72 Hours ago, we had never heard of the island of St. John. And now.. it’ll be our home for 5 months this winter.
We’ve both been craving some major change. Our full time RVing around the US has become a bit.. routine. Hard to imagine that constant mobility can start to seem stationary, but it can. Don’t get us wrong – we totally love our rolling lifestyle and the amazing experiences it brings us.
We’re both experience junkies and crave new challenges. As you might recall, we’ve been exploring the idea of live aboard sailing – but the ramp up, expense and knowledge base to build up seems like too huge of a step for us right now.
So last week we were starting to look forward to what’s next after our time in San Francisco is up in mid-October. General plans were forming around heading up to Seattle, then back down south to rendezvous with friends in Quartzite.. then off to Florida for the remainder of the winer. And then Wednesday evening the e-mail came – a friend who was looking to sublet her jungle cottage on the paradise US Virgin Island of St. John, while she heroically attended to some family medical matters.
At first we thought – we can probably help her find some location independent folks who can take up this amazing opportunity. And then we looked at each other. Wait.. we’re location independent. We have no firm plans for the winter. We have a life designed to jump on these sorts of things. Wintering in the warmth of a Caribbean jungle paradise next to a bay full of sailboats?
So we looked further.
Can we take Kiki?
Can we get internet?
What is island life like?
Is there microbrew?
What would we do with our truck and RV?
By the end of the evening, we seriously had the island bug.
By Friday morning, all of the logistics had fallen into place. The island was just upgraded to WiMax (wireless 4G) that doesn’t require a contract, satellite works and AT&T & Sprint are 3G US based on the island. Connectivity would not be a major concern. Since it’s a US territory, there are no quarantines on bringing pets in, and the sublease has no pet restrictions. A quick reach out to friends confirmed two reliable options for parking the trailer. And the latest? A brewpub in St. John has the largest selection of microbrew on tap in the entire Caribbean.
Serendipity, could you be any more clear?
So, from November – March – we are locating ourselves on the Coral Bay side of the 5 x 9 mile population 5000 island of St. John – which is only accessible by ferry boat. More than half the island is national park and pristinely preserved. We’ll have an efficiency studio apartment that is a gabillion times larger than our current home, tucked away in the jungle – for cheaper than we’re paying for RV space in San Francisco. We may need to procure a 4×4 Jeep to get around – few roads are paved, hitchhiking is normal and they drive on the left hand side of the road. We’ll be able to focus deeply without much distraction on a new contract that we just signed this week as well and other projects. And, we hope to get some sailing experience under our belt to consider if that’s our next step.
We’ll get a taste of the challenges of living in a different culture, where we know no one, while still technically never leaving the US. Everything about it seems like a perfect balance for what we need in our lives next.
So – after San Francisco, we’ll drive eastward. Park the trailer somewhere, pack a suitcase, fly to St. Thomas, hop on a ferry and then sit back with a nice rum drink on our porch and enjoy our new view.
We think nomadic standard time will be a great fit for island time, mon.
THAT IS serendipity. When you are living on purpose, things just fall into place… Have fun! You are my heros!
Cheerio!
Sure wish I was going. I guess I’ll have to plan a trip there some day.
I am East of the Virgin Islands in Anguilla. Let me know if you want a place to crash in Anguilla for a visit.
Vince – I have had your site bookmarked forever, it is a thrill to know that you read our blog. Your writings have always been fascinating, and good thought fodder.
If we get anywhere close to Anguilla, you can bet we’ll look you up. I’d love to meet you.
Cheers!
– Chris
Winter in St. John? What a fabulous idea! Have a rum-rockin’ good time and we’ll miss you in Quartzite!
We are all happy dancing for you but sorry that Kiki won’t get to visit her brother and sister for their birthday. Serendipidously(sp??) my current WIP romance novel takes place down in the Carib (and HA, and South Pacific, etc–anyplace where it’s warm); so I wanna hear ALL about it *sigh*.
