A brand new webcam just popped up on island, and I think you’re all going to love it!
Villa Circe is a beautiful six-bedroom villa located high atop a ridge in Coral Bay. This vacation rental has an incredible panoramic view, and the owners want to share that view with all of you! The webcam faces north, and shows views of Jost Van Dyke, Tortola, the Sir Francis Drake Channel and other smaller islands.
What I really love about this webcam is that you can watch the boats in real time travel over to the British Virgin Islands. Check it out:
Note from Jenn: All content from IslandTidbits.com has been moved here to ExploreSTJ.com. Rather than maintain two entities, I have decided to merge the two. Please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ExploreSTJ and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ExploreSTJ.
Andy is an owner of The Windmill Bar & also The Upstairs.
Hello everyone, and happy Friday! I have an incredible story to share with you all today.
Andy Peter has lived here on St. John since 2013. He moved to the island straight from Iraq where he worked as a private contractor with the State Department. He was a paramedic for years, but opted for a different career once he moved to the island. For those of you who’ve been visiting us for quite some time, you may recognize him from his early days when he bartended over at The Beach Bar.
Enter September 6th, 2017 – the day Hurricane Irma ravaged the island.
The storm hit us on a Wednesday. For the first couple of days, no relief workers arrived on island. We saw helicopters swirling above, but it wasn’t until Sunday, to my recollection, that the relief workers actually arrived on the ground.
I remember walking in Cruz Bay right near Connections when I first saw a couple of men with D.I.R.T emblazoned across their backs. The Dirt team, as we came to know them, was part of Help.NGO, an international team that specializes in emergency response among other things. They became a crucial part of our early relief efforts, helping with search and rescue, and telecommunications. They were the reason, according to Andy, why we were able to get those all important text messages out during the early days post-storm.
Recognizing the importance of this team coupled with his background, Andy decided to join Dirt. He worked with them on St. John for the next year-and-a-half.
Since then, Help.NGO has called on Andy to assist with efforts in other countries that need needed help. He’s gone to Ethiopia, Madagascar, Bolivia, Mozambique, Haiti, El Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia over the years. He deployed to the Bahamas in 2019 to help with the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.
Andy in BoliviaAndy in northern Mozambique.
Andy received a pretty casual text message last week asking him what he’s up to. He’s a pretty busy guy being an owner of both The Windmill Bar and The Upstairs in Cruz Bay. However, Help.NGO needed his assistance in Turkey, and Andy immediately said yes.
Andy started his 30-hour journey this past Wednesday and has since arrived safely in Adana, Turkey. He is currently assisting with high-resolution drone mapping, which will be used in the earthquake search and recovery operations. Andy plans to return to St. John in early March.
I met Andy at The Upstairs earlier this week to chat about his upcoming trip. A few hours later, he sent me this text:
“Been thinking about our talk,” Andy wrote. “I’m not lost on the fact of the places I’ve gone and the things I’ve done. It comes down to a very simple thing for me. It’s just what I do. This stuff is normal. It’s not for many, and it shouldn’t be. But it is for me.”
I’m not sure how to end this post other than to say thank you. And kudos to you Andy for being a good human being who thrives off of helping others. We appreciate you.
Who wants to watch the Super Bowl on the beach? Well if you’re lucky enough to be in St. John this weekend, you can!
The Beach Bar is planning to put not one, but two screens directly on Cruz Bay beach for Sunday’s big game. They will have one large inflatable down on the sand and a second projection screen on the beach stage. They have four televisions inside the bar, so you will be able to see the game from every single barstool. They’re having a lot of drink specials too, including a bucket of Bud Lights (five beers) for just $15.
There are so many spots to watch this game this Sunday throughout the island. Here’s a quick rundown of some other options. (Please contact the business for exact details.)
The Tap Room – They have several TVs behind the bar, plus they make beer, so that pretty much goes hand-in-hand with the Super Bowl, right?
Greengo’s – Another spot with a ton of TVs behind the bar. This will be another happening spot.
The Windmill Bar – They are offering reserved seating, although purchasing one is not required to attend. They have TVs behind the bar and will have a large projector screen set up too. Another great spot for the Super Bowl with a view!
Cafe Roma – They have a brand new television behind the bar & are offering food & drink specials.
Lovango Rum Bar – They’re holding a ticketed event that includes a buffet and reserved seating.
Drink – They’re having a Ladies Night event with drink specials too!
High Tide – They have two TVs at the bar.
Quiet Mon Pub – They have TVs behind the bar.
Inn at Tamarind Court – I hear there is a little potluck party happening here.
Cruz Bay Landing – There is one TV behind the bar.
Skinny Legs – They are holding a ticketed event too, which has already sold out.
Want to watch some live images of how we Super Bowl here on St. John? Click here to check out our webcam page and see live images from the Beach Bar, The Windmill Bar & more!
See beautiful sights. Go off the beaten path. Explore the island’s rich history. Or perhaps check out a tiki bar or two. Book your Explore STJ island tour today!
I have a great little tidbit to share with you all today! The United States Virgin Islands’ Department of Tourism is giving away a free vacation, and it costs absolutely nothing to enter to win.
The USVI wants you to “Experience the U.S. Virgin Islands like a Sports Illustrated Model.” That’s their verbiage, not mine. 🙂 St. Thomas and St. Croix were featured in the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, which was released last spring, and now they want to share that experience with one lucky winner.
How is this Free?
This is a sweepstakes, not a raffle, so it costs nothing to enter. You simply have to fill out an online form and agree to receive future communications from the USVI’s Department of Tourism.
What You Can Win
One winner will receive the opportunity to travel on the itinerary of the 2022 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition models. (The sweepstakes does not specify the actual itinerary.) This prize includes a five 5-day/4-night trip for one winner and his/her travel companion to either St. John, St. Thomas or St. Croix. The winner can choose their preferred location.
A photographer will also be on-hand to capture content while in the destination, hence the Sports Illustrated Model tie-in. The prize includes round trip economy air transportation for the winner and his/her travel companion from major airport nearest winner’s home, hotel accommodations (based on double occupancy), and other sponsor-selected transfers, excursions and some meals in sponsor’s sole discretion. The prize is value at roughly $15,000.
When Can You Travel
The prize will be awarded as a travel voucher, which must be redeemed by Dec. 31, 2023. Travel must be completed by Dec. 31, 2024 and booking must be made at least three months prior to the departure date.
You can enter to win through 11:59 p.m. ET on February 13th. The winner will be chosen on February 14th.
It’s that easy, folks! Now go ahead and enter. Good luck!
Here is the legal information that we are required to share:
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to enter the sweepstakes. Open only to legal residents of the 48 continental U.S. and DC, who are 18 years of age or older. Void where prohibited. The Sweepstakes starts 12:00 am ET on 1/16/23 & ends 11:59 pm ET on 2/13/23. Sponsored by United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism. For Official Rules, visit www.visitusvi.com.
Well folks, I have some not-so-amazing news to start the week with. Coral Bay Fresh Market closed late last week. According to their online announcement, it was due to financial issues.
Coral Bay Fresh Market was a great little grocery store that also served as the home of Homemade Meals To Go. It was located in the Isola Shoppes complex in Coral Bay, the same spot where Salty Mongoose, Jolly Dog and Surf Club Cantina are. Sadly, the market had only been open a few months. It listed for sale following the announcement. Here are the details straight from the MLS:
Turnkey space including fixtures and equipment. Has a kitchen, coolers, shelving etc. Over $500,000 in existing leasehold improvements. Could be a great location for a deli, market, meals to go, etc. New tenant must verify sq ft of the space. Contingent upon landlord approval. Lease is triple net.
