BVI06 TOURIST DIRECTORY - Experience The British Virgin Islands

Fun in the Sun
Sightseeing in the BVI
BY CLIVE PETROVIC
Tortola
1. Along the route from the airport to Road Town at Paraquita Bay is
the Centre for Applied Marine Studies. At the H.L. Stoutt
Community College Marine Centre, visit the Mangrove Boardwalk and
Interpretive Centre, a must-see for nature lovers. You can learn about
mangrove wetlands through posters, displays and live animals. Take
the boardwalk into the forest or rent a boat and explore the lagoon.
The Maritime Museum in the Centre is also worth a visit.
2. A walking tour of Main Street, Road Town offers visitors a great
introduction to the island’s historical legacy. You’ll pass old government
buildings and houses made of wood that are literally bolted to the
ground so high tides don’t wash them away. The town’s architecture is
rich and varied. Don’t miss the old prison, which looks like something
out of a Humphrey Bogart movie. If you enjoy museums, the Folk
Museum in downtown has some interesting artefacts and information
about the island’s history dating back to the first Amerindian inhabitants.
There are displays from the plantation era as well as pieces recovered
from shipwrecks, including the RMS Rhone.
3. One of the best parks on the island is the J. R. O’Neal Botanic
Gardens in Road Town. Though it’s only a few acres in size, it
showcases an incredible collection of native and exotic plants. It’s a
wonderful place to enjoy a relaxing stroll through the flowers. Be sure
and plan some time to sit on a bench under the mango tree and take
in the sights and sounds. There is a $3 admission fee.
4. Head west out of Road Town on Waterfront Drive, where you’ll find
the Old Government House that was originally built to house the
British governor of the territory. Since its restoration, it has served as a
historical museum. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through
Friday, and it’s definitely worth a stop and the minimal admission charge.
10 TOURISM DIRECTORY 2007
With its rich history and cultural diversity, there is much to see and do in the British
Virgin Islands. Whether your interest is in nature, historical sites, parks, sports or
panoramic views, you can find it in the BVI. Here is a mere sampling of the many
unforgettable sights and attractions that can be enjoyed year-round in the islands.
5. West of Road Town on the coastal highway you’ll pass an
extensive collection of ruins hidden in the brush. This is popularly
called "The Dungeon," but was actually a garrison for soldiers
protecting Tortola in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are some
massive stone walls and creepy looking unlit rooms from which it
got its name.
6. Fort Recovery is one of several forts and ruins that have
been restored and made available to visitors. These ruins happen
to be the oldest historic landmark in Tortola. This very important
piece of preserved local history has terrific views, and it’s both
entertaining and educational.
7. For an authentic glimpse back into BVI history, don’t miss the
Callwood Rum Distillery in Cane Garden Bay. It’s a working
distillery where you can see how rum was made many years
ago. Best of all, you can take a bottle of traditional rum home
with you.
8. Hikers and adventurers will be right at home at Sage
Mountain National Park. The many trails there offer hours of
hiking through a damp forest. It’s a great place to see birds,
butterflies and wildlife. Along the trails you will find overlooks that
provide breathtaking views of all the surrounding islands. Those
who enjoy scenic vistas will thoroughly enjoy this spot, which at
1,760 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the islands.
9. As you return to Road Town, pay attention to a prominent set
of ruins along the road. This is Kingstown, and the ruins are the
remains of the first Anglican Church built in 1840 for liberated
Africans in the Americas.