Colonial St. Thomas

Brrr!   The 2013-14 winter months are long with bitterly cold temperatures.  We need a break from winter.  So, we book ourselves on an 11-day Southern Caribbean Cruise. 

 

Day 4:  Our first port-of-call is St. Thomas USVI.   This is not my first time at St. Thomas but it is my first time touring the island (we usually go to St. John or Tortola to do water activities).  As we leave Charlotte Amalie, we drive by Fort Christian (the oldest structure in the USVI). Fort Christian (red building with an ornate clock tower) has been a school, jail, government building, and a museum.

   

Fort Christian

Our first stop is a panoramic view from Drakes Seat (where Sir Francis Drake was supposed to have looked for enemy ships of the Spanish fleet).  The view from this high vantage point is beautiful. 

      

View from Drake’s Seat

At Blackbeard’s Castle, we begin a self-guided walking tour of Colonial St. Thomas.  The tour includes Blackbeard’s Castle, two historic homes, Hotel 1829, the 99 Steps, and an unusual amber waterfall.  Unfortunately, we are not given any map, so I wander around on my own. 

Blackbeard's Castle (built in 1679) is really a watch tower.  It is 35 feet high, four feet thick and has a spiral staircase consisting of 36 steps to the top viewing platform.  The top of the tower is so small only 8 people are allowed there at one time but the view is outstanding. 

          

   Blackbeard’s Castle and Panoramic View from Top of Tower

Located on the hillside is the Britannia House (originally built in 1847).  The house is furnished with antiques and the porch has a lovely view of the bay.

      

Britannia House – Porch View

Haagensen House: is beautifully decorated and furnished with West Indian antiques.  The original 1.5 story house was built in 1822.  I can imagine myself sipping on a cold beverage while sitting on a porch chair enjoying this view.   

  

Haagensen House – Porch View

Amber Waterfall is tucked away in a small courtyard near Hotel 1829.  It is the largest amber waterfall in the world (2-stories high) and contains over 12,000 stones.  This “waterfall” is not what I call a waterfall but it is unusual and an interesting tourist attraction.

   

Amber Stone Waterfall

Built in the mid-1700’s, Charlotte Amalie has many step streets cutting through the hills that rise from the harbor area.  Of these step streets, the 99 steps are the most popular and probably the most photographed. 

  

99 Steps – Going Up?

Well, the allotted time for my St. Thomas walking tour time is coming to an end and the warmth of the day is making me feel tired and ready for air conditioning.  I am heading back to the ship.  See you at the next port – Dominica!