2011 December | W photography

Nevis – Part Six: On the Nevis Heritage Trail12.30.11

On the Nevis Heritage Trail: New River Estate

From the moment you arrive on Nevis, you are aware of the country’s proud history. The people often speak of their history and traditions, and how it makes Nevis and its people what they are today. A trip to the island is not complete without taking in some of the historic sites. You cannot travel far around the island without seeing at least one of these blue signs, signifying points of interest on the Nevis Heritage Trail.

Fort Charles was our first stop on the trail. Fort Charles was the largest fort on the island, built in the 17th century to protect the capital city of Charlestown. The historical sites on Nevis are not what one might encounter in the United States. There are no ropes to keep you out, or tour shops to buy a souvenir. The sites are as they were left, and as affected by man and nature. So feel free to explore! A word to the wise: avoid flipflops if you wish to get deeper into the ruins, as there are muddy areas and grown over areas which are not friendly to bare legs.

Fort Charles at the sea

Remains of Fort Charles

Our next stop on the trail was St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church, c. 1680, famous as the home of the marriage certificate of Frances (Fanny) Nisbet and British Naval hero, Horatio Nelson. We visited on a Sunday, and mass was in progress. You won’t see me snapping shots of people mid-worship, but I can share some exterior shots.

St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church

Cemetery at St. John’s Figtree Church

Welcome to St. John’s Figtree Anglican Church

We visited a few former plantations on the island as well. Although the marriage certificate for Fanny Nisbet and Horation Nelson can be found at the St. John’s Figtree Church, they were not married there. The were married at Montpelier Plantation, on March 11, 1787. The former sugar plantation is now an inn, a Relais & Chateaux property.

Entrance to Montpelier Plantation

I understand that you can dine in sugar mill on the property.

The Sugar Mill at Montpelier

Entering the Sugar Mill at Montpelier

Inside the Sugar Mill

View from the Sugar Mill

We also stopped by the Hermitage Plantation, which also operates as an inn. The great house on the plantation was built in 1670, and has been continually in use in some capacity ever since.

Hermitage Plantation

We also visited Nisbet Plantation. Nisbet Plantation was the home of Fanny Nisbet, and on the grounds you will now find the Nisbet Plantation Beach Club. There does not appear to be much of the original home left, other than that which you see at the entrance to the resort.

Nisbet Plantation

From the Heritage Trail sign

We were on the hunt for the Eden Brown Estate, the ruins of a plantation with a ghost story attached. The story goes that the what was to be a wedding, ended with a duel taking the lives of the groom and his best man, and leaving the bride to haunt the home to this day. Unfortunately, despite having a map, we could not find the right road. Unless something is on the main road, it’s a bit tough to find in Nevis. The roadmap for the island shows a general location, but it’s not easy to figure out how to get there. After two separate attempts to find it, we gave up. However, in the process, we did find the New River Estate, holding the remains of the last functioning sugar factory on the island.

New River Estate

Sugar Cane Press? at New River

On the walk toward the ocean

Ocean Views

There is no shortage of places of worship on Nevis. The Nevisian people take great care in preserving the churches on the island. We stopped in at St. George’s Anglican Church, built in 1842, although gravemarkers in the cemetery date back to 1724. We parked our car, and were taking a few shots, when the caretaker kindly invited us in and offered to show us around.

St. George’s Anglican Church

St. George’s

Pipe Organ at St. George’s

Interior of St. George’s

Cemetery at St. George’s

As you approach the main road from St. George’s, turn left at the donkeys…

Turn left here…

And you will find Gingerland Methodist Church, built in 1844.

Gingerland Methodist Church

Alongside Gingerland Methodist Church, looking toward Mount Nevis

Gingerland Methodist Church

We had nine days on the island, and only scratched the surface of the historical sites. Nevis is full of history, just waiting for you to discover it.

