Sunday, May 6, 2012 – Crucians lined the drizzling streets with umbrellas, coffees, laughter and cheer the morning of the St. Croix Ironman 70.3! This race is the qualifier for the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. It felt as though the entire island was taking part in this annual event. Volunteers and fans alike lined the streets, side-roads, water stations and transition area to root on not only the local athletes but athletes from all over the world.

St. Croix was very excited to welcome back the world-renowned athletes from years past as well as Lance Armstrong! Armstrong decided to add this race to his training circuit to try and quality for the Kona championship. Armstrong last competed in this event on St. Croix in 1988 at the age of 16 before he his cycling career really took off. To now have him back in the game and on our island was quite a unique experience for every one. It was very exciting to see not only Lance but all of the athletes running and biking around the island the week leading up to the race.

Race day was a wet and rainy mess. It was some of the worst conditions for all of the athletes to compete in. The wet and sometimes flooded roads made for a tricky and dangerous bike portion on an already high-tech course. The weather made for a lot of flat tires and some falls throughout the course. The rain did let up at about 3 hours after the start time with patches of sunshine streaking through and lighting up the finish line.

Angela Naeth came in first for women at a course-breaking time of 4:28:12. She rode the last portion of the bike on a flat tire! She was worried about losing time so made a precarious judgment call on the course to keep riding on the rim and not lose time with changing a flat.
It served its purpose with her astounding finish! 

Overall the event went off extremely well even with the intense conditions. There was a wonderful turnout and true island spirit was felt throughout the entire race. Congratulations athletes!! Until next year on St. Croix, keep training!!

See the Caribbean Sea from a different perspective with Sea Thru Kayaks on St. Croix, Photo by Peter Frank Edwards

Lonely Planet supplies some of the most trusted and informative travel guides and travel information, and they voted the U.S. Virgin Islands as the #1 spot for travel in 2012!                                                      

Top 10 US travel destinations for 2012

With the USVI being part of U.S. territory, it makes it very simple for travelers to come and visit. If you are from the United States, your local state I.D. is all that is required. However, if you planned on visiting neighboring islands like the British Virgin Islands then you would need to have your passport as well. Of course, we hope to see travelers from ALL over the world!

Come and play in America’s paradise! We have some of the top diving spots in the entire world. The Caribbean is home to incredible under water coral and reefs as well as a plethora of interesting sea life and tropical fish. If diving isn’t your thing there are also a multitude of snorkel sites that provide a similar exciting experience.

St. Croix is also home to the Cruzan Rum Factory. Open weekly, come and take a tour of the rum factory and see how Cruzan Rum is made. At the end of the tour, feel free to take a sample taste of one of their delicious concoctions.

Between kite surfing, sailing, snorkeling, diving, jet skis, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, pool-side relaxing…and so much more, this IS the place to take your next vacation. Come join us for a truly unique experience!

St. Croix's beautiful Buck Island National Park

Newsday’s Travel section had a quick write up about the top 10 U.S. travel spots for 2012. The U.S. Virgin Islands made the top spot!

It’s not hard to image with our pristine beaches, amazing sunsets, tropical weather, some of the top dive sites in the world and fascinating cultures…just to name a few. And with all the new flight specials, like the recent availability from Jet Blue, your trip down will be even easier.

Come on down and visit paradise today, what are you waiting for!?!

Top 10 U.S. travel spots of 2012

St. John's Trunk Bay National Park

Governor de Jongh recently signed  legislation that will be a huge benefit for St Croix’s own disabled and/or elderly.

Bill No. 29-0042 created the Visitable Housing Design and Incentive Program. A property owner may apply to participate in the program and after completion and evaluation of their property will receive a Certificate of Visitability. This certificate entitles the property owner to certain property tax credits under the “visitability” standards.

Sourced from Governor de Jongh’s website, the visitability standards involve three features: a stairless entrance, a first-floor wheelchair accessible bathroom and wide entrances and doorways.

At the closing of the ceremony Governor de Jongh said, “By making adjustments to doorways, pathways, interior passages, bathrooms, floor space, curb ramps and parking areas, homeowners can take advantage of a 20 percent property tax reduction. This bill is a good thing for all the territory’s citizens (sourced from Watthey, Governor Signs Visitability Bill into Law, 11/2011).”

Lights, carols and holiday cheer filled the streets of St. Croix last night! Not only was it Art Walk Thursday but the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center’s Caribbean Bakeshop Dessert Party.

From 6pm to 8pm the event took place at Namaste Café in downtown Christiansted. There were homemade holiday cookies for sales as well as wine, chocolate coquito and additional beverages from the coffee shop. An Elf escorted you down the rows and rows of cookies as you made your selection of tasty treats to take home.

With the small entrance fee of $5 an attendee would receive complimentary and delicious snacks, a Christmas Carol concert and even a picture with Santa.

The best part, your Crucian Critters were invited! This was the one time we’ve seen more doggies on Santa’s lap then little children. It was a really fun event, had a great turn out and everything benefitted the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center. We hope to see you out at the event next year, and be sure to bring your furry four legged friends!

Is sitting by a fireplace wrapped in a blanket with hot cocoa your norm for the Holidays? Change it up with some Caribbean spice on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Now, we do still love our holiday music, lights, carols and Christmas trees, but we enjoy a beautiful palm tree in substitution of an evergreen tree!

One fun activity to enjoy on St. Croix is the annual Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, taking place this Saturday, December 10, 2011. The parade is in Christiansted Harbor and come with all the Crucians you can image flooding the docks, restaurants and their own boats moored in Christiansted Harbor to view these brightly lit vessels filled with holiday cheer. 

The event beings with a Seaborne seaplane formation fly-by just before the decorated boats begin their route. There are also many activities on the boardwalk and around town to include dancing, moko jumbies, caroling, food vendors, fireworks and much, much more. Just one of the many fabulous traditions you will experience here on St. Croix!  

The event was jam packed and the parking lot full to the brim with over 1,000 Crucians in attendance. The Governor of the Virgin Islands, the Lieutenant Governor and a few others welcomed the residents at the opening ceremony. Balloons were dropped at the opening of the doors with discount coupons. Employees of Home Depot gave out refreshments prepared by The Galleon Restaurant, dancers and Moko Jumbies entertained the crowd outside with the popping DJ while the entire store was buzzing inside.

Over 1,000 Crucians were in attendance, Photo from St. Croix Source

The store was completely stocked in each and every department. All the staff were extremely welcoming and it seemed as though the opening overall ran very smoothly. It was quite a turnout and a great event. The St. Croix Home Depot is now open and also had events running through the entire weekend with parking lot fun and prizes to be won. Come on over and check out St. Croix’s new Home Depot!

Gov. John deJongh Jr. (center) cutting the board with two Home Depot employees, Photo from St. Croix Source