Feb. 24, 2006 – St. John and St. John's own Ce Ce Burns are starring Friday in a "New York Times" travel article about St. John. Burns appears in the story's lead photo.
Burns, who works at American Paradise Real Estate, said she was sitting on the bench Sunday in front of the gaggle of business signs that greet folks when they arrive in Coral Bay. She said she had run from Cruz Bay in preparation for Saturday's 8 Tuff Miles race, had lunch at Skinny Legs Restaurant and Bar in Coral Bay, and was waiting for the VITRAN bus back to Cruz Bay.
Burns said that in Skinny Legs she overheard the photographer, Barbara P. Fernandez, say she was taking photos for the "New York Times." When she showed up in her car at the signs, Burns offered to move out of the way. She said Fernandez told her to stay put.
"She took a bunch of pictures and left," Burns said.
Burns caught the bus back to Cruz Bay.
The article by Jon Rust, "36 Hours: St. John" pokes gentle fun at things residents take for granted – the paucity of street names, for example.
He takes readers through a visit to bars, restaurants and activities, including a round of the island's most popular beaches.
"There are three reasons most people come to St. John: beaches, beaches and beaches," Rust writes.
A slew of local businesses are mentioned, including Skinny Legs, Miss Lucy's Restaurants, Woody's Seafood Saloon, Noah's Little Arks, Chilly Billy's and Low Key Watersports.
The article also notes that St. John is not just for "the rich and famous." Rust indicates that visitors can stay at Maho Bay Camps and Cinnamon Bay Campground.
Of course, Rust mentions that visitors can also stay at the more expensive Caneel Bay Resort and the Westin Resort and Villas.
Tourism Department spokesman Steve Bornn, reached on his cell phone, said he was off-island and not familiar with the article.
Assistant Tourism Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge did not return a phone call requesting comment, but apparently the Source's request for her comment got passed on to the territory's public relations agency, MBooth and Associates Inc. From there, it went to the "New York Times" and on to Rust.
He called the Source.
Rust, a "San Juan Star" reporter, said he got the assignment from the "New York Times" because he had done previous work for them.
Here's the link to the article:
New York Times.
