Travels with Chase and Bud: Fort Amsterdam and Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

Bud and I have been admiring Dot's enthusiasm for taking morning walks up the hill through Divi to the recently restored/refurbished Fort Amsterdam Historical Park. She found all kinds of trails and this morning we asked her to take us on a tour. After all, in 16 years of Divi ownership, we had never gone beyond the fort itself. Shame on us!

As we entered the park area, Dot took a sharp right, past the the Brown Pelican Nesting Area and entered a trail that soon turned into a steep, overgrown paved road--a surprise!

At the bottom of the road, we came to a rocky beach piled with serious rubble. The remains of a large dock were half in and half out of the water. apparently this area was used as a supply route either to the fort when it was a signal/communications station (through 1985) or perhaps to Divi. In any case, it's been rendered useless by hurricanes---no doubt 1995's Luis had something to do with it.

The shore might be disused, but the water was busy this morning. Here you see diving concessions, a sailing excursion heading into Little Bay, a military landing craft on manuevers, and in the distance the island of Saba and the Rotterdam, still on patrol in the region.

Aside from the walls of the fort (first built in 1631 by the Dutch, then conquered by the Spanish, then back to the Dutch in 1648), there are a few buildings...the most dramatic of which is the Signal Station, just below the crown of the hill. It was used as a military and then civilian communications post through 1985.

Sloping fields run below the fort on all sides. Well-worn paths run throughout. Here Dot is leading us east towards Great Bay. You can see the cruise ship at Philipsburg's new cruise port.

This path ends in an overlook--the chairs are often occupied by people who are just enjoying the view--but historical markers are ever-present in case you want to delve into local history.

Around the corner, the path ended abruptly at the top of a cliff, but still provided a good view of Philipsburg and Great Bay.

You can also turn about and head west around the point. The paths stick fairly close to the edge of the cliffs, so you have to be careful.

And you're right on the edge of the Brown Pelican's nesting area (protected May-November). They are the national bird and are always fun to watch.

Turning west, you can see over the tops of some of the Divi timeshare buildings to Little Bay. The low building is the end of the Divi Resort (foremerly hotel rooms, now timeshare unit) and the higher, scallop-roofed building is Belair Beach Resort--more timeshares, and with a very loyal following. We've met several owners.

As you come down out of the fort and head back through Divi, you can take a left and stop at the Infinity Pool with it's new hot tub. Divi has been making great strides recently to improve the resort's amenities.