It was a fluke that I even ventured to St. Croix. I planned a trip to St. Lucia, but scheduling conflicts left me with one option... St. Croix. I'm basically up for any adventure, hence my nickname! But, with no real time for research, I was on a plane and on the island, doing all my research from there.
fast facts
and now, some vacation
I arrived at the airport to find the shuttle van that would take me to my base camp. My ride was shared with a wonderful couple from New York. We chatted all the way from the airport on the 20-minute ride to one of the prettiest resorts I have stayed at, called the Carambola Resort.We approached the resort from above, winding down a steep road in the van that had picked me up from the airport. Someone in the van shouted, "There it is!" The resort was set down on the beach in a beautiful cove with white sand beaches and aquamarine water.
All you could really see were these red shiny tiled rooftops. We approached a guarded gate, and were waved through and dropped off at the reception area. Right away, you could feel your shoulders relax, and that you were actually inhaling deep calm breaths.
on the way in
The rooms are quite beautiful, almost plantation-like, with Mahogany four-post beds, islet bedding, and a ceiling fan. The bathroom has Spanish paved tiles throughout, which lead all the way to an open roomed shower.In the evenings, Carambola offers up some festivities, live music and dinners, and on weekends, a wonderful Sunday brunch. A really great place to stay, I highly recommend it.
I investigated some of the local culture, only to find that the islanders were quite Americanized. Duh! It is a part of the US, right? I don't know, I guess I just thought "island."
In a way, it was a bit disappointing because I travel to experience diversity, but it was also nice not worrying about communication breakdowns. The only breakdown was my tummy wanting to eat soon after I ordered, but having to wait due to "island time." So, I learned quickly to plan to eat, before hunger set in.
grandiose sites
There are two small towns, Frederiksted and Christiansted. There is a charming locals market in Frederiksted, where island grown produce and tropical herbs are for sale daily. There is also a fort, which also lends quite an interesting history, and all over the island, you will find old plantations and historical landmarks, such as the Victoria House.One thing you should never miss down here is the Cruzan Rum Distillery, and Point Udall, which is quite barren, but has some spectacular views. It is the most easterly point in St. Croix and the US.
Don't forget to ask about the pig... A pig? , you ask. Yes, that's right. The pig or should I say, huge hog, which pops open beer cans and drinks them within seconds. It's on a private ranch, and it won't be on your tourist information must-do list. It's just one of those offbeat things you have to see -- and all you have to do is ask around. He's a St. Croix celebrity! I can promise, when you run into a fellow St. Croix Alumnus, you will have that experience in common.
got a buck?
Don't miss Buck Island. It is a protected island and reef area that has some of the most amazing snorkeling, crystal clear waters, and serves as home to several endangered wildlife such as sea tortoises and unique birds that find refuge on the tiny island just off the coast of St. Croix.
You can make arrangements for a half a day tour with Big Beard's Adventure Tours, which I did and it was great fun. You can also try Mile Mark Tours, which offers smaller tours of 6 for a leisurely day adventure.
the dead of night
This is not a vacation destination that provides any real sort of nightlife. In fact, it is considered pretty safe by the islanders, and all I would hear about was how dangerous St. Thomas was and that St. Croix was much safer for going out at night.Personally, I challenge that perspective. Not that anything happened while I was there... nothing in the news, nothing that I had seen to be out of sorts, but I didn't feel truly comfortable the night I had ventured out with some friends I had met at my resort. My opinion -- stay close to your hotel/resort in the evenings.
epicurean delights
St. Croix's dining is absolutely marvelous. In fact, St. Croix boasts about its epicurean offerings. I found my favorite to be Tutto Bene in Christiansted, but also don't miss Indies or Villa Madeline. You will be quite impressed. The attire required is casual.I would have loved the opportunity to venture to St. Thomas and St. John on day trips. You can actually visit St. John quite easily from St. Thomas. St. Croix is not close enough, and its surrounding waters are rough enough to make the other islands unavailable. (There was a ferry that sank a few years back; no one has come forward with another ferry, and I think locals prefer it that way!)
