ST JOHN
Calling Code: +1
If you’re looking for a quiet, easy-going retreat, St. John
is the natural choice. Just a twenty-minute ferry ride
from St. Thomas, this island is a Caribbean gem. In 1956,
Laurence Rockefeller guaranteed St. John would remain
a “thing of joy forever” by purchasing a portion of it and
donating it to the National Park
Service. Now, two-thirds of
St. John is protected and blessed
with enchanting trails, green
mountain tops and pristine white beaches. One of the prettiest beaches is Trunk Bay
with its a captivating underwater nature trail. Others include
Hawksnest Bay, Cinnamon Bay, and Maho Bay, all of
which are accessible via the picturesque North Shore
Road.
One of the primary reasons people are attracted
to St. John is the Virgin Islands
National Park. It comprises about
9,500 acres of green hilly land and
an underwater reserve. And it’s
home to some 800 varieties of
plants and 160 species of birds.
A walking tour with a park ranger
makes for a memorable experience.
Just past Maho Bay, you’ll come
across the Annnaberg Historic
Sugar Mill Ruins with its old slave
quarters and villages. Notice the mortar between the stones of
the buildings: it’s made of flour, molasses and seashells.
Another area of interest is the Reef Bay Trail, where hikers
will discover natural habitats and well-preserved petroglyphs
(prehistoric stone carvings). Then there’s Bordeaux Mountain,
St. John’s highest peak, and Coral Bay, which offers several
tranquil harbors. Cruz Bay is the center of activity on
St. John. Here, you’ll discover colorful shops, lively bars and
delectable cuisine. More fine restaurants are located on the
other end of the island or nestled in the mountains. And if you
want to learn more about St. John,
there are two historical attractions
that may appeal to you:
the Elaine Ione Sprauve
Library and Museum
and the Ivan Jadan
Museum. In spite
of its small size,
you can see
there’s a lot
to do on
St. John.
And since
most of the island remains undeveloped, you’ll be able to enjoy
all these wonders in their natural splendor.
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