Caribbean Villas

Emancipation Day in the British Virgin Islands

The islands of the Caribbean host a variety of celebrations referred to as "Carnival", but they may commemorate different events, such as a successful agricultural season ("Crop Over" in Barbados), a traditional holiday ("Crucian Christmas Fiesta" on St. Croix), or freedom, with "Emancipation Day" celebrations. 

During the summer, the Virgin Islands (both U.S. and British) play host to two separate Emancipation Day celebrations.  (In fact, what we call the "British Virgin Islands" are the actual Virgin Islands, as the "U.S. Virgin Islands" were not so named until the 1917 transfer of the then-Danish West Indies from Denmark to America.) 

The date of July 3, 1848 marks the date when then-Governor General Peter von Scholten declared all slaves free in the islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.  The first Monday in August, referred to as "August Monday" on Tortola marks the date of the Emancipation Proclamation being read in Road Town at the Monday Morning Well on August 1, 1834. 

Quick historical tip:  what we call the "British Virgin Islands" are the actual Virgin Islands, as the "U.S. Virgin Islands" were not so named until the 1917 transfer of the then-Danish West Indies from Denmark to America.  

The 2009 Virgin Islands August Monday celebration activities will culminate in a grand parade in Roadtown, Tortola on Monday, August 3, 2009.  Along the way, there will be brilliant Kaiso (Calypso) competition, splendid pageantry, delightful traditional cuisine and libations, and the procession of troupes, bands, floupes and floats that will feature participants from neighboring islands and the world - the big August Monday parade.

St. John Festival 2009 presents culture, splendor and mas

Each of the greater United States Virgin Islands has its own celebration.  On St. Croix, it is the Crucian Christmas Fiesta, stretching from early December through Three Kings' Day.  On St. Thomas, V.I. Carnival begins after Easter and runs until the end of April or beginning of May, depending upon where Easter falls.  On St. John, there is a double celebration, as the Emancipation Day of July 3 gives way to American Independence Day on July 4.

The emancipation of the slaves in the Danish West Indies took place on July 3, 1848 amidst much tumult.  Talks had been in progress for several years, and the result was always an impasse. While many planters and landowners opposed this change, then-Governor General Peter von Scholten (below, left) had built a groundswell of local support for the notion of landownership, education and freedom for all residents. It is felt that von Scholten's relationship with free Black Anna Heegaard contributed to his compassion for persons of color in the islands he was charged with leading.

With continued delays through the 1830s and 1840s, discussions continued - while unrest grew, particularly in Frederiksted St. Croix.  Von Scholten saw a golden opportunity at the first inkling of a major rebellion there, and at last convinced the government of Denmark to abolish slavery.

Re-enactments of the Emancipation Day take place each year on St. John, as part of the monthlong schedule of the St. John Celebration, which also includes the U.S. Independence Day holiday (the Fourth of July).  From the pageants (St. John Princess and Queen shows), family events (Bike and Boat Races) and live entertainment onstage at the Winston Wells Ball Park and the Festival Village (also in Cruz Bay), the activities culminate in a grand parade (as grand as quaint, little Cruz Bay St. John can accommodate!) and fireworks in the harbor that can be seen on the East End of St. Thomas (only 20 minutes away via ferry).

A multitude of local foods will be available, either at the cultural fair or from booths in the village:  goat water, kallaloo, fried fish and chicken, johnny cake, stew mutton, beef or chicken, dove pork, crab and rice, pates filled with beef, chicken, saltfish or vegetables, and plenty of ground provisions and sides like peas and rice, macaroni and cheese, home made coleslaw, and locally-grown vegetables.  Desserts will sharpen the sweet tooth - Vienna Cake, a multilayered confection filled with fruit preserves and covered with a delicate ganache-like icing, sugar cakes, jawbone, stewed cherries, gooseberries, or tamarind, guava, pineapple, or coconut tarts... and local drinks from soursop, tamarind, passionfruit, or mango. Stronger local libations your cup of tea?  Jazz up your beverage with a shot of  Cane Rum, hard to find but well worth the search!

