St. Croix & St.John

US Virgin Islands

St.Croix

St. Croix is one of the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean. Bright yellow Fort Christiansvaern is among Christiansted National Historic Site’s Danish colonial buildings. West, St. George Village Botanical Gardens occupies an old sugar plantation. Point Udall’s Millennium Monument marks the easternmost point of U.S. territory. North, Salt River Bay National Park has archaeological sites, mangroves and coral reefs.

The largest of the three islands, St. Croix has gentle hills, historic towns, and sandy beaches and is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. It is 28 miles long and seven miles at its widest point. The island has the greatest cultural diversity, and boasts pastel buildings and small shops in the historic towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted. Main attractions include the 700-acre underwater Buck Island National Monument (the storms brought a new beach to Buck Island.

By the water or under the sea, there’s a surprise around every reef, cove and dune. In addition to the famed Captain Morgan Rum Distillery, Cruzan Rum Distillery, live sunset jazz in Frederiksted, food and wine festivals, tidal pool hikes and rain-forest tours.

Historic Sites

Lawaetz Family Museum. An 18th-century estate house showcasing the antique furnishings and lush fertile gardens of the prominent Danish-Crucian Lawaetz Family.

Point Udall. The easternmost point of the United States offering magnificent views.

Historic Frederiksted Walking Tours. Learn about the history of Frederiksted, with its magnificent waterfront, Fort Frederik, Victorian townhouses and historic churches. Additional tours include the Alexander Hamilton's Christiansted Historical Walking Tour, Ridge to Reef Farm Tour and Ay-Ay Eco Hike & Tours from CHANT.

Beer Drinking Pigs at the Mt. Pellier Hut Domino Club. If you stop at the Domino Club, not only can you get yourself a cold beer, but you can buy a (non-alcoholic) round for the resident pigs.

Estate Whim Plantation Museum. History comes alive as you walk among the original early 18th-century plantation buildings on the 12 acres.

Fort Christiansvaern. Completed in 1749 and designated a National Historic Site in 1952, this former courthouse features an exhibit on local military history.

Virgin Islands Food Tours. There is a wide verity to choose from, we will explore that next week.

Outdoor Exploration

Buck Island. One of only three underwater national monuments in the United States, Buck Island’s underwater trails make it a popular destination for snorkelers and a must-do for every visitor.

St. George Village Botanical Gardens. Through its gardens and collections, it is a center of education for better understanding, not only of the island’s botanical heritage, but also the horticultural potential for contemporary gardening in the Virgin Islands.

Bioluminescent Bays. Both Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve and Altona Lagoon allow you to witness nature’s nightly “living lights” (caused by a high concentration of bioluminescent micro-organisms called dinoflagellates).

Beaches: St. Croix is home to 34 stunning beaches. With so many to choose from, exploring each day will be an adventure.

Golfer's Paradise: With two golf courses to choose from. Carambola Golf Club, Buccaneer Golf Course.

My US Clients:

Did you know that you don't need your passport when traveling to the US Virgin Islands?

Even though you don't need it, I always recommend my clients to travel with your passport.

USVI is a United States Territory so traveling to the islands for U.S. citizens is as easy as traveling domestically. No passport is required for U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Clients do need proof of citizenship (birth certificate with a raised seal) and a government-issued, valid form of identification to board flights and upon departure. For the most up-to-date rules and regulations regarding travel to the USVI for non-U.S. citizens, visit the travel section of www.CBP.gov.

Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the U.S. from any foreign destination. Upon departure a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.

Next week we will explore St. Croix more, you will be pleasantly surprised of all that St. Croix has to offer you as a destination.

St. John, A little Piece of Nature

Two-thirds of St. John, the smallest of the three islands at 19 square miles, is the protected Virgin Islands National Park with 9,500 acres of rolling green hills and an underwater reserve. This tranquil world can be explored on more than 20 self-guided hiking trails or by snorkeling or diving its fish and coral-filled waters. The island also boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches including Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay. The main towns are Cruz Bay with shops and restaurants, and quaint Coral Bay.

Since the storms, the National Park and its snorkeling trail has re-opened, as well as all of the breathtaking beaches on St. John. Ferry service is up and running, and Cruz Bay shops and restaurants are again open and bustling! Most hotels and villas have reopened on St. John, with the exception of Caneel Bay and the various campground sites.

Hotels in St. John specialize in blending into the existing natural environment of unspoiled landscapes, scenic views and crystal-clear waters. With a variety of accommodations, including hotels, small inns and villas.

Gallows Point Resort: Offering sweeping panoramic views and stunning sunsets from its private oceanfront location on a lushly landscaped five-acre peninsula that is a five-minute stroll from Cruz Bay.

Offering luxurious accommodation with views of Cruz Bay Harbour and the Caribbean Sea, Gallows Point Resort features an outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant. It has a beautiful setting surrounded by tropical gardens.

Each spacious suite at Gallows Point Resort has bright, Caribbean-style décor. All accommodation is air conditioned and features free Wi-Fi, satellite TV and an iPod docking station. There is a seating area with a sofa bed, and the kitchen has a microwave, fridge, oven and electric hob.

Bars cafés can be found in the centre of Cruz Bay, and the resort offers direct access to the beach and coral reef. St John is ideal for horse riding, scuba diving and sailing.

Gallows Point Resort is 11 km from the Mangrove Lagoon, 19 km from Historic Hassel Island and 10 minutes’ drive from St John Caneel Bay.

Recipe from St.John's USVI

KALLALOO

Here is the history of this dish.

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds fresh fish filleted (snapper or yellow-tail)
1 lb meat (smoked turkey or pig tail)
1 bunch crab legs
2 lb chopped fresh spinach
1 lb chopped okra
1 small eggplant, chopped
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 ea – red pepper and green pepper, diced
1 sprig each thyme & parsley
1/2 scotch bonnet (more or less to taste)
1 teaspoon salt (more or less taste)
1 teaspoon black pepper (more or less taste)

DIRECTIONS:
Wash meat thoroughly and soak if necessary to removed excess salt. Put meat in a large stock pot and cover with water and bring to boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low until meat begins to become tender – about 30 minutes. Remove any foam that may develop. In a separate pot, add fish and 1 to 1 1/2 quarts of water and boil until the fish is cooked. Finely chop vegetables in a food processor or blender. Remove fish and pick with fork until shredded. Add fish, fish stock, vegetables and remaining ingredients to the meat pot. You may need to add additional water to get the right consistency. Add additional salt and pepper as necessary. Boil ingredients rapidly for 30 minutes reduce heat and simmer until soup turns from a bright green to a a deeper green.

Next week we will Explore the US Virgin Islands and Multi-Generational Families vacation that awaits you.