Why You Should Kayak in the USVI

There are so many things you can do on your Virgin Islands vacation. Many choose to lounge on the beach and soak up the sun. Others may prefer the duty-free shopping and amazing restaurants our islands have to offer. Even if those are still your favorite things to do, we urge you to go out of your comfort zone and try something new; like kayaking! If kayaking is already one of your favorite things to do, than what better place to do it than the United States Virgin Islands? Here are our list of reason why you should kayak in the USVI! 

It’s Easy to Learn

Kayaking is fairly easy to learn. When renting a kayak, they'll usually ask you if you'd like a demonstration and don't be afraid to ask questions before heading out. You may not be an olympic athlete, but you’ll still have a blast. Some rental companies even offer guided tours, which can be not only fun, but insightful. 

Remember, if you’re going out alone, stay in the recommended areas while kayaking in the Caribbean. The beach attendants typically will tell you where your boundaries are, and if they don’t, you can always ask! The waters stay pretty calm in protected coves and bays, but the currents can pick up substantially in open waters. Don’t let that scare you away though! There are plenty of calm, protective coves and bays that are a blast to kayak though. 

An Adventure 

It’s fun to leave the beach and go exploring every once and awhile! Kayaking can bring you to places you can’t reach just from swimming alone (well maybe you can swim there, but it’s more enjoyable in a kayak). Unless you lead kayaking tours, it’s typically not something you do every day, so it’s a great way of making memories that will last for years. 

It’s For All Ages

Since kayaking is pretty simple to learn, it’s fun for all ages! Even if you’re little one wants to go, but doesn’t want to paddle, they can still hop on and enjoy the ride (as others paddle). It can be a fun way for kids to discover the true beauty of nature.

It’s also a great low impact sport. It’s easy on the knees and as long as you’re in calmer waters, it isn't too demanding on your arms and shoulders. Know your limitations though.

Opportunity to Take Amazing Photos

If you trust yourself, bring your camera! They also offer waterproof cameras and cases for those of you who want that extra peace of mind. It’s hard to take a bad picture in the USVI, and you can’t go wrong with shots on the water. 

Stunning Surroundings 

Be in awe as you paddle around and explore the beauty of the islands. Don’t forget to bring your snorkel gear when you’re feeling adventurous. Hop off your kayak and discover the seas below (but keep your kayak close by). 

Gets You Up and Active

Vacations can be lazy; we all know this. Sometimes it feels good to get out and do something active! Try to break up your beach hopping with a fun kayaking trip (or zipline adventure)! We guarantee that you’ll feel better at the end of the day. 

It May Take You Out of Your Comfort Zone

Tree Limin' Extreme is all about getting you outside of your comfort zone! If kayaking is something new for you, you’ll never know if you like it until you try it. Vacations are a great time to experience and see new things! 

For more information about our zipline, check out our website www.ziplinestthomas.com

Virgin Islands Hook Bracelet

If you’ve been to the USVI, chances are you’ve heard about the famous Hook Bracelets. Although they originate from St. Croix, they are a big part of the entire USVI’s culture for both locals and tourists alike. If you’re in any shopping area that sells jewelry, it’s almost impossible to not run into any signs or shops that don’t sell Hook Bracelets in some way or the other.

Where did it all start, you ask? First let me tell you about the legend of the Hook Bracelet:

A long time ago, on the island of St. Croix, there was a beautiful woman who was madly in love with a sailor. The two were planning to get married and the woman wanted to give her husband-to-be a wedding gift that really represented the bond between them. These were the days before the jewelry stores, so wedding bands were out of the question. She had to get creative and went to his tackle box for inspiration. She gathered fishing hooks and heavy leader and got to work. 

The woman snapped and smoothed the hooks, wrapped and braided the wire, and then created the very first pair of Hook Bracelets. She presented the two bracelets, one for her, one for her husband, on their wedding day. When they exchanged bracelets, they clasped the hooks facing their loved ones heart’s to symbolize that they were “hooked” to one another. 

Today, people who adorn the Hook Bracelets wear the hook facing their hearts if they are in a relationship or wear the bracelet facing away from their heart if they are ‘single’.

Taken

Single

The original creator of the Hook Bracelets is Sonya Hough of St. Croix. Her shop, Sonya Ltd, was established in 1964 and is still there today making Hook Bracelets and other jewelry. If you want to get the most authentic Hook Bracelet on the market, visit her shop and get yours custom made!

