By: Marcia Abrahmson
It was and still is the shopping Mecca of North America. Walking through the streets of Charlotte Amalie, the capital of St. Thomas, I kept hearing "Hurry," we only have two hours to shop before we have to get back to our cruise ship." (Incidentally, the best prices on liquor is at K-Mart on the Island.) I was somewhat disappointed to learn that the tall Waterford Water Goblet is $71, possibly more than our local shops on Long Island. A word of advice is to know New York prices, which may be comparable to the 10 to 20 percent duty-free discounts.
However, I feel that there is more to St. Thomas than shopping. A fairly new attraction for me is Paradise Point, located 700 feet up Flag Hill, accessible by tramway. When I reached the observation deck, I had a delicious frozen drink and an opportunity for a great photo op of the most picturesque panorama of the Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
Another fascinating experience for me was Sea Trekkin', unique to St. Thomas. This was the first time I actually experienced walking 12 to 30 feet below the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Trekkers are supplied booties, gloves to protect themselves, as well as the coral reefs, and a sci-tech-looking helmet, which is designed to supply air, keep the water away from face and hair and provide enough weight to maintain stability. You can also wear your contacts or glasses for a better view of the deep. Imagine never having to worry about your makeup or coiffeurs, since your face and hair never get wet.
There is a marine expert at Coral World Marine Park and Undersea Observatory to guide small groups of seven people along a natural trail defined by a chain railing. The guide is able to communicate with the participants through the helmet, and help them explore an underwater world that few have seen. Some trekkers have described the walk on the sea floor as comparable to walking on the moon, with many added features. During the trek I saw glorious coral reefs appearing to be brush stroked with red, yellow and orange sponges. This is also the habitat for a plethora of sea creatures, including yellow- and black-striped majors, to bizarre looking trumpet fish.
Non-swimmers are able to Sea Trek because they can hold onto the chain railing that edges the trail. The only requirement is good health, eight years of age and a weight of 80 pounds or more, and, course, a bathing suit. What an exciting pelagic odyssey, walking on the floor of the Caribbean Sea to share with your children or grandchildren. More information is available by calling Coral World, St. Thomas, (340) 775-1555, ext. 247.
I was also pleased to find that my hotel, the recently renovated Wyndham Sugar Bay Beach Club and Resort, St. Thomas, has a wonderful Family Retreat program. According to general manager Rik Blyth, the goal of this program is keeping with the key functions of Wyndham International, of bringing parents and children together, consistent with post-September 11 data from Yankelovich Partners. The survey noted that Americans are reprioritizing their lives, making family their most important concern. He said, "We are responding to the growing need for family vacations and time off, building even more interest in programs which are consistent with a new consumer climate that emphasizes family values more than ever before." They also offer numerous interactive sports, leisure and dining activities for parents and children to experience together through a terrific Kids Klub program. This includes the resort's famous iguana feeding excursions, an exotic bird show, sand castle building, kayak relays and scavenger hunts.
In addition to the fine restaurants at the hotel, St. Thomas has some very good downtown eateries which I can recommend, including Herve's French American, with a Caribbean flair, and lunch at Gladys' Caf
