Line for customs at the St. Thomas Airport

All the way to Baggage Claim

The afternoon line up to pass through customs inspection at the Cyril E King Airport on St. Thomas has been longer than I have ever seen it.

The line shown in the above photo began at the baggage claim area and extended to the doorway that leads to the customs area. From there it passes through the alcove where you normally fill out your customs forms and then leads into the actual customs area. Here there is a maze of four long lines defined by roped off paths, which extend the length of the room. You walk down the first line, switch back to the next, down that line switch back and so on until you are finally called to one of the customs desks and are cleared to enter the TSA area.

You’re not finished. There’s still the agricultural inspection, which is fast and easy and the security scan lines, which may not be that fast and easy.

All in all, I would say that the customs, agriculture and security people are fast and efficient, however, there’s no way that you’re going to breeze through all  in no time at all.

The message here: Give yourself plenty of time before your flight out of St. Thomas, especially in the afternoon.

St. John Music Schedule Thursday 1/19

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Samuels – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Beach Bar – Don Dilego 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’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

JetBlue takes off from Boston to U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The sights and sounds of the U.S. Virgin Islands greeted travelers at Boston’s Logan International Airport this morning as the Department of Tourism showcased VI culture in celebration of JetBlue’s first flight to the Territory from the continental U.S… read more from South Florida Caribbean News

Best national parks to visit during winter
By Elaine Porterfield , msnbc.com contributor

Lots of folks know about Yosemite’s festive lodges in the winter, the excitement of viewing buffalo in the snow at Yellowstone or alligator spotting in the Everglades. Emphasis on lots of people. But there are a number of other lesser known national parks that are gems in the winter, when crowds are down, stargazing is amazing and temperatures range from temperate to pretty terrific.

“Some of the beauty of going to any of the parks in the wintertime is that you’re not going to encounter the crowds you would in the summer or fall,” said Kurt Repanshek, editor of National Parks Traveler, a website devoted to the national parks.

Slideshow: America’s lesser-known national parks

Repanshek, who has had a lifelong passion for preserving and protecting national parks, says some of the most memorable visits he’s made to many of the parks happened in the off-season. One of his faves: Virgin Islands National Park on the island of St. John. The park includes 5,650 acres of submerged lands that protects beautiful coral gardens and seascapes… Read more

BYM Marine and Maritime News Virgin Islands 11/17/2011

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted a vessel carrying 10 bales of cocaine, weighing 709.4 pounds, near French Cap Cay this weekend.

Just past midnight Friday, a CBP maritime surveillance aircraft on patrol detected a “yola” type vessel with two outboard engines, center console, and three people on board, traveling on a northwest course without navigation lights.

The vessel was kept under constant surveillance by the CBP aircraft, observing that the vessel stopped in French Cap Cay, where two of the three individuals on board jumped in the water and swam toward the island.

They appeared to be carrying packages to shore. After they finished stashing the packages, they left the island and headed east towards the southern end of St. John ….read entire article

Benner Bay is one of the calmest anchorages on St. Thomas. Locally called the Lagoon, the bay lies within a larger one called Jersey Bay.

Vessels coming in from the open Caribbean wishing to avail themselves of the tranquility of the Lagoon must enter through Jersey Bay before accessing Benner Bay. The southernmost portion of Benner Bay, however, is separated from the open sea only by a narrow shallow reef that may not be easily seen, especially at night. Every year sailors looking into Benner Bay and possibly seeing other boats resting peacefully at anchor, make the mistake of trying to sail directly into the bay and end up on the reef.

For this reason this reef lying between Cas and Patricia Cays has been dubbed “False Entrance,” and false entrance it is.

St. John enjoyed a sort of mini farmers market this morning, beautiful fresh local produce for sale set up outside of Connections in downtown Cruz Bay. Those responsible for this phenomenon Anthony and friends, farmers and farmers helpers from Dorothia  on St. Thomas’ north side (Nordside). Anthony will be bringing his fruits and vegetable to St. John every other Friday (This week was on a Thursday because tomorrow is a holiday.

St. John Music Schedule Thursday April 21

Banana Deck - Steel Pan by Lemuel Callwood – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Castaways - Mikey P Rocks the House – 8:00 – 777-3316
High Tide - Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – T-Bird – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Miss Lucy’s -Rich & Greg – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5244
Ocean Grill - Rascio Steel Pan – 7:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304
Skinnylegs – Lauren – 6:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

See Weekly Music Schedule

Note: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Virgin Islands Cultureman: Mr. Justin Todman

Tyre Palm Brooms

Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park sponsored a tyre palm broom making exhibition with Virgin Islands culture man, Mr. Justin Todman from St. Thomas. After the demonstration, children were invited to ask questions:

“Mr. Justin,” asked one child, “what inspires you to make brooms?”

