contributors’ bios JULIO BAUTISTA A native of the Dominican Republic, Julio Bautista has over 15 years experience working as a professional civil engineer, project director and construction manager. Currently managing a residential project in Anguilla, Julio has been involved in developments all around the Caribbean including; Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis and the Dominican Republic. Learn more about him on page 59. MARGARET GAJEK Margaret’s interest in nature and architecture began from an early age. Later, having graduated in Art History, she worked as a researcher, cataloguing heritage architectural treasures and writing articles on the subject, whilst educating herself in architecture, gardening and exotic plants which has sent her travelling to various parts of the world. Together with Derek Galon – photographer and husband – she runs Ozone Zone Books. Margaret shares her passion for the Kalinago Tribe with us on page 64. LISA-ANN HURLSTON-MCKENZIE Influenced by both Caribbean natural beauty and Canadian wilderness, it is no wonder Lisa chose to be an environmental and sustainability professional. During her 14 years with the Cayman Islands Department of Environment she assisted homeowners and developers with incorporating sustainable design and green building practices. Whilst managing the Sustainable Development Unit, she also devised programmes to reduce energy, water and waste. A wannabe interior designer at heart, she revels in watching design shows and using her abode as a test case. Lisa shares her green insights on page 70.
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JOHN CHRISTIE Former rock star with the band Floating Boats, John Christie now follows in his granduncle’s footsteps as VP, Managing Director and leading agent for HG Christie Ltd. A native of The Bahamas, John balances the demands of the real estate market with a keen passion for all things water-related. Learn more about John on page 76. DEREK GALON With a childhood spent under his father’s grand piano, little wonder Derek’s life was destined for the arts. Ever passionate about music, he soon added photographer to his repertoire, using the family bathroom as a darkroom where he developed a rare ability to capture the artistic feel of the moment. Later, he expanded into multimedia and graphic design, but never wavered from his two main loves. Featured in award-winning coffee table books, Derek shares his artistic eye on page 64 with images of the Kalinago Tribe. SANDY URQUHART As an accomplished property development design coordinator, Sandy began his career in the UK working with the National Trust and English Heritage on the renovation of several historic buildings. Having moved to Grand Cayman 15 years ago, he has since worked on a diverse range of design projects, including the creation of the region’s largest tropical nursery and Camana Bay, where he oversaw the design team across all disciplines. Turn to page 52 where Sandy inspires us all to become sustainable gardeners.
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www.reallifecaribbean.com Vol 7, issue #3 Summer 2012
PUBLISHER
DESIGN
mc2 Ltd Melanie Roddam
Senior Designer Mike Johnston - mike@reallife.ky
melanie@reallife.ky
EDITORIAL
Editor Kyle Fulton - kyle@reallife.ky Senior Writer Juliet Austin - juliet@reallife.ky Editorial & Production Assistant Emma Spencer-Smith - emma@reallife.ky
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julio Bautista John Christie Margaret Gajek Derek Galon Lisa-Ann Hurlston-Mckenzie Sandy Urquhart
ummer is here and the RL team is hot at work! Kyle is enjoying spending time with her second child and Melanie is now expecting her first! Prompting us to take a closer look at making our lives environmentally friendly for future generations. Within this ‘green’ issue, we take you inside Seagrape House offering true Caribbean style with a radical green twist. Invite you to take a journey to our top picks for an organic-inspired retreat in the Caribbean; discover wall décor with a conscience; indulge in Caribbean chocolate; un-cover ways to make your home ‘friendlier’ to the environment, and much more. So what are you waiting for? Jump in!
SALES & MARKETING
Sales Director Melanie Roddam - melanie@reallife.ky Senior Account Executive Kimberley Bentley - kimberley@reallife.ky Senior Account Executive Kennedy Carroll - kennedy@reallife.ky
The views expressed within this publication do not reflect those of mc2 Ltd, REALlife magazine or their employees. mc2 Ltd. and REALlife magazine accept no responsibility for the views contained herein. Published quarterly. © 2012 mc2 Ltd.
WEBSITE
Website Administrator Andrew Forster - andrew@reallife.ky DISTRIBUTION CONTACT
Kyle Fulton - kyle@reallife.ky
t. 345.946.1220 f. 345.946.1221 www.mc2.com.ky ADVERTISE WITH US For details of our extremely cost effective rates, or if you are interested in contributing editorial, please contact our sales team. Email: ads@reallife.ky • Tel: 1 345.943.REAL Skype: reallifecaribbean
Mike Johnston, Kyle Fulton, Melanie Roddam, Kennedy Carroll, Aida Cortes, Juliet Austin, Andrew Forster. Missing: Kimberley Bentley & Emma Spencer-Smith. Clothing by Island Company. www.islandcompany.com Photography by Heather Holt. www.heatherholt.com
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16 Seagrape House Nestled in foliage on a golden stretch of Cayman coast is a house with a radical green twist.
12
Industry News
26 Editor’s Obsession
A Force of Nature
Style & Sustainability
Authentic, hip and cutting-edge, one Grand Cayman eco-abode starts a quiet revolution from the comfort of its own couch.
Guy Bedarida, head designer, creative director and style sage behind the internationally respected John Hardy jewellery brand – a man with green vision and a golden touch.
34 Wall Décor
41 Must-Haves
Design-forward and eco-friendly wallpapers.
36 Building on Belief Bahamian community developer, Orjan Lindroth’s biologically driven approach to sustainability champions the ecology of commerce.
Go Green Gadgets.
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48
66
A Matter of Taste
Rolling in the Deep
Living the Good Life
Trusty four taste-full resorts prove that you do not need to go to the ends of the earth to sate the modern palate.
Jason daCaires Taylor’s extraordinary underwater museums.
Four transcendent Caribbean eco-resorts show us how to expand our hoizons whilst shrinking our carbon footprints.
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H O U R S in ST. MARTIN/ST.MAARTEN
52 How Does Your Garden Grow? The greenest garden designs.
56 Caribbean Chocolate:
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Must-Haves Smug Rugs.
A cosmopolitan getaway.
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Profile Dominican Republic’s Developer Julio Bautista.
From Bean to Bar.
64 Meet the Kalinago
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Cork It
The ancient Kalinago tribe brings intuitive earth-conscious design to modern-day Dominica.
The bouyant reinvention of cork.
72 Green Building from the Ground Up Three eco-friendly building products.
70 Real Report: Getting Your Green on: Conducting a green home audit.
75 Real Estate Section 80 Directory and Useful Numbers
12 | INDUSTRY NEWS
THE PALMS, MIAMI KICKS OFF WEEKLY GARDEN TOUR AND TASTINGS United States The Palms Hotel & Spa invites guests to join Chef Julie Frans every Wednesday for a private tour and tasting of the Chef’s Organic Garden. Chef Julie will identify organic produce, herbs and greens in the garden and prepare a tasting utilising the seasonal produce available.
KITE VILLAGE NEARS COMPLETION Turks and Caicos Kite Village, located on Long Bay, Providenciales, is soon to be a reality. Having spent years travelling America and the Caribbean and experiencing cold seas and crowded locations, this kite-boarding duo found their perfect haven in Turks and Caicos. The alluring, turquoise sea and dependable winds along the fabulous white sand beach afford perfect conditions for the tentative novice as well as the seasoned expert. In these warm, shallow waters, kite-boarders of all levels progress more in one day than achievable in a week in less hospitable conditions. Their location found, the duo approached Ron Shaw, designer of multiple award-winning concept properties, to turn their dream into a reality. Kite Village comprises a unique beachfront villa and two guest cottages, whilst the beach has been developed to ensure safe kite launching and landing. For those guests who prefer tamer pursuits, there is the pool, kayaking and opportunity to explore the endless beach. For more information visit: www.caicosbeachvillage.com or email provobeachvillas@gmail.com
The Palms Hotel & Spa has been recognised as one of only 14 Miami Beach hotels to achieve an honourable designation from the state of Florida’s Green Lodging Programme. The Green Lodging Programme awards Florida hotels, motels, resorts and bed & breakfasts that have demonstrated a commitment to succeed in protecting Florida’s natural resources. Criteria for achieving this distinguished award, include forming an internal green team with an ‘environmental champion’ leader, carefully managing water and energy conservation, implementing at least two new environmental practices during each three year designation and working to reduce the amount of waste produced. For more information visit: www.thepalmshotel.com
FIRST PRIVATE RESIDENCES LAUNCH AT FREEDOM BAY IN ST LUCIA St. Lucia The developer of the eco-luxury resort at Freedom Bay, St Lucia announces the launch of ten limited edition, front line plots for three- and four-bedroom super luxury villas. Uniquely located within a UNESCO World Heritage site at the foot of the iconic Pitons, sustainability is key to the development. Robert Whitton, the international eco-entrepreneur behind the development says: “It is exciting to be turning our carefully considered plans into reality and launching the first home plots at Freedom Bay. The strict building restrictions applied within the Pitons Management Area ensure there will be no over development and guarantee that property owners’ naturally beautiful views will be protected forever.” The property offering is split into two sections: the five star Six Senses Hotel and the super exclusive Private Residential Estate, the first phase of which is due for completion simultaneously with the hotel opening in December 2013. Each of the ten private residence plots is on average 20,000 sq.ft. in size, will have sea views, make the most of the natural light and ventilation, be built using sustainable materials and include features such as solar panels, water recycling and rainwater collection systems. For more information visit: www.freedombaystlucia.com
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Butterfield staff cutting the ribbon
BUTTERFIELD’S MIDTOWN PLAZA BANKING CENTRE IS NOW OPEN Cayman Islands Butterfield celebrated the opening of its newest banking centre located at Midtown Plaza earlier this year. The location was carefully chosen so that synergies can be enjoyed between the bank and the surrounding businesses. “We think we have found the perfect location in which we can grow. It’s a great branch, in a great plaza, in a great location” commented Conor O’Dea, Butterfield’s Senior Executive Vice-President, Caribbean. Butterfield Midtown Plaza has been designed with the customer in mind, featuring a spacious customer service hall, an area for private customer meetings and the fastest ATMs in the Cayman Islands. For more information visit: www.ky.butterfieldgroup.com
RE/MAX CAYMAN ISLANDS AWARDED TOP OFFICE 2012 Cayman Islands At the RE/MAX International annual convention earlier this year, RE/MAX Cayman Islands was awarded the coveted title of ‘Top Office in Total Sales Volume for a Single International Office (excluding USA & Canada)’. In the Caribbean/Central America Region, RE/MAX Cayman also received the award for ‘Top Office in Transactions’ and was runner-up for ‘Top Office in Sales Volume’. Broker/Owner James Bovell was inducted into the ‘Circle of Legends’, the highest career achievement within the RE/MAX network. Agent Michael Joseph received the Lifetime Achievement Award and agents Susan Boyko, Kerri Kanuga and Cathy Williams were inducted into the Hall of Fame. “James and I are very proud of the achievements of our team,” commented Broker/Owner Kim Lund, himself a member of the ‘Circle of Legends’. “2012 is off to a good start and we are confident that many of our agents will be on stage celebrating more success at the RE/MAX convention in 2013.” For more information visit: www.remax.ky
Celebrating at the Convention: (from left) Tatum Jose, James Bovell, Michael Joseph, Brigitte Greene, Susan Boyko, Kim Lund, Tamara Siemens, Peter Takacs and Kass Coleman.
