How to Make a Killer Painkiller

One of the most iconic drinks in the Virgin Islands is the Painkiller. This drink was first created on the beautiful island of Jost Van Dyke at the infamous Soggy Dollar Bar on White Bay. Chances are, if you’ve ever been on Jost Van Dyke, you made your way to the Soggy Dollar Bar and got yourself a painkiller.

Now, you don’t have to be floating on White Bay to indulge in this Caribbean drink (although that does add to the experience). You can make it right at home! Here’s how:

Ingredients-

2-4 oz. of Pusser's Rum


4 oz. pineapple juice


1 oz. cream of coconut


1 oz. orange juice


Pineapple chunks

Grated Fresh nutmeg

Instructions-

1.     Add 2-4 oz. of Pusser’s Rum

2.  Add 4 oz. of pineapple juice

3.   Add 1 oz. of cream of coconut

4.  Add 1 oz. of orange juice

5.   Optional: Add pineapple chunks into the drink (as many as you’d like)

6.  Sprinkle fresh nugmet on top as a garnish

So If you dream of days at the beach with a painkiller in your hand, you’re only half way there.  

Visit our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com 

Transfer Day 2017

Transfer Day is a USVI holiday celebrated on March 31. It commemorates the transfer of the islands from Denmark to the United States in 1917.

This year, 2017, Transfer Day is extra special! The USVI is celebrating 100 years as a US territory. Since this is the centennial, there will be so many festivities going on throughout the USVI. 

Check out 2017’s celebrations here: VI Transfer Centennial

The USVI Department of Tourism is also offering a $300 credit to anyone visiting the islands in 2017! 

Read more about that here

Since Transfer Day is in March, the USVI Department of Tourism will be giving a free Centennial Souvenir in addition to the $300 credit! 

Visit our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com

Extremely Romantic USVI Date Ideas

There’s no denying that the USVI is unbelievably gorgeous which makes it such a romantic getaway. The islands have been the destination for countless engagements, weddings, and honeymoons and there will be many more to come. 

Whether you and your significant other are planning an epic event or just a small getaway, there are so many romantic date night opportunities for both of you to enjoy. 

We’ve gathered a list of some “extremely” romantic USVI date ideas.

Sailboat Tour 

Nothing says romance like a sailboat tour or sunset cruise! Don’t believe us? Then check out these videos:

Video One

Video Two

Video Three

Pretty amazing, right? 

Well, there is no shortage of sailboat excursions available throughout the USVI! They vary in price, service, size, and activities, but all equally dreamy. Check out a list of companies on TripAdvisor: 

St. Thomas Sailing Tours

St. John Sailing Tours

St. Croix Sailing Tours

Picnic on the Beach

This one comes with a disclaimer! Please, for the love of Mother Earth, clean up after yourselves. 

Okay, back to the romance…

You’ve probably seen this in movies or read about it in books, but yes, you too can experience this ultimate intimate date! Our suggestion is go to the store and pick up some easy to pack and eat items, like fruit, cheese and crackers, sandwich materials, (and a trash bag)… those sort of things! Pack it in your beach bag and find a secluded spot. Some beaches, like Magens Bay, have picnic benches for those of you who worry about a sandy meal.

Zip Lining 

We won’t judge you if zip lining didn't even cross your mind when you think of romantic dates! When you’re up on the platform at our park, Tree Limin’ Extreme, you’ll understand though! Not only are the views to die for, but our guides will keep you laughing and even offer to take your picture in front of world famous Magens Bay. If that’s not enough, there’s nothing like getting your adrenaline pumping and trying new things with your significant other. To top it all off, we’ve had a handful of engagements on our scenic course. 

Learn more at: www.ziplinestthomas.com 

Exploring St. John Hiking Trails

The St. John National Park is more than just your average, everyday hiking trails. They include scenic overlooks, hiking trails ranging in difficulty, historic ruins, petroglyphs and spectacular beaches are as common as Starbucks in New York City; they are around every corner! 

