美丽的海滩,迷人的岛屿,你听说过这个地方吗?--St Thomas
今年的六月底七月初,我们全家飞到了加勒比海附近的美属岛屿 St Thomas. 在那里,两个孩子嚷着要拿潜水执照, 我们执拗不过,只好答应。以前,我们做渡轮来过加勒比海,但是,没有来过St Thomas岛。这次,我们要在这里呆上一周。
有朋友问我,St Thomas 在哪里。 去了之后,我才清楚。 原来,St Thomas是美属维尔京群岛中的一个岛屿。维尔京群岛又称Virgin Islands of the United State, or United States Virgin Islands. 它接壤于波多黎各东部。原属丹麦,1916年被美国买下。Virgin Islands有50多个大小岛屿组成,其中,最大的岛屿有三个:St Thomas, St John, and St Croix. 首府在St Thomas。岛上风景秀丽,适合多项水上运动,如潜浮(snorkeling), 潜水 (Diving) 及航海(Sailing)等。除此之外,小岛上也有商业区,适合购物;国家公园,在森利中徒步等等。
岛上的居民是美国公民,讲英文,待遇和其他州一样。唯一不同的是,这里的人们没有总统选举权, 除非他们搬到美国其它州居住。另外,这里开车在左边,让人很不习惯。
岛上的海滩一个接一个,比比皆是。在St Thomas, Magens Bay是游人们最常去的海滩. 而我自己最喜欢的海滩是St John岛上的Trunk Bay. 下面的图片就是Trunk Bay. 长长的海岸线上绵延着壮观的白色沙滩,宛若世外桃源。人们在这里尽情地漂浮(Snorkeling), 潜水(diving). 晒太阳,划舢板,满眼的热带棕榈树,一望无际的湛蓝大海,让人陶醉其中,忘掉了世间的一切烦恼。
在St John岛上,2/3是国家公园。当年洛克菲洛家族买了这片土地,后来,他们把它交还给国家,但前提是,这些土地不能开发,只能用做国家公园。
连续几天, 孩子们坐上小艇,早出晚归,驶向大海,如饥似渴地学习潜水。终于,他们如愿以偿,双双拿到了潜水执照。我为他们的勇敢而自豪,但是,私下里,也为他们的安全而担忧。
在岛上,我们参加了St Thomas 一日游,每人49元。还去了St John一日游。St John一日游很值得去,因为,这个行程包括做帆船,参观国家公园,学习潜浮(Snorkeling),还有购物。。Trunk Bay就是St John一日游的一个景点。
我喜欢在海边散步,听着海浪拍打着岸边的声音,任凭海鸥在天空中自由地飞翔;我也喜欢戴上墨镜,静静地读上一本好书。
Scenic Views (Drake's Seat & Skyline)
St. Thomas is mountainous and offers beautiful views. The most popular lookouts are Drakes Seat and Skyline Drive Overlook. Drake’s Seat was built in 1933 by Arthur Fairchild. In those days navigating the hills of St. Thomas involved traveling by horse or foot. He thought the spot where he put Drake’s Seat was a nice place for a rest. You too can take a break and enjoy the fabulous view from the famous seat! About 2 minutes drive away is Skyline Drive Overlook. It offers a panoramic harbor view including Charlotte Amalie, Hassel Island, Water Island and more! Both spots are popular with taxi tours. Bring your camera.
Mountain Top
Mountain Top is located on Signal Hill which is 1,480 feet above sea level. It is one of the highest points on the island; the highest being Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. Signal Hill was used in the 1940s by the U.S. government as a strategic communications location. The spectacular view from the hilltop includes Magens Bay, Drake’s Passage and neighboring islands. It was once voted one of the top vistas in the world. To facilitate taking in the view is Mountain Top, a scenic lookout, large souvenir shop and bar rolled into one attraction.
这里有很多热带花卉。最新奇,最吸引我的还是那稀有的开着白色的小花和漫山遍野开着菊红色小花的树。
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