As our clothes spin in the beachside laundry
room, we’re waiting in the lobby with a half-dozen other guests. Elizabeth
Armstrong, the owner of the Buccaneer Hotel, is regaling us with the history of
the island and the hotel itself.
The earliest known existence of man dates back two and a
half millennia. Groups of natives gradually emigrated up the island chain from
South America, becoming the Caribs. Of course, you can see where the region got
its name.
More recently, Spanish, French, and Dutch traders opened huge sugar plantations here run on the backs of slaves. Eventually, the slaves were emancipated but the Dutch governors bankrupted the island with their lavish ways.
The United States, looking for a strategic location
during World War I to protect its Panama Canal interests, took it off the
Dutch’s hands for $25 million dollars. Now a self-governed territory, and
administered by the Department of the Interior, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St.
John, and many other small islands are still part of the USA under the name
U.S. Virgin Islands.
Ms. Armstrong leads us on a short walk over to the old
sugar mill where we had Happy Hour last night.
She points out several birds and plants of the island
around the area. This old stone structure was a cistern for the old mill.
Inside the mill itself, we’re told of the fruit bats that
like to live here.
Finally, we get to inspect the fruit of the calabash
tree, which is used for making maracas.
I had told my wife that I’d treat her to a massage at the
hotel’s spa. Instead, she asks, can she use the money to buy a bracelet she saw
in Christiansted?
Off into town we go where we park at the Fort
Christianvern National Monument (great place to find free parking downtown, by
the way). Sonya jewelers is nearby,
where my wife finds her souvenir.
Afterward, we head over to our new favorite island
hangout, Fort Christian Brewpub. It’s Thursday and today’s special is $10
pitchers and 10 wings for $7.
We get the bargain basement specials and I get an idea.
The water is very clear in the harbor, clearer that the
beach at the hotel where I did a little snorkeling but it was a bit murky. I’ve
got an underwater camera but, so far, it isn’t doing me too much good but there
is a ton of fish right off the dock here in clear water.
I ask the bartender if I can borrow a broomstick. He
finds one, I clamp the camera on it, lower it in the water while Letty feeds
the hungry tarpon our leftover chicken bones.
Watch The Video!
Watch the video above for the results and to acquaint yourself
with the soon-to-be-famous chicken bone eating tarpon of St. Croix. Just as fun
but less smelly than the world famous beer drinking pigs up in the jungle.
We’ll wrap up our time in St. Croix in our next report.
Darryl
Copyright 2013 – Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved
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