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It’s National Margarita Day!
February 22, 2012
It seems like an event such as this should be an “international,” not just a “national,” celebration. Oh well, here’s to National Margarita Day, with a margarita courtesy of Picante, one of our favorite restaurants in Anguilla. For more on our visits to Picante, read on…
Inspired by Old Photographs
February 20, 2012
A friend posted some amazing old photographs and postcards of St. Kitt’s and Nevis which inspired this image. I started with a shot of the view from Cote Mer, Island Harbour, Anguilla, and applied a few Photoshop
What’s Cooking in Our Kitchen
February 19, 2012
I have many times featured what’s cooking in our favorite restaurants in the islands. Today’s snapshot is from our own kitchen. These are Jamaican Meat Patties made from the recipe in Lucinda’s Authentic Jamaican Kitchen
The reason so many people take video of the waves washing up onto the shore…
February 18, 2012
…is because it is relaxing. This video was shot on Pinney’s Beach in front of the Four Seasons Nevis. You will see the resort’s dock off to the right, and St. Kitt’s in the distance. It’s better than yoga for stress relief – - no downward-facing dog required.
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere…
February 17, 2012
If I’ve got my time zones right, it’s 5 o’clock in Nevis right now, where this ice-cold Carib was served up at Sunshine’s Beach Lounge. Have a wonderful weekend! For more on our visits to Sunshine’s, read on…
A walk through Nisbet Plantation
February 17, 2012
Nisbet Plantation was the home of Fanny Nisbet, and is now a resort, the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. The views are gorgeous. For more on the historical sites of Nevis, read on…
The reason people take so many snapshots of sunsets in the Caribbean…
February 17, 2012
…is because they are spectacular. This was taken while we lounged on the terrace at the Four Seasons Nevis.
Crime in the Caribbean
February 15, 2012
All over the news today was the story about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer being robbed at knife-point in his vacation home in Nevis. Immediately, there were commentaries questioning the safety of travel to the Caribbean. Having recently returned from nine days on Nevis, I have to say that I never feared for my safety or felt uncomfortable, and we traveled all over the island. People should no doubt exercise caution for their own safety wherever they go, but it seems to be an over reaction to suggest that one should not travel there. If that were the case, many U.S. cities would rarely see visitors. Even Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which most people would consider safe, saw over 2600 victims of violent crime in 2011 and over 13,000 property crime victims, and those numbers are reportedly down from previous years. Be appropriately cautious, but if you never travel because you fear the worst, you’ll lose so much more.
A Bale of Turtles
February 11, 2012
I had to look up what you call a group of turtles. In doing so, I came across this page with the terms use to refer to groupings of animals. A “band” of gorillas, a “muster” of peacocks, a “shiver” of sharks, a “prickle” of porcupines,… Impress you friends with your animal saavy. This “bale” of turtles was captured by my daughter as we explored Newcastle Pottery in Nevis. For more details of our visit there, including shots of a “drift” of pigs and a “school” of fish (OK, you knew that one), read on…
Inspiration
February 7, 2012
One of my favorite paintings at the Art Institute in Chicago is a painting called “Two Sisters” by Joaquin Sorolla y Bastida. The painting depicts two sisters, “Las Dos Hermanas,” on the beach. When I shot this of my daughter on Shoal Bay East on our first trip to Anguilla, I had that painting in mind, and wanted to process it with the feeling of that painting. Here is my best effort to date. For a slideshow of images from our trips to Anguilla in 2007, 2009, and 2010, click here…
Down at the end of Lonely Street
February 7, 2012
Welcome to Elvis’ Beach Bar, Sandy Ground, Anguilla. You’ll also pass Heartbreak Hotel on your way from the parking lot to the beach. For more shots from our trips to Anguilla, take a look at the Anguilla gallery…
You Have Arrived
February 4, 2012
The staff at the Four Seasons Nevis meets you at the airport in St. Kitts, transfers you to Basseterre Harbour, and then takes you over on their private boat directly to the resort. We arrived a the Four Seasons’ dock just as the sun was setting. For more on our stay at the Four Seasons Nevis, read on…
Hit the Deck! (Part 2)
February 2, 2012
Gwen’s Reggae Bar, on Shoal Bay East in Anguilla, is one of our favorite beach bars. Caribbean Travel & Life thinks so too, adding it to their list of Best Caribbean Beach Bars. For more on our visits to Gwen’s, read here…
Hit the Deck!
