RIVÉ Magazine Issue 2 by RIVE Magazine St Lucia

international

The lifestyle Guide to

iving

a n e t eco

in Saint Lucia

the o

Issue No02 SL.UK.US.CAN

living. returning. expat. diaspora

Through the LENS with

Dani Devaux Our TOP

StayCations

CIP

citizenship for a price

ISLAND LIFE

GIVING BACK

DESIGN

PROPERTY

LEISURE

CULTURE

BUSINESS

M MOTORS Authorised Dealers of BMW Vide Bouteille Highway Castries Saint Lucia, W.I. Tel. (758) 451-4269 Email. sales@mmotors.lc www.bmw.lc

LIVE YOUR INDEPENDENCE, PASSIONATELY. The All-New BMW X3.

Outside of Saint Lucia RIVÉ is distributed internationally The Cocotraie Group Ltd to three key market locations, the United Kingdom, USA and Canada.

R R

RIVÉ Magazine is the new bi-annual Saint Lucia lifestyle & living publication geared towards the island’s extensive international “expat” and returning Lucian community, as well as for those moving to Saint Lucia from around the world to live, work and start businesses here. Socially conscious we also look at ways in which we give back to and foster awareness of Saint Lucia, both nationally and internationally.

Cover Saint Lucian local Akim, photo by Dani Devaux Full Feature: Page 56 All information is correct at the time of going to press but may no longer be so on the date of publication. Whilst every care has been taken in the creation of this issue, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or for changes since going to press or for any loss direct or consequential arising in connection with information describing establishments in this publication. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers.

ISSUE No2 Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Isaacs sebastian.isaacs@riveslu.com

----Associate Editor - Photographer Christine Songeons christine.songeons@riveslu.com

----Press & Marketing Mahalia R. Charles mahalia@riveslu.com

----Advertising & Sponsorship Gabriel Johnson rive@cocotraie.com

----Publisher RIVĂ&#x2030; is published by The Cocotraie Group Ltd uk & usa

----Artwork & Design Cocotraie Publishing

----Contributors Patricia Richards - Steve Jenkins Trenton Burchall - Medupe Zumeno Michael John - Pat Shillingford Charlie Richards

givingback

supporting Saint Lucia

RIVĂ&#x2030; is a socially responsible magazine with an emphasis on environmental sustainability and improving the daily lives of impoverished communities.

distributed internationally free to

restaurants, bars, hotels, resorts, business centres, embassies

& consulates

i to find out more about how to be a part of

RIVĂ&#x2030; or to

advertise your company, products and services in this new publication email us at: mahalia@riveslu.com tel:

+1 758 486-0077

alt tel:

+1 758 718-3530

Look Back

at Issue1

Previously in

Plastic bags. Creating an environmentally conscious St. Lucia

Buki Cahane, Saint Lucia’s new Curator of local artists.

Our sit down interview with Harbor Club owner Wes Hall.

Creating the perfect Caribbean home with G&G Interiors.

RIVE’s 2018 Top 10 best Bars & Restaurants rating.

Meet Chef Orlando Satchel, one of Saint Lucia’s top chefs.

Issue 1 Interior designer Martina Crafton and the art of Upcycling

Sebastian Isaacs T

Editor

hey say “necessity is the mother of invention” and that is exactly what

happened with the publication of RIVÉ magazine, Necessity. I had hoped that RIVÉ would be well received, but I had no idea just how popular it would be, not just here in Saint Lucia but also overseas, in the UK, America and Canada. A ludicrous misconception which surprisingly needs to be dispelled is that all expats are White, well we are not, I for one am Black British of Dominican and Guyanese decent with extended family here in Saint Lucia. You may laugh but I can’t tell you how many discussions on social media we have seen on this topic. Much of the content in this, our second issue is centred around some of the current hot topics, environmental issues, their impacts and the roles we can play in trying to mitigate its advance. Also, whilst the ever increasing number of resorts being built here demonstrates robust investor confidence in Saint Lucia’s tourism industry, at what point should we say.. enough. If you are moving here, returning here or living here, you are part of the island’s diverse and eclectic community, so I would urge you to find ways to Give Back and make a difference. Lend your support to help drive the continued growth of the Island. Remember it is as much about what you can do for Saint Lucia as what Saint Lucia can do for us. R

R.I.P Botham Jean

Content Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inside This Issue

Icons of interior design The Plantation Chair

Event Planners We meet Thouzand Wordz

Leading Figures Emile Williams & living in St.Lucia

Wayne Neale Greening the Caribbean

Hard Talk How many resorts does St. Lucia need?

