Caneel Bay Sunday

St. John Events

Tomorrow Tuesday 05/07
St. John Film Society Presents:
Spotlight on Cuba
St. John School of the Arts

From the Traveling Caribbean Showcase of Films: 7:30 PM
“Old House”
by Lester Hamlet

Esteban’s return to Cuba to visit his dying father reveals truths and valuable life lessons for his entire family.

Preceded by the short animated film:

Cuban Missile Crisis
by Luciano

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with thunderstorms and rain showers
High of 86 degrees F
Winds from the SE at 5 to 10 mph
Chance of rain 50%
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas) 90 degrees F
Sunset: 6:42

St. John Live Music Schedule

Aqua Bistro
Matt Mitruk
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
T-Bird
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Whistler and Wallace and Lockette
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Trivia Night
8:00
777-3316

Concordia
Open Mic with Ben Marr
3:30 – 5:30

Island Blues
Live Local Reggae – Bongin
4:30 – 7:30
776-6800

La Tapa
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Maho Bay Camp
Bo & Lauren
8:00

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

See Weekly Schedule

Caneel Bay photo by Jack Delano 1941

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Caneel Bay Dock 1941 photo by Jack Delano

Caneel Bay
After slavery was abolished, the agriculturally oriented Caneel Bay plantation declined and reverted to cattle grazing and subsistence farming and was eventually purchased by the West India Company of St. Thomas.

During the 1930s, the company, appreciating the natural beauty of the bay, began to operate a modest resort building three cottages, a small commissary and a narrow wooden dock, after which five additional cottages were gradually added.

In the 1940s, the Trigo brothers from Puerto Rico acquired the property and constructed four more cottages bringing the total to twelve.

During this time the resort raised cows, chickens and goats to supply meat, milk and eggs. Horses were also available for transportation to Cruz Bay and for use by resort guests.

The Trigo Brothers listed the 500-acre property, along with its seven beautiful beaches and the profitable cottage colony for $75,000.

Describing, the Caneel Bay commissary in her 1960 book, Some True Tales and Legends about Caneel Bay, Charlotte Dean Stark wrote:

“In the thirties and forties, the housekeeping cottages were for rent, all except #8, which was the manager’s cottage. Everything but food was included – electricity from the Caneel Bay Power Plant, all furnishings, and a St. John maid. Food was bought at the commissary by the maid, or by the lady if she felt like choosing her own groceries. The commissary was described by one visiting cottager as a little country store. Natives from all over the island, as well as the dozen or more cottage guests, bought there, as did the half dozen continental families then living on St. John.

“There would sometimes be as many as twenty-five people all trying to buy at once. That was a crowd in those days.”

Virgin Islands News

Archaeologists from all over the world could soon be descending on St. Thomas to explore a 2,000-year-old Pre-Columbian site found by the Department of Public Works while construction continued this week on the Rothschild Francis Square Enhancements project.

The site was discovered on Krondprindsens Gade (Main Street) between Strande and General Gades…. read more

Seaborne Airlines told customers this week that it has an “interline arrangement” with American Airlines that is part of its efforts to improve operations for connecting flights from St. Thomas and St. Croix to the mainland through Puerto Rico…. read more

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with rain showers in the morning, then clear with rain showers
High of 79 degrees F
Winds from the NNW at 10 to 15 mph shifting to the East in the afternoon
Chance of rain 30%
Sunrise: 6:47 AM AST – Sunset: 6:19 PM AST
Water temperature: 82.9 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule – Thursday February 14

Banana Deck
Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels
6:00 – 9:00
693-5055

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Erin Hart
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
James
9:00
777-3316

High Tide
Inner Vision
8:30
714-6169

Inn at Tamarind Court
To Mason & the Blues Buccaneers
7:00
776 6378

Miss Lucy’s
Jazz with Rich and Greg
6:00 – 9:00
693-5354

Morgan’s Mango
Mark Wallace
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Skinny Legs
Lauren Jones Magnie
6:00
779 4982

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

View from the Cabritte Horn Point Spur Trail

Where to Find the Best Views and Overlooks on St. John

Caneel Bay Overlook

Today we’ll talk about ocean view overlooks. Not including that fantastic view from your own house or rented villa, the easiest to enjoy are those that can be had from highway overlooks, like the Caneel Bay Overlook, pictured on the right.

The second possibility for that island panorama experience are the overlooks to be found on the many trails throughout the interior of St. John, some easy to reach, some not so easy. Check out St. John Off the Beaten Track and Pam Gaffin’s, St. John Feet Fins & Four Wheel Drive for invaluable trail and island information.

Cabritte Horn Spur Trail
The Tektite Trail is probably the most scenic of all the St. John trails. Ones you get to the top of the first rise, you’ll be treated to view after spectacular view. While you’re on the Tektite Trail, be sure and take the opportunity hike the Cabritte Horn Spur whose awesome scenic overlooks will rival even the best ones on the main trail.

New St. John Website from Hillcrest Guest House
Link to Hillcrest Guest House Webcam

St John Live Music Schedule Thursday 12/6

Banana Deck
Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels
6:00 – 9:00
693-5055

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Erin Hart
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
James
9:00
777-3316

Miss Lucy’s
Jazz with Rich and Greg
6:00 – 9:00
693-5354

Morgan’s Mango
Mark Wallace
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Chris Carsel
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

Inn at Tamarind Court
Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:00
776-110

See Weekly Schedule

Caneel Bay Terrace

The Caneel Bay Resort is a cool option if you would like to combine a day at the beach with an upscale lunch or enjoy a cocktail or two in a comfortable setting. Visitors to Caneel Bay are welcome to enjoy the main beach, but are asked to leave the lounge chairs and other hotel facilities for Caneel Bay guests. In addition, visitors will have access to the gift shop, the public restrooms, can hike the Caneel Bay trails and stroll through the restored ruins of plantation times. Visitors can also take advantage of VI Ecotours the new Beach Hut on Honeymoon Bay where they can rent beach chairs, snorkel equipment and standup paddleboards.