“It puts food on the table and it’s my art,” answered Mr. Justin.

St. John Music Schedule Friday March 18

Aqua Bistro – Mark Wallace – 5:30 – 8:30 – 776-5336
Beach Bar – Revisions – 9:00 – 777-4220
High Tide – John Lee – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – Mitch Woods – 3:00 – 6:00 – 776-6800
Morgan’s Mango - Lauren – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Luba – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304
Shipwreck Landing – Jimmi Prime Time Smith – 5:00 – 8:00 – 693-5640
Skinnylegs – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

St. John Blues Festival 2011

St. John Blues Festival

Date: Wednesday, March 16th through Sunday, March 20th, 2011

Main concerts: Friday, March 18, 2011 and Saturday, March 19, 2011

Location: – Coral Bay Ball Field

Opening Party

Place: Sun Dog Cafe – Mongoose Junction – Cruz Bay
Time: 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Starring: Mitch Woods & The Rocket 88s
Cost: Free

Place: The Beach Bar – Wharfside Village – Cruz Bay
Time: 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Starring: Live Blues music all evening
Cost: Free

Place: Island Blues – Coral Bay
Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Starring: James Cobb
Cost: Free

St. John Culture

Sugar Transportation - St. Jan, Danish West Indies (DWI)

Also Today
The Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture announces: Market Day featuring farmers offering fresh fruits and vegetables.
Today March 16, National Park ball field, downtown Cruz Bay from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Read Article in Virgin Islands Daily News

Tomorrow
Tyre Palm Broom Making Demonstration presented by master West Indian culture-bearer, Justin Todman of St. Thomas, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Friends of the Park Store, Mongoose Junction, Cruz Bay, St. John. Mr. Justin’s crafts will be available for sale on a limited basis.

St. John Music Schedule Wednesday March 16

Beach Bar – Cathy Braaten Band – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 777-3316
Coconut Coast Studios – St. John Flutes – 5:30 -7:00 – 776-6944
High Tide – Chris Carsel- 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – James Cobb – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Larry’s Landing – James Jams – 10:00 – 693-8802
Shipwreck – Groove Thang – 8:00 – 10:00 – 693-5640
Sun Dog Cafe – Mitch Woods – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 8340
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – David Laabs – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

Salt Island, BVI

Press Release
St. John, US Virgin Islands (USVI)

Tyre Palm Boom-Making Demonstration
Thursday March 17th (St. Patty’s Day) 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
In Front of the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park Store, Mongoose Junction Cruz Bay
Presented by: Master West Indian culture-bearer, Justin Todman of St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
Sponsored by: Friends of VI National Park.

Mr. Justin’s crafts will be available, on limited basis, at the Friends of VI National Park Store. Additionally, he has indicated his willingness to teach those interested to learn this dying art of our West Indian

Contact: Cid Hamling at Connections for potential classes
Phone: 776-6922 or email connectionsstjohn.vi

Note: Tyre Palm brooms should be of great interest to wedding planners, and those who value our culture.

St. John Music Schedule Thursday March 10

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Callwood – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Castaways – Mikey P Rocks the House – 8:00 - 777-3316
High Tide – Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 10:00  – 714-6169
Inn at Tamarind Court – Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers – 8:00 – 776 6378
Island Blues – Red Carpet Rats – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Miss Lucy’s – Rich & Greg – 6:00 – 9:00  – 693-5244
Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio Steel Pan – 7:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304
Skinny Legs – Loren – Guitar & Vocal – 6:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

St. John Music Schedule Tuesday, March 8

Beach Bar – Tom Mason & the Blue Buccaneers – 8:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Steve & Friends – 7:30 – 777-3316
High Tide – T-Bird and Kenny – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – Bo & Lauren – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Larry’s Landing – Classic Rock with John – 10:00 – 1:00 – 693-8802
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693-5640

A word of caution: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule

Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

Cruise Ship Docked at Havensight, Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas US Virgin islands (taken from helicopter)

Live Music on St. John Thursday, March 3

Banana Deck – Steel Pan by Lemuel Callwood – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5055
Beach Bar – ISH – 9:00 – 777-4220
Castaways – Spiritual Rez – 8:00 – 777-3316
High Tide – Steven Sloan – 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Miss Lucy’s – Rich & Greg – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5244
Morgan’s Mango – Mark Wallace – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio Steel Pan – 7:00 – 9:00 – 693 3304
Skinnylegs – Loren, Guitar & Vocal – 6:00 – 779-4982
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – James Cobb – 6:30 – 10:00 – 693-8802

A word of caution to my visitors: I’m doing the best I can to present an accurate music schedule, but to be sure, it would be a great idea to call the restaurant or bar beforehand to confirm.

Weekly Music Schedule