Travel Agent - June 23, 2008 - (Page 232) U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS three sides of paradise, AMERICAN STYLE A n American Paradise,” proclaim the license plates of the island trio that makes up this U.S. territory, and it rings true. English is the language, dollars the currency and U.S. favorites like McDonald’s are readily available. But it’s the dreamy beaches, vibrant culture, balmy breezes and reef-sheltered coves that make these islands a paradise for sailors, shoppers, divers and beachgoers. SPORTING IN ST. CROIX St. Croix is the largest of the three. Here, sugar mills, windmills and 18th and 19th century plantation homes watch over rolling countryside, remnants of a sugar and rum producing past. Tours are offered at the 12-acre Estate Whim Plantation museum and the Cruzan Rum Factory. The seaside towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted charm visitors with shops housed in historic buildings, and arched walkways that date back to the islands’ days as a Danish colony. Active visitors can explore on horseback, bicycle and hikes, and on kayak expeditions through secluded mangroves. Snorkelers and divers can witness one of the Caribbean’s largest living reefs, including a wall that drops to 13,200 feet. Golfers have a choice of courses. Historic inns, plantation style resorts, villas and even a casino hotel host visitors. SEDUCTIVE ST. JOHN Two-thirds of the island of St. John, the smallest of the three, is reserved as Virgin Islands National Park land. Hiking trails lead through dense forests and over the ruins of centuries-old plantations to stunning whitesand beaches. At the 1780 Annaberg Sugar Plantation, visitors might see bread baking on a coal pot or watch basket weaving. Cruz Bay, an artsy harbor town, is the place to shop, dine and party. At Mongoose Junction, artisans create pottery and crafts. About eight miles away, Coral Bay has a U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS GEOGRAPHY: St. Croix, the largest (84 square miles), is the easternmost point of the U.S. and is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. St. Thomas (32 square miles) and St. John (19 square miles) are next to each other 40 miles north of St. Croix. They lie between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Highest points above sea level are: Mt. Eagle on St. Croix, 1,165 feet; St. John’s Bordeaux Mountain, 1,277 feet; and, on St. Thomas, Crown Mountain, 1,556 feet. LANGUAGE: English. Some Spanish. POPULATION: 108,612. (2000 census). CLIMATE: Average daytime temperature is 78ºF in winter and 82ºF in summer, with low humidity. TIME: EST +1. GMT -4. Daylight Savings Time is not observed. 232 www.caribbeantravel .c om http://www.caribbeantravel.com
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