Rum

Breadfruit: The New Spirit of St Croix

August 7, 2019 by My-StCroix.com Leave a Comment

MUTINY Island Vodka™, is the world’s first and only vodka distilled from breadfruit and is the brainchild of award-winning Chef Todd Manley. The vodka is the inaugural spirit distilled and bottled at the newly-opened Sion Farm Distillery on St. Croix.

The name of the vodka was inspired by the famous tale of the mutiny on the Royal Navy vessel HMS Bounty in 1789. You’ve likely heard of Captain Bligh and “The Mutiny on the Bounty”, but did you know that the HMS Bounty was actually on a mission to sail to Tahiti and bring back breadfruit to the West Indies?! (specifically, Jamaica)

Breadfruit a Tropical Superfood

Breadfruit is considered by many to be an untapped superfood and is a versatile tropical fruit. Widely eaten throughout the Pacific Islands where it is known as ulu, more breadfruit is produced per hectare than rice, wheat, and corn. Enjoyed locally on St Croix in West Indian and Latin cuisine, breadfruit is cultivated in 90 countries, throughout South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa.

Tropical breadfruit is an energy-rich food and an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is also naturally GMO and gluten-free. With nearly 1 billion hungry people worldwide, 80% of whom live in the tropics, the expansion of breadfruit as a viable crop is exciting. In line with their mission, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of MUTINY Island Vodka™ will be donated to the Trees That Feed Foundation to support their efforts to alleviate hunger in tropical countries.

Currently, the breadfruit that is turned into vodka is sourced from Polynesia. Breadfruit trees can be found across the Virgin Islands growing in backyards, but it hasn’t yet taken off as a commercial crop.

Sion Farm Distillery, St Croix

Sion Farm Distillery is committed to changing that and is working in conjunction with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and other non-profit organizations to provide local farmers with seedling trees and the ability to grow the crop commercially.

With a commitment to the environment, the Sion Farm Distillery is also a zero-waste facility. After distillation, 12% of the volume becomes vodka, which results in 88% waste. By incorporating only natural ingredients, 100% of the waste is reusable as “nutrient water”.

By recycling waste for agricultural use, the Distillery can then conserve water for other useful purposes. The “waste” will be used to water their own planted breadfruit trees and will be given to farmers for the cultivation of their crops. It is also a nutritious feed product for goats.

Born on St. Croix and perfected during the 2017 Hurricane season that brought us Irma and Maria, Mutiny Island Vodka™ started commercial production in a Virginia distillery in April the following year. The stateside distiller produced the original vodka until June 2019 when the new Sion Farm Distillery took over.

Now, the brand is 100% VI production, being distilled AND bottled right here on St Croix. MUTINY Island Vodka™ is the inaugural spirit of the newly-opened Sion Farm Distillery and is available in 750ml and 50ml sizes.

Originally from Virginia where he was chef/owner of multiple restaurants, Chef Todd Manley has called St Croix home since 2010. A serial entrepreneur, he owns four popular restaurants on St. Croix in downtown Christiansted: 40 Strand Eatery, Rum and Wine Bar (RAW), The Mill Boardwalk Bar and Brick Over Pizza, and Toast Diner.

St. Croix is a magical place where history, culture, and incredible people come together to create a rich experience. Mutiny Island Vodka™ started as a way for us to give back to this amazing island and its people.
~ Chef Todd Manley

Grand Opening Celebration

Grand Opening Sion Farm Distillery

Attending the Grand Opening of the distillery on August 10, 2019, will be celebrity chef, restaurateur and television personality, Sam Choy, who was raised with breadfruit as a staple ingredient in many Hawaiian dishes and is an enthusiastic supporter of MUTINY Island Vodka™.

Chef Choy has visited the island numerous times in the past bringing Aloha to the annual Taste of St Croix and participating in many of the Food & Wine Experience activities that give back to the community. In addition to Choy, Samoan celebrity and Polynesian culture-bearer, Kap Te’o-Tafiti, will also be on hand. Together, they will perform a traditional Samoan Kava Welcome Ceremony with dignitaries and invited guests enhancing the cultural exchange of breadfruit with St Croix.

MUTINY Island Vodka™ currently retails in the Virgin Islands for a recommended retail price of $25 per 750ml bottle. And just like with other locally produced spirits like Cruzan Rum & Captain Morgan Rum – you can bring up to 6 bottles per adult back with you to the United States as checked baggage at no cost to you (the USVI covers the cost!). Distribution is right around the corner for Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands with the United States soon to follow. (likely starting with Texas, Florida, and Virginia). The Sion Farm Distillery has also started production on a unique, hand-crafted rum. Additionally, they plan to expand the Island Vodka™ line with infused vodka flavors from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.

Visit the Sion Farm Distillery on your next trip to St Croix. Take a tour of the facility, learn more about breadfruit, and enjoy lunch while sampling some of their signature vodka drinks or sample a MUTINY Island Vodka™ flight. Pro-tip: Try the breadfruit salad as your side when available. It’s like potato salad 2.0, super yummy!

