There’s nothing like a fabulous vacation to get the creative juices flowing. As writers we’re always looking for an exotic location for our next book. So when my dear friend, and Ellora’s Cave author, Lexi Post, invited Cathy McDavid and myself to visit with her and her husband, we were absolutely thrilled to accept the invitation. They live on the island of St. Croix in the Caribbean. And she asked us to bring our books. The local bookstore invited us to have a book signing while there.
St. Croix is in the United States Virgin Islands so a passport wasn’t needed. This was perfect because I was worried I wouldn’t have enough time for one to be issued before we planned to leave.:
As soon as our plane landed we got a craving for a tropical island cocktail. The first one I ordered was a Pina Colada. Cathy ordered a Mango Daiquiri. Both were absolutely delicious. However, it wasn’t long before we switched to rum punch. It seemed to be the drink of choice for the island.
We spent the first morning relaxing on the porch enjoying the view. We worked on our current work in progress (cause that’s what writers do) until noon then took a drive to downtown Frederiksted.
Frederiksted was named after Frederick V of Denmark, who purchased the Danish West Indies in 1754.
A cruise ship had docked and all the local shops had set up tents along the sidewalks. We had to check them out and buy a few souvenirs.
We were invited to brunch by Lexi’s friend, Tanisha. Tanisha has lived in St Croix all her life and would not consider leaving her island paradise lifestyle. And who can blame her?
How’s this for a view?
Next we stopped by the Domino Club in the rainforest. We had to see the beer drinking pigs. Do I look a little scared? Yep, kinda was.
The rainforest and this tree is absolutely huge.
We made history on the island of St. Croix. We were the first romance authors to ever hold a book signing on the island. Thank you so much. Undercover Bookstore, for giving us such a warm welcome.
Cathy McDavid, Lexi Post, Tia Dani
The following day we did a tour of the island. We walked where Columbus and his crew landed and came ashore. We drove over to Point Udall. Point Udall, St Croix, V.I. the Easternmost point of the United States of America. Named for Stewart Udall, United States Secretary of the Interior under Presidents John F. Kennedy and L.B. Johnson. Then on for drinks at a nearby resort. Rum punch on the patio. http://www.gotostcroix.com/historic-sites
After a quick stop by the casino it was on to dinner in Christiansted.
There is plenty to do while on the island. if you plan to go check out the cultural events.http://www.gotostcroix.com/crucian-culture
For a great Chai stop in the local coffee house, Polly’s. https://www.facebook.com/pollysatthepier
We decided we could not leave the island without taking a sunset cruise. The cruise definitely turned out to be one of the high points of the trip. We had so much fun. Our captain and his mate were quite handsome and the run punch flowed.
Great story about these two guys. They met on the island and turned out they were half brothers. Wasn’t long before they started up a business together.
The beautiful sunset
Tia Dani, Cathy and Lexi
All good things must come to an end including vacations. now it’s back to work finishing our book in progress while dreaming about where our next adventure will take us. Hawaii anyone?
BTW the next trip will include both Tia and Dani. Who knows, maybe we’ll all go and make it a Butterscotch Martini Girls vacation? We can’t wait to find out.
Tia Dani