Read other parts of our trip report on Nevis:

Part One: Four Seasons Nevis

Part Two: Sunshine and the Killer Bee

Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine

Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach

Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon

Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris

For more shots from our trip to Nevis, check out the Nevis Gallery:

: Nevis Gallery

Or browse recent posts on Nevis at:

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Nevis – Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon12.28.11

Our Guide, Sheldon

While planning our trip to Nevis, we decided that we wanted to do a mountain hike. Rainforests and mountains were new to us on trips to the Caribbean, so we thought we would arrange for a hike. I knew I wasn’t in shape to hike to the peak, knowing that climbing robes and vines was involved, so we looked at the options for one of the shorter hikes. The three options we had were:

Rainforest & Ruins – Hike with a guide into the Rainforest and Coconut Plantations on the slopes of Nevis peak. Along the way, experience the beauty, tranquility of a cool, luxuriant and tropical ravine with massive volcanic boulders worn smooth by a mellinniums rainfall. Majestic trees and lush tropical plants such as heliconia, elephant ear ferns and bamboo. (2 ½ hours, $30/person)

Source Trail Rainforest Hike – Experience a moderately challenging hike through lush forest to an ideal spot for panoramic island views. You will hike by two tropical ravines and into a cave. You will be introduced to the flora and fauna of the island, including bamboo and fruit trees such as bananas, citrus, mangoes and guavas. (2 hours, $35/person)

Butler’s Source Rainforest Hike – Take a moderately challenging hike to the Butler’s source. Along the route see the prison farm, better known as Russell’s Rest and learn about it’s true origin. Walk along lush tropical Rainforest, enchanting ravines and haunted areas. View the flora and fauna, monkeys, cocoa trees and a variety of fruits. Enjoy breath taking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. (3 hours, $35/person)

Knowing my son’s patience for organized activity, we opted for the two-hour Source Trail Rainforest Hike. We had a rental car, so we planned to meet our guide, Sheldon, at the entrance to the Old Manor Hotel in Gingerland. We were early, so we explored St. George’s Anglican Church and Gingerland Methodist Church, and Sheldon met us there. We drove a bit up the mountain, until we ran out of road, and then went out on foot.

On the Source Trail with Sheldon

Sheldon gave each of us a walking stick to use on the hike, which I was glad I had. My husband and I questioned the “moderately” in the “moderately challenging” description of the hike at a few points. There were areas where we needed that stick as a third leg to cross rocks and ditches. I would think it’s just that were in our mid-40′s and out of shape, but even our children, ages 12 and 14, were challenged by the hike. Twice, I had to stow my camera in my backpack so that I could cross a rocky or slippery area.

Almost time to put away the camera

We learned quite a bit about the area, the plants, trees, and environmental conditions such as deep ravines, known as “ghauts.” The photo at the top of this post captures one of those moments. Sheldon held up a lemon with one bite out of it. He explained that this is what the monkeys leave behind. They are quite wasteful creatures, taking one bite, and tossing the rest aside. The monkeys, a delight to tourists, are essentially pests to the residents, devastating their plantings.

Cocktail ready!

Pipeline on the Source Trail

View from the mountain (shot while completely out of breath, hence the blur)

On the Source Trail

Although we learned quite a bit about the island plants and animals, my favorite part of the hike was learning about the island people. After walking and talking for a couple hours, you can’t help but share information on all sorts of topics, including religion, family, taxes, and government. At the end of the trail, we were exhausted, had shoes covered with Nevisian mud, but all concluded that we had a great time.

Read other parts of our trip report on Nevis:

Part One: Four Seasons Nevis

Part Two: Sunshine and the Killer Bee

Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine

Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach

Part Six: On the Nevis Heritage Trail

Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris

For more shots from our trip to Nevis, check out the Nevis Gallery:

: Nevis Gallery

Or browse recent posts on Nevis at:

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Merry Christmas!12.25.11

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Nevis – Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach12.24.11

View from Sunshine’s

One great thing about staying at the Four Seasons on Nevis is that there are great beach bars located a short walk from the resort. We arrived on Nevis just as the sun was setting, and after changing clothes, we headed out in search of something to eat. We had started the day with a 3:00 a.m. wakeup call and a 5:40 a.m. flight out of Chicago. By the time we hit Nevis, we were ready for dinner and an early bedtime. We started walking south (counterclockwise if you look at Nevis as a clock face), and ran into a string of bars. However, it was dark by then, and we couldn’t see which was which. We blindly made our choice, and found ourselves at the famous Sunshine’s Beach Bar, and relaxed with a few Killer Bees, Sunshine’s signature drink. For the full story on Sunshine’s, I devoted an entire blog post to it and my encounter with three Killer Bees. You can read all the details here…

So that you’re not in the dark on the bars of Pinney’s beach, here’s the layout. As you walk south from the Four Seasons, the first place you will encounter is this place, the name I was never able to learn. It was always busy, although you weren’t seeing any tourists there.