FIDELITY BANK (CAYMAN) LTD. PARTNERS WITH SATINWOOD GATE DEVELOPERS Cayman Islands For a limited time, Fidelity has partnered with the developers of Satinwood Gate to offer super low mortgages and up to 100 percent financing to qualified buyers. Satinwood Gate is a new landscaped community located minutes away from schools and Grand Cayman’s waterfront city centre, George Town. Featuring two-storey, three- and four-bedroom homes with private gardens and driveways, Satinwood Gate is the perfect investment for first time homeowners and young professionals with growing families. For more information call: 1.345.949.7822.
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DART REALTY BRINGS GLASS RECYCLING TO CAYMAN Cayman Islands An estimated ten percent of all waste in the Cayman Islands comes from glass bottles and jars, and until recently there was no way of recycling this waste product. Taking the first step towards a nationwide glass-recycling programme, Dart Realty recently took delivery of a small industrial glass pulveriser which has capacity to crush 1,500 pounds of glass per hour. In addition to the public glass recycling station at Camana Bay, community bins are being distributed to local supermarkets and community centres. Glass will be collected once a week and taken to Camana Bay for recycling. Crushed glass can be reused in a number of ways. For the environmentally conscious homeowner, ‘Glasscrete’ mixes crushed glass with cement for a truly unique visual effect and can be used for anything from kitchen and bathroom countertops to pavements. For more information on recycling at Camana Bay, email: info@camanabay.com UPCOMING EVENTS AT CAMANA BAY: Moonlight & Movies | Tuesdays 7pm (June-August) Constitution Day Fireworks | Tuesday 2 July 8pm Ortanique Full Moon Pig Roast | Every Full Moon 6pm Musicians’ Showcase | Second Saturday of the Month 6-9pm Farm-to-Table Dinner at Michael’s Genuine | Third Saturday of the Month 7pm
BLUE POINT CONSULTANTS LTD. EXPANDS SERVICES TO DISTRESSED HOTEL MARKET Cayman Islands Blue Point Consultants Ltd., a firm of fully qualified chartered surveyors with over 12 years industry experience, are on the approved panel for many major Caribbean banks and act for a number of the region’s top developers. Building on local and global knowledge, Blue Point Consultants Ltd. has recently expanded its services to cater to the distressed hotel market. With an increased number of hotels and resorts for sale and bank foreclosures and stalled developments, there is a strong demand for professional advice on value as well as off-market opportunities. Blue Point Consultants Ltd. is one of the few firms of fully qualified chartered and valuation surveyors in the region with specialist knowledge on how to accurately value hotels, as well as the local expertise to evaluate asset value. With this knowledge they are well placed to advise on the acquisition of distressed assets to ensure the full risk and potential are known. For further information visit: www.bluepointproperty.com or email info@bluepointproperty.com
ENVIROSHAKE® INC. HAS THE CARIBBEAN COVERED United States and Caribbean Enviroshake® Inc. has announced that it has been chosen by The Sandy Lane Hotel to replace the ageing cedar shake roofs. Following an extensive review process, The Sandy Lane Hotel selected Enviroshake® due to product authenticity, durability and high wind ratings. Enviroshake® is also proud to announce that The BodyHoliday LeSPORT Hotel, St. Lucia has commissioned them for a complete re-roofing of all residences. Once this is complete, all buildings on the property will feature Enviroshake® roofs. In addition to these recent commissions, Enviroshake® has gained approval as an acceptable alternative roofing product in both the Apes Hill community and the Royal WestMoreland community in Barbados. For more information visit: www.enviroshake.com/caribbean or call: 1.866.423.3302
ISLAND CONCIERGE EXPAND INTO PRODUCTION SERVICES The Bahamas Island Concierge Limited (ICL), a leader in concierge services in The Bahamas, has recently expanded into the production services industry assisting clients such as Vanity Fair, Louis Vuitton, and the British Royal Navy in facilitating photo shoots and commercials. Offering a full range of services to ensure production runs smoothly, ICL also offers assistance with everything from real estate rentals and sales, daily boat and mega-yacht charters to providing chefs and butlers. “Our customers’ requests vary from the sublime to the extreme, but we work very hard to accommodate them,” explains co-owner Cathryn Evans. Fina Johnson, co-owner, adds, “Having lived in a few countries ourselves, we knew first hand how much of a hassle relocating can be; at ICL we try to make that transition as seamless as possible for our clients.” For more information visit: www.iclbahamas.com
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H.G. CHRISTIE LTD. CELEBRATE 90 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE SUCCESS The Bahamas In 1922, the legendary Sir Harold George Christie’s vision and pioneering spirit blazed a trail that is still being followed today. Sir Harold’s innovative spirit was instrumental in the creation of many of the most celebrated real estate developments within The Bahamas, including the prestigious Lyford Cay. In 1978, Sir Harold’s nephew, William McP (Peter) Christie, became President of the company and in 1995, John, Peter’s son, joined the firm as Vice President. With real estate ‘in their blood’, a love for the islands of The Bahamas and a belief in the power of the internet, H.G. Christie Ltd. became the first local real estate firm with a website. For many years it was the only firm to offer an accessible database of listings in The Bahamas. Today, HGChristie.com showcases the largest portfolio of Bahama’s real estate. With a commitment to exceptional customer service and a genuine love and respect for its homeland, HG Christie Ltd. continues to lead the development of real estate in The Bahamas today, just as it did 90 years ago. For additional information visit: www.HGChristie.com
DOMINICA RESORT NAMED ONE OF THE 50 BEST NEW HOTELS IN THE WORLD Dominica Earlier this year, Secret Bay became the first eco-luxury hotel in Dominica to be named on the prestigious 2012 Travel + Leisure It List. Out of the 3,000 new hotels worldwide that opened in the past year, the reputed list recognises just 50 of the most inspiring properties. Secret Bay is one of only three that were chosen from the Caribbean. Ranked number 12, Secret Bay is described by Travel + Leisure as, “a stylish newcomer on the Caribbean island of Dominica” with particular reference given to the resort’s “above-and-beyond service.” Indeed, the small sustainable development on the northwest coast of the ‘Nature Island’ of the Caribbean opened less than a year ago, but has already received wide press coverage in the international media and is ranked number one in Dominica on TripAdvisor. Secret Bay is now moving on to stage two of the project offering additional cliff top villas and bungalows for purchase either through full or fractional ownership. For more information visit: www.secretbay.dm
GREEN GLOBE CERTIFIES ROSALIE BAY RESORT Dominica Green Globe has announced the certification of Rosalie Bay Resort on Dominica. The ecoluxury resort is a local pioneer in sustainability management and the only Green Globe certified property on the island. Rosalie Bay Resort is committed to providing high-quality services whilst minimising the property’s impact on the environment by implementing eco-friendly practices. Green Globe Certification’s CEO, Guido Bauer, said, “We are very pleased to award Rosalie Bay Resort the Green Globe Certificate. Everybody at the resort considers the environment in everyday decisions and little details – from installing LED lights and using chairs made from recycled materials to providing sustainably produced cotton towels and UV filtered natural spring water.”
COMPETITION WINNER Congratulations to
Scott McFarlane from Scotland, our competition winner of the three night ‘Romantic Getaway’ luxury package for two at one of Sandals 12 sumptuous allinclusive Caribbean resorts.
“We are excited to be Green Globe certified and to bring this distinction to Dominica,” said Beverly Deikel, owner of Rosalie Bay Resort. “More than ten years ago, we set out to create a luxury resort that would protect the local environment, empower local residents and share the natural beauty of the island with guests. Receiving this international recognition for our environmental and community achievements makes us very proud.” For additional information visit: www.rosaliebay.com
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Seagrape House Nestled in foliage on a golden stretch of Cayman coast is a house that refuses to stand out: homage to the Caribbean vernacular with a radical green twist. Words by Juliet Austin. Photos by Martyn Poyner, courtesy of John Doak Architecture.
