A flying visit to St. Kitts
St. Kitts may be small but it certainly packs a punch when it comes to Caribbean flair, as eight agents found out on a two-day British Airways' fam trip, held from March 18-20.
The agents' welcome was warm and full of Kittitian spirit and included a few ‘Ting with a sting’ rum-based cocktails – a well-known tipple on the island. And it wasn’t long before they settled into the relaxed pace of the Caribbean.
The first taster of island food was offered with lunch at the Belle Mont Farm, before the group checked into the Park Hyatt, a five-star resort that overlooks charming Christophe Harbour. The agents embarked on a full site visit at the swanky resort, with its three exellent restaurants, which opened in November 2017.
This inspection was followed by a visit to the Sugar Bay Club Hotel Suites, located on the lively Frigate Bay, and set amidst five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens drifting down to the Atlantic Ocean.
A short drive saw the group transfer to Timothy Beach, located on South Frigate
Bay Beach – a golden stretch of sand with great snorkelling opportunities – and then onto the St. Kitts Marriott for a delicious seafood lunch before finishing with the Royal St. Kitts and its impressive golf course and private lagoon.
The next overnight for the agents was the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI), where they were treated to views of sister island, Nevis. The hotel is famous for serving up St.
Kitts favourites such as salted codfish and johnny cake.
Dinner was enjoyed at Marshall’s Restaurant in
Frigate Bay, hosted by St Kitts Tourism Association. Along with enjoying a poolside setting, menu choices included crab cakes, lobster thermidor and house-made sorbets to cool down after a busy day.
The final day gave agents the chance to familiarise themselves with one of
St. Kitts’ natural gems, the rainforest, which covers a third of the island.
The best way to see it was via a rainforest jeep safari with local guide O’Neil (see his column, opposite). Commonly sighted are vervet monkeys and mongoose, along with 35 different bird species. For those feeling up to it, there’s also the peak of Mount Liamuiga to summit, the highest point on the island.
Even on such a short trip, the agents left having had a real St. Kitts experience that won’t be quickly forgotten.
* British Airways operates a twice-weekly service to St. Kitts, via Antigua.