Getting Out Of Deep Water

Long Island, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Mass, and New Jersey have been struck with a deluge of rain storms this week and a wind storm with plenty of rain two weeks ago. It's been a disaster for some home owners.

I happen to live in a seaside community that is used to flooding but even here in Freeport, Long Island flooding has been unusually bad. Sump pumps have been working tirelessly but even those homes that don't have a sump pump because there's usually not a flood problem have been indeed flooded.

The Flotec 1/6 HP pump (also known as Tempest Thermoplastic Submersible Utility Pump 1/6hp and 1470gph Max) is excellent for pumping out water down to about 1/2." I happen to use this to empty my above ground swimming pool every year. It's perfect. What it doesn't have is a shut off. The plug must be pulled to shut it down and the directions note that water needs to be going through the pump to keep it from shutting down. This can be attached to a 3/4" garden hose. The adapter comes with the unit. Our local Home Depot can't keep these in stock now. I strongly suggest everyone in any kind of floor or high rain area to have this handy little pump that goes for about $85 in their home.

Man, I gotta tell ya. I really feel for my Freeport neighbors that are dealing with all this flooding. It makes me want to go to some Caribbean Island and do some snorkeling.

Staying At the Buccaneer Resort/St. Croix, US VI.

Those who have followed my blogs know that my wife and I had multiple visits the US Virgin Islands of St Thomas and St John in the last few of years. I have previously posted reviews of them and also places we frequented including the Westin on St John and the Sapphire Beach & Marina and The Ritz Carlton on ST. Thomas. After much reading we decided to complete the triangle of the three main islands of the USVI and visit St Croix. We were very happy we did. We enjoyed the island.

It's my wife who now does much of our planning. Each time she consulted me about travel plans in the past half year, the Buccaneer Resort kept coming up in conversation. In the end, after a series of phone calls and personal attention from the Buccaneer Resort, she set up the reservations and I was quite pleased with her choice.

History

The property was part of an estate with the first buildings established in 1653. A century later after the Danes took possession of the islands, the property was used as a sugar factory and a mill was constructed. The ruins are still there. After going through other hands it was also used for cotton growing and cattle raising.

As taken directly from the Buccaneer web site these words describe the early days of the resort...

Finally in 1948, the Armstrong family, who had owned and operated the cattle estate since 1922, opened The Buccaneer for business with eleven guest rooms. It was the first hotel in St. Croix to be built and operated by an island family.

Guests, known as "continentals," made a two-day trip from the mainland to stay there and often mixed their own drinks, helped rake the beach, paint furniture, and plan meals...
Guest rooms, which slowly and steadily grew in number to meet the demands of increasing business, were named after the coin of the day during the swashbuckling buccaneer era, including Lucky Farthings, Pretty Penny, Pieces of Eight and Doubloons, a tradition that continues with the opening of the Luxury Beachside Doubloons.

Making the Deal

My wife and I were traveling on a moderate budget and were booked in the Great House where most rooms seem to be. There are a number of different guest room areas. Some above and some on the beach. The Great House is high up on a hill with commanding views of the beaches and surrounding grounds. There are different level accommodation prices in that building starting at $250 garden view to suites with ocean view at $500 off season. This is also where the main restaurant, The Terrace, is. The accommodations included a buffet breakfast every morning. It was excellent, more later.

Though the Great House is a good climb up a hill from the beaches it can be accomplished in about ten to fifteen minutes but better yet, if, after a tough day of relaxing on the palm tree lined beaches, snorkeling in the resorts clear waters, or roughing it at the pool, you can simply call and a van will pick you up. The same ride is available for those at beach front rooms for coming up to dinner at the Terrace. A quick call and couple of minutes later you are in the lobby of the Great House, down on the beach, or at any part of the complex you need to go to. The guys, who were shuttling people around this huge resort in comfortable and clean vans, were quite friendly and helpful. Though we never did stay in the Great House, I did take a peek at a couple of rooms on the ground floor and they looked quite comfortable and roomy. We would have been quite happy staying in one judging from what a brief glimpse could tell. Do try and get a beach-side view. You won't regret it!

A Side deal

My wife paid for some kind of current deal, Explore and Rejuvenate Package at $100 per couple it enabled us to have a rental car for a day, receive massages at the spa, and have a bottle of champagne upon arrival. I believe there was a choice for green fees for two or tennis involved too. There may have been more to it but that's what I remember and I thought it an excellent value. Best of all, it included a free night stay!

Arrival

We arranged our own transportation to the hotel. They do not have free shuttle from the airport but will arrange transport for you if needed. We had a rental car for the week. That special deal at the hotel that my wife contracted for paid for one day's Hertz rental. With paperwork from the hotel, that free extra day was deducted from our car rental bill when we returned the car at weeks end.

As we entered the gated palm-tree lined entrance of the resort we were greeted by the gate attendant who asked our name. Without hesitation he had us follow a car up to the Main lobby in the Great House.

The people at the desk were expecting us and we were greeted with friendly smiles and punch cocktails, virgin or not. This was our first chance to check out the amazing views, glorious!

Much to our surprise we were upgraded. My wife's eyes noticeably opened with joy when we were told there happened to be room in the luxury beach-side, Doubloons guestrooms. I simply write of our experiences these days and do little of the planning. She had already read about these luxury guestrooms and knew what the Doubloons were about. These rooms start at $500 off season and in high season are $800 per night.

Our Rooms

The resort had a bellman take our luggage and place it into one of the shuttle vans. He then proceeded to take us to our room and show us our accommodations.

Upon opening the door we found a bottle of champagne and a fruit basket with crackers and cheeses. I happen to love Brie, so it was an excellent start.

The bellman first showed us our view. We were on the second floor and the view from our 8' x 18' terrace was beautiful with lush palm trees, blue waters, and a fine beach below. Seeing the rainforest mountains in the back ground completed the painting. The steel and soft-cushioned furniture on the terrace was well made and definitely an upgrade.

We were a bit disappointed that we did not have a king bed. I'm a large guy. The bed we shared was comfortable though. The two queen beds were still lost in the vast size of the all marble-floored room. A large and long, soft-cushioned recliner with a table lamp was perfect for reading while in air-conditioning. A table and chairs were set up by the small bar area that had ice and water refreshed twice a day. A small refrigerator was convenient as was the coffee maker. Along the same wall was a window seat. It was from that side of the room that we overlooked the golf course and health trail.

The TV brought in many continental TV networks including all the cable news stations. A DVD/CD player were there for our convenience. Local calls from the three phones in the room were free.

We were the escorted around the corner to our walk-in closet/dressing room that had drawers and hanger area with a pair of terry robes along with an ironing board that was recessed in the wall. A keyed safe was also in the room though not secured to anything.

A large room with both a large whirlpool tub and a separate, all-tile shower with seat and enough room for four was set beside another room that had a toilet and telephone. There was a sink in the tub and shower room and also a large sink and vanity just outside of it.

According to my wife the brand of counter-top amenities of shampoo, rinse, body cream, and other items were top shelf. Sorry I don't recall the manufacturer but I do recall the company being established in Great Britain.

The Buccaneer does not have the highest quality in towels and bedding but they were adequate. To show how adequate, my wife never once had to ask for extra towels. They were well stocked.

Service and a Couple of Problems

Our daily house-keeping service and turn-down service was perfect. Never a problem. The ladies were sweet and attentive to any small needs we had.

We did have a problem with our A/C one night and a plumbing problem too. I made a call and plumbing problem was taken care of when we were out site seeing during the day.

We were informed that the A/C may have taken a few hours to rectify so we were offered another room for the night and they would send people over to make that move in minutes. We decided to take a chance and hope it would be taken care of in short order. It was, and we had a comfortable nights sleep.

It's here where the hotel was exemplary in their manner. I understand things can happen and on a large complex like this resort, something negative is bound to happen sometime. Kudos to the Buccaneer that attacked the problem without hesitation and looked out for our needs. You can't ask for better than that.

Beaches and Pools

The complex has three beaches. We visited two and were pleased with plenty of lounges and shaded areas. There was none of that coming out in the early morning with people "reserving" their chairs with towels, books and whatever. We had plenty of choice. Now this was the quieter season. We were there in July. I'm not sure what high season brings, but there were plenty of lounges along the beaches. The waters were quite calm too. Many people took advantage of the floats and sunned while relaxing in the water.

Nearby the beaches are two restaurants. On our beach, that also had a small pier where children were jumping off hand-n-hand, is The Mermaid. The outdoor room or beach-side umbrellas in front of the bar were a perfect place for lunch. We ate there a few times. The burgers and the salads were just fine.

