VI Property & Yacht March 2012

Virgin Islands

PR OPERTY&YACHT MARCH 2012 MARCH 2012

Rhumb house A bright, luminous home atop a promonitory on Tortola’s southern shore.

Rousing regatta envy The BVI Spring Regatta and St Thomas Rolex Regatta share VI waterways.

the estate at spring bay A St Thomas retreat transforms 20 waterfront acres into pure bliss.

Keeping a steady course with your investments is a precondition for reaching your goals, whether you rely on our advice or entrust us to manage your portfolio along the course you have plotted.

VP Bank – your partner.

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Providing bespoke banking services in Liechtenstein +423 235 6655, Switzerland +41 44 226 2424, Luxembourg +352 404 7771, British Virgin Islands +1 284 494 1100 and Singapore +65 6305 0050.

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Homes For Sale Captain’s House $1,150,000

South Watch $2,000,000

Villa Zenaida $1,300,000

Elysium $1,485,000

Fort Recovery Villa $2,950,000

Summer Heights $2,100,000

Rhumb House $7,500,000

Frenchman’s Lookout Estate $10,000,000

A

real estate agent is more than just a "sales person." Their job is to act on your behalf as your agent, providing you with advice and guidance and helping you buy or sell a home.

You need the most current information about what has sold or is for sale and the only reliable way to get that is with an informed agent. There are currently so many properties on the market it is difficult for a buyer to keep track of them all. If you are in the market to buy or sell, it would be advisable to use a Real Estate Agent who has extensive knowledge and experience in the local market. They can make recommendations that create a win-win situation for both buyer and seller. Hiring a “pro” with the education and experience can save a lot of time in a lengthy process. Real estate agents network with other professionals, such as lawyers and Government officials, who provide the services you will need to buy or sell. They can give you a list of references, such as inspectors, surveyors and appraisors, with whom they have worked and can provide the background information you need to make a wise selection. Agents negotiate well because, unlike most buyers and sellers, they can remove themselves from the emotional aspects of the transaction. Many questions can pop up that were overlooked in the excitement of closing. Maritha Keil and her team at British Virgin Islands Sotheby's International Realty offer the experience and intimate local knowledge necessary to overcome the many hurdles of selling and purchasing property and help to smooth the road to home ownership.

CONTACT: Maritha Keil British Virgin Islands Sotheby's International Realty t +1. 284.494.5700 m +1.284.340.5555 maritha.keil@sothebysrealty.com

British Virgin Islands Sotheby's International Realty | Mill Mall, Road Town, Tortola, BVI | t +1.284.494.5700 | homes@bvisir.com | bvisir.com Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

3

Virgin Islands

PR OPERTY&YACHT

March 2012

Features

9 Rhumb House

12 Rousing Regatta Envy

22 The Estate at Spring Bay

By Traci O'Dea

By Dan O'Connor

By Dan O’Connor

Bold, bright and beautiful, this hilltop home embodies Caribbean charm.

The BVI Spring Regatta and St Thomas Rolex Regatta attract sailing enthusiasts from around the globe.

Five minutes from Red Hook, this St Thomas gem sits upon 20 acres of pristine shoreline property.

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27

30

By Dan O'Connor

By Susan Zaluski

Sailing pro Peter Holmberg took some time to reflect on spring sailing in the Virgin Islands.

A Jost Van Dyke conservationist reports on the state of waterbirds in the Virgin Islands.

A BVI marine biologist reports on the geological make up of the beautiful beaches of the Virgin Islands.

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38

44

By Steve Fox

By Aragorn Dick-Read

By Dan O'Connor

49

50

53

By Traci O’Dea

By Susie Younkle

By Willa Tavernier

Ask a Pro: Peter Holmberg

Wild, Wonderful Waterbirds

By Shannon Gore

Crafting the Caribbean

Tools of the Trade

Decking out a Yacht

Stocking Up for a Spring-Break Sail

55

Is a Beach Just a Beach?

The Maritime Museum

When a Home Fails Inspection

56

Roof to Cistern: Covering Your House

Classifieds

By Traci O’Dea

www.bvipy.com Virgin Islands Property & Yacht is published eleven times a year (February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December/January) by aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110.

Copyright 2010 by aLookingGlass Ltd. All pieces reproduced in this issue are under prior copyright by the creators or by the contractual arrangments with their clients.

Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of the creators and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership.

The publisher of VI Property & Yacht, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications.

Direct all advertising sales inquiries to: Email: sales@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 ext. 103 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail to: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110

Editorial and Business Office: aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7 Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Web: www.alookingglass.com Email: info@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail to: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110

MAGNIFICENT 10 ACRE WATERFRONT ESTATE GREAT CAMANOE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Located on the private island estate of Great Camanoe with easy access to Beef Island. t spectacular ocean, island and sunset views t total privacy t approx. 1000’ of waterfront t private jetty t historic 3 bedroom main house t separate 1 bedroom guest cottage t built in 1960’s using primarily local stone t established tropical gardens t about 10 acres

GUIDE PRICE $4.25M

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This immaculate 3 bed hillside home has been exceptionally well maintained & is ‘move in’ ready. t stunning views of Sir. Francis Drake Channel, St. John and Soper’s Hole t great breezes and sunset views t very private, gated community t approx. 10 mins from Nanny Cay Marina, Soper’s Hole Marina and West End Ferry Dock t beautifully landscaped, well maintained gardens t easy access to Tortola’s best beaches t about 0.54 acres GUIDE PRICE $1.495M

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www.coldwellbankerbvi.com www.bvipy.com MARCH 2012

5

Cover: The palmed pathway leading to the Rhumb House.

Photo by Rainbow VIsions, courtesy of Sotheby’s.

Editor's Letter M a r c h

Chief Editor Dan O'Connor Contributors Traci O'Dea Susie Younkle Willa Tavernier Shannon Gore

Dan O'Connor

“It isn’t that life ashore is distasteful to me. But life at sea is better.”

—Sir Francis Drake

Susan Zaluski Art Director Nick Cunha Graphic Designer Akiya Brewley Web Developer aLookingGlass Advertising Owen Waters Stephen Leslie France Distribution Coordinator Francoise Frank (BVI) Debi Cashen (USVI) Distribution Cool Air (BVI) Speedy Services (USVI) Publisher aLookingGlass Ltd. Road Town, Tortola British VIrgin Islands Colin Rathbun, CEO Nick Cunha, COO

2 0 1 2

In the Virgin Islands, March means the peak of sailing season. The winds are just right, the seas are high, the sails are full—and regattas are in full swing. This month, we celebrate the St Thomas International Rolex Regatta and BVI Spring Regatta, two major races that happen to fall one after another. For the nautically enthused, life couldn’t get much sweeter.

In this issue, I spoke to key players in both Virgin Islands regattas to find out what’s in store this year. Regatta revelers new and old similarly spoke highly of the two competitive yet fun-spirited events, even though some questioned whether the April 2 to 7 scheduling of Les Voiles de Saint Barth would affect the number of entries in the BVI this year. At either rate, many of the big-name players had already affirmed their commitment to the event.

I caught up with St Thomas pro Peter Holmberg, who regaled in fond memories of sailing in early regattas with his father and close childhood friends. He also touched on high performance trends making their way into the regattas this year. The seasoned vet said he wouldn’t miss either regatta for the world.

While much of this issue remained wet in theme, Traci O’Dea stayed dry at Nora Hazel Point on Tortola’s southern shore. There, the bold and beautiful Rhumb House stands as a testament to charismatic architecture and interior design at their finest.

She skipped across koi ponds and pondered animated colour schemes in this oneof-a-kind luxury property.

I jumped over to St Thomas for the day to visit what surely could be considered one of the most significant Virgin Islands estates established over the past 50 years.

The Estate at Spring Bay carves out its stake within 20 acres of pristine waterfront property, hidden away from an otherwise bustling island appropriately dubbed Rock City. The immaculate 10-bedroom property boasts an old-school elegance and timeless charm, and, at a five-minute drive from Red Hook, a wonderful retreat from reality.

Flip through these pages for more fun and informative pieces which hopefully find you enjoying your time here in the VI. Surely, many readers will be accounting for this month’s anticipated high turn outs on the high seas. Continue reading, and good luck on the water . . .

Full sails ahead!

Dougall & Associates

Real Estate BVI Property For Sale

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We add the professional touch to your BVI real estate needs. Whether you wish to buy, sell, or rent a home, purchase land to build a tropical dream home of your own, or become an investor in a growing and vibrant real estate market, we are here to assist you at every step in the process.

Bonnie Dougall Managing Partner

(284) 495-3003 l info@realestatebvi.net

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

7

You don’t have to walk for miles, Drakes traders has the best in building supplies.

’ Traders Ltd. Drakes P.O Box 623 Road Town, Tortola, BVI | T(284)494-3282 | F(284)494-4382 | E: drakestraders@surfbvi.com | W: www.drakestraders.com

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

Bold,Bright &

BEAUTIFUL

By Traci O’Dea

Rhumb House Above: The expansive tiled deck and pool.

Below-left: Imported marble floors and interior gardens compete with the stunning views.

All photos by Rainbow Visions Photography.

When I visited Rhumb House on Nora Hazel Point between Brandywine Bay and Buck Island, I was tickled to see jewel-tone and pastel interiors mingling with vivid tropical flora and kaleidoscopic exterior scenes.

The owners and designers clearly chose their colour palette from the spectrum of shades that blossom year-round in the Virgin Islands, so each time I turned a corner or entered another doorway, a fresh combination of sparkling hues surprised and delighted me among indoor gardens and potted palms. Rhumb House is bold and bright and proud atop an outcropping hill with southern views from Virgin Gorda to St John.