Name that bar!

The next stop along the way, set back from the beach, is Lime Cafe. I’ve heard wonderful things about the food there, but it’s not open for dinner, and with the big breakfasts at the Four Seasons, we didn’t have many lunch opportunities.

Lime Cafe

The very next place is Chevy’s. We had dinner at Chevy’s one night, and I have to say that Chevy’s chicken wings were the best I’ve ever tasted. They were spicy, but not enough to blast your tastebuds into oblivion. Chevy greeted us and we invited him to have a seat, enjoying a long talk. One thing I really loved about Nevis is that the owners greet you personally and are glad to share a story. Chevy was great to talk to, and described how he developed the wing flavorings and the time he put into it. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the recipe, but I’m going to keep working on it!

Chevy’s Beach Side Bar

Guinness Time

Chevy chatting with a customer

Just past Chevy’s, is Sunshine’s.

Sunshine’s, from the beach

Then walk a bit farther. With just a little longer walk, you will see Double Deuce.

Double Deuce

Double Deuce interior

Bar at Double Deuce

Our dinner at Double Deuce was amazing. Check out the grilled wahoo, garlic shrimp, and the barbecue ribs!

Garlic Shrimp

BBQ Ribs

Grilled Wahoo

As we are finishing our meal that night, a party of six was seated and immediately ordered the burgers. We caught a glimpse of the burgers as they were brought out, and we were determined to return to get one. When we returned, we didn’t even consult the menu board, instead ordering three burgers, until we were told that they were out of burgers for the night.

Double Deuce Menu (prices are E.C.)

This line is where DD Burger once was…

Oh no!

The disappointment on our faces and in our voices was pretty apparent, so our server checked in the kitchen, and they had enough to make two burgers! You have never seen anyone so happy to order a burger. We rounded it out with an order of ribs, and had a great meal. The only reason you don’t see a photo of the burger is that it had no chance to be photographed before being devoured. Don’t miss out! Go early or call ahead. It’s totally worth the effort!

Read other parts of our trip report on Nevis:

Part One: Four Seasons Nevis

Part Two: Sunshine and the Killer Bee

Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine

Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon

Part Six: On the Nevis Heritage Trail

Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris

For more shots from our trip to Nevis, check out the Nevis Gallery:

: Nevis Gallery

Or browse recent posts on Nevis at:

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Up Close and Personal with Trisha12.20.11

Trisha asked me to take some shots as an anniversary gift for her boyfriend, which I held until the surprise was revealed. Trisha looked so beautiful! I hope he enjoyed them!

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Copyright Infringers Beware!12.13.11

I have put off writing this post a number of times, primarily because it frustrates me so much to have to address it. Photographers repeatedly deal with the issue of copyright infringement. With the freedom of the internet and the emergence of the blogger, people, including those who themselves will insist on the copyright of their own creations, will “borrow” a photographer’s work. Sometimes they will give a credit line somewhere in their post or will link back, and feel that they have met their obligation, or are doing the photographer a favor by “featuring” their work.

This perception is likely enhanced by the simplicity and availability of digital cameras. Some folks think that all a photographer does is press the shutter button. They see their friends take “amazing” photos with their point-and-shoot cameras, and thus, the value of good photography has diminished. Casual observers don’t appreciate the thousands of dollars spent on equipment and software, and the thousands of hours of study and training. To them, there is no significance to using f/2 or f/22. 1/250 or 2 seconds? What’s white balance? Who cares? To them, the value of a photograph is the fraction of a second it takes the camera’s sensor to record the image. With this value system, it seems like no big deal to take someone else’s work for your own use. It is, however, a big deal.

This week, I have learned of several infringements of my work, one a two-time offender. You would think the fact that my website and blog have a copyright notice and an express prohibition against the use of my images would deter offenders. You would think the fact that my “About” page on my website and the posting of my Curriculum Vitae indicating I have been a licensed attorney for 21 years, would prompt them to move on. Well, it doesn’t. My work is repeatedly “sampled” and not just by your personal blogger. I have had my images taken by a local online news site, claiming to be “journalists,” and by a variety of commercial sites, using my images to sell their products.

