CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands

In article <ctr8gc$f3ru$1@osf1.gmu.edu>, Juliana L Holm <jholm@osf1.gmu.edu> writes:
>sservc <sservc.1ju8lw@no-mx.travelforums.org> wrote:
>
>> One of the stops during my cruise next month is at Charlotte Amalie...
>> does anyone know of some places I should visit here? Or things I should
>> do or try?
>
>
>My favorite thing to do in St. Thomas is to go to the National Park on
>St. John via Ferry. Trunk Bay is one of National Geographic's 10 most
>beautiful beaches.

I quite agree.

I have never been in Charlotte Amalie except on route to St John,
and the impression I have of it is such that I likely never will be.

There are undoubtedly some fun things to do on St Thomas. The shopping
is said to be good, if that is your interest. But St John is BEAUTIFUL.
If you have the time, it is worth it to tour the National Park or just
spend an hour or two on one of the lovely beaches.

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

Hi There,

Here are my suggestions of some of the things you should do if you visit St.
Thomas…..of course what and how many things you do will depend on how much
time you have.

If you like history…take a walking tour of downtown Charlotte Amalie…..it
will tire you out in the heat but it's worth it. Go to Fort Christian and
spend a couple of hours…free admission, some interesting exhibits..and great
views for picture taking on the roof of the fort. Go see the Governor's
residence if it is open that day. Stop by the Crystal Palace and see a
fabulous place that now is a wonderful B&B…say hello to Ronnie when you are
there. Visit the landmarks. Go to Drake's Seat and pretend you're Sir Francis
Drake watching the Spanish fleet sail by while your ships are hiding in Magens
Bay. If you want to see the Caribbean…both the sea and the culture....drive
around the island. I always rent a car because you can go where you want to
go, when you want to go there and visit all the non-tourist places that let you
discover the 'real' island….not just the few areas that one-day visitors
normally get to see. Head to Paradise Point and view the mountains, look out
at the other islands from the higher levels.

Go to Frenchtown and experience that culture……eat at one of the very good
restaurants down there. Head west on the island..past the airport and the UVI
campus and spend some time at Brewer's Bay. Pick up some sea shells while you
are there and grab a bite to eat and a cold beer from one of the roadside
vending trucks.

Go to visit the parts of the island that are off the tourist path. Stop at a
roadside produce stand and take a while to talk to the locals….ask about
their offerings and enjoy some great fresh fruit. Remember….whenever you run
into a local…just say "hello" and ask how they are…..they will start
talking to you right away…they will ask you "how do you like our island" and
they will mean it.

Take a day trip over to Tortola and see where they make Sunny Caribe spices or
shop in Pusser's….go to St. John and visit the beaches or the artist's
community…go to Water Island…..go to St. Croix and see the "other" Virgin
Island…..or go to any number of other BVI's that can be easily reached from
St. Thomas.

Other things to do or see……shop of course. St. Thomas has some really
"different" shops in addition to those you probably know about (jewelry, china
and the like). Make sure you go to Local Color, go to Mountain Top or Paradise
Point, go to Coral World, and go to Tillett Gardens. Stop at Red Hook and try
Rhiannon's right below and one building over from the Caribbean Steak House &
Saloon or check your email at the internet connection you can make a the
Grateful Deli. The Atlantis submarine is still there and it is interesting but
a bit pricey. Also be sure to look while you are driving. You will find
several really unusual things to stop and visit from local pottery studios to
very unusual houses and out of the way shops…..in season look for softball
games or other sporting events that the locals are having. And finally, be
sure to take in the beaches….St. Thomas has several and they are all
different. Magens, Coki, Frenchman's, Hull, Dorothea, Limetree, Bolongo,
Secret Harbour, Sapphire, and all the others

Schultz

Hello,

I second all of Guy's comments. What a comprehensive email full of
excellent suggestions! Some years ago I spent a week in St. Thomas and
did so much of what Guy suggested. I was there recently on a cruise
ship and spent the day snorkeling at St. John. But I feel frustrated
when so many people seem to feel that St. Thomas is merely a stop-off
point to get to St. John. IMHO, St. Thomas is a beautiful destination
in its own right. A week exclusively in St. Thomas could hardly do it
justice. If I were you, I would make note of Guy's suggestions and do
what he suggests. You will not be sorry.



