Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Hi, all
Someone mentioned to me a while back that there's a "Nature Walk" on STT- a group that walks through downtown, and sometimes around local beaches and up in the 'bush'. This person said there's a young man who leads the group, and that he's very knowledgable about local flora, fauna, and history.
Anyone have any idea who this person/group is, and how I could find out more?
Was on STJ the other day with some visitors, and our taxi driver (a very kind gentleman named Earl) pointed out to us several different plants that I had no idea were on the islands! For example, una de gato- aka Cat's Claw, a supposed aphrodisiac, and possible treatment for asthma, ulcers, and cancer (who knew?). He also showed us some berries (locals can help out and correct me on this one) that he said remedied 'toxins' ingested from bottom-dwelling fish. Fascinating stuff.
Would love to learn more about plants and history of St. Thomas by doing this tour.
Anyone have info?
Thanks so much!
Best,
LR
Hello Loyal Reader,
Your description of walking through town, beaches and bush sounds like a couple tours mixed up.
The through the "bush" tour I would think is the Magens Bay trail. The trail was set up by the Nature Conservancy and it is through 75 acres of land above Magens Bay. The tour itself is provided by VI Ecotours. I know that the cruise ships book this tour but I would quess you could book directly with VI Eco-tours, (340) 779-2155.
The through town tour is likely one of the historical walking tours which you can do self guided or with a guide through Blackbeards, 99 steps, Fort Christian, the Lutheran Church...
I don't know of an eco-beach tour. There is an eco-kayak tour in the mangroove lagoons with snorkeling so both mangroove animals and marine.
On St. John you can do the guided Reef Bay trail hike with the National Park.
Also if you ever go over to St. Croix try the eco-hikes with Ras Lamumba Corriette.
Medicinal plants...
Lots of different types and uses... leaves from trees and bushes, weeds and grass to make "medicinal teas, soaks, rubs and baths" for colds, chickenpox, fever, cold sores, rashes, eye infections, ear infections, stomach cramps, constipation, congestion, lack of appetite, swollen joints...
If you want to read about native plants and their medicinal uses and about history I would suggest going to the UVI Library. Some of the books on these topics will be in the general collection. Most will be in the Caribbean Room which is a private collection and you must have a library card to access it and the books can not be taken out of that room so can't be checked out. Non-Students can get a Community Borrower Card for I think $30-$35 and can take out 3 books max at a time from the general collections and can make photocopies of books that are in the Special Collections.
Hope that helps.
--Islander
Islander: There is a great book one can buy at Dockside or evidently the UVI Bookstore: "Traditional Medicinal Plants of St Croix, St Thomas and St John- A Selection of 68 Plants" by Toni Thomas of the UVI Cooperative Extension Service. 1997 ISBN 0-9628909-6-0
Thank you, Islander- informative as always!
Thanks, East Ender- will check out the book!
Best,
LR
