Travelogue: St. Croix Vacation, Life in the Left Lane

 

Travelogue- St. Croix vacation

Aug. 10-14, 2023.  Our family headed out to St. Croix, the largest of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. A much-needed vacation. Self-care activity to recharge and rejuvenate.

Aug. 10, 2023, Day 1- 

Current temperature: 86 degrees Fahrenheit in St. Croix, an island in the Caribbean Sea, and a county and constituent district of the United States. Population: 41, 004, as per the 2020 US census. It is actually passport-free travel for American citizens. Known for its white sand beaches, historical landmarks, sorbet-colored buildings, and the surrounding reef to snorkel and scuba-dive (not that I have the courage to go in the water beyond 5 feet). During cruise ship stops, a flock of tourists descends onto the island. Thankfully, the island was less crowded when we came.

The people and even the chickens are friendly. Even met a young Filipina who is now part of the vibrant Pinoy community here. Dinner at "El Leon" was a great end to the day, especially the bone marrow and sweetened corn. Yummy.

 

August 11, 2023, Day 2. 

The Shake and Bake Day, aboard the speedboat Adventure to Buck Island, a 20-minute ride from St. Croix. Fortunately, I did not get motion sickness even though the waves rocked our boat. Must be due to the cool sea breeze or the soothing yacht-rock music of Jimmy Buffett and "Kokomo". Unfortunately, my sister and I both were not bold enough to go underwater to snorkel, not when we could not touch the bottom. As usual, Jordan had a great time snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea. I was brave enough to go ziplining and let a snake wrap around my neck on previous vacations, but not to snorkel or scuba-dive.  Ingesting seawater is a deterrent for me. 

But island life is good for the soul. Time stands still when you're basking in the Caribbean sun, not even worrying that my skin would turn crispy brown. 

Great Cruzan food and friendly locals (and those ubiquitous chickens). I just hope that the sweating walking around would balance out my weight gain from the rich Cruzan food. Lunch at "Cruzian Bayou" and dinner at "Rum Runners". No fast food restaurants here, thank God. There are different spellings of the local food: Cruzan, Crucian, Cruzian, whatever, still yummy.

                                         

                                                                                             

August 12, 2023, Day 3. 

Just a lazy day spent in almost-paradise. Started with a hearty breakfast at "Toast" with my Crucian breakfast of Creole stewed saltfish, runny eggs, wilted spinach, plantains, and arepa. A stop at a quaint art gallery with a loquacious owner who name-dropped about celebrities who frequented the shop. Then, a ferry boat ride to another island at the Hotel on the Cay. The boat operator is a Fil-Am who stayed in St. Croix after a vacation years ago and never returned to the States; he now owns several properties on the island. 

The beach is just what a nurse ordered: warm turquoise waters with hardly a wave to topple us over, clean Caribbean air, and some clouds as respite from the hot sun. We're celebrating the good times as the DJ blasts 70s-80s music; the hamburgers taste even better as we sway to Prince's music, with an iguana roaming under our table, probably waiting to be fed. My sister Bheng finally lost it when John Travolta sang "Grease". This is just a relaxing day in the water until our palms shrivel and our skin tingles from the sun's heat. Dinner at "Hamilton", with its elegant decor and expensive dishes. Gastos ng bakasyon.

August 13, 2023, Day 4. 

Life in the Left Lane. In St. Croix, you have to drive on the left lane even though the steering wheel is on the left. It is one of the idiosyncrasies in this island paradise, which has been described in a book by an expatriate journalist (Emy Thomas) who fell in love with the Virgin Islands. 

Life here in the islands is much slower: no rushing from one appointment to another, no bumper-to-bumper traffic, and most importantly, no cold winters. When you have hustled through life worrying about managing time, it is such a gift to take your sweet time to just enjoy the moment. 

Dinner at the "Parrot Fish" with mango guava chicken and steamed red snapper. Last night in this tropical paradise.

 

 

August 14, 2023, Day 5. 

Saying goodbye to St. Croix. Breakfast at the "Twin City" and the best ever Cinnamon scone with the yummiest crust. Back to work tomorrow, back to the hustle and bustle of the city. There was not enough time to explore the rest of the island. Did not have the time (or inclination and stamina) to go on the hiking trails, but I would have loved to see the wild pigs bite the beer cans. 

Funny how our cab driver said that when he goes on vacation to New York, he enjoys sitting at Grand Central Station the most, watching people rush around; NYC is such a vibrant and exciting city. New Yorkers, like me (and at my age), prefer to lie down at the beach and watch the clouds go by. Different perspectives.