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ever has the metaphor of ‘homecoming’ played out so symbolically as in the awardwinning seaside residence of Graham and Janet Morse. After fifteen years blue water sailing, the ocean gypsies hung up their sailing boots and charted a new course for Grand Cayman – the perfect small island on which to make a big impact. Here, their sea dreams would become the bricks-and-mortar reality of Seagrape House – an ecofriendly, solar powered home with common sense at its foundation. The philosophy was simple: any fixed abode must embody the deep respect for nature so central to their worldview. “As yachtsmen, we understand what it means to be close to nature,” they explain. “We have learned to treat the planet with care… to tread lightly.” So began the two-and-a-half-year quest for Eden: a landscape of unrestrained wilderness, tangled branches, shady canopies and birdsong; a place of duality, where the roots of permanence still possessed the beyond-the-horizon thrill of new adventure. Channelling insights from their travels – the traditional West Indian plantation houses of St. Kitts and Jamaica, the tropical splendour of Grenada, and the remote simplicity of French Polynesia – a phase of intensive planning began. With fastidious
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attention to detail, a local ‘crew’ of philosophically sympathetic professionals was assembled: renowned Caribbean architect and ‘imagineer,’ John Doak, construction manager, Alan Veeron of Smart Construction, and landscape architect, Tom Balon of Vigoro Nursery. Armed with the Green Building Bible, an informationgathering mission included visiting exhibitions, attending renewable energy seminars and investigating innovative systems to support a sustainable lifestyle in the Tropics. The result? An architect’s brief covering every aspect of their future energy efficient, environmentally friendly home. Drawn to a 1.3-acre lot in Frank Sound, paradise was found. “The property fronts onto a breathtaking stretch of golden beach,” Doak explains. “Mature seagrape trees, sculpturally gnarled from decades of growth and evolution, extend up from the shoreline and over a storm ridge to form a magnificent canopy of shade and privacy.” Sited to the west of a rocky knoll and oriented to the southeast at an angle to the shoreline, the design retains a vital connection to the sea. Capitalising on patterns of light and shade, the cooling effects of vegetation and, adds Doak, “the influence on the senses of smell, sound, sight and touch,” Seagrape House rose organically within its tropical >
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context, capturing prevailing breezes and delivering breathtaking panoramic views of the coast and reef protected sound. Completed in September 2011, the home melts into its surroundings, giving the impression of having stood for a lifetime. Using a combination of open areas, untouched woodland and intimate recesses woven together by Cayman stone paths, flagstones and timber accents, native species such as sea lavender grow alongside jasmine, fruit trees, ferns and frangipani. “The garden is designed to cradle the house, making the property seem larger than you would expect,” states Balon. “The trick was to integrate all the natural trees and the beauty of what exists with the landscape.” Insisting that no tree be sacrificed during the build, natural vegetation was hand cleared, with mature birch trees and silver thatches painstakingly relocated and construction taking place backwards from the beach to facilitate access. “The builders dropped the house literally within two feet of some of the large seagrape,” Balon reflects. “It can be done. It just takes good planning and management.” With an elevated entrance onto the second floor via a grand double
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stairway reminiscent of classic Caribbean great houses like Grand Cayman’s Pedro St. James, the living areas spill out through French doors onto an expansive fifteen-foot-wide verandah overhang with foliage-framed views beyond the property’s boundaries out to the sparkling bay. Embraced by a dreamy wraparound walkway punctuated by crimson geraniums, clusters of potted herbs and the omnipresent tangle of green, an intimate lanai provides a stylish transition between outside and in. Open to the elements, yet sheltered by traditional bead board ceilings, pale marble travertine tiles are cool underfoot, delivering the ultimate in barefoot bliss. The effect is of a sublime tree house, complete with darting swallows, pretty bananaquits and squawking parrots feasting raucously on juicy seagrapes. An eloquent expression of Caribbean culture, interiors are characterised by a timeless colonial aesthetic present in its tray ceilings, rich wooden hues, troves of antiques and European furnishings and impressive collection of Victorian watercolour paintings. Yet, while the home’s easy classicism distils the essential spirit of the old West Indies,
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the design incongruously integrates sophisticated state-of-the-art technologies and renewable energy systems. With the home winning the coveted 2011 Governor’s Award for design and construction excellence, Alan Veeran comments, “Systems are not visible from the ground, therefore, Seagrape enjoys the platform of being a high tech home that keeps its traditional ambiance.” Practical to a fault and refusing to sacrifice a single creature comfort in the name of sustainability, energy efficient doors and windows ensure that the sealed envelope of the home maximises comfort. Air-conditioned year-round, the elegant 5,800 squarefoot interior is cooled by geothermal air conditioning that utilises ground source heat pumps in a vertical closed loop system. “The water circulating through the underground pipes draws excess heat from the house and allows it to be absorbed by the earth,” states Veeran. “This system also eliminates >
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the need for a water heater as it produces hot water.” Built of locally procured materials – 68 tonnes of steel, stucco, natural stone and insulated concrete – the architectural scheme expertly marries functionality with style. Split-level accommodations, accessible via a residential elevator, come in the form of ground level guest accommodations, providing space and flexibility whilst housing the home’s technological ‘command centre’ – three rooms protected from risk of flooding by watertight submarine doors. Fostering the illusion of a cosy apartment-à-deux, the main living area is topped by a spacious rooftop studio featuring wallto-wall bookshelves, hickory wood floors, framed family portraits, vertiginous ocean views and access to the home’s forty-eight PV solar panels, currently providing forty percent of the home’s electricity.
“We have learned to treat the planet with care… to tread lightly.”
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Taking further advantage of renewable energy resources that save the owners approximately $2,000 per month, a desalination plant takes seawater from a 200-foot borehole and produces 1,600 gallons of fresh water in ten hours. Stored in two 5,000-gallon cisterns, fresh water and harvested rainwater irrigate the home’s verdant grounds. A paradigm of self-sustainability, acquired – one assumes – from years spent at sea, Seagrape House heralds a new era in Caribbean construction with the promise of the best of both worlds. From its rocky outcroppings, idyllic treetop vantage and mesmerising ocean vistas to its financial savoir-faire and high tech proficiency, it stands: a beacon inviting us all to come home along a path less travelled.
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a force of nature Authentic, hip and cutting-edge, one Grand Cayman eco-abode starts a quiet revolution from the comfort of its own couch. Words by Juliet Austin. Photography by Heather Holt.
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ocooned in its indigenous woodland setting, complete with mysterious limestone formations, agoutis, bats and woodpeckers, the Beach Bay eco-chic home of one progressive Cayman couple is turning heads – not solely for its stylish design, but for its resolution to touch the planet lightly. Situated on a high-lying tract of land, the environmentally savvy utopia has inadvertently thrown down the gauntlet as an agent of change for what Einstein would have called, “a substantially new manner of thinking.” Nurtured by childhoods spent roaming the English countryside, the owners’ lifelong passion for nature lies at the heart of their home. “For us, nature is the ultimate link with spirituality – an easy way to access the miracle of the Universe speaking,” they explain. Settling in Cayman, building a home became an ethical extension of this green philosophy. “We were fortunate enough to be able to afford to make earthfriendly, energy efficient choices from the design’s inception. There was nothing we needed enough to jeopardise nature, so burning oil was simply not an option.” Engaging the services of local contractor, The Phoenix Group, the couple worked holistically alongside Project Manager, Shayne Howe and Icon Architect, Tami Scott, to design an energy efficient family home that would incorporate
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well-developed vernacular solutions, integrate best design practices and utilise a bevy of environmentally responsible technologies. “There is a satisfaction that goes beyond the almighty dollar in undertaking a project like this,” observes Howe. “It proves that there is no reason not to develop in a sustainable way.” Without a paradigm, and working with an economy of budget, dovetailing the construction and design processes fostered a collective understanding of need and ideology. “We invested time at the front end of the project – selecting the right systems, sourcing materials and ordering judiciously – to ensure we listened to and met our clients’ criteria,” Howe explains. The outcome is a compact 2,800 square-foot, three-bedroom contemporary home that embraces an eco-friendly lifestyle, reduces demand on the utility grid and succeeds wildly at balancing aesthetic, pragmatic and sustainable considerations. Harmonising with the natural landscape, the approach to the property is an experience to be savoured. Clearing a minimal building footprint, there is a palpable sense of discovery – of having happened upon a secret cottage in the woods. Yet, despite feeling far removed from the maddening crowds of George Town, the property is a mere fifteen
minutes away. Characterised by clean lines and an inventive interplay of angles and complementary elevations, the home asserts its unpretentious sophistication, conveying sleek, understated modernity through the authenticity of its features. “We made the overall form of the building very simple,” recounts Scott. “Locating the largest part of the roof mass to the south ensured maximum solar gain, while combining rooms and incorporating ten-foot ceilings created larger, more open spaces with optimal airflow.” Striving to reduce its carbon footprint, construction utilised locally manufactured materials, including trusses and non-toxic insulating concrete form (ICF) blocks, as well as locally sourced and fair-trade items including a two-hundred-year-old reclaimed Indonesian wood front door and awning-style Bahamian shutters that actively negate solar heat gain. A floating wooden shade trellis, supported on hanging metal rods, introduces a note of contemporary cool, while the textural groove and smooth of shiplap siding and white stucco underscores the balance of traditional and modern styles. Played out to dramatic effect in the roofline elevations, “the extruded portions rise to meet the sky to form a crowning effect above the entry,” explains Scott. Oriented to take advantage of patterns of light and shade and to optimise passive cooling from prevailing winds, the property stays true to its mantra: less is more. A high performance, reflective metal roof seals the tight envelope of the house offering the perfect platform for the home’s twenty solar panels which provide hot water, run the cooling attic fan (the first of its kind in Cayman) and produce electricity to run the entire home. >
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“Functionality, rather than prestige, drove each of our decisions.�
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Scott recalls, “In order to maximise the efficiency of the solar panels, they needed to be placed at a very specific nineteen degrees facing directly south, so a simple shed roof form was the best solution.” A state-of-the-art water treatment plant purifies wastewater using a bio-fibrous peat medium rather than chemicals, while rainwater harvesting generates up to 3,000 gallons of UV and carbon filtered water – perfect for guilt-free baths. Inside, interiors boast light-emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) lighting, along with Energy Star appliances and low flow fixtures. Painted with low/no volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, the open plan scheme promotes spatial flow and visual harmony between living spaces, including the climate controlled music room complete with baby grand piano. Twelve-foot telescopic sliding glass doors extend out onto a charming covered porch, sheltering the house from direct sun and allowing the natural surroundings to form an organic fourth wall for interior spaces. Downstairs, cool porcelain tiles mimic wood. Hand-honed wooden benches, forestry certified wooden doors and sustainable wood cabinetry combine with neutral soft furnishings to deliver a striking east-meets-modern vibe. Equally suggestive, eye-catching glass subway tiles and reflective quartz countertops in the kitchen, courtesy of local company Kelly & Associates, exude casual sophistication. Upstairs, carpets, made ingeniously from recycled bottles, betray no hint of their former utilitarian function. With views out across the tree line, bedrooms feature a mixture of vaulted and tray ceilings with windows located on opposite walls to maximise cross ventilation. It is, however, in the master bathroom that you find the brightest idea: a high-performance solar tube that uses advanced optics to stream daylight into the room direct from Mother Nature herself. According to the owners: “We had no desire to keep up with the Joneses, we simply chose not to be beholden to the standards and expectations of others. The house design is, essentially, very simple as we opted to invest in green systems rather than all the bells and whistles.