Sion Farm Distillery tour on St Croix — Tour the Sion Farm Distillery on St Croix

Mutiny Island breadfruit vodka distillery

breadfruit salad with grilled cheese — Gourmet Grilled Cheese on gluten-free bread with plantain chips & breadfruit salad – delish!

Hurricane Preparedness in the USVI

September 3, 2017 by My-StCroix.com Leave a Comment

Note: Updated August 25, 2019

Well, here we go again. Watching and waiting to see if Hurricane Irma will skirt us or make a direct hit on the Virgin Islands. Keeping a storm watch and weathering them is simply part of life in the tropics. Currently, Irma is still too far out to really tell if she is going to come knocking and she’s thankfully, a small storm so far. However, she’s expected to expand from the current 25-mile radius from the eye and she may get uncomfortably close to St John and St Thomas. If she continues just a little more South on her current track before turning North again, she could make a direct hit on St Croix. So – now is the time for hurricane preparedness!

Update 2019 – Irma did hit and she wasn’t small 😔 — Irma devastated St Thomas & St John as a Category 5 Hurricane on September 6, 2019; 2 weeks later on September 20th Maria hit St Croix as a Category 5 causing widespread destruction before hitting Puerto Rico. You can read more about the Irma & Maria aftermath here … After “glamping” at home for 4+ months with no power – I can tell you that I stand by the list below. I’ve added a few additions at the bottom as well.
All 3 islands are doing well now, lush and green, and are mostly recovered.

Rule of thumb: Prepare for the worst; Hope for the best

Here in the islands, the beginning of September marks the beginning of prime hurricane season. September through Mid-October are when we’ve been hit with the worst. So, whether or not there was an impending storm, it was time for me to take a good look at my hurricane kit – and it was lacking! So, I stocked up last Thursday. From the current NOAA Hurricane Center models, it was smart. Thankfully a lot of my fellow islanders have heeded the warnings as well and are shopping and preparing their homes to weather the storm. For those who are newer to the island or planning to visit, I thought I’d expand on a previous article I wrote a few years ago while waiting for another storm. You can read that here: Keep Calm and Drink Rum

Hurricane Irma as shown on Windy.com Sunday Sept 3, 2017

Watch the Weather Closely during prime season

Starting at the end of August, I start monitoring the NOAA Hurricane Center on a daily basis. The folks at NOAA are the source for a lot of the forecasts you see on the Weather Channel and in local forecasts. So, I not only look at the maps, but I read the Discussion section for each storm in the Atlantic. The site is updated on the 5s and 11s (5am; 11am; 5pm; 11pm) and as a storm is imminent they usually add 8am and 8pm forecasts. At each of these hours, a NOAA forecaster looks at the maps and reads through the data and gives a more understandable reading of them. I’ve found for several storms that their discussion has more accurately predicted the way the maps and models change. So right now, they are the driving factor for me being uber prepared for what may be the hit of a Major Hurricane. (Irma is predicted to be a Major Category 4 on the Saffir Simpson Scale as she approaches the USVI).

Additionally, I follow some helpful Facebook pages that are focused on Tropical Weather. Check out:

US Virgin Islands Tropical Weather Station
NOAA Hurricane Hunters These men and women who literally fly into the eye of the storm are Ah-mazing! They typically fly out of St Croix at this time of year, I love seeing them on the island and am quick to thank them. If you see them out in their flight suits – be sure you do too!
NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center
American Red Cross the Virgin Islands

Downloadable Weather Apps

A few of the apps that I’ve found useful and have seen friends recommend to not only follow the weather but be prepared in the event that we are hit (which is thankfully not often in my 16 years here!) are as follows:

Wunderground App – I use this app daily and find it to have the best forecasts and maps for the US Virgin Islands weather. There’s even a handy hourly rainfall predictor that I’ve found to be pretty darn accurate (which is really handy when I’m planning outdoor destination weddings!)
Windy.com – A cool app that shows wind direction, clouds, radar, etc. Gives you a really great visual of how the storm may move based on airflow. The website also has great interactive maps! www.windy.com
American Red Cross Emergency Alerts and Notifications – This is an app that I think everyone, everywhere should have! It will send you notifications based on your location (you have to turn location services on).
You should also download and save this handy guide Tropical Cyclones: A Preparedness Guide by NOAA, FEMA, and the Red Cross. It’s chock full of really excellent info no matter where you live.

What to do if you are flying into or out of the islands

Of course, St Croix and the US Virgin Islands are gorgeous places to visit year-round. And like anywhere else in the world, we can’t predict when a storm will hit more than a few days out. If you are concerned about travel plans – contact your airline directly. You may be able to change your flights just before a major storm hits. However, keep in mind that airlines are not responsible for weather-related delays or cancellations. Otherwise, they would go out of business! Often you can get re-routed just before a storm if the change is storm-related. I ALWAYS recommend travelers insurance. Particularly when you are traveling during Hurricane Season or during winter months when snowstorms can affect you. I recommend purchasing the add-on insurance when you purchase your airline tickets. You should also check your credit card terms to see if they offer weather delay or cancellation reimbursement.

Be sure to contact your destination hotel or villa to find out what their Hurricane and weather policies are. You may be able to change your dates without a penalty, but you need to check with them in advance.

