VI National Park Meeting on St. John Jan. 27

Cinnamon Bay Campground on St. John, USVI

This Sunday, January 27 at 2:00 pm is your chance to learn all you wanted to know about the Virgin Islands National Park.  The Friends of the VI National Park will be holding their annual meeting at the Cinnamon Bay Campground restaurant, so you could even get a swim in before going to this interesting get together.

As a special feature, the meeting will have as is keynote speaker the director of the park system for all of the United States, Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service.  The Friends of the VINP have done an incredible job in fundraising and watching out for the park's interests on St. John over the years, so it will be informative to hear Joe Kessler, the president of the Friends, update us on accomplishment of this last year and plans for the future.

Whether you are an island resident or a visitor, you may want to check out the Friends website http://friendsvinp.org/ for information about St. John and upcoming seminars.  For more information call 340-779-4940.

Lobsters in St. John, USVI

Caribbean lobster--a delicacy found on St. John USVI

Often we are asked what favorite dish is preferred by visitors to St. John....it's a tough one since there are so many amazing choices at restaurants around the island, But we would have to say LOBSTER is at the top of the list.

You may wonder what the difference is between the Caribbean lobster and those you would find served up at lobster shacks along the Maine coast. If you take a look at the photo, you'll see something is missing on local "bugs" here in the islands...they have no claws! They shuffle themselves along the bottom of the ocean with just legs and a big tail. Their primary means of defense are the sharp spines that cover the body.

But don't be concerned about missing the claw meat when you order a grilled lobster at Aqua Bistro, Fish Trap or one of the choice seafood restaurants on St. John. You'll have more than you can handle since these local crustacean grow 5-10 lbs when they're snagged by local fishermen. You may find its the only time you have been filled up on lobster with no room for key lime pie. Bon appetit!