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The Skyride to Paradise
Point
Today is
the 27th of January 2010, today we have been together for fourteen years so a
date was planned. I would have my hair permed and we would get on the Skyview
and have lunch and cocktails at the top.
I love this
picture at the top
My shot overlooking
Charlotte Amalie - a chap in one of the shops told us that
the most cruise ships he had seen in was eleven, some days now there are
none.............
The labeled tourist
shot
A quick look around the shops and time
for a Strawberry Daiquiri with cream, with a beer and lunch on order.
 
Adult smoothie
machines??? Bushwacker is the USVI equivalent to Painkiller.
 
Time for some
fun before going on the nature trail
Find Beez Neez
 
If you draw a line from the posh
superyacht dock, up past three boats to two yachts, Beez
Neez is the top of the two. Freya of Clyde is to our front and Shian -
Paul and Jane (also OCC members) are to our right.
The round building we had thought
would/should be a marina office is actually an unfinished restaurant. Maybe next
time we are here it may be open, what a great place to have lunch on the water.
Bear enquired how much it would be for Beez to be in the marina and the cost
$100 a day, plus water, electric and a weak wi-fi signal. We are very happy at
anchor so close to the town, Havensight Mall is just behind the cruise ship dock
AND it's free to anchor.
Despite numerous set backs, hard work and
determination led to the creation of this premier attraction in the Virgin
Islands. Here are just a few of the highlights during this process.
- 1985 - Ron Turner &
Rusty Gibson form Tramway Properties. They purchase thirty three acres on Flag
Hill from the Queen of Denmark.
- 1987 - Flag Hill project
approved. Remainder of hillside subdivided and sold as per conditions of the
EDC.
- 1989 - Roadway cleared and
building of Paradise Point begins. Hurricane Hugo strikes and destroys
project. Turner asked for help from Governor and project is postponed due to
S&L collapse in US.
- 1990 - Paradise Point road
is completed and Paradise Point building “C” is erected with financing from
Banco Popular.
- 1993 - Arthur Doppelmayr
and a group of Austrian investors agree to build Paradise Point Gondola. St.
Thomas Tramway-Joint Venture was formed between Tramway Properties and
Tramcon. Inc.
- 1994 - Under the keen eyes
of John West and Sepp Gmuender, the tram was built in just six months by
local tradesmen. Opening Day was the 4th of August 1994 and the price was
$10.
- 1995 - Hurricane Marilyn
strikes and destroys the island including the Paradise Point building. Tramway
survives with little damage.
- 1996 - Hurricane Bertha
takes roof off of the Paradise Point building again.
- 1997 - Tramcon. Inc. leases
all facilites from Tramway Properties and takes responsibility for complete
development of property. Price now $12.
- 2000 - Tramcon. Inc. sold
to Canadian businessman Peter G. White. Extensive maintenance & area
improvements begin. Contract for daily bird shows signed.
- 2002 - Name changed from
Paradise Point Tramway to St. Thomas Skyride. Price now $15
- 2005 - Paradise Point now
offers three bird shows daily, record daily skyride attendance set at 1443
people.
- 2006 - Local artists
demonstrate on site. New daily skyride attendance record climbs to
1682 visits. Price now $18.
- 2009 - 1 Millionth Baileys
Bushwacker sold.
- 2010 - Price now $21. You can buy
a ticket for a couple, have your own car and a bottle of Champagne - cost $80
per couple, we went ordinary.
 
Waiting for our ride
down. A little chap took the ride with us
ALL IN ALL A WONDERFUL
DAY
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