Environment Watch The end of single use plastic

24 dolphinariums

What do we really know about them?

Staycations Our favourite 3 local getaway

Environment Watch Lets go Bamboo

Leading Figures Through the lens with photographer Dani Devaux

News. Views & Observations

Ubuntu

Jade Sea The Uber Cool and architectural marvel,

Jade Mountain may soon have a sister

Jade Sea

“i am because we are”

Separated from Jade Mountain by a

Karolin Troubetzkoy who owns Jade

ridge in the hillside, much like its sister

Mountain with her architect husband,

resort Jade Sea’s sanctuaries will face

Nick. “While Jade Sea is a fully concep-

the peaks of the Pitons and would be

tualized project, there is no actual time-

fully open on the south side, allowing

line in place at this time to physically

for unimpeded views. According to

construct this new resort property”.

meaning “humanity” is a Southern African philoso-

RIVE

phy that sets out to build and maintain a true sense of

Recognition

The concept of UBUNTU, a Zulu Nguni Bantu term

community through compassion, reciprocity, dignity, harmony, and shared humanity. Through UBUNTU we affirm our humanity when we acknowledge the humanity of others. Through our interaction with others we discover our own human qualities. Through mutual support and a positive outlook we overcome hardship and misery and promote the well-being of the individ-

We launched RIVE Magazine simultaneously in the UK and went over to attend a series of media and press events. Wonderful reception from the UK Caribbean and Saint Lucian com-

ual, the community and ultimately of society at large.

munity. The repeated feedback we

UBUNTU considers our interconnectedness our shared

and “what took so long”.

knowledge and wisdom. UBUNTU is about collaboration, people working together towards a shared goal and for a common good. UBUNTU asks us to shift focus from individuality to COMMUNITY. A respect of one another no matter your colour, creed or race.

kept hearing was “It’s about time”, Whist in London we met up with Saint Lucia’s UK High Commissioner Guy Mayers. We thanked him for his support and awareness for the need to have a platform for both the interna-

Humanity beyond boarders.

tional community living in St Lucia and

We should all try to be........ UbuntU.

extensive diaspora of Lucians living

returning nationals but also for the and working around the world.

Saint Lucia to ban Styrofoam & Plastics impact on the environment and human health from

In welcome news Saint Lucia plans to phase-out Styrofoam food service containers and plastics, both plates and cups, beginning December 1, 2018, with a total ban on their importation before the end of next year. The announcement came in a statement from Minister of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development, Doctor Gale Rigobert. Rigobert said the Government of Saint Lucia is cognizant of the negative

10 rive Magazine ©

food service containers made from Polystyrene and Expanded Polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, along with Plastics. “I encourage you to join the fight to reduce your dependency on single use plastics and Styrofoam by utilizing re-useable bottles, food containers, cutlery and shopping bags. Let us act responsibly in our everyday consumption and production,” stated Rigobert.

Supporting Young

entrepreneurs

Brexit

How will the UK’s vote to leave the EU impact the

Caribbean

Kendra Payne With the triggering of Article

Should the UK’s departure ne-

50, we now know that the UK

gotiation with the EU27 fail, in

will withdraw from the Europe

principle the UK will be in a very

Union, the world’s largest trading

weak renegotiation position over its existing EU trade arrangements and will

Brexit

organisation, and at present there is no agreement on any form of “restructured”

have no recourse but to establish new

membership of the Single Market or Cus-

arrangements at the World Trade Organi-

toms Union. Whilst there are a huge range

sation (WTO). An obvious concern that

of questions that still remain unanswered

Caribbean countries and ACP member

and unknown as to what will be the ac-

states have is the future of the Economic

tual trade and immigration impacts of the

Partnership Agreements (EPAs). The 2008

decision, with a myriad of inter-dependent

EPA agreement between the EU (of which

political and economic parts, the impacts

the UK was a member at the time) and

of the departure will be felt globally.

the Cariforum Group (Caricom plus the

Amongst EU members the UK is the main

Dominican Republic) provides for indefi-

trading partner for the Caribbean coun-

nite duty free quota free Cariforum access

tries (Caricom). It is also a leading provider

for goods such as sugar, bananas, rum as

of development assistance to the region

well as for trade in services under prefer-

both bilaterally and through the EU’s Euro-

ential conditions. Most of these Caribbean

pean Development Fund (EDF).

