safety

Sometimes when we are some place else we look for trouble where we are going.

I read the Avis and Daily News every day. I can't remember any unusual news about stuff happening in La Grande Princesse recently. Just yesterday we stopped for a late lunch at H20 at Hibiscus. We had forgotten what a nice place it is. We enjoyed the "Cormorant Show". That is...the huge birds floating into the wind and diving at full speed into the water to get their lunch.

I would much rather be at the Hibiscus than the Sand Castle in terms of safety and security. I am sure that your family can safely use the beach in front of the hotel as well as the neighboring Cormorant hotel (now the Palms) and the Pelican Cove Condos.

Thank you for the positive feedback. The crimes were reported in Daily News this past week. I read them on their Web sight.

Beatrice

Unfortunately I have read that there have been several daytime robberies on the beach you mentioned. It appears they are being committed by two teenaged boys. There have not been any reports that they have been apprehended, but that doesn't always make the papers. You might want to check with the staff at the hotel, but I'm not sure what they will tell you either. I still would choose Hibiscus over Sand Castles.

I, too, read of these armed robberies -- there were two on the beach and another that was, it is believed, performed by the ame two youth (estimated as being no older that 15!) The article in question seemed to be deliberately written to pander to fearmongering, proclaiming that these youth were "deliberately targeting older white people." It bordered on tabloid reporting, imo -- puhleeze.

Please do not let this deter you from coming to your new life on STX with nothing but excitement and confidence. stxer offers words to live by.

I am not familiar with the Hibiscus beyond what I've heard from others (all positive), but I am a huge fan on SandCastle. The SandCastle owners and staff gave us the most personal service we could have asked for when we lived there before closing on our house, including greeting us at our car with cold beverages in hand. (A bonus is that their groundman is a living encyclopedia of tropical foilage and takes great pleasure in sharing the fruits that grow on the property with the guests.) Others have spoken just as highly of the Hibiscus, so I don't think you'll be anything but happy wherever you make your short-term home.

So put away your worries (but not your common sense) and come start your new life as islanders. I can tell you that you've got lots of friendly new neighbors who are eager to welcome you and help make your transition go as smoothly as possible.

--HC

we stayed at the hibiscus beach last feb LOVED IT you wont be sorry enjoy your stay

HipCrip,

It was refreshing to hear from you. Maybe we will meet one day. My wife and I stayed at the Sand Castle while on our PMV and you are so right. Robert is the groundskeeper you speak of and he was great. He helped me change a flat tire at the hotel. He had a real jack and everything. The hospitality was so personalized we felt like we knew Simone and the rest of the staff for years. We basically chose the Hibiscus because it's only a few minutes from where my office is. Thanks again.

Darren

I also hate the tabloid, "flavor of the week", journalism that the only purpose is to sell papers. BUT at the same time, the news coverage makes other beachgoers aware, hopefully puts the heavy on the VIPD, and hopefully the two school-skipping delinquints will read a paper and realize the police are looking for them.

Unfortunately, crime follows the path of least resistance and they'll find another area to pillage.

Contradicting myself somewhat, I wish the VI News was not available on-line. Newspapers prey on emotions and fear sells, but it also repels. It repels the causal tourist from visiting because they only read crime. At home there's a reason why they don't read about armed robberies, it's because the local paper has only so much space to report all the murders, rapes, molesters, etc., let alone lesser crimes. The internet has made the USVI one's border state not some exotic local. People go vacations to escape reality. They don't want to go to a different but same reality.

The nightly news always has a feel good story, why can't the VI News put paradise into words. Give the internet-info junkie something to fantasize about.

I'll never forget the time my wife and I drove our rental Jeep, top down, from the Divi to Schooner Bay Sunday morning to pick up a carryout breakfast. On the way back we were practically the only car on the road and the radio was playing 1940's music - Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald "You Say Tomato" and Dooley Wilson "As Time Goes By". Locals are used to it but as a tourist to go from a cold, traffic congested, rude, self-centered city to feel like you've gone back to a simpler time is something that won't sell papers but it sure sells the USVI.

I wonder if tourists' visions of paradise stays intact for other islands, the ones who don't have online papers?

Ted

P.S. Years ago, picking up the STX/STT This Week (aka Pink Book) at the airport was like finding the Sears Christmas Catalog in your mailbox. "What's new? What's changed since the last time I was here?" Being able to see it online every month is like your parents telling you what your presents are and where they are hidden.

I agree with Ted (but then, I usually do!). There is far too much of an emphasis on crime and corruption in the VI Daily News. Not to say it's not true, but it's not "fair and balanced" with the other, more positive stories (which are also true).

I stopped reading the "pink book" on-line for exactly the reasons Ted cites, but I do refer newbies to it.

Ted, I sent you a Private Message because I can't get through via e-mail.

We live in Colony Cove - not too far from Hibiscus. Yes, there was an armed robbery in that area there last Thursday, during the day, on the beach. However, east of The Cormorant and Hibiscus there is a stretch of isolated beach. My impression from the article was it was at this east end of the hotels, closer to that stretch, that the robbery occurred. We have kayaked down that way and it is very isolated. But we have seen single women sunning there. The beaches here are public so anyone can walk along the beach-at any hotel/condo, etc.
We have security on our beach which makes me feel safe, and its a busier beach because its next to Sugar beach and Club St Croix.
Your wife and child will be fine if they just practice normal common sense. Don't isolate themselves on the beach, or stroll off where no one else is, etc.
According to the article, the robbers walked the person back to their 'bungalow' and then went inside! I can't believe the person didn't walk to a bungalow near the office and scream for help.