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Unspoiled beauty? GO find it in St. John.
The smallest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John is probably one of the most relaxing and pristine places I have ever been. Though I have never stayed on the island, I have made a few day trips, exploring its beautiful beaches.
Originally, settled by the Arawak and Carib Indians, the United States purchased St. John from the Danish West India and Guinea Company in 1917. In 1956, over 5,000 acres of land was donated to the National Park Service by Laurance Rockefeller, assuring it natural preservation.
There are many magnificent beaches that lie within the National Park, some more easily accessible than others. After our arrival on the car ferry, we decided to drive down Route 20 and start with Trunk Bay, one of the most beloved of St. John’s coves.
Trunk Bay, the most famous of St. John’s beaches is also the most photographed with is perfect crescent shape, towering coconut palms, white sands and small island, Trunk Cay that lies just 30 yards offshore. It attracts large amounts of visitors each day and can get crowded. Trunk Bay also is known for its underwater nature trail which offers snorkelers a self-guided path to follow around Trunk Cay. This is one of my favorite things to do in Trunk Bay…the underwater trail is great not only for children and beginning snorkelers, but for all experience levels. Following the trail is fun, but I always seems to get a bit distracted by the abundance of fish and even what’s going on above the ocean. Trunk Cay attracts many brown pelicans and if you pop your head up, you’ll be greeted by a wave of their wings as they watch you glide by. Make sure to continue snorkeling, watching for squid and indigo blue turnicates that seem to thrive here, well past the nature trail and to the far point of the cay. If you feel comfortable and the water is relatively calm, try snorkeling around the entire cay, although not much coral life is present on the eastern side.
It is easy to spend the entire day at Trunk Bay for the relaxation it provides. Walk down the beach, towards the far ends, away from the other visitors, and secure a spot among the trees to get some shade as you may need it…it gets hot! Trunk Bay, unique from the other beach areas in St. John, boasts a Snack Bar, where you can buy lunch, otherwise, make sure to bring a cooler. Because it is located within the National Park, there are no eateries close by. On the premises, there is also a souvenir shop, shower and restroom facilities, public telephones and lifeguards. Beach chairs and snorkeling gear can be rented. It should also be noted that Trunk Bay is the only beach on St. John that charges an entrance fee.
If you are driving your own car, try to head to Trunk Bay earlier in the day. Parking is limited and fills up quickly. Taxis head out to all the beaches in St. John, stopping when requested. Fare are about $6 per person, each way.
After lunch, we decided to drive further into the National Park to see what other beaches we could sink our toes into. The drive, although winding and narrow at times, offers many scenic overlooks.
There were a few beaches that we drove by, Cinnamon Bay, Jumbie Bay, Maho Bay, some with no parking available, so we continued on until we reached Francis Bay. A little remote, Francis Bay wasn’t as crowded as some of the other beaches. We walked a bit to the right and were greeted by a family who offered to give us their spot with a picnic table. Setting our chairs among the trees for the shade they provided, we soon realized that the cool breezes that we experienced at Trunk Bay were not present. We also discovered that while trying to seek cooler temperatures among the trees, there were thousands of tiny bugs eager to feast on our skin! Yikes! Staying in the water was a must!
Francis Bay is a long, wide beach with white sands and calm green water. It is also a popular mooring for many sailboats each night. If you like snorkeling, however, this is another of our favorite spots.
The center of the bay is mostly sea-grass, but you are apt to see sea turtles and stingrays gliding by. Beginning snorkelers may find it easier to swim at the western end towards Maho Bay, where you’ll find snapper, barracuda, eels, and conch, but more experienced snorkelers may enjoy the rocky, eastern shore.
After my husband and one of my sons headed this way, we couldn’t imagine why they were gone for so long. Eventually, my son returned insisting that we grab out snorkels and fins and join them. Never, ever have I experienced something like this! From afar, the water appears to be black, so the assumption is made that there is nothing but sea-grass. When you dive into this area, you realize that it is something extremely different. Billions of silverside fish swim together blocking out the ocean floor and engulfing the waters around you. It is truly mind boggling as to how many tiny fish you are looking upon! The best part, however, is when you see the fish part, making way for the huge, 6 foot tarpon the patrol the area. These enormous fish, swim near you, unafraid, and provide for amazing underwater photography if you’ve brought your camera. Sadly, we did not, but we left excited for the memory, knowing that one day, we will return to see this spectacle once again.
