Friday 20 February 2015

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands - Feb 20, 2015

What a beautiful place, perfect temperature, nice constant breeze, yachts, yachts and then the mega yachts and then there are the beaches. Nice powdery sand feeding into warm caribbean waters, just perfect. 


Quick background, St. Thomas was originally established as a Dutch colony the 17th century operating the sugar plantations with slave labour. The abolishment of slave labour caused the labour prices to soar to the point where operating the sugar plantations was no longer viable. With the economy spiralling downward the US saw this an opportunity and purchased this islands along with two more for $25 million in 1917. This was to be a defensive strategy during the First World War but the islands never saw combat however the innovations of war gave the island just what it needed to turn the economy around, large ships and airplanes capable of transporting lots of pleasure seeking people to the island. Today, St. Thomas is one of the busiest ports in the Caribbean as the island is capable of, and often does, support influxes of up to 20 thousand visitors a day. 


Our day was a beach going easy day as we left the ship at about 10:30 and took a funky taxi/bus to Magen Bay for a few hours of sand and warm water. Three ships in this port today and it seemed like everyone had the same idea. We shared this huge beach with not only the cruise ship passengers but with a few mega yachts sitting in the bay with all their toys floating in the water. Great Day…


A few pictures, hope you enjoy…   




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