usvi destination video transcript · a lot of them do. i definitely recommend a massage while...
TRANSCRIPT
1
(:32)
VO: My trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands was amazing. It was just two-and-a-half hours from Miami,
which gave me just enough time to start on my book and catch a quick nap. That was a
good thing, because between St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, there were tons of things
to do. Island hopping from one to the next was part of the fun. It’s just a quick 20-minute
flight from St. Croix to St. Thomas. And just 15 minutes on the ferry from St. Thomas to
St. John. Each island has its own unique vibe. You kind of have to see them all.
(:18)
VO: Getting around the islands was easy too – and gorgeous. I loved the open air taxis. It’s too
beautiful outside to be closed in a minute longer than you have to be. And you can always
rent a car, or a scooter. Just remember to drive on the left side of the road.
(:17)
VO: I saw so many beautiful sights, I can’t even begin to tell you about them all. Scenic trails.
Idyllic cottages. Ecotours. I even saw a couple getting married on the beach. So romantic.
Honeymoons would be perfect there.
(:30)
VO: Let’s face it. You go to the Caribbean for beautiful beaches. And the U.S. Virgin Islands
didn’t let me down. There are 44 beaches on St. Thomas alone, 24 on St. Croix and at least
19 on St. John. Magens Bay on St. Thomas and Trunk Bay on St. John are in Conde Nast’s
top 10 beaches in the world. And just between you and me, Chenay Bay on St. Croix is one
of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. You should definitely check that one out.
(:26)
VO: The culture was so rich there – I just felt it in everything. The people, the architecture, the
music, the food, the festivals. The history! Over the years, these islands have belonged to
Holland, England, Denmark, Spain, France, Malta and now the United States. It’s this great
tapestry of history and beauty that just takes over all your senses.
USVI Destination Video Transcript
2
(:14)
VO: Since these amazing islands are part of America, I didn’t even need a passport to visit.
U.S. citizens never do. English is the official language, and the U.S. Dollar is the accepted
currency. All in all, I felt right at home in paradise.
(:16)
VO: I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the stories that shaped the island’s culture. It’s
so breathtakingly beautiful; it’s easy to see why so many explorers, pirates, kings
and queens have been drawn there over the centuries.
(:23)
VO: If you are into history, there are definitely some sights worth checking out. Like Salt River
Bay on St. Croix. It’s where Christopher Columbus landed in 1493. Other great historical
figures spent time there too, including Alexander Hamilton, who spent so much of his
childhood on St. Croix, they say he considered himself a Crucian. That’s what the locals
call someone born on St. Croix.
(:17)
VO: Another place I loved was Drake’s Seat. It overlooks Magens Bay, which is gorgeous. It’s
where Sir Francis Drake sat guard against pirates and foreign armies. You can sit right
where he did, but there’s nothing to guard against anymore. It’s all about the view.
(:33)
VO: I was surprised to see all the sugar mill ruins around. Sometimes you’ll see the remains
of a whole sugar plantation, but mostly you’ll see a lone sugar mill at the top of a beautiful
hill or come across one on a trail. They’re beautiful reminders that these islands were once
a major source of sugar to the world. You history buffs will find loads to explore: old slave
quarters, museums, even a real rum factory. Cruzan Rum has been making rum on
St. Croix for almost 250 years. And let me tell you – it’s good stuff.
3
(:30)
VO: I loved the music. Quelbe, calypso, reggae, soca, zouk, steel pan. You hear it everywhere.
Especially during the festivals. I was there just in time for the V.I. Carnival on St. Thomas in
April. But you could catch the St. John Festival on July 4th or the Crucian Christmas festival
in December on St. Croix. I loved the Mocko Jumbies – they’re these giant, colorful dancers
on stilts. The locals told me they chase away bad spirits and bring good luck.
(:23)
VO: The food on the islands is some of the best I’ve had anywhere. The seafood is unbelievable.
I think my lobster dinner came ashore just minutes after I did. Definitely try the Kallaloo and
the sour sop ice cream. I always believe you can’t really experience a place until you try the
local food. Whatever you have, it’s best with a refreshing rum punch to wash it all down.
(:21)
VO: OK, bottom line – scuba diving in the U.S. Virgin Islands is awesome. For beginners,
experienced divers, everybody. There are reefs, underwater trails, amazing marine life, and
tons of licensed scuba companies. If you’re a dive fanatic like me, you don’t want to miss
any of it. Oh, and don’t forget your underwater camera! Look at this incredible shot.