Check out her shop’s website for her vast Hook Bracelet designs and other jewelry: http://www.sonyaltd.com

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Caribbean Vacation Packing Tips

When going on vacation we fall into a few different categories. Most notable amongst these are those who pack heavy and those who pack light. Those of us who see the travelers dragging around hundreds of pounds of heavy wheeled luggage can sympathize. No one likes to wield a second home when we escape to our destination.

So you’re asking yourself, “how do I avoid over packing for my Caribbean Vacation?”. Well, check out our vacation packing tips below! 

What to Pack

Think about what you really need. The essentials are just that, essential. Everything else isn’t. You don’t really need four pairs of shoes or thirteen shades of lipstick, do you?

Toiletries-

Make sure you are only bringing as much as you actually need. Shampoo? They've probably got that in the hotel room. Lotion, check; Soap, check.

Most hotels will even have some essentials that you would normally not leave home without, like toothbrush, toothpaste, and a razor. But if you’re one of those people who love a particular brand and don’t want to settle for what the hotel offers, buy a few reusable, small travel containers for your liquid toiletries. You won’t have to compromise too much space and you can use the same bottles every time you travel. 

As for the make-up wearers, I always suggest packing light. It can be nice to wear a little while dining out on a night or two, but while you’re in the Caribbean, you’ll most likely be in and out of the water all day, and the other half, you’ll be sweating most of it off. Think carefully about how much you'll actually wear while you’re in the Caribbean. Try getting a three in one sunscreen, moisturizer, and foundation that you can squeeze into a small container, like a contact case. 

Clothes- 

The likelihood of you needing three sweatshirts in the Caribbean is pretty low and, guess what, light and loose clothing don’t take up much space. Take a few shirts, 2 bathing suits (or two tops and bottoms to mix and match), some light weight shorts, a few comfortable dresses (if you wear dresses) and a few unmentionables and you’re good to go. Most hotels can either do your laundry for you, have laundry on site, or have a laundromat within a close distance.

We’ve all heard those horror stories of the airline losing luggage, so it’s always a good idea to pack a few important articles of clothing in your carry on. A bathing suit, underwear, 2 tops, and a bottom will get you by just in case. 

Shoes- 

Try to pack a pair of flip flops comfortable for long walks, but classy enough to pair with a nice outfit when going out to dinner (and won’t take up a lot of space in your carry-on). Then wear a pair of comfortable walking shoes, like tennis shoes, for those days you’ll be on your feet all day (or ziplining), but easy enough to slip on and off for when you have to go through airport security. That way, you won’t have to pack those bulky shoes in your luggage and make space for more important things. 

Accessories-

Accessories can give you the ability to change up your look, with less clothing. Try packing one bold and dainty necklace and one-two bracelets. For both for practicality and fashion, pack a hat to keep your face protected from the sun, and a watch. 

Packing Your Bags

So once you’ve grabbed everything you believe you want to pack, take a step back and assess everything. Make a mental picture of the outfits you will be wearing for the number of days you will be there. Is there any article of clothing you are questioning if you really are going to be wearing? Take it out! For the notorious over-packers, try to cut your pile in-half. 

Also, don’t forget to leave room in your bags for a few souvenirs!

For more about zip lining in the Caribbean, check out our website www.ziplinestthomas.com

Mangoes in St. Thomas

It’s that time of year again! Where the island is blooming and filled with color and succulent fruit. If you’re driving down the streets of St. Thomas, you’ll most likely see flourishing mango trees with hundreds of delicious, ready to be eaten fruit. 

Although these trees may look indigenous to the Caribbean, they actually originate from South Asia, where they are eaten as often as the common apple is in the USA. Luckily for all of us in St. Thomas, mango trees thrive in tropical climates. Just because they originate from South Asia doesn't mean that mango trees are new to the islands though. Their seeds have been traded around for many centuries, and found their way to the Caribbean. They are so ingrained in the culture here that it is near impossible to go out to eat and not see something with mango on the menu. 

If you’ve never eaten one of these naturally sweet fruits, then you’re in for a real treat. There are many different types of mangoes (just like apples) that range in textures, sweetness, size, and color. St. Thomas and the rest of the Caribbean have a wide variety of these mangoes. 