There is an option of personal charter and there are flights you can take as an option but, without prior reservations, availability is often scarce and if it is, flights can be pricey.
My trip was 5 nights and 6 days, and I found myself for the first time to be a bit island fevered, anxiously awaiting my departure from St. Croix. I can have downtime and really enjoy it, but only for so long, then it's go, go, go. So, for all you fast pacers out there, beware... St. Croix is an island that leaves you with no choice but to relax, set a leisurely pace, and enjoy!
*history
When Christopher Columbus journeyed west on his second voyage, he sighted the island the Tainos Indians called "Ay Ay" (The River) on November 14, 1493. He anchored off the north shore near a large natural bay west of Christiansted, known now as Salt River.In need of fresh water, he sent a landing party ashore. The party attacked the Caribs as they came to greet them in their canoes. The Caribs offered the first resistance by Native Americans to the Europeans that resulted in casualties on both sides.
Originally inhabited about 1900 years ago by wanderers of the Ciboney tribe as they worked themselves north out of South America, the Taino tribes called them the Igneri or Ancient People, as they inhabited the island of St. Croix from 650 AD to 1450 AD.
However, in 1985, an archaeological site was excavated, which proved man was present on the island from 3485 BC to 2995 BC. After the Igneri came the Tainos or Arawaks, followed by the Caribs, a fierce tribe who took control in 1425.
Although Spain originally claimed the island of Santa Cruz, now the French St. Croix, she made little attempt to settle the smaller islands. Most historians agree; Santa Cruz was settled by both the Dutch and English at about the same time, around 1625.
The Dutch, along with some French Protestant refugees from the Catholic-dominated portion of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) settled in the harbor area of Bassin, now the present day Christiansted , while the English located themselves on the western part of the island in what is now Frederiksted.
Who got the territory?
yes, master
By the early 1640s, England and Holland were contending for the islands. As both the English and Dutch settlements expanded, quarreling began between them over territory, jurisdiction and authority of the island. The English Governor on Santa Cruz was killed by the Dutch governor in 1645, and the English settlers retaliated in a furious battle in which the Dutch governor was wounded, and later died of his injuries.The Dutch withdrew from the island and went to St. Eustatius and St. Martin. The French settlers remaining on the island soon departed for Guadeloupe.
The English remained the masters of the island. The colony strengthened and the population increased. The Spanish, on nearby Puerto Rico, were concerned about the growth and in a nighttime maritime attack, comprised of 5 boats and 1200 Spanish soldiers, surprised the English, killing 120 of them, and forced the remaining settlers to leave the island.
When the Dutch learned of the Spanish overthrow of the English, they landed a small force of men onto the island. They, in turn, were overthrown by the remaining garrison of 60 Spaniards.
The French also heard of the overthrow of the English and seized the opportunity to conquer Santa Cruz from the Spanish in 1650. Philippe de Lonvilliers de Poincy, a strongman official of the Knights of Malta, dispatched 160 of his best troops and succeeded in deceiving the Spanish garrison to capitulate and sail for San Juan.
He then promptly sent three hundred planters from St. Christopher to establish, the now renamed, St. Croix.
another historical moment
The resort had a history that interested me quite a bit. Originally, a former private compound built for one of America's wealthiest families as a vacation destination, it was then sold to Westin, which, in turn, sold to Sunterra Resorts.Carambola had been destroyed by hurricanes and rebuilt a couple of times, only to be built grander than the prior resort. It is very remote. You need to rent a car, or schedule the van to bring you into town. The charge? A nominal fee each way of approximately $5 US per person.
You just check in with the front desk and they let you know when the van departs into town, or they'll help you make other arrangements. There is a golf course for those who don't mind playing in 80-degree humidity, and beautiful grounds.
interesting sites
St. Croix Guidebook:http://www.stcroixguidebook.com/
Carambola Resort:
http://www.sunterra.com/resorts/regions/resort.asp?resort_code=CAR®ion=caribbean
St. Croix Info:
http://www.ecani.com/vi/sc/entry.htm
Caribbean Travel Guide
*Historical Information Provided By: http://www.ecani.com/vi/sc/about.htm .
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