I do not specialize in copyright law, but there are some basics everyone should know. I am not giving legal advice by this post, and it certainly does not encompass all that the law provides. You should consult your own attorney as to the provisions of the law applicable in your area. This post is simply to provide some general information.

By copying another’s work without permission and using it for your own purposes, you are exposing yourself, and, in the event of use by an organization, your company, to one or more lawsuits. You also risk the takedown of your site. Here are the essentials:

1. Copyright protection begins the moment the photographer clicks the shutter. It is not required that the copyright be registered to be enforceable. The photographer owns the copyright to the image the moment it is created.

2. A photographer does not waive the protection of the copyright laws by displaying his or her work, such as posting it on the internet.

3. A photographer does not need to display a copyright notice, the little ©, or a watermark, or an express prohibition against use, to be entitled to the protection of the law.

4. A photographer does not have to register his images with the U.S. Copyright Office to be entitled to protection, although I do so. The cost is small, only $35 per registration, and the online process is rather simple. This is $35 per registration, not per image. A photographer can register images as collections by subject or by year, or however you would like to organize them.

5. A “credit” line or link back does not change anything. It is only important to the extent that it is required by the copyright owner for display of the image. If you don’t have permission to use the image, you are still infringing the copyright, absent the applicability of very limited exceptions.

6. You may be violating other laws by posting images without permission. For example, I have shot in places where the owner of the venue prohibits the use of images on commercial sites other than that of the person licensed, meaning me. I cannot allow you to use those images, and your use subjects you to suit by the venue owner. Also, many states, including Wisconsin, have a right to privacy statute, which prohibits the use of a person’s image for commercial purposes without their consent. You don’t have a model release for the persons depicted in my images, and your use may violate that person’s right to privacy, exposing you to a lawsuit for damages.

7. Your unauthorized use will be discovered. For as large as the internet may seem, it is full of small communities, including photographers. I belong to several groups of photographers who continually review and critique each others’ work so that we get better at what we do. We can recognize other photographers’ work, and some photographers are so distinctive, you know exactly who made a particular image just by looking at it. Many times I have seen uses of images where the offender crops off the photographer’s watermark, a glaring sign of copyright infringement. When I see this, I notify the photographer of what I have seen. Sometimes they have authorized the use, which they obviously have the right to do. However, more often than not, the use is an infringement. If I have given you permission to use an image, I would never allow you to distort it by cropping out my watermark. Section 1202 of Title 17 also prohibits this activity, and entitles the copyright owner to damages and attorneys fees.

What can happen to you if you decide to use someone else’s work for your site without permission? As described briefly above, you subject yourself and your company to a lawsuit for infringement of copyright or other violation of law. Damages can be quite stiff. For the detailed information, check out Title 17, Chapter 5 of the United States Code. In addition to actual damages, if the image has been registered with the Copyright Office, the owner of the copyright is entitled to statutory damages between $200.00 for an innocent infringement and $150,000.00 for an intentional infringement per violation. Yeah, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. You read that correctly.

The copyright owner can also notify your hosting company of the infringement and insist that your site be taken down. It has happened before. Don’t kid yourself. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, known as the DCMA, allows the copyright owner to issue a takedown notice to the infringer’s internet service provider. The idea is that the service provider is exposed to liability for transmitting information that may infringe a copyright. The copyright owner sends a notice to the provider, identifying the original work and the infringing work, and requesting that the site be taken down. Once given notice, the internet service provider must take down the infringing material.

I have only brushed the surface with respect to this topic. For a great, in-depth discussion of copyright law as it pertains to photography, check out Carolyn Wright’s website: Photo Attorney. She’s brilliant, and addresses all the in’s and out’s of the law.

In short, don’t be stupid. Don’t expose your website to takedown, or you or your colleagues to one or more lawsuits. Get permission. Many photographers will agree to the use to promote their business. Just ask. And if you don’t get permission, move on. It’s not worth it.

DISCLAIMER (You had to expect that from a lawyer, right?):

This post provides only general information regarding copyright and image use. It shall not be construed as legal advice and nothing herein is to be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship. You should contact an attorney in your area regarding the requirements of the law and your specific circumstances.

