. Thomas airport

The main runway is being resurfaced.

Photos via the VI Port Authority newsletter

 The $8.9 million  project began in February. The work may continue through March, 2014. It's being done betwen 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. so as not to disrupt airport operations.

The first three phases will consist of replacing apron and taxiway asphalt pavement with a 12-inch reinforced concrete pavement including under drain, marking, lighting and other associated work. The FAA will pay 90 percent of the cost. The remaining 10 percent will be funded by the Port Authority.

In addition, the road leading to the airport has recently been resurfaced by the Dept. of Public Works.

The Port Authority also spent about $52,000 to acquire a passenger boarding ramp to accommodate passengers with boarding or deplaning needs.  The BAR 35 machine provides mechanical stairs and a lift for travelers, specifically those needing wheelchair access. Airlines have to request use of the ramp for which they will be charged $100, according to the Authority’s newsletter.