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America is not the only place that Columbus discovered, and of course we are referring to the Virgin Islands. That event occurred on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. The original inhabitants were the Arowak Indians, followed by the savage, fierce and cannibalistic Carib Indians were then the native inhabitants on the islands.
Until the islands were purchased by the US in 1917, they were controlled by first by Spain, then by France, England, Holland, and finally by the Danish, when in 1666 they started colonization of the islands. Slave trading began there in 1685 by a treaty with the Duchy of Brandenburg. About the same time pirate captains, Bluebeard being one whose castle you can visit, came to unload and trade their booty with the merchants on St. Thomas. By regulation they were allowed just a few days in port since they were altogether too rowdy. You can still see the vast warehouses and their huge doors, which were used for storage, and other trade goods as the island grew in importance as a trading port. The warehouses now serve as locations for today’s shopkeepers along Dronningens Gade, the main shopping street through downtown.
As an aside you should know that the harbor, in which sailing and now pleasure vessels anchor, was once the mouth of a volcano. The three-sided protection offered from the earliest days a more secure anchorage for pirates and traders. At one time, a smaller harbor area of St. Thomas, now called “sub base,” served as a port for US submarines affording greater protection from German U-boats which were a threat to the mainland USA and the Caribbean waters. US naval ships and those of other countries are still common visitors to St. Thomas and St. Croix.
As a trading port, Charlotte Amalie grew in importance when King Frederick V declared it a free port, which it remains to this day. As such it has gained much stature in the eyes of visitors and has become a haven for tourists. Today it is a prime attraction to the ships of many cruise lines. Shops of all kinds, some small as well as some large gift and jewelry chain operations are found at hotels, the docks, and along the main street.
Served by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental, United, American Trans-Air and US Airways, St. Thomas is the American paradise, and Pavilions and Pools is just hours away from stateside. Locally Air St. Thomas, Seaborne Seaplane, Bohlke International Charter, and LIAT, will carry you to the other nearby Caribbean islands.
One thing you should know is that we drive on the LEFT side of the road. It is an easy transition and you may only have trouble when you return home! A local tradition worth mentioning is that all islanders have friends, friends who hitch rides wherever they want to go. Now being likewise friendly, drivers stop to pick them up, in the MIDDLE of the road! They stop there to let them off as well. Another caution, back roads are winding and sometimes the view is obstructed a little. So please be careful someone could be being picked up around the corner!
 PAVILIONS AND POOLS - St. Thomas
6400 Estate Smith Bay • St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00802
(800) 524-2001 • (340) 775-6110 • E-Mail: info@pavilionsandpools.com
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