One of the most beautiful travel destinations in the world is a part of the United States. Called America's Paradise, the U.S. Virgin Islands is an American territory, and as a part of the Leeward Island chain is a gorgeous Caribbean paradise.
Four major islands make up the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, where the town of Charlotte Amalia (also called Amalie), is the Capitol; St. Croix, the largest island; St. John, two-thirds national park, and the most pristine; and Water Island, the smallest and newest island transferred to the VI government in 1996, and often referred to as The Last Virgin.
St. Thomas' nicknames, Rock City, and The Rock, refers to the volcanic nature of the island and the rocky, hilly terrain.
Charlotte/Amalia, St. Thomas
Millions of tourists pour onto the islands each year, many arriving aboard cruise ships. A day spent on any of the islands is usually a fantastic experience and a great introduction; however many visitors return to their ships at the end of the day already planning a more extensive return.
Besides the amazing beauty of these compact islands, there's the rich history and culture, unbelievable beaches, fun attractions, duty-free shopping, hot climate (tempered by gentle trade wind breezes), and of course, excellent cuisine and music.
The History
Seven flags have flown over the Virgin Islands since Christopher Columbus cruised through the Lesser Antilles in 1493. Columbus is actually credited with naming the more than 120 beautiful, unspoiled islands, cays and islets, The Virgin Islands.
The fighting over who would govern the lands ended in 1671 when Denmark emerged the ruler of St. Thomas. The Danes would later claim the islands of St. John and St. Croix, effectively uniting the three major islands.
The colorful history of the Virgin Islands includes pirates, plantations, slavery, rum, sugar cane sugar mills, and more. Still today, what is said to be some of the best rum in the world, Cruzan Rum is manufactured on St. Croix.
The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for 25 million as a military advantage relating to the Panama Canal. Tourism, the largest industry, wasn't a serious consideration until the 1950's.
Cruz Bay, St. John
Today, some of the most dynamic features of all the islands are historical treasures such as, old sugar mills and plantation ruins. A prime example of these treasures are the Annaberg Plantation ruins on St. John that attract thousands of visitors each year.
St. Thomas is a wealth of two and three hundred year old buildings. The entire town, listed with the National Historical Register as being both historically and architecturally significant, also boasts numerous national historic landmarks.
During the 1700's to the early 1800's St. Thomas was the busiest import/export center in the Caribbean. A contributing factor was its harbor, which is one of the deepest in the world.
The Culture
The Virgin Islands is a rich mixture of European and African culture; but it's chiefly African. The language (primarily English with some Creole, French and Spanish), art, music and food have traveled a circuitous route over the centuries. Influences are not only European and African, but American, as well and makes for an interesting boondoggle (island expression for a crazy mix).
There is no single event where all aspects of Virgin Islands culture intersect; is more prominently displayed; participated in; and enjoyed than the annual Carnival celebration.
Carnival began in 1912, faded out during World War I, and was revived in 1952 as an annual event. It is celebrated at different times of the year on the three main islands, but whenever it comes around, it is always the biggest party imaginable … and everyone's invited.
Each year, thousands pour onto the islands from the mainland U.S., from other Caribbean islands, and various countries - many coming not just to watch the festivities, but to participate.
Carnival Costume
On St. Thomas, Carnival begins around the first week in April, runs through the month, and culminates in the last three days with non-stop action. Events range from beauty pageants and calypso competitions to fairs and parades.
Music
Carnival Troupe (left); Mocko Jumbies (right)
Music and Carnival are synonymous as one could not exist without the other. Music in the form of Calypso, Soca, Steel Pan, Quelbe, Reggae, Latin, is what drives the Carnival celebration. Some of the best venues for great music include, Calypso Revue, where the best Calypsonians (singers) in the Caribbean perform; J'ouvert (pronounced jou-vay), an early morning dance/tramp through the streets behind popular bands; and the Adult Parade. Some of the music heard most often during Carnival includes:
Quelbe
Scratch bands (also called Fungi bands), provide an indigenous music made with improvised instruments like hollowed out gourds and washboards. Quelbe is considered the official music of the Virgin Islands. Calypso
A music with African-Spanish rhythms that was popularized in Trinidad, but in time, spread all over the Caribbean. Traditionally, calypso is about more than the music. Its richness is based in stories, that are satirical, sometimes risqué, and/or gossipy that is found in the music. Contemporary calypso has expanded to include soca (dance music).Steel Pan
Steel bands originated in Trinidad and were basically born of a people's need to continue the tradition of drumming despite the British prohibition of the instruments during Carnival celebrations. The original steel pans were made of tin pans and brake drums, and eventually evolved to oil drums, and advanced from there to the sophisticated steel pans of today.