For some more information on the different types of mangoes, check out this link below: 

List of Mangoes

Not only are they delicious on their own, they are also a great way to add some big flavor to everyday dishes (that will surely impress your friends). Some easy ways to add mangoes to your breakfast/lunch/dinner are:

Fresh cut mangoes in yogurt 

Bake mangoes into muffins

Add mangoes to your salad for a tangy-sweetness kick

Blend some mango chunks into guacamole 

Add mangoes to salsa 

Sweet and salty pasta salad

Add mango chunks to your ice cream

These are just a few, very simple, but very delicious ways to add mangoes to your everyday life. There’s nothing better than enjoying the sweet taste of mangoes on a hot summer day. Next time you’re visiting a friends house, or throwing a backyard party, try incorporating this tropical flavor to kick your dish up a notch. 

For more mango recipes, check out the link below!

Mango Recipes

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Eco-Friendly Travel Hacks: Packing for the Beach

St. Thomas is a beach lovers dream! If you’re looking to spend a nice, long day at the beach, check out our 5 packing hacks! 

Pack a Ziplock Bag for Electronics 

It’s nice to be able to pack a camera, cellphone, kindle or tablet (and other miscellaneous electronics) for a day at the beach, but if there’s one thing that many of us know too painfully well, it’s that electronics don’t do too well after they get wet. So if you’re planning on taking a few pictures or reading on your kindle at the beach, and still want to take a dip, bring a ziplock bag to store them in when they aren’t in use. 

*Additional Tip: Think about purchasing yourself a waterproof camera! Not only do they take really cool underwater photos, but you won’t have to worry about accidentally dropping your camera/phone in the water.

First Aid Kit

Whether you’re clumsy or coordinated, accidents happen! The beach is a beautiful place, but it also isn’t the most sanitary place to have a fresh cut unbandaged. Bring a small, basic first aid kit to ensure that if you do step on a pointy shell, trip on some rocks, or just simply cut yourself on any sharp object, you’ll have the necessary tools to clean it up and prevent any infections. It’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. 

*Additional Tip: Think about bringing aspirin, eye drops, additional sunscreen, and aloe. These items can be incredibly helpful for anyone not looking to leave early due to a painful headache or sand in their eyes. (And sunscreen and aloe are a given. If you see a sunburn coming on, try hanging out in the shade for awhile.) 

Food and Snacks (And Something for Trash) 

It’s easy to work up an appetite when playing around in the sun all day! There may not always be a restaurant or snack bar on the beach, so it’s always a good idea to pack something of your own. Don’t forget to also pack a small bag/container for trash. Even if your intentions are to throw everything away on the beach, it’s easy to accidentally forget and leave trash behind. 

*Additional Tip: Think about packing your food in reusable tupperware. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but when you’re done eating, you can throw all your trash into it! 

Extra Set of Clothes 

Seasoned beach-goers know that this is a must, but it is pretty easy to look passed this one when you’re scrambling to get ready. There is nothing more annoying than wearing a wet bathing suit under your dry clothes or putting back on your sweaty clothes from before. So the moral of the story? Don’t forget to pack an extra set of clothes! 

*Additional tip: Pack a long dress or a robe for changing on beaches where bathrooms aren’t available.

Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

Sitting in the hot, Caribbean sun can make you lose a lot of water… and dehydration is no joke! Always make sure to pack your own water for both practical and environmental reasons. Our little island is, and has been for awhile, working on a sustainable way to recycle. That being said, if you buy a plastic water bottle and throw it away here, it’ll just end up in the landfill (32 square mile island, 50,000 residents, thousands of tourists in a day, you do the math). Let’s do our part on keeping our islands clean by packing our own water bottle and filling up with filtered water prior to going to the beach.

*Additional tip: Don’t just buy any water bottle! Take a moment to do some research to pick the best bottle for you! Here is a great article that can help: http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/how-to-choose-reusable-water-bottles-for-the-whole-family/

Now that you’ve read what we had to say, start packing and have yourself an awesome day at the beach!

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One Last Swing Before the Ring

Do you want your destination wedding to be an unforgettable experience for you, your family and your friends? You should really consider adding zip lining at Tree Limin’ Extreme to your agenda! Our opinion may sound bias, but let us explain why this should be at the top of your list!

It’s Fun for the Whole Family

Our zip line course was designed to be fun for all ages and skill levels! That means your 5-year-old niece can zip tandem with her mom, and even your 75-year-old grandpa can join in on the fun! Safety is our top priority and we make sure everyone who zips with us feels comfortable and safe, no matter if they are 5 or 85. 

