Virgin Island Tent City – Maho Bay Eco Camp
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To get to Maho Bay you have to get to St. John, U.S.V.I. To get to St. John you have to take the ferry from Charlotte Amalie or Red Hook on St. Thomas. Getting to St. Thomas is easy, linked to the world with an international airport.
Once past the ferry dock at Cruz Bay you enter a realm of serene nature and relaxation—a time gone by, slow, quiet, the way the Carib used to be.
Surrounded by the United States Virgin Islands Natiional Park, Maho Bay Camps is reached by unique canvas-topped, ten passenger iguana-green and open air Land Rover jitneys that grind over the paved and graveled roads to get to Maho Bay Camps.
Maho Bay Camps is wrapped tightly above Maho Bay, sprawling ladder-like up the steep hillside, and it is one of the world's first eco-lodges devised to bring the natural elemnts right into your sleeping environ. Built in1976 with only 18 tent cottages built on 16 foot wooden platforms, using hand construction techinques to protect the environment.
The tent city rests beneath a tangled Caribbean forest that provides privacy. Translucent fabric on wood frames, screened windows and open air terraces take advantage of the cooling Virgin Islands trade winds. Many units have beautiful hillside views of the turquoise Caribbean waters, nearby islands and spectacular sunsets.
Each tent has a separate sleeping area with comfortable twin beds. An extra mattress is behind the sleeping-couch in the living area. Bed linens, blankets, towels, cooking and eating utensils are all provided, including propane stive and ice cooler. Every tent-cottage has its own private deck, electric outlets, lights and fans. Barbecue areas and fresh water are available along the walkways.
Conveniently located bathhouses are equipped with modern, low-flush toilets and pull-chain showers connected to a recycling system which irrigates the surrounding vegetation. If you rent the Harmony Estates at the top end of Maho Bay Camps, you have the luxury of toilet and solar shower with tub built into your ecolodge for even more privacy.
Maho Bay is built for an outdoor experience, with a year-around tropical climate. Hike down the rambling staircase to the secluded white sand beach , or stop off at the popular water sports center (with expert instruction) to arrange kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
The watersports center opens a little too late for me, a person that likes to sea kayak as the sun arises and paints the scenery my favorite Caribbean colors. Be sure to ask about sailing adventures with private tour operators, one of whom was once a temporary employee of the Camps, then a full time resident, and then finally a yachting entrepreneur who could never go back to the old life.
Massage, yoga, National Park presentations, weddings, live music and other activities are also available. Glassblowing demonstrations turn the Camp's beer and soda bottles and other recylables into their Trash to Treasure Art Center.
The immediate area around Maho Bay Camps has beautiful hiking trails, including walks to historic plantation ruins. The town of Cruz Bay offers active night life within half an hour via local taxi service.
Every paradise has drawbacks of course. Maho Bay Camps would be a tough struggle for those in wheelchairs. Swim before the sand flies come out at dusk, and everything else will fall in place.
DINING OUTDOORS
The outdoor restaurant on one of the two large pavilions, serves breakfast and dinner every day with a variety of healthy meals, including at least one vegetarian entree. The dining area has one of the Virgin Islands' most unforgettable views, especially at sunset. Most of the food fare is continental Americain with a little bit of the Carib thrown in. Menus are primarily a la carte. The Maho Bay store is stocked with frozen foods, some produce, canned goods, breads, dairy, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, and various sundries and boutique items , sunscreen, insect repellent, and recycled products. The gift shop features high quality crafts made by local artists as well as works in glass and aluminum made from recycled material created at their workshops. The free "help-yourself" center where departing guests leave books, sunscreen, staples, and other items is a convenient recycling center for newcomers.
Many of the Maho employee/expatriates are flight-from-the-modern-mold who make a modest living assisting as volunteers for a month or two at the eco-lodge to straighten out whatever problem that needs to be hammered back into shape. And many of them stay, such as the long-haired short order cook, the marketing director who came here over 16 years ago and never left, and the glass blowing instructor, who turns that beer bottle in you mitt into an ashtray or other work of art.
Maho Bay offers the one month summer program, usually in June, to those looking for a cheap vacation. There is no wages attached, in turn you give the resort four hours a day of your time in return for a bunk at the tent hotel. The restaurant meals are also discounted for the volunteers. But what a great way to spend some time in paradise.
The National Park offers Cinnamon Bay Campground for those that want to camp, but hey, why camp when you can bask in luxury at the Maho Bay Camps, just around the corner, and on one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean.
HARMONY STUDIOS
At the top of Maho Bay Camps and a five minute walk on the boardwalk from Maho Bay Camp is Harmony Studios, a row of two-story duplex cottages that offer more convenience and comfort for campers. These are not tents; the architecture employs passive solar design, photovoltaics, rain collection and roof scoops that draw cooling breezes through the well-furnished rooms that have recycled building materials such as "plastic lumber", recycled glass tiles, steel nails, and rubber tire rugs. Interactive computers in some units monitor daily energy use. Harmony blends great Caribbean vacations with the international ecotourism movement.
The 2-story wooden Harmony Estate structures come with a key to turn on and off the solar power for hot water and to supply electricity to the small fridge. Harmony is mostly king bedded rooms with a separate bath area ensuite. Sit on the small patio and listen to the hummingbirds.
Bedroom Studios (upper/lower) have two twin beds (roll aways are also available), kitchenettes with microwave, all kitchen appliances and cooking utensils, dining table and chairs, tiled private bathrooms, all linens, and a spacious 6' x 18' deck with furniture.
Living Room Studios (upper/lower) have queen-size sofa-beds, two twin beds, kitchenettes with microwave, all kitchen appliances and cooking utensils, spacious dining areas, all linens, tiled private bath, and a large 6' x 20' deck with furniture.
Concordia Eco Tents and Concordia Estates are also owned by Maho Bay Camps
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Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
About the Author
Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave Your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.