My first impression of Rhumb House was the palm-lined pathway (view VIPY cover photo) surrounded by landscaped and lily-laden koi ponds on the side lawn that leads to a circular patio and large, round wrought iron table overlooking Paraquita Bay and beyond into the Sir Francis Drake Channel. The tiled path, with symmetrically spaced natural columns—palm trunks—planted along the edge, led my eyes to the sky above— an azure heaven strewn with white translucent clouds and framed by palm fronds.

Behind the house, I regaled at the scopious panorama from the sprawling back patio—the view extended beyond my field of vision. As I crossed the expansive tiled patio and pool area, more islands came into view. After taking in as much sea and sky as I could, I stepped inside Rhumb House. The labyrinthine paths, stepping stones over koi ponds and semi-secret hallways made me feel as if I were in the pages of an illustrated fairytale. The house sprawls and stretches in new directions at every turn.

Rhumb House is a family home. The huge dining tables inside and outside offer the perfect settings for long, lingering meals and bottles of wine. Living rooms, reading www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

9

Above: The views expand beyond the camera’s reach.

Opposite: Boulders in the koi pond serve as a stepping-stone junction.

rooms and a TV room all face the sea, and each has its

bedroom with bespoke bookshelves and a marine theme

motifs decorated in a combination of upholstered fabrics,

conjures sailing in the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Another

carved antiques and custom-made cabinetry. The pool

bedroom, this one painted periwinkle with blue and green

area, vast lawns and patios encourage outdoor play

marble floors, feels like floating in an underwater seascape.

for all generations—I can almost hear barefoot children

All bedroom suites have en suite bathrooms decked out in

laughing in the grass and the knock of bocce balls on the

unique, vivid colour schemes with glossy imported Egyptian,

bocce court. Adjacent to the bocce court, inside a sort of

Italian, French, South American and Asian floor-to-ceiling

breezeway, a comfy, yellow games room features a pool

hand-painted tiles that evoke shelves full of sweets in

table and pub-like corner seats. These are the rooms where

boardwalk candy shops. The effect of the resplendent hues

memories are made.

of the tiles and marble floors in each suite brings inside a bit

While the common rooms and outdoor spaces are

of the Caribbean colours found outside: lavender sunsets,

designed for mingling and playing with family and friends,

yellow poui flowers, pink oleander, green palm-leaves, azure

each of the six bedroom suites is like its own villa for low-

blue seas, or all the colours side-by-side in morning shower

key relaxing and privacy. The lavender master suite with

rainbows. Though each bedroom offers air-conditioning,

its green and white marble checkerboard tiled floor

soft tradewinds from the Channel blow through every room.

sparkles with stunning arched windows and doorways.

Waiting to be discovered throughout the house are

The same arches are repeated in the pink and green

inspired touches found nowhere else in the BVI. Again,

tiled bathroom with its double-headed shower and

these touches serve to bring island scenes to the interior.

120-degree views. The master bedroom is furnished in

An indoor koi pool in imported ceramic tile and bordered

Victorian style furniture with a four-poster bed, marble-

with hand-painted tiles includes sunken potted palms as

top desk, and striped settees.

well as sunken boulders as stepping stones which lead to the traditional study. The study features two desks, reading

Behind the house, I regaled at the scopious panorama from the sprawling back patio—the view extended beyond my field of vision.

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

The remaining five bedrooms are equally as bright. A pink

own decorative flair—from sailing scenes to palm-tree

Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

chairs and built-in, hardwood bookshelves. An indoor

tropical flower garden opens to the sky, and lush foliage

obscures the entrance to the sixth bedroom suite. Corridors

with open ceilings illuminate the house and harness the breeze and sky.

Also on the property, tucked neatly down the hill from

with stunning views over the Channel and Paraquita Bay.

Rhumb House, is a two-bedroom caretaker’s cottage Bedrooms again have cathedral ceilings and en suite bathrooms with private balconies. A kitchen opens up to

the living area and a large deck. The vibrant colours of the main house have found their way into the caretaker’s cottage as well with its pink walls and playful tiled bathrooms.

Rhumb House Summary Neighbourhood - Nora Hazel Point, Tortola

For more info contact:

Bedrooms - Six

Maritha Keil

Bathrooms - Six (en suite) and a half

t (284)494.5700

Swimming Pool - Yes Size - 1.93 acres

m (284)340.5555 e maritha.keil@sothebysrealty.com

Price - US$7,500,000

Before leaving the property, I revisited the outdoor areas—the

a few minutes’ drive encourage spontaneous explorations of the

palm tree-lined tiled koi path, the extensive back patio and the large

numerous islands, beaches, bays and cays that entice from Rhumb

tiled pool. The seascape before me was too much to take in. I had

House’s panoramas.

to look away before turning back and trying to focus on individual

The sophisticated style and elegance of Rhumb House embrace

scenes—Flanagan Island, Norman, Peter, Round Rock, Salt, Cooper,

the colour palette of the islands and incorporate it into the

Fallen Jerusalem, Virgin Gorda, and all the outcroppings in between.

kaleidoscopic décor that also borrows textures and materials from the

I could only imagine the dome of sky lit up at night with the moon

islands—bamboo, palm trees, rippling pools, granite boulders, marble

in the clouds and stars speckled across the black.

and hardwood. While bold and proud, the gated property also

Rhumb House, atop a promontory on the south side of Tortola, is

remains utterly private among close to two acres of lawns and

conveniently located 10 minutes away from both Beef Island airport

gardens landscaped with meandering trails among trees and palms

and from Road Town, the capital city of the British Virgin Islands

bearing mangos, soursops, coconuts, bananas and papayas. PY

and hub of BVI shopping and nightlife. Numerous marinas within

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

11

By Dan O’Connor

Every year around this time, the serene waters from St Thomas, through the Sir Francis Drake Channel clear to Anegada, become replete with beautiful sailboats, their sheets full with warm and constant Virgin Islands trade winds.

Rousing RegattaEnvy

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

TP52 World Champion, Team QUANTUM Sailing races to windward.

Photo courtesy of St Thomas Yacht Club.

From a distance, one could get lost in the sight of the busied waters; on the deck of the boat, it’s easy to get lost in the beauty of the sea. For the avid racer, the wind and water conditions combine for ideal racing. It comes with little surprise that year after year hundreds of boats and thousands of spectators travel from near and far to participate in the St Thomas Yacht Club Rolex Regatta and the BVI Spring Regatta.

The two famed regattas fall on successive weeks, allowing many to enjoy an extended vacation on both St Thomas and Tortola— and each territory equally benefits from the economic boost. Both regattas cater to the competitive, but both also offer a friendly and inviting mix of aquatic enthusiasts eager to have a good time in the name of sailing.

This year, regatta organizers said they’re optimistic about having a large turnout with participants ranging in age and gender from seafront and land locked locations around the world. The Rolex Regatta expects to see some 80 high-performance IRC, CSA and one-design boats registered to compete in aggressive sailing on the dramatic coastlines of St Thomas and nearby St John. Organizers of Above: Racers take to the high seas during last year’s St Thomas Rolex Regatta. Photo courtesy of St Thomas Yacht Club.

the BVI Spring Regatta are also expecting a full slate, with about 120 entries signed up to compete in fleet and match racing events.

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

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Rolex Regatta Everyone wants to win a Rolex. Every year, racers largely from the United States come down in numbers with magnificent racing machines to compete for their chance to walk home with the one-of-a-kind luxury watch. And in it’s 39th year, Rolex Regatta Director Bill Canfield said the allure of the race continues to draw people in.

“We’re very pleased with the way the regatta has evolved,” he said..

“We’re looking at our best fleet ever, with four IRCs coming and three or four Farr four hundreds.”

The impressive fleet will try their luck—and test their skill—against some of the best in the business. This year’s high performance rule (HPR) brings a whole new level of competition to the regatta. HPR Decision’s Program Manager William Gammell describes the rule as a “purely race-driven rating platform” that promotes building the fastest boats possible for owners who want an all-out racer. He further explained that the HPR, as a pure measurement rule,

Team LIME from the BVI competed in both 2011 regattas.

Photo courtesy of St Thomas Yacht Club.

The two famed regattas fall on successive weeks, allowing many to enjoy an extended vacation on both St Thomas and Tortola—and each territory equally benefits from the economic boost.

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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“Rolex is always a very challenging Regatta; everybody loves a Rolex, it’s always very challenging, and it’s always a good competition.”

— Lugo Fraito

continue to make the Rolex Regatta a must-attend event year after year. Puerto Rico’s Fraito Lugo will be competing in his 22nd Rolex this year on his IC24. The opportunity, he said, affords him a chance to promote the class he believes draws the most competitive of racers.

“Day by day we continue to see more draw to the class,” said Lugo, who has collected eight Rolex watches in his more than two decades of racing in the event. “Rolex is always a

allows owners and designers to determine their ratings as they design the boats, without the variability of subjective “black box” components or other rules.

“We are very excited about this new rating concept and the idea of a small, fast, seaworthy boat that can compete at the highest echelons of the sport and is relatively easy to transport to premier events around the world,” said Gammell, adding that his team will be sailing in the RORC Caribbean 600 and St Maarten Heineken Regatta before arriving in St Thomas for the International Rolex Regatta. From there, and like many other high performance racers, Gammell and crew will be skipping over the BVI Spring Regatta heading straight to the Les Voiles de Saint Barth.

very challenging Regatta; everybody loves a Rolex, it’s always very challenging, and it’s always a good competition.”