A handy tip to know when flying worldwide any time of the year is that even if a delay is weather-related, airlines often have deals with local hotels for “Distressed Traveler Rates“. I’ve used this myself more times than I care to count when I’ve been delayed by weather. I’ve gotten $75/night rates at Marriot Hotels in Miami and San Juan. If you experience a weather delay – go to the nearest gate and ask for a list of Distressed Traveler Rates. Often the rate will be listed and the contact numbers and you can quickly start calling to find availability near the airport. You can also call local hotels directly and ask if they offer these rates. Be sure to call the local hotel reservation desk directly, don’t call the 800 numbers. Sometimes you can even find cheaper rates online – so if you are price conscious and feel ambitious, check those out too.

If you are delayed en route for mechanical reasons, calmly and kindly approach the desk and ask if the airline will put you up in a hotel until you can fly out. Patience and a kind smile go a long way. Remember that airline employees are often stressed during these delays too.

Back to Preparing for the Hurricane

I can’t stress enough how important hurricane preparedness is. As soon as I heard that there was potentially a big, bad storm on the way, I stocked my hurricane kit.

Here are some of the things that I make sure to have:

A good, water-proof flashlight and plenty of extra batteries
A battery-operated lantern. You don’t want to use candles during the storm. Wind can blow them out, or worse, blow them over!
Battery chargers for my iPhone and iPad
A battery-powered radio to keep informed before, during and after the storm if cell towers go down. I’m also planning to order this solar/hand-cranked NOAA radio/flashlight but it clearly won’t arrive on time for this storm 🙁
A gas grill! I picked up a great little tabletop propane stove that will work perfectly if I need to cook outside after the storm (it will be HOT inside) and it can double duty for a fun trip to the beach (where I’d much rather use it thank you)
Canned goods and non-perishable food. Things you can literally eat out of the can without cooking if needed. Beans provide plenty of protein and will last me through the winter if I don’t need them now. (I make a lot of chili!).
Stock up on boxed almond and coconut milk (or cows milk if you drink that too) as it lasts without refrigeration.
Packages of nuts, dried fruit, etc. for energy and something sweet.
Chips and comfort food to keep me ~~happy~~ calmer during the storm!
Extra pet food to last for a couple of weeks – you’ll go through it eventually anyway!
Wine, Cruzan Rum, Mixers, whatever it takes to get you through it in good spirits!!
Water, Water, Water. Here in the islands most of us have cisterns instead of basements. Cisterns collect rainwater for household use. In a bad storm, they will get contaminated with saltwater – so you need to be sure that you have plenty of fresh, drinkable water for each member of your household for several days. And don’t forget it gets hot after the storm, so have extra. I buy gallon jugs and stock my freezer full. This keeps the freezer cold longer if the power goes out. And, once it melts, it’s still drinkable. I take used jugs and fill them with tap water and stack them in my shower to use to flush the toilet, for my dogs and for washing.
I also buy additional bags of ice and stuff them into any leftover space in my freezer. This way, when the power inevitably goes out, any food I have in there has a chance. If I have any frozen food, I’ll cook that first and move anything perishable from the fridge into the freezer to act as a super cooler. Anything I know I want to access, I put into a cooler in the kitchen with a couple of frozen water jugs. This will extend the life of any perishables I have.
Trash bags. You’re going to want heavy-duty trash bags to secure your computers and electronics, important pictures and mementos, etc.
Plenty of bug spray, citronella candles, and torches, etc. After the wind and rain die down, the mosquitoes come out. In droves. ‘Nuff said.

2019 Hurricane Preparedness Additions after living through Maria

CASH MONEY! Following Maria, the island was without power. While banks did their best to get back online as soon as possible, with the curfews and few working ATMs, the lines were over an hour-long at ATMs. With limited power and even more limited internet and phone – stores were only taking cash for a week or two.
Bottles of Bleach and Rubber Gloves. Cleaning up in the aftermath of a large storm, you’ll want plenty of bleach to combat the inevitable mold that occurs from the damp tropical air. I recommend having several large bottles. Though if it’s a bad storm and there is lots of damage – you’ll likely need more.
More bug spray. I simply can’t stress that one enough!
A good first aid kit. Make sure you have plenty of alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial ointment for all of the inevitable cuts and scrapes that result from digging out of fallen trees, limbs and other debris. And make sure you are up-to-date on your Tetanus shot. There will be a huge shortage after a bad storm.
A really good, sturdy cooler. For extended periods without a working refrigerator. (I didn’t have one for 4 months since I didn’t have power)
Healthy, just-add-water, prepared meals. Especially if you have dietary restrictions like me (I’m gluten-free) or you are vegan, be sure you have lots of meal options to carry you through. It was really hard for several weeks to stay gluten-free (read IMPOSSIBLE) The MRE’s we were issued were full of sugar, carbs, and gluten. When you are already tired, stressed and hungry – you’ll eat anything. But the resulting health issues make things worse, not better. Following a storm and during recovery you NEED to be at your best health.
I really like the Good to Go camping meals! They are healthy, gluten-free and many are vegan. And they are tasty too!
Grab some good books you’ve been waiting to read. You’ll need something to distract you when the power goes out.
Download as many Netflix movies and shows onto your devices as you can. As long as your devices are powered, you’ll have some entertainment. It makes a world of difference when it’s pitch dark at 7 pm.