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Nevis – Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine12.12.11

Rodney Elliott of Rodney’s Cuisine

One lesson we have learned from travel is that to find the great restaurants, you sometimes have to go off the beaten path. We have found the best restaurant recommendations from cab drivers and rental car agents, so when we picked up our Yaris from the Thrifty agent, my husband asked for advice. The place to eat we were told was Rodney’s Cuisine. Rodney’s Cuisine is located just off the main road as you exit Charlestown, headed counterclockwise around Nevis. If you look at a map of Nevis, that makes perfect sense, because there is basically one main road which circles Mount Nevis, located at the center of the island. Look for the big flags!

Sign on the Main Road

Welcome to Rodney’s Cuisine!

We knew that we were on the verge of good things, as we saw a rainbow over the mountain on our way in.

Rainbow on Mount Nevis

The interior is decorated in the vibrant colors of the Nevisian flag, and is truly welcoming.

Inside Rodney’s

Rodney, of Rodney’s Cuisine, is Rodney Elliott. Rodney lost her mother at a young age and was responsible for bringing up many siblings. She said a number in the “teens” when describing her family size, and although the number didn’t stick with me, her determination did. When we travel, we bring our two children, one who is a notoriously poor eater. He will eat chicken nuggets, but only McDonald’s nuggets. He’ll eat noodles, sometimes with sauce. The only thing he will eat pretty much anywhere is french fries. With our son along, we pretty much have to plan on getting him something to eat somewhere else either before or after we dine. Well, Rodney wouldn’t hear of that. She took our son back to the kitchen to show him around. She gave him a johnnycake, which was unbelievably good (I couldn’t help but snitch a bit), made with coconut. It was flaky and crisp on the outside, unbelievably good. The johnnycake was enormous, but he finished the whole thing! I am thinking that if he could spend a week with Rodney, our fussy eater days would be over.

Johnnycake, made with coconut

There are no menus. Rodney greets you and fills you in on what’s cooking that day. We had both the chicken and the pork dishes, along with a refreshing lemonade.

The pork

The chicken

Ice cold lemonade!

I wish we had more days to go back to Rodney’s for more great food and stories of the island!

Read other parts of our trip report on Nevis:

Part One: Four Seasons Nevis

Part Two: Sunshine and the Killer Bee

Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach

Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon

Part Six: On the Nevis Heritage Trail

Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris

For more shots from our trip to Nevis, check out the Nevis Gallery:

Nevis Gallery

Take me back to My Irie Time…

From W photography, post Nevis – Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine

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Gifts for your Favorite Photographer or Camera Aficionado12.10.11

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With the holidays upon us, you may be wondering what to buy for your favorite photographer or camera buff. Unfortunately, photography gear is pretty pricey, and it’s tough to find a gift in your price range. Here are my suggestions for the best gifts under and around $50, with the prices in effect at the time of this writing.

1. Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket

I love this item. If you’ve read my “What’s in my Bag?” post, you’ll know I’m a fan of all Think Tank gear, but this is a gem. It holds your cards in a safe convenient place which you can hook to your belt or camera bag so you know that no valuable images are lost. When we were on the beach in Nevis, we found a stray memory card. If you lost a card in front of the Four Seasons in Nevis, check with the front desk as we turned it in to the beach attendant. Then quickly get one of these so it never happens again!

Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket $18.75

Think Tank Pee Wee Pixel Pocket Rocket (smaller size) $15.75

2. The Lens Pen

This one is the perfect stocking stuffer, the Lens Pen. It’s small, and can hook on to your camera bag for easy access, to quickly clean your lens.

LensPen $8.70

My friends from the Cream City Flickr group, Lloyd and Kevin also suggested lens wipes and lens cloths as stocking stuffers. You just can’t get enough!

3. Honl Photo Color Correction Kit

Honl Photo has loads of great photography accessories, including this Color Correction Kit. It’s used with the Honl Speed Strap to attach to a flash, so that you can change the color of the light from the flash to match the ambient light. Color filters can also be used for some creative effects. Honl Photo has a number of different kits to color your flash, including the the color correction kit, the color effects kit, the Hollywood kit, and others. A fun and creative gift! Don’t forget to get them the strap too, which you need to use the filter kits.