Functionality, rather than prestige, drove each of our decisions.” So it seems, the winds of change whisper through the trees in this soulful place. With its uncompromising integrity of form, function and spirit, all the proof one could want of the incontrovertible need to embrace green living, we too are challenged to become forces of nature: to turn revolutionary rumblings into affirmative action; to be the change. According to Scott, “Anyone can build a house like this, it just takes a committed client, lots of planning and attention to detail.” The pièce de résistance? Scott smiles, “The reaction of the public, when they realise they can get all this and an electric bill that is in credit. That is priceless.”
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Style & sustainability
Guy Bedarida, head designer, creative director and style sage behind the internationally respected John Hardy jewellery brand – a man with green vision and a golden touch. Words by Juliet Austin ensuous, luxurious, sustainable… Mention John Hardy to any jewellery aficionado worth their weight in gold, and behold the brand’s cult-like popularity. Intricately handcrafted by a team of sixty highly skilled illustrators, designers, wax carvers and stone cutters at its Balinese design centre, each collection melds local ancestral techniques with haute joaillerie – the French art of fine jewellery sketching initiated by head designer, Guy Bedarida, upon his auspicious arrival at the company in 1999. The son of a diplomat, Bedarida’s formative years were spent in the flourishing crucible of Europe’s cultural hotspots: the architectural splendour of Paris and Rome, the rich artistic heritage of Florence and the multi-ethnic melting pot of Tunisia. Immersed in art, history, antiquity and diversity, he watched his father shower his mother with fine jewels, commemorating each of life’s precious moments. Internalising these symbolic associations, Bedarida’s passion was ignited and his destiny sealed. Classically educated at the Insituto Europeo di Design of Rome, Bedarida honed his craft at Boucheron in Paris’ Place Vendôme, before moving to Van Cleef & Arpels in New York where his contemporary flair and aesthetic proficiency led him to fashion one-off pieces for Hollywood’s elite. It would, however, be an invitation to visit John Hardy’s thirty-six acre compound in Bali’s central highlands that would forever alter the trajectory of
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his life. Experiencing an instant connection to the people, culture and environment of Bali and recognising within himself a deep affiliation with the company’s commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, the designer cut ties with his previous life and walked into his future. Respecting the synergy between company and artisan, Bedarida’s penchant for composition and wearability, issued forth a new era of design excellence characterised by an Eastmeets-West fusion. Embracing complex traditional techniques – rantai (woven chain), tenun (woven mesh), jawan (granulation) and ukiran (cut work) – and innovative technologies, his fresh interpretations and modern design sensibility helped establish the John Hardy Group amongst the foremost fashion harbingers of the twenty-first century. Inspired by nature and a zeal for exploring ancient cultures and far-off lands, his collections evoke sultry glamour and sleek sophistication; each soulful, hand-hewn piece embodying the fluidity and organic susceptibility of the human hand. Succumbing to his golden touch, precious metals and stones become iconic hammered silver cuffs; brooches whose secret back grills offer wearers a for-your-eyes-only reminder of inner beauty; intricate filigreeembellished pendants and sublime jewel encrusted rings. Yet, arguably the most dazzling jewel in the John Hardy crown is the company’s near-as-
damn-it revolutionary stance on sustainable luxury. Spearheaded by Bedarida and business partner, Damien Dernoncourt, an internal audit of its supply chain resulted in active investigation of cyanidefree gold sources and recycled silver. Accented by newly mined metals from 100 percent sustainable mines, traceable gemstones from conflict-free zones work alongside unconventional natural materials such as shells, bamboo and palm wood, to create the sort of eco-conscious masterpieces that not only adorn, but define. This conscientiousness continues in the award-winning Kapal Bamboo showroom. Designed by visionary Malaysian architect, Cheong Yew Kuan, it boasts a cathedral of curving bamboo set amid adobe-style buildings, water purification leach fields and an organic farm producing enough food to feed workers’ daily lunch as they gather under the shade of giant banyan trees. On a mission to get ‘Greener Every Day,’ the company aspires to achieve carbon neutral status, offsetting carbon emissions associated with its print advertising, business air travel and electricity usage by planting bamboo seedlings on Nusa Penida, a heavily deforested island off the south coast of Bali. Covering twenty-five acres, to date over 600,000 plants provide both ecological and local economic returns. Also offering patrons opportunity to participate, Bedarida’s 2007 ‘Wear Bamboo, Plant Bamboo’ scheme uses a portion of proceeds from the limited edition John Hardy Bamboo Collection to support its imperative, “to reforest the world, one island at a time.” Continuing the legacy established by company namesake – “utopian dreamer,” John Hardy – the designer’s sensitivity to the delicate balance of the environment is omnipresent. Pivotal to what Time Magazine described as, “A new vision… in which beauty and luxury [can] be a solution, not just a commodity,” Bedarida’s paradigm of environmental responsibility sets the gold standard for turning passion into the kind of profit that can change the world.
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belief building on
Bahamian community developer, Orjan Lindroth’s biologically driven approach to sustainability champions the ecology of commerce.Words by Juliet Austin
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ften viewed as a contradiction in terms, Swedish-born Orjan Lindroth is both visionary developer and ardent advocate for the growth of sustainable communities across the Caribbean. Moving with his parents to Nassau, The Bahamas at a young age, the archipelago of sunkissed islands, inlets and cays became his true north – the adopted childhood home that would define his consciousness and shape his future. Moved by its celebrated colonial architectural heritage, the innate wisdom of vernacular styles and centuries’ old living traditions, Lindroth evolved a model of fiscal and environmental sustainability and then set about building on his beliefs. Graduating from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Lindroth’s earliest forays into the world of place-making played out on a broad international stage with projects as far afield as British Columbia, Alaska and the south of France. Lured back to his island home, in 1993 he re-established himself in Nassau, founding the eponymously named Lindroth Development Company. A far cry from the charming, seaside town that had offered endless opportunities for play and exploration as a boy, he remained profoundly affected and influenced by the diversity of place and people. “It gave me the confidence to challenge the idea that monocultures that divide communities into different zones of use and demographic are an improvement,” he expounds. “Time has shown this leading to the destruction of community.” >
Opposite page: Orjan Lindroth This page clockwise from top left: Ca’Liza; Arne Lindroth, Orjan’s father, with Axel Wenner-Gren, original developer of Paradise Island; Newspaper clipping featuring Orjan (far left) and his siblings leaving for Nassau from Sweden in 1952; and Gunnel Lindroth, Orjan’s mother (far right) with friends, in the 1950’s. This page middle right: Aerial of Old Fort Bay marina community, New Providence. This page bottom: Old Fort Bay beach cabana (left) and detail of Bahamian shutters (right).
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38 | BUILDING ON BELIEF
Alongside his wife Amanda, an American interior designer with a flair for nostalgic elegance and authenticity, projects such as the Old Fort Bay Club and the Islands at Old Fort showcased a commitment to honouring historic context by connecting the dots between the built heritage of the past, the needs of the present and Lindroth’s nascent design vision for a future, guided the time tested principles and practices of great place-making. According to him, “When buildings and places relate to people, they provide optimism, pleasure and function.” Awarded the highly prized Patron Medal for Classical and Traditional Architecture and the 2010 Philip Trammell Shutze Award for his private home, Ca’Liza, Lindroth’s holistic methodology delivered a new generation of community: complex, civic-minded and anchored in space, place and time. “Look at any lasting community in The Bahamas and you will find a harbour as the wellspring,” he reveals. “If we then apply the laws of nature as they apply to humans, we find we need diversity and connectivity with local cultures, economies and social and civic groups.” Yet, Lindroth’s magnum opus must surely be his legacy-making Schooner Bay development, the flourishing low-impact harbour-side village emerging organically on the southeastern coast of Great Abaco. Pioneering a revolutionary sustainable development paradigm for the Caribbean, it promises to write Lindroth’s name in history as one of the foremost proponents of what he calls the ecological dividend – an economy of green that attests to the fact that eco-prudence pays. “Aristotle reminded us,” claims Lindroth, “that nature wastes nothing. It is a fundamental principle that transforms the current cradle-to-the-grave extractive, industrial machine into the economy of the future which will function more like nature in adopting cradle-to-cradle theories and practices.” Driven by what Jackson Burnside called, “the architecture
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of common sense,” Schooner Bay may well tick all the green boxes – community geothermal cooling system, million gallon rainwater collection cistern, solar hot water... the list goes on – thereby guaranteeing its creator a trip through the pearly gates, but as green building guru, Steve Mouzon, points out in the 2011 New Urban News, “Orjan isn’t simply doing the right thing.” Having analysed the social, environmental, architectural and cultural patterns, it is Lindroth’s exposé of the staggering costsavings of low-impact construction, that provide irrefutable proof that a green lifestyle is not only good for the soul, but not bad for the pocketbook either. Able to site hundreds of millions of dollars in ecological dividends, Lindroth’s message is unequivocal: forests = equity. “Instinct is nature’s compass,” states Lindroth, “and we follow nature. It does not waste; is resilient and diverse – able to grow and adapt. Nature can survive without Wall Street, but Wall Street cannot survive without Nature. It alone is the economy from which all wealth comes.” Establishing basic conditions to promote growth based on human scale and proportion, “Much like a sapling grows to a large tree,” the Schooner Bay ethos empowers stakeholders to participate in building a community of worth over time. Anchored by the fourteen-acre living, working, recreational harbour that unifies and energises the community, lots and homes have grown into hamlets, and, in turn, a small village, in the hope of one day becoming a thriving, walkable town nourished by fresh, local produce from its organic gardens. Infused with green wisdom, responsive architecture
“When buildings and places relate to people, they provide optimism, pleasure and function.” will form what Amanda Lindroth calls, “legendary places,” where workplace and neighbourhood are one, reducing driving by 80 percent and substantially easing reliance on gas. Deservedly, Mouzon credits Lindroth with, “Working harder than any New Urbanist developer… to create a local economy.” Bolstered by the belief that common areas should be shared equally between big and small, out of two-hundredand-twenty acres of land, more than half is being preserved as green space with plans to plant 200,000 more trees. According to Lindroth, “The outside realm of topography and landscaping, is a gift to the street; a carefully managed enhancement of the local transect.” Grown from seed at the in-house nursery rather than imported as mature trees, the ecological dividend runs at a staggering $38.8 million. Defying the modern throwaway culture (and saving himself a cool $24.4 million in the bargain), no aggregate or sand is brought on or off site: every bucket moved is used to create an advantage elsewhere. A strong reduce, reuse, recycle policy turn wood scraps to mulch, while beaches, mangroves and the coppice remain untouched and the two-mile dune ecosystem is recognised for strengthening the shoreline, reinforced by the root systems of hundreds of native plant species. Orjan Lindroth is undoubtedly a man of crystal vision and unwavering principle. Enshrined in his life’s work, a legacy of enduring communities stand: real places, built by real people, demanding the right to co-exist with the natural realm. If, as Professor Dr. Klaus Topfer believes, “Sustainable development is the peace policy of the future,” then one of the more remarkable ecological dividends of Lindroth’s work must be the truce he calls for between developer and environmentalist. Change is here and Lindroth is ready.
