A stormy St. Thomas in the early morning of December 16, 2010.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Today we are in the port of Charlotte Amalie, better known as St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Christopher Columbus arrived here in 1493 to find a sizable Carib population already inhabited the island. The cost of this first European contact was immense: diseases brought over in the already highly viral ships wiped out scores of the population.
The Danish conquered the island in 1666, and St. Thomas later became an unincorporated territory of the United States. Due to its European heritage and current US laws, left-hand drive vehicles are used here, but they follow UK traffic patterns.
Silver Spirit tied up at the pier in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
If Columbus sailed into Charlotte Amalie today, chances are he’d get himself a nice new watch and hit the rum shack for happy hour. If you’re in the market for diamonds, jewellery, and duty-free anything, St. Thomas is the island for you. The main downtown area is a leisurely –and pretty- fifteen-minute walk from the cruise pier.
The start of Dronningen's Gate & miles of shopping.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Once in the downtown area, both Veteran’s Drive near the water and Dronningen’s Gate one block back have more shops than you can shake a stick at. Trouble is, if you’re not interested in the aforementioned items, there’s really not a lot here. Competing shops even tend to stock the same products, just at slightly higher or lower prices.
All decked out for Christmas in the Caribbean.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
I like to buy unique things as souvenirs when I travel. I’ve purchased hand-blown Murano glass in Venice, Italy, pottery and fishbone Aztec calendars in Mexico, and handmade ceramics in Rhodes, Greece. Sure, the Tanqueray Gin is a great deal here – I just personally don’t feel compelled to bring home six bottles of it.
Plenty of shops, people, and vehicles line the streets of St. Thomas.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The beautiful - and colorful - St. Thomas Public Library.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
But it is undeniably beautiful here, and I’m enjoying sitting on my balcony as I write this, gazing out over the emerald-green bay and the mega-yachts moored in the harbour. In fact, if there’s one downside to the Silversea experience, it is that I’m starting to prefer the ship over going ashore! Honestly – after battling the crowds in town for a few hours, I was more than ready to go back to my floating oasis, kick up my feet, and relax.
The view from the balcony of our Silver Suite.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Still, I enjoyed my time in St. Thomas. This particular cruise has had a great mix of ports, and I’m sure the mega, shop-till-you-drop atmosphere of Charlotte Amalie appeals to those who found Bequia to be a bore.
Gathering on Deck 9 aft of the Panorama Lounge to watch
as we depart Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Tonight, we left St. Thomas and began the first of two days at sea as we sail northeast toward Key West, Florida on Sunday. So it only seems appropriate to have a look at some more public rooms aboard Silver Spirit, which today celebrated its first full year in service; the ship was handed over to Silversea from the Fincantieri Shipyard in Ancona, Italy on December 16, 2009.
The magnificent - and working - telescope in the Observation Lounge.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Seishin Restaurant: serving up a nine-course Japanese menu, with
or without exquisite Saki pairings. Come hungry!
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The Restaurant - Silver Spirit's main dining venue, located on Deck 4.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
An alternate shot of the above. Tables of all sizes are available, and
seating is always when you want, where you want.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Following the corridor along Deck 5 aft leads you to...
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
...The Silver Spirit's main show lounge, as seen from the stage.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The heated, ceramic thermal beds in the Spa:
perfect for a day at sea.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The Library on Deck 7 offers papers, internet stations,
and books on a wide variety of subjects in several languages.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Silver Spirit's shopping arcade is located aft on Deck 8 and features high-end
boutiques as well as logo wear.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
The Connoisseur Club: the place to be for cigar and cognac lovers.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
Sailing the increasingly-unsettled seas.
Photo © 2010 Aaron Saunders
We’re plowing our way through some rather heavy swells this evening, but the Silver Spirit rides through them admirably; there’s very little in the way of structural creaking or groaning, and motion is confined to fore and aft pitching only; there’s not even the slightest hint of rolling side to side, which is the most common cause of seasickness amongst passengers. But I’m biased: I love heavy seas. It lets me know I’m on a ship.
Stay tuned tomorrow as we take you through a Silversea day at sea: cooking classes, wine tasting, language lessons, and even a tour of the ship’s navigation bridge – they’re all on the menu aboard Silver Spirit. Judging by tomorrow’s daily program, luxury certainly doesn’t mean dull.
0 comments:
Post a Comment