The annual St Thomas International Rolex Regatta is the oldest regatta in Rolex’s yachting portfolio and one of the most venerable of Caribbean spring events. It has a stellar reputation for race management, offering a variety of courses ideally configured to test a sailor’s skills while showcasing the stunning shoreline. Included are the first day’s harbor races from the St Thomas Yacht Club to Charlotte Amalie Harbour and back, testing everyone’s focus; the second day’s island race will send competitors short tacking the length of St John’s south shoreline; and the final day’s sound race will test racer’s determination on complex courses around the cays of Pillsbury Sound.

This year’s optimistic prospects will bring many first-timers eager to put their high-performance racers to the test. But the regatta will undoubtedly bring back seasoned vets who

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

15

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Year after year, the famed event attracts some of the world’s most renowned yachts and sailors in the sport.

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Fleet racers take to the Sir Francis Drake Channel during the 2011 BVI Spring Regatta.

Photo by Todd VanSickle.

BVI Spring Regatta The BVI Spring Regatta has a lot to look forward to in its 41st year in the territory. Year after year, the famed event attracts some of the world’s most renowned yachts and sailors in the business.

The legendary 80-foot Whitbread Maxi, for example, topped the list as one of the notable early entries. The boat is in original and pristine condition and has been continuously maintained by its present Scandinavian owners. Briton Richard Balding’s Swan 60 Fenix was the best placed Swan in last year’s RORC Caribbean Sign up online at

www.aeropost.com/eis T: 284 494 0707 info@tortolaexpress.com www.tortolaexpress.com

16

VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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600, and will again be gracing the BVI Spring Regatta as a competitor. Entries in February included competitors from around the world, including Croatia, Holland, Russia, South America and Scandinavia.

The BVI Spring Regatta draws a varied list of competitors, from high performance fleet racers and match racing skippers. The GILL BVI International Match Racing Championship, an ISAF Grade 3 event, will take place with the help of Chicago

Real Estate miths Gore opened its office in the British Virgin Islands in 1965.

The firm was established in the UK in 1845 and currently operates from 26 offices. While the Caribbean practice is based in the BVI, there has been a tendency to specialize in the sale, management and valuation of properties throughout the region.

British Virgin Islands Britannic Hall, P.O. Box 135, Road Town, Tortola T 1(284) 494 2446 E renata@smithsgore.com United Kingdom 17-18 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4PT T +44 (0) 207 290 1616 E michelle.persaud@sgcommercial.co.uk

Match Racing Centre Coordinator Mary Anne Ward. The event has attracted an international field of eight teams. Lead sponsor GILL is gearing up to bring participants new blocks and gear to provide the highest level of competition.

This year, the BVI Spring Regatta will host the third edition of the International

“Tis not too late to seek another world” –Tennyson

www.smithsgore.com

Yacht Club Challenge. Racing in one-design Sunsail yachts, the victor will win the generous prize of a week’s charter. Multiple bareboat classes from a range of yachts are available from regatta partner the Moorings, ranging in size from 37 to 55 feet. Easy access to charter options provide traveling racers of all levels the option to participate without having to ship or drive their vessels hundreds or thousands of miles to the event. The yearly event fuels the local economy, generating some $3 million annually, according to regatta Director Judy Petz.

Across the board, fine sailing conditions are expected to be the main draw to both acclaimed regattas; packed parties at tropical locales keep revelers coming back. Some might note that residents living in the Virgin Islands are quite spoiled, especially this time of the year, with two renowned regattas falling in succession. Without getting too big a head, it’s safe to say that the Virgin Islands is the ideal place to call home during this time of the year. PY www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

17

Photo courtesy of Peter Holmberg.

Ask a Pro:

Interview conducted by VIPY Editor Dan O’Connor.

Holmberg on Spring Sailing

Sailing great Peter Holmberg has been racing in both of this month’s big regattas since day one. And since day one, he said his enthusiasm for sailing his native Virgin Islands’ waters has remained constant. Holmberg recently took some time to reminisce on his fonder memories of years past, while taking a look ahead.

VIPY: How many years have you competed in the

as trends change and new generations of

visiting yachts. This year Rolex will unofficially score

St Thomas Rolex Regatta and BVI Spring Regatta?

racers emerge?

yachts under a new rule being developed, the

PH: I have raced in the Rolex and BVI Spring

PH: The trend that I see emerging over the years

High Performance Rule. This is a nice gesture to

Regatta since the very beginning. I crewed for my

has been of both the serious and the fun, taking

help sailors decide how well this new rule works

father for many years as a kid, and then went on

their pursuits further. The serious racers have taken

before buying into it.

to racing my own boat.

advantage of new technology to find new faster boats and sails, and train harder, thus lifting the

VIPY: What classes will you be competing in

VIPY: How would you describe the conditions on

level of competition very high. The fun side has

this year?

the Virgin Islands waters this time of the year?

also grown, with many people using the regattas

PH: I now race professionally and earn my living

PH: March and April are probably the best months

as an opportunity to get together with friends for

racing sailboats for various clients. This year I will

for sailing in the region. The weather is most stable

some semi-competitive sailing.

race with a TP 52 named Highland Fling in the

VIPY: This year marks the first at Rolex for High

boat and we are really looking forward to pushing

Performance ruling. How will this change the

it hard in the local conditions.

during this period which give us the classic trade wind conditions, 10-20 knots from the east. Purely perfect sailing conditions.

racing division. This is a new high-performance

dynamics of the competition?

VIPY: The smooth sailing conditions have remained

PH: Rolex added an IRC class several years ago

VIPY: What are you looking forward to most about

consistent through the past few decades of racing

to meet the growing trend of racing world-wide

the upcoming races?

in the Virgin Islands, but what sort of changes have

that was using this measurement rule, like simply

PH: I am really looking forward to the coming

you noticed among the sailing and the races

adding another item to the menu to better attract

racing season in the Caribbean. The region has

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really earned a reputation for great racing, and we are seeing more and more teams include the Caribbean circuit in their racing itinerary.

The grand prix boats in our size range, 45-65 feet, will see a very healthy attendance this year, so I expect some great racing.

VIPY: What are a couple of your fondest memories sailing in these regattas?

PH: My best memories of racing in the Rolex Regatta were the early days with my father where I learned so much about being a good sailor. And my best memory of the BVI Spring Regatta was the year I raced my J29 with my best friends as crew and it blew 25 and we won by a large margin each day.

VIPY: The two renowned regattas butt up in concession. Do you ever feel like it’s sailing overdose, or that one trumps the other? Or do you think the regattas pair well together?

PH: I believe staging the two regattas on successive weekends is the right formula. There will be years when a boat can only do one event and must choose. But there are more years when they will do both because of the ease of their proximity. And the unique attraction of two events in ten days, with

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

Holmberg at last years Gill BVI International Match Racing Championship. Photo by Todd VanSickle.

some days in between to enjoy the Virgin Islands,

variety of different boats, from small 20 footers, to

is a special attraction that helps us attract the

large 130-foot superyachts, and these different

international competitors.

challenges keep the racing really enjoyable and exciting for me. PY

VIPY: As a seasoned vet and established pro, what has kept you continuously excited about sailing through the years?

PH: I am smart enough to realize that I am extremely fortunate to be able to earn a living doing the sport that I love. I am also very fortunate to sail in a great

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MARCH 2012

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A

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Retreat from Reality The Estate at Spring Bay

VI PROPERTY & YACHT

Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

By Dan O’Connor

The Estate cuts out a private retreat within Spring Bay. Below: Spacious verandahs line the waterfront property.

All Photos by Don Hebert.

The Estate At Spring Bay offers a true oasis, an escape from the otherwise bustling landscape of St Thomas. The gate sweeps open to a vast 10-bedroom property on 20-acres on its own private bay, hideaway five minutes from Red Hook, the perfect reprieve from the real world.

A manicured landscape, complete with an array of indigenous vegetation, welcomes guests from the gate to the great house. There, surreal panoramas open from Spring Bay’s sheltered cove. The great house stands as a testament to evolved architecture, combining more than fifty years of renovation—eaach responsible for what the owners describe as a “labour of love.” Between the immaculate man-made beauty evident in the main house, and the undeniable natural splendor encompassing the property, The Estate at Spring Bay finds a perfect balance within its surroundings.

Spacious verandahs sprawl outward in a beckoning motion toward the easily accessible waterfront. Areas designated for intimate lounging, dining or lively entertaining are everywhere. The opalescent waters, blended in hues decorated by the intricate reef system and white sands below, become almost too much to resist.

The shore’s edge offers effortless access to inviting waters for swimming, snorkeling, diving and a myriad of other marine activities. A spacious storage room currently houses an array of toys, from glass-bottom kayaks to paddleboards. The soft beach and rocky shorefront are divided by a lengthy pier—a true rarity in the Virgin Islands. There are also two moorings in the bay; one can accommodate an 80-foot vessel, the other a 30-footer. www.bvipy.com

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The main house welcomes guests with a cathedral ceiling designed from cypress wood—which blends in unique harmony with the original blue bit stonework. Within the tri-level main house, modern elegance abounds. Mahogany, Brazilian walnut, linum vitae and cypress woods come together to create a blend of rugged and refined. The spacious great room connects the house with an ideal setting Above: Expansive views from spacious verandahs.

Below: The comfy, soundproof theater room.

for impressive dining and entertaining. I was taken aback at every turn: A sound-proof theatre, lined with cozy couches; a master bedroom suite equipped with its own spacious sitting room and wet bar; a gourmet kitchen, with custom cabinetry built by renowned VI woodworker, George Munzar.

In addition to the seemingly effortless elegance of the great house there are, as one wanders the stone driveways and paths, a myriad of functional, state-of-the-art mechanicals. The de-salinization plant, generator, security and communications systems are definitely 21st century musts. The Estate at Spring Bay is totally self-sufficient—a world unto itself.

