7 Night Cruise Live-Blog, Part One

Heck yeah! It’s another GypsyNester flat-out, no-plans, on-the-cheap, get-on-a-mode-of-transportation-and-go live-blog!  This time we’re storming a 7 night cruise – neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, so we have no idea what we’re in for.

We asked our readers to let us know what they wanted us to report on, and we’re going to cover as much of their suggestions as humanly possible.

Make sure you check in often this week – don’t miss a… CONTINUE READING >>

Heck yeah! It’s another GypsyNester flat-out, no-plans, on-the-cheap, get-on-a-mode-of-transportation-and-go live-blog!  This time we’re storming a 7 night cruise – neither of us have ever been on a cruise before, so we have no idea what we’re in for.

We asked our readers to let us know what they wanted us to report on, and we’re going to cover as much of their suggestions as humanly possible.

Make sure you check in often this week – don’t miss a… CONTINUE READING >>

The LIAT Airlines Experience

Traveling is certainly made easier when you heed the warnings of those who have gone before you. Especially when your path winds through the tangled Second World jungle that is “island time.” Laid back charm aside, island time can sometimes make the simplest plan mind-bogglingly complex. With the hope that you may avoid a major pitfall, the GypsyNesters relay this tale:

We arrived at the LIAT Airlines counter in the St. Croix airport the proper two hours early for a 30 minute flight eagerly anticipating our whirlwind 25th anniversary trip to St. Martin. Perhaps, in hindsight, we should have seen the possibility of things going awry when… CONTINUE READING >>

Traveling is certainly made easier when you heed the warnings of those who have gone before you. Especially when your path winds through the tangled Second World jungle that is “island time.” Laid back charm aside, island time can sometimes make the simplest plan mind-bogglingly complex. With the hope that you may avoid a major pitfall, the GypsyNesters relay this tale:

We arrived at the LIAT Airlines counter in the St. Croix airport the proper two hours early for a 30 minute flight eagerly anticipating our whirlwind 25th anniversary trip to St. Martin. Perhaps, in hindsight, we should have seen the possibility of things going awry when… CONTINUE READING >>

25 in St. Martin

Jet wash on the beach in St. MartinSometimes a split personality isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the case of St. Martin, the schizophrenia can be crazy, but hey, crazy can be good. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is the smallest island in the world that is governed by dual sovereign states, divided nearly equally… CONTINUE READING >>

Jet wash on the beach in St. MartinSometimes a split personality isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In the case of St. Martin, the schizophrenia can be crazy, but hey, crazy can be good. Sint Maarten/Saint Martin is the smallest island in the world that is governed by dual sovereign states, divided nearly equally… CONTINUE READING >>

Under Sea St. Croix

Like an iceberg in the tropics, only the tip of St. Croix is visible above the surface. To truly experience what the island has to offer one must look below the water line.

We returned to the island during the holidays and from previous trips were prepared to be flexible as the Christmas Winds are usually ablowin’. These annual “Jesus Breezes” produce high seas that make the water murky and boat rides stomach churning. Patience will pay. Just wait a day or two, there is there is always perfect water weather within any week’s span.

Buck Island National Park with… CONTINUE READING >>

Like an iceberg in the tropics, only the tip of St. Croix is visible above the surface. To truly experience what the island has to offer one must look below the water line.

We returned to the island during the holidays and from previous trips were prepared to be flexible as the Christmas Winds are usually ablowin’. These annual “Jesus Breezes” produce high seas that make the water murky and boat rides stomach churning. Patience will pay. Just wait a day or two, there is there is always perfect water weather within any week’s span.

Buck Island National Park with… CONTINUE READING >>

Jump Up! St. Croix

Four times each year the people of St. Croix take to the streets of Christiansted for Jump Up, a Caribbean flavored festival showcasing music, art, food and dancing.

The town is packed with revelers on the oceanfront boardwalk and throughout the narrow, 18th century Danish streets as native and tourist alike “jump up” and celebrate all things Cruzan.

Traffic is closed to vehicles as pedestrians visit the shops, drink in the bars and streets, eat local dishes and, at every turn… CONTINUE READING >>

Four times each year the people of St. Croix take to the streets of Christiansted for Jump Up, a Caribbean flavored festival showcasing music, art, food and dancing.

The town is packed with revelers on the oceanfront boardwalk and throughout the narrow, 18th century Danish streets as native and tourist alike “jump up” and celebrate all things Cruzan.

Traffic is closed to vehicles as pedestrians visit the shops, drink in the bars and streets, eat local dishes and, at every turn… CONTINUE READING >>

Adding Aruba to Our List

We miss The Caribbean. After falling in love with the islands when we vacationed on Tobago twenty years ago, and visiting nearly a dozen other islands through the years, we ended up living on one, St. Croix, up until 2008.

Five years later, we are feeling the need for a refresher dose of island time… CONTINUE READING >>

We miss The Caribbean. After falling in love with the islands when we vacationed on Tobago twenty years ago, and visiting nearly a dozen other islands through the years, we ended up living on one, St. Croix, up until 2008.

Five years later, we are feeling the need for a refresher dose of island time… CONTINUE READING >>

Fredriksted at San Tropez

 The city of Fredriksted is an oft overlooked spot on St. Croix as it is the designated cruise ship stop on an island with a non existent cruise ship trade. Sadly, Fredriksted has suffered a terrific blow tourism-wise. This once quaint little tourist town has lovely beaches, shops, eateries and a really nice pier that is a blast to jump off of!

Restaurant Le St Tropez is a favorite is a favorite with the people that live on the island of St. Croix. Imagine a Caribbean style open air European bistro ala St. Maartin or St. Barts without the unattractive nude people frolicking about. This is the stuff… CONTINUE READING >>

 The city of Fredriksted is an oft overlooked spot on St. Croix as it is the designated cruise ship stop on an island with a non existent cruise ship trade. Sadly, Fredriksted has suffered a terrific blow tourism-wise. This once quaint little tourist town has lovely beaches, shops, eateries and a really nice pier that is a blast to jump off of!

Restaurant Le St Tropez is a favorite is a favorite with the people that live on the island of St. Croix. Imagine a Caribbean style open air European bistro ala St. Maartin or St. Barts without the unattractive nude people frolicking about. This is the stuff… CONTINUE READING >>