After returning to our picnic table to refresh with some ice cold water, we decided that we were hot, tired and over bitten and it was time to call it a day!
With so many amazing beaches on St. John, it would be hard to catch them all unless staying on the island. We got to visit two! I’d say we had a pretty good day!
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Trunk Bay
- http://stjohn-beachguide.com/trunk-bay/
- Hours: Facilities open 0800-1630, Lifeguards on duty, 0900-1630, Snack bar/souvenir shop, 0900-1530.
- Admission: Individual Day Pass, $5, Children 16 and under, free, Individual Annual Pass, $20, Family Pass, $30
- Getting There: From Cruz Bay, take Route 20 (North Shore Road) approximately 2.5 miles until you see the signs for Trunk Bay parking.
Francis Bay
- http://stjohn-beachguide.com/francis-bay-2/
- Admission: free
- Getting There: Take Route 20 (North Shore Road past Maho Bay Beach. The road divides just beyond the end of the beach. Follow the road until you read a “Y”. Keep left to Leinster/Waterlemon. Continue about 1/4 mile down the road where you will see the entrance on the right.
‘After a few rain showers blew through and the skies decided to remain cloudy, I persuaded my family that we should drive into town to see the fort…the fact that there is a souvenir market next door and the promise of some cool t-shirts cemented the deal.
A basic square structure with stone curtain walls and diamond-shaped stone bastions at the corners, the Tyygborg tower and north curtain were eventually demolished as well as other parts of the fort. The current Gothic Revival structure, with its Victorian clock tower, which serves as an entrance, was eventually built to replace the north curtain in the 18th century. Today, the bastions and the rooftop can be accessed as well as the living quarters that were later added.
We enjoyed visiting the lower level which houses former cells, displays detailing the fort’s history, chapel and the living quarters. These areas are filled with antiques and gives an idea of the living standards at the time. We did not have a tour guide as we arrived just before three o’clock (last admitting time) however, having an escort would have been a benefit in learning more about the history of the structure and the role it played in protecting the island’s harbor.
Though our condominium was located on stunning Sapphire Beach, known for its snorkeling, it was advantageous to have a car in order to experience some of the other beaches located throughout the island.
Magen’s Bay public park was donated to the people of the Virgin Islands by Arthur Fairchild and consists of a one mile of white sand beach, a six-acre arboretum with trees from four tropical continents, a two-acre camping ground, five acres of coconut groves and fifteen acres of mangroves and wetlands. It is the only beach on St. Thomas that charges an admission fee which is used to maintain the facilities and the beach.
After relaxing for a while, we then grabbed our snorkels and dove in, eager to see what was below the water’s surface. While our waters at Sapphire Beach offered an amazing amount of coral and marine life, sadly, Magen’s Bay did not. A bit more coral borders the rocky outcropping at each end of the beach, but the most impressive thing we encountered was the large, shoaling silver-side fish whose location was apparent by the diving seagulls.
After Magen’s Bay, trying to decide on another beach was tough. Would any other measure up?
If you get tired of the atmosphere here, you can wander next door to Coral World where you can come face-to-face with sharks and other underwater creatures. Swimming with sea lions or touching turtles…there’s much to learn about the underwater life that inhabits the waters around St. Thomas. Descend fifteen feet in the undersea observatory tower to marvel at the coral reef, schools of silversides and other fish or take an hour-long cruise on the park’s semi-submarine.
To reach the lighthouse, we drove along Ocean Trail, following the signs along the way. There was ample parking near the lighthouse and we were greeted by a volunteer who immediately showed us the best places to capture an amazing photograph of the unusually unpainted lighthouse.
The lighthouse, which had fallen into disrepair, when automation deemed lighthouse keepers unnecessary, has undergone a huge preservation by the Outer Banks Conservationists since 1980. Visitor have been allowed to enter and climb the structure since 1991.