January 31, 2012
Hit the deck at Smokey’s, at Cove Bay on the island of Anguilla. The deck wasn’t there on our first trip to Anguilla in 2007. Smokey’s has seen some changes, but the food, drink, music and hospitality remain, ensuring we return on every trip. For more on one of our favorite beach bars, read on…
I ♥ KJP
January 31, 2012
My nautical friends will love this line of bracelets and other accessories made in Rhode Island by Kiel James Patrick. Read more about this amazing company…
Sunset Over The Palms
January 25, 2012
I speak not of the palm trees, but instead The Palms, now The Regent Palms, on Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. For more images from Providenciales and information on the island, click here…
I Spy Nevis
January 22, 2012 — 1 Comment
Enjoying my rum punch and cool scented towel on the Four Seasons’ boat as Nevis comes into view. For the first of our seven-part trip report on our trip to Nevis and our stay at the Four Seasons, read on…
The Rastafarian Exception
January 21, 2012
Rarely do my day job and My Irie Time intersect, but I was on the Wisconsin Bar website when I saw a story about a recent decision of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals entitled, “Rastafarian Exception is Discriminatory.” Apparently, an Illinois correctional officer cut an inmate’s dreadlocks on the grounds that they were heavy and could conceal contraband. Prison policy allowed Rastafarians to keep their dreadlocks as an exercise of their freedom of religion under the First Amendment. The prisoner in this case, however, was a follower of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, and claimed his dreds were an expression of his religious freedom. Writing for the Court, Judge Posner’s decision held that to allow an exception for Rastafarians, and not the prisoner in this case, impermissibly discriminated in favor of one religious sect. The written decision includes a fabulous photograph of Bob Marley. Check it out here…
By the way, the shot above, of Bankie Banx is mine. In his decision, Judge Posner didn’t credit the photographer of the Bob Marley image. The photographer was David Corio. His work is impressive. Check it out here…
On the Trail
January 19, 2012
It’s amazing I could still hold the camera still while hiking the source trail in Nevis with our guide, Sheldon. The physical effort was worth it. For more details on our hike, read on…
Try the Conch Knocker
January 17, 2012 — 2 Comments
Try the Conch Knocker at Da Conch Shack, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. For more on one of our favorite beach bars, read on…
We ♥ Bankie Banx
January 15, 2012
On our first trip to Anguilla in 2007, we were on the beach taking our Christmas card photo, when my then 10-year-old daughter asked, “Is that Bankie Banx?” She is a pretty cool kid. Bankie was so kind to her and graciously offered to pose for a photo. He invited us to hear him play, and we’ve been hooked ever since. He is never too busy to sign our kids’ t-shirts, required on every visit. For more about Bankie and his great beach bar, Dune Preserve, read on…
$1US = $2.70EC
January 14, 2012
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is the official currency of eight of the nine members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Those countries include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The exception is the British Virgin Islands, whose official currency is the U.S. dollar. We have been able to use either U.S. currency or the E.C. in Anguilla and Nevis. You just have to let the vendor know which you intend to use so that they can give you the correct amount. However, keep in mind that if you use a cash machine on these islands, it will dispense E.C. The currency is beautiful, with depictions of fish, turtles, maps and flowers from the region.
The stars are out in Nevis
January 12, 2012
We were relaxing with a “Nevisian Spirit” on the terrace at the Four Seasons Nevis, and looked overhead to see the stars out in full force. For more on our trip to Nevis and our stay at the Four Seasons, read Part One of our seven-part trip report here.
Seems so far away…
January 12, 2012
This is the distance from our home in Wisconsin, where we expect to see some snow in the next few days. Snow has been pretty scarce around here lately, with temps in the 50′s, unusually high for this time of year. So as the snow approaches, we look forward to the BVI!
Would you like rum with that?
January 11, 2012
I don’t drink much rum outside the islands, but when my feet hit the sand, it seems like the perfect accompaniment. This beauty comes from Smokey’s at the Cove, on Cove Bay in Anguilla. We always make sure to visit Smokey’s for lunch on Saturday with great food and drink, along with live music.
Caribbean Travel & Life‘s online magazine has a great section devoted to drinks of the Caribbean, complete with recipes. Browse here, and picture your feet at the end of that beach chair as you look out toward the ocean. Better yet, subscribe to Caribbean Travel & Life and relax with an issue delivered right to your home.
