Winter in the Islands

Winter in the Islands

St. Thomas is alive in winter. Also the heart of the seven or so year old girl, her hair in perfect corn rows, sitting in a colorful bikini on a couch in the lobby of the hotel where we checked in. Her small fists stuffed inside the cups of her suit, holding them away from her chest, imagining the future.

My gaze fell on the Atlantic Ocean through the open wall of the hotel with a pool and restaurant before it. I saw a pelican crossing to the right, a seaplane landing to the left, and St Croix in the distance. Christopher Cross came over the house speakers singing Sailing. It was 82 degrees with the night before us. I wondered why I had taken an eight year hiatus from traveling.

Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main

Waves slammed against our cabin's portholes. We had expected there to be some rocking. With only 146 passengers and 90 crew, our motorized sailing vessel was small by cruise ship standards of ten stories and 3000 passengers. We were ready for some back and forth, up and down action.

One night, however, it felt like we had broken off from the rest of the ship, so wildly did we pitch about in the high winds and waves. Drawers banged open and shut. Home two days now, and the screen before me eyes is still bouncing as I rock to and fro over the wobbling keyboard. Steady as she goes, aye, matey. It was a great trip, especially on the last night out. The captain used our sails only, and the only sound was canvas slapping gently in the breeze.

Seen and Heard On St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Twenty years ago, Roland lived in Massachusetts, near Boston. He was a "big shot". So, he sold everything and moved the family to paradisal St. Thomas. Now a self-described "small shot", Roland has owned Bumpa's in downtown St. Thomas for the past twenty years. It's a neat little restaurant on top of a store. He and his small staff do a great job on breakfast and lunches. He works hard and is happy, fit and tanned in his sixties, with a big grin and a sharp comment when needed. He told us about a wonderful encounter with one customer, young John Grisham, the now famous author.

He doesn't miss the bitter New England winters. I smile as I write this, because meeting guys like Roland is a rare event for me. He downsized his life, and chose happiness over money and stuff. More to the point, he gambled and won. Hats off to Roland. If you read this, Roland, thanks for the good food, and taking the time to tell your story again to yet another curious traveler.

Here are some of our travel photos on our fantastic Windstar cruise. We thank Karen Miller and the whole crew at Putman Travel for making it our best trip ever.

Mike and Shelagh Whitney's 25th anniversary vacation