Taking our place in line to await our turn to climb to the top of this towering structure, some members of our group used the time wisely to walk around the grounds and investigate what the gift shop had to offer. In order to keep congestion in the lighthouse to a minimum, only a small number of visitors are allowed inside at one time. So, as visitors leave, others are allowed in.
Finally, our turn had arrived and we began the long, hot, climb to the top…220 twenty steps, stopping only to catch our breath and read the museum-quality displays on each level detailing the lighthouse’s history.
After one last exhausting push, we exited to the top platform into the cool breeze, admiring the expansive views of the Atlantic, the barrier island and the sound. Worth the climb? You bet!
Though access to the lens room is not permitted since the lens (the original) is still a functioning one, it was thrilling to look out over one of the top vacation spots in on the East Coast.
Historical sources point to a nineteen-inch sculpture of the Holy Child with a bird in his right hand as the original Infant Child of Prague. Located in the Spanish monastery of Santa Maria de la Valbonna in Asturias, it was carved in 1340. Other sculptures were carved by famous masters during the Middle Ages and were dressed in the aristocratic fashion of the time period. It is believed, however, that the current statue was a gift from Lady Polyxena to the Carmelites who said upon presenting the figurine, “I am giving you what I most esteem of my possessions. Keep the sculpture in reference and you will be well off”. Since that time, many claims of blessing favors and miraculous healings have been attributed to those who petition the Infant Jesus.
Though my companion was a little disturbed by the fact that such devotion is given to what he only considers a doll, I was fascinated by the history of this icon. When in Prague’s Malá Strana district, take a moment of your time, and visit the Infant Jesus of Prague. Or better yet, try to be there during the coronation celebration held every year on the first Sunday in May. The Infant Jesus is displayed in the presbytery on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, after evening mass, a procession is held with a copy of the statue. The main pilgrimage mass with the coronation of the statue is celebrated at ten o’clock on Sunday.
After the Prague Castle’s origins, the deteriorating castle of Vyšehrad was abandoned as a royal home. After renovations by Charles IV, new fortifications with two gates and a royal palace were added to the complex. Later, however, after the Hussite Wars, the castle was abandoned and fell into ruin. Renovations during the 17th century established it as a Baroque fortress, a training center for the Austrian Army and later incorporated the fort into the Baroque city walls around Prague.
Today, Vysehrad is a place of recreation as well as history. Czech citizens visit the grounds, which have now become a public park, for amusement, relaxation and celebration. Tourists visit to see the many architectural treasures on the site.
Marveling over the Rotunda of St. Martin, it was astonishing that this rare, Romanesque building still stands strong today. Built in the 11th century, it is one of Prague’s oldest surviving buildings. Used for gunpowder storage during the Thirty Years’ War, it is now used for religious purposes. When admiring this ancient edifice, be sure to seek out the cannonball from the Prussian rampage in 1758, which is embedded in the facade to the right of the window.
Behind the church is the Vyšehrad cemetery, the final resting place of many famous Czechs, including author Karel Capek, composers Antonín Dvorák and Bedřich Smetana and artist Alphonse Mucha as well as many other scribes and politicians.
In order to explore all of Vyšehrad, you’ll need a few hours and it helps to have a beautiful day! Bring a picnic or indulge at one of the cafés, and don’t forget to spend some time looking out over the river and the city views…sunset can be quite impressive! But, no matter what time of day you visit…just do!
I love walking through Reykjavik. Everywhere you look, there is something interesting to see…from the harbor and the fishing boats…to the sculpture scattered throughout the town center…to the brightly painted tin buildings…to the interesting graffiti.
A visitor’s center is located on the premises which gives an interpretation of the history and nature of the national park. If you are near the campground, there is also an information center which will provide further information.
The smaller of the two, Strokkur, is more reliable in providing a show. Strokkur erupts about every 10 to 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. There are other, smaller geysers throughout the area as well as mineral springs and mud pots worth the walk around the premises. Since Geysir was quiet during my visit, my attention, however, was always drawn back to Strokkur, with its timely blasts.