Other indulgences include a wine cellar, the envy of any discerning oenophile, and a gym kitted out for an overachiever. Outside, past another spacious verandah, perfect for tented events or live entertainment, a staircase led to what could only be best described as a man-cave

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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A peak into the great house’s main living room.

The Estate at Spring Bay acts as a retreat from reality. With its endless amenities and room for ultimate expansion plans, it’s hard to categorize this immaculate estate. complete with a large flat screen TV, stocked wet bar, pristine

The great house at Spring Bay acts as the anchor to the

billiard table and several gaming tables.

surrounding, gently sloped, undeveloped acreage. The entire

The luxurious main house is flanked by three very private

property is electronically gated and connected by beautifully

cottage counterparts, each with a unique personality. Seven

constructed estate roads built of stone and antique brick, that

Pillars is a two-bedroom residence with large deck and

wind from the entrance down to the welcoming port cochere

charming vista overlooking the bay toward the great house;

at the main residence. With its endless amenities and room for

the Gatehouse spacious two-bedroom home, currently used

ultimate expansion, it’s hard to categorize this extraordinary

as a family office, near the entrance to the property; and a

estate. Without a doubt, it exists as one of the most significant

third, Stone cottage, with its panoramic view of the bay.

properties in the Virgin Islands.

Spring Bay Estate Waterfront Property on 20 acres with pier For more info contact:

Location - Spring Bay, St Thomas Edifices - Main house & three private cottages Amenities - Gym, theater, billiard room, wine cellar two pools & a beach.

Size - 20 acres with a private pier

Rosie Nichols t (340) 642 8981 e rosienichols@gmail.com www.theestateatspringbay.com

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MARCH 2012

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Black-necked stilts flock to a Jost Van Dyke salt pond.

Photos courtesy of Susan Zaluski.

Wild, Wonderful Waterbirds Story by Susan Zaluski, JVD Preservation Society Like many other Caribbean destination, the Virgin Islands hosts

wetland areas. Mangroves and salt ponds are important to our

special company each winter. From Jost Van Dyke to Anegada,

marine health but are often overlooked by visitors in favor of sandy

our visitors, who have left colder climates behind, can be seen

beaches and coral reefs. Home to juvenile fish, tiny crustaceans,

frequenting the territory’s watering holes, lounging in the sun,

aquatic plants and insects, our wetlands offer an extravagant

enjoying fresh Virgin Islands’ fish and seafood and mixing easily

all-you-can-eat buffet for our residents and visiting avian friends,

with local residents. While some tourists travel in comfort to the

including shorebirds, wading birds, waterfowl and perching birds.

Virgin Islands, these feathered guests brave harsh weather and

While bird-watching can be a great leisure activity, sightings

seas, embarking on one of the most epic of world journeys: the

can also offer up important information about the health of our

great migration. Much like our typical tourists, the peak season

fisheries and coastal habitats. Birds’ presence, numbers, nesting and

for our migratory bird visitors begins within a few weeks of the

migration patterns hold potential answers to questions about habitat

New Year holiday.

loss, pollution, global climate change and other environmental

The Virgin Islands are a great place for bird-watching, a

issues.

wonderful pastime that offers an easy way to connect with nature

Whenever we sight a bird, it is like a piece of a puzzle, whether

and enjoy some of the VI’s special coastal habitats, including our

that puzzle is personal, regional or international in scope. Has an

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MARCH 2012

27

From top: the white-cheeked pin tial, green heron and great egret.

amateur bird-watcher just spotted a species he has never seen? Have a few of the flamingos from Anegada’s re-introduced flock taken a brief hiatus to one of the neighboring US Virgin Islands? Is a rare species declining or did it simply detour to another island? Are global migration patterns changing?

Alone, the clues of a sighting are somewhat meaningless. In order to understand what is happening to birds in the region, partners must work together. And this is exactly what is happening through

.

the Caribbean Waterbird Census (CWC), a coordinated regional movement spearheaded by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) which seeks to bring together scientists, government agencies, environmental groups and volunteers to answer the questions of who, what, when, where and why on the status of our region’s waterbirds, or birds dependent on our aquatic environment.

In 2009, a plan was born at a regional gathering for Caribbean ornithologists and conservationists when it was realized that developing a plan to coordinate and standardize the monitoring of waterbirds could be helpful in building overall understanding of these birds while increasing awareness and support of conservation issues related to waterbirds and their habitats. Survey methods were designed with expert ornithologists and wildlife biologists with aims toward accuracy and minimizing error and bias. In the two plus years since the hatching of that plan, two major training workshops have been held in the Caribbean

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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for participating volunteers, NGOs and government agencies to cover more than 20 Caribbean islands. The workshops provided participants with assistance in waterbird identification, design and implementation

From top: students survey a JVD salt pond; a rudy turnstone and a yellowcrowned night heron perch near a salt pond..

of surveys, count training tools, data entry and analysis, and even equipment and materials to establish monitoring activities in their home islands, with the BVI’s Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society and BVI’s Conservation and Fisheries staff members participating in each of the workshops.

In January 2011, the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society developed a waterbird census plan to cover the salt ponds on Jost Van Dyke. In 2012, staff and volunteers from JVDPS, BVI Conservation and Fisheries Department, and BVI National Parks Trust were up at dusk, coordinating counts on several ponds on Tortola and one on Jost Van Dyke. It is hoped that data collected will help provide more information about the region’s birds and even improved knowledge of rare species.

More information can be found online at www.ebird.org, where collected data will be stored. Birding enthusiasts are encouraged to help contribute to regional knowledge by sharing their own observations through the online database or seeing how they might become involved in bird surveys. PY

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MARCH 2012

29

A Beach is Just a Beach

Sand churns with the lapping waves of Smugglers Cove.

Photo by Dan O’Connor.

By Shannon Gore Most people would consider a beach to be where you can sit next to the sea, soak up some rays and drink rum punch. Of course, the beach is also a popular gathering place for friends and families, provides for an ideal daytrip for cruise ship passengers and is one of the most valuable natural resources in the Virgin Islands. But what really is a beach? Do they differ from bay to bay or island to island in the Virgin Islands? Believe it or not, yes they do.

30

People seem to forget beaches are very active and can naturally change from season to season, depending on chan ges in wind and wave directions.

Because beaches are the transitional zone between land and

In the most simple of terms, a beach is the strip of land made of

sea, they can be made up of materials that derive either from

loose materials (sand, rocks, coral rubble) between a body of water

eroded rock on the landward side of the beach or from marine

(oceans, lakes or ponds), and where the land drastically changes.

particles (carbonate) such as mollusks, foraminifera (tiny marine

In many cases, that drastic change is the natural line of vegetation,

animals with shells) and coral. Beaches in the VI are made up

such as trees and shrubs, solid rock, or the edge of another body of

of both eroded volcanic (terrestrial) rock and carbonate but

water such as a salt pond. Because of coastal development, that

depending on the orientation of a beach to incoming wind and

change could even be a building or a road.

waves, and the habitats that lie in front and behind the beach, not

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?

or is it

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only does the amount of eroded rock found within beach sediments differ, but even the size of the sediment particles that make up the beach differ from island to island.

In my studies, I’ve focused on the geological makeup of beaches lining the north shores of the British Virgin Islands. As a general rule of thumb, beaches along the north shores of the northern island chain—from the Tobagos, to the Dog Islands and Anegada—have the most amount of carbonate in the sediment. This is primarily due to the highly productive Horseshoe Reef and the carbonate bank between Tortola and Anegada that produces large amounts of carbonate sands. With prevailing trade winds and waves, carbonate sediments are simply driven onshore to create most of the beaches in the BVI. Beaches along the southern island chain—from Norman Island to Virgin Gorda—have carbonate sediments but have been diluted with eroded volcanic rock such as quartz from the hillsides.

Additionally, larger sediment sizes, produced from coral rubble, pebbles, and boulders, are more commonly found along the southern shorelines because waves are not as energetic from the south to break down marine particles to smaller sand grain sizes.

With a simplistic explanation regarding the make-up and size

of sediments at different beaches, it gets more complicated when you look at the shape of the beach itself. There are seven different bird’s-eye views, or planforms, found in the BVI. The most common www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

31

all have at least one similar threat: humans. People seem to forget beaches are very active and can naturally change from season to season, depending on changes in wind and wave directions. When people build on beaches, sediments are obstructed and cannot adjust as easily to changes in wind and waves, which usually results in beach erosion over time. People also forget tropical beaches are a part of a larger beach “system” that includes coral reefs which not only produce sand for beaches, but also protects the beach from storm waves. Killing a reef is also like killing a beach. Even wetlands play an important role in beach systems, but in-filling of these critical From left: sand samples from Trellis Bay, Honeymoon Beach (Moskito), White Bay (Guana), Crawl Beach (Little JVD), Walkover Set Point (Anegada), Cane Garden Bay, Salt Island Bay and The Baths.

Photo provided by Shannon Gore.

planforms found are those beaches that do not create any barrier to a pond and are considered mainland attached, such as Trunk or Rogue’s Bay. Some of the more unique planforms include tombolos, which are beaches that form between two solid emerged structures, like south George Dog; and cuspate forelands that form from converging waves and enclose ponds, such as the shoreline of north Dead Chest.

Despite a number of physical differences between beaches, they

habitats for development is common throughout the Caribbean.

Without wetlands behind the beach to control what comes off the hillside down to the coastline, which sometimes crosses the beach itself, some beaches have actually started to appear dull and far less sugary white compared to thirty years ago.