On the last day at the resort we noticed a gal coming around to the lounge chairs on the beach. She said it was a new service. I say, "Wonderful". I love being able to sit back and relax, order a drink or lunch, and be able to sign it off to our room. That's relaxing in luxury.

On the other beach just back a bit beyond the pool where we relaxed a couple of times, is the Grotto Grill. We never tried them but it is convenient to the beach and pool. The pool was very clean and the palm trees between it and the beach made for fine subject matter for photos in the evening when we were watching the sunset.

One evening we were enjoying the quiet and comfort of the pool all alone when a crowd came in. OK, it was just another couple. My wife and I decided we would share the pool with them. How nice of us. After talking a little while we discovered we were both celebrating our 35 wedding anniversary this spring/summer. How nice it was talking and sharing time with another couple committed to each other. We had another fine day talking when we went on the Buck Island Tour.

On still nights "no see-ums", tiny gnat like bugs, would come out and be a nuisance. Our room had bug spray, it may be a good idea to bring some though bugs were not a major problem at all. I was just a couple of evenings on the beach where we felt them.

We did some snorkeling from our beach and though there isn't much in underwater flora, we did get to see a turtle and a sting ray. A small reef also gives some views of local underwater fauna. Because the beaches are in a sort of inlet, there is not a lot of boat traffic. It was quite calm and peaceful during our stay.

There were much better places to snorkel. It was however nice to know we could simply swim right out to some underwater wonders from our beach. The resort does have snorkeling equipment. Check my reviews of St Croix Island and Buck Island Reef National Monument for more snorkeling information.

More Dining

As mentioned we did enjoy the resort's beach restaurant during the day for more casual dining and we made use of some of St Croix's excellent dining opportunities in the town of Christiansted, just five minutes away. We did however, have our daily breakfast and dinner a couple of times at the Great House, Terrace Restaurant.

The fabulous views are enhanced by a drink or two from the Terrace Bar that wisely has the bar tenders in a sort of pit so those sitting on the bar stools have a better view of the vistas below and beyond.

Breakfast at the Terrace was quite fine. It is buffet but if you really need one of the staff to get anything for you, they will. The custom omelets were good and each day they had some kind of egg special. They twice offered eggs Benedict and they were perfectly made with a fine tasting hollandaise.

I particularly liked the fresh juices. A mix of guava and pulpy orange was to my liking. Hey, they do know how to make some good grits in the USVI too. The sausage and bacon were different tasting than what I was used to but I happened to enjoy their sausage patties. They offered two kinds of breakfast potatoes each day. Plenty of fresh fruit and a variety of fresh breads, muffins, and cereal were available.

Dinner at the Terrace is an elegant affair but not stuffy. People from other resorts make reservations for this place too. A fine wine list and bar selection starts all off well. Our dinners were perfectly cooked and prepared nicely in a fine presentation. Our waiter was a hoot. We enjoyed the restaurant and suggest trying it at least once even if not staying at the resort.

What is especially creative about the restaurant is that it is open-air but well protected under a roof and just on the other side of the huge terrace area, beyond the bar is another area set up lounge-style that has live music every night. That soft music from there is also is heard in the main restaurant so a romantic feel fills the air.

For anyone not wanting to dine at the restaurant but still looking for some light, night-fare the Terrace Bar area has a "bistro" menu available. Once again you have live music and incredible views. It can't be beat.

A Few Extras to Talk About

The grounds of the resort were beautifully designed and maintained. There was always something being done somewhere but in quiet fashion. Except for hearing a hedge trimmer on our last day, we were not bothered by any undue noises.

We did not golf but an eighteen hold course surrounds the property. They don't use a watering system on the fairways so there was browning due to lack of rain but the greens seemed to be in perfect order. We hooked up with another couple who golfed often and were quite happy with the facility.

Tension

The Concierge Service was spotty. They had a new gal and another who knew the ropes. Sorry, but if I have to watch a concierge start looking up phone numbers for some of the most popular places to dine or visit, in the yellow pages, then something is wrong. That happened when looking for reservations for a fine dining room in town by the name of Savant and also getting information for one of the islands most sought after tours, Buck Island Reef National Monument. Those numbers should be at fingertips if not in the memory banks of a good concierge. One had it right, then other didn't. I'm sorry I lost what I consider "precious vacation time" with someone who should not be at that desk without supervision and a file full of answers to FAQs. I don't blame the person here, she was trying extremely hard to please us. I blame the resort for not giving good training or having someone to support the new person nearby.

Relaxation

Our visit to the spa for our massage found an environment that was pleasing and extremely relaxing with quiet music and pleasant aromas. My massage by Sage was both invigorating and relaxing at the same time. I came out feeling sprite and light in spirit, not bad for a big fat guy. A back problem I went in with was gone!

There is a pool just outside the Spa. The area doesn't look like it is used often and unfortunately doesn't seem to be a priority area of the resort. It's the only area that did not have a "shine" to it.

The nearby resort shops, just steps from the Great House, offer most anything you might need without having to make a trek into town.

The people at the beaches and pool were very friendly and willing to help. The fellow taking care of Water Sports and such was particularly friendly.

I noticed a small room that was dedicated to kids. I never saw anyone in there but I did see some personal sitting some kids on the beach. The gal had the full attention of the two young people she was minding. The kids were having a good time and the gal seemed to know how to deal with kids in a fun and professional way.

Final Thoughts

The resort is a about a half hour ride or less from the airport. It's a level ride so no crazy driving. I liked two things about the location of the resort. It is just a five minute car ride to the main town of Christiansted. That was perfect for us when we wanted to leave the resort for a bit of shopping and or off site dining. The town has some fine dining and a couple of laid back places right on the docks. We loved it.

I also liked that the Buccaneer Resort is midway between the two ends of the island. We were never far from home when we made some excursions on our own.

Throughout the resort, whether it was the gate keeper, the maintenance staff, the shuttle drivers, house keeping and people behind the desk, we found people who were VERY helpful, friendly and professional and made our stay a memorable one. On the two instances where there were problems, the Buccaneer staff jumped to the rescue.

Even though everything wasn't absolutely perfect and the place isn't all white glove service, I still give it a five star rating out of five stars. We had a grand time there feeling safe and pampered on the grounds and also having the freedom to go adventure in town or other parts of the island from a well located property.

My wife and I were sorry we were not able to make it to the Manager's Cocktail Party that is presented every Tuesday and hosted by Elizabeth A. Armstrong, one of the members of the founding family. We came in on a Wednesday and left on a Tuesday. We also missed the weekly "crab races". I read afterward about water colour painting with a local artist up at the terrace. My wife an artist and art teacher herself would have enjoyed that. I suppose you can't do everything, but it sure is fun to try.

I'll also note that beside some of the "packages" available I did notice that a 5% discount to all room charges is available to all return guests. Though the dollar savings is a draw, it was the exemplary service and friendly smiles that will bring us back to the Buccaneer Resort some day.

Buck Island Reef National Monument:Surprised About This One

Snorkeling Buck Island National Monument was the chief reason we visited St Croix.