GuyUSVI wrote:
> Hi There,
>
> Here are my suggestions of some of the things you should do if you visit St.
> Thomas…..of course what and how many things you do will depend on how much
> time you have.
>
> If you like history…take a walking tour of downtown Charlotte Amalie…..it
> will tire you out in the heat but it's worth it. Go to Fort Christian and
> spend a couple of hours…free admission, some interesting exhibits..and great
> views for picture taking on the roof of the fort. Go see the Governor's
> residence if it is open that day. Stop by the Crystal Palace and see a
> fabulous place that now is a wonderful B&B…say hello to Ronnie when you are
> there. Visit the landmarks. Go to Drake's Seat and pretend you're Sir Francis
> Drake watching the Spanish fleet sail by while your ships are hiding in Magens
> Bay. If you want to see the Caribbean…both the sea and the culture....drive
> around the island. I always rent a car because you can go where you want to
> go, when you want to go there and visit all the non-tourist places that let you
> discover the 'real' island….not just the few areas that one-day visitors
> normally get to see. Head to Paradise Point and view the mountains, look out
> at the other islands from the higher levels.
>
> Go to Frenchtown and experience that culture……eat at one of the very good
> restaurants down there. Head west on the island..past the airport and the UVI
> campus and spend some time at Brewer's Bay. Pick up some sea shells while you
> are there and grab a bite to eat and a cold beer from one of the roadside
> vending trucks.
>
> Go to visit the parts of the island that are off the tourist path. Stop at a
> roadside produce stand and take a while to talk to the locals….ask about
> their offerings and enjoy some great fresh fruit. Remember….whenever you run
> into a local…just say "hello" and ask how they are…..they will start
> talking to you right away…they will ask you "how do you like our island" and
> they will mean it.
>
> Take a day trip over to Tortola and see where they make Sunny Caribe spices or
> shop in Pusser's….go to St. John and visit the beaches or the artist's
> community…go to Water Island…..go to St. Croix and see the "other" Virgin
> Island…..or go to any number of other BVI's that can be easily reached from
> St. Thomas.
>
> Other things to do or see……shop of course. St. Thomas has some really
> "different" shops in addition to those you probably know about (jewelry, china
> and the like). Make sure you go to Local Color, go to Mountain Top or Paradise
> Point, go to Coral World, and go to Tillett Gardens. Stop at Red Hook and try
> Rhiannon's right below and one building over from the Caribbean Steak House &
> Saloon or check your email at the internet connection you can make a the
> Grateful Deli. The Atlantis submarine is still there and it is interesting but
> a bit pricey. Also be sure to look while you are driving. You will find
> several really unusual things to stop and visit from local pottery studios to
> very unusual houses and out of the way shops…..in season look for softball
> games or other sporting events that the locals are having. And finally, be
> sure to take in the beaches….St. Thomas has several and they are all
> different. Magens, Coki, Frenchman's, Hull, Dorothea, Limetree, Bolongo,
> Secret Harbour, Sapphire, and all the others
>
> Schultz
>

>But I feel frustrated=20
>when so many people seem to feel that St. Thomas is merely a stop-off=20
>point to get to St. John. IMHO, St. Thomas is a beautiful destination=20
>in its own right.

Laura,

How true. What I found is that most of the folks who say that never see more
of the island than the trip from the airport to the ferry dock or the cruise
ship dock to downtown.

I've been going to STT for the past 18 years and still haven't seen everything
the island has to offer.

I also laugh when folks talk about STT as being overdeveloped and so
crowded......I love spending days on beaches that may have 6 other people there
in the course of a day liek Dorothea or Nejlteberg; or sections of the island,
like Botany Bay, that most folks have never even heard of, let alone visited.
I could spend two weeks on the island and never hit a crowd. Guess it depends
on whether you want to discover the island or follow the normal tourist path.

When you get ready to visit again, let me know and I'll give you some more "off
the beaten path" ideas that I'll think you'll enjoy.

Schultz

Hello Schultz,

Thank you for the offer. At this point I have no clue when we'll be
back. But St Thomas was my first ever trip to the Caribbean. I was
blown away by its beauty. There was magic at every turn. We spent one
day at St. John during that trip. Yes, St. John was beautiful. But
everyone seems to underestimate St. Thomas. There is SO much more to do
than shop! I look forward to a return trip some day. I'll let you know
when we do it. I have also spent extended trips in Antigua and St.
Martin/Sint Maarten and day stop-overs at many other islands. But St.
Thomas will always be a very special destination in my mind.

Laura

GuyUSVI wrote:
>>But I feel frustrated=20
>>when so many people seem to feel that St. Thomas is merely a stop-off=20
>>point to get to St. John. IMHO, St. Thomas is a beautiful destination=20
>>in its own right.
>
>
> Laura,
>
> How true. What I found is that most of the folks who say that never see more
> of the island than the trip from the airport to the ferry dock or the cruise
> ship dock to downtown.
>
> I've been going to STT for the past 18 years and still haven't seen everything
> the island has to offer.
>
> I also laugh when folks talk about STT as being overdeveloped and so
> crowded......I love spending days on beaches that may have 6 other people there
> in the course of a day liek Dorothea or Nejlteberg; or sections of the island,
> like Botany Bay, that most folks have never even heard of, let alone visited.
> I could spend two weeks on the island and never hit a crowd. Guess it depends
> on whether you want to discover the island or follow the normal tourist path.
>
> When you get ready to visit again, let me know and I'll give you some more "off
> the beaten path" ideas that I'll think you'll enjoy.
>
> Schultz