Although all beaches have similar threats, each beach still has its own unique characteristics. So the next time you are liimin’ at the beach, take a look around you. Some “threats” might not seem obvious, but take a close look at the sand. Compare it with another beach, and then you too will see just how different one beach is from another. PY

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9/23/11 3:16 PM

TOOLSof theTrade

By Steve Fox, Managing Director, OBMI BVI We recently held a workshop in our office to train our designers to develop skills using the cutting-edged drawing production software Building Information Management, or BIM. An incredibly sophisticated tool, BIM is rapidly becoming the globally-required platform for documentation of construction information for architects, engineers and contractors; we’re probably seeing the demise of Autocad and other wellestablished mainstays of digital drawing production. BIM is the latest major development in the way we draw and convey information, and if we don’t keep up with this and other new drawing technology, we’ll quickly be left behind.

Things were very different only 20 years ago. Most architects’ offices didn’t use computers for drawing. We now reminisce about the days when we used technical ink pens, generally in four thicknesses, which had to be kept meticulously clean and were prone to constant blockage. We drew on sheets of tracing paper or vellum fixed to a drawing board with strips of masking tape, using a set-square and scale ruler against a parallel motion rule which spanned the width of the board. If a mistake needed to be corrected, or a change introduced into the design, we would scratch the ink off the paper with a razor blade. At the end of a Some of the more archaic tools of the trade.

Photos by Dan O’Connor.

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We now reminisce about the days when we used technical ink pens, generally in four thicknesses, which had to be kept meticulously clean and were prone to blockage.

photo by Mauricio Handler

Poolworks

design

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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construction

consultation

A BIM rendering of a hillside property.

Renderings provided by OBMI.

project, drawing sheets could look ragged and

For me, any design issues that need to be resolved

battle-scarred, riddled with holes, patched with

are best done away from the computer, on a sheet

invisible tape and with worn-down wafer-thin areas.

of rough paper, where the mind can feel free to

Everyone developed their own unique style and

explore possibilities. I know I’m not the only one;

method. We all had our favoured tools: lumps of

most of the designers I know still enjoy the freedom

putty to clean up smudged pencil; brushes to dust

of hand drawing and the satisfaction of producing

off debris; stencils for lettering, circles and ellipses;

a one-off sketch.

and French curves for exotic shapes. The room

In the recent past, if we needed to test our ideas

would resound with the constant squeak-scratch of

to try to visualise building designs in three dimensions,

razor blades.

we would have drawn a perspective view, or made

Of course, all these items are now a thing of the

a physical model: a time-consuming labour of

past. We now have only one drawing board left in

love using card, wood, glue, paint, Plexiglas and

our office as a kind of sentimental relic. Architectural

any other suitable materials we could find. These

academics agonise over the apparent demise

time-honoured methods are now all but obsolete

of the art of drawing. A recent symposium was

with the rise of Sketch Up, a beautifully simple

held at Yale University School of Architecture to

and fluid digital tool for exploring designs in 3D.

ask: Is drawing dead? Is the proliferation of digital

We can now model an idea for a building very

tools killing off skill and creativity, or is it opening

quickly and accurately, locate it on the contours

up previously unimagined opportunities for design

of a topographical survey, geographically place

and construction? Personally, I like to try to strike a

it to depict the sun path and shadows at any time

balance. I like to keep a sketchbook for exploring

of the year, view it from any conceivable angle,

ideas on paper with a nice sharp pencil, then to

tweak it and change it with complete freedom. The

quickly test the ideas for scale on the computer,

design can then be rendered with incredible photo-

then to develop thoughts in more detail by

realistic materials, and the digital file can be fed into

overlaying sketches over basic computer drawings.

a 3D “printer” to create an instant physical model.

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MARCH 2012

35

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Visit: www.stbernardshillhouse.com

BIM now takes this even further, where we

virtual “meeting” where I shared my computer

create the design for the building as a full working

desktop with a client located in France, zooming

“parametric” model. Instead of the abstract lines of

him around the model of his house design to

Autocad, BIM creates a living 3D representation of

illustrate

the design using actual components. An incredibly

arrangements. Our days are now full of these kinds

intelligent and powerful tool, BIM effectively

of mind-boggling possibilities, which make “remote”

eliminates the possibility of error; the model will not

designing for overseas clients so much more

and

experiment

with

various

roof

allow a window to clash with a wall or a staircase!

interactive and productive than in the past. But I still

So, we embrace the new technology and all the

keep a favourite pencil and a sketchbook with nice

possibilities it offers us. Last month, I had an online

thick paper at hand at all times. PY

A modern design, drafted with modern software.

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4/28/2011 12:54:40 PM MARCH 2012

Crafting the Caribbean

By Aragorn Dick-Read

“We believe in the power of craft to creatively counter the homogenization of culture and to give Caribbean people cultural pride and identity in the wider world.”

These words help to identify the mission behind the collective organisation that embodies The Caribbean Arts & Crafts Festival, which will take place from March 9 to 15 at Trellis Bay, Tortola.

It reads like a bit of a mantra for Caribbean artisans, so there must be something in it. “The power of craft” sounds a touch profound and perhaps a little over mystifying for the simple pastime of staying at home and making something. But interestingly enough I have found, through some light etymological research, that “craft“ is actually synonymous with the word “power.” It has derived from the ancient Greek sound “kra” or “cra,” that makes up important words like demo-cra-cy, literally translated as “people-power” or bureau-cra-cy, office power. This thread of meaning has carried through in the modern German language that uses kraft to mean power or strength. In English, this meaning is carried in words like witchcraft or witch power. It gets interesting from here and has reams of implications, but for the purposes of this article it is suffice to say that craft is more than a humble pastime, but is in fact a meaningful way of life that has sustained millions of people over human evolution. There is more to craft than meets the eye.

Traditional crafts emulate cultural masks.

All photos by Jim Scheiner.

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Diamond Cay. Jost Van Dyke . BVI. VHF Channel 16

Serving Lighthearted Mediterranean fare with flair.

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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When practiced over a lifetime, that

take up to 25 yards of platted straw to

simple relaxing pastime has unquestionably

make and when sold in market would

provided a powerful means to a happy

fetch up to $1.50. Truly a lot of money

and fulfilling life. It is in this that craft is a

in the times when sugar was five cents

genuine source of power.

a pound and a chambermaid could

Many of the straw workers of East

raise a family and save money working

End, Tortola have lived that life and

for $4 a week. In those days, the

understand that power. The tradition of

market for straw hats was steady and

straw-working in the BVI once held sway

a cooperative style-purchasing centre

over many families. Teyer and broom

in Road Town would buy the hats and

palms were harvested on Tortola, Guana,

export them to the busier tourist markets

Mosquito and Scrub Islands, or brought

of St John and St Thomas.

in by sloops coming up from St Thomas

Tortola families such as the Dawsons,

and St Barths. These palms were cut and

Lettsomes,

Thomases,

Wheatleys

and

dried into splits and woven into plaits in many households as a true community cottage industry.Once pressed, trimmed and sometimes dyed, the plaited straw ribbons, were then sold on, for one cent a yard, before being skillfully sewn into hats, bags or even shoes. A hat would

Caribbean artisans use plaited straw ribbons to fashion baskets.

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MARCH 2012

39

Various arts and crafts are available for purchase at the festival.

Penns all owe something of their current standing to the power of this craft. Its importance as a life-

When practiced over a lifetime, that simple relaxing pastime has unquestionably provided a powerful means to a happy and fulfilling life. It is in this that craft is a genuine source of power.

sustaining practice has for now been overridden by the demands of the modern, corporately orientated world. However, there could still be a slim chance to save the simple relaxing pastime of the elders from total extinction. At least some of children of the corporate generation, the grand and great grandchildren of the straw plaiters, might yet be inspired to reconnect with their nature, redefine their culture and seek a life of creativity—especially once it is more commonly understood that a Virgin Islands-made hat can now sell for $50 to $100 each.

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Trellis Bay ignited during the festival.

The scarcity of craft has created value. The blessings are there to be felt, and the palms are still there for the picking. It is for this reason the Caribbean Artisan Network is honoring the straw weavers of East End at this year’s Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival, to place them in the forefront as an example of a successful British Virgin Islands community of artisans that built its existence on craft.

The Festival will draw attention to Virgin Island craft culture on March 12 with a special dedication day. This year the festival’s slogan, “Craft: Power from Nature,” is a call to the youth to seek a deeper understanding of our environment and to learn the joys of working with our hands to shape the world around us. We are promoting the continued viability of an existence based on sustainably harvesting our natural resources. By seeking out craft knowledge—both traditional and innovative—young people have potentially great opportunities to reconnect with nature, build a

gathering point for an increasing number of the top artisans in the region. Drawn together from a network of skilled individuals, the Caribbean Artisans come to the BVI to share their talents with us, encourage our youth and boost the power of the BVI craft market.

The festival allows us to assert our Virgin Island identity in the regional context and at the same time enhance our tourism product; it reminds us of the strength from within our cultural crafts. PY

new identity and generate income at the same time.

The Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival has become an exemplary

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MARCH 2012

41

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

HUNTE & CO. (UK) 7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR T +44 (0)20.7277.2938 DX. 98 London Chancery Lane www.hunteandco.com

Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

Violet Gaul - Realtor Licensed BVI & USA T(284)443.1777 | Info@tropicaisle.com | www.tropicaisle.com P.O. Box 83, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110

Cruise ship daytrippers visit Tortola’s Maritime Museum.