Opposite page top three: Club Villas, Old Fort Bay, New Providence. Opposite page bottom: Sundowners at Schooner Bay, Great Abaco. This page: Schooner Bay, Lindroth’s latest marina front development on Great Abaco.
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a matter
of taste
As the organic food trend seizes the gastronomic imagination of the Caribbean, four taste-full resorts prove that you do not need to go to the ends of the earth to sate the modern palate. Words by Juliet Austin Commenting recently on the Caribbean’s heavy dependence upon foreign food imports comprised mostly of processed products, Secretary General of CARICOM, Erwin LaRoque, indicated the importance of sustainable food production in addressing the region’s staggering US$4 billion bill. Lucky for him, four fine dining resorts are ahead of the game, intent on bringing ‘soon come’ back into the belly of the Caribbean experience.
Anse Chastanet ST. LUCIA Canadian architect, Nick Troubetzkoy, bright mind and creative spirit behind Anse Chastanet, a soulful boutique resort nestled into the hillside between St. Lucia’s legendary iconic peaks, has long been familiar with the spellbinding power of the exotic. Passionate about nature, his intoxicating art-filled nirvana frames beauty at every turn. Built on a 600-acre former colonial plantation north of Soufrière, with achingly insouciant views out over its namesake beach, undulating rainforests and pavonine seas, what can be more splendid than plucking the fruits of paradise to please the palates of those in search of an authentic Caribbean experience? Indulging the full five senses, Anse Chastanet’s appeal
supersedes the visual, auditory and tactile by offering ‘dinner in the sky’ at its Treehouse Restaurant – a taste sensation guaranteed to win the hearts and minds of guests time after time. From vanilla beans to microgreens, farm fresh produce grown from certified organic seeds on Emerald Estate, the resort’s farm located close by in the Soufrière hills, combines with a bountiful harvest of tropical fruit – guava, mangoes, passion fruit and coconuts – from the on-site garden, delivering meals that feed both body and soul. Invoking the essence of St. Lucia in every mouth-watering creation, Executive Chef, Ivan Silks serves up both contemporary Caribbean cuisine – a feast of fresh-caught fish and just-offthe-vine fruits – and Creole-infused dishes that tell the gastronomic history of the Helen of the West Indies in every bite. Tempted? Grab a fork, and dig in... >
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44 | A MATTER OF TASTE
Cuisinart Resort ANGUILLA Leading the seismic culinary shift towards locally sourced, organic foods, Anguilla’s Cuisinart Resort, situated on the breathtaking Rendezvous Bay, pulled out all the stops in 1999, when it became the first resort to feature its own hydroponic farm. Managed from its inception by the learned Dr. Howard Resh, the 18,000 square-foot greenhouse produces healthy, pollutant-and-pesticide-free fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and edible flowers, used to create the French and Mediterranean-inspired gastronomic masterpieces for which the resort is renowned. From lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli and aubergine to sweet peppers and papaya, just one bite of a Cuisinart mango is all it takes to experience the taste superiority of home-grown produce over imported fare flown in frozen from the U.S.
Encouraged to pick their own from colourful groves of bearing trees and fertile orchards, the resort’s hands-on cooking classes enable guests to savour the flavours of a garden-to-table lifestyle. A world away from the culture of distrust in food industry standards and widespread media misinformation, where global industrial farming serves up bland homogeneity at the table; here, titillating the taste buds is an adventure in eating; a delicious cultural experience that casts each guest in the role of a gastronomic Indiana Jones. At the Cuisinart Resort, what you see is what you get – no need to decipher food labels or agonise over high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, growth hormones or artificial sweeteners; just pure, natural flavours, bold and intense; unadulterated ingredients ripened fully under the Caribbean sun. Embrace this slow food movement that accepts no substitutes.
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Hermitage Bay ANTIGUA Described by co-owner and avid environmentalist, Andy Thesen as, “the perfect antidote to modern, hectic life,” Hermitage Bay’s beachfront cottages and hillside suites were, quite literally, carved by hand into a hidden cove on Antigua’s western coast. A contemporary luxury resort guided by a gentle hand, it is perfectly placed for the new upsurge in Health and Wellbeing tourism which, guided by the acronym L.O.A.F – Local, Organic, Animal-friendly and Fairly traded – answers locavore demands for more ethical and genuine dining experiences. Accompanied by a soundtrack of crashing waves, rustling leaves, harmonic sea breezes and insect melodies, guests start their day with the exotic, freshly squeezed juice-du-jour – guava and soursop, watermelon or papaya – enjoyed whilst taking in the sweeping panorama of sea and sky. Later, a visit to a local farm gives the opportunity for a whirlwind taste bud tour of the island, experiencing a sort of anthropological bite of its culture. Senses ignite with each colourful encounter from ackee, custard apple, cashew, guinep and noni to no less than fourteen varieties of mango.
The recipient of awards and recognitions too numerous to mention – most romantic, sexiest, hottest… each superlative speaks to the resort’s desire to exceed guest expectations, no more so than in its provision of mouth-watering menus that have never made eating one’s greens quite so much fun. Aspiring to minimise food miles and support local agriculture, its commitment to using organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices from its own kitchen garden, thriving local markets and island suppliers is indicative of the importance placed on food security and ethicality. In a nutshell, Hermitage Bay is one resort guaranteed never to leave a bad taste in your mouth. >
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46 | A MATTER OF TASTE
MOUNT CINNAMON GRENADA Set in the southernmost Caribbean, Grenada’s Mount Cinnamon boutique resort is distinguished and defined by its stunning mountainous topography and its complete immersion into the culture of what was once called ‘The Spice Island.’ Now owned by mover and shaker and international entrepreneur, Peter de Savary, the property is a contemporary reincarnation of the former colonial plantation once belonging to British Lord Edgecombe of Devon. Surrounded by tropical flower gardens and sublime views out over Grand Anse beach, the collection of bedroom suites, villas and haciendas are ablaze with the colours of the Caribbean, tempting guests to feast their eyes upon the rich bounty of Mother Earth and live in unity with nature. Exotic, mindful and pure, culinary offerings seek similarly to capture the island’s unique terroir. Characterised by justpicked herbs, nutrient-rich fruits and crisp vegetables grown at de Savary’s private plantation estate, menus feature exotic local fish freshly plucked from the sea and tender meats seasoned with a kick of the spice – nutmeg, cloves, ginger and its namesake cinnamon. What on God’s green earth could compare to the taste-full bliss of dinner at Savvy’s Restaurant overlooking the twinkling lights of the capital, St. George or, failing that, the sensual pleasure of being wrapped in warm banana leaves and embalmed in Moi Spa’s nutmeg butter soufflé?
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50 | ROLLING IN THE DEEP
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CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 53 TREASURE ISLANDS
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Caribbean Chocolate:
from bean to bar Words by Natalia Taylor
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ich and decadent, chocolate has long been one of the world’s favourite sweet indulgences. The finest chocolate is strong and dark, bordering on bitter, with complex flavours that whisper of exotic spices, nuts and fruits. Chocolate’s story began two thousands years ago in the rainforests of Mesoamerica, where the ancient Aztecs and Mayans would harvest the pods of the cacao tree, roasting and grinding the seeds to make a dark, bitter drink they called ‘xocoatl’. Of huge importance to these ancient civilisations who believed it possessed mystical powers, cocoa was used in religious rituals, and the beans were traded as currency. Although not immediately pleasing to the palates of the European explorers arriving in the New World, once they began to mix it with cane they cultivated in the Caribbean, chocolate gained widespread popularity. Of the three varieties of cacao tree, the forastero, grown
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largely in Western Africa, accounts for 90 percent of all cocoa produced. This ‘bulk bean’ is a hardy, disease-resistant variety, characterised by a solid, if unexceptional flavour. The criollo trees, on the other hand, produce the more delicate beans that add floral, spicy and aromatic tasting notes to the finest chocolate. Originating in Trinidad, the trinitario, which is now the predominant cacao variety of the Caribbean, combines the strength of the forastero with the flavour intensity of the criollo. Much like wine, the climate and soil in which cacao is grown, and the way in which the beans are dried and fermented all influence the flavour characteristics of the bean. The rich volcanic soil, heat and humidity of the Caribbean provide ideal conditions for growing cacao trees and producing chocolate that has depth and character. Although the majority of beans are exported, a few enterprising cocoa farmers in the Caribbean are drawing
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Photos courtesy of The Grenada Chocolate Company
attention to the region’s historic role in chocolate production by processing, fermenting, drying and roasting their own beans and making artisan chocolates on-site. On the spice island of Grenada, since Hurricane Ivan destroyed three quarters of the island’s nutmeg plantations in 2004, cocoa has become the number one agricultural export, overtaking the original trade-leader nutmeg. The Grenada Chocolate Company, a cocoa farmers’ and chocolate-makers’ cooperative, prides itself on producing some of the strongest, richest chocolate in the world. Using refurbished antique machinery, modified to run on solar power, they roast the beans, separate the cocoa butter from the solids and make a variety of award-winning, luscious, dark organic chocolates. One of the cooperative’s largest farms, Belmont Estate, attracts a steady stream of visitors keen not only to tour the facilities and witness at first hand the process of making chocolate, but also of course, to taste the difference. Taking chocolate appreciation to new heights, the Hotel Chocolat in St Lucia invites guests to immerse themselves in a world of chocolate, for days at a time. Located on an ancient cocoa plantation that has been nurtured back to health in recent years, chocolate and cocoa have been subtly woven into every facet of the resort, from chocolate cocktails and cocoa-inspired cuisine to cocoa oil spa treatments. This year, a chocolate factory will be added, so that guests can have a hand in making their very own bite-sized treats. As consumers increasingly demand the finest quality ingredients, and a return to more traditional production methods and values, the future of Caribbean chocolate looks promising. By producing chocolates with a high proportion of flavour beans, the region could truly lay claim to the finest quality chocolates in the world – something that, in time, may well grow into a whole new industry for the Caribbean.
