San Juan
Puerto Rico has managed to combine its long storied history
with the status of a top-flight resort island, and has done so in a masterful
way. With approximately 300 miles of coastline, the island attracts beach lovers
from around the globe. And with over 500 years of history, there is so much to
see and do here besides soak in the tropical sun's rays.
The Taino Indians, who called the land Boriken, which means,
"the great land of the valiant and noble Lord", originally inhabited
Puerto Rico. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, he was greeted by the
natives, who showed him all of the gold nuggets in the land and told Columbus he
was free to take as many as he wanted. Originally, the Spaniards named the
island San Juan after St. John the Baptist, and the city Puerto Rico, or
"rich port." The two names were eventually switched. In March 2, 1917,
President Woodrow Wilson signed a law stating that Puerto Rico was now a US
territory, organized but unincorporated, and all Puerto Ricans were thereby
American citizens.
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital city, stands as a microcosm
of the islands rich duality. Old San Juan has buildings still standing from the
days of the early Spanish explorers. At the same time, gigantic hotel and casino
complexes, appealing to the high-rolling jet set, dot other parts of San Juan.
San Juan is easily broken up into several smaller sections,
each with its own character. Geographically, San Juan Island, which contains Old
San Juan and Santurce, bound Condado. South of Condado is Miramar, which is
located right on the lagoon. East of Old San Juan is Puerto de Tierra, and
finally there is Isla Verde, a little detached from the rest.
Remember that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, so
American citizens do not need passports to enter and exit the island. Another
advantage American travelers have is duty-free shopping, so feel free to hunt
for all the good values found in San Juan's many shops.
Casinos are almost as plentiful as beaches here. It could
take weeks to experience everything there is to do here. The beautiful beaches,
the exciting water sports, the fine dining, and the great shopping blend
effortlessly with the island's rich history to make Puerto Rico the shining
star of the Caribbean.
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.
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.
Barbados
Barbados is a gorgeous tropical paradise set far away from
most other Caribbean islands. It is nearly 1000 miles east of the Netherlands
Antilles chain. In 1536, during a quest for fresh water, the Portuguese
"discovered" Barbados. They gave the island its current name, which
translates to "the bearded ones." This name was derived from their
observation of local fig trees that have roots resembling thick beards. Despite
the Spanish name, there is virtually no Spanish influence that remains. The
British landed a century later, and ruled the island until 1966. It was at that
time when Barbados claimed its independence. The English culture, however, is
alive and well, and this can be observed by the sport of choice on Barbados.
Cricket is the featured game, and, in per capita terms, there are more Barbados
born world-class cricket players than any other country in the world.
The capital, Bridgetown, is a marvelous city full of bustling
activity and breathtaking surroundings. The island itself is 21 miles long and
14 miles wide. Barbados is quite flat, and the highest point is Mount Hillaby at
1,115 feet. Sugarcane is the crop that has sustained Barbados for decades. The
valleys and hills are blanketed by acres of this sweet plant. The people in the
city of Bridgetown are especially friendly and hospitable, and they had better
be, because tourism is the island's most profitable industry. Unlike some of
the other Caribbean islands, the government of Barbados is stable and the
business community sophisticated. The population is 260,000, and a great number
of them live in or around Bridgetown. The perimeter of Barbados is gorgeous
white-sand beach, and the interior is comprised of exquisite rolling hills and
flat grasslands.
All of the facilities on Barbados, and particularly in
Bridgetown, are fabulous. The city of Bridgetown and all of the luxurious west
coast has been named the Platinum Coast by British vacationers. Fine dining,
scuba diving, sea excursions, and festivals are only the beginning of the
fabulous activities of Barbados. Museums and archaeological sights highlight the
rich heritage of the island, and so many of the locations combine education and
entertainment. The miles of exquisite beach offer every water sport imaginable,
and Barbados has a terrifically active nightlife. A combination of European and
strictly Caribbean influences create a diverse and fascinating ambiance
everywhere you go.
Curacao
The "C" of the ABC Islands of the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba & Bonaire comprising the A & B), Curacao is located just 35 miles north of Venezuela, and is the most populous island in the Netherlands Antilles. It is famous for its charming European culture, lack of over-development, friendly and hospitable residents, and inspiring natural beauty.
The island itself was first discovered in the 15th century on one of Christopher Columbus's expeditions. The Spanish empire ruled the island until 1634, when the Dutch took over and transformed this land into the charming getaway it is today.
Curacao, and the capital city of Willemstad in particular, has been transformed in recent decades into a complete tourist haven. Restored colonial landmarks, ritzy hotels, and wonderful shopping are all at your fingertips here, thanks to a revitalization phase on the island that has restored many prime tourist sites to world prominence.
A popular story told amongst residents of the island concerns a former governor of Curacao who supposedly suffered from intense migraines. Especially irritated by the color white, he ordered many of the buildings painted into the diverse pastel colors that we see in Willemstad and the surrounding cities to this day. You will delight in strolling through the colorful streets of Dutch style homes and buildings, creating a truly unique Caribbean cultural experience.
Be glad to know that once you have seen your share of the local architecture, there is much more to discover on this fascinating island. Terrific restaurants and nightclubs, world-class casinos featuring all your favorite games, diving and snorkeling outfitters, and scenic national parks all await you as you spend your sun-filled days in unforgettable Curacao.
Aruba
Aruba, the "A" in the ABC islands (B for Bonaire, C for Curacao) is a small Caribbean Island measuring only 20 miles long by 6 miles wide. Yet, don't let its small size fool you. It is a complete tourist destination featuring breathtaking beaches, crystal clear and inviting waters, exotic restaurants and nightclubs, and a host of other activities sure to make your stay an unforgettable one.
Once part of the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba became an independent nation in 1986. It has a storied history in the 20th century largely based on oil, for its refineries supplied oil to the Allied forces in World War Two. These past decades, however, the livelihood of Aruba's 100,000 residents depends largely on tourism. Locals are friendly and welcoming, as evidenced by a verse in their national anthem that speaks, The greatness of our people is their great cordiality.
Aruba features a landscape that is rather unique from its Caribbean counterparts. Here you will find a land of cacti jungles, inland deserts, tropical birds, isolated bays and coves, all in a temperate setting; a climate that averages 82 degrees year-round with very little humidity. A moratorium on large-scale building has ensured that the number of large resorts is kept to a minimum, ensuring that the pristine beaches and attractions will remain that way for decades to come.
The city of Oranjestad is a thriving capital that is a welcome mix of Caribbean, Spanish and Dutch influences. Here you will find lovely restaurants, bargain shopping galore, ritzy casinos, and opportunities to take part in many local adventures, such as horseback riding, kayaking trips, parasailing excursions, and so much more.
When the sun sets over this Caribbean wonderland, you will delight in knowing that the nightlife is ready every day of the year to satisfy you reveling urges till the break of dawn. World-class bars and discos, along with a different themed party every day of the week will ensure that you will never tire of the vibrant city of Oranjestad and the surrounding lands of Aruba.
|