Over the years, St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands has been the go-to destination for cruise ships. The island is part of the United States; English is the native tongue; and the shopping is unparalleled. Especially if you’re in the market for gemstones, watches, or rum.
On our first visit in 2001, Earl and I didn’t actually explore St. Thomas. Instead, we took a speed boat from there to St. John’s where we learned to snorkel. However, subsequent visits saw us doing the shopping thing: we bought watches, scarves, and even our wedding rings. But the most extravagant thing ever was a one carat yellow diamond I bought on a whim for more than my first car. That was in 2006.
In 2008, we bought a Bob Marley wig for Earl to wear when the opportunity presented itself. Now both the yellow diamond and the wig have moved on. One was sold; the other given to the Goodwill.
Today on our current cruise, we visited Magen’s Bay, touted as one of the top ten beaches in the world. Perhaps it was because we’d heard about it for so long that it didn’t live up to the hype. I expected a romantic café with Pina Coladas accompanying a delightful lunch as we watched the tide roll in, jostling happy bathers of all ages. Instead, it was a public beach with tourist prices for a bottle of water and a can of Pringles®. Still it was relaxing.
When Earl and I first started cruising, he said to me, “This is something we can do in our old age.” I smiled and thought old age was definitely far in the future. Fifteen years later on Magen’s Bay, I realized old age is now.
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