No one ever said it is easy to party. Monday some 61 visiting Danes and hosts from the Friends of Denmark Society toured St. Thomas. What a day. What a lovely island we have. What a joy to see our island through the eyes of others.
We started the day at Roy L. Schneider Community Hospital. Loading into three surrey buses, we drove to our first stop at the Danish Cemetery west of old Knud Hansen Hospital. A team of Danish welders had put the iron gates together, many of the gravestones had been glued whole again, the grass was cut and the entire property was once again in first-class condition.
I wonder if anyone has ever done a study concerning the age of the various occupants and their century. It seemed to me far too many of the occupants died in their '20s, with many of the women buried with infants.
Next we toured the waterfront, Frenchtown, industrial park and power/water plant, University of the Virgin Islands and up to the lookout at the top of Black Point Hill.
The day was clear and we could discuss the colors of the water, Vieques Island and Sail Rock looking like a ship under full sail.
Touring the North Side we were all impressed with the lush vegetation. Our driver was able to stop and identify bay rum trees, soursop and bamboo.
When we stopped at Mountain Top, the group trouped en masse to the bar for a delicious banana daiquiri. Of course the view from the Mountain Top deck is unsurpassed looking east at the British Virgins.
On to Drake's Seat and the obligatory donkey and T-shirts. We were able to see our picnic shed of yesterday and appreciate the extensive grounds of the Magens Bay beach park. It would really be spectacular if the grounds could be cleaned up and opened up for full use of the entire area. It is my understanding there is a wealth of trees and shrubs brought from around the world, and currently hidden from view by neglect.
Coral World with a box lunch, cold drink and its beautiful display of sea life took several hours of our time. This is probably the premier attraction of our island with its well-tended grounds, reasonable prices, professional presentation of fish/coral/sea anemones, etc. The sharks were popular as ever, as were the turtle, sea horses and the most aggressive crab who had moved into an old conch shell.
Finally we wended our way back to the hospital and a quick rest prior to a very special reception at Fort Christian.
Sunset at the fort with music by the Rising Stars is simply unbeatable. The university caterers provided Swedish meatballs to the Danes, along with international rum punch, assorted fruits, cheese and sweets.
Our visitors wandered the fort with its unique views of town and the harbor, visited the art galleries with their wide selection of pictures and became advocates for the Steel Pan. Thank you, Delores Jowers. Thank you, Rising Stars. Thank you, UVI. A beautiful way to end a most enjoyable day.
Today we hop islands.
