In Search of the Perfect Park Bench by Horst Cerni

A Chair and a Bench - At a place for dreams

Probably everyone has a favorite seating arrangement, and I have two at home - a very comfortable recliner in the living room and a simple plastic chair in the garden.  But my favorite park bench is on a little island in the Christiansted harbor on St.Croix in the US Virgin Islands, just a short drive from our house. This little island is called the Protestant Cay. The French, who owned the island in the 17th century named it that way, because that’s where they (the Catholics) buried the Protestants.

That’s a long time ago, and now it is the site of a hotel and future resort. All beaches on St.Croix are public, and a one-minute ride on a small ferry takes us there right to a beautiful beach. That’s where we have a swim, rent a reclining chair to relax, have a drink and something to eat, and watch the calm waters, the boat traffic and the historic town of Christiansted on the other side.

A short uphill walk takes us to the North side of the island where there is a small park and my favorite bench. One can simply relax, watch the changing colors of the Caribbean Sea, the passing of a boat now and then, or even a seaplane taking off, It’s a perfect place to dream.

(If you would like to read a humorous story about an island like Protestant Cay, there is Herman Wouk’s novel “Don’t Stop the Carnival”).