St. Thomas, USVI

Clouds on top of the mountain at Charlotte Amalie

We've spent the last few weeks (including Christmas and New Years) on St. Thomas.  We really didn't plan for that to happen, we thought we would be in the BVIs by now, but that's the way the cruising life seems to work. We have been enjoying our time here. Troy has played music a couple of times at a small Mexican restaurant - The Loony Bien - and we've learned to make good use of the public transportation system in order to get around on the island. The local buses (or Safaris) are trucks with covered, open air benches in the back and they are a cheap way to travel, with the highest price being $2.00.

We spent some time in Brewer's Bay, right next to the airport. Brewer's is a beautiful bay with a beautiful beach and clear blue water.  Troy loved watching all the airplanes take off and land and Luna loved the beach and learning about the kayaks and the dinghy.  She's gonna be a great boat dog.

Brewer's Bay and St. Thomas Airport

Rainbow on the beach at Brewer's Bay

St. Thomas is 31 square miles, 13 miles long and 4 miles wide. The island has quite a history. Christopher Columbus is said to have discovered the island on his 2nd voyage in 1493. It has been claimed by Indians, the Spanish, Pirates, the Danish and, finally, purchased by the US in 1917 for $25 million.  Now, the capital of the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, is a major cruise ship port (can you say "duty free!").  We've seen as many a 6 ships here at one time. You can learn more about the history of St. Thomas at THIS LINK.

Storyville anchored with the cruise ships in Charlotte Amaile

We are thinking that we will be here for a few more days and then work our way over to St. John for a week or so before heading out to the BVIs.  This may be the last that Storyville sees of US waters for a long time.

We will spend a little exploring in the BVIs - they are too beautiful to rush through - and then cross over to St. Martin for a while.  We have boat projects and all kinds of things that we are planning to get done in St. Martin.  We're hoping to make it there by the end of February so that we can see the Heineken Regatta.

Luna's first trip to a park. So much to see and smell!