St Thomas

We are on a short Caribbean cruise and spent today in the US Virgin Islands on St Thomas. We spent the day snorkeling and taking a quick tour of the island. We have been here once before on another cruise. We went diving then but didn’t see any of the island. Since Paul recently had elbow surgery we decided not to dive. Also, I haven’t had a chance to see how my foot and ankle do with fins since I had my fracture, so that also figured into the equation.

The US purchased this island, along with St Croix and St John, in 1917 as part of the defense of the Panama Canal during WWI. We paid $25 million in gold for all 3. Prior to that, the islands had been part of Denmark since 1661. The island had been sighted by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493, but it had taken western settlers that long to colonize. The Danes brought in slaves and established sugar plantations, sending the sugar back to Denmark for centuries. There were brief periods of British occupation in the 1800s. In 1848, slavery was completely abolished on the islands. The sugar industry, which was already struggling, was hit with higher labor costs. After that time it fell into decline.

We went to see a sugar mill ruins. It has not been preserved and is completely overgrown with trees and underbrush, somewhat reminiscent of Cambodian temples. Nearby was a nice, secluded beach.

Sugar mill ruins

Sugar mill ruins

Secluded beach

We spent the morning snorkeling in an area known for green sea turtles. It did not disappoint! We managed to see some other critters as well, most notably 2 large octopi. (both snoozing under rocks) We later went to snorkel in another area in hopes of seeing a hawksbill turtle, but no luck there. We did a little driving tour of the island and made it back to the ship. Overall it was a nice day in the water, even if it was on the surface, and exploring bits of the island.

Bay where we snorkeled and saw green sea turtles

Green sea turtle

Southern stingray. The water was a bit silty so he’s a bit blurry.

Donkey dung sea cucumber. Yup. That’s what they’re called. This is a little one.

Tiny sergeant major fish. About the size of a dime.

Urchins.

Tiny yellowtail snapper. Maybe 1.5 inches.

Octopus! That’s it’s eye and siphon.

Tiny fish under a dock.

Dramatic, unattached remora (suckerfish).

Big hermit crab.

Betcha didn’t know crabs have eyelashes!

Green sea turtle.

Green sea turtle.

Green sea turtle

I swear I eventually stopped following it.

Eventually…

Pretty view of Magens Bay. Famous Magens Bay Beach is here.

View of the cruise port.

It is New Year’s Eve, but we aren’t much into the excitement. I’m just happy to not be working in the emergency department! We actually have an early morning tomorrow to see a new place, so we are unlikely to do more than watch it turn midnight.