Note: There is a $20.00 parking fee for vehicles entering Caneel Bay, which can be used towards purchases at the Caneel Bay restaurants or at the gift shop.

St. John Live Music Schedule – Sunday 11/11

Aqua Bistro
Lauren Jones
3:30 – 6:30
776-5336

Beach Bar
Treehouse
7:00 – 10:00
777-4220

Concordia
Bo
Sunday Brunch 10:00 am

Cruz Bay Prime
Mark Wallace
7:00 – 10:00
693 -8000

High Tide
Live Music
3:00 – 6:00
714-6169

Miss Lucy’s
Samba Combo
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
693-5254

Ocean Grill
David Laab
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
T-Bird
7:00 – 10:00

Shipwreck Landing
Live Music
7:00 – 10:00

Sun Dog Cafe
David Laab
11:00 am- 2:00 pm
244-9713

Fallen flowers of the Poui tree at St. John's Caneel Bay Resort

The wood of the Poui tree (Tabebuia chrysantha) is strong and durable and is resistant to dampness, decay, fire and termites. Consequently it has been used for docks, piers, outdoor furniture, park benches and boardwalks including the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

St. John Weather

Same thing but a different nuance:

From NOAA (glass half full)
Scattered showers, mainly before noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87.

From Weather Underground (glass half empty)
Overcast with rain showers in the morning, then partly cloudy with rain showers.

St. John Live Music Schedule Saturday May 12

Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Guitarist James Milne – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00
Shipwreck Landing – Mike Miknut – 6:00 – 9:30
Skinny Legs – Chis & Mo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 779-4982
Spyglass – James Cobb – 5:00 – 8:00 – 776-1100

Weekly Schedule

Beach to Beach Power Swim 2008

The Caneel Bay Resort is offering a Dive into Relaxation Package for swimmers and spectators attending the ninth annual St. John Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park, will take place on Sunday, May 27,2012. There will be three options for swimmers: Maho Bay to Cinnamon Bay, one mile, Maho Bay to Trunk Bay, two and a quarter miles and Maho Bay to Hawksnest Bay, three and a half miles.

The Caneel Bay Resort Dive into Relaxation Package will include: 30% off room rates, breakfast for two per day, a complimentary Sunset Cocktail Cruise for two and a special welcome gift.

Overseer's House 2012

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Thursday, January 26

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Beach Bar – Get Right Band – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Jante Samuel’s Caribbean Band – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Inner Vision – 8:00-11:00 – 714-6169
Morgan Heritage Sandy Feet – Sundown Beach Lime @ Oppenheimer Beach – 3:00 – 7:00
Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel  – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304
Skinny Legs – Lauren – 6:00 – 779-4982

See this week’s live music schedule

Caneel Bay Mill Round 1960 photo by Jack Boucher

“Significance: An important remnant of an early sugar factory. The mill round, a circular, masonry platform, supported an animal-driven cane crushers, which was used to extract the juice from sugar cane. Animal-driven crushers later replaced by wind and steam-driven types.” Library of Congress

Caneel Bay Equator Restaurant 2012

Today the Equator restaurant sits atop Caneel Bay’s old mill round.

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Wednesday, January 25

Castaways – Kenny Floyd – 8:00 – 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 5:30-7:00 – 776-6944
Driftwood Dave’s – Carly Powell’s Caribbean Band – 7:00 – 10:00 – 777-4015
Sun Dog Cafe – Wednesday Night Jam – 7:30-10:00 – 244-9713

See this week’s live music schedule

Cruz Bay Dock 2012

Cruz Bay Dock 1941

Caneel Bay Dock 2012

Caneel Bay Dock 1941

St John Live Music Schedule

Beach Bar – Don Dilego Band  – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Dance Party – 11:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – Guitarist James Milne – 700 -1 0:00 – 777-4015
Morgan’s Mango – Luba – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-3304
Rhumblines – Lauren – 7:00
Shipwreck Landing – Mike Miknut  – 6:00 – 9:30

See this week’s live music schedule

Mario makes it to the top of Caneel Hill - No problem!

Want a St. John alternative to an indoor aerobic workout on a gym treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical trainer? How about a brisk hike up the Caneel Hill Trail?

The trail begins just a bit up the North Shore Road from Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay. You obtain an elevation of almost 800 feet in less than a mile making it a rather steep climb. Don’t believe the National Park informational sign at  the trailhead that reads 0.6 miles to Caneel Hill. I believe they’re referring to the distance to the Caneel Hill Spur Trail that intersects the Caneel Hill Trail about a third of the way up.

I was successful in convincing my good friend and now workout partner, Mario, to accompany me on the hike, which he resisted at first, but then thoroughly enjoyed.

Local Virgin Islands National Park Service  contractors and the trail is clear and easily passable. Swales have been constructed to manage erosion and large flat stones have been placed like stairs along the steepest areas.

Near the top of the hill is a wooden bench with a great view to the north, but about 100 yards further up at the summit is a viewing tower with one of the most magnificent vistas on St. John. Here you can cool down taking advantage of the mountaintop breezes before either continuing further on the trail which eventually leads to Caneel Bay, like us, just head back down to Cruz Bay the way we came.

One caveat, be careful of loose stones on the trail which are significantly more of a problem going down than going up.