Difference between revisions of "Saint Croix"

Revision as of 18:43, 25 February 2009

Saint Croix is the largest island of the U.S. Virgin Islands (82 square miles), a territory of the United States of America. This island of rolling hills, rainforest, and picturesque towns is the home of about 60,000 people.

Cities

There are two towns on the island:

• Christiansted with a 2004 population of 3,000.
• Frederiksted with a 2004 population of a little over 800.

Other destinations

Understand

Talk

Get in

• Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (IATA: STX) (ICAO: TISX). The airport is served by some major airlines and commuter flights between St. Croix and St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. Non-stop jet service is available from Miami, Atlanta and Charlotte.

• Ferries(VI Fast Ferry) run from Christiansted to Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas (75 minutes), with connections to St. John and British Virgin Islands.

Also, an occasional cruise ship docks at the Ann Abramson Pier in Frederiksted.

Get around

• Major car rental agencies are available. Also:
  • Judi of Croix Car Rentals, 877-903-2123
  • Skyline Car Rentals, 877-719-5990.

• Taxi All taxi drivers should carry a rate card with approved fares. Taxis have no meters and charge by zone. Baggage and waiting time are extra. Most will take you on an island tour for $30-$45 for two people, and another $15 per person for additional passengers. Authorized taxis have "TP" on the license plate and a dome light on the roof.
  • St. Croix Taxi Association, Rohlsen Airport, 340-778-1088.
  • Federation of St. Croix Taxi Association Inc. (Taxi, Vans, Safaris), 778-5587.
  • Antilles Taxi Service, Christiansted, 773-5020.
  • Caribbean Taxi and Tours, Christiansted, 773-9799.
  • Cruzan Taxi Association, Christiansted, 773-6388.
  • Combine Taxi and Tours, Frederiksted, 772-2828.
  • Frederiksted Taxi Service, Frederiksted, 772-4775.

• Tommy's Scooter Rentals, 340-332-2118.

See

• Buck Island Reef National Monument, boats from Christiansted.

[1]

• St. George Village Botanical Garden, 127 Estate St. George/Kingshill, Just north, off Centerline Road, near Frederiksted, Tel: 340-692-2874, [2]. Stroll about the grounds of the former plantation.

• The rain forest in the Northwest. Include the tidal pools at Annally Bay.

• Point Udall, the easternmost territory under the American flag.

• Christiansted Historic Site, incuding the warehouse where Alexander Hamilton worked before he moved to New York.

• Sandy Point Wildlife Refuge to see endangered leatherback turtles.

• Whim Great House- a restored plantation.

Itineraries

Do

• Divi Carina Bay Casino, 35 Estate Turner Hole, Tel: 877-FUN DIVI.

• SCUBA Dive Cane Bay Wall - Tremendous diving around the beach and the upper levels of the wall before it drops 13,000 feet to the ocean floor.

Buy

St. Croix is rich with artists. Christiansted is home to many galleries including WATCH YOUR STEP owned by artist Diane Given Hayes, D&D STUDIO featuring works by Ted Davis and other notable artists, ISLAND BOY DESIGNS owned by jewelry designer Whealan Massciott (Kenny Chesney is a fan), the MARIA HENLE GALLERY and many more. A stroll around town will reveal these and many more treasures.

• D&D Studio Fine Art Gallery, 55 Company Street, Christiansted, St. Croix - U.S. Virgin Islands 00820, ☎ 340.719.1201, [3]. D&D Studio sells stunning, eye-catching works from the Caribbean's finest photographers and is the only gallery in the West Indies devoted entirely to the art of photography. When in historic downtown Christiansted, you're invited to stop in the Studio and owners Ted Davis and Sam Dike will show you delightful new exhibits in a sophisticated gallery setting. Much of the artwork seen on the D&D Studio web site can be purchased over telephone or through e-mail. Purchased artwork will be shipped insured and very well packaged to any point on the globe. Give us a call or drop us a line and we'll help you place your order.