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The Eight Steps from bean to bar 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Picking the cocoa pods. Extracting the wet cocoa from the pods. Drying the wet cocoa to create beans. Hand sorting the cocoa beans. Roasting the cocoa beans. Mixing sugar in with the cocoa. Pouring the liquid chocolate into molds. It is a wrap – the chocolate bar is complete.
Photos courtesy of Hotel Chocolat, St Lucia
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24 H O U R S
in ST. MARTIN/ST. MAARTEN
Located in the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, St. Martin/St. Maarten is often referred to as the crossroads of the Caribbean. One of the smallest sea islands to be divided between two nations; the northern-side of the island – St. Martin is an overseas collective of France, with the southern-side of the island part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. These European influences seamlessly combine with local Caribbean culture, creating a cosmopolitan getaway for rock stars and green-warriors alike. 1
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Love to connect with nature? Loterie Farm is a secret hideaway nestled in the hillside of Pic Paradis on French St. Martin where you can wine, dine, climb, hike and glide over the treetop canopy. Begin your day with a guided hike through the beautiful tropical forest, and break for lunch at Loterie Farm Hidden Forest Café to sample locally grown produce. Need an adrenaline rush? Clip in and zip-line down over the trees of Pic Paradis with Fly Zone Extreme Adventure. For more information visit: www.loteriefarm.com
luxury retreat
Set beside St. Martin’s finest beach, Baie Longue, and lapped by the Caribbean Sea, La Samanna Resort and Spa is the ultimate in luxury. Constantly ranked among the Caribbean’s top ten hotel retreats, it is a garden paradise in which to enjoy an al fresco massage, lie in a hammock or dine in gourmet style, lulled by the waves. For more information visit: www.lasamanna.com
creative cuisine Located on the Boulevard de Grand Case, this unassuming traditional Creole cottage houses one of the island’s best restaurants, L’Estaminet. Serving exceptional French cuisine with an innovative and creative flair, it is the place to go for a romantic evening complete with innovative, palate-stimulating combinations. For more information visit: www.estaminet-sxm.com
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traditional sailing You can now cruise St. Martin/St. Maarten on Random Wind, a traditional, 54ft sailboat that has circumnavigated the world. Enjoy the luxuries of this beautiful boat whilst spending the day snorkelling, swimming and perfecting your back flip off the Tarzan swing. Cruises are available for a Paradise Day Sail or private charter, limited to 22 people, with food and drinks included. For more information visit: www.randomwind.com
diving deep Get closer to nature at the St. Maarten Marine Park. Surrounding the entire Dutch side of the island, the marine park features 28 dive sites including natural and man-made reefs and shipwrecks. These areas contain some of the last pristine marine locations, where excellent diving and breeding grounds for birds, fish and other marine life can be encountered. For more information visit: www.naturefoundationsxm.org
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exclusive pampering The Dior Spa, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, is located at The Cliff resort in Cupecoy Beach, St. Maarten. Here you can receive luxurious hydrotherapy and aromatherapy treatments, deep tissue massages, facials and body scrubs. Spa goers also have access to the onsite pool, sauna and steam room. Incorporated into each treatment are signature Dior products known as some of the most luxurious around. For more information visit: www.cliffsxm.com/spa
For more information on St. Martin/St. Maarten visit www.stmartinisland.org or www.vacationstmaarten.com
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PROFILE | 59
corkit Words by Natalia Taylor
You have to admire a material that comes back for more, no matter what you do to it. Sink it, burn it, squeeze it, drown it – cork never succumbs. So, whilst the modern wine industry may be shunning cork as the bottle stopper of choice, its buoyant reinvention at the hands of the design industry is uncorking the new potential in the innate sustainability of this ancient product. iscovered in Egyptian tombs and found in the ruins of the Greeks, the earliest recorded use of the bark of the cork oak tree dates back at least three thousand years. Later, Mediterranean fishermen would fashion cork into floats, using its natural buoyancy and water-resistance to clinch their catch. But cork’s big boozy break came when eighteenth century champagne king, Dom PÊrignon, noted that air pockets would allow for compression into a bottle neck, whilst simultaneously facilitating a return to its original form, thereby creating a seal. It was not until the twentieth century though that cork became the floor covering of choice in both civic and residential buildings. Here, the same air pockets provided a lightweight, flexible product capable of absorbing sound whilst offering natural thermal insulation. Adding a warm, welcoming feel to interiors, the superior durability of cork made it an obvious alternative to hardwood floors. Now, experimenting with working at different
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temperatures and with additional pigments, flooring manufacturers such as Haro can offer a large selection of different shades and patterns including light honey to deep coffee tones, stripes and wood effects such as oak and chestnut. Today, creators and innovators recognise in cork the endless possibilities inherent in its boundless versatility. Previously overlooked, few other products stand to offer impermeability, elasticity and density while remaining a natural visual corker. What is more, cork’s waterproof and insulating characteristics have led design brands such as Corque Design to transform cork into household items such as wine coolers and place mats, as well as creating unique seats, sideboards and tabletops. Experimenting with cutting, gluing, molding and compressing cork, designer Daniel Michalik, comments: “For the first time in my life, I was seeing a material perform in entirely new ways. I felt as if I had woken up in a new, uncharted world.” Since this revolutionary moment, Michalik has coaxed and sculpted cork into sturdy chairs, elegant, curved chaise longues and modular concave and convex wall panels that, when fitted together, create what he describes as a “three dimensional, rolling landscape along a wall.” Michalik continues, “I have discovered that when handled correctly, the natural flexibility of cork allows it to form fantastic, complex shapes no other material can match.” Versatility for innovation aside, it is the sustainability of cork that has truly injected new life into a material that has been used for millennia. Harvested by hand in much the same way it has been throughout history, no more than 50 percent of the cork oak’s bark is removed at any one time, ensuring the tree lives on unharmed. Whilst providing for Man, cork also sustains a diversity of endemic wildlife, prevents desertification in arid regions and has an exceptional ability to store carbon dioxide. Add to this the fact that it is a highly recyclable material – cork stoppers and off-cuts can be ground down, molded and baked into new forms – and that processing produces virtually no waste, and you have one of the greenest natural materials known on Earth. Attractive, flexible and long-lasting, science has thus far been unable to improve on cork’s endless range of qualities. A true gift from nature, we are sure to be popping the cork on this incredible resource for many years to come.
Opposite page top: Cortiça, Daniel Michalik Opposite page top right: Black Flower, Ana Mestre for CORQUE Design Opposite page bottom left: Tilter, Daniel Michalik Opposite page bottom right: Praia, Daniel Michalik This page top left: Tigra, Haro This page top right: Arteo Stripes, Haro This page bottom left: Vine, Tiago Nunes for CORQUE Design This page middle right: Arteo Textured Gray Oak, Haro This page bottom right: Arteo Walnut, Haro
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the Kalinago Connecting to the past, the ancient Kalinago tribe brings intuitive earth-conscious design to modern-day Dominica. Words by Margaret Gajek. Photography by Derek Galon.
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nce upon a time, a fearless, proud and inventive Kalinago tribe lived happily on Dominica. Today, a unique site on the rugged northeast coast of the island provides rare glimpses into an architectural heritage and way of life before the arrival of Columbus. This place is called Kalinago Barana Auté or Carib Village by the Sea. Featuring traditionally constructed buildings, the showcase village is testament to the enduring strength and ingenuity of indigenous design. Inhabiting a large area of almost four thousand acres established by the British in 1903, the Kalinago Territory is home to the largest remaining population of Kalinagos in the Caribbean. Called the ‘Caribs’ by European settlers – a label that would later give its name to the
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entire region – they have reclaimed their traditional Kalinago name in the hope of preserving their culture in perpetuity. However, when the Spaniards first beheld the Kalinago’s buildings, they did not regard them as ‘real’ homes, so very different were they from the architecture they had left in Spain. Grouped around a central plaza, the most impressive structure was the main meeting house, called the Carbet or Taboui. Smaller, tent-like Ajoupas and Mouinas, built from hardwood and plant material collected from the forest, surrounded this sixty-foot-long structure. Roofs were made from thatched palm leaves, with grass or reeds used also as wattle for the walls. Everything was tied together with maho, a rope made of bark. Inside, furnishing was sparse, with hammocks used for sleeping – another ingenious invention of the Amerindians.