Is someone afraid of heights? Well, many guests who have had the most fun were the most scared to begin with! Read more about zipping with a fear of heights here: Overcoming your fear of heights with Tree Limin' Extreme

The Views Make for Fantastic Photo Ops

If you’ve seen any of the photos from our platforms, chances are you already know this, but still worth talking about! The views from our course consist of Magens Bay, Hull Bay, Jost Van Dyke, St. John, and much, much more. It’s easy to get lost in the beauty up here and that’s why we always encourage everyone to bring a camera. Ask your guide to take a group shot on line two where the platform is large with sweeping views of Magens Bay as the backdrop.

Feel free to dress up too!

It’s Romantic

“Zip lining is romantic?” you may be asking yourself. Yes it is, and here is why: It’s a combination of adrenaline pumping excitement, beautiful views, the sweet sounds of Caribbean music, and good vibes all around. There will be some time in-between zips to sit back, hold your loved one, and admire the beautiful views of St. Thomas and the surrounding islands.

Marriage Proposals at Tree Limin' Extreme

It’s Adventurous

There are a few things just about every couple does with their wedding party before their wedding. They go out to eat, maybe get a few drinks, and lounge around and talk for a while, but those are things you can do anywhere! You’re in the Caribbean, baby, take advantage of it. Zip lining is something that most people (besides our guides, obviously) can’t say that they do every day… or even every year. If you take on this adventure with us, you’re never going to forget the thrills and memories you experienced before your wedding with your friends and family. You’re always going to associate your big day with the exciting days leading up to it.

One Last Swing Before the Ring Promotion!

Now this is the cherry on top of the pre-ceremony escapades to sweeten the whole deal. We are offering our “One Last Swing Before the Ring” promotion to all wedding parties getting married on island. How does it work? Easy! For every 6 tickets booked, the 7^th zips for free! We want to help you to have a destination wedding you will never forget!

For more details on our wedding promotion, don’t be shy, give us a call at (340) 777-ZIPS (9477)! Our friendly front desk staff will gladly answer any questions you may have.

This is our wedding gift to you!

Check out our other wedding blog posts:
Weddings in the Virgin Islands
Destination Weddings Part 1
Destination Wedding Part 2
Destination Wedding Part 3

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Guilt Free Fun: Active Island

As an active tour ourselves, we make it our goal to share other fun, outdoor activities in the Virgin Islands. Tree Limin' Extreme Zipline Park introduces Active Island:

When you think of vacations, what are your thoughts; mounds of delicious food, unlimited fruity cocktails, and long naps on the beach? You’re probably not thinking about exercise, and if you are, the hotel/resort gyms aren’t where you want to spend your vacation. Well Active Island noticed the lack of an active outlet while traveling and they decided to do something about it!

The newly married owners are New England natives and are passionate about exercise and travel. It only made sense that they would relocate to the popular tourist destination of St. Thomas and make their vision a reality. Their goal was to blend vacation and exercise for those who are passionate about health and wellness. 

Interview with the Owners!

Jogging on the beach and around town during vacations is an appealing idea, but when you’re unfamiliar with an area, it may be a little daunting. You may also find yourself wondering what you’re seeing as you unknowingly pass historic monuments and landmarks. All of this was the idea behind their popular guided running tour and power walking tour.

Active Island is popular amongst both locals and tourists! The activities they offer add much needed health and wellness benefits that the USVI has been lacking.

There’s an array of actives and events that Active Island offers. The first and one of the most popular activities they offer is the guided running and walking tours. These 5k tours combine sightseeing and running at a casual pace or power walking, with informative guides who take pictures along the way. You'll take in the stunning views of the harbor while soaking in the rich history of the island's bustling Charlotte Amalie. Stand on the steps of Fort Christian, a Danish-built fort that is the oldest standing structure in the USVI, run up the historic 99 Steps, and pass by several other historic sites and pirate hangouts.

Another incredibly popular (and clever) activity they offer is Stretch & Sip Yoga. They offer both wine tasting yoga in the evening and mimosas in the morning, both classes are an hour long and welcome guests of all skill levels! 

 Stretch & Sip Yoga: Vino Vinyasa

Wine Tasting

Stretch & Sip Yoga: Mimyasa Flow

Mimosa

On top of these tours, Active Island sets up community events! VI Til I Dye and Run the Night were a blast! Check out some highlights here:

Run The Night

 VI 'Til I Dye

So if you're looking for some guilt free fun, check out Active Island! Read more about them at www.activeislandvi.com

Next time you're vacationing in St. Thomas and want to have a memorable experience, why not try something a little different? Maybe start the day off with some yoga, zip line the afternoon away and no longer feel guilty about having that extra drink! 

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