Yo ho and a bottle of rum!!

Once upon a time, these islands were a haven for pirates. When the economy slowed, the governments of bygone years encouraged pirates to sell their wares in local markets. This creates an interesting heritage for the islanders. Products and buildings named after Bluebeard and Blackbeard are reminders of that era, and the Jolly Roger (pirate flag) name can be seen on cocktail lists and seaside inns. Pirate tales abound in folklore, along with stories of slavery and cane plantations.

Rum is a modern-day product of the old sugar cane industry. In the 1700s, steep mountain sides were terraced to grow cane. Slaves were brought in for low-cost labor. A tour of the Annenberg sugar mill ruins reveals the harsh conditions under which the slaves toiled and lived. The life expectancy of a cane worker was about six years, and children as young as six years were put to work in the cane fields. As the sugar trade waned in the mid-1800s, traders and owners abandoned the plantations and left the workers to fend for themselves. Without a market for sugar, rum became the preferred product for consumption and trade.

While duty-free goods draw tourists to the islands, the local population faces significant problems with alcoholism. I saw a young man with Wernicke encephalopathy (loss of memory caused by poor nutrition and chronic alcohol consumption) He had to quit his job, lose his home and move in with relatives. Another man was digging through the dumpster. When offered a granola bar, he asked for a drink instead. I gave him a bottle of water.

Pirate artifacts make for interesting tourist diversions. Divers explore old wrecks along ancient reefs. Antiques from shipwrecks are sold in waterfront stores - doubloons, swords and pistols. While bargaining for a deal at roadside stalls, beware of modern-day pirates who take off with your wallet as the booty.

Who are the modern-day seafarers? The folks that arrive on boats these days are not one-eyed swashbucklers. They are usually people from nearby Caribbean island-nations who come over to work and start families on US soil hoping for a better life for their children. Mega-yachts dock in the new and expensive marina to shop for designer brands in exclusive stores. Cruise ships unload tourists who arrive with currency and curiosity, and leave with duty-free goods and…...rum balls!!