A MAGICAL ISLAND (by Horst Cerni)

This is not a fairy tale, and the magic may not be that obvious. But like so much in life, it is what we make of it - it is in the eye of the beholder.

I love nature and the variety and colors in plants and flowers, as well as architecture. Therefore, I have chosen a place to live where there is a lot to see and to enjoy.

The Protestant Cay - "a magical island"

Right across from our house is the Christiansted Bay with daily ship traffic and the “magical island.” Why is it magical? We live on the island of St. Croix which also has its magic, but somehow I am especially fascinated by the variety of features on the small island of the Protestant Cay. The history itself is mysterious, because when the French ruled St. Croix (1625 - 1733), most of the population was Roman Catholic, and they were the only ones allowed to be buried on the big island. French Huguenottes and other Protestants were required to bury their dead on the “Protestant Cay”.

Fort Christiansvaern & Customs House

It’s a short drive to the (free) parking lot at Fort Christiansvaern, then a pleasant walk past the Customs and the Scale houses. These colonial buildings as well as most of the city were built by the Danes, who owned St .Croix from 1733 until 1917, when the USA bought the three Virgin Islands. English has always been the language of the island and St.Croix is pronounced Saint Croy.

The ferry leaves for the Cay (as the island is generally called, - pronounced “key” -) from the boardwalk behind the Scale House.

The Scale House

It takes only two minutes and the round trip costs $ 5. Exotic birds might greet you or a prehistoric iguana, but most obvious is the beautiful white sand beach, the waving palms and the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Historic colonial Christiansted, in itself a magical place, provides the background in front of green hills.

All beaches in the Virgin Islands are free, so there may be locals or tourists at the beach. Most of the time it is not crowded. The Hotel on the Cay is being renovated and upgraded to a major resort. There is a beach restaurant (grill) and bar, and the simplicity of the place adds to the magic. 

the smoker (to prepare the ribs for barbecuing

In addition to the beach and hotel area, there is a small park on top where one can enjoy the view of the sea, with boats passing and even seaplanes at eye level.

Selfie of Horst with daughter Anneliese and wife Isabel (at the Cay, of course)

An old iguana, one of the original inhabitants of the Cay

Yes, there is a lot of variety, and I am always fascinated by this magical setting. I also love mountains, but they are far away and so I enjoy what’s near by, Life can be beautiful and magical; one just has to look for the beauty and imagine the magic.