When a Hurricane Watch has been Issued

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. Hurricane preparedness is crucial.
This is the time to make sure that your hurricane shutters are up (or if they are easy to install, that they are ready to go). Don’t wait to find you are missing pieces or something is broken. Give yourself plenty of time and get help if you need it!
Clean up any debris in your yard and trim back trees that could affect power lines.
Secure lighter outdoor furniture and plants – bring them inside if needed. Sink outdoor furniture in your pool if you have one. It can’t fly away.
Fill up your vehicle gas tanks
Wash all your laundry – it may be while before the power comes back on.
If the power is out and you need something, card machines and ATMs may be down. Have extra cash on hand!
Check on your neighbors. Storms bring communities together. Make sure your neighbors, particularly seniors, are prepared. Once you’ve got your prep done, lend a hand where needed.

When a Hurricane Warning has been Issued

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. This is the time to make sure that all of your final preparation is completed
Make sure that all outdoor furniture and other items are properly secured or brought inside.
Put computers and electronics in heavy-duty trash bags and secure them off the floor in an interior room or closet least likely to get wet.
Plug in all of your battery backups, your phone, tablets, etc to make sure they are fully charged BEFORE the power goes out.
Put together a backpack or go-bag with the following:
- Make sure you have cash and your car keys.
- Important papers (IDs, passports, etc) in sealed ziplock bags.
- A dry set of underwear and socks into a ziplock along with a change of clothes if it will fit.
- Nuts, Trail mix, Snack bars and a bottle of water
- Medications for you and/or your pets
- Leashes for your dogs
If you have cats, make sure you have carriers handy if you need to evacuate.
Take a long shower! Again, the power could be out for an extended time. This will help you to relax a bit and you’ll be glad you did.
Be sure you have a safe place to ride out the storm and that your pets are safe and secure too!

After the Storm

Check your immediate area for storm damage and be sure to listen to the radio for updates
Check on your neighbors to see if they are ok and/or need help
If you have damage to power lines be sure to report it to WAPA (if you are in the USVI)
- WAPA Emergency or After Hours: St. Thomas/St. John 340-774-1424 | St. Croix 340-773-0150
- Report outage online: http://www.viwapa.vi/Customers/ReportAProblem.aspx

I hope this list helps you prepare for any storm no matter where you are. Be prepared and hope for the best. The most important thing is not to panic – you’ll be fine. Just be ready to camp out at home for a while. If you’re prepared, it’s just like glamping at home 😉

I know many of my fellow sur-VI-vors have other tips as well. Drop yours in the comments below!! #vistrong

7 Days in Paradise: Shaking the Winter Blues

March 20, 2015 by My-StCroix.com Leave a Comment

When you live on an island far away from your family, your friends become your island family. And their family becomes an extension of yours. So, it’s fun when they visit over time and you get to know them a little better each trip. My friend Greg’s sister, Jenni, has visited St Croix several times over the years. This February, she escaped the frigid cold and snow of Illinois and brought down her boyfriend and another couple (on their first trip), and played island tour guide… and she did a bang up job too! She was lovely enough to allow me to share HER St Croix with you to give you some ideas for your next trip.

After a long day of flying and a plane delay in San Juan we have finally arrived!

Arriving on St Croix includes a breathtaking approach over one of the island’s most beautiful beaches – Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge. A wonderful Crucian Welcome!

Day 1: The gang was smart and rented a jeep to spend their first day taking an island tour with their expert guide Jenni leading the way.

We are having such a great time! The weather has been perfect so far. Sunny and 85! Still have lots more things planned.

Day 2: Scuba Diving! First time divers can participate in a “resort course”. A couple hours of instruction on deck and working on skills in the pool leads to your first dive into water up to 40 feet deep. Decide you love it (I did!) … the dive counts as your first dive towards full PADI certification. Learn more here.

Four very excited people getting ready to scuba dive! Cory and Jamie’s first time!

Sitting on a boat relaxing…sure beats sitting in my office! Life is good!

Day 3: More island touring with an exciting twist. The group started the day touring Whim Plantation for a historical perspective of the island’s history and then headed over to the famed Cruzan Rum Factory that’s been distilling fine spirits since the 1700’s. Then, it was off to the airport for the big reveal – an aerial view of our gorgeous island. Don’t have a hook up like Jenni’s bro? No problem! Local airline Bohlke International Airways offers aerial island tours for up to 3 people.

Today will be a fun day…We will first be touring an old plantation on the island and learn a little history. Then off to tour the Cruzan Rum factory. Bring on the rum drinks! Then lastly..we have a very exciting surprise for our friends Cory & Jamie to help make their first time on an island that much more exciting!

OMG that was awesome!!!!

Day 4: North Shore Fun! After hiking down to the beautiful and remote Anally Bay Tide Pools, it was time to hit the beach at Carambola while the guys took in a shore dive. St Croix has some of the best diving in the Caribbean. I mean where else can you literally walk into the water, kick out about 300 yards and descend into the water while looking over a sea wall into the abyss 1400 ft down. Cool stuff!!

