Around the Ship and St.Thomas

Karen's Painting has started. It was fun mixing the colors.














Hot tub anyone? Do you think you have privacy from everyone?















Statue of King William III, handsome bloke, isn't he?














Now this is the way to wait for an elevator!















You can see 2 ships in the background but since we were on the Holland America we got our own private dock in St. Thomas.















And this is the Diamonds International store by our dock where Alan bought my beautiful diamond ring! It's a huge store as you can see. It's the one right in front of the huge windmill.

Day Five

In St. Thomas we had a day that was partially cloudy with a high of 82 degrees, which was perfect weather. We decided to have breakfast once again on the Lido Deck. We had our usual omelets, waffles, English muffins and juice. The craft for the day were zipper pullers and I was able to make two of them. We left for our excursion early, 8:15 and returned around shortly after noon. We went through US Customs and Border Protection Inspections early in the morning and once again it went smooth.

Some of the activities throughout the day included a fitness class for stretching and relaxing, aerobics, the morning walk-a-mile, a game of Skip-Bo, volleyball, card players meeting, 3-on-3 basketball, afternoon tea, a gem of Boggle, Team Trivia, Snowball Jackpot BINGO, gift wrapping ideas, Pirate’s Sail away Party, Mass, Second night of Hanukkah, perfume sampling, Face-Up Blackjack, viewing of Peter Max exhibit, Unveiling of Russian Diamonds, Shades of Blue Jewelry Event, and the first round of the Noordam Superstar Singing Competition. There was a Cure 5K Walk sponsored by Holland America Line Foundation where they invited guests to join in the fight against breast cancer by participating in On Deck for the Cure, a 5k non-competitive walk around the ship’s deck that raised money for Susan G Komen for the Cure. The walk was held on Sunday afternoon.

There were all kinds of decorative statues of Kings and Queens from Norway on the ship so I chose a few to take pictures of along with those fabulous chairs by the elevators. Shouldn’t there be chairs by elevators in every building, at least the one I work in as sometimes it takes a half hour to catch one going your way…especially during lunchtime. Another picture I took was of a hot tub on the balcony of another ship. Now that’s what I call being spoiled! Did I happen to mention that Alan and I had brought along some oil painting kits so we could paint while relaxing? Well, I started to paint mine, Alan never got around to doing his. I was proud at how far I’d gotten but when it came time to pack I couldn’t take it as it was still wet. So I left the unfinished painting behind but did take the paints and Alan’s painting…figured I could paint it someday at home.

After departure from Road Town, we sailed throughout the night on various westerly courses. Our approach to St. Thomas was from the south, where the navigational team embarked the pilot outside the harbor entrance at around 6:00am. The pilot advised the team on the local waters, and the best possible routing. An outstanding feature of the Virgin Islands is the steadiness of the trade winds, which blow almost without exception from the east. US Customs and Boarder Protection requires that all guests attend US Immigration Inspection upon arrival, even if we were not going ashore. Immigration Inspection began after officials had boarded which war around 7:00am. Non-US citizens, including alien registration cardholders, went to the Hudson Room on Promenade Deck 3. US citizens went to the Queen’s Lounge on Lower Promenade Deck 2. Guests were called over the PA system by the deck their stateroom was located. We all had to go through immigration so we were there early so we could get to our shore excursion on time. It was amazing how some folks could be so rude and try pushing themselves through. It seemed like it was mostly foreigners. Maybe that’s how they grew up in life—pushing themselves. All guests had to bring their completed white immigration inspection card and passport or proof of citizenship + photo I.D. with them. When leaving the ship, we had to make sure to bring our yellow clearance card and our Holland America Line Guest ID Card as we approached the gangway for scanning at the security gate. We were advised once we had disembarked we could not re-board the vessel until immigration procedures had been completed. Immigration actually went quite smooth and soon we were up enjoying a nice breakfast in the Lido Room. When we arrived in St. Thomas we were docked at a different dock then we usually dock at. We were docked at Charlotte Amalie.

