St. Thomas is a beautiful island to visit, blessed with dazzling sunshine, sparkling beaches, picturesque harbors, and constant gentle trade winds.

Shopping and water sports are St. Thomas' primary attractions but, for us, visiting our son and daughter-in-law, who were studying at the University there, was our primary goal. Tom and Laurie showed us the Island in the way it was meant to be seen - by road weary automobile. With a back window made of plastic and duct tape and doors held shut by wire, we would traverse beside the lush green vegetation on tortuous winding mountain roads set against a backdrop of sapphire and emerald colored waters.

Our one day hiatus began at a local outdoor pub where we could view the many sea fairing vessels that enter this Islands port. Following this time of conversation and coffee we were taking to "Coral World". We arrived during feeding time, when we could see plenty of activity among the various species of marine life in the park. Located at Coki Beach, this large marine park is equipped with a 14-foot-deep underwater observatory planted on the sea floor. Here we would walk a dock like bridge to the observatory where we could enter and descend a spiral stair way to the ocean floor. Here to find an enormous variety of sea life swimming about the windows that encircled this structure. I can only imagine that the warmth of the area attracted these guests to be offered for our viewing pleasure.

Although shopping and water sports are St. Thomas' primary attractions, we chose to do neither. Following our excursion around the Island we were given a vision of the poverty living our son and daughter-in-law were experiencing while finishing their education at the University of St. Thomas. Here they shared what once was a single family home. A small room containing a double bed allowed a narrow path to a bath room. These they could call their own. The roof, tarps and other ingenious contraptions were used to collect water from the frequent morning rains so water would be available for bathing and toilet flushing. Needless to say - water was not used unless absolutely necessary. An outdoor patio and a kitchen was shared by other tenants.

Then, as would occur each day of our cruise, it was necessary to get back to our ship lest we be left behind. Then to sail off to our next destination - St. Maartens.

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