Oh just being lazy at the beach today! Doesn’t get any better!

Later that day it was time to relax and join up with the happy hour crew at Ziggy’s Island Market & Libation Station. Jenni says it best:

Only in St. Croix can you go to a gas station that is also a bar…that has a deck in the back with bag boards [corn hole] ..ocean view..goats and a sugar mill in the background! Lovin the Island Life Mon!

Day 5: A trip to St Croix simply isn’t complete without an excursion out to the Buck Island National Monument. Hop aboard one of the registered concessioners like Big Beard’s Adventure Tours for a full or half-day snorkeling trip out to one of the most beautiful reefs in the Caribbean listed in 1,000 Places to See Before You Die

Buck Island snorkel trip. One of the best parts of our trip! Water is unreal!!

Day 6: Included an afternoon stop at the famous Domino Club to sample some mamawana and play with the beer drinking pigs. Then it was off to enjoy the crystal blue waters and white sand beach at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge. This perfect West End day ended with pizza at the Lost Dog Pub.

Visited the famous beer drinking pigs at Domino’s Club in the rainforest today.

Day 7: The final day of their trip was still full of fun! A tour of the Captain Morgan Rum Factory, a little shopping in Christiansted and their final evening was capped off with a wonderful dinner and show.

Well folks…it’s our last full day on the beautiful island of St. Croix. We sure have had one hell of a trip! Can’t wait to see the kids…but are not looking forward to 9″ of snow back home!

Perfect ending to our week…Caribbean Night buffet dinner @ The Palms at Pelican Cove Resort. Moko Jumbies and Kiki and the Flaming Gypsies for entertainment! What a fun night!

Thanks Jenni for sharing your view of St Croix with your friends and with us!

Do you have some favorite places and island tips that Jenni missed on this trip? Let us know in the comments below!

The Ultimate 5 Day St Croix Experience

June 15, 2014 by My-StCroix.com 2 Comments

So, I have friends from High School coming to the island for the first time later next week. Of course, I want to show them the very best that St Croix has to offer, so I’ve put together the ultimate St Croix Itinerary to make sure they see the island, experience the culture and go back home raving and telling all their friends about what a magical place St Croix is. I’ve got five days to convince them that our little sunny island is the bomb-diggitty so here are my suggestions for the ultimate St Croix experience.

Arrival Day – relax, check in and make your way into Christiansted to the Boardwalk for harborside sunset cocktails. Then head over to one of my favorite St Croix restaurants, Savant, for a delicious dinner on the über sexy back patio under the stars.

Day 1

Rum Tours! If you’ve heard of St Croix, you’ve likely heard of Cruzan Rum – but did you know that Captain Morgan Rum is also made here on St Croix? And both plants offer cool tours and, of course, tastings! I recommend heading first to the Captain Morgan Experience Center. The tour there is about an hour and you get two drink tokens to sample the goods in the Captain’s Lounge. The Captain Morgan plant is state-of-the-art and mostly automated. The Experience Center offers a museum like walk through the history of rum, piracy and the Caribbean.

After the tour, head West on the Melvin Evan’s Highway and take a right at the second set of lights – follow that Road down to the Cruzan Rum Factory. Here, the Nelthropp Family has been (and still is) making rum since 1760! You’ll take a tour through their facility and see how their hand-crafted rums are made and learn all about the rum making process. As you wind your way through the warehouses of vats and rum aging in oaken barrels, you’ll end up at the appropriately named “Don’t Hurry” lounge. This is the perfect spot to sample the MANY flavors of Cruzan Rum and the bartenders will share with you their favorite recipes. And don’t forget to grab rum to take home! Travelers over 21 years of age can bring home 6 bottles of alcohol as long as one was made in the Virgin Islands. Price-wise, this is actually one of the best places to make your purchase and they’ll even box it up ready to check-in at the airport. Of course, you’ll want a few bottles to enjoy while you’re here too!

After learning everything there is to know about rum, take a ride up into the “rainforest” to the world-famous Domino Club to visit the “beer-drinking pigs” and the much loved owner, Norma. It’s the worth the trip just to sample some of her mamawana which is a secret recipe of rum and spices that’s carefully aged. Sip it, shoot it or have it in a mixed drink … I love the “Mama Rosa” which is mamawana and ruby red grapefruit juice. Refreshing!

Following the Domino Club, come down the hill and head west to one of the Frederiksted Beach Bars which is the perfect spot to lime for the rest of the day and watch the sunset into the Caribbean sea. If you’re lucky, you may even catch the fabled “green flash”.

Day 2

Sleep in. Now that you’ve been properly indoctrinated into the rum culture here on St Croix, it’s time to hit the beach. Grab some snorkel gear and head out to the North Shore of St Croix and hit Cane Bay Beach. This popular beach is not only an awesome place to get in some excellent offshore snorkeling but it’s also the place to see the world famous Cane Bay Wall.