My wife and I recently traveled to St. Croix, US Virgin Islands so we could visit, vacation, and snorkel. We were quite excited to visit Buck Island Reef National Monument due to the fine press the island has received in travel books and Caribbean Travel Magazines. It was one of the key reasons we went to St. Croix. Part of the US National Parks System Buck Island Reef National Monument is part of the United States Government Parks System. It was first proclaimed as a protected area in 1961 by President John F Kennedy when he visited the island. In 2001 it took on Monument status joining the Virgin Islands National Underwater and the Biscayne National Park sites as one of the few protected underwater National sites in America. The Visitors Center There is no visitors center on the island itself. For that information, a gift/book store and to receive National Passport stamps one must go to the Christiansted National Historic Site Visitors Center in Christiansted. This is a small open air center in the historic area that has its own parking facilities. This is right next to the fort. I spent well over an hour talking with a woman there, not a park ranger, who was running the place. She was a wealth of solid information. I enjoyed my time with her and picked up some good snorkeling tips for some other parts of St. Croix too. Getting to the Island The only way to get to the small 176-acre island with its surrounding reef is by boat. Only US Park sanctioned tour companies may take visitors and this seems to be limited as to where and how long you can stay. My wife and I found a tour company that made the trip through our hotel. We asked for the best way to see the most of the island in the shortest total time. There are many half and full day sails to the island. We decided to motor it on a faster type boat. The Underwater Trail On the east end of Buck Island a trail with underwater markers has been set to bring novices and experiences snorkelers into a part of the reef. I have been to the underwater trail in Trunk Bay, St John that is part of the Virgin Island National Park system. That one was a bit "hokey" to me. Maybe it was because my wife and I are fairly well experienced in snorkeling. The trail at Buck Island was different. It took us through some very interesting coral formation. I found it rather beautiful in a haunting type of way. What I was disappointed in was the fact that there was not much flora or fauna. There were some fish but I suppose that because there are so many people that visited this trail with us, most were hiding. There was very little in fans or soft corals. Can Fish Read? The underwater trail has perhaps ten or twelve "stations" to read. Most were about fifteen foot down on the bottom. These markers would give information about the reef pertaining to sea life and also some ways of protecting the area. I was smiling ear to ear when we came up to the first marker. It was giving information about Trumpet Fish and right there next to the sign was one of them. How did it know to hang around that sign? I will note that other signs giving information about tangs, barracuda and other fish did not have live examples showing their stuff nearby. Devastation Unfortunately Buck Island received serious damage from Hurricane Hugo and others over the last 20 years destroying much of the coral. In snorkeling the area just north of the trail we could see beds of broken coral on the bottom. We were told that in twenty years just a couple of inches of growth have occurred. Coral growing is a very slow business. Some kind of disease has also damaged much of the Elkhorn coral. Visiting the Island It seems the time on the island is tightly restricted by the parks department, too tightly for my liking. We had time to snorkel the trail and do some "free time" too, about another half hour. Afterward this tour took us around to the west end of the island where we backed up to the white sandy beach. Others were told of an area to see some baby sharks of some type. My wife and I, and another couple we met, were attracted to the gorgeous expanse of beach on the south-west part of the island. This was perhaps the most beautiful beach area I have ever experienced. The look and feel of the sand was "one of a kind". We did take some photos, had too. We had just forty-five minutes or so. Unfortunately decisions had to be made. We could enjoy the beach and swim, go and make use of some shaded picnic tables on one small part of the island or continue to do more snorkeling. There is also just enough time to circumnavigate a small part of the island. A trail leads to the top reaches of the island giving spectacular views of the coral reef and nearby St Croix. We didn't have time to do it. Final Thoughts To be honest about it, I was expecting a five star experience. I was disappointed to have to give a reluctant four star rating because of the lack of "life" in the waters we were privy to see. Surprisingly, I did like the marked underwater trail, but it was the beautiful, world-class beach that totally saved the day and it alone makes a trip to the island a must. Perhaps it was the particular tour we were on or the tight time regulations the park system gives the operators that had me wishing I was getting more Buck(Island)for my bucks.

St Croix, The Quiet Island of the US Virgin Islands

The following account of St Croix was written soon after we returned home from that vacation. We did some snorkeling at Buck Island National Monument. I'll soon share that side trip too.

My wife and I just returned from a week trip to St Croix. We treated ourselves there for our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. Wouldn't you know it we met another Mid-Atlantic couple at the Buccaneer Hotel where we stayed that were also celebrating their thirty-fifth. Very Cool! Congrats Kathy and Frank!!

My wife and I have been to St Thomas and St John, the other two islands of the US Virgin islands twice and loved both, particularly St John. We thought it important to try the third main island of the US Virgin Islands to complete the triangle. We weren't disappointed, yet I'll note its a different kind of island than the other two. All three are quite different from each other.

Pops Reasons for Visiting St Croix

My main reasons for going to St Croix was to see some US National Parks destinations I have never seen before.

The most heralded is Buck Island Reef National Monument that is touted as having some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. A half hour or so power boat ride from the town Christiansted gets you there. Though I was disappointed, and that may have been more the fault of the particular tour guide we had or the system the National Parks holds them too, it is still a must trip when on the island. The underwater trail, that I felt might be a bit hokey, as is the one in Trunk Bay, St John, was quite magnificent in the coral structures. Unfortunately, due to hurricane Hugo a number of years back, it is no longer the extraordinary reef it once was and I wasn't impressed with fauna and flora there at all. The stop on the leeward side of the island did present one of the finest beaches, if not the finest I have ever been on. Most of the people on our tour missed it. Again, I'll explain much more in an upcoming review of the park and another of the tour company that took us out.

Another Historic place on my list was Salt River Bay National Historical Park. I happen to love history and besides this being a protected ecological preserve, it's also the place where Christopher Columbus landed on his 1493 voyage. It's also the first place where there was battle between Europeans and Native Americans.

The third official National Park destination was Christiansted National Historic District
. This is right in the downtown area and is full of history with several buildings including a fort, church, Danish Custom House, and the Danish West Indie & Guniea Company Warehouse and more. The interpretation was fair but let me tell you, go and see the woman(sorry I forgot her name) in the Visitors Center. She is a wealth of information. I could have stayed and talked with her for hours. I did talk an hour or so. She knew all there was about the islands history and also gave us some good snorkeling advice too.

For those who "collect" parks via the National Passport stamps you can get all three stamps at this center. There is no official center on Buck Island and the Salt River center was closed during the low season.

I was also quite interested in the many abandoned Sugar mills that dot the whole island. It's interesting to ride along in a car and see the buildings and imagine the plantations and the life at the turn of last century.

Mrs. Pops Reasons for Visiting St Croix

My wife has become our seeker of places to stay. After much research she decided we would be staying at the Buccaneer Hotel that has much history, quaint charm, modern facilities and a staff that is there to please their clients.

My wife chose this hotel because of the fine ratings it has received over the years being on the many-a-list as one of the top hotels in the world. We had a magnificent room with an unbeatable view as an upgrade. The beautiful palm tree lined beaches, off beach snorkeling (where we saw turtles and rays), dining opportunities, an included breakfast, and warm helpful staff make it hard to want to leave the premises.

Another reason she picked this hotel is because it's just a seven minute ride into Christiansted. My wife, the adventurous one, like to have shopping and alternative dining destinations nearby. This place became the perfect choice for us. I hope to have a review of the place in a week or so.

Rent a Car, Do Some Shopping and Dine on the Water

While a shuttle or a cab ride can get you in and out of town from where we stayed, we enjoy the freedom of having a car. We rented at the airport from Hertz when we landed. There are other companies too. The Buccaneer did have a package that gave a discount at Hertz. Anyways, we were able to either relax at the hotel or go off driving.

St Croix is not a late-night, night-life destination but there are some fun restaurants and bars in Christiansted that are right on the water. We enjoyed Fort Christian Brew Pub, on the water with live music (a great deal Thursday nights with a five dollar pitcher of their own brews Blackbeard Ale's a good one, five dollar wings and movies shown upstairs). Nearby is Rum Runners that was also on the water. Tarpon feeding too!

About a mile the opposite way of our hotel is Cheeseburgers in Paradise that at first glimpse may not look like much but once under the tents and having live music can be a very cool place to be. Unfortunately while it is open-air there aren't water views.

Now I'll tell you about one place we "discovered", thanks to the couple from Philly we met, was a place called the
Beachside Cafe way over on the western side of the island at a place by the name of Sandcastles by the Beach in Frederiksted. We thought this the best "find" on the island. The food was inspired and the atmosphere relaxed. Be sure to try their VIP Virgin Island Pale that is brewed by Maine's Shipyard Brewery and distributed in St John and St Croix. I'm sure there's some in St Thomas too.

Frederiksted itself is a sort of ghost town now that cruise ships have stopped making stops. It's a shame, the waterfront is gorgeous and you can see the efforts made to make this a good looking seaside town.

We did stop in on a newly started art facility that has art classes for local kids and adults. My wife, being an art teacher spent some time inside and picked up a little art work there. In our brief travels on St Croix there wasn't much local art that we found to have been produced on the island.

More Reason to Have a Car

Right nearby the Beachside cafe is Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge It's closed now due to turtle nesting season but we snorkeled out off the restaurant and did capture some pictures of turtles in the water. We saw rays there too. Sandy Point happens to be one of the many stops that can be taken by following the St Croix Heritage Trail

St Croix Heritage Trail

As taken for the St Croix web site...

This 72-mile driving tour connects our Caribbean island's historic sites and attractions and includes many significant natural areas. Historic marker road signs with the trail's brown and white sugar mill symbol guide visitors along the route which runs between Frederiksted and Christiansted, primarily along Centerline Road, extending north to Hamm's Bay in the west and Point Udall in the East. St Croix Heritage Trail.

