short vacation

This weekend we took advantage of one perk of being a local in the USVI: reduced hotel and resort rates. To keep business going in slower times some hotels and resorts on the islands offer reduced rates to people who live here. So hotels that would normally be out of our price range suddenly becomes something worth considering. The Westin resort is beautiful in every way: rooms, landscaping, pool and beach but the real hit for our family was the pool. The kids could have swam all-day-long and then some. I have to admit I liked the pool too. Lots of activity, people watching, waterfall, kids were happy with the novelty, pool side dining service. We lived it up. Other highlights of the weekend were AC kept at 65 degrees, continuous warm showers and a huge playground. We did get out and explore St. John, one day, spending most of that day at Hawksnest and a small inlet on the East end with wonderful snorkling but rocky shoreline. Despite being only a quick ferry ride away from St. Thomas, and having the same flora and fauna, beaches and heat we felt a world away. I (and I think the rest of the family) felt a bit recharged. It got me to thinking: what is a vacation.