If you’re a certified diver, you can grab tanks and head out on a spectacular and easy shore dive that will have you peering over the underwater cliff into the abyss. Over the side of the wall you’ll often encounter sea turtles, schools and schools of bright tropical fish and the occasional reef shark looking to see if anyone has a lionfish treat for them. If you’d prefer to stay on top of the water, you can walk across the street and rent a kayak from our friends at Virgin Kayak. While you’re there, check out Jill & Bryan’s pre-Columbian art gallery and their eco-camp! And don’t forget to sign up for one of their Salt River Kayak Tours.

After a late morning/early afternoon of beach time, walk across the street and grab lunch from eat@canebay. This funky little beach bar has some of the best food on the North Shore and a fantastic array of fruity, frosty cocktails – not to mention a killer wine list.

If you’re up for some more activity following lunch, take a hike down to the Annaly Bay Tide Pools – there’s a trail from the Carambola Beach Resort public parking lot. The hike takes roughly an hour in and an hour out. You’ll go up and down a hill each way. It’s not a killer hike, but is a moderate one. So be sure to bring a backpack with water and wear sneakers or tevas. Once you are down to the beach landing, you’ll climb over some rocks to get into the pools – so flip flops aren’t recommended. Be sure to make your way back at least an hour and a half before sunset to ensure you have plenty of light on your way back.

Head back to your accommodations later in the afternoon to wash off the salt and sand and then treat yourself to a relaxing evening at one of Christiansted’s finer restaurants. St Croix has become a beacon on the culinary map developing some super start chefs. Each April the island boasts a week of food-centric events, seminars and competitions with the St Croix Food & Wine Experience. It also attracts some renowned chefs from across the country who share their talents and passion for the art of eating.

Day 3

Head out to the Eastern most point in the United States. If you’re an early riser, you can even try to catch the sunrise and be the first peeps in the US to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. From there you’ll see a little parking area and the entrance to the hiking trail down to Jacks & Isaacs Beach. This pristine white sand beach is surrounded by reef and coral heads and so has some of the best snorkeling on the island. There are no facilities so you’ll want to bring down a backpack with water, snacks, etc. to make a day of it. And don’t forget sunscreen!! I recommend bringing and wearing a rash guard to protect your back while snorkeling too. You can read about our fun family day a few years back at Jacks & Isaacs.

Beautiful Jack's & Isaac's Bay — Beautiful Jack’s & Isaac’s Bay

Following the day exploring the beach – stop by Ziggy’s Libation station on your way back. This fun little gas station/bar/deli is a popular happy hour spot for locals. Take a break and play corn-hole or if you’re there at the right time, sign up for one of their famous “Dinners on the Deck” by the uber talented Chef Aaron.

The Libation Station at Ziggy's — The Libation Station at Ziggy’s

Day 4

You’ve explored both ends of St Croix and honed your snorkeling skills, so now it’s time to head out to Buck Island Reef National Monument! Book a full day or a half-day trip out to this little gem that sits 2 miles off of St Croix’s North/East coast. In the 60’s this was a favorite spot of the Kennedy’s and so President John F. Kennedy designated it a National Monument to preserve it. Nowadays it’s managed by the National Parks and this uninhabited island is actually less than 1/3 of the park – the rest is below sea level. To get there you must book your trip with one of the official concessioners licensed to take guests out to Buck Island. Tour operators will supply you with snorkel gear (unless you have your own to bring along) and instruction for newbies. You’ll spend about an hour or so exploring the underwater trail and reef on the east side of the island. This spot has some of the most diverse schools of fish and marine life in the Caribbean and is featured in 1,000 Places To See Before You Die – so don’t miss it! Full day trips on Big Beard’s Adventure Tours include a beach barbeque on a secluded beach back on St Croix just across from Buck Island.

Big Beard Adventure Tours Buck Island MJS Visions — Big Beard’s Adventure at Buck Island. Photo by www.mjsvisions.com

Day 5

Spend the morning in historic downtown Christiansted to get in a little shopping and explore St Croix’s history. This 18th Century Danish colonial town was once the capital of the Danish West Indies and is a beautiful example of neoclassic Danish architecture. The town itself is on the National Register of Historic places. Take a self-guided walking tour through the Christiansted historic district starting at Fort Christianvaern. Here you’ll find the National Park Service office and can pick up a map that will lead you to historic points of interest following your exploration of the fort. Throughout the district you’ll find shops that house local artisans and jewelers – you simply MUST bring home a St Croix bracelet, all the cool kids where them. For true. You’ll find plenty of treasures to bring home to friends and family and to remind you of your St Croix experience.

In the afternoon, wrap up your St Croix adventure with a magical riding tour with Cruzan Cowgirls Horse Riding Tours. Most rides head out from Rainbow Beach in Frederiksted. You’ll explore the beach and the rainforest while riding horses who have been lovingly rescued and rehabilitated by Jennifer and her family. Read more here! After your ride you can catch one more West End sunset with a cocktail and reminisce about your week.

There are SO MANY things to do that I didn’t get to in this itinerary, but it’s a great first introduction to the island – so you’ll just have to plan another St Croix vacation to get to everything! Ready to explore? Plan your trip here.

And be sure to check out our St Croix Events Calendar to plan your time around some of our exciting island events.