First I'll mention that the island itself is just 28 miles long so you can get from end to end in about an hour. There are some hilly roads on each end. We did follow some of the trail going through the Rain forest, to museums, a couple of national park stops, and much more. My wife and I passed on the the Cruzan Rum Distillery. Ha, we already purchased our six bottles each to bring home from K mart. Yes, there is a large K-mart in the middle of the island. For those who may get homesick from dining on the water every day you can still find McDonalds, KFC and more on the island. Hey remember, this is part of the US of A.

We were particularly surprised by the views on the drier side of the island at Point Udall. This happens to be the eastern most point of the United States. They built a Millennium sculpture there and it's definitely worth the ride. I'm not sure if you need to be the first in the US to see the sun rise, but YOU can do it if you like. We slept.

On the way there, taking the northern rout, is a HUGE radar looking piece of equipment that is the Base Array Telescope. It too is listed on the Heritage Trail. It is a radio telescope searching the deep universe for something. I'm not sure what but, if I find out, I'll share the knowledge. It is pretty cool lookin'.

The road system is actually pretty easy to follow once you get your bearings and get used to driving on the left. We did have a problem on our first ride to the hotel though. More in a bit. The roads themselves are pretty well maintained, in fact they are much better than in St Thomas and St John. Except for a few mountainous areas, it's flatter too.

People on the Island, Snorkeling and Safety Too

The people on the island are overwhelmingly quite pleasant and helpful to tourists like us. On our first trek to the hotel from the airport, a half hour drive... Mmm, well...I a Mmm...OK I'll spit it out like someone at an AA Meeting. "Hello, My name is Pops, I'm a guy and I got lost"...I also asked for direction". Having said those words, I was quite impressed at how helpful all those I asked for direction were. They took their time and were exacting in giving landmarks and distances. No "Up the road a piece" advice.

The waitstaff and those at the Buccaneer were even more helpful friendly than I expected. The care for us was universal on premises and pretty much island through.

Now I read a bit about crime on the island. Fortunately we did not see or experience any problems. We were however constantly advised to be careful by those we met. "Use caution and stay were other people are", was what we heard most often. This is the same common sense I use anywhere I go, including my home town and nearby NYC. I'll leave it at that. There were a few people that we saw in town that we stayed clear of, as did the local Cruzans. I suppose there are those who "need help" in all societies.

I did notice that every time we asked for snorkeling locations we were always sent to places where other people were, whether near a hotel or restaurant or some like place. Now I have to say that, though we finally found some excellent snorkeling on the island, we were disappointed at some of the place we were sent too. Maybe because we are so experienced. New snorkelers should be very happy with most places on the island.

There are many out of the way beaches that we never tried. We stuck with the advice given, possibly to our 'St Croix, snorkeling-experience' detriment. All in all though we were happy with the snorkeling. There was some OK snorkeling right outside our beach-front rooms. That was a plus. We tried some snorkeling at Cane Bay that also has the "Wall" for divers. It too was OK. Nothing magnificent but worth a try.

Our best Snorkeling

Our quintessential experience on the island by far was at Tamarind Reef Hotel. This is just a five minute drive from the Buccaneer and also has a fine little beach-view, open-air restaurant. We talked to the guy at the "shack" and he gave us some very pointed direction of where to go and what to see. It made our 'snorkeling week' seeing fine colourful fans, a variety of soft coral and more fish there than anywhere else on the island. We were caught in a traffic jamb at one point with a huge spotted eagle ray going one way and a green turtle going the other. We snagged fine images of both with our underwater camera.

Finding the Unexpected

My wife and I happen to be practicing Catholics that are quite open to the Charismatic Renewal within the church. Before leaving from NY my wife spoke with a fellow Christian who has relatives on the island. She had a small gift she hoped we could bring to them. (No terrorist threats here for those wondering if we were carrying unopened sealed packages). When on the island we made arrangements to meet these people at their church for Sunday Mass. We got there just as the ceremony was beginning. I couldn't believe the sounds of the vibrant voices singing praise and backed up with drums, guitars, tambourines and a tuba. The music was uplifting and the greetings from the local people was heartfelt. It also happened to be a feast day and we happily participated in a procession around St Anne's church property that sits atop a high hill with commanding views.

Afterward we were given a tour of other buildings on the grounds and we were taken to beautiful chapel inside a sugar mill ruin. The small mill windows were done in stained glass and the feeling within brought prayerful peace to me.

Once again I'm talking about the warm fellowship and attitude of the people who live on the island, the Cruzans. We also noted that many, many US mainland people have picked up and moved to St. Croix for its laidback and friendly atmosphere.

In speaking to some local people we also found out that many go to mainland colleges and then return back home with skills. We met a charming woman, an orthodontist who did that very same thing. "Doc" also gave us some excellent advice for snorkeling and for a place to eat.

Last Thoughts

I won't mention how much I liked the people and the respect they gave us again. The couple we met did have a little trouble communicating with a cab driver one day but it wasn't a real problem.

I did notice that the visitors to this island a bit older than those at other places. There was still a healthy mix of younger too but it seemed to me that more seasoned travelers came here. We absolutely loved the Buccaneer Hotel and all it offered but to really get the most out of the island I believe being free to drive around is helpful. This means getting out with the people. If you are uncomfortable with that, then maybe this isn't your place to be, unless you want to be pampered at the Buccaneer. I would like to state that the island gives a comfort zone feeling somewhere in the large gap between a Bermuda and Jamaica, Much closer to Bermuda the way I see it.

Though the island does have it's share of troublemakers, we all do, the people for the most part are ready to share their island with us tourists. I just hope not too may people start to discover just how friendly this island can be.

My wife and I were able to see most of the island on this last visit. The one thing that will bring us back are the way we were treated by the people there, in and out of the resort.

US Virgin Islands, So much to tell, so little time..........

Living on Long Island affords me many quick visits to New York City. I'm also just a twenty minute ride from JFK airport. My wife and I have made many a short ride there to take a flight to the Caribbean. One of our favorite destinations were the US Virgin Islands. We visited all three, St John, St Thomas and St Croix on separate trips.

I'll update this review a bit with information from our last stay that was in St Croix July '06 at the end.

I update this review with a bit more information about St Thomas and I will move some of the information about Virgin Islands National Park into it's own new home.

I have been to the US Virgin Islands two times. Last year was primarily in St John with some brief time in St Thomas. This time we stayed in St Thomas six days and spent one day in ST John.

ARRIVAL and TRANSPORTATION

Both times we came into the USVI through Cyril E King Airport. We were greeted with a glass of rum punch each time. This was a nice touch and after riding in the plane a few hours it was perfectly timed. The airport is small and very efficient. No problems here with baggage or meeting transportation.

St John does not have an airport so any trips there from out of country would require landing in St Thomas, taking a taxi to Red hook which is about a half hour drive and then a twenty minute ferry ride to St John.

The taxi drivers are always asking if you need a cab. We were there in the summer both times. The friendly competition is tough. Many cabs, few fares.

Taxi and renting cars are the two primary ways of getting around the island. Be sure to make arrangements for an airport car before getting there if you want a car. The day we arrived two of the three major rental places were out of cars. Rentals, however, were plentiful throughout St Thomas and St John.

In a years time it seems the rental places have worked together to keep the prices up. Last year I was able to negotiate a $35.00 per day rate. This year it was a little over $50.00. They all held pretty firm in their prices. There are many small independent places but they only offered a few dollars less.

Remember that driving is on the left side of the road in American cars with the steering wheels on the left. Just always "Think Left". I was able to negotiate the roads fairly well. Some roads are very steep and signs are not always on every corner. It really isn't bad driving. Most of the locals drive at a reasonable pace. There were very few speeders. This is also the land of the speed bump.

Just a note. Until this year you could not rent a car on one island and bring it to another. You may read some older books that state that. This year they started allowing the ferry crossing of cars by those who were renting. You do have to see if it is worth it. The price for the ferry is 30.00.

If you are staying in St John and planning to rent a car there, maybe it would be wise to rent the car at the airport and then take over to St John on the ferry. Be sure to check and see if your hotel has any kind of complimentary airport pick up. When we stayed at the Westin in St John they had a ferry service very close to the airport that took us right to the hotels beach.

There are buses that run across the island every half hour or so. They are only one dollar and are the best rate around. Most people don't have the luxury of waiting around and pay the cab fees that can add up after a while.

