A Day in St. Kitts, Our Top 5 Stops

Posted on February 16, 2012 by JVbytheSea

The boat has docked, and the backpack is ready for a day ashore.  Now you and your significant other glance at each other, both wishing you had spent a little more time reviewing the possible excursion options.  Hey it’s a cruise vacation, who wants to read pamphlets?

Well don’t stress and let it spoil a day on a truly magical island.  Just print out our little checklist here and hand it to the taxi driver.  Then sit back and relax as you experience our Top 5 Stops on Beautiful St. Kitts.

Port Zante, St. Kitts

No. 5  Port Zante
St. Kitts is no different than most stopovers in that all have an active cruise pier area.  What is unique about Port Zante is that this shopping district is well layed out, well appointed, and nearly brand new.  I love the layout of the main Boardwalk area, and it makes a great place to have a quick drink or indulge in the popular sport of people watching.


No. 4 The Circus
In the heart of historic Basseterre is a petite roundabout which serves as the lifeblood of Kittitian life.  Known as The Circus, the hub of which features the bright green bronze of the Berkeley Memorial Clock, the center is modeled after Piccadilly Square, in London.  The cast iron tower features four clock faces and more than just a little architectural decoration.  We recommend enjoying a relaxing breakfast on the balcony of Ballahoo overlooking the Circus clock in the center of this historic square.

No. 3 Romney Manor
Continue your tour of the historic side of St. Kitts with a stop at the grounds of the Beautiful Romney Manor.  Dating back to the early 17th century, these beautiful grounds are a treat for your senses.  Surrounded by the stunning flora and fauna, unwind as you stroll the relaxing grounds and take in the sights and scents.  Romney Manor is also the site of Caribelle Batik, where you will find beautiful hand made batik clothing and accessories.  Read more about our impressions of Caribelle Batik here.

No. 2 Brimstone Hill
Wrap up your tour of historic St. Kitts with a stop at the awe-inspiring Brimstone Hill.  While I recognize not everyone may be as enthralled by the history of the early warring days of the Caribbean as I am, still it is truly a most do for any stopover in St. Kitts.  Dating back to the 1690′s, and situated over 700 feet above the surrounding sea, this restored fort is a testament to the ancestors who defended her shores.  The vistas from the various decks are stunning and leave you dreaming of swashbuckling days of yore!

Nevis seen from Cockleshell Beach

 

No. 1 Cockleshell Beach
The perfect way to wrap up a tour of St. Kitts is with a relaxing stop at Cockleshell Beach.  With gorgeous views of Nevis in the distance, it serves as a great location to unwind and enjoy the tropical sun and surf.  We highly recommend a stop at Reggae Beach Bar & Grill for a great meal and refreshing drinks.  Be sure to tell Gary and Delano that Island Art sent you.  They are always sure to greet you with a welcoming island smile and a winning attitude.  Put your feet up and kick back with an ice cool drink as you think about the day that was.  You may even get a glimpse of the elusive Vervet Monkeys that frequent the surrounding bush.

So now you have experienced the true highlights of the beautiful island of St. Kitts.  And you didn’t really need those slick brochures after all.  If you’re looking for a tour guide through St. Kitts we highly recommend Sugar Land Tours.  Ian is a great host and will go out of his way to create a perfect day for you.  And now, come to think of it, you have us wondering, How soon can we get back to one of our favorite island gems…

Live the Life,
JVbyTheSea

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A Caribbean Gem -Tijon Parfumerie

Posted on February 9, 2012 by JVbytheSea

Nearly all Caribbean vacations feature stops at pristine beaches, lounging  beside the crystal clear waters.  The more adventuresome may take in a little hiking or climbing, perhaps a bareback ride along the water’s edge, and admittedly many come solely for the crazy rum concoctions du jour.  But if you want a truly unusual Caribbean experience, we’ve got the perfect suggestion to consider.

Tucked away into a quiet corner of Grand Case, St. Martin,  is Tijon Parfumerie and Design Studio .  I read a recent review where the customer described that owners John and Cyndi have “created a real oasis in paradise”.  I couldn’t agree more.  As soon as you enter the studio, your mind and spirit are transformed by the calming aromas, and colors, and the soothing music of this beautiful boutique.  The vision of owners John and Cyndi Berglund, Tijon is the refreshing combination of spa, boutique, and laboratory.

