Well howdy there internet buccaneers, and those who won't spend a buck an ear.
It's Troy again.
We had another interesting but HOT excursion yesterday
We went to visit "Blackbeard's Castle"
The only problem is it wasn't a castle, and there is no record that Blackbeard ever set foot there.
Our trip began with our Driver Alvin, and his "LOVE CHARIOT". I believe it's called a "Caravan" type of vehicle on the island. We crammed in five per row, except for the middle row with four. And the steps are steep. Not recommended.
Yes, the name was front and center. Easy to find our crowded sardine can of a ride later on.
Alvin drove up the windy mountainous road, on the left-hand side. Because, despite being a US Territory, it was settled by the Dutch, and left hand drive stuck.
Alvin's mission was to get us to the top, and then meet us again at the bottom, to deliver us to the ship. After the hot and sweaty tourists had an hour to shop the local stores.
Well, we entered the grounds of the castle, which was more like a Disney Stop. Gift shop on the left, cold beverages on the right. Attraction in the middle. Statues of infamous pirates lined the central courtyard. Yes, even THAT one who the guide was not allowed to same the name out loud, lest the giant mouse conglomerate seek to litigate his ears off.
Seems that St. Thomas Island, according to our guides, is the point where sailing ships are naturally drawn by the tradewinds, and the Dutch, who claimed and controlled the island, didn't chase the pirates off. In fact, they established free trade zones that didn't penalize piracy. Though I suspect a premium was paid to local officials.
One of those pirates was Old Teach himself. Yep. Blackbeard.
But no one can prove he had anything to with the structure now known by his name.
According to our guide at the site, the tower was built as a lookout post high on Government Hill in Charlotte Amalie. The Dutch who built it, called it Skytsborg (protection castle). It was paired with Fort Christian nearer to sea level blow. The lookouts could see the incoming ships from Government Hill. And if they were hostile, the cannons at Fort Christian below could make short work of any unfriendly ships.
Now, since the tower was built, along with Fort Christian below, the island was well protected. No real danger of piracy in our immanent future. We were able to go up in the tower and see the town and the harbor below.
As you can see, the privately owned site has become something of a mini resort. It just got reopened about 6 months ago (following the back to back record setting hurricanes a few years ago), and boasts a bar, pool, gift shop, Rum tasting store, and the walk down almost 200 steps to town.
The tower itself is one of 6 US National Historic Landmark Sites in the Caribbean.
After this we met up with our new guide Kenny, who gave us an informative talk about the island and town as we walked down almost 200 steps and a bunch of slopes to get to the town below. This culminated in our descent of the 99-steps street. It actually has 102 steps, counting the "landings"
By the time we hit the park where we were to await Alvin and his Love Chariot in another hour, almost all of us were HOT SWEATY and GRUMPY. Including my wife.
Wife gave that LOOK of grumpiness and indicated she had no desire to sit in the park (mostly in the hot sun) for another hour. Humidity has been in the 80+s and even a temp low 80s F becomes a sauna for those of us from northern climates.
So I spied Alvin's "LOVE CHARIOT" and headed that way. I inquired if there was any way to get the chariot rolling early. He was hesitant, but I said we had over half our group in the park looking for shade, and any taxi we could find.
He said we could fill at least half his Caravan, he'd make the trip. After kicking off a few stowaways from one of the other Caravans, we had all but two of our original group aboard. Alvin walked the park, trying to find our missing, wayward passengers. No such luck. He'd have to return at the designated time to make one more run.
Back at the ship, I knew that wife had dibs on the shower. So I stayed out of her way until she emerged. Then it was turn to wash of the non-pirate funk of the day. Just in time to head to dinner. Because, what else does one do on a cruise, but eat?