After the stunning views, the second impression that strikes me is the lushness of the island. There are a thousand shades of green, and even the leaves on a normal houseplant look oversized. Nature THRIVES here. The Virgin Islands National Park is over 7,000 acres, with another 5650 acres of park land underwater, protecting coral reefs and seascapes.

After two full days in St. John, and it's easy to see why people rave about the beauty of this island. It's a photographer's paradise, with panoramic views everywhere. The carved out little niches in the road, which serve as scenic stop points, are your reward for making it through the last harrowing stretch of dips, twists and turns. The first pic is a snapshot from our first stop overlooking Trunk Bay.

The second photo was taken from the car in Coral Bay on the east end, as we passed by a couple of locals cleaning their fish, who had attracted the curiosity of a couple of visitors. I love the contrast between them!