Both Christiansted and Frederiksted also have a few merchants offering jewelry, liquor and souvenirs, but somewhat more genteel than in most cruise ports. For any items that benefit from duty-free importation, prices generally rival those in Saint Thomas. (See this same topic for Saint Thomas; most advice applies, though St Croix is seldom overrun by cruise passengers.)

Eat

St. Croix is home to a celebrated week-long culinary festival held each April called the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience which includes wine seminars, dinners with celebrity chefs (Kevin Rathbun, Rocco DiSpirito, Robbin Haas, Gerry Klaskala, Richard Reddington are just a few who joined the fun) and the main event, A Taste of St. Croix, showcases foods from more than 50 of the islands restaurants.

For a listing of restaurants on the island see [4]. Great local food can be found at Harvey's(stew goat), Singh's (roti) and Norma at the Domino Club in the rain forest always has something cooking.

For fine dining, try Tutto Bene, Bacchus, Savant and The Galleon. Rumrunners, located on the waterfront at Hotel Caravelle is perfect for casual, fun dining. They do a great blend of local and traditional American dishes and flavors.

If you want to catch what you eat, go fishing with Carl Holley. His boat, Mokojumbie, ties up on the docks near Rumrunners. he, in fact, supplies many restaurants with fresh fish daily.

Tutu Bene in in the Gallows Bay area of Christiansted is a local favorite for Italian cuisine. Also, try Le St. Tropez in Frederiksted for authentic French fare, Villa Morales or Paquito's for Puerto RIcan food and Brady's in Christiansted for native fare.

Drink

On St. Croix, Cruzan Rum is made at a distillery that you can tour. Be sure to do the tour and participate in the tasting after! Cruzan Rum is available just about everywhere, but there are certain flavors (ie Clipper) that are not sold in the USA, so take a bottle back with you. In the seaside town of Christiansted is the Brew Pub which makes several good beers. And, when at local places or events, always ask if there is a local drink. Be wary of the home recipes (ie Mama Wanna) - they are STRONG!

• Cruzan Rum Distillery, in Frederiksted for a tour of the noted rum factory. Best watering holes are Bongos and CLub 54 in Christiansted, Harbor Lights in Frederiksted, and El Sol mid island. Also try 2plus2 in La Grande Princesse and Sand Bar right on the beach in Frederiksted.

Sleep

As a vacation destination, St. Croix has a lodging industry that offers dozens of resorts and hotels, covering a range of service from economy through luxury 5-star. Resorts located along the shore and away from the metro areas almost always have private beaches. Hotels located in the two cities are likely to be limited to lodging and dining.

Almost all of St Croix major tourist resorts and hotels have packages which offer sailing, fishing, snorkeling, sightseeing, historical tours, and daytrips to Buck island National Park.

Two resorts offer golf packages on their own private courses:

• The Buccaneer Hotel, Christiansted, ☎ 340-712-2100, [5].

and

• Carambola Beach Resort (The Carambola), Estate Davis Bay, St Croix, VI, ☎ 340-778-3800.

Many of the major resorts offer wedding packages, honeymoon and family vacations, and various corporate meeting services.

• Hotel Caravelle, 44A Queen Cross Street, ☎ 340- 773-0687, [6].

Stay safe

We have the same ills as American society, therefore, exercise the same cautions that you would at home.

Get out

When leaving St. Croix, be sure to pack your rum in your luggage (pad with socks and t-shirts) because you can't take it on the plane with you. (See also "Buy" under Saint Thomas.)

Also know that the islands are protective of the sea and wildlife. If you are taking shells or other natural things from the island, always ensure that you are following local laws and guidelines. For example, you can take conch shells, but they have to be a certain size (large).

It is always encouraged that you take only photos of the nature and wildlife and leave the shells for the crabs and sea critters to inhabit.