Do you have a favorite St Croix excursion or tour? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below ↓

A Taste of Christmas Island: Coquito

December 21, 2013 by My-StCroix.com 2 Comments

There’s nothing like Christmas Island, St Croix, for the holidays – but even that doesn’t replace time with the family so I’ve headed home to New England for a pre-Christmas visit. I’m not a fan of the cold – AT ALL, that’s why I live in the tropics – but I do love the picturesque, snowy scenery out the window of my childhood home. Especially when cozied up by the fire.

However, even with all of the hometown comforts, the islands are never far from my heart. So, I decided to share a bit of Christmas Island with family and friends at my Mother’s annual Holiday Open House… Coquito!

Coquito is the Puerto Rican version of eggnog and a staple of St Croix Christmas celebrations thanks to the large Puerto Rican population on the island. Coquito (“little coconut” en Espangnol) is actually fairly easy to make and you’ll find many variants on the basic recipe. Of course, being a Caribbean beverage, one of the main ingredients is rum! It’s typically served chilled, straight up in a glass or over ice, but you can also use it to flavor your coffee, in custards and to top ice cream.

I’m a pinch of this, dash of that gal who goes loosely by recipes and more by taste – so no two batches of mine are exactly alike. Feel free to take this basic recipe and tweak it to your taste.

Christmas Island Coquito:

– 1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
– 1 Can of Evaporated Milk
– 1 to 1 1/2 cans of Coconut Milk (I prefer Goya)
– 1 tsp. Cinnamon
– 1 tsp. Nutmeg
– Cruzan Rum: Here’s where I really do a dash of this or that. Today’s batch – super yummy – was a 6-count of Cruzan 9 spiced Rum, a splash of Cruzan Vanilla Rum (I needed to empty the bottle to use it) and then I filled the empty can of Condensed Milk with Cruzan Coconut Rum to measure it out.
– Pour all ingredients into a blender, cover and blend until frothy. A minute or so.
– Pour the mixture into an empty rum bottle and chill for at least an hour. You will likely have a little more than a bottle of rum… So if you have an empty jar or pint bottle use that to store it… Or just drink it right away 🙂

I hope you enjoy this little taste of Christmas Island as much as I do! And if you’re on St Croix during the holidays, don’t forget to head out to the LaReine Chicken Shack for their annual Coquito Festival where you’ll get to sample lots of variations and enjoy their world famous rotisserie chicken too.

Happy Holidays!

12 Holiday Gift Ideas from Christmas Island

December 3, 2013 by My-StCroix.com 1 Comment

Once again this year, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things! Twelve to be exact. And each one has been created or at least imagined here on St Croix aka Christmas Island. We always recommend shopping local and shopping small on St Croix – but you can’t always be here. So, below are some of my favorite St Croix things and places to buy them online so that you too can share a piece of the islands mon.

My-StCroix.com Gift Shop
We’ve got lots of great gear and gifts for the St Croix enthusiast with new items always being added. Supporting the Gift Shop helps us to keep bringing you all the great info, events and “where to” guides found on our My-StCroix.com website and Facebook Page. Our Zazzle Store has also got daily sales thru Christmas and shipping is fast to get to you in time for the holidays. So, what are you waiting for?! Grab a t-shirt, mouse pad or coffee mug and show the world… I ♥ St Croix

St. Croix Food & Wine Experience: A Culinary Guide to the Island Featuring More Than 100 Recipes from Island and Celebrity Chefs

I just love this cookbook and have one in my kitchen. You’ll find recipes for everything from apps to main dishes to desserts and even cocktails (of course featuring Cruzan Rum™) from some of St Croix’s favorite restaurants and their popular chefs. This is the ultimate gift for the St Croix culinary groupie. Pair it with a bottle of Cruzan Rum and a bottle of Miss Anna’s hot sauce for the perfect gift (see below)!

Miss Anna’s Hot Sauce

If you’ve been out to eat just about anywhere on St Croix, you’ve likely come across Miss Anna’s Hot Sauce on the table. This unique blend of curry, garlic, habanero and spices was originally created by the famed Miss Anna’s grandfather on St. Lucia over 100 years ago as a condiment for his fish. Years later when Miss Anna moved to St Croix with the family-recipe, her hand-crafted hot sauce became an island staple. Today, you can find it in most grocery stores and restaurants in the USVI and I’ve even found it on shelves in Maine! (see picture). This is a great little gift to add to gift baskets for the holidays or as a stocking stuffer for any island enthusiast.

Order online: www.missannashotsauce.com

St Croix Snorkeling Guide
This inexpensive little book is a fun beginner’s guide to snorkeling spots on St Croix. Makes an excellent stocking stuffer or gift for someone planning a trip under the waves of St Croix. Pair it with a gift certificate from St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures for snorkel gear or Dive lessons and you have the perfect water-lover’s gift!

Christmas Island

Jimmy Buffet may have wrote this in the Florida Keys, but I’m sure he was thinking of the real Christmas Island… St Croix! Our little island in the sun is one of the most festive holiday places I’ve known with the yearly day-after Thanksgiving Jump Up, Christmas Boat Parade, Crucian Christmas Carnival and Three Kings Parade. Download this fun, island-y Christmas Album and you’re sure to get into the Crucian Christmas Spirit!

