2015 • US Virgin Islands
July 25, 2015 to July 30, 2015
Even though the US Virgin Islands are between 40 and 50 miles away from Puerto Rico and are both part of the same country, they might as well be a world apart. Puerto Rico’s first language is Spanish and most people are of European ancestry while the US Virgin Islands speak English and are Afro-Caribbean. Part of the reason why the two territories are indeed culturally distinct has to do with their colonial past. Puerto Rico was one of the most important administrative centers for the Spanish Empire, while the Virgin Islands were founded as sugar colonies by the British and eventually the Danish. The United States bought the US Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million ($587,390,000 today). Even though they are culturally distinct, they do share the same beautiful tropical setting. While in the Virgin Islands, we spent most of our time on Saint Thomas, with one day trip on the ferry over to Saint John. Both islands had a number of white, sandy beaches with calm, warm waters that were perfect for snorkeling and swimming.