Now for some interesting facts about St. Thomas. Columbus probably sighted St. Thomas and St. John, but larger St. Croix was the Virgin he logged during his second voyage of discovery in 1493. The Spaniards didn’t stay in the islands. Once they discovered gold in Mexico and Peru, conquistador focus shifted westward. Like most of the Caribbean islands, however, St. Thomas was ruled at various times by local French, Dutch, and English expeditionary forces searching for new territory and commercial opportunities. In 1593, Sir Francis Drake stopped at St. Thomas and St. John on his way to attack the Spanish at San Juan. Over the next hundred years, St. John and St. Thomas were owned by the Danish West India and Guinea Company. On St. Thomas, the Danes founded the town of Chalotte Amalie from the profits of the lucrative sugar trade. At the height of its sugar producing days, St. Thomas had over 170 plantations. However, the number dwindled quickly. The terrain proved too rugged for agriculture, and the focus shifted to trade. In 1665, Erik Neilson Smith, a Danish sea captain, assumed governorship of the islands with support of the Dutch king.
In the next century, the other two large islands and surround islets were acquired. It was hard for the Danes to defend their holding—a lonely isolated outpost—but they held on until the 20th century. British forces invade several times, but Denmark retained control. In 1724 St. Thomas became a free port where goods were exempt from duties and regulations.

The United States government had already recognized the strategic advantage of a Caribbean military base, especially after the Panama Canal, but it took 50 years to purchase it in 1914. Trying to protect US trade interests in the Caribbean, the US bought the island from Denmark for $25 million USD in 1917. The first agreement was signed in 1867, but the Secretary of State William Henry Seward had recently bought Alaska fro US $7 million and the move known as Seward’s Folly was not popular in Congress. The proposed $7.5 million contract for the new territory was approved in Denmark but the US Senate refused to authorize it. Around 1900, another proposal was made, but the offer was only $5 million and Denmark rejected the paltry contract out of hand. When WWII began in 1914, congress worried that Denmark might lose control of the islands and negotiations resumed. The shrewd Danes saw a business opportunity—they raised the price tag to $25 million. The sale was finalized in 1917. The final price—nearly $300 per acre, represents one of America’s most expensive land acquisitions ever! Still, you will probably agree that neither Alaska nor the Virgin Islands was folly. Consider today’s real estate prices and look at the treasures America got for the money. It won’t take you long to figure out why the Virgin Islands are cherished as “American Paradise” The US Navy ruled the Island until 1931 when a civil government was established. After World War II, the islands were neglected until American conflict with Cuba sent tourists looking for new white beaches, coral reefs and azure waters. Now the USVI offers one of the highest standards of living in the West Indies.

Historic Footprints:
1500 BC Arawak (also known as Taino) and Ciboney tribes settle in the Caribbean.
1492 Christopher Columbus “discovers” the Caribbean. Believing he has reached the Asian coast, he names the islands Las Indias. The error results in West Indies and indigenous people are called “Indians”
1493 During his second voyage, Columbus names Las Once Mil Virgines “the 11,000 virgins” in honor of St. Ursula and her 11,000 martyred Virgins.
1665 Danish King Frederik III claims St. Thomas. The port of Taphus (later Charlotte Amalie) is established.
1667 Danes abandon the island discouraged by hurricane and disease.
1671 Danish West Indian Co. begins
1672 Governor George Iverson leads 189 settlers (116 indentured servants (bondsmen) and 61 convicts). Few survive
1685 Brandenburg American Company is established to operate a slave-trade post. Local leaders turn blind eye to pirates as merchants profit from sales of pirate ‘booty’
1691 Taphus is renamed Charlotte Amalie to honor King Christian V’s bride
1725 Dronningens Gade is a place of legitimate business
1917 US purchases Virgin Islands for $25 million in gold. Navy administers the territory.

Interesting Sites: USVI administration is similar to the 50 state governments. Senate meets in a green 1874 Danish police barracks just off King’s Wharf near the waterfront. If the Territory Assembly is in session you’ll want to visit. Assembly is in session—lively debates can be quite entertaining. Near the legislature, Emancipation Garden recalls the 1848 Danish liberation of slaves nearly 20 years before the Emancipation Proclamation. Across the garden from the Legislature, Fort Christian, dedicated in 1678 is one of the island’s oldest structures. The old walls formed the colonial boundaries. The dungeon museum relics include antique maps, and odd historic relics. The fort was begun in 1671 when King Christian V sponsored the lucrative colony. The Government House mansion was built in the mid 1860s and serves as administrative headquarters for the USVI territory. The gates are guarded, but with permission, it is possible to view the lower floors. The interior features rich mahogany work, and murals commemorate Columbus and his discovery of the islands in 1493 along with other important historical relics. Not far from Drake’s Seat, the observatory point Sir Francis Drake used to guard his fleet. St. Peter Greathouse is in the midst of a lush Botanical Garden. The former corporate guesthouse hs been transformed into an art gallery highlighting local artists. A trail traverses the three acres, and postings describe plant life. The Seven Arches are adornments to an 18th-century West Indian style Danish great house. The kitchen, slave quarters, and furnishings provide insight into lifestyles of the past. The home is still a private residence, but the second floor is a museum. Altitude changes prompted colonists to add staircases. Completed in the mid-1700s by Danish builders 99 Steps, there are actually more than 100, were fashioned from ship’s ballast.