Prices in the cab are per person, per destination. Ask prices before moving on. There are no meters. Some guys will be happy to give you their card so you can call them for a ride. Negotiate if you are a family. If it's just two of you pay the reasonable fares. For two of us we paid $28.00 with luggage to get to the airport from the Redhook area.

THE PEOPLE

I found the people on the island of St Thomas very friendly, polite, and sociable. It took a bit of time for some of the locals that worked in the Westin Resort in ST John, where we stayed last year, to warm up to us.

There are many transplanted continental Americans that have taken up residence on the islands. They work hard for their money waiting tables and tending bar but they have the rest of the lifestyle they want. I can see how tempting that change in address can be. The islands are beautiful.

MONEY

The US Virgin Islands uses American money. How about that? They even speak English. There are ATMs available, though, not as many as in the States. It's always good to have a supply of singles for taxi tips etc.

THE ISLANDS

Having only been in St John and St Thomas I can't tell you much about the furthest island away St. Croix.

I can tell you that St Thomas is the populated busy island while ST John is the very quiet one. From what I have read St Croix is somewhere in between.

St Croix also has Buck Island National Park. We are planning to do St Croix next summer.

ST JOHN

What makes ST John unique is that most of the island is a National Park, US Virgin Island National Park. This means no building or commercial use of the land. Most of the park was once owned by Lawrence Rockefeller who had the wisdom to grant the land to the government for use by the people of generations to come. He also did the same in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands. He gave land that is now their National Parks. We visited the world famous BVI Baths this time down there. One word says it all. "AWESOME".

The VI National Park has some great beaches and areas of its own. I have moved most of the information about the park to it's own new place here at Epinions. You can follow the link at the end of this piece. Do be sure to go around to all the best beaches of the Virgin Islands. They are very cool and fun to explore. Add another star if you enjoy snorkeling. There is some great coral reefs to check out.

ONE TOWN and a COUPLE of RESORTS

Cruz Bay is where the ferries come into St John on it's western shore. It's really a pretty small town and can be known pretty well after a day or two of walking around. There are a few small restaurants that have local character in town. There are some nice little shops too. Don't miss Mongoose Junction This is St John's faint answer to the shopping mecca of St Thomas's Charlotte Amalie. The junction is an interesting building and has a couple of fine restaurants too. My wife and I enjoyed them very much.

Across the street from the Mongoose Junction is the Virgin Island National Park Visitors Center. You can get a lot of beach, snorkeling, and trail information there. You can get more information about St John if you follow that link later.

There are only two main resorts on this Island, Caneel Bay and the Westin Resort. We stayed at the Westin last year. There are many villas for rent through out the island, especially in the Cruz Bay area. Grocery stores and supermarkets are in Cruz Bay too. Gas stations are on the island. Expect to pay a little over two dollars a gallon.

ST THOMAS

Very different from the quiet beaches of ST John are the very populated ones of St Thomas. I actually thought I might be disappointed staying at the ST Thomas beaches after our ST John experience of pristine beaches and waters. St Thomas was just a different kind of place, though enjoyable. Our hotel right on Sapphire beach was excellent. We stayed at the Antilles@ Sapphire Beach Resort We actually booked the wrong place through Hotels.com. My wife and I thought we were booking the Sapphire Beach and Marina. That's another whole tale to tell you about. We lucked out and kind of stayed at both places. We also stopped by the Ritz-Carlton Resort for lunch. This place is beautiful with the finest of service. A great off season seat can be made.

We went to the world class beach of Megen's Bay. Some magazines say it's one of the worlds ten most beautiful beaches. Ha, I remember it best for the great pizza the made there. It is pretty, especially when viewed from the mountains. There are lockers, showers and quaint places to grab some finger foods on the beach.

We also went to Hull Bay. It is a beach with a boat ramp. It is a busy place but has some very interesting coral formations and is worth a look.

Coki Beach that is mentioned often did nothing for me. There were coke cans in the water (is that why they call it Coki?) and other such pollutants. It really turned me off. Others like it. Get there early because parking can be a problem. Coral World is just up the road a bit from Coki.

MOUNTAINS

I love driving and I particularly enjoy mountain roads. There were some glorious views from atop the high peeks. We visited St Peters Great House and botanical gardens. This is definitely worth a ride to. Look for the half off coupons in many of the travel magazines in every hotel. It's then just $5.00 each. Ha, they even have coolers full of rum or virgin punch for the taking. Remember, you must drive back down the mountain. and another reminder to, "Think Left".

PIRATES

Blackbeard and Bluebeard stories and places to go dominate the island. The shopping area of Charlotte Amalie has many original buildings where pirates kept their booty.

We went to a restaurant in town called Gladys's. Excellent with fair prices. I found there are a few very overpriced eateries on the island. The prices of appetizers are what I would expect to pay for entrees.

CRUISE SHIPS and SHOPPING

Try to stay away from town when the cruise ships are in. You will find listings of cruise days in much of the local literature. One of our cabbies was telling us that in the winter up to 11 ships may be in port at one time!!

The shopping in the small stores is fun. You can get some real jewelry bargains. Linens are hot too.

If you want some "real shopping" you can go to K-Mart. Ha, did you know there are three of them in the USVI. Two in St Thomas and one in ST Croix.

This is the place to go if you are going to bring home some bottles of spirits. The prices are forty to fifty percent cheaper than here in the states. Most of the times the prices were even a little less than at the duty free at the airport.

Another point is that the islands charge no tax. If the item is 50.00 that's what you need 50.00. I love that.


REDHOOK

We were on the east end of the island about a mile from Redhook when we stayed at the Antilles@ Sapphire Beach. Red hook is where ferries to the other US and British Virgin Islands depart. It is also a town that is dominated by fisherman during the weeks Blue Marlin Tournament. Every night was a party when the boats came into the American Yacht Club. We had a few good nights in that tiny town.

St Thomas also has many large resorts and hotels. We spent an afternoon at the luxurious Carlton Ritz. The Wyndham, Best Western, Hyatt, and many other properties are scattered around the island.

WEATHER

We have traveled to the US Virgin Islands in the summer. The weather is actually quite comfortable out of the sun. There are constant trade winds out of the east that make the 85 degree weather quite comfortable. The sun is HOT. Be sure to wear sunblock and tan slowly. I am fairly dark and tan easily. Though I went to the island with a good tan I still needed and used sun block. I still got a little burn on my back one day.

A couple we met had gone out on one of the all day sailing trips. He came back to the island with some pretty serious burns. Though he was a fool not to cover up I feel the guys who run the boat should strongly insist there guests cover up with some lotion. Many of these cruises offer open bars. That to adds an element of "stupidity". The sun can be very dangerous. Use caution, use your brain. The guy we met was in pain for three days. Not a great way to spend a vacation.

Do expect to see days with mixed sun and clouds. Almost every day low puffy clouds come in. They are welcome most of the time. Sometimes they bring a fleeting shower. It's just a quick cool off and then they are gone.

We have read in a few places to bring bug spray if going in August. We have been there twice and there are no signs of mosquitoes or other pests. Next year we are leaving the deet home.

LOW SEASON

One of the reasons we have been going to the islands in the summer is because it is low season. You can get some really great prices!! We were originally going to spend a week or so in Montauk Point. That is about fifty miles east of where I live. It's a seaside community. When we priced it out we realized that we actually paid a bit less flying and staying in St Thomas than what it would have cost just staying there.

I say forget about Montauk Point, Cape Cod, and the Jersey Shore. Pack your bags and spend time in the US Virgin Islands.

Update July 2006.

I just returned back from a trip to St Croix with my wife. We loved the place but still prefer St John as our favorite overall.

We stayed at the Bucacaneer Hotel. It is excellent. I do say you should consider a car to really get to see the island. It is bigger than the other two. It also has some pretty cool places to visit. I am much more detailed in my review of St Croix. The link is below.

NEW YORK, the GREATEST CITY IN THE WORLD !!! Come and See It!!

I grew up in NYC and now visit it often for fun and work. Let me tell you a bit about it.

I lived in New York until I was thirteen years old. My parents moved to Long Island. I wasn't sure if I would still be considered a Noo Yawka until checking the profile page of fellow Epinionater AliventiAsylum. I checked out the list and I now know, "I am definitely a Noo Yawka!!"

After moving to the island I would go back to the old NYC neighborhood with new friends to check it out. I met my wife at age fifteen at Jones Beach. We married at age twenty one. One place we often visited while dating was New York City. At the time we did have to watch where we were going in that some parts of the city were run down. All that is different now. The city thrives!! In the last ten years it has come alive!! It is a must place to visit!!! Due to the tragedy of September 11th and lower tourism some hotel bargains can be had at this time.

