Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
prairie warbler and the northern parula. Many are native species, like the Caribbean elaenia
and the doctorbird.
One of the joys of winter beach visits is watching the aerial acrobatics of brown pelicans
as they dive-bomb for fish. Wading birds such as egrets and herons are common at salt
ponds. On Anegada, pink flamingos hang out in the ponds.
The islands also have an ample supply of pesky insects, including daytime-active mos-
quitoes and sharp-biting no-see-ums (aka teeny sand flies). The
Cyrtopholis bartholomei
tarantula, which can grow up to five inches in diameter, is common on St John; look for it
on the ground as you hike forested trails. Small scorpions are not uncommon; their sting is
similar to that of a bee.
Traveling in the Virgin Islands without an arsenal of your favorite bug repellent is tantamount to offering
up your body as a human sacrifice to the Lord of the Flies; come prepared.
Plants & Trees
Thousands of tropical plant varieties grow in the Virgin Islands, and a short drive can
transport a nature lover between entirely different ecosystems. Mangrove swamps, coconut
groves and sea-grape trees dominate the coast, while mountain peaks support wet forest
with mahogany, lignum vitae, palmetto and more than 30 varieties of wild orchid. Look for
aloe, acacia, turpentine tree, gumbo limbo, century plant and dildo cactus in the coastal dry
forests.
Exotic shade trees have long been valued in this sunny climate, and you will see yards
and public parks with silk-cotton trees, poincianas (with flaming red blossoms) and African
tulip trees. Islanders often adorn their dwellings with a profusion of flowers such as orch-
ids, bougainvillea and poinsettias, and tend lovingly to fruit trees that bear mango, papaya,
carambola (star fruit), breadfruit, tamarind, plantain and gneps (a fruit the size of a large
marble that yields a sweet, orange flesh).
Islanders also grow and collect hundreds of different roots and herbs, including
japona
,
ginger root, anise and cattle tongue, as ingredients for 'bush medicine' cures. Psychoactive
mushrooms grow wild (and are consumed) in the islands, particularly on Tortola.