Migrating to the Maritime Museum Story and photo by Dan O’Connor A daytrip to the Virgin Islands just won’t cut it. It takes

This year, Tortola tour operator Elroy Fahie, who owns

more than a quick trip to a packed Cane Garden Bay

Elroy’s Pleasure Tours, began offering an excursion that

or a shopping spree at Yacht Haven Grande to shed

provides tourists with a detailed description of the island

insight into all that is wonderful and cultural about

and its culture. He also takes guests to the college, and

these magnificent and complex islands. To offer new

allows them a guided tour of the Maritime Museum.

incentives to those looking to get more than just a

“We want them to see the islands for much more than

hangover and sunburn from their brief stay in the

just a place to go sit on a beach,” Fahie said. “We want

VI, local tour operators have begun to partner with

them to know that we have this college—that we’re not

educational facilities, like the Maritime Museum at H.

uncivilized—and that we have a culture and identity.”

Lavity Stoutt College and the Old Government House

I caught up with the tour operator during a recent visit

Museum in Road Town, to provide tourists with another

to the Maritime Museum, where he was transporting three

option for exploring and learning about the past and

BVIPG0411-2

15/4/11

present of the British Virgin Islands.

15:51 Page 1

When the boss has had a bright idea, everyone has to know about it.

packed safari busses full of guests to hear a short lecture about the history of boat making in the BVI. Within the bi-

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level building across from the college, information,

Brooks, who mentioned that the museum hosts many

cases and models lining the facility.

artefacts, photographs and model replicas of boats

tours for primary five students. “That connection

“We’ve only got 15 minutes, so let’s hurry up,”

fill the floors. The timeless information pays tribute

helps to draw some interest in the project we have

said Jo Lightfoot, a passengers from Toronto who

to an era of boatmakers whose practice is near to

here at a young age.”

was traveling on a Norwegian ship. She hurried her

extinction. Geoffrey Brooks, who helped launch the

The recent push to partner with the cruise ship

husband before he headed for the bathroom.

museum and who now coordinates tours as one of

companies and tour operators has brought a new

“We were turned on the ‘Best of Tortola’ title in the

the facility’s curator, has devoted much of his time

type of visitor to the museum, and has helped

brochure,” she admited. “Museums are interesting,

to preserving legacy of these cultural craftsmen.

to open BVI’s culture to an international market.

and I particularly like the idea of organizing these old artefacts and relics, and put them on display for folks

“...we want to learn more about the places we are visiting—not like us.”

Cheryl Parkin, who visited the territory from central just run around like we own the place, get drunk and leave.” California, also sided with the tour for the lesstraveled appeal that it provides intuitive travelers.

“The BVI is one of the top four boat-building locales

However, cruise ship visitors currently are limited

“We want to see the islands for more than just that—we want to know about this college, we can

in the Caribbean,” he said, also naming Bequia,

to a roughly 15-minute tour of the museum, which

Anguilla and Curacao as boat-building neighbours.

doesn’t allow for an in-depth exploration of all that is

see that they’re not uncivilized,” the cruise ship

“Those other islands still carry on the tradition, but here

on display, Brooks said.

passenger said. “We ultimately selected this tour

this is the best we can do to preserve the craft.”

“It’s great to have them in here and interested

because it gives an overview of the island, and

On a wall of the second floor at the museum,

about the culture, but more than anything it leaves

we want to learn more about the places we are

pictures hang to recognize great figures in BVI’s

them with a growing interest about the college,

visiting—not just run around like we own the place,

history—those who worked to build the BVI’s early

and the education opportunities that we have

get drunk and leave.”

marine industry. “The Wall of Respect,” as it’s called,

here,” he said.

Asked about her extent of knowledge about the

carries the names of friends and family members

During a rainy weekday in February, about

Virgin Islands, she said, “Absolutely nothing. Can you

both living and passed on.

60 cruise ship passengers filled the museum—

tell? But we’d like to change that, so here we are.”

“It’s great to see a child say, ‘Hey, that’s my

some listened to a brief lecture by Brooks, others

PY

grandfather, or great, great grandfather,’”said

scattered and quickly glossed over the display

46

VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Leo House, 65 Main Street, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Decking Out a Yacht

By Traci O’Dea When kitting out a charter yacht, special considerations must be taken into account which do not apply when decorating a home. I met with Pete and Niki from Best Revenge

5, a Signature 60 Privilege catamaran, as they showed off some of Arawak’s boat-friendly accessories. I asked about the difference between selecting items for a boat versus a home, and the first thing Niki mentioned was the marine environment. “It has to be durable and cope in the elements—wind, salt, sun, rain,” she said and indicated that cushions covered in Sunbrella stand the test of the elements as well as something else I hadn’t considered. “The boat deck is a really ‘sunscreeny’ area—with people covered in it, especially here in the BVI where the sun is so strong, so you have to use materials that can cope with taking the

Top: Niki and Pete lounge on waterproof Santai bean bag chairs on the boat’s deck.

Above: Fresh blues and greens brighten up the table.

Photos by Dan O’Connor.

sunscreen or products that can take constant washing.”

But the durable fabrics can’t save the accents from all the elements. Pete mentioned that guests sometimes don’t think to hold on to cushions, napkins and towels when a big gust of wind comes through. “One cushion blew off the boat at night near Cooper. Luckily, we found it on the beach the next morning,” he said. So it makes sense to buy items that can be tied or strapped down, or at least tell guests to help keep an eye on the lighter items.

The discussion about losing items overboard led to another important concern: buying more than enough of everything. “You have to buy glassware in bulk,” Niki said, “because if you do break one, you need to replace it to match the others or you end up replacing the whole set.”

While it’s important to have backups, storage on a boat is precious, so she commented that it helps to have a reliable store on island where they consistently stock certain items and said that Arawak “can promise to replenish our matching sets, which is brilliant.” When considering storage, Niki stated that dual-purpose items are also useful.

Like decorating for the home, accessorizing a boat can also make a significant difference in the outward appearance of the interior and exterior spaces. Simple additions such as new cushions or fun bean bag chairs “instantly change the whole feel and atmosphere,” Niki said. “They make it feel fresh and keep in line with the marine look.” PY

+1.284.494.5240 Road Reef Plaza, Road Town, Tortola www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

49

Stocking Up for a

Spring-Break Sail

A Moorings boat hauls in a fresh stock of drinks and produce.

Opposite: A food and beverage transport waits to be unloaded.

Photos by Dan O’Connor.

By Susie Younkle Spring break season has arrived, and the Virgin Islands

foodstuffs to products for special diets. A few caveats: be

is the sailing destination of choice for some very lucky

prepared to substitute brands, flavours or sizes. Additionally, if

kids and their families. The mantra “a well fed crew is

you have very specific requests, stops at multiple stores may

a happy crew” is particularly true when children are

be required.

aboard. Here are tips to keep your provisioning as smooth as your sailing:

Plan in advance, but be flexible. Prior to your voyage, enlist your kids to help create a day-by-day menu and then take a detailed shopping list to the grocery store.

(Or consider ordering some supplies in advance, for delivery to your boat.) For those new to VI provisioning, be assured that product selection is outstanding, from staples to gourmet

50

VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Encourage kids to sample new products.

Older kids can be responsible for choosing pantry items such as crackers and cookies. If you’re from the US, your kids may enjoy sampling the Caribbean goodies that are found on VI shopping shelves. Try swapping tasty plantain chips for the potato chips your kids usually eat with lunch. Don’t be surprised if they request plantain chips once you return home.

Put a positive spin on provisioning. While you may

Lastly, the delicious Jamaican grapefruit soda Ting is a favourite of

consider provisioning a chore to complete as quickly as possible, your

Caribbean children and adults alike.

kids may think otherwise; for example, grocery shopping is a reliably

Strive for balance. For most children, there’s a fine line between

fun part of my daughter’s week when we play “I spy” to identify groceries. Island grocery stores and farmer’s markets have exotic fruits and “weird” looking vegetables, such as knobby Caribbean tubers like tannia and dasheen, which may pique your children’s curiosity.

Perhaps you can purchase fruit that’s new to your children—passion fruit, papaya or mango—to sample on your boat.

consistency and adventure. Children like what they know, yet part of the adventure of life and growing up is the process of trying new things.

Food should be no exception. So encourage your youngsters to eat Anegada lobster (although you might be promoting an expensive habit!), but then allow them to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or Cheerios for their next meal.

Just because your kids are wearing swimsuits Take a break from the galley. Give yourself a break and doesn’t mean clean-up will be easy. My friend Kristine, let someone else do the cooking by planning a few meals ashore. an experienced cruiser and mom of two boys, wisely said, “We avoid anything that spills easily or leaves a colored residue on the kids’ hands that will then get smeared on the cushions.” Keep her advice in mind before grape jelly and Cheetos find their way into your grocery cart.

Designate a snack cabinet. Children need regular snacks, so designate a snack cabinet filled with healthy grab ‘n go items such as dried fruit, nuts and granola bars. Convenient snacks are

VI restaurants frequented by cruisers offer such child-friendly fare as barbecued chicken, fish fingers and rotis filled with curries. Lunch is an ideal time to take the family ashore for a meal, especially at those popular establishments that become boisterous at night.

Best wishes for smooth sailing—and dining—with your pint-sized crew this spring break. PY

important for busy days when your sailing schedule may not allow for regular meals.

Stay hydrated. Stock plenty of beverages, since hydration is essential in the VI’s warm and sunny climate. To encourage your kids to drink more water, let each child select his own reusable water bottle before traveling to the VI. Though you may typically purchase fresh milk for your children, consider buying long-life milk, the norm in the Caribbean. Long-life milk is cheaper and will not spoil as quickly as fresh milk. Additionally, it will not take up precious refrigerator space, as unopened boxes can be stored with dry goods.

For a cool treat, my friend Stephanie makes slushies for her kids when they’re on charters. She uses juice blends, such as Ceres Whispers of Summer, and freezes the juice until it’s a slushy consistency. Her kids go crazy for it.

