VIRGIN ISLANDERS: Virgin Islanders are a friendly people but they are reserved. A smile and "good morning" go a long way to starting the day off right. Everyone speaks English, or a lilting version thereof. Defined linguistically as Creole, commonly called Calypso, it is spoken throughout the West Indies with speech variations from island to island. Creole began in the early days of the slave trade and was influenced by Portuguese, French, Dutch and English mixed with African.

CLIMATE: Sunny, year-round temperatures range in the 80's during the day, 70's most nights with summer somewhat warmer. Easterly trade winds blowing gently across the islands keep the humidity low. Most island showers are quick, tropical, over in minutes. Average annual rainfall is 50 inches with September and October less dry than the winter months. As there are few wells, residents collect rainwater from rooftops into household cisterns. Salt water distillation plants help the supply. But at best, water is scarce, so use sparingly.

TIME: Atlantic Standard, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard in the winter, same time as Eastern Daylight in the summer.

WHAT TO WEAR: Island dress is casual, but bathing suits, short shorts and unbuttoned shirts in town or grocery shopping are frowned upon. Boutiques can fill in or add to your holiday wardrobe. Simple cottons are preferred year round. Men seldom wear ties or jackets. Nobody bothers with raincoats, nor is there much call for sweaters, even at night. Wide-brimmed hats, however, are often required sun protectors.

WHAT TO BRING: Not a lot (see above). American travelling irons, hair dryers, razors do not require adapters.

TO HELP YOU: The Visitor's Bureau in Christiansted is in Government House on Queen Cross Street; open weekdays. In Frederiksted, the Visitors'Bureau is in a Strand Street Courtyard near the pier and also open weekdays and on cruise-ship days. A visitor orientation center for the Christiansted National Historic Site is open at the Scale House on the Wharf in Christiansted. Here, as everywhere, don't take chances. Lock your car, don't wear valuable jewelry when wandering in town, and keep to the main areas.

CURRENCY & BANKING: The American dollar is used here and in the British Virgin Islands. Credit cards are usually accepted. First Bank branches are open Mon.-Thur. 8:30 - 4 pm, Fri. to 5 pm, and Sat. 9-1 pm; Banco Popular branches are open Mon.-Thur. from 8-3 pm, Fri. 8-4 pm, and Sat. 9-1 pm. ATMs are at many locations (see maps).

TAXES: No sales tax. Airport fees, both federal and local, are usually written into your ticket; but an 8 percent government tax is applied to hotel rooms.

COMMUNICATIONS: There are several radio stations on St. Croix and St. Thomas and three television stations (one PBS). St. Croix Cable TV carries CNN and Headline News in addition to sports and other cable channels. Two local newspapers are published daily; also an on-line daily. New York and Miami papers arrive each morning.

TELEPHONE SERVICE: Local calls from coin-operated phones are 25 cents for every 5 minutes. Direct dialing is available. Local area code is 340, but you need not dial it for local numbers. Phone cards are sold at many shops throughout the island.

POSTAL RATES: We are part of the US postal system, with first class mail now costing 42 cents for the first ounce. Regular postcards are 24 cents. International rates are 94 cents for cards and letters, except to Canada and Mexico where the rate is 72 cents.

MARINE LIFE: All native plants and animals of the USVI are protected under the Indigenous Species Act. It is illegal to take, catch, possess, injure, harass, or kill any native animal or plant. All fish (unless harvested for food), coral, shells, and other marine life are protected. You will not be permitted to leave the territory with shells, corals or any other marine life in your possession.

HOLIDAYS: U.S. Federal holidays plus a handful of local ones are celebrated. The government closes for all holidays; banks close for most. Shops stay open except on major holidays.

MEETINGS: Rotary West meets in the Rotary Building by the stadium in Frederiksed on Tuesdays at 6 pm. Rotary Mid Isle meets at 7 am at Gertrude's Restaurant on the Hess Road, which is also the site for Rotary Club of St. Croix's Thursday noon meetings. Rotary Harborside meets upstairs at Fort Christian Brew Pub on the Christiansted boardwalk Wednesdays at 5:30 pm.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: VITRAN Buses serve the island with numerous routes, starting service at 5:30 am on weekdays, ending at 9:00 pm, starting later on weekends. If you are not in a hurry, you can tour the island for only $1, going between our two towns and to shopping centers (transfer at La Reine in midisland). Call 778-0898 or 773-1664.

Alternate affordable ways of getting around are group taxi vans (marked Taxi) that ply many routes. Economy-minded visitors can pick up a ride from Christiansted to Frederiksted or reverse for $2.50, if they are willing to share with local riders. Departures are from the Market Square in Christiansted and Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted, but the vans can also be flagged down along the route.