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The
Caribbean Islands - St.
Eustatius The only city on the island of St. Eustatius is Oranjestad, which still serves as the capital.
Split into two sections, Upper Town and Lower Town, it faces the Caribbean Sea and occupies land above and below the coastal cliffs. During Statia's heyday, Upper Town was a residential suburb and Lower Town was the center of a thriving mercantile business. Among the city's sights is Fort Oranje, located in Upper Town.
The fortress, with its three bastions, or defense points, has been extensively restored. Shiny black cannons sit proudly on its grounds. A noteworthy detail is a plaque presented in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads: "Here the sovereignty of the United States of America was first formally acknowledged to a national vessel by a foreign official." The inscription refers to an event that took place on November 16, 1776: The brig Andrew Doria sailed into Statia's port flying the American flag; it fired a salute, and the Dutch returned it.
In the center of Upper Town is the St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum. Once the Doncker/de Graaff house, it was converted into a museum and is considered the most important intact 18th-century house on the island. Its exhibits cover the history of the island and include pre-Columbian artifacts. It is one of the most distinctive period houses in the Caribbean. The Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1755, sits at the edge of a cliff. The church's square tower and choir loft have been restored. In the adjacent cemetery, 18th-century tombstones provide a glimpse into the past. The two-story Honen Dalim Synagogue, "She who is Charitable to the Poor," was constructed around 1738; its ruins still remain and are slated for restoration. From Oranjestad, tourists can drive to the south end of the island where Fort de Windt, built in 1780, is located.
The
highlight of any visit to Statia may very well be an
exhilarating hike up to and into the Quill. The volcanic
mountain is no longer active and its cupped crater has
become home to a great number of plants, trees and animals.
Marvelous vistas can be enjoyed along the climb up the
slopes of the Quill. Upon reaching the top, one can
look down into the crater at a surprisingly dense rain
forest. Along the path that leads into the crater there
are giant elephant ears, ferns, wild orchids, fruit
trees and wildlife, especially birds. Hikers should
plan two to three hours for the round-trip.
Beaches:
All the small volcanic beaches on the southwest shore
of St. Eustatius are perfect for taking a dip or enjoying
some leisurely swimming. Smoke Alley Beach, just off
Lower Town, is a stretch of beige-and-black sand popular
with the locals. Another beach on the Caribbean side
is Crooks Castle, which is favored by snorkelers and
beachcombers.
Its waters are full of pillar coral, giant yellow sea fans and sea whips; meanwhile, its sands contain blue glass beads. The beach is located north of Oranjestad, where all the trading action in the 17th and 18th centuries took place. The beads were manufactured by the Dutch West Indies Company and traded for slaves, cotton and tobacco. To this day, they can still be unearthed on Statia's beaches, and Crooks Castle has a reputation for yielding a fair amount of this former treasure.
Corre Corre Bay, a lovely cove with golden sand, is situated on the southeast Atlantic side of the island. It is well worth the 30-minute trail hike to reach it. On the northwest coast, the surf is rough and even dangerous at times because of the strong undertow. However, beaches there are fine for sunbathing and walking. Concordia Bay and Zeelandia Bay are particularly attractive stretches. Scuba divers will enjoy exploring Statia's waters.
In
Oranje Bay lie some interesting underwater ruins. When
Statia's economy collapsed in the 19th century, warehouses
were abandoned and left to decompose. The forces of
nature--hurricanes and tropical storms--destroyed the
buildings, and after the seawall built by the Dutch
gave way, water washed over the structures. Today, their
masonry foundations can be seen at the bottom of the
bay's waters along with cannons, coins and bottles.
The bay floor is strewn with a number of shipwrecks.
The underwater Eden is also rich in marine life, including
coral-and-sponge-covered walls, dramatic pinnacles and
colorful reefs. Frequenting the waters are black tip
sharks, eagle rays, groupers, sea turtles and flying
gurnards--fish rarely seen by divers.
Activities:
A visit to Statia should include a hike along at
least one of the island's 12 marked nature trails. The
Tourist Office provides trail information and can make
arrangements for a guide. However, several of the trails
are easy enough to tackle without guidance. There is
also hiking along Oranjestad Beach; the path there is
known as the White Bird Track because the area is populated
by white tropic birds, a species recognized by its two
long tail feathers.
The
highlight of any visit to Statia may very well be an
exhilarating hike up to and into the Quill. The volcanic
mountain is no longer active and its cupped crater has
become home to a great number of plants, trees and animals.
Marvelous vistas can be enjoyed along the climb up the
slopes of the Quill. Upon reaching
the top, one can look down into the crater at a surprisingly
dense rain forest. Along the path that leads into the
crater there are giant elephant ears, ferns, wild orchids,
fruit trees and wildlife, especially birds. Hikers should
plan two to three hours for the round-trip.
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