Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/646776
B M & T ••• January/February 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 29 immerse themselves in a healthier way of life and learn more about how to care for the planet Rustic cabins are available for rental or individuals may 'rough it' by camping out. My day continued with a visit to Rowdy Joe's, a local eatery, and a visit later to Estate Whim, a former sugar plan- tation operated by the St. Croix Landmarks Society. The museum interprets the plantation era of St. Croix, and its 18th century buildings include a Great House, slave quarters and mill and factory complex. Additionally, Estate Whim's muse- um houses the best genealogy records anywhere in the Caribbean and serves as a vital resource for scholarly, aca- demic and genealogical research. I later stopped by the Cruzan Rum Factory to learn the art of rum making and the 3 ½-day process it takes to make 34,000 gallons of rum per day. For dinner, I checked out the Beachside Café at Sand Castle on the Beach Hotel and enjoyed a delicious meal just yards from the beach. On the third day, it was off for a tour of downtown Christiansted and a visit to the Cast Iron Grill, which specializes in local island favorites, including mahi mahi, oxtail stew and red peas soup. Fully sated, I later boarded the eco-friendly Adventure catamaran for a half-day snorkel sail to Buck Island Reef, proclaimed a national monument in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. The 19,015-acre island includes the 176-acre tropical dry for- est island and 18,839 acres of submerged land and coral reef system. Buck Island preserves one of the Caribbean's finest marine gardens and the endangered and threatened species that live and nest here. These include four species of sea tur- tles — hawksbill, green, leatherback, and loggerhead — and the St. Croix ground lizard. Our group disembarked at the Buccaneer Hotel, a sump- tuous historic property that was featured in The Bachelors TV show. Founded in the 17th century and family run for generations, The Buccaneer sits on 340 acres and features an 18-hole golf course and three pristine beaches. Its 138 spa- cious guest rooms all offer expansive terraces or balconies with sea and island views. The Buccaneer offers several meeting space options ranging from 12 to 125. If visiting, be sure to check out the elegant Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas Suite Estate Whim