Still in the BVIs
01 February 2010
We truly want to move on from the BVIs b/c we'll be here for the month of April. However, our next stop is upwind to St. Marteen and St. Barts (about 90 miles away) and the wind is not cooperating to provide us a window to escape. Hopefully by RJ's 12th birthday on February 5th we'll be in a new country. Our current stop in the BVIs is Norman Island - the home of the caves in the story Treasure Island. As recent as 1910 a box of silver coins were found here. The boys were hopeful and thoroughly explored the caves for signs of treasure.
The European history the various caribbean islands seem to have similar stories, but different outcomes. Our friend Christopher came and explored in the 1400s giving the islands names and mapping them. The 1700 and 1800s brought super powers and pirates like the British, Dutch, Spanish, French all fighting for islands. They brought slaves to produce sugar, rum and tobacco. We saw one of the plantations it was horrifying to imagine what they went through. Wars, economics and rebellions shaped the islands of today, all of which are now quite unique. Wealth, infrastructure, politics and attitudes vary widely from island to island. For example, the BVIs are not that far from Haiti, but they are like night and day. The BVIs residents have a higher standard of living than the US. It is the boating capital of the world with cruise ships, mega yachts and every type of boat possible. The BVI geography of numerous islands close together helps make it a desirable destination for boaters from around the world. We are in a bit of a bubble w/out TV and very limited internet - hopefully the world is helping Haiti.