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Like the dwellings of other Amerindians such as the Tainos in Greater Antilles, these buildings were perfectly suited to the tropical climate. Thatched roofs and walls, permeable to air flow, allowed structures to breathe naturally – a quality that colonial European-brought designs later struggled to achieve. The Kalinago’s simple structures were also surprisingly strong, able to withstand fierce winds and hurricanes and quickly repaired when necessary. “My people lived off the land,” Kalinago Chief Garnette Joseph explains. “The forest provided not only building material for houses, but also food, medicine and gommier wood for dugout canoes.” These masterly Kalinago Barana Auté, and when I saw constructed long boats were fast, silent that big Carbet house with its thatched and agile – all key factors in the roof, I immediately knew – that’s what Kalinago’s successful resistance of our place should look like. The European attempts to invade Dominica Kalinago not only built our lodge but for almost 200 years. also gave us lots of help and advice. We It is only recently, with the strong couldn’t have done it without them.” interest in green building The rich Kalinago methods, that these heritage does not indigenous only belong to the constructions are past, but being recognised remains a not just for their strong and aesthetic and active force historic value, but today. “Despite for their Earthbig changes to Ab ov conscious design. the Kalinago ag e: R alin oots e K traditional way of life, Maurice Agar, a h Jungle t y Retreat, inspired b renowned Caribbean we still retain some of architect based in Dominica, its aspects,” explains the Chief. “Our comments: “The challenge for culture and traditions are close to our architects designing in today’s world heart and define who we are. We still with our increasing environmental live off the land and in tune with concerns, is to find a way to nature. We are blessed to be living in incorporate the materials and values of natural surroundings, and that feeling the past into our current ‘mod-con’ permeates our lives. We are in a unique lifestyles and structures. We need to position to offer on our island to design our buildings not just with visitors coming from all over the globe sustainability of materials at the the exceptional experience of our forefront, but also with the end goal of culture, which we continuously strive making it part of our lifestyle. We build to keep alive." not just for ourselves, but with future generations in mind.” Called the ‘nature island of the Caribbean,’ Dominica is host to growing numbers of environmentally conscious architectural endeavours, including Roots Jungle Retreat, created by Pat and Staci Kosick, a lodge inspired by Kalinago architecture. Pat explains: “I was driving one day nearby
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getting your
green on Conducting a green home audit – the ultimate eco-trip. Words by Lisa-Ann Hurlston-McKenzie
oes your home get a passing grade when it comes to being ‘green’? A green home audit can help determine the eco-friendliness of your living environment by assessing your home’s environmental performance based on the lifestyle of its inhabitants. Audits provide a guide to saving money and creating healthy living spaces by identifying opportunities for greater energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and use of local products or services. Still relatively new across the Caribbean, the number of companies offering energy audits continues to grow. So, while do-ityourself green home checklists are readily available, results tend to be more comprehensive when conducted by a professional trained in industryaccepted standards. Beyond the ‘feel good’ factor of living a greener lifestyle and channelling your inner eco-consumer, an audit can reap a wealth of rewards over and above saving you that vital chunk of change on utility bills.
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Proven to enhance the wellbeing of occupants, lower healthcare costs and increase productivity, improving indoor environmental quality offers benefits to both businesses and families seeking to ensure safe, healthy environments. What is more, undertaking an audit can boost the durability and green marketability of your house as in the US, where green homes that are professionally certified to ensure against ‘greenwashing,’ often attract higher asking prices. So what is involved in a green home audit? A survey of your basic utility information, lifestyle choices and current practices is followed by an interior and exterior walk-through to examine opportunities to improve energy and water efficiency, air quality and natural resource use. Professional assessments can be quite involved and use sophisticated testing and monitoring equipment.
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ENERGY The energy audit will generate the biggest cost savings and greatly reduce your household’s environmental impact. Energy experts claim that most properties can cost-effectively achieve up to a 30 percent reduction in consumption through increased efficiencies in space cooling or water heating, with payback typically in two to three years. Your auditor may perform a blower door test for air leakage, use infrared equipment or temporarily install monitoring devices to accurately assess areas for improvement. Longer-term energy management tools for the homeowner are easy-to-install meters (e.g. Kill-A-WattTM Monitor) and wall-mounted or webbased whole house energy dashboards. Among other things, your home will be audited for: • Energy-efficient appliances and electronics (e.g. Energy Star), units left in standby mode which suck ‘vampire’ electricity, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or lightemitting diode (LED) lighting; • Efficiency of air-conditioning systems, temperature settings and air filters; • Air leaks around doors, windows and other areas; • High efficiency hot water heater or tankless system, efficient temperature setting and insulated hot water pipes; • Fridge and freezer efficient settings, clean coils, good ventilation and airtight door seals; • Washing machine cold-water setting and clothes line; • Insulated walls and attic; • Energy-efficient windows; • Renewable energy systems.
WATER • Drip-free faucets and no leaking fixtures (a number of companies offer leak detection services); • Faucet aerators, low-flow shower heads, dual flush or water saving toilets (e.g. WaterSense); • Grey water reuse and rainwater harvesting for irrigation or toilet flushing; • Xeriscaping (water-efficient landscaping) or drip irrigation systems.
WASTE • Minimally packaged goods, bulk purchasing, purchase of reusable, refillable and long-life items and reusable shopping bags; • Recycling and compost storage bins and no garbage disposal; • Separation of garden and food waste for composting.
HEALTH • Signs of mould; • Central vacuum system and highefficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) air filters; • Kitchen range hood, bathroom exhaust fans and clothes dryer vented to outside; • Low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, furnishings and cleaners; • Eco-labelled or environmentally preferable products (EPP), e.g. phosphate-free, biodegradable and lowirritant cleaning products; • Organic pesticides, insecticides and fertilisers.
MATERIALS • Locally produced, made from renewable resources or composite recycled content, recyclable; • Certified (i.e. third-party verified) sustainable materials; • Non-toxic (no VOCs, formaldehyde or PVC, arsenic-free).
FOOD AND CLOTHING • Locally grown food products, preferably naturally and seasonally grown; • Designated area for home garden; • Organic hemp and other natural clothing.
Finally, the auditor’s report will contain recommended improvements along with calculated return on investment (ROI) or payback for measures. Some audits may estimate your home’s carbon footprint and offer ways to become ‘carbon neutral.’ Prioritise the implementation of recommendations based on your audit goals (i.e. lower utility bills or healthier home). Change need not be made all at once; rather, start with simple lifestyle choices or select budget-friendly options with one to three year paybacks. Once you start seeing monthly savings, the extra funds can go toward further green home improvements or big-ticket items. Any way you look at it, getting audited never felt so good.
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CAYMAN’S BLACK MAGIC MAN | 73
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Photo by Steve Passmore, Provo Pictures, TCI.
real estate REALTOR PROFILE John Christie, H.G. Christie Ltd., Bahamas..........................76 ANTIGUA Tradewind Realty....................................................................78 BAHAMAS Caves Heights ........................................................................75 H.G. Christie Ltd. ...................................................................77 BARBADOS Godiva Realty .........................................................................78 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Surfsong Villa .........................................................................77 CAYMAN ISLANDS James Bovell, Dreamfinders, RE/MAX Cayman Islands ................................................77, 79 Michael Joseph, Property Cayman, RE/MAX Cayman Islands ......................................................77 TURKS & CAICOS NW Hamilton.........................................................................77 USVI Sea Glass Realty.....................................................................78
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CARIBBEAN REGION ARCHITECTS Andrew Goodenough Architects, Antigua.. ........................(268) 460 1489 Brisbane N. & Associates, St Kitts Nevis...........................(869) 465 5111 Caribbean Design, Architects & Engineers, Barbados.......(246) 427 5696 Roger Downing & Partner Co. Ltd, BVI...............................(284) 494 2762 John Doak Architecture, Cayman Islands ..........................(345) 946 3625 Lancaster Associates, St Kitts & Nevis ...............................(869) 465 7931 Lee H. Skolnick Architecture...............................................(212) 989 2624 Melon Design, St Lucia ......................................................(758) 458 4605 OBM International Antigua .........................................................................(268) 462 1047 Bermuda ......................................................................(441) 278 3550 British Virgin Islands......................................................(284) 494 2148 Cayman Islands ...........................................................(345) 949 8115 Miami............................................................................(305) 537 7100 Trinidad and Tobago.....................................................(868) 624 6449 ATTORNEYS O’Neal Webster, BVI. ...................................................(284) 494 5808 Lex Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago .....................................(868) 628 9255 Ogier, BVI............................................................................(284) 494 0525 AVIATION & AIRLINES Arrindell Aviation Services, St Maarten ................................(599) 546 7641 Biz Jet To Yacht (FBO 2000), Antigua.................................(268) 562 4347 Bohlke International Airways, St Croix .................................(340) 778 9177 I Am Caribbean Inc, Barbados...........................................(242) 428 1704 I Am Jet Centre, Jamaica ...................................................(876) 971 9033 Island Air, Cayman Islands .................................................(345) 949 5252 Lloyd Aviation Services, Anguilla.........................................(954) 804 4288 Million Air San Juan, Puerto Rico ........................................(787) 994 3200 MN Aviation, Puerto Rico ....................................................(787) 791 7090 Odyssey Aviation Asheville Regional Airport .............................................(828) 684 6832 Charleston International Airport.....................................(843) 414 9200 Chicago Midway Airport ...............................................(773) 284 2867 Cincinnati Lunken Airport..............................................(513) 871 2020 Port Columbus International Airport ..............................(614) 238 3900 Lafayette Regional Airport ............................................(337) 234 3100 Lynden Pindling International Airport, The Bahamas ....(242) 702 0200 New Orleans Lakefront Airport......................................(504) 241 2800 Tropical Aviation Distributors...............................................(305) 255-6973 BANKS & FINANCIAL SERVICES UBS – Global Bank......................................................(242) 394-9300 First Caribbean International Bank ......................................(246) 367 2300 KPMG, Barbados................................................................(246) 427 5230 KPMG, Cayman Islands .....................................................(345) 949 4800 Scotiabank Private Client Group : Bahamas:.....................................................................(242) 502-5701 Cayman........................................................................(345) 914-6274 Dominican Republic.....................................................(809) 545 8110 Barbados .....................................................................(246) 417 2004 Trinidad & Tobago ........................................................(868) 625 3566 Turks & Caicos .............................................................(649) 941 3971 Jamaica........................................................................(876) 946 7215 St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA)..................(869) 465 1153 Republic Bank, Trinidad......................................................(868) 625 3671 DESIGNERS Adriana Hoyos ....................................................................(305) 572 9052 DCOTA: Design Center of the Americas............................(954) 920 7997 Island Company .................................................................(561) 833 8110 Lapierre's Marble ...........................................................(590) 590 873 249 Marble of the World ............................................................(954) 745 9700 DEVELOPERS / CONSTRUCTION / SURVEYORS BCQS International Bahamas ................................................................(242) 393 5352 Barbados ...............................................................(246) 428 8091 British Virgin Islands ..............................................(284) 494 7144 Cayman Islands .....................................................