Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ST THOMAS IN…
One Day
Stroll the downtown district of
Charlotte Amalie
and check out historic sites such as
the sand-floored
St Thomas Synagogue
and
Emancipation Garden
, where the
Vendors' Plaza
now stands. Browse the town's famous shops for a Rolex or pirate
eye patch. If you prefer shores to stores, grab a taxi to the beach at
Magens Bay
, the
crowd favorite, unfurling a gorgeous stretch of sand with lifeguards, water-sports
vendors and other amenities. Return to Charlotte Amalie for a late lunch of West In-
dian dishes at
Gladys' Cafe
or
Cuzzin's Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
or save
your appetite for a big dinner later at one of the funky bistros in
Frenchtown
.
Two Days
Head to St Thomas'
East End
and make the most of the activities on offer: windsurf-
ing at
Vessup Beach
, diving at
Coki Beach
, kayaking through the mangrove lagoon
with
Virgin Islands Ecotours
. Alternatively, just pick a beach and lounge -
Sap-
phire Beach
and
Lindquist Beach
are fine options. Hit happy hour in
Red Hook
at
Duffy's Love Shack
or one of the other gin joints, then book in for a lovingly pre-
pared meal at the
Old Stone Farmhouse
.
History
In 1666, a year after Denmark laid claim to St Thomas, the Danes began the construction of
Fort Christian on St Thomas Harbor. Three years later, the colonists constructed four pubs
near the water's edge on the western side of the fort, and in 1678, the Danes strengthened
their military position here by building Blackbeard's and Bluebeard's Castles as lookout
towers on the crests of two hills. People of the time called the colony Taphus, Danish for
'brew pub,' and the settlement outside the fort on St Thomas Harbor was, by all accounts,
a rustic, free-spirited pirates' den.
A series of governors and investors tried to bring the port under control, turn a profit for
the Danish West India and Guinea Company and get islanders to pay taxes. Their efforts
met with only marginal success. One enterprise did take hold: slave trading.