The ferry services add extra runs, with many St. Thomas and even St. Croix residents arriving to participate or enjoy the festivities. Local service providers usually have their hands full keeping new and old customers happy, so it's a good idea to plan well ahead if you desire car rentals, chef services, marine excursions or any other extras.  Even with all the hubbub downtown, villas remain tranquil, as they are away from the Cruz Bay area, but beaches will certainly see more visitors during this time. Whether you're here for work or on vacation, we hope that you will choose to enjoy some or all of the St. John Celebration on the island of St. John! The theme for this year is "Come Jingle and Unwind for Festival 2009!"

Download the St. John Festival 2009 schedule

St. John villa "Into the Mystic" to be featured on HGTV

Nothing like a few choices to spice things up a bit!  The owners of the "Into the Mystic" sat on the horns of their dilemma for just a while before they chose their St. John island getaway, now a popular rental villa.

St. John blogger and media specialist Frank Barnako provides lots of details on his blog, News of St. John, including a link to a feature in the St. John Sun Times.

It's on the HGTV series "House Hunters International" (featuring offshore and other properties around the world).  While St. John is part of the United States Virgin Islands, an American territory, its locale is certainly exotic and refreshingly Zen.  Don't believe us?  Visit the Into the Mystic page on our web site and see for yourself!

We have just heard from the owners, that the story is expected to air June 14, 2009 at 9:30pm EST, but check your local listings to be sure!

Still no passports required to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) update that takes place as of June 1 2009 will mean that the U.S. Passport or Passport Card will be required if time is being spent outside the U.S. borders.  As territories of the United States of America, the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix are not affected by this change.

However, guests who wish to enjoy fishing trips, snorkel or SCUBA tours or day sails into the waters of the British Virgin Islands or who will be going on to Grenada, will need to show the U.S. Passport or Passport Card (a more economical option for sea travel only) upon boarding carriers and re-entering the United States.

If you are from a country other than the U.S. visit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) page.  Otherwise, click here for  more info...
 
Q: Will travelers from U.S. territories need to present a passport to enter the United States?
A: No. These territories are a part of the United States. U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. and do not need to present a passport. U.S. territories include the following: Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
 
If the traveler also visited non-U.S. territories, he/she will be required to present a passport. Although U.S. citizens are not required to present a passport upon departure from the U.S. territories, travelers are encouraged to travel with a passport or other proof of citizenship, as they will be asked questions about citizenship and any goods they will be bringing to the U.S. mainland upon their departure from U.S. territories.  (View more FAQs)

6th visit to St. John the charm at Delfina

St. John Villa, Delfina.  April 2009

Villa Specialist Bonnie Todman received a glowing trip report from these special guests. These repeat renters to St. John felt embraced by the warmth and care of their island managers as well as the ambiance and style of their chosen villa this time around, the beautiful Delfina...

Dear Bonnie,

We send our most sincere thanks to you, to everyone who is a part of your team, and to the owners of Delfina. We appreciate the free day that made it possible for us to make this trip as well as the great service provided by your team. Also, thanks for arranging the trundle bed for the 10 year old - it worked out very well, he loved the games!

What a warm welcome from Chuck as he led us to the villa! The presentation of the villa was enchanting, each room with the lights glowing, ceiling fans cooling the air and music drifting through the home. Our group was thrilled as Chuck took us on a tour and made us welcome. Then as we unpacked and settled in, we realized how much of a home it really was, with everything we could possibly need already there - from spices in the kitchen to band aids in the drawer.

My daughter and I loved changing the table linens to a different theme each day. The freshly baked carrot cake, and grapes, and water, and beer, and coffee, and diet/regular cokes, and chips and flowers made our first morning a dream come true as we sat on the balconies eating breakfast and looking across the bay at the most wonderful blue color of the water with the warm sun on our faces.

This vacation, for all of us, was wonderful. The villa made it so special that we happily came home from the beach (getting out of the water is very hard to do) to live in luxury and jump in the hot tub and cool off in the wonderful infinity pool. And the final touch with the balloons to celebrate my husband's birthday, the whole picture was perfect and so was the look in his eyes.

The memories will live forever in all our hearts, and when things get crazy busy I will go back to St. John and be in the water again and sit on the balcony of Delfina and take a breath of the cleansing air. Thanks, again, for your contribution to the best of our 6 visits to St. John.