CHRISTIANSTED, ST CROIX

Aurelia
Shirley and Michael Webb-Speight
Thu 8 Mar 2007 14:20
After an early night we went back into town in the morning for a walk around with the shops open - much more interested than the previous night.  Found some interesting art/ sculpture made from old oil drums, had lunch and acquired a permit to visit the Buck Island National Monument.  In the process of getting the permit Oliver and M toured the historic buildings left over from the Danish colonists.  Also met some fanatical environmentalists who enthused about Buck Island and compared it to the Great Barrier reef.  Motored out there in the late afternoon for a swim over the reef, and a lovely sit on the white sugary sand with the jungle behind us and Aurelia anchored in the azure waters ahead of us.  Pretty nice we thought.  Gave up the idea of serious snorkeling as too much hard work!  The kids found miniature angel fish, big barracudas and some cute little sharks swimming in water that was only knee deep.
Around 5.30 pm we pulled up our anchor and headed back around the reef into Christiansted for the night.  As we came in through the gap we spotted 'Hark' with Andrew and Elke coming up behind us, and we spent another very pleasant evening with them, catching up on our various travels over the last week.  Our attempt to raft up was soon abandoned as the slight swell coming into the harbour from the North threatened our polished topsides. Today we have voted to head back out to Buck Island in preference to hiring a car for a tour of the island.  Will probably leave early in the morning and head for St John, 45 miles to the north.