Saturday, January 28, 2012

Exploring Saint Croix

One of many abandoned sugar mills dotting the island.  A great example of great design derived from function.
Interior of a sugar mill
All the stone is local including coral from the shore.  People were building GREEN long before we have been.
Found this picture of a restored sugar mill.  The original fins would have been fabric.  Turns out there was a workers' revolt called the Fireburn of 1878 that left many plantations on the island in ashes.  These islands have been fought over by many, poor and wealthy, for many generations.  Such a violent past.  You would have never guessed it from seeing the serene beauty of the place.
Ruins of the plantation home downhill from the sugar mill
Government House Courtyard
The building was the home of a Danish merchant.

Goverment House in Christiansted
The way the sculptures were integrated with the ballustrade gives is a chilling goth Medusa-effect.  Trapped in stone.


Vines Taking over a Brick Colonade.  I believe this is the Strangler Fig Vine, an invasive plant species.
Nature finds a way ...  CLICK the video below

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