GETTING THERE

New York is serviced by three airports, JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports. LaGuardia and Newark are about half an hour taxi ride to midtown Manhattan and JFK is just ten or fifteen minutes more of a ride. Time of day does make a difference from all three. Rush hour can slow things up. JFK is just finishing up a major project that will have Airtrain service at all the main terminals. From the Airtrain you would be taken to Jamaica Station, transfer to a different train, and go right into the city's Penn Station. Check out more information about this service and about JFK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Newark has monorail service now.

By bus you can get to NY's Port Authority Building between 40 and 42nd street at Ninth Avenue. This huge terminal services over 15 different bus carriers from all over the nation.

If you come in by train, Penn Station and Grand Central Stations are the two large entry stations. Though you may have luggage and you are just arriving, do take some time to check out Grand Central Station. It is an amazing structure! Be sure to shop and/or eat in the promenade. They also have free tours of the station a couple of times a week. In the same building is The New York Transit Museum. It also is free. For info on these free tours dial 1 (212) 340 3404. Right next door is the Grand Hyatt Hotel. It has its own underground entrance ot Grand Central Station.

From Long Island my wife and I generally take the Long Island Railroad into the city. On occasion I will drive my car. Do know that street parking is very hard to find in the city and in some places the only option is parking garages that are pretty pricey. Generally a fee of thirty dollars for six or eight hours is the rate.

I do not recommend renting a car in NY. It just isn't worth the hassle of trying to get around and trying to find parking. If you are staying at a hotel ask if they have any deals with local parking places. This can save you some $$$$$.

Some cruises do come into NY. They usually come in on the west side of the city. Look for the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum while coming in to dock. It is a World War Two aircraft carrier that is now a museum. It was also the primary recovery ship for many space launches.A submarine and other ships are open for inspection too.

GETTING AROUND

Public transportation and walking is the best way to navigate the city. Getting a map of the Metro Card System is a must. These are available on all buses and subway stations. By checking out where the bus and train lines go you can easily get around town. There is also a great little Pop up Map that can be purchased around the city. It's small, has all the streets and train lines.

For the most part the subways are clean. I feel perfectly safe in them now. Ten or fifteen years ago things were different. That's when NY got the rap for being dangerous. Now it is one of the safest large cities in the USA. Whenever taking a subway ask the clerk that sells the Metro Cards the best way to a destination. These people can be very helpful. Be sure to ask about daily and weekly Metro Passes. You can save some money this way.

Using buses and trains will get you to a general area. From there go on foot and start walking. There is so much to see.

BUS TOURS

If you prefer you can get on a tour bus. The Grayline Company, the red doubledecker buses with New York Sightseeing, printed on the side are everywhere. There are a few other companies too. There is commentary from the guide on board. Most of these tours let you on and off at places of interest. This is a good way to orient yourself to the city.

SPECIALTY TOURS

New York is so diverse in what it has to offer. This is true about it's tours too.
Some tours available are.
NYC Discovery Tours

Historical Tours through the Big Onion
New York Talks and Walks

TV Tours See Seinfeld, Friends, and other TV sets.

Tours of Radio City and the NBC building

Architectural tours

one is named "Original Sopranos tour: Peek inside Bada Bing"

NY like a Native tour

My wife and I recently took the Tenement Tour in lower Manhattan. This showed actual apartments that were boarded up in the late 1800's and recently opened to find everything as it was then. We found it very interesting.
I also recommend the Harlem Spirituals, Gospels, and Jazz tour. While in Harlem be sure to eat at Sylvia's it is a landmark Soul Food Restaurant. Finger lickin' good!!

CRUISES

Tours can also be had on water. Take a cruise with a commentator on the Circle Line or Liberty Harbor Charters. My wife and I recently went aboard a boat and took the NY Waterway 1 hour tour of NY's Lower Harbor. Boat rides are a wonderful way to see the city late in the day, perhaps at sunset, after a hard day of sightseeing.

Just relax or start taking some "keeper" pictures. Remember, NYC's Manhattan is an island. There is so much to see from the rivers and harbor. A visit to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is a must. You depart from Battery Park.

If you don't have time to visit be sure to take a cruise that takes you close to them. The Jewish Heritage Museum is nearby Battery Park too.

MORE TOURS

I haven't taken one, but, bicycle tours are also to be had. If you have extra dollars take a Carriage Ride through Central Park. Do this any time of year. The carriages are not out in extreme hot or cold weather. The horse take those days off. I have to join their union.

If you are daring and have cash falling out of your pocket you can take a Helicopter Tour that takes off from a river barges or docks.

To get further information about some of these tours go to http://www.ny.com/ There you can find some good information. I have used it.

Though the tours are terrific the best or at least most thorough way to see the city is to have some time and start walking. In most parts of the city you can see major landmarks just a short walk from each other.

Taxis are available and must be flagged down for the most part. There are a few taxi stations in the city but not nearly what you find in other major cities like Rome and London. I found that going to a hotel, giving the doorman a couple of dollars, helps get a cab pretty quickly. On rainy nights, cabs are almost impossible to get. Again, wait in line at one of the major hotels and the doorman will get one for you. The lines can be very long in inclement weather.

GET ON FOOT AND HIT THE STREETS

Midtown Manhattan is probably the place to immerse yourself in New York City. Times Square is the hot spot. This encompasses 40th to 51st street and Broadway and seventh and eighth Ave. I suggest seeing this place at day and night. The lights, signs, marques, smells and sounds are incredible! If you are real daring start off the New Year here. This area is so exciting. I enjoy people watching here. All the heads of tourists are bent back looking at all the tech wonders around them. You will find many street entertainers in this area. Some are terrific and others just walk by. DO NOT MISS the Times Square Visitors Center. It has great maps of all the city and very informative people. But it offers some pretty cool free things too. Have your picture up on one of the giant screens on Broadway and it's FREE and when I went there was no line. Read my review of the place. This is an unknown destination that should not be missed.

Be sure to get tickets for a play before coming to town. If you didn't do so go to TKTS. There are a couple of these places. One is in Times square on 47th and Broadway. The other is in the South Street Seaport area. You can get tickets for the particular night you are there by seeing what is available in the late morning and afternoon and purchasing the tickets at well discounted prices. My wife and I do that often! We purchased half price tickets for the Broadway Play Aida a couple of months ago. It was a half price bargain. We just recently purchased TKTS for Thoroughly Modern Millie. I won 6 Tony awards. It was terrific.

Nearby the theatre on Broadway is a little eats place by the name of Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Up and coming stars work here at the tables. Every seven to ten minutes one of them gets up and belts out a song. It's a fun atmosphere for all ages.

Another fun place for sports fans and/or kids is the ESPN Zone. It has great food, the best sports watching set up, and a great arcade upstairs.

For good quick eats try the Manhattan Chili Company and Ollies Noodle Shop. If chains are your thing then maybe you would want to try TGI Fridays

Be sure to walk down Broadway and 42nd Street. It's truly an amazing area.!! You must go into Madame Tussaud's wax Museum on 42nd. It really is cool! I can say the same for Ripley's Believe It Or Not that opened next door recently in 2007.

Within a short walk of this area is Radio City Music Hall. If you are in town for the winter holidays try and get to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. It's a wonderful show done on a grand scale, live animals and all! You can have tours of this grand building too.

Right across the street is Rockefeller Center. During the winter holidays this is where the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lighted. Below it is an Ice Skating Rink. Rental skates and time is available. In the promenade below are a couple of fine restaurants. You can eat and view the skaters and watch the crowds above.

Just across the street from here is Saks 5th Ave for a shopping spree. They always have great holiday window displays in the winter. If you have those big dollars weighing down your pockets and pocket books, a stop in mid town stores like Tiffany and Co, Bergdorf Goodman, Lord and Taylor, and Macy's can help lighten your load.

Also part of the Rockefeller Complex is the NBC Building. More tours are available here. If you want an Evening of fine dining be sure to make reservations for The Rainbow Room. It is gorgeous, serves wonderful food, has live music, and a view that can't be beat.

Well maybe the view can be equaled or even surpassed by the Empire State Building. I love it up there. You can also now see some added attractions like a Tour of NYC on a Simulator ride. This is fun for the kids and adults alike. They have deals for the observation deck of the building and seeing the added on show. I love the deco art of the building. Be sure to take your time and really look it over. Another deco wonder is the Chrysler Building. Architecturally it's my favorite.