Read on your facebook pg. about some *ssh*le is giving you grief. Sounds like some jerk being all jealous IMO (I’m envious, but nice; me knows your ‘vacation’ in the Virgins couldn’t happen to better ppl.) Please, please keep posting of your adventures and post plenty of picatures. Much love to you both; from Leslie, Simon and Bear and all the other critters, both two and four leggeds.
Wow! How awesome and amazing! So happy for you guys! 🙂 big hugs and happy wishes for wonderful island experiences …
Hi Kids!
I don’t check in here all that often since well, I probably spend just a wee bit too much time reading blogs and other general sloth. But hey, Congratulations on some awesome plans!
My wife and I lived in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico for just over a year and made a day trip over to St. Thomas. That’s as far “east” as we managed. Saw just about every nook and cranny of P.R. We’re Canadian citizens so there was some visa something or other required for my wife’s temporary work assignment. My “temporary work assignment” was looking after her and keeping “Bob’s Bed and get yer own Breakfast”, which was just an inside family joke. (well, and my only other work was once in a while working on my tan…which I would happily point out to the customs dudes)
Um…and there was something about some negativity or something from a commenter? I think it was mentioned on Louise and Sean’s sidebar twitter thingy. Anyhoo, what’s with that?? If a person doesn’t like what they see on the internet, there’s a little box up there on the right corner you click on (well, unless it’s Ubuntu, but that’s beside the point) There’s no need to be hurtful. There’s enough crap on the net, and if it’s not to your liking… Go read a book. Or stick your fingers in your eyes and make starlight.
There, just had to get that off my chest.
Thanks for letting me share.
Best to you in your travels.
Bob.
Good for you! What a fantastic opportunity. Best of luck to you as you prepare for your adventure.
Spent considerable time on St Thomas, but know little about St, John. Will enjoy your postings from there.
This sounds absolutely Awesome. What an incredible opportunity and not too be missed. We can’t wait to read about the Technomadia adventures in a tropical paradise.
Maybe you will be sailing back next spring? 🙂
So happy for you guys!! What fun…can’t wait to follow the island adventures!
Wow! What a great opportunity!
Hope you have a great time and post info and photos on this great location!
That’s fantastic! Congrats!
I just returned from St. John (been there twice this year). Let me know if you have any questions.
You lucky dogs! Coral bay is one of the sweetest spots on the island. Also, Salt pond bay = awesome. I visited St. John for a week @ Maho bay camps years ago – that is a really cool, but small island. It doesn’t have any freshwater aquifers – that is the lacking resource there – but it has some neat places to visit and loads of island hopping opportunity if you have access to a boat.
Have fun!!!!!!!
Ummm… AWESOME! Isn’t it great to be able to jump on opportunities like that? I love having the freedom to do as I please when friends call me up or in your case… have an amazing 5-months on tropical paradise. I have a mad case of the jealousies right now.
Wow! Here’s proof that good things come to good people. I’m so happy for you.
What an AMAZING opportunity (twinge of island envy here admittedly :)). So glad you jumped on it!
That’s so awesome! St. John was my “dream island” when I was a teenager. I have since found some other Caribbean islands that I also love, but this sounds like a dream come true! I can’t wait to read all about it.
Serendipity indeed!!
The right place at the right time. Perfection.
I hope your friends family medical issues aren’t severe!
Enjoy the island life. =0)
{{hugs}}
Have a *fantastic* time! That sounds like a great adventure.
Awesome! We have good friends in St. Croix and they LOVE living in the USVI. I’m sure you’ll meet some very cool people there.
So, next question…need some company? 🙂 Sounds awesome. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
St John is absolutely stunning, and St Thomas is just a short boat ride away if you in need of some night life. Coki Beach in St Thomas has a gorgeous coral reef teeming with marine life only 50 yards off the shore.
By all means, take this golden opportuniy! Good travels to you both.
I … am … so … JEALOUS!
I approve! Sounds like a great time.
Sorry to hear you won’t be coming our way toward Seattle, but that does sound like too good an option to pass up. I can’t wait to hear your reports from the island!