If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears. -Cesare Pavese
I think the most beautiful part of travel is the enlightenment you gain from it. Of course, some can attain this spending a lovely day strolling the Louvre, in Paris. Likewise, a yoga retreat at the Maya Tulum Resort in Mexico is certainly a wonderful way to open your mind. But for me, it goes deeper. It is about getting to know the cultures and the people I have come to know in the kaleidoscope of places I have journeyed through. That has become the truest education for me.
Although idyllic in many ways, coming from such a white-bred childhood, I was always sheltered from the reality of the hardships of the world. With the exceptions of the school trip I took to Paris when I was 13, and the few trips to Bermuda with my family (not exactly Filicudi in the Aeolian Islands of Southern Italy or Surfing in Nicaragua), my view of the world was pretty narrow. But I always had that itch…. that wanderlust to keep moving and never stop, and the curiosity to understand the differences in all cultures and the desire to realize the given: our commonalities.
Gypsetgirl is a culmination of all I have learned and discovered, and all the new ideas, people, places and things I have yet to explore and embrace on those roads less traveled. In keeping, I hope to sprinkle a little fairy dust on everyone who reads my Blog along the way, and fuel that wanderlust feeling that can be found in each of us.
Buon viaggio,
Melissa
Melissa,
About to leave to St. John, USVI. Any ideas or recommendations on adventure and wardrobe?
Best to you,
Amy
Hi Amy, St. John is such a beautiful Island! I have been there many times. You are going to have an unforgettable trip! The first thing I would recommend is to use Dohm’s Water Taxi (http://www.watertaxi-vi.com ) to take you from St. Thomas to St. John. They are a good and reliable company, and they will also arrange to have a private Taxi come and assist you with your bags at baggage claim, and deliver you to the dock where you will have your own private boat whisk you away to Paradise! The public ferry is also an option, but after the stress of traveling it’s nice to not have to worry about coordinating your journey with the ferry schedule.
St. John is two-thirds national forest preserve, and that extends into the sea, so the diving and snorkeling are fantastic! Low Key Watersports ( http://www.divelowkey.com ) can organize day dives or night dives for you, as well as providing equipment rental. There is also great hiking on St. John. A nice half-day hike starts in Cinnamon Bay and takes you over the Island to Lamshire Bay.
The beaches there are breathtaking. Some of my favorites are Trunk Bay, Francis Bay, Salt Pond (on the other side of the island) and my very favorite….Gibney (more difficult to access, but well worth the effort).
If you have the time, take a boat over to the British Virgin Islands. Anchoring in the bay at Jost Van Dyke is a lot of fun. Swim in to the beach and have lunch, and a Pain Killer at the Soggy Dollar Bar. You have to swim in from the boat, hence the name….The Soggy Dollar. 😉 If you time it right, and you like to party, you can also experience one of Bomba’s Surf Shacks Full Moon parties on Tortola.
As far as wardrobe goes, all you really need is some cute après-beach sundresses, two or three bathing suits, maybe some cute wedges and flip flops. And, if you decide to hike, bring some hiking shoes along with some breathable and wicking clothing to wear. It is very humid there.
Last but not least, bring lots of sunscreen and bug spray!
I hope this helps! Have a great time!
Buon Viaggio!
GREAT BLOG !!!!! un carissimo abbraccio dall’Italia