The Boven National Park on the north side of Statia includes Boven and other hills which are the eroded remains of a volcanic crater. The area is very scenic, with a ring of hills overlooking the water and the rest of the island. Much of the area is scrub, although there are some larger trees, particularly along the ravines.

Along with geological features, one can see man’s influence. There are a number of stone walls that once divided the area into different properties and the remains of a sugar mill. Certain areas, like the oven and the platform where cane was crushed are still recognizable. The impact of goats and other contemporary livestock is visible in the grassy areas, many of which would probably revert to thorny scrub if left undisturbed.

The notion of something being a hidden gem may be a bit overused in the Caribbean, but a morning’s walk through Boven brings these words to mind. Basically no one has ever been there, and it is a gem, with several trails leading across different ridges offering wonderful views and the opportunity to see plenty of plants and animals up close.