During a recent visit to St. Martin, Island Art & Treasures enrolled in the class designed to learn more about the history of perfumes, and eventually to create our own custom scent.  Class began with brief histories of our sense of smell and of Perfume.  For example, did you know that 90% of our taste is actually caused by smell?  This is why food tastes flat when you have a cold.  Or, do you know which perfume was the first to be sold worldwide?

Perfumes are created from base oils, which are extracted from raw materials.  Raw materials include flowers, leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, herbs, etc.  There are over 3,000 possible ingredients in the plant world, and Tijon has a significant collection of over 300 base oil ingredients on hand!

Allow me to interject at this point, that I’m quite confident about ‘creating’ in the kitchen.  Throw open the refrigerator door, grab the leftover roast and potatoes, toss in some carrots and peas, add a sprinkle of this, a dash of that and voile’.  You now have a tasty stew for supper.  The process of creating a scent however is the complete opposite.  It is an exact science.  As excited as I was to begin the process of creating my perfume, I’m not too proud to admit, I was also a little intimidated.  But John is the perfect combination of knowledgeable teacher, and patient instructor.  We donned our lab coats and he walked us through the procedure step by step.  The nervous butterflies left my stomach as the process became amazing, a truly rare and unique experience.  And what a payoff, my very own creation, my scent, my baby, my accomplishment, my perfume.  I named it, and I love it!   As an added benefit, Tijon keeps my custom ‘formula’ on file for me so I may re-order the exact scent again in the future.

Classes range from 2 – 3 hours in length, and are a perfect way to take a break away from the tropical sun.  Curious what others may think of this experience?  We suggest you check out the reviews on TripAdvisor .  The glowing reviews here are typical of the experience you are likely to encounter too, and it’s what helped them earn the 2011 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

In addition to the class offerings, Tijon produces their own line of wonderful scents and colognes, as well as lotions, soaps, deodorants, and powders.  The Tijon boutique also offers the Caribe Baie Sun Care line, Candles, and other related gift items.  Since all of this clearly can’t keep John busy enough, he is now a published author as well.  His new book “A Beach Less Traveled”, which details the story of their transition to life on a small Caribbean island,  will soon be available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and may yet come to a bookseller near you.

A stop at Tijon Parfumerie and Design Studio is one of those once in a lifetime experiences, every minute well spent.  And in case you’re curious, the first perfume sold worldwide was Chanel No.5, introduced by (Coco) Chanel in 1921.

Live the Life,
Bonnie

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A Super Giveaway!

Posted on February 5, 2012 by JVbytheSea

Finally, we have the first, albeit very slim, signs of winter in the midwest. This morning we awoke to a whopping 47 snowflakes on our front lawn.  But hey it’s something, and since we’re really not fans of the white stuff, it’s quite alright with me.

Feeling a little giddy from the new surroundings, and since it’s the morning of the Big Day, we’ve decided to announce a new contest.  We’re giving away five (5) of our newly released Bag Tags.  Hey these things haven’t even hit our website yet!  You’ll be really cutting edge here.  Now these aren’t the thin flimsy laminated pieces of cardstock you may have seen elsewhere.  These are the real deal!  Here’s a sample of what’s coming…

So, how you ask, can I get one of these beauties?  It’s as easy, as 1 – 2 – Done.
Step 1.  Become a fan of our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MyIslandArt
Step 2.  Post a message on our Facebook wall telling us where this tag would make its first trip with you.

Winner’s will be randomly selected from all the message posts, and notified here, and on our Facebook Page.  So hurry on over and and get your message posted by the end of this week.  This contest ends Saturday February 11.  And be sure to invite your friends.  We’re giving away 5, so make a friend happy today!

Live the Life,
JVbytheSea

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Climbing Mt. Scenery -Saba

Posted on January 27, 2012 by JVbytheSea

There are times we all find ourselves lost in dreams of beautiful sun-kissed days on a pristine stretch of sand.  But maybe you’re more of a participant than a spectator.  Perhaps you long for more of an Eco-adventure when you travel.  Or maybe, like us, you just long to see if you still have it in you.  Follow along as we share a short tale about our climb up Mt. Scenery, the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Mt. Scenery from the Saba Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport

Saba, a quaint island retreat located a short 12 minute flight from St. Maarten, is aptly named The Unspoiled Queen of The Caribbean.  We landed at the world’s shortest commercial runway, and were quickly whisked through the shoebox size terminal.  As we exited towards our awaiting taxi, we saw our prey looming overhead.