In the mid town area there is so much to see. I didn't mention St Patrick's Cathedral across from Radio City. Look for many different places to check out in this area. The Museum of Television and Radio is on 52nd street. Go up a few blocks and catch a tour of the Sony Wonder Technology Labs on 55th and Madison. To relax a bit go up another a block or two and have lunch at an atrium. There are a couple to choose from. The IBM Atrium and Rock Garden is beautiful. For a bit more splash check out Trump's Gardens and Waterfalls in the Atrium of the Towers on 56th street and 5th Ave.

While in this area you are very close to Central Park. This is a place that has more than you may ever expect. For more information be sure to read a review I did of it. Please take time to wander through parts of the park. It is an amazing place. The truth about it is that none of it is real. What I mean is that all of it was designed. All the water in the streams and lakes have pumps underground that feed them. You would swear that all is natural.

HOTELS

Staying in New York can be expensive. At the same time because tourism is still down a bit you can find some bargains if you are willing to take a chance. Long distance travelers may not have these options. Great prices in midtown Manhattan can be had through Priceline. That's the only one I know a bit about. You can get a four star room in mid-town for about $140.00. A three star can go as low as $75.00.
I had some young teen guests that followed my son's band in England and Germany. They were looking to stay at Youth Hostels to save some money. As it turned out we went to about three or four of these places. They were bare bones and not worth the price of $35. to $40.a person per night. We found a few hotels at an $79. price for two. These were much better accommodations. Not even close. One place we have stayed in a few times is in lower Manhattan right across from Ground Zero. It's the Millenium Hilton Hotel. It has fantastic location and it's very well run. It was closed for almost a year and a half due to damage from the collapsing Twin Towers. The hotel recently reopened and my wife and I stayed there. The place was terrific and has one of the very few hotel pools in all NY. For something nearby Grand Central Station the Grand Hyatt would be perfect.

On 59th street across from the park is the Plaza Hotel. Nearby on 5th Ave just a block away is the Pierre Hotel. If you have big dollars these are places you may try. I have done events in both places. I have never stayed in either. They are both unbelievable old Europe Grand.

The horse carriages that go through Central Park are across from the Plaza. Central Park, besides being central in the city, is also a central point for much culture. Many museums and other cultural centers are in or around it. The Metropolitan Museum of Art also known as the MET, is actually on Central Park grounds. Did you know that except for the Smithsonian's Space Center in Washington DC, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the most visited museum in the United States?.

Other museums and cultural places that are on the perimeter of the the park or just a block or two away are the Whitney Museum, Guggenheim Museum, Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Frick Collection and MOMA, The Museum of Modern Art. Actually, MOMA is six blocks away on 53rd street.

NYC is also a city of contrasts. Last Thursday my wife and I went into the city to see an opera. It was at the Metropolitan Opera House. This place is part of the Lincoln Center complex. The opera was wonderful. The place is beautiful. It is also home of the New York City Ballet, and NY Philharmonic Orchestra. People were, for the most part, dressed up. There were a couples in black ties and gowns but for the most part, suits, jackets with tie, and dresses were the norm. The place is elegant. This was a night out of fine culture. The next night was completely different and this is what I mean about contrasts. We went into Greenwich Village to a place called the Elbow room, it has that name for a reason. T shirt and jeans were the norm for dress. We saw my sons band play along with another band that he was part of and toured Europe with for the last two years. The music was loud and brash echoing the feelings of the youth. This may not be considered a night of culture in all circles, but, we had a great time!. The village is a very interesting place. There is a whole sub culture that is wonderful to watch from one of the many fine little restaurants that dot the streets. Do be sure to pay the cover and listen to some bands while down there. You have many places to try and many choices of music.

DIVERSE DOWNTOWN

Down in lower Manhattan near the village are many other areas all within walking distance of each other. Little Italy, Chinatown ,Soho, Tribeca, and the East Village all have a feel of their own. I lived in this area when I was younger and love it. Slowly walking the streets is the best way to experience them. In this area is the Down Town Tenement Museum It is a very interesting fairly new place that documents the experience of early immigrants in a New York apartment house.

Restaurants dot this area and all the city. If you are around for a short visit I suggest stopping at any place that looks good and do it. Stay away from chains. They are overpriced in NY. You can follow Zagats Guides. They list fine dining and small out of the way places. For me a hot dog or kinish, on occasion, from a street vendor suites me well and leaves more time for adventuring.

This all brings you close to the old city. Manhattan is basically a grid. Streets start at 2nd street and go up into the hundreds. The avenues are pretty much the same way. 1st Ave , 2nd Ave, up to eleventh. There are a few other Avenues sandwiched in between. Broadway, and Park Ave are examples. The old city streets way downtown are not part of a grid. They are the original streets from a couple of hundred years ago. For getting around here a map is very helpful. I like the Pop-up maps. They are handy, helpful, easy to read, and very durable.

On the map look up The South Street Seaport, Wall Street, Castle Clinton in Battery Park, Federal Hall, The Jewish Heritage Museum, St Paul's Chapel and other land marks. I love walking around lower Manhattan. It is a very interesting area. There are plenty of subway stops down there.

Lower Manhattan is also where The Twin Towers once stood. You can now see ground zero. There is a temporary memorial in Battery Park. Do visit it. This is also where you would pick up the Ferry that would take you to The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. These are the National Park Run Tours. The price is very inexpensive for the ride. This is another must stop.

There are five National Park run sites in the city. If you are a Collector of stamps of the park system look for them on http://www.nps.org/

There is so much more I could talk about in reference to NEW YORK CITY. It is wonderful and full of excitement. I will make one more recommendation. Get a City Pass. It costs about $40.00. With it you get free admission to The Museum of Natural History, one of my favorites, The Guggenheim Museum, The Intrepid Sea and Air Space Museum, MOMA, The Empire State Building, a cruise with Circle Line, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. This is a NEW YORK CITY BARGAIN!!

There is so much more to tell you about New York City. There are always special events going on. I didn't even get to mention the Macy's Thanks Giving Day Parade. and the St.Patricks Day Parade There are loads of fun Ethnic and Cultural Parades too! Yes there truly is an Easter Parade with all sorts showing their Easter Hats and finest. For a really wild show check out the Village Parade during Halloween. It's NOT for kids! Go to Chinatown for their New Years Celebration! The The Fourth of July Fireworks in the Harbor are incredible. E-mail me if you need to know when it takes place.

I know I mentioned Central Park earlier but did you know you can get a Gondola Ride there? Yes you can! You can experience all kinds of New York and international themes. Hey, This is NEW YORK the Greatest City in the World!!

To find many links to NYC destinations, things to see and do and where to dine as reviewed by popsrocks

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ELLIS ISLAND, An American Tale.... Let me tell you the story.

My wife and I spent many a day in lower Manhattan and along with our trip to the Statue of Liberty we also visited Ellis Island. I also made a visit on my own.

The Statue or Liberty and Ellis Island are two different National Historic Sites. They are on two different islands. and they served two different functions. They both, however, must be visited by boat, the same boats.

SOME FACTS

*The Island it is on once held a harbor defense fort.
*Ellis Island Opened to immigration in 1892.
*Over 12 million people came through Ellis Island.
*Over 100 million of their ancestors now live here. I am one of them, are you?
*The Island was used as an internment center in WWII
*In 1954 Ellis Islands Immigration center closed.
*In 1990 it was reopened as a museum after the Main building was restored.


GETTING THERE

Departures on the Circle Line boats are from New Jerseys Liberty Park and from the southern shore of lower Manhattan at Castle Clinton in Battery Park. This is an old fort that is also National Historic Site itself.

Not all Circle Line boats go to the Statue and Ellis Island.

You will find many subway lines stop nearby Battery Park. The 1,9,4,5,N, and R trains have stops at or near it. It is a short walk to many downtown venues from here.

You can go by car too. Parking is very limited and fairly expensive. If you take this option, try the FRD Drive on the east side. This can get you down town pretty quickly. When you come out of the tunnel, that goes under the castle, look immediately for the PARKING signs. You can try approaching the area from the west side of the island too. Follow West Street all the way down. Do not park on the streets unless you know it is not an illegal spot or a tow away zone! There isn't much free parking downtown. Especially on weekdays.

Taxis are another option getting down town. Getting one going back can sometimes be difficult. Buses run down town too.

TICKETS AND TIMES

The islands are open 365 days a year, on a leap year. Otherwise it's open 364 days a year. The one day it is closed is December 25th, Christmas.