St. Thomas is the administrative center for the USVI including St. John, St. Croix and various small islets. The arrival point for most visitors, and the commercial center, Charlotte Amalie, welcomes as many as 50 passenger ships a month. On busy days, there can be ten cruise ships in port. The town has long been one of the Caribbean’s most popular and most accessible cruise destinations.

Popular beaches include Magen’s Bay, which is heart shaped like a heart and one of the most beautiful in the world is located on the north shore. Hull Bay is the surfer’s beach and Coki Point Beach is perfect for snorkeling.

We decided on taking a ferry to the island of St. John, where we would visit Trunk Bay, which has been voted one of the world's prettiest beaches. It has great snorkeling with a snorkeling path with signs in the water identifying various fish and coral. I tried snorkeling but with my problem breathing it didn't work out for me so I quickly headed back to the beach with Alan. At least I tried and was able to see some fish. Once Alan and I changed stepped out of our gear we talked a little with one of the couples from table while we dried off. We weren’t really hungry so we opted for a couple of refreshing drinks. Since I couldn't find my sunglasses and thought I'd left them on the catamaran I found another pair at the quaint, little gift shop in Trunk Bay. They were a lot nicer than the other ones I had brought for the trip. I also found a few souvenirs for the girls at work who were covering the front desk for me while I was on vacation plus a nice desk calendar that is loaded with beautiful Virgin Island photographs. I also found a Christmas ornament in the shop of Santa under a palm tree.

After returning to the ship from St. John around noon we unloaded our tote bag and went back on shore. I looked at the shops for some of the sundresses and only found a couple so bought them right up. I hoped that St. Maarten would have what I was looking for. Next I ventured into the Diamonds to see about getting my ‘free’ charm there. While in the shop I browsed around at some of their rings. I’ve been wanting to upgrade my ring from yellow gold to white gold and have the stone from my old setting put into a new one. I fell in love with a gorgeous unique setting that had both round diamonds on each side of the center setting plus rectangular ones. I asked the saleslady the price and it was actually quite reasonable. I asked the lady what her name was and she said Beverly. I told her that I worked with a person by that name that grew up on St. Thomas and it would be easy to remember her name. I asked Alan to come into the store so I could show him the ring. To my surprise he went ahead and bought it for me as he thought it was a bargain and would make for a nice anniversary present. Nancy kept telling us about a special ring that she was planning on getting in St. Thomas for her birthday. It was one she’d seen worn by someone else and she wanted it for her 50th birthday. When she came to dinner that night she wore it. It was actually two rings in one and nice. I loved the setting I got and could hardly wait to get my old stone put into the new shiny white gold setting. I had such a hard time removing my old rings from my fingers until Beverly put some Windex on them. I didn’t put them back on but did find a nice ring with amethyst and jade in it to wear until my new setting was ready. I took several pictures of the store I bought the ring.

We returned around 2:00, just in time for lunch. I had a Valentino sandwich, which is like a Reuben but has tomato on it too. I named it after the sandwich maker and found it to be quite satisfying. Since dinner was only a few hours away we kept our lunch light.

For dinner we had a nice prime rib dinner with all the fixins. Since shrimp cocktails were on the menu we ordered them and they were so tasty that Nancy and I ordered another one. The shrimps were by no means shrimpy either. And of course I had my usual Caesar salad and chilled soup.

The Showtime for the night was a juggling act performed by Adam Kario. He was also a comedian and has performed around the world, displaying his unique style of comedy and variety. His offbeat comedy has won over countless audiences and his incredible talent has earned him a total of two world championships. He has appeared on the Bravo Channel in “Juggler” and ABC’s World News Tonight. He did a very funny act using a gentleman from the audience and knives and we all laughed as the guy was blindfolded and thought he was going to be stabbed but was surprised when he wasn’t, I wonder if he had to change his pants afterwards.