Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

F is for Fish Bay Ghut


For this, my fourth year doing the challenge, I've decided to share place names from the Virgin Islands. For such a small spot in the ocean, it seems like every rock, cove, hill and house has been christened. The names are a unique mix of Spanish, Danish, French, Dutch, English, and African to name a few.


Fish Bay Ghut

I have a series on how my sister, Erva, and I "discovered" the Fish Bay Ghut back when I was eight she was twelve. It was quite an adventure. Part One is HERE. Part Two is HERE. And Part Three is HERE.

The Fish Bay Ghut has a place where it drops off a good fifty or more feet, which makes for a spectacular waterfall when it rains. It is one of the few places on the island where there was water year round.

The upper pool

Look straight down to the lower pool.


My dog, Anna, at the at the top of the waterfall.

Other F Names:
Flanagan Island, which until 1977 was claimed by both the U. S. and Great Britain. It is now part of the U.S. Virgin Island
Frenchman's Cap, a cay off of St. Thomas. One story I've heard (I don't know if it's true) is that after the harrowing Atlantic crossing the slaves were first taken to the cay where they were cleaned up, doctored and fed before they were sold.

Fort Christian, St. Thomas. The first major construction on the island, build in 1671.

 Fort Christianvaern, St. Croix, completed in 1753.
 Barracks and ammunition bunker. 
 Cannons at Fort Christianvaern.

Francis Bay, St. John.

The Frederik Lutheran Church, St. Thomas was established in 1666, the same year the Danish West India Company took formal possession of the island but the building of this church wasn't completed until 1793.

 As with most all of these older churches, the pews and interior were made from native mahogany because it is not eaten by the local termites.

14 comments:

  1. Many beautiful churches on the island. People always want an elegant building to honor their God. The sky looks so natural, whenever the pictures were taken, not filled with chemicals as we have now.

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  2. Those buildings look very well preserved and pretty new in spite of being so old. I suppose it has to do with the great climate!

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  3. I would have gotten into so much trouble had I lived anywhere near Fish Bay Ghut!! :)

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  4. Love these pictures. Anna looks like a great dog who loved to have fun with you.

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  5. How wonderful that you have all of these great pictures saved. Anna was a sweetie! And brave it seems to be looking over the edge of that waterfall.

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  6. Poor DL--he and I would have to fight for the rights to take a leap at Fish Bay Ghut.

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  7. The fort looks really cool. I like exploring places like that.

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  8. The images of the drop at Fish Bay Ghut make me feel a little queasy. I love your photos--looking forward to more.

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  9. Hi Bish .. thanks for the note about the mahogany not being eaten by termites .. can understand that.

    Lovely photos though .. and Ghut means 'spout' I guess .. river, waterfall, cascade ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  10. I'm learning a lot about these islands. Waterfalls are beautiful.

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  11. Fish Bay Ghut looks much nicer than it sounds. Love your dog :-)

    Rosalind Adam is Writing in the Rain

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  12. Bish, as always, have some fabulous pictures. Pretty one with the water and the mountains.

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  13. That's a lot of cannonballs...
    I love the view of Francis Bay

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  14. I've been absent for a few days, but catching up and glad I did. Finally, some STX. (love to explore the forts)

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!