(345) 949 8644 St Lucia ..................................................................(758) 450 7040 Turks and Caicos ...................................................(649) 946 4238 Decco Products Int’l Inc. ....................................................(305) 266 0104 Enviroshake, Canada .........................................................(416) 648 0620 Evocon LTD ........................................................................(305) 537 5409 Harris Civil Engineers, USA.................................................(407) 629 4777 Mansail Development Group, LLC, USA ............................(813) 254 3110 NanaWall ............................................................................(800) 873 5673 Rotherley Construction Inc, Barbados................................(246) 425 0950 St Kitts Nevis Anguilla Trading & Developing Co Ltd..........(869) 465 2511 Termo Build USA ..............................................................................(347) 905 0865 Canada ........................................................................(905) 764 1874 Victor International...............................................................(284) 364 2400 INSURANCE Guardian General Insurance, Trinidad ...............................(868) 625 4GGL Island Heritage, Barbados..................................................(246) 426 2218 KITCHENS, BATHROOMS & CABINENTRY Downsview Kitchens of Dania ............................................(954) 927 1100 Downsview Kitchens of Juno .............................................(561) 799 7700 Kitchen Design Studio in Dominican..................................(809) 541 7707 Kohler, Caribbean ...............................................................(920) 457 4441 Stafford Flooring .................................................................(441) 295 9744 Delta Faucets .....................................................................(317) 587 1248 Lapierre's Marble ...........................................................(590) 590 873 249 Living Design, St Kitts.........................................................(869) 465 3223 PHOTOGRAPHY Provo Pictures.....................................................................(649) 432 7777 Derek Galon Photography ..................................................(250) 360 0123 POOLS & OUTDOOR DESIGN Caribbean Botanical Designs, St. Lucia.............................(758) 721 2177 David Tisherman’s Visual Inc., California ............................(310) 379 6700 Lapierre's Marble ...........................................................(590) 590 873 249 Tuuci ...................................................................................(305) 636 7882
REAL ESTATE AGENTS American Home Mortgage Funding, LLC ..........................(954) 551 5559 BVI Sotheby’s International Realty ..............................(284) 494 5700 Godiva Realty (Barbados) .......................................... (246) 249 8032 Christie's International Real Estate Anguilla......................................................................1 (888) 226 4845 Antigua & Barbuda .......................................................(268) 562 6042 Bahamas ......................................................................(242) 322 1041 Barbados .....................................................................(246) 432 0840 British Virgin Islands......................................................(284) 494 2446 Dominican Republic.....................................................(829) 473 0000 Puerto Rico...................................................................(787) 925 2520 St. Martin ................................................................(590) 590 51 02 85 Turks & Caicos .............................................................(649) 941 4105 US Virgin Islands ..........................................................(340) 775 9000 St. Barth .................................................................(590) 590 29 88 91 St Lucia Homes..................................................................(758) 450 0877 Terra Caribbean ..................................................................(246) 434 9000 Tradewind Realty, Antigua...................................................(268) 460 1082 RESORTS / MARINAS Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia ..................................................(758) 459 7000 The Body Holiday, St. Lucia ...............................................(758) 457 7800 Cooper Island, BVI..............................................................(284) 495 9084 CuisinArt, Anguilla ..............................................................(212) 515 5867 The Crane, Barbados .........................................................(246) 423 6220 Jade Mountain, St. Lucia....................................................(758) 459 4000 Hermitage Bay, Antigua ......................................................(268) 764 2133 Ladera, St. Lucia ................................................................(758) 459 6600 Mount Cinnamon, Grenada ................................................(473) 439 9900 Nanny Cay Village, BVI .......................................................(284) 494 4895 Rosalie Bay, Dominica........................................................(767) 446 1010 Sandals...............................................................................(888) 726 3257 Scrub Island, BVI .............................................................1 (877) 890 7444 Secret Bay, Dominica .........................................................(767) 445 4444 Sothern Cross Club, Little Cayman ....................................(800) 899 2582 Sugar Beach, St. Lucia ...........................................+44 (0) 844 921 0126 Sugar Ridge, Antigua .........................................................(268) 562 7727 The Horned Dorset Primavera, Puerto Rico .......................(787) 925 2520 Zemi Beach, Shoal Bay, Anguilla........................................(264) 235 1879 SHIPPING Tropical Shipping ..................................................................800 638 8767 SHOPPING, JEWELLERY & AUTO Marvin Watches ...............................................................1 (800) 237 9477 Effy Jewelers Bahamas ......................................................................(242) 326 7560 Grand Cayman.............................................................(345) 949 3393 Puerto Rico...................................................................(787) 721 0256 St Kitts & Nevis.............................................................(869) 465 1339 St Maarten ....................................................................(599) 542 3951 St Thomas ....................................................................(340) 776 3339 TOURISM BOARD Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority .............................(268) 562 7600 St. Maarten Tourism Board .................................................(721) 542 2337 St. Martin Tourism Board.....................................................0 590 87 57 21 Saint Lucia Tourist Board ....................................................(758) 452 4094 BVI Tourist Board ................................................................(284) 494 3134 St. Kitts Tourism Authority....................................................(869) 465 4040 Turks & Caicos Tourism Board............................................(649) 946 4970
CAYMAN ISLANDS ARCHITECTS John Doak Architecture...............................................(345) 946 3625 Robert Towel ................................................................(345) 949 6681 ATTORNEYS Conyers Dill and Pearman..................................................(345) 945 3901 J Barry Smith Attorney-at-Law.............................................(345) 943 7700 ART & ARTIST Hannah Cook Studio ..........................................................(345) 916 3060
PHOTOGRAPHERS Heather Holt Photography ..................................................(345) 916 5263 PROPERTY INSURANCE Fidelity, Cayman Islands .....................................................(345) 949 7822 Island Heritage ...................................................................(345) 949 7280 REAL ESTATE AGENTS Dreamfinders, RE/MAX Cayman Islands ....................(345) 945 1585 Dart Realty ..........................................................................(345) 943 3278 IRG International Realty Group Ltd .....................................(345) 623 1111 Michael Joseph, RE/MAX Cayman Islands.................(345) 949 6170 Paradise Properties.............................................................(345) 916 2455 SHOPPING, JEWELLERY & ENTERTAINMENT Island Companies ..............................................................(345) 640 5337 PASSMAN ...........................................................................(345) 949 0123 SURVEYORS & PROPERTY CONSULTANTS Blue Point Consulting LTD ..................................................(345) 525 0706
BAHAMAS AVIATION & AIRLINES Bahamasair.........................................................................(242) 377 8452 Executive Flight Support .....................................................(242) 424 9598 Odyssey Aviation Bahamas................................................(242) 702 0200 ARCHITECTS Artech Bahamas Ltd...........................................................(242) 327 2335 Bruce LaFleur & Associates ...............................................(242) 323 8421 BANKS Scotia Bank ........................................................................(242) 502 5799 SG Private Banking .............................................................(242) 302 5000 CONCIERGE SERVICES Island Concierge Services (ICL) .........................................(242) 362 6861 INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Downsview Kitchens of Nassau .........................................(242) 377 0004 Nassau Florist.....................................................................(242) 393 2223 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS Caves Heights....................................................................(242) 327 8867 Lindroth Development LTD.................................................(242) 362 4422 Lyford Cay ..........................................................................(242) 362 4211 Ocean Club Residences and Marina .................................(242) 363 3000 Old Fort Bay........................................................................(242) 362 6434 Schooner Bay .....................................................................(242) 362 4422 REAL ESTATE AGENTS H.G. Christie .......................................................................(242) 322 1041 RESORTS & SPAS Compass Point...................................................................(242) 327 4500
TURKS AND CAICOS AVIATION & AIRLINE Air Provo Centre..................................................................(649) 946 4181
AVIATION SERVICES Island Air .............................................................................(345) 949 5252
ARCHITECTS RA Shaw Designs ........................................................(649) 941 4394 Simon Wood.......................................................................(649) 946 5911
BANKING & MORTGAGES Butterfield Bank ...........................................................(345) 949 7055 Caledonian...................................................................(345) 949 0050 Cayman National Bank .......................................................(345) 949 4655 Fidelity Bank (Cayman) Ltd.........................................(345) 949 7822 HSBC Bank (Cayman) Ltd..................................................(345) 949 7755
BANKS Hallmark Bank & Trust Ltd ..................................................(649) 946 5524 Royal Bank of Canada........................................................(649) 941 4667
CONDOMINIUM & VILLA RENTALS Cayman Villas, Vacation Rentals.........................................(345) 945 4144 CONDO/RESIDENCES DEVELOPMENTS Crystal Cove .......................................................................(345) 949 4979 The Terraces at Camana Bay .............................................(345) 640 3808 Oceana...............................................................................(345) 949 6170 Opus I & II ..........................................................................(345) 949 4979 DEVELOPMENTS / MARINAS Camana Bay.......................................................................(345) 946 2229 Cayman Enterprise City ......................................................(345) 945 3722 The Bacadere Marina .........................................................(345) 949 3743 DEVELOPERS Davenport Development Ltd .......................................(345) 949 4979 DART – Camana Bay .........................................................(345) 943 3278 INTERIOR DESIGN & LANDSCAPING Design Studio ..............................................................(345) 945 4977 Sandy Urquhart...................................................................(345) 516 0913 Sticks & Stones ..................................................................(345) 947 8663 KITCHENS, CABINETRY & FLOORING Stafford Flooring .................................................................(345) 943 2722 Storage Solutions ...............................................................(345) 525 2647
CONDO/RESIDENCIAL DEVELOPMENTS NorthWest Point Resort.......................................................(649) 941 8961 The Gansevoort ..................................................................(649) 941 7555 The Sands at Grace Bay ....................................................(649) 946 5199 The Shore Club ..................................................................(649) 232 1067 Turtle Breeze ......................................................................1 866 331 4269 DEVELOPMENTS Regent Village.....................................................................(649) 941 4400 The Saltmills........................................................................(649) 946 4238 INSURANCE International Insurance Agency Ltd ....................................(649) 941 3195 The Insurance Centre .........................................................(649) 941 4814 INTERIOR DESIGN & DECOR Design Studio.....................................................................(649) 941 4848 Finishing Touch............................................................(649) 941 4393 TC Millwork .........................................................................(649) 231 4537 REAL ESTATE AGENTS NW Hamilton Realty............................................................(649) 946 4060 Turtle Breeze Villa ................................................................(866) 331 4269