When the plane landed at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas this past April, I was too focused on the job at hand to get excited like I usually do when my husband and I are hanging out alone in the Caribbean. I didn't gaze out of the window of the 747 and catch my breath at the sight of the unbelievably beautiful sea that - on a whim - changes from turquoise to sky blue to emerald green (and back again) nor did I change into my swimsuit in the tiny airplane bathroom so I could immediately jump into that same delicious and ever-changing sea. Instead, my focus was on the 9 adolescent girls I had in my care, 8 of whom had traveled as a group all the way from California (and 1 we picked up in Boston) to spend 10 days on the island of St. John at Cinnamon Bay in the US Virgin Islands National Park. With one more Adventurer to pick up at the local craft market in Charlotte Amalie, the 10 girls plus my staff of two still …

St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It's rich cultural diversity arts, crafts, music and festivals. The traditional stilt dancers, called “Mocko Jumbies”,reggae and calypso, quadrill dancers all dressed in their madras. The steel pan bands and pulsating sounds of salsa, meringue are among the captivating sights and sounds that add to the island's cultural mix. The unique culture of St. Croix is mix with African and European customs.

St. Croix has two towns, the quaint quiet town of Frederiksted, with its beautiful pier, and beaches. The rain forest, which takes you to the Creque Dam, and its beautiful lush fruit and Mahgony trees. Christiansted is the other town, with their abundance of restaurants, and shops. But as quiet as St. Croix maybe, there is plenty to do. There is Sunset Jazz, with many local talented musicians every third friday, Jump Up, Mango Melee, Starving artist day, the agriculture fair. Fourth of July festivities. Of course the crucian festival, which is at Christmas.

One of my favorite stores is Cultural Creations of the Virgin Islands, which has all handmade gifts made in the Virgin Islands. All items are made by local …

Recent travels took me, Amina Bee, to the perfectly blue, tranquil settings of St. Thomas and St. John, ideal honeymoon destinations. With magnificent azure skies above, and crystal clear turquoise seas below, the scenery on these U.S. Virgin Islands is breathtaking! The only scenery on these islands that is not blue, are the white, sandy beaches, which have been deemed some of the best beaches in the world. The year-round temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees accent the landscape beautifully.

The great thing about St. Thomas and St. John is their proximity to one another, so couples do not have to choose one over the other. Red Hook, in the East End of St. Thomas, and Cruz Bay, in St. John, are just minutes apart by ferry. Airlines, including discount carriers like Spirit Airlines, service the St. Thomas International Airport (STT). Desirable accommodations abound in St. Thomas, from the upscale Ritz Carlton, to the more moderately priced Wyndham Sugar Bay. Private villas, like the Cabrita Cliff Haus (where I stayed during my visit and highly recommend), would also be ideal for a honeymoon stay, as well as a wedding itself!

While in St. Thomas and St. John, …