CRITTER! Part Two

Critter was very excited to see all the historical buildings in down town Charlotte Amalie.

Fort Christian, built in 1671, is being renovated. Critter had to content himself with looking at it through a fence.

From Fort Christian we went across the street to Emancipation Gardens, named for the day when all the slaves in the Danish West Indies learned they had won freedom for themselves by their own efforts, through revolt and passive resistance.

Next up was Royal Dane Mall where some of the finest rock and brick work done by the slaves can be seen.

Of course he had to see where the greatest of the Impressionist Painters, Camille Pissarro was born.

He liked Market Square, but was shocked to learn that a quarter of million slaves were bought and sold here.

Critter asked me about my favorite place in town and I told him it had to be Enid M. Baah Public Library, a place I went to almost every day after school. It’s hard to see him, but he’s there, in the middle of the center arch at the top of the stair.

Here’s a close up.

He was curious about the two baobab trees in Roosevelt Park. I told him they were anywhere from 300 to 400 years old, probably grown from seeds brought over from Africa by the slaves.

Next up was Blue Beard’s Castle. Although it’s named after the fearsome pirate, Blue Beard never lived on the island. This is one of two watch towers (the other one is called Black Beard’s Castle) build by the Danes.

The Danes meant them to protect the harbor and town. Just to prove it, here’s Critter next to some of the cannons. Arg!

Here’s our guy looking over the harbor.

Last but not least, here’s Critter taking a look at the world largest cruise ship. He wasn’t all that impressed, because as you can see, not even this ship is big enough to contain the joy that is Critter.

Stay tuned. More is yet to come!