Honl Photo Color Correction Kit $19.95

Honl Photo Speed Strap $9.95

4. The Lens Travel Mug

It looks like a fabulous lens, but is in fact a handy travel mug. OK, it’s not terribly useful, but it’s an interesting conversation piece and a fun gift!

Canon Lens Mug 24-105mm $24.00

There is also a Nikon version, but of course, it is more expensive, and it doesn’t have the travel lid, but I’m sure it’s superior if you’re a Nikon guy.

Nikon 24-70 Mug $30

5. Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries & Charger

For the more practical gift giver, photographers need power, and Eneloop rechargeable batteries are extremely popular with photographers for good reason: they hold their charge. Why not throw in a Think Tank Photo battery holder in a festive green color?

Eneloop Rechargeable Batteries & Charger $17.91

Think Tank AA Battery Holder $9.50

6. “Hot Shoe Diaries” by Joe McNally

A friend gave me this as a gift and I loved it! Joe McNally is one of the great innovators and masters of creating amazing images with small strobes, and this book shows you how it’s done and inspires you to get out and shoot. While you’re at it, get Joe’s book, “The Moment it Clicks” as well – - another inspiring addition to your photographer-friend’s library.

Hot Shoe Diaries $26.99

The Moment It Clicks $34.64

7. One Light Workshop Field Guide

If your photographer friend would love to attend one of Zack Arias’s One Light Workshops, but can’t afford the tuition or the One Light DVD, Zack has a great field guide with many of the tips contained in the One Light DVD. I haven’t made it to one of the workshops, but I own the DVD and this field guide, which I go back to again and again for ideas on how to light portraits.

One Light Field Guide $28.00

8. Manfrotto Tabletop Tripod

This addition to the Christmas list comes from a friend in the Cream City Flickr group, Lukinosity, as one of his most-used items. When I can’t carry a full-size tripod, this tabletop tripod will be found in my bag. I actually packed both for my last trip, and didn’t end up using it because I had the full-sized version along. But where you need (or want) to pack light, this is a sturdy little tripod. It comes with a tripod head (usually those things are separate) and costs under $40! What a deal!

Manfrotto Tabletop Tripod $39.10

9. Flickr Account

We all need a little help from our friends. In this blog post, I’ve mentioned a number of friends from the Cream City Flickr group, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Flickr is a great photo sharing site. You can not only display photos, but you can comment and review comments of others, and join groups focused on a variety of things, like subject matter, gear used, and locale. The Cream City group gets together the third Saturday of every month for a photowalk. There is a lot of technical information shared, but also a great deal of companionship and good cheer. My thanks to my friend, Mike, for introducing me to Flickr in 2007. Why not introduce your friend to this great group of people by purchasing a gift of a Flickr pro account? Flickr is free, but with a pro account, you get unlimited uploads, unlimited sets and collections, access to your original files (a nice little backup), statistics on your photos, and ad-free browsing and sharing.

Flickr Pro Account $24.95

10. Think Tank Case Management 20 Bag

Last, but not least, my favorite organizer, the Think Tank Case Management 20 bag. It is the perfect bag for organizing small items you need to bring along. When I travel, I have one for cords, one for batteries/cleaning items, and one for filters. They come with these little red bungy cords to keep your cords organized. I absolutely love these bags. Why not buy one and fill it with little treats?

Think Tank Case Management 20 Bag $21.75

Well, I hope this little guide helps make the holidays a little brighter for you and the photographer in your life!

Take me back to My Irie Time…
NOTICE: W photography, through its sister site, myirietime.com, is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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Nevis – Part Two: Sunshine and The Killer Bee12.07.11

Welcome to Sunshine’s

When you tell people you just got back from Nevis, they either ask, “Where is Nevis?” or “Did you get a Killer Bee from Sunshine’s?”

Sunshine’s Beach Bar is an institution on Pinney’s Beach, just a short walk from the Four Seasons. We arrived on Nevis just as the sun was setting, and after being shown to our rooms, we changed clothes and headed to Sunshine’s.

Sunset on Pinney’s Beach

Take a seat

Looking around Sunshine’s, you can see the love of the patrons over the years. The ceiling is covered with flags from schools, states, and organizations.

