Native foods are also rooted in Africa, Europe and America. The most popular venue to find this fare is during Carnival at the Carnival Village and Cultural Fair, but most particularly at the Village.Comprised of about twenty-thirty homemade and theme decorated booths situated in a square, the focus of the village is food. Foods such as, Kallaloo, Conch, Johnny Cakes, Fungi, Pate, Flying Fish, as well as island beverages like, Ginger Beer, Maube, Soursop Punch, which are all in plentiful supply. Some of the more popular fare includes:
Kallaloo
A famous Caribbean soup with a base of seafood, pork and spinach.
Pate
A fried dough patty with a beef, chicken, salt-fish or other filling.
Conch
A shell fish (pronounced Conk), cooked in butter sauce and served with rice, or cooked as fritters with bits of conch deep fried in a Hush Puppy type ball.
Ginger Beer
A spicy, non-alcoholic beverage made from ginger root and served cold.
Maube
A tree bark that is boiled with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and served cold.
Art
The art of the Virgin Islands covers a broad spectrum that includes, literature, paintings, sculpture, storytelling, homemade toys (such as dolls), music, jewelry, folk dances and more. There are abundant opportunities during Carnival to view, purchase, learn about native art, but no better opportunity than the Cultural Fair.
The Fair dates back to the earliest days of Carnival, and is eagerly awaited each year. Tables laden with all sorts of flavorful and mouth-watering dishes; local flowers and plants; souvenirs; local/African clothing … just about anything conceivable might be discovered at Cultural Fair.
Bamboula
You might see a demonstration of the Bamboula, an African-based dance indigenous to the Virgin Islands, usually danced in costume. Bamboula has been carefully passed down through the generations.
Dolls
Handmade dolls are popular and valued items, and the fair is one place that it is possible on an annual basis to see and purchase the best from all over the Virgin Islands.
Storytelling
Tucked away in some quiet corner of the fair, a storyteller might have the rapt attention of her audience as early Virgin Islands history is woven into captivating stories.
The Beaches
Trunk Bay Beach
There are numerous picturesque beaches with translucent turquoise water, white sand, and palm tress on all the islands. Some of the most popular on St. Thomas/St. John include:
Trunk Bay
Located on the island of St. John, Trunk Bay is a part of the National Park and has a 225 yard self-guiding underwater snorkeling trail marked by signs. Not the largest beach, Trunk Bay is perhaps the most popular and is considered by everyone who visits, to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Magen's Bay
Voted one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic Magazine, this long beach is amazingly picturesque.
Sapphire Beach
A long, gorgeous beach with great water sports and really fun Sunday afternoon beach parties that bring three of the best elements of the VI together: sun, beach, music, and dancing.
Secret Harbor
Snorkeling is the main attraction at this lovely, quiet resort beach.
Cinnamon Bay Beach
This beautiful St. John beach has a nature trail that leads through plantation ruins, tropical woods, and provides beautiful scenic views. It also has a popular campground.
The Flora and Fauna
The Flamboyant
The Virgin Islands supports a large system of coral reefs and other ecosystems like the shoreline mangrove forests and salt ponds of St. John. This island is two-thirds National Park and is frugally preserved. There are over 800 trees, shrubs flowers and other plants growing on St. John alone.
Flowers and Plants
The national flower of the Virgin Islands is the Yellow Cedar, however beautiful flowers and plants abound: Hibiscus, Bouganvillea, Oleander, and the Flamboyant plants grow on all the islands. Seagrape Trees, Coconut Palms, Cactus, and Agave plants are also plentiful.
Fruits
The fruits are as exotic as might be expected of such a sunny clime. Some of the staples of the region includes: Kanips, Mangos, Tamarinds, Soursop, Guava, Plantains and Passion Fruit.
Animals
Exotic animals such as Iguanas, Mongooses, Hawksbill Turtles, Soldier Crabs and so many others call these islands home. There's also the less exotic donkeys, deer, goats, and more.
Birds
Over 161 varieties of birds fill the skies: Hummingbirds, Brown Pelicans, Yellow Bananaquits, Herons, Sea Gulls, Doves, and of course, the national bird, the Frigate.
The Paradise
Remember the phrase, “See American first?” If you're looking at vacation time and thinking Caribbean … it doesn't get any better than the U.S. Virgin Islands: incredible beauty, friendly people, warm, sunny weather, amazing beaches, duty-free shopping, and at least for the present, no passports required for American citizens.
All of these are reasons why the Virgin Islands is called America's Paradise; it simply is.
I'm pretty sure if you have your passport they will stamp it for you. And, thank you, I'm glad you've had a change of heart. It's so exotically beautiful, it's addictive. Many people that choose St. Thomas or St. John can easily go the five or so miles between the two by Ferry. So, it's two for the price of one.
#2 by born in the usvi , May 3, 2008
what happen to st croix u make me sick when u talk of the usvi and say nothing of st criox
#3 by BJMORE TO STX, May 20, 2008
I Have been to St Croix many times,and i do wish more people would learn about it.It is an incredible island.
#4 by claudette, Jul 23, 2008
I wrote about St. Thomas and St. John because that is where I lived for a ten year period. I have visited St. Croix, but know much less about that island than the other two. I do wish, however that you could appreciate that the general information provided regarding the wonderful culture of the Virgin Islands people applies to them all ... not just one or two islands; for instance the music, food, flora and fauna encompasses all the VI.