You and your partner will fall in love with St. John and each other as you create memories that will last a lifetime. Bring your camera, water/snacks, and your sense of adventure. 

Dinner By the Sea

It’s nearly impossible to have a bad time when you’re near the water! After a long day of hiking, zip lining, sailing or just exploring the island, getting a delicious meal by the water is the cherry on top of a romance sundae! Add some flavor to your date night with a dinner by the sea (or ocean). Chat under the moonlight and enjoy the refreshing sea salt breeze. If this sounds like your idea of a zesty evening, then you have so many restaurants to choose from! Start your search with TripAdvisor:

St. Thomas Restaurants

St. John Restaurants

St. Croix Restaurants

Tips For Taking Better Vacation Photos

No matter where you turn, someone’s taking a photo of something: a selfie, food, nature, animals, pretty much… anything. Well, whether you’re the type of person who can’t put their phone down, or someone who only snaps the occasional photo, you’re probably going to want to take some pretty epic pictures while you’re on vacation to share with your friends and family.

If you’re saying to yourself “I wish I could take better photos on vacation with my phone”, then this is the article for you. Even if you consider yourself to be pretty good with a camera, who knows, you may still learn something new. 

Know What Your Trip Entails

Are you kayaking, zip lining, snorkeling, hiking, or just roaming the city? Consider what props you may need to help you capture those picture perfect moments. 

Kayaking/Boat Tour 

A waterproof phone case

Zip Lining 

A phone case with a strap that you can wear around your wrist

Snorkeling/Scuba 

Don’t take your phone and see if you can rent or buy waterproof  camera or phone case

Hiking

A protective phone cover just in case you drop it

SUP Boarding - Beginner

Leave your phone behind (GoPro/Waterproof camera is your best bet)

SUP Boarding - Pro

Waterproof case with strap. (GoPro is the best option though)

Shopping/Exploring the City 

Any case will do, but a wallet case is very convenient 

Position Your Camera

There are many ways you can position your camera to get that perfect shot. One classic example is “The Rule of Thirds”. This is where you break your photo into 9 equal sections, two lines horizontal and two lines vertical. You’re going to want to try to position the focal points of the picture where the grid lines would intersect. This gives a photo balance that is pleasing to the eye. Luckily, many phones come with an option to turn on a grid so you don’t have to guess. 

More on the Rule of Thirds: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

How to Enable Grid (and more) on an IOS Device: www.imore.com/how-to-set-flash-hdr-timer-grid-camera-iphone-and-ipad

Get Focused

There’s nothing more disappointing than looking at your pictures at the end of the day only to find out they all turned out blurry! One of the biggest culprits to blurry photos is the lack of focusing. Just take an extra moment to focus your camera on the focal point of the photo before snapping away. 

Changing around the focal point in your photo by focusing on different subjects is also a great way to start getting creative! 

Lighting is Everything!

Lighting can really make or break a photo. Too little the photo will be dark and unappealing and too much everything will look washed out. 

First, work with what mother nature gave you. If it’s smack dab in the middle of the day, with the sun directly above you, the lighting can come out too harsh. The best times are in the morning or the evening.

The iPhone has a very handy tool to help manually change the lighting of photos as you’re taking them! As you tap the screen on the focal point, move your finger up to brighten the image or down to darken. This is very useful when natural lighting just isn't cutting it.

*Further instructions for this action can be found in this link as well: www.imore.com/how-to-set-flash-hdr-timer-grid-camera-iphone-and-ipad

Take a Few

Action shots can be difficult to capture with a phone camera (although phone cameras are pretty impressive these days). While you’re out and about, especially when doing activities like zip lining, you may not have the opportunity to set up the photo properly to get a crystal clear shot. 

This is when the “burst” feature comes in handy (you can also repeatedly click the shutter button if that is easier for you). By doing this during a moment of high speed action, you’re bettering your chances of capturing the perfect photo!

