Miami
A destination of vast diversity, Miami's year-round warm
weather attracts visitors from all over the world to its beautiful beaches,
modern architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Two million people call Miami home,
but another 10 million come to visit every year.
The Spanish were first to arrive, and it is understandable
that their influence should be felt first and foremost. Miami was colonized by
the Spanish in the 1500?s, then used as collateral in negotiations with the
English that ended the Seven Years War. Spain gained Havana back in exchange
for Florida. In 1783, England traded Florida back to Spain for the Bahamas, and
Spain ruled Florida as a colony until 1821, when Florida became a state.
Miami now is world famous for its beaches, 35 miles worth,
from South Beach to Sunny Isles. Whether you want to sunbathe, swim, or just
people watch, there are enough different beaches to suit your fancy.
But there is so much more to the city. A wide range of
museums and parks can be found here. They add a refined sense of culture to the
glitz and glamour of Miami's world-renowned nightlife.
Of course, if shopping is your main objective, Miami has more
than enough shops and boutiques to suit your needs. That's without even
mentioning the many upscale shopping malls and sidewalk stores that dot the map
What sets Miami apart from most other tourist destinations is
the blend of people who call it home. Nowhere else in the world will you see so
many people from so many different cultures. Large communities of Cubans and
Haitians mix with retired "snowbirds" from New York and Canada.
It's hard to take in all that Miami has to offer in one
day, but here are some of the highlights.
St. Croix
St. Croix is 84 square miles, making it the largest of the
three U.S. Virgin Islands. The East End of the island is technically the
easternmost point of the United States. St. Croix is a marvelous island,
particularly the West End and inland portions of the island. This East Side is
rocky and somewhat desolate, not overly friendly to the prospective traveler.
However, the rest of the island is magnificent, with lush forests and gorgeous
beaches. The beautiful rain forest in the center of the island houses dangling
lianas, mango groves, mahogany trees, and exotic ferns. Rolling hills and
pastures can also be found on the island, making it an incredibly diverse and
life-filled environment. Hiking and exploring on St. Croix are two of the island's
best features. You are sure to encounter some interesting plant and animal life
on one of your hiking excursions.
Christopher Columbus named this island Santa Cruz (Holy
Cross). He docked here on November 14, 1493 and anchored the ship off the north
shore of the island. However, he did not stay long, because the inhabitants then
were not anywhere near as friendly as the locals nowadays. When he landed, Carib
Indians launched arrows, spears, and axes his way, quickly driving Columbus and
his crew away. We can rest assured that the Caribs were not going to stand for a
second Thanksgiving. In 1650, the French claimed the island, and they ruled
St. Croix until 1773 when it was purchased by the Danes. The Danes ruled until
the end of the 19th century, and sugarcane and slavery made the
island a strong and profitable economic center during their rule. Still to this
day, Danish influence can be detected all around this island paradise.
St. John
Found on the eastern end of the Pillsbury Sound, St. John
sits quietly and relatively uninterrupted. Of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St.
John is the smallest and least populated. When you arrive, you will feel as if
the island is yours to explore and cherish, free from rampant tourism and
overcrowding. The quiet nature of St. John gives it an unparalleled tranquility,
and a trip to this island is a true "vacation." Relax on the glorious
beaches or take part in one of the enjoyable water sports in the gorgeous
turquoise channel Pillsbury Sound. For such a simple little island, there is
certainly not a lack of activities. The locals are pleasantly friendly, and
everywhere you go you will feel safe and content.
The coastline of St. John is mostly comprised of white-sand
beaches and crescent shaped bays. The perimeter of the island is a downright
masterpiece of nature; a marvel that is an absolute must to behold. A lot of the
coast is rocky and looks imposing from afar, but as you get closer the friendly
confines of St. John apply to these areas as well. The coast is a fabulous
region to explore, hike, and participate in a plethora of water sports. There is
a great deal of wildlife on St. John that is unique to the island, and spotting
some of the exotic animals is incredibly interesting. Miles of fabulous hiking
trails exist as well, and the ruins of the early 18th-century Danish
plantations are a marvelous visual study. Along many of the hiking trails you
will encounter mysterious petroglyphs in geometric shapes, and no one knows
of their age or origin. They can be found inscribed into boulders and cliffs
throughout the island.
Half of the island is known as the Virgin Islands National
Park. Much care is put into keeping up this tropical paradise, and the Cinnamon
Bay campsite is the most famous camping ground in all of the Caribbean. St. John
is definitely a sleepy island, so don't expect a plethora of nightlife
activities. However, when the sun goes down you can still enjoy a wonderful
dinner on the patio of one of the fine restaurants, but as far as rocking clubs
and loud bars, that just isn't St. John's style.
St. John
Saint John's history is intertwined with the American Revolution. Although the area had already been discovered in 1604 by the French explorer Samuel de Champlain, Saint John was just a river and barren land until 4,000 British loyalists fled from the colonies and landed here in 1783. They formed two small communities, Parrtown and Carleton, before deciding to merge in 1785, thus incorporating the oldest city in Canada, Saint John. The city celebrates its Loyalist past with monuments and museums strewn all over downtown. Besides being Canada's oldest city, Saint John is also home to the country's oldest museum. The New Brunswick Museum has been around since 1842.
During the War of 1812, Saint John feared an American attack. So they built the Carleton Martello Tower, a remote outpost that surveyed the entire area and warned of coming attacks. Today, the tower makes for a great place to view the sunset.
Of course, there is more to Saint John than the past. Today, Saint John's population has grown to over 72,000, covering about one hundred and fifty square miles. One of nature's most peculiar irregularities, the Reversing Falls, is found here. Every day at high and low tide, the falls reverse flow, making for an interesting sight! There is also an excellent nature park, as well as a huge outdoor complex just outside of town, replete with a golf course, hiking trails, and a small zoo.
Basse-Terre
Guadeloupe belongs to the Leeward Islands, the island chain directly north of the Windward Islands, where Martinique is found. Dominica separates the two cousin islands, but they are often thought of as neighbors. Guadeloupe is actually comprised of two islands that are joined by a very narrow channel of water called the Riviere Salee. Basse-Terre, in the west, is more mountainous than its eastern sidekick, Grande-Terre.
The island was originally settled by the Arawak Indians. They met their end at the hands of the invading Carib Indians, for whom this entire region of the world is named. Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover Guadeloupe, on November 3, 1493. The Caribs resisted European settlement for centuries, but fighting and disease finally killed most of them off. The French eventually settled Guadeloupe in the 1600?s.
Guadeloupe is under the auspices of the French, which means that the French franc is the official currency here. French is the official language, although an influx of American tourism has allowed English to become more widely spoken in recent years.
The city of Basse-Terre is on the southwest corner of the island with the same name. It is the administrative capital of the island of Guadeloupe, if not its most popular destination (that honor goes to Pointe-a-Pitre).
Basse-Terre's main attraction is a pair of natural wonders. La Soufriere, is an active volcano east of Basse-Terre. Peaking at 4,800 feet, the volcano has not erupted since 1975, but the threat of another eruption looms over the region. Standing in stark contrast to La Soufriere is the Parc Naturel de Guadeloupe, a nature reserve covering around twenty percent of Basse-Terre, with native plants and animals finding sanctuary here.
Guadeloupe is not an island for the timid. The best attractions are hidden, and take time and effort to unearth. A day spent only in Basse-Terre will do little to educate you on Guadeloupe's beauty. If you take a ferry trip to Guadeloupe's smaller satellite islands, Iles des Saintes, you will be enchanted.
|