Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TENNIS
Some authorities rate the tennis at the
Buccaneer
, Gallows Bay
(
&
340/773-3036
), as the best in the Caribbean. This resort offers a choice of eight
courts, two lit for night play, all open to the public. Nonguests pay $8 daytime, $10
nighttime per person per hour; you must call to reserve a court at least a day in
advance. A tennis pro is available for lessons, and there's also a pro shop.
WINDSURFING
Head for the
St. Croix Water Sports Center
(
&
340/773-
7060
), on the small offshore island in Christiansted Harbor and part of the Hotel on
the Cay. It's open daily from 10am to 5pm. Windsurfing rentals are $35 per hour.
Lessons are available.
SEEING THE SIGHTS
Although the 21st century has definitely invaded St. Croix, with subdivisions, condo
complexes, shopping centers, and modern strip malls, evidence of the past is every-
where across its 84 square miles. St. Croix contains the nostalgic ruins of some 100
plantations where sugar cane was once grown. Except for a few windmills and ruined
Great Houses, that's about what's left of the slave-driven plantations that once grew
tobacco and sugar cane.
Christopher Columbus named the island Santa Cruz (Holy Cross) when he landed
on November 14, 1493. He anchored his ship off the north shore but was quickly
driven away by the spears, arrows, and axes of the Carib Indians. The French laid
claim to the island in 1650; the Danes purchased it from them in 1733. Under their
rule, the slave trade and sugar-cane fields flourished until the latter half of the 19th
century. Danish architecture and influence can still be seen on the island today. In a
shrewd purchase deal with the Danes, the U.S. acquired the islands in 1917.
Today, the past is visible everywhere you go in St. Croix, from Fort Christiansvaern
to Fort Frederick. Take the time to explore Christiansted and Frederiksted, where you
can see the island's Danish roots.
5
WALKING TOUR:
CHRISTIANSTED
START:
The Visitors Bureau.
FINISH:
Christiansted's harborfront.
TIME:
1
1
⁄
2
hours.
BEST TIMES:
Any day from 10am to 4pm.
WORST TIMES:
Monday to Friday 4 to 6pm.
The largest town on St. Croix, Christiansted still has many traces of its Danish roots.
Constructed by the Danish West India Company, the heart of town is still filled with
many imposing buildings, mostly former warehouses, from the 18th century. Today
they are registered as a U.S. National Historic Site. Across a small park stands
Fort
Christiansvaern,
which the Danes built on the fortifications of a 1645 French fort.
From its precincts, some of the best views of the harbor can be seen. Christiansted
is best seen by walking tour.
1
The Visitors Bureau
This yellow-sided building with a cedar-capped roof is located near the harbor-
front. It was originally built as the Old Scalehouse in 1856, to replace a similar
171