More on Burst Photos: www.iphonephotographyschool.com/iphone-burst-mode/

Now, when you’re walking around town or trying to capture something still, it’s still a good idea to focus the camera and take a couple photos instead of just one. It’s not necessary to use the burst action in this case, but taking 2-4 extra pictures will increase your odds of getting that perfect shot. 

Watch Where You’re Going With a Selfie Stick

We thought we’d add this one just for fun!

Selfie sticks are a useful tool for taking pictures while on vacation (and other occasions). They allow everyone to get into the picture without having to ask anyone to take it for you.

But many of us succumb to “Travel Brain” while on vacation. This is where you are so enthralled by all of the new surroundings that you’re not quite paying attention to what’s directly in front of you, mixed with exhaustion and relaxation mode. We are all different people while on vacation. While you’re handling your selfie stick, be sure to look out and not accidentally bonk or poke anyone.

Well, there you have it! We wish you the best of luck during your next vacation. 

For more about zip lining, check us out at www.ziplinestthomas.com

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How You Could Get $300 Toward Your USVI Vacation in 2017

The USVI (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) are giving guests to the island(s) a $300 credit to enjoy on various activities! This is not some crazy scheme or hoax just to get visitors; the island is celebrating its 100 year anniversary of becoming a United States territory and your invited to the party! the trio have always been a popular tourist destination, but 2017 they want to sweeten the deal to entice more too come and discover (or rediscover) America’s paradise. 

Once you land in the territory, there won’t be someone just handing out envelopes with $300 inside. There are a few (very reasonable) conditions.

1. You must book a minimum of three nights through the USVI Department of Tourism website
2. You can only spend the $300 on specific activities (you can choose from)

The whole point of this credit is to get visitors out learning and exploring all of the great things the island has to offer. Things such as historical/cultural tours, kayaking tours, eco-tours, museums and etc.

In order to take part in this awesome, once-in-a-lifetime deal is check out visitUSVI.com and book a minimum of three nights at any of the participating hotels. Then the USVI DOT will sent you $300 in credits that you can spend at any of the participating locations. 

Check out the full list here: Participating Vendors and Locations

March 31st is Transfer day, a date that commemorates when the Danish West Indies were formally ceded to the United States from Denmark, becoming the USVI (1917). The USVI bought these beautiful islands for $25 million in gold (which would be up in the 500 millions in todays market due to inflation). This makes March an extra special time to visit! The Department of Tourism will be giving a commemorative souvenir in March as a cherry on top of a perfect vacation. 

For more information about the festivities going on all year for the centennial, check out www.vitransfercentennial.org

For more information about zip lining, check out our website at www.ziplinestthomas.com

Why You Should Spend the Holidays in the USVI

We've all heard the songs "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas", "Let It Snow", "Baby it's Cold Outside", but not everyone shares that warm, fuzzy feeling about snow. Just because you don't like snow during the holidays doesn't make you Scrooge though. There are places for people like you. Behold... America's Paradise; the USVI.

Here are our 5 reasons why you should spend the holidays in the USVI:

It's Warm and Sunny
Let's start with the obvious: it's warm and sunny ALL YEAR LONG. Sure, it's a little breezier during the winter (AKA the Christmas winds), but it's roughly 85 degrees all year round. Swap snowmen for sand castles and white snow for white sand and it'll get your whole family singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year".

Local Holiday Events
Just because you're in the Caribbean doesn't mean it won't feel like the holidays. Santa visits the beach for the little ones, there's an annual tree lighting, and a holiday boat parade in the harbor.  String lights wrapped around palm trees and the whole island gets all festive; it's hard to not be jolly. The only thing that differs is you're in paradise.

It's a Great Experience for the Whole Family
There are activities to do for kids from ages one to 92... and even older. Obviously the beach is fun for all ages, kids 5 all the way to senior citizens have a blast zip lining with us at Tree Limin' Extreme. Kids can also meet Santa on the beach, enjoy the parades and experience exciting local cuisine. For the adults, there are parties at hotels, events at local bars, and shopping (of course).