Inside the fort, Castle Clinton, is where tickets are purchased from the private boating company. The charge is $10.00 for adults. You may want to consider getting head phones for an audio tour. They can be rented on the island. The package deal brings it to $16.00. Children and seniors get discounted tickets. Admission is $8.00 Seniors and $4.00 children 12 to 4. National Parks Passes are not necessary as Liberty Island, Ellis Island and all tours are free. You are only paying for the private ferry.

The first boat leaves at 9:30 am. The last leaves the islands about 5pm. Boats leave continuously all day. They do have a schedule posted telling of departure times from Battery Park, The Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. All were pretty much on the half hour and are posted on the boats on the first level, at Battery Park, and at all the waiting areas on the docks.

THE STATUE OF LIBERTY AND ELLIS ISLAND

The fact is that the boarding fee is for both sites. They are two different islands. They are just minutes apart. The first stop is the statue. You do not have to do it in that order however.

SECURITY

I strongly suggest you pack light and have few needless with you. Security is pretty tight. After purchasing your tickets follow your way to the white prefab buildings. They look like domed tents and the material of the walls is canvas.

All passengers must go through security. Everything must come out of your pocket. Bags, jackets go through an x-ray machine.

When I was there last week it was not all that crowded but it still took fifteen minutes to get through.

THE BOAT RIDE

Boarding the boat was quick. A wide ramp gets you to the lower deck of the three deck vessel that has rest rooms and snack bars. The top is open air. This is a prime area on a nice day. Everybody wants to be there so the benches fill up quickly. The middle deck, though inside, still gives a good view. The lower deck has smaller windows. This also has some benches around the perimeter and areas near the entrance/exit designated for handicapped. Most of the bottom deck is standing room only. This is where everyone boards and debarks from.


As you pull out from the pier you will start to get some magnificent sites of lower Manhattan behind you. Most everyone will start jockeying for position for a good picture. Don't bother! Instead take your pictures from Liberty Island or Ellis Island. The views are terrific and unobstructed. Noe heads of someone else in your pictures.

You can also take pictures of Manhattan on the ride back from the islands. Less people are taking pictures then and you are facing the proper direction.

The ride is a total of just under fifteen minutes from the Castle Clinton Dock to the Statue of Liberty dock. Many people get off the boat here. You may choose which ever island you want to visit first. Most people chose the first stop, The Statue of Liberty.

After people are finished departing the boat for the Statue, it goes directly to Ellis Island. This takes about seven minutes.

THE ISLAND

Do take time to look at and study the architecture of this unique building. It was built in a French Renaissance style. Take a picture or two.

This island was used as a fort well before it was used as a staging area for immigrants. On the south east part of the island are some cutout excavations showing some of the footings and walls of Fort Gibson. These were found while excavation was going on the the AMERICAN Immigrant Wall of Honor that is on the south east end of the island overlooking the southern tip of Manhattan. I'll tell you more about the wall later.

On the east side of the island is the outside area of a snack bar/restaurant. They do have some decent food there and the prices are not out of hand. On a nice day this is a good place to have a bite to eat, relax, and take in the beauty of New York Harbor.

There are plenty of tables inside too. Plenty that is on a quiet spring weekday. Week ends, holidays, and the Summer, bring out crowds.

Right next door to the food area is a gift shop loaded with souvenirs and also sells rubbing kits. More on that later too.

ENTERING THE BUILDING

As you enter you will see a large room. In the middle are piles and piles of old time luggage protected under glass. This room is called the Baggage Room. Along the display are phones that can be activated. You will listen to the voice of a person from one of many different countries who actually experienced coming to the US through Ellis Island.
These were very interesting to listen too.

To the left as you entered is a large desk with stanchions in front of it. This is the information desk. There are Park Rangers there answering questions and giving advice.

It's here that you can get tickets for the FREE introduction movies. There are two rooms one on the same floor and one above. The ticket will have the time of the film on it. Be sure to see it as it will give a feel of what the people who traveled through these halls experienced and what Ellis Island is about. The film is named Island of Hope, Island of Tears.

At the desk was a sign for a Ranger led talk. On the hour they would get a group together and depending on the day, the Ranger, and the size of the group will give a half hour tour of one part of the building or another.

Ask about other scheduled tours too.

Also at the desk are tickets sold to a live, three person, twenty minute play. Tickets were $7.00. I thought I would see what it was about. We were ushered into a small room. The stage was no larger that eighteen foot wide. The theatre sat approximately sixty people. We happened to be five that day.

The lights dimmed and I watched the show begin. It started with a young girl of contemporary times looking into an old trunk. She starts talking to a statue that actually talks back. It is the Statue of Liberty. The story goes on as she sees her ancestors and many other people of different heritages coming to America for their own personal reasons. This is all acted out by three people and the show did bring tears to my eyes in the way it depicted the hopes and dreams of those who left everything they had to go to a strange country with just the clothes on there back and very few possessions.

The play ended in song and the five of us in the audience jumped right in. After the show the three came out, asked us of our ancestry and told us of the rooms next door where we could look up any ancestors we may have had come through Ellis Island. I would recommend this simple, yet, very moving play if you have the time and money.


The room next door is called the American Family Immigration History Center. It holds records of the years 1892-1924.


I had recently found the Ellis Island site that gave the immigration information. In it I found my grandfathers name on a manifest of the boat that he came over in in 1899. It gave a bit of information about him. I knew his age from talking to an uncle of mine. That matched. I also learned from the manifest that he could read and write, he was a laborer, was single, came over with twenty dollars, and had a scar on his cheek. The address of where he was going to stay was also on the manifest.

It's amazing that over one hundred years ago my grandfather came here. I also try to think of all the changes in the world since that time. Electricity was just being strung through the US cities, air flight had yet to really take off, the model T Ford was about to be the first assembly line vehicle and so much more!!

Another feature of looking up this information is that I found out the name of the boat he traveled here on from Naples. There is even a picture of the boat. You can have a gift package purchased of the manifest and the picture of the boat. They are very handsome looking. It will be done and finished while you are there.

You may use the computers in the American Family Immigration History Center. I didn't investigate much here as far as whether there is a charge and how do you schedule computer use. All were being used when I was there. It seemed to be about twenty of them. Call ahead!

I had already found printed this information out at home, so I didn't purchase the package. Just go to the Ellis Island Site for records. www.ellisisland.org It's free

Also on this floor are rooms on the northern side that have all different types of graphs and three d charts and displays showing where people came from and when. It was all very interesting.

MORE OF THE BUILDING

Going upstairs to the Great Hall, it is huge. This was used as the Registry Room. The view from above it on the third floor is amazing.

It was through the registry room that every immigrant was processed. They were asked questions and then led toward places where they could get supplies,and transportation to the places they were going. About 2% of all the people who came through this room were denied entry to the US.

It was only the "steerage" passengers that were processed here. First and second class were processed aboard their ships.

On these floors are more displays, personal possessions, films, and video of people telling their tales. The display called "Treasures from Home" have displays of items that were very close to these people traveling so far with so little. The displays tell its own story.

On display are the "dorm" rooms where some immigrants stayed overnight.

If you are interested in the restoration of the building, there is an area on the third floor to get more information.

STEPPING OUTSIDE

Going out on the North side of the building toward lower Manhattan is the AMERICAN IMMIGRANT WALL of HONOR. This covers a large circular area. There is a black wall with over 600 thousand names etched into it.

My grand parents names are on it. Pasquale and Immaculatta Borrillo. My children made rubbings with pencils and paper. Kits can be purchased in the gift shop for this.

If you have relatives that came through Ellis Island, you can have their name added. I don't recall the cost but you can get more information at the Ellis Island Foundation Desk or check out the Ellis Island Site. They also give a very nice hangable certificate. My cousins and I chipped in and had this done for our parents, the sons and daughters of Pasquale and Immaculatta.

That afternoon we took pictures of the wall with my grand parents names, the view of lower Manhattan, and of the family. Just a note to mention that just east of Ellis island is Governor's Island. As of 2003 it is now a Ntional Park Monument. A ferry to it leaves from lower Manhattan. It's a 1/4 mile walk from the Ellis island ferry. I recently visited the island in Seprtember of 2005. It's an interesting place with much history and two forts.


It was my grand parents and 12 million more like them that built that city we see just north of Ellis Island. They helped build our country and I thank them.

Be sure to follow up on more Lower Manhattan reading of many historic sites.

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