Flags adorn Sunshine’s

It was clear that a number of Wisconsin residents had visited!

On Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Flag

The walls are covered in license plates from every corner of the earth.

Sunshine’s from Brazil

License Plates at Sunshine’s

Having heard about the Killer Bee, I had to give it a try. I tried three. In retrospect, I should have stopped at two. They sneak up on you. That fresh grating of nutmeg on top is deceptive. The sweetness convinces you that this is a fabulous rum punch, and it is, but watch your step. There’s a good dose of high octane rum in that drink.

Sunshine’s “Killer Bee”

Love that Nutmeg

Next time, I’ll work in a few Tings.

Ting (without the zing)

Luckily, I was able to taste the food before I lost consciousness. We were starving after a long journey which began at 3:00 a.m., Central Standard Time, and that’s 1:00 a.m. Nevis time. We ordered the ribs, the shrimp, the conch salad, and the chicken wings. The chicken wings were our favorite, and required a return visit.

Conch Salad

Shrimp

Ribs

Chicken Wings

We had a little friend come visit, but we weren’t sharing!

Sunshine Puppy

We had to return, and did a number of times. One afternoon, we popped over, just as daytrippers from St. Kitts were concluding their visit. We saw a number of boats make the daily trek from St. Kitts over to Sunshine’s while we were soaking up the sun in front of the resort.

Sunshine’s, from the beach

Pull up a chair

Daytrippers from St. Kitts

There was also a birthday party that afternoon.

Birthday Party at Sunshine’s

Relaxing at Sunshine’s

Sunshine, taking care of his customers

We grabbed a few Caribs at the bar and sat back to soak it in.

Caribs at Sunshine’s

View of St. Kitts

We ordered some more of those great chicken wings, and I ordered the “Sunshine Salad.” When I asked what was in it, I was told, “lots of love.” I couldn’t turn that down. By the way, the salad was spectacular.

More of those fabulous wings

Sunshine Salad, Made with Love

While we were there, we ran into Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea does hair braiding, and she is quick with a kind greeting as you pass her on the beach. She’ll also tell you about all the great local places to eat.

Sweet Pea

I have to say that I am most impressed that on Nevis, when you stop in at someone’s place, the owner greets you and welcomes you personally. We had a great time chatting with Sunshine and the folks at his place. There’s no mystery why Sunshine’s is on everyone’s list for their visit to Nevis.

Last night at Sunshine’s

Read other parts of our trip report on Nevis:

Part One: Four Seasons Nevis

Part Three: Rodney’s Cuisine

Part Four: Bars of Pinney’s Beach

Part Five: Source Trail Hike with Sheldon

Part Six: On the Nevis Heritage Trail

Part Seven: New Castle and the Mighty Yaris

For more shots from our trip to Nevis, check out the Nevis Gallery:

Nevis Gallery

Take me back to My Irie Time…

From W photography, post Nevis – Part Two: Sunshine and The Killer Bee

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Nevis – Part 1: Four Seasons Nevis12.03.11

Four Seasons Nevis

We’re just back from nine days in Nevis. It was our first visit to the island, so I did a great deal of homework online to decide what to see and where to stay. First, a little bit about Nevis. It is a 36 square-mile island at the center of which is Nevis Peak, which rises 3,232 feet. Nevis was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, and was called “Nuestra Senora de Las Nieves” which means “Our Lady of the Snows,” a description of the small cloud which is nearly always present around the peak, resembling snow. The island is home to approximately 10,000 residents. It lies just two miles off the coast of St. Kitts, its sister island.

Our journey to the island began upon our arrival at Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport on St. Kitts, where we were greeted by representatives of the Four Seasons Nevis. Our hosts transported us to Basseterre Harbor, where we took the Four Seasons’ private boat to Nevis. Soon, we were on our way.

Thumbs up, and we’re on our way

On board, we were greeted by the crew and offered a cool, scented towel and boat drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic rum punch.

Jermaine took good care of us on both the trip our and our return.

Jermaine

The ride took about 40 minutes, As you exit the harbor, you see a large area on the southern tip of St. Kitts which is largely untouched. It’s not long before Nevis is in view.