Duty-Free Shopping
Speaking of shopping, the USVI has some really fantastic duty-free shops. If you're looking to save some cash, consider doing some of your last minute shopping while on vacation! Get your spouse their favorite wine or jewelry, your kids some beachy threads and toys; you'll be surprised what you'll find at in the stores. Explore historic main-street on St. Thomas, Mongoose Junction on St. John, or shops in Christiansted on St. Croix. We guarantee you'll find something for everyone.

Plenty of Villas to Choose From
Even though there's no place like home for the holidays, when you rent out a villa, you can certainly make it feel like home... without those relatives that stress you out.  The wonderful thing about the islands is that there are plenty of villas to rent that'll give your family a "homey" feeling. They range in prices, locations, size, each one different from the next, so you can pick one that works for your family. Don't forget to book many months (or even a year) in advance so you are guaranteed that reservation. The USVI is a popular place for people to visit this magical time of year and everyone wants a piece of paradise.

Even if you enjoy snow, there's still plenty of that white stuff after the holidays for you to enjoy your skiing, sledding, building snowmen... whatever makes your heart sing. The holidays are stressful enough, why not switch it up this year and treat your family to something really special?

Why You Should Zip Line on Your Next Trip To St. Thomas

As most of you who are familiar with the island, there’s a lot to do on St. Thomas! Beaches, shopping, eating/drinking; you’ll never run out of activities. The question is, have you considered zip lining? Although our opinion may be a little bias, the reviews on TripAdvisor speak for themselves. 

Click here for:

Tree Limin' Extreme's TripAdvisor

If you’re still a little apprehensive about the idea of zip lining, here are our 5 reasons why you should zip line on your next trip to St. Thomas!

It’s Fun for the Whole Family

Family should never be the reason you choose not to go zip lining! Our tour was designed with your family in mind. Our guides move at the group’s pace and will spend extra time with anyone who is a little nervous. Also, not to mention, safety is our absolute top priority, so you should never feel like you’re in any danger. For the really little ones (5 and up) we offer tandem. Now you can take your child on an adventure you both will enjoy and you can share that special, unforgettable moment with them. 

Great Way to Learn New Things About the Island

Our overlook features some pretty incredible views, like Megans Bay, St. John, Jost Van Dyke, Peterborg Point and much more! All of our guides love sharing captivating stories and trivia about life on St. Thomas as well. If you have any particular question/questions you’ve been itching to find out about St. Thomas and the surrounding islands… just ask! Also while you’re on the platforms, read our trivia signs that move along the course as you do. Our goal is to have everyone leaving thoroughly entertained and learning something new.

The Pictures

Imagine you’ve stepped into a postcard and could be transported to paradise. Well guess what, you can! Once you arrive at the top of line one, you will be instantly shocked by the expansive beauty of the Northside of St. Thomas and beyond. Bring your camera or rent one of our GoPros to capture the experience. Even get a chance to take a photo in front of world famous Magens Bay (Don’t be shy, ask your guide to take a picture)! No green screen here, just miles and miles of paradise.

It Gets You Up and Active

There’s nothing like relaxing all day in the warm Caribbean sun, but in between the hours of sunbathing and all you can eat and drink buffets, your body may be yearning for some physical activity. Many hotels and resorts have gyms, but who wants to spend their vacation in a gym?! (No judgement for those who do… maybe a little jealousy, actually). Why not head on over and try swinging through the trees? It’s so much fun, you won’t even notice that you’re getting a workout. 

It’s Something Different

Even though zip lines have been growing in popularity over the recent years, they are still considered fun and adventurous! There are so many run-of-the-mill things you can do while on vacation: sight seeing tours, swimming, window shopping, but there’s always time to shake things up! Isn’t it time you checked something off your bucket list?