products would not be competitive if they had to pay duty. It is vital therefore that

According to Jamaican economist Rans-

these conditions should continue or be im-

ford Smith, a former Commonwealth

proved in respect of the UK market, even

Deputy Secretary General, for the Carib-

after Brexit.

bean, “it is extremely likely that Brexit will

What does this mean for Saint Lucia?.

have significant implications in areas such

With Saint Lucia’s economic reliance

as trade in goods and services, invest-

on tourism, particularly from the UK, the

ment, movement of peoples, technology

growth performance of the UK economy

and commerce”. Under the aegis of Cari-

and the trajectory of its currency could

com, the Commonwealth, the Ramphal

have significant implications for invest-

Institute and the African, Carib-

ment and tourism flows. Secondly,

bean and Pacific (ACP) group

Saint Lucia should be preparing

of states, there have been a

strategically and diplomatically

number of discussions on how

to adapt to the new European or-

the Caribbean can preserve

der where the UK will no longer be

its established links with Europe

a “voice of significance” engaged

and maintain existing links with the

in development matters often af-

UK when it officially leaves the Europe-

fecting the Caribbean, decided upon in

an Union (EU) on the 30th of March 2019.

the councils of the European Union.

Kendra Payne is a young entrepreneur, nature lover, and passionate agriculturist. She recently embarked on a business venture and launched a line of pure oils and organic products specifically for hair and skincare called Vizor. The name was inspired by the visor hat which is specific in covering only a particular part of the human body and which for her represents the true nature of her business. The idea for her brand came through her own experience whilst transitioning from relaxed to natural hair after many years of chemical treatment damaged her hair. She started looking for fully organic products but those were limited so she set out to research a wide variety of oils, their uses and properties. Although not all oils are produced locally as not all raw materials are available on island she now supplies and produces a wide variety of products available online and at Diamond Girl.

Setting this business up being a young entrepreneur has come with a few challenges and her advice to aspiring young people is that “If you want change, start with yourself, find a problem any problem that you connect with and provide the solutions to it. That could be the start of your own business venture.” She goes on to say that “people don’t initially respect young person’s ambition to be an entrepreneur. As a result, it makes starting and running a business difficult but not impossible.

referenced articles

CaribbeanIntelligence: What does the Caribbean do now that Article 50 has been triggered. Caribbean Council for Europe - Brexit, trade options and the Commonwealth. rive Magazine ©

Home Decor & Design

Icons of Tropical Home Interior Design

The Plantation

Chair

he elegant Plantation or Planter’s Chair,

with them. However they soon found that much of

also known as the Berbic Chair (after

their furniture warped due to the soft wood being

the Berbice River region in Guyana) or

unable to withstand the humid tropical climates.

Campeche (after the Campeche region of Mexi-

Local craftsmen began to recreate the British and

co’s Yucatán Peninsula) is an iconic piece of tropi-

Portuguese influenced designs using local materi-

cal home design furniture.

als such as ebony, teak, mahogany and Guyanese hardwood. The woven cane, rattan, wicker mate-

Although Planter’s chairs are familiar to many for

rial enabled ventilation to pass through the back

their unsavoury historical association with the slave

of the chair to the body. Craftsmen would often

plantation owner’s “big house”, both in the deep

add their own flourishes such as curved arms, motifs

south of America i.e Louisiana and parts of the

such as carved pineapples or the owner’s emblem.

Caribbean i.e Barbados, their origins can also be

12 rive Magazine ©

traced to India. Here once again their use is also

Usually built to each plantation owner’s specifica-

associated with subjugation and servitude during

tion, this incredibly relaxing and comfortable chair

the British Raj, Military rule of India in the 1860s. It

is distinguished by its sloped back and low seat,

is believed that there weren’t any formally de-

adapting to the natural contours of your body.

signed chairs in India before the British arrived,

The distinguishing feature of many “Male” planta-

only gaddis (cushions) and the takht (throne).

tion chairs is its swing-out arm extensions, designed

Chairs, as we know them today, arrived in the

for putting your feet up on to relax, or in the days of

17th century, along with the Europeans. But by

British Colonialism, the place to put your leg while

the late nineteenth century the Plantation Chair

your servant pulled off your riding boots.

