Laid-baCk, lovely sT kiTTs
Bright, cheerful island is a typically tropical delight
The Caribbean island that is always cheerful.
ST Kitts in the Caribbean was first sighted by Christopher Columbus back in 1493.
More than 500 years on, I’m visiting the beautiful and tranquil island with my sister, Linda, for a once-in-alifetime trip.
Even from a distance, it looks idyllic, with its rolling green mountains and the beautiful flamboyant trees (actually the delonix regia) dripping with vibrant orange and yellow blooms – the St Kitts and Nevis fiery national flower.
The harbour in St Kitts’ busy capital, Basseterre, is where the big cruise ships dock, so it’s a great place to pick up local, handmade souvenirs.
And, depending on which day you arrive, you may be lucky to catch the market.
Sadly, the hugely popular St Kitts Scenic Railway was on a break when we arrived but its well-worth jumping on board when in service.
The railway serves as a unique legacy of the sugar industry which survived until 2005 and takes passengers 18 miles along a narrow coastal line built to transport sugar cane around the island.
Instead, we made our way to The Amazing Grace Experience in Sandy Points, which tells the story of how clergyman John Newton came to write the famous hymn in the 18th Century.
Next, an excursion to The Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reaching the hill-top fortress is worth the hike for the stunning views alone.
Also within the park is the former sugar plantation Wingfield Estate Romney Manor, now home to glorious botanical gardens.
Feasting on a picnic lunch under a centuries-old saman tree that covers nearly half an acre is a real treat.
After lunch, we pop into the nearby Caribelle Batik for a demonstration of the labourintensive waxing and dying process needed to produce the eye-catching batik cloth.
It’s used to make a range of products such as purses, bags and dresses, all of which can be bought from the adjoining shop which is bright and cheery thanks to its colourful wares.
But if you fancy something a bit more adventurous, the island offers a Sky Safari zipline, quad biking, rain
forest hikes, bicycle tours, horseback riding and golf.
Or you can immerse yourself in the laid-back lifestyle with a wee rum punch or an ice cold Ting, a fizzy grapefruit flavour drink, in one of the island’s beachside bars that overlook the tranquil, turquoise ocean.
Our base was the St Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino, a massive complex that somehow still managed to feel exclusive.
It offers access to a beautiful beach and a big pool, ideal for sunbathing.
But one of its most unique features is an “up-to-the-minute island weather report” provided on the grounds. It’s a coconut hanging on a string beside a board which reads: “If the coconut is wet, it’s raining. If the coconut is swaying, it’s windy. If the coconut is hot, it’s sunny. If the coconut is cool, it’s cloudy. And if the coconut is gone, it’s a hurricane.”
It might not be the most accurate way to plan your day excursions but it made us smile, and perfectly summed up the St Kitts way of life.