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Simmonds Building, 30 DeCastro Street Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. tel: +1(284) 494-5808 Ëš fax: +1(284) 494-5811 www.onealwebster.com Contact: Mrs. Willa Tavernier wtavernier@onealwebster.com

When a Home Fails Inspection

By Willa Tavernier, O’Neal Webster BVI

My last article explored the different types of reports that are typically generated in a home sale—the termite inspection, structural survey, land survey, and title search reports. Home inspections are very useful as they give the prospective buyer actual information on the condition of the property. Sellers, on the other hand should be aware that defects may arise in the course of home inspections and should think about earmarking funds for home inspection negotiations.

It’s difficult to list the type of defects that can arise. These can range from property encroachments, to leaky roofs, to the wrong type of AC system installed, to water oozing and leaching from the walls, to tiles and concrete finishes lifting, cracking or becoming loose, to obsolete easements on title, to faulty wiring or the property not yet having been subdivided.

For clarity, referring to a home failing inspection is an oversimplification of the process. Home inspection reports

merely highlight any features that don’t meet industry standards or state whether or not the property has good and marketable—or mortgageable—title or boundaries. It’s up to the buyer to decide whether any defects highlighted amount to a pass or fail in their eyes.

When the defect relates to physical aspects of the home, inspectors are not always able to identify the cause of defect.

To do so, more invasive investigation might be

needed, such as tearing down or opening holes in one or more walls, ceilings or floors.

We have seen an increasing number of “as-is” sales, as parties broker discounted sale prices to get properties moving.

Buyers need to beware of executing “as-is”

contracts prior to having home inspections conducted. If the home “fails” an inspection, this will not entitle the buyer to cancel the purchase, negotiate for a price break or oblige the seller to fix the problems.

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

53

Home inspections are very useful as they give the prospective buyer actual information on the condition of the property.

were understandably not willing to agree to any further reduction or take on substantial cost, while the purchasers sensibly did not want to take on the entire risk of fixing the roof as the precise cost of repair was not known. The parties agreed that the buyers would be responsible for undertaking the repair the roof but their costs would be capped to an agreed figure derived from an estimate obtained by the seller. The seller would then be responsible for any additional costs, provided that the buyer commenced the

As the previous sentence indicates there are three

repair work within an agreed time frame, and a

main options for dealing with defects arising from

portion of the closing proceeds were escrowed to

home inspections. A standard contract will entitle

secure the arrangement.

the buyer to require the seller to fix the problem.

If all else fails, the parties may simply have to walk

The good news is that most problems discovered in

away from the sale. If you’re uncomfortable with

a home inspection can be fixed, though some are

assuming the risk, you should walk away as a buyer.

more expensive than others; e.g. replacing a faulty

Likewise a Seller may find another buyer who is in a

faucet is less expensive than roof repairs. If the Seller

position to purchase the home on mutually agreeable

doesn’t rectify the problem, the buyer will have the

terms and conditions. The most important thing to

right to terminate the contract. If the reason behind

remember is to ensure home inspection reports are

the seller’s failure to fix is the high cost and the buyer

completed early in the process, within the

doesn’t want to lose the property, they can negotiate

contractually allotted periods, or in the case of an as-

a middle ground.

is sale, prior to execution of the contract. PY

In one transaction I’ve dealt with, the buyer had negotiated a heavily discounted price then discovered that the roof needed repairing. The sellers

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VI PROPERTY & YACHT

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Covering Your House from

Roof toCistern

Starting at the top, Jerry said there’s no reason to paint a roof a

By Traci O’Dea

dark colour, including the famous Caribbean red. The main reason

I recently sat down with Jerry Edmunds from The Paint Factory in Tortola who offered some helpful tips for painting every surface of a home, from top to bottom.

not to paint the roof a dark colour, Jerry stated, is that they absorb the radiation from the sun which immediately creates a drastic expansion and contraction—just from the change in temperature between night and day, on the painted surfaces. The second reason not to use a dark paint is that it increases the ambient temperature inside the house “by hundreds of percent—even if it’s insulated because the heat will eventually go right through the insulation by conduction,” he said. “It’s a strange thing because in the Caribbean and even in Newfoundland where I’m from, the early coatings were made of ochre—this earth red—because that’s what you had.” But now we have better choices, and we can choose reflective paints that even lower the temperatures

BVI Governor Boyd McCleary and team paint a local home for a good cause. Photo courtesy of BVI Governor’s Office.

in homes.

Moving down the house from the roof, Jerry noted that pH-balanced primer is the most important element because it’s the basis of the paint sticking to the wall, and a good primer should be able to cover all surfaces—wood, concrete, cement, metal and stone—and different alkali levels within those surfaces. For mildew and dirt resistance, the surface area needs to be as smooth as possible. Jerry mentioned the buildings near the roundabout in Road Town, where some are stained with a layer of dark mildew while others are not. The dirty ones have a textured coating that has been applied to them that increases the surface area, giving grime millions of nooks and crannies to cling to.

The smooth buildings collect minimal dirt, appearing virtually dust and mildew free. For additional mildew resistance, exterior and interior walls in the Virgin Islands should be painted with at least semi-gloss paint because the higher the gloss, the higher the resistance to mildew and the easier to clean, based on the same principal as the surface area— grime has an easier time sticking to chalky, matte surfaces.

For lower sections of the wall, closer to the ground, sealing is crucial. “Paint will fragment off an uncoated room that is even partially underground,” said Jerry. Anything near the bottom of the house or beneath the foundation should be coated in Drylok. For backfilled walls and foundations, “we recommend foundation coating,” Jerry said. “It doesn’t come off the wall, and it does a great job sealing.”

Deeper below ground, cisterns need an interior waterproof, longlasting and non-toxic coating, and Jerry recommends Drylok or Thoroseal. They need to be applied properly to ensure the seal and potability, so Jerry recommends closely reading the instructions or consulting a professional. White serves as the best colour for cisterns as it’s easier to determine if organic material is growing inside.

In comparison to other home improvement and building costs, painting is the least expensive and, if done properly, can actually save homeowners money. PY www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

55

Property Listing A

B

C

1

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

N

O

P

Q

Legend: Regions

2

R

S

T

The Settlement

Anegada

Tortola Virgin Gorda

3

Jost Van Dyke

4

Northern Islands

Prickly Pear Island Moskito Island

Southern Islands

5

Anegada

6 7

Jost Van Dyke

8

Little Jost

Eustatia Island

Oil Nut Bay

Great Camanoe

Little Camanoe

Scrub Island

Tortola

Green Cay Sandy Cay

Spanish Town

Beef Island Road Town

Little Tobago

Virgin Gorda

Marina Cay

Cane Garden Bay

Great Tobago

Necker Island

The Dogs Guana Island

9

M

Buck Island

The Valley

n

Fallen Jerusalem

Long Bay

10

Road Harbour

11

Round Rock

Cooper Island

Nanny Cay

Great Thatch

Ginger Island

Frenchman’s Cay

Dead Chest

12

Carval Rock

Salt Island

13

Pelican Island

Peter Island

Flannigan Island

14

Norman Island

lawn. Delightful views of Cane Garden Bay from very private guest house. US$795K

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H8 1 acre Lot, Glorious Cane Garden Bay views: A rare Lot on Luck Hill with fantastic views of Cane Garden Bay. Beautiful sunsets. Very buildable. One not to be missed! US$225K (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

H8 Cane Garden Bay Cottages: Two delightful cottages set within landscaped palm fringed gardens, less than 50 yards from the beach. Set in under 2 acres, prime investment property. US$1.295K

H9 Business Opportunity: 1.04 acres of hill side land just 200 feet beyond the picturesque beaches of Cane Garden Bay. The property houses six buildings containing 5 one-bedroom, 2 two-bedroom and 1 three-bedroom units. US$2,500,000 (284) 495 4825

G10 3 BEDROOM, 6 BATH CARIBBEAN STYLE HOME: Located on over 1.5 acres, this sprawling villa is ideal for indoor and outdoor living with three detached pavilions including kitchen, living room, library, master bedroom suite and two guest bedrooms. Spacious swimming pool terrace, covered dining area, charming porches, verandahs and courtyards.

US$1,250,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

G10 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH CONDO: Set within Long bay Beach Resort and operated within the hotel rental pool, the apartment has one full kitchen and one kitchenette and affords beautiful ocean views. Direct access to the hotel amenities and within walking distance to the beach. US$299,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

J8 3 bedroom Ridge Road Home with 3 bed Apt: Lovely 3 bedroom family home with rental income potential from 3 bed apt beneath. Great views of North Shore and Guana Island.

Lush mature garden filled with coconut palms and fruit trees. Motivated Seller. US$750,000

K8 CHARMING PROPERTY AT GREENBANK: Overlooking Brewers Bay and built as semi detached pavilions around the swimming pool terrace, this beautifully designed villa features living room, gourmet kitchen, spacious covered porch with living and dining areas, game room, private master suite and two guest suites all with private patios and majestic views. Two bedroom one bath caretaker cottage with separate driveway. US$3,550,000

(284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

(284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

G10 Hummingbird House: Located in the prestigious Belmont Estate only moments from Smugglers Cove and Long Bay beaches, this delightful home has been extensively remodeled by the current owner, an English Architect with over 20 years island experience designing first class, luxurious homes. Pleasing proportions and scale, elegant finishes and fixture choices of the highest quality and wonderful ocean, island and sunset views.