Headed Toward Nevis

Soon the dock is in sight, and you are welcomed by the resort staff to the island of Nevis.

The Dock at the Four Seasons Nevis

Welcome to Nevis!

The resort has a very low profile. The design is in keeping with the local architecture and blends beautifully into the lush landscape.

Cottages at the Four Seasons Nevis

The views from our rooms were stunning!

Views of Mount Nevis

The grounds at the resort are breathtaking. It’s hard to believe that a hurricane severely damaged the resort just a few years ago. It looks as if it was there for years. The plantings are varied and spectacular. I’m not one to take many pictures of plants and flowers, but I couldn’t help myself on this trip.

Travelers Palm

Bird of Paradise, on the path to our cottage

Gorgeous flowers

On the golf course, while on our monkey hunt

More lovely flowers, I can’t identify

This next tree, I could identify. It is locally called the “Shack Shack Tree,” but is also known as Poinciana or Flamboyant Tree (Delonix regia), and is the national tree of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Shack Shack Tree on the golf course

Shack Shack Tree

In addition to miles of gorgeous grounds to walk, the resort offers a beautiful beach. It was not like the white sand beaches of Anguilla. The sand was a mix of white and grey sand, apparently a combination of shells and volcanic venting. It looked a warm brown on the beach, but appears to be a dark grey in white light. The beach was very calm in front of the resort. There are two lines of boulders which somewhat define the swimming area, and is loaded with fish, making our daughter, who loves to snorkel, very happy.

Beach at the Four Seasons Nevis, with St. Kitts in the distance

Our beach chairs await

The Four Seasons is known for great service, even at the beach. Upon your arrival, your chair is prepared with a comfy cover and towel. You are then offered water or flavored water. I loved the flavored water, and looked forward to the flavor of the day. On our first day, it was lemongrass, which remains my favorite. We also tried ginger, grapefruit, berry, lemon, and cucumber. Your beach attendant offered a mist of Evian and a cold, scented towel. They were very attentive, and also circulated with treats from time to time, including mango sorbet and coconut macaroons. We are beach people, so we greatly appreciated the wonderful service there.

If you are pool people, the resort has three pools, including an adults-only pool where you could seek some peace if the kids’ fun was not appealing to you. The resort also offers complimentary gear, including snorkeling gear, kayaks, and sailboats.

Kayaks

Come sail away!

We are not generally fans of resort restaurants. That’s not to say that many of the resorts we have visited do not have great restaurants – they do – but we tend to gravitate toward local restaurants. We did have two dinners at the resort’s restaurant, Mango. The food was delicious, and the service gracious, and we were pleasantly surprised. Don’t skip the sweet potato bread at the beginning of your meal. We also loved the vegetable roti, the fisherman’s stew, and the plantain-crusted dorado.

Mango at the Four Seasons Nevis

Every morning at The Four Seasons was spent at Neve for breakfast. We are fortunate to have a fantastic travel agent, Nancy Yale, of Cruise Resort and World Travel. Nancy was able to negotiate breakfast for all of us included in our room, so we were able to enjoy a spectacular buffet every morning. The buffet was varied and had new offerings each morning. It was a great way to start the day!

Neve at the Four Seasons Nevis

The Four Seasons is also within walking distance of some great beach bars, Sunshine’s, Chevy’s, and Double Deuce. More on those visits in later posts!

Although we did not check out every restaurant at the resort, we did check out the bars. Our favorite was the Library Bar, just off the main lobby. Our favorite bartender there was Candy, who was a great conversationalist and mixed up a great cocktail. My favorite was the “Mangojito,” a signature drink of the resort which is a refreshing mix of mint, rum, and mango puree.

The “Mangojito”

“Ting with a Zing”

“Mango Madness”

Sugar Cane Rums at The Library Bar

Not my drink, but lovely anyway!

The Library Bar at the Four Seasons Nevis

The Library Bar at the Four Season Nevis

Bar at Cabana

We had heard so much about the Green Vervet monkey, but saw just a few as they raced in front of our rental car. We heard that if you went out on the golf course at 4:30 in the afternoon, you could catch a glimpse. We walked the course, and spied some small brown creatures on the 15th fairway. At one point, my husband counted 47 monkeys, young and old, playing and sunning themselves. Mission accomplished!