You are my sunshine…
January 11, 2012
This cute little pup visited us while we were kicking back with a few Killer Bees at Sunshines’s on Pinney’s Beach in Nevis. For more on our trips to Sunshine’s, read on…
What’s Cooking on Nevis
January 9, 2012
Johnnycakes, made with coconut, by Rodney Elliott of Rodney’s Cuisine. These are crisp on the outside and fluffy and moist inside, the perfect addition to your meal. For more details on our visit to Rodneys, read on…
Off to Church
January 8, 2012
St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church is one stop on the Nevis Heritage Trail. Originally built in 1680, the church proudly displays the certificate of the marriage of Nevisian Frances (Fanny) Nisbet to British Naval hero, Horatio Nelson. For more stops on the Nevis Heritage Trail, follow this path…
Blast from the Past
January 7, 2012
You can’t swing a monkey without hitting a historic site on Nevis. Pictured above is St. George’s Anglican Church in Gingerland. Although the current structure was built in 1842, graves in the adjacent cemetery date back to 1724. For more stops on the Nevis Heritage Trail, read on…
One of 1001
January 6, 2012
On page 1111 of “1001 Places to See Before You Die,” you’ll see listed Da Conch Shack on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands, described as “[i]sland life at its basic best…” The conch is pulled from the sea and prepared before your eyes. For more details and images of our visits to Da Conch Shack, read on…
Craving a Double Deuce Burger
January 5, 2012
Maybe it’s the regularity of the January workout routine, but I’m craving the burgers from Double Deuce, on Pinney’s Beach in Nevis, made from Nevisian beef. Make sure you don’t miss, out as we nearly did, and read on…
The Sun Sets
January 4, 2012
It’s late afternoon at the Four Seasons Nevis, and the setting sun turns everything golden. If you look into the distance, you can see St. Kitts. For more on our stay at the Four Seasons, read on…
Nevis – Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris
January 3, 2012
Two flat tires (at the same time) is usually a low spot in anyone’s day. Read here to read how the mighty Yaris met a nasty pothole, but survived to take us to New Castle Pottery, and how, only by this accident, did we discover a great waterfront bar.
Happy 2012!
January 2, 2012
A composite of photos from our trip to Nevis. To see it a bit bigger, click here…
New Year’s Resolution
January 1, 2012 — 1 Comment
Spend more time on the beach, even when I’m not physically there.
Adiós 2011!
December 31, 2011
As 2011 comes to a close, we are thankful for what we have and looking forward to what 2012 has to offer. Happy travels in 2012!
Nevis – Part Six: On The Nevis Heritage Trail
December 30, 2011
Part Six of the series on our trip to Nevis takes you along the Nevis Heritage Trail, a collection of historically significant sites including a fort, a few sugar plantations, and a few churches. For the details, read on…
Sunset at the Four Seasons
December 29, 2011
The dock at the Four Seasons Nevis at sunset. For more shots of the Four Seasons Nevis resort, read on…
Inside St. George’s Anglican Church, Nevis
December 29, 2011
We were exploring the grounds of St. George’s Anglican Church in Gingerland, Nevis, when the caretaker asked if we would like to take a look inside. He was quite generous with his time, showing us around the property. For more images from our trip to Nevis, take a look through our Nevis Gallery…
Nevis – Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon
December 28, 2011
Part Five of our Nevis series takes us on a hike through the rainforest with our guide, Sheldon. Come along for the hike, reading more here…
A Christmas Star(fish)
December 25, 2011
This is the “star” on our Christmas tree this year. Merry Christmas!
Decked out for the Holidays
December 24, 2011
The Somerset Resort on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands, ready for the holiday season. This shot is from our stay there in 2008.
A Little Red and Green for the Holidays
December 24, 2011
A shot from our recent trip to Nevis. Have a happy holiday, and take time to enjoy the company of your family and friends. Merry Christmas!
Nevis – Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach
December 24, 2011
Take a walk on Pinney’s Beach in Nevis, and you are lucky to quickly find some great beach bars with fantastic food. This image features Chevy of Chevy’s Beach Side Bar, who has the best chicken wings I’ve ever tasted. For more on the great beach bars of Pinney’s Beach, read on…
Christmas in the Caribbean
December 23, 2011
“Got everything but snow…”
Ting with a Zing
December 22, 2011
“Ting with a Zing” is a cocktail made with CSR and Ting, a soda made with Jamaican grapefruit. Refreshing!