Cruzan Rum!

With almost 20 different flavors and proofs to choose from, you can’t go wrong with a little taste of this island spirit (pun totally intended, I just couldn’t help myself). Cruzan Rum has been distilled on St Croix by the Nelthropp Family since 1760 (and they are still running the Cruzan Rum Factory so be sure to take a Tour while on St Croix). Pick up a bottle of your favorite flavor or the Aged Single Barrel as a hostess gift when you’re heading out to the next holiday party.

Find out where to Buy Cruzan Rum in your Locale

ib Design – Share the love!

ib Design is one of the most popular jewelry stores on St Croix and for good reason. They make handcrafted “feel good” jewelry. You’ll often find artisan Whealon Massicott working in their quaint shop in Christiansted and his wife Kris helping excited customers make the perfect choice.

Order online: www.ibdesignsvi.com

Experience the islands with Itiba

If you want to know what the island smells and feels like, shop Itiba. Simply the most decadent scents in soaps, body oils, body butters and more – all made with 100% natural goodness and made locally here on St Croix. Owner Yoki Hanley has recently opened her new shop in Frederiksted so be sure to stop by when you’re here. Your senses will thank you. Tip: My favorite is the Carib Lime which is an invigorating unisex scent that not only gets me going in the morning but just leaving it in the shower makes my entire bathroom smell like a spa!

Order online: www.itibabeauty.com
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Keep Calm and Drink Rum

August 22, 2012 by My-StCroix.com Leave a Comment

Tropical Storms and Hurricanes are a part of life in the islands. They aren’t something to be particularly fearful of and most often they aren’t much more than an inconvenience. However, they should be taken seriously and preparing ahead can avoid a lot of stress and frustration. Here are a few of my tips for preparing for hurricanes in the Virgin Islands:

Stay tuned. Monitor the weather forecast during hurricane season and particularly when impending storms are announced. The weather conditions can change quickly!

I like to monitor the National Hurricane Center. They update the forecast at 8, 5 and 11 (am and pm) and as storms intensify and approach land they often add a 2am/pm update. This is the source that most other weather services use to create their reports. And we are certainly blessed on St Croix to have the NOAA Hurricane Hunters use our island as their Caribbean base… so when we see those super brave souls in their flight suits, we know there’s a storm brewing.
WeatherUnderground.com is my favorite source for daily and extended weather forecasts, radar and they also have great storm maps that are easy to read.

Click for weather forecast

Stay in touch. When storms are about to hit the islands, WAPA (our Water and Power Authority) turns off power for safety purposes. So power outages are inevitable. Have a battery operated radio to get updates and keep you company during the storm – and be sure to pick up fresh batteries for it and your flashlights. Be sure to fully charge your cell phones, laptops and iPads prior to the start of the storm. While you’re at it, download a few movies onto your laptop or iPad to keep you occupied when the power goes out. Or like me enjoy your time “unplugged” and grab that book you’ve been dying to read.
Be prepared. Have propane for your grill or lighters for your gas stoves. Think of the days without power as “camping” in the comfort of your own home. Stock your pantry with enough non-perishable and canned food for you and your family for several days. (And don’t forget a hand-operated can opener). Have enough water for each family member for 3-7 days. I keep my French Press handy so that even when the power goes out, I can still enjoy a nice cuppa Joe. It’s the little things…

French-Press — My tea kettle and French Press keep me happy.

Unplug. As soon as the power goes out (or if there has been an announced time that the power will be turned off) I completely unplug all major appliances including my fans, TV and computer battery backup system. I leave one light on in my bathroom so that when the power finally comes back on, I’m aware. Of course, if you have a reliable generator to power your home, you may not need to take this step. But, I find it has saved a lot of my electronics from power surges.
Keep your cool.I always pack my freezer with as many gallons of water as I can fit ahead of the storm. These freeze solid and help to keep my freezer cool longer when the power goes out. A couple hours after the power goes out, I put anything in the refrigerator that I need to keep cool (like mayonnaise or yogurt) in the freezer and use it as a super cooler. If I have a lot of food, I pack an actual cooler using one of the frozen water jugs. By keeping the freezer closed and putting things I want to eat in the cooler for easy access, I have a better chance of preventing spoilage over a few days. And when the ice melts, its still usable drinking water.
Frozen water jugs keep essential food cold longer when the power goes out.
Love your Pets. Don’t leave them outside in the storm. Remember that many pets, particularly dogs, can experience severe anxiety due to thunder. We see many pets get lost after storms because they were frightened and left outside. Be sure your pet has tags with your contact information and a microchip as a precaution. But, bring pets inside where they can be safe from the elements. Dogs feel secure in cozy, den-like places under tables or in kennels. Be sure they have plenty of water. If your dog experiences anxiety from thunder and loud noises, consider a Thundershirt for Dog Anxiety Treatment it has worked wonders for my dog!
Keep Calm and Drink Rum! Once you’ve got your property secured and your supplies in place sit back, relax and soothe your nerves with a nice cocktail. Gather your friends together in a safe place and have a hurricane party. That’s half the fun!