(:33)
VO: On St. Croix, I filled my logbook with wall, wreck and reef dives. Then on St. John, which
is known for its low-impact diving, I saw turtles, trumpet fish and gold-spotted eels. Then
on St. Thomas I dove a shipwreck – they have 14 of them. The diversity of a dive here is
unbelievable. And I have to admit, knowing I was diving in the safety of U.S. waters was
a bonus, too.
(:18)
VO: I’m all about a good beach day, but after awhile I’m ready to try something new. Which
worked out well because with an average temperature of 82 degrees, the possibilities were
endless: there was deep-sea fishing, day sails, sunset cruises, mountain biking, tennis and
four beautiful golf courses.
4
(:19)
VO: Okay, you may not know this, but Tim Duncan, the professional basketball player, is from
St. Croix. So if you’re lucky, you could run into him on the beach. And if you’re really lucky,
you could even get his autograph. I did. They also have an Ironman Triathlon here every
year. I heard it’s pretty cool, too.
(:23)
VO: I went horseback riding on St. Croix, kayaking on St. John, and then spent the day at
Coral World on St. Thomas. What a trip! You definitely don’t want to miss Coral World,
especially if you have kids. It’s a totally interactive experience, so you can swim with the
sea lions, and even feed the sharks. And you can go underwater sea trekking. It looks
bizarre, but it’s pretty cool.
(:12)
VO: Oh, yeah, as you can probably tell, one of my favorite things to do was – absolutely
nothing. No, make that absolutely nothing with a frosty rum punch in my hand.
(:36)
VO: The most inspiring part of my trip was the natural beauty of the islands. Especially on
St. John where two-thirds of the island is a National Park. But there are tons of ways to
connect with the environment on all three islands. On St. John, there’s a wildlife sanctuary
and 22 hiking trails. On St. Croix there’s an ecological preserve, a rainforest and a living
desert. And on St. Thomas, there’s a marine sanctuary and mangrove lagoon. I even saw
baby sea turtles on Buck Island! Oh, that’s a little island just a boat ride from St. Croix.
(:34)
VO: OK, let’s be honest. No trip is complete without shopping, right? And this is the perfect
place to do it. First of all, the U.S. Virgin Islands have the best duty-free shopping allowance
in the Caribbean: $1600 tax-free! And you’ll find tons of quaint boutiques, local artisans,
outdoor markets and really original island art, some beautifully carved in mahogany. Plus
perfume, liquor, spices, you name it. Oh, and best of all, some really unbelievable deals
on jewelry. I had to pick up an extra suitcase just to get it all home!
5
(:21)
VO: It’s so beautiful, I could definitely see getting married there one day. I actually did see a
wedding there on my trip. And I met plenty of people who were on their honeymoon. My
friends Jackie and Greg said all they did was mail in their wedding application to arrive eight
days ahead, and next thing you know they were toes-in-the-sand, saying their vows on
the beach. You’ve got to love that.
(:22)
VO: Even though I wasn’t on my honeymoon, the romance is built right into these islands.
And right into the gorgeous hotels and resorts too. By the way, my hotel had a spa. I hear
a lot of them do. I definitely recommend a massage while you’re there. Even if you’re not
on your honeymoon.
(:27)
VO: I stayed in a bunch of different places. I started in a villa on St. Croix, then a bed and
breakfast on St. Thomas. Then I finished the trip off at a luxury resort on St. John. Hey, a
girl’s gotta splurge once in a while! I met people who stayed at the campgrounds in deluxe
tents and others who spent their entire trip in a full-service hotel. There are definitely all
kinds of accommodations on all three islands, no matter what your budget.
(:21)
VO: I was here on the vacation of a lifetime, but I actually met a bunch of people who were lucky
enough to be here on business. And from what they’ve told me, even an all-day meeting
here can feel very vacation-like. They got to enjoy all the same beaches, shops, restaurants
and sports that I did. Only they got paid to do it! They say the meeting facilities here are
first-class and I believe it.
(:05)
VO: Once I got on island time, I wanted to stay there.
(:11)
VO: Unfortunately, even the best trips have to come to an end. I had a great time
in the U.S. Virgin Islands. I hope you find your island time, too.