 

Our affable driver dropped us off in the small village of Windwardside to get our bearings, and to pick up our rental “car”.  It was early and the shops were just opening, so we figured no time better than the present to get our climb underway.  With no clear direction as to where to begin, we headed off down the street, seeking adventure.  We suspected we may have stumbled upon the trail head, as we rounded the bend in the road, and encountered this small sign in a clearing amidst the overgrowth.

With the phrase “No Time Like the Present” fresh on our lips, we boldly marched off and began our ascent of the 1,064 steps.  “One… Two… Three…”  With a terse backward glance from my wife and climbing partner, I knew I should probably just close my mouth and keep climbing.  The views even from the lower elevations were quite serene and breathtaking.  We marched on with great anticipation.

The fauna and overgrowth teemed with life.  Climbing upward we pierced the cloud bank and an eerie fog enveloped us.  At times you even went through periods of descent, while still on your way upward!

 

At one point I was quite sure we passed Frodo, and Bilbo Baggins!  Bilbo’s words rang loudly in my ears “Also I should like to know about risks… What am I going to get out of it, and am I going to come back alive?”

 

Windwardside as seen from our descent.

The views from the summit were stunning and surreal.  Clearly this was something we would not soon see in our flatland mid-western existence

 

 

In the final analysis, the descent was far and away the most treacherous part of the climb.  Heavy dew, and a mossy covering made the hand-hewn treads a true test for your footing.

Scout's Place, where you can be a Rock Star!

We concluded our trip with a stop in Scout’s Place for a quick lunch and some cool drinks.  The rewards at the end make the toil all worthwhile.  Having conquered our stated goals, we now even have the certificate to prove it.  So for a truly unique Caribbean adventure, we highly recommend a climb up Mt. Scenery.  It really is deserving of it’s name!

Live the Life,
JVbytheSea

 

 

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Get to Know -Ruby Bute

Posted on January 20, 2012 by JVbytheSea

One of the things we enjoy most about our work at Island Art and Treasures is in getting to know the many artists that we come in contact with.  Some are up-and-coming young artists, some are aspiring bi-vocational artists, and still others are well-known, more established practitioners.  Today we introduce you to one of the latter in St. Martin resident, Ruby Bute.

I initially contacted Ruby Bute regarding participation in a calendar project we were

Ruby Bute from St. Martin, F.W.I.

producing for Island Art & Treasures.  Having spent time on internet research, and after reading the volumes of information available about her, I admit to a certain degree of trepidation, but I was instantly relieved to find that it was all for naught.  Upon our arrival we pulled up to the large painted steel gate and honked per the posted sign. After a few minutes the gate slowly slid open to allow our passing. Driving on to the yard we see her sitting on the front porch of her home as the gate slides shut behind us. We spent the day getting to know this gem of St. Martin.

Much has been written about Ruby Bute, though certainly none can do justice to her creativeness and beauty.  In addition to her paintings, Ruby exhibits her creative spirit as a writer, a poet, a teacher, and a storyteller.  For over thirty years Ruby has produced paintings that document many of the historical aspects of St. Martin’s life and culture.  Her strong colorful images capture the joyousness of such scenes of island life as Carnival, and Emancipation Day, and all serve testimony to her love and passion for the heart of St. Martin.

Emancipation Day by Ruby Bute

Born in Aruba of St. Martin parents, Ruby has been painting since the age of 6. In the early 70′s, Ruby moved to St. Maarten, her parents’ homeland, and in 1983 she held her first solo exhibition.  In 2005, Bute was decorated by her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and is since an honorable Member of the House of Orange-Nassau. Visit her studio and you will see the proclamation and medal proudly displayed.

Exhibitions of Ruby Bute’s paintings are regularly held in St. Martin, in Amsterdam and other cities in Holland, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Saba.  Her works  are owned  by  collectors in St. Maarten, the Caribbean and the United States.

You will find examples of Ruby’s work available on our site at our Island Art Image Library.  In this short video clip, Ruby tells us about her early childhood memories, and of her love of art.

Ruby Bute, renowned as St. Maarten’s national treasure, also serves as a mentor tutor to many emerging artists.  Ruby still paints daily in her gallery or on the porch of her adjacent home.   When in St. Martin be sure to make the time to visit Ruby at her studio.  She will undoubtedly make sure you feel quite at home, while enjoying the beauty of her art, and sipping her home-made liqueurs.

Live the Life,
JVbytheSea

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