US$2,495,000

J9 SPACIOUS 3 BEDROOM VILLA AT KINGSTON: Two separate buildings connected by a swimming pool terrace with split level living-dining area and large kitchen. Master bedroom suite and two guest suites. Prevailing breeze and expansive channel views only five minutes away from Road Town. US$1,099,000

(284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

(284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

H9 Rose Lodge, 3 bedrooms Windy Hill *PRICE REDUCTION*: Beautiful hillside setting with exceptional island and sunset views. Two bedroom main house with lovely gardens and

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(284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

K9 5 BEDROOM BEACHFRONT VILLA WITH PRIVATE DOCK: Beautifully positioned on historical Fort Hodge Point, with extensive water frontage including two sandy beaches and full serviced dock. The 5 bedroom residence with swimming pool terrace encompasses

approx. 4,500 sf and captures spectacular views of the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Spacious great room with covered dining porch. master bedroom suite and separate pavilion with three guest suites and game room. Self-contained lower studio apartment. US$5,900,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

Lambert Condo: Fully furnished studio apartment in Lambert Beach Resort. Enjoy the pool and amenities of Resort. Beach only a few steps away, as is the restaurant. Nearby laundry and ample parking. US$210,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM

Turtle Dove Cottages - *NEW*: Tortola, Apple Bay. One 2-bed villa and three 1-bed cottages on 1 acre lot 300 ft above the golden beaches of Long Bay and Apple Bay. Excellent investment opportunity. US$1,500,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM

G10 Waveland: Waveland is a uniquely private, 3-bed, 2-bath luxury villa with a spectacular elevated position and a magnificent view. A covered lanai with full wet bar connects the living area, two guest bedrooms and master bedroom with unique his and her bathroom suites. US$695,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM

K9 Hodge's Creek Land: 0.8 acres beautiful parcel of land with a magnificent view over Hodge's Creek Marina. US$400,000 US$275,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM

G10 Far Pavilion: A spacious deck makes a wide-open living space where a new definition of “lounge” can be created. The magnificent view constantly calls your attention. On the other side of the pool is a charming guesthouse with ensuite bathroom. The proximity to Long Bay Resort provides easy access to all its amenities: restaurant, spa, pool and of course, the beautiful beach. US$1,300,000 (284) 494 5700 | BVISIR.COM

L8 THREE BEDROOM WATERFRONT HOUSE: Located at the southern end of Tortola with views of Beef Island and the Sir Francis Drake Channel. Close to beaches and amenities.

US$795,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

G10 2 BEDROOM HOUSE AT BELMONT ESTATE: Overlooking Smuggler’s Cove and offering spectacular views of Jost Van Dyke. Main house with great room, kitchen and master bedroom suite. Separate guest cottage. 0.8 acres. US$775,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

K8 3 BEDROOM HOUSE AT LITTLE DIX HILL: Located on 0.416 acres this 3 bedroom, 2½ bath villa encompasses approximately 1,800 sf and includes great room, TV room, kitchen, master bedroom suite and two guest bedrooms sharing a full bath.. Spacious swimming pool terrace. Beautiful landscaped grounds and private location. US$565,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

Casa Del Mar: Newly constructed 4 bedrooms exceptional family home located on Tortola’s north side. This home is situated in a very private community, near to Tortola’s great beaches, Cane Garden Bay to the west and Brewer’s Bay to the north. This beautiful home sits on 0.399 of an acre. US$890,000 contact monica@trudebvi.com | (284) 494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

Sea Cow’s Bay Land: Located near Oleander Estate in the hills above Sea Cow’s Bay, these 6 Lots have spectacular views; these lots are perfect to build your dream home. Lots are from .6 of an acre 1.0 acre, these lots are ready to build with water, electricity and cable available. US$85,000+ contact dameon@trudebvi.com | (284) 494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com.

H9 Cane Garden Bay: Hillside Land with stunning ocean views located in Cane Garden Bay; 0.596 of an acre; 1.472 acres & 2.00 acres, any of these lots could be yours today to start the home of your dreams.

Contact dameon@trudebvi.com | (284) 494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

Private Lots for Sales 0.5 Acres: Located on the North Shore are two parcels of land, with stunning views, available to build your own dream home. US$100,000+ View at www.trudebvi.com | | contact Monica (284) 494-2500

Great Mountain Area: 4 Lots in a Private Estate for sale | prices start at US$67,000 (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

Cooten Bay Home for Sale: Owner Motivated – New on the market - Beautifully designed and finely executed this 4 bedroom, 3 bath main house along with a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment located off the Ridge Road, is a steal at this price. Purchase today and use the income from the rented apartment to pay your mortgage. Bring your clothes and move into this architectural beauty which features Brazilian cherry wood flooring, granite counter tops, modern fixtures and luxurious furnishings. US$975,000

L8 1/2 acre Lot: available at Hawks Nest. Simply stunning views back to Virgin Gorda. Very buildable. US$145,000.00 (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

J8 1 acre Lot: available at Trunk Bay. Breath taking beach and island views, all the way down the island chain to Necker Island! US$295,000.00 (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

K7 ½ acre Lot: available at Little Bay. Walk to beautiful beach from this very buildable Lot. US$185,000.00 (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

VIRGIN GORDA P9 Charming two bedroom, two bath home at Windy Hill: Set on 0.4 acres in a quiet neighbourhood the property enjoys beautiful views of Tortola and Beef Island and a lush tropical garden. | US$550,00 Q7 A Dream Come True, Pond Bay: A five bedroom, cliffside/waterfront home above Virgin Gorda’s most spectacular beaches at Pond Bay and Savannah Bay. Simply stunning. Ask to see the rental history and figures on this property. A phenomenal story. US$3.5m (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

P8 THE VILLAS AT LITTLE DIX BAY: A rare opportunity to own a permanent home at Little Dix Bay resort managed by Rosewood Hotels. Situated on the dramatic hillside above the world-renowned resort these 3-4 bedroom villas offer a magnificent setting, luxurious amenities and remarkable privacy. Rental pool option. From US$3,300,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

P9 HOME SITE AVAILABLE AT CROOKS BAY: Located a few minutes’ walk to the beach, on a quiet residential estate, this 1.4 acre site boasts spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and benefits from cool tropical breezes. Utilities to site. US$500,000 (284) 494 2446 | www.smithsgore.com

P8 Sea Grape Condo: Magnificent ground floor 2bedroom, 2 bathroom condo fully furnished, A/C, full use of resort amenities, tennis courts, pool, gym. The option is yours; live on property or rent the condo | US$395,000 contact Monica @ monica@trudebvi.com | (284)4 94-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

South Sound Virgin Gorda: Lots available for sale starting at US$200,000. Own a piece of “paradise” today contact Monica at monica@trudebvi.com | (284) 494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

R6 Looking for waterfront Land in Virgin Gorda?

(284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

Q6 Vacant Lot available at beautiful Nail Bay: New life has been breathed into this stunning development. Now is the time to buy and build your dream home.

Q6 ‘Mystic Water’, Nail Bay: Three bedroom main house with pool, 2 x one bedroom guest cottages each with own pool and full kitchen, beautiful gardens, great rental villa. $1.8m (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

Q6 ‘Sugar Mill’, Nail Bay: Built close by to the site of an historic Sugar Mill, unique 3 bedroom villa with pool takes its design from the original mill. Stunning views. Walk to the beach. Lots of rental potential. $1.6m (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

NORTHERN ISLANDS M7 CHARMING 5 BEDROOM VILLA ON GREAT CAMANOE: Delightful 3 bedroom Main House with 2 Bedroom Guest house on Great Camanoee. Lots of character. Fantastic island and ocean views, incredible panorama. Easy access to dock. Approx 2 acre Lot. US$1,200,00 (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

M7 DIAMOND REEF ESTATE, UNIQUE 10 ACRE PROPERTY: A fabulous property, full of character and charm. Upon this 10 acre site sits a magnificent 3 bedroom main house, built largely from local stone in 1968 by the Upjohn Pharmaceutical family. A delightful one bedroom guest house built in later years. Residents treated to glorious views yet completely private.

Wonderful landscaping, beachfront, private swim dock. Absolutely one of a kind property.

US$6m (284) 495 3000 | chris@coldwellbankerbvi.com | www.coldwellbankerbvi.com

contact monica@trudebvi.com | (284) 494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

Looking for an Investment Opportunity? We have the deal of a lifetime for you; an apartment complex with 5 income generating apartments and there’s room to add others.

At $675,000.00 this property will not be around for long; call us today to finalize your sale! dameonn@trudebvi.com | (284)494-2500 | www.trudebvi.com

www.bvipy.com

MARCH 2012

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2010 Winner, “Best Vacation Experience.”

–Fodor’s Gold Choice Award

SOL Y SOMBRA Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

US$8 Million This spectacular beachfront villa boasts four beautifully decorated air-conditioned suites, each furnished with custom-made teak furniture. Outside amenities include an ocean-front infinity pool and lit tennis court, bound within lush tropical gardens. Inside, take advantage of a European-style kitchen, private movie theater, daily maid service and state-of-the-art gym. An in-villa cook is available upon request. www.solysombrabvi.com

Smiths Gore Limited : : British Virgin Islands

T 1(284) 494 2446 F 1(284) 494 2141 E bernadette@smithsgore.com

There is a place.

For those who know the meaning of true private luxury.

Oil Nut Bay is an intimate community in a very private corner of the British Virgin Islands, where the spirit of the Caribbean comes alive like never before. With the beach club now open, owners and guests can enjoy a variety of luxury amenities amid the beauty that only the BVI can offer. Oil Nut Bay now offers you the opportunity to experience a style of living and home ownership that has not been available until now. Come… experience the idyllic spirit of the Caribbean’s most exclusive stretch of paradise.

Oil Nut Bay – British Virgin Islands – www.oilnutbay.com – 284-495-5400

British Virgin Islands

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