One of the first golf courses I ever truly admired was Mahogany Run in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. My grandparents actually live on the hill above the course, and looked down and watched as Bill Clinton played the course once! If you're on a vacation on St. Thomas, I highly recommend paying a visit to this course right next to Magen's Bay, one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world according to National Geographic

Sounds dreamy...

It was a huge improvement from the course I grew up next to in Van Nuys, California. I always wondered at how that place managed to keep up such a decent image in the middle of, well, a not-so-great area. I think St. Thomas has set a new standard for me that's going to be hard to meet, hehe.

Every time I visit St. Thomas I say I'm going to play that course and I haven't done so yet. Always visit via cruise and the arrangements thru the ship are just way out of line. Love the islands, have family scattered throughout that area and would love semi-retirement and hanging out my shingle somewhere there someday.

So I was thinking about taking a trip to St Thomas. Are there things I should do if I go? I've never been anywhere around there.

"Hey Honey, me and the boys have a tee time tomorrow morning in St Thomas. Don't wait up. We will probably not be home for dinner."

Something about that conversation isn't sitting real well. : )

But wouldn't it be fun to see???

Skip the main drag, unless you are planning to buy jewery or camera stuff; lots of great deals on that sort of thing. Head for Paula's resturant for lunch or dinner, off the main drag down one of those narrow alleys, lots of signs to reach her. Great island food and jazz. Ignore all locals trying to take you somplace to get you to buy stuff. Nice little art gallery not far from Paula's, good for viewing and buying. Not being a beach person I head up into the hills for nature although its steep. If you must shop try some of my local brothers and sisters around the places where the ships dock, good for bargans and haggling over price. Good prices on booze and cigars if thats your thing.

Thanks Fred....I'm drooling already...ofcourse that could be the margaritas I've had thus far..

Yeah, the cruise ships make it nearly impossible to get that kind of fun in. You definitely have to come for a week and stay in a hotel. I highly recommend the Marriott here; the people and room service food are the best I can find on the island.

Good suggestions, Fred. If you're adventurous I also recommend renting a car or scooter and visiting some of the less popular beaches (i.e. not Magen's Bay or Coki Point Beach). That way you still get the beautiful beaches without the crowds And don't be afraid to ask for directions! (Another option would be to talk to a taxi driver about hiring him as your personal taxi and request beaches like Hull Bay or Brewer's Bay.)