had become a fixture on many verandas across

Interestingly Plantation Chairs without the extended

British India. British colonists and the military travel-

arms were often more ornate, designed for women,

ling to India and the Caribbean often preferred

however today, with or without the swing-out arms,

to bring the furnishing comforts of their homeland

the Plantation Chair is a unisex piece of furniture. R

The plantation furniture of the British Colonies inspired the dramatic shape and clean silhouette of this chair, crafted with hand woven cane or rattan, framed by solid mahogany.

rive Magazine ÂŠ

the

insight What doesn’t the island have to offer that you would like to see? I would love to see more local products being packaged in a way that they are attractive and affordable for visitors to purchase and for Saint Lucians to proudly portray. I am tired of seeing the “made in China” products around town. I would also like to see more young Saint Lucian entrepreneurs playing a greater role in the island’s economic development.

Find out about Living in Saint Lucia from those who

Live, Work & and call this

beautiful place

Home.

Nerdin St. Rose International Marketing Consultant What makes Saint Lucia so special to you? Saint Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, and it is not just her magnificent topography (which cannot be beat) but the combination of her people and the rich history and culture that together created a personality that is unmatched. Our heritage has influenced so much of who we are; warm and friendly people, delicious and unique cuisine, creative art forms and festivals that are the envy of so many other islands. There is a naturalness about Saint Lucia that is unpretentious and welcoming. What are some of the challenges you find in doing business here? Unnecessary bureaucracy which delays progress. Some people have the tendency to operate in what we call “island time” which is not complementary and is a poor reflection of our standard of professionalism. Some of our policies and procedures are either outdated or not implemented or communicated effectively. Lastly, we have an excuse for everything and people do not like to take responsibility for their actions. What advice would you give to anyone looking to move to Saint Lucia? The first question I would ask them is why Saint Lucia? There are many reasons why one moves to an island. I have had the opportunity to live and work in several of the islands as the development of my career was the motivating factor. Once they have answered that question, I would suggest that they do their homework. Look at all areas of living including housing options and locations, security, access to transportation, health care, and income taxes. Saint Lucia has some of the highest rates of income tax in the region, which means a significant portion of your salary goes to taxes. Having said that, one can still enjoy a very comfortable lifestyle living in Saint Lucia. We have a wide selection of beautiful housing at reasonable prices, there is quite a bit to do for fun and socially, the cost of living is not exorbitant as in some of the other islands, descent shopping and the people are very welcoming compared to other islands. It’s finding the right balance as there is no perfect place to live.

14 rive Magazine ©

What hospitality trends do you think Saint Lucia could benefit from adopting? More investment in customer service training across the board and not just in the hospitality sector. Yes our people are friendly, but that does not translate to excellent customer service. Saint Lucia has so many natural assets, we can be innovators and trend setters and should not be copy cats. Travelers are looking for authentic experiences, we need to incorporate and highlight more of our history and culture in our product offerings. Focus on being unique and different and “owning” our brand as that is how we will maintain our competitive advantage. Favourite resort/hotel and why?. Wow, that is a hard question when each property is different. I have many favorites because there is something I like about each resort; it’s a uniqueness that cannot be found at another property, the location and view, the room layout and decor, the culinary experience, the spa and the quality of the customer service. What’s your favourite local dish? There is something about the salt fish and breadfruit combination that I can never get enough of. Whether it is salt fish stewed in lots of herbs and oil and served with boiled breadfruit or a breadfruit and saltish salad or a pie.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to move to Saint Lucia? It depends, if you are moving for work it is quite different if you are retired. Either way prepare yourself for an adjustment and try not to compare to how you do/did things in other islands or back home which in my case is the United States. Appreciate how different Saint Lucia is and lean into it.

Amy B. Grant Head of Brand and Consumer Marketing Digicel Caribbean Limited

What brought you to Saint Lucia? My job. I am currently serving as Interim Marketing Director for Digicel. My position is based out of St. Lucia but I have the privilege of overseeing the Brand across Digicel’s 31 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and South Pacific. What makes Saint Lucia special? It’s easy to say its beauty, the land, the beach, the weather. Of course that makes St. Lucia lovely, but I especially enjoy the quaintness of the island which makes it so approachable. You don’t feel intimidated or overwhelmed so it’s easy to explore and take in all the island has to offer. Also there is a vibe here. Don’t be fooled to think this a “small” island. The music, the fashion, the style, all gives St. Lucia its unique flair. Finally, the quality of life is hard to match.. the air is clean and you can walk to the beach!

What doesn’t the island have/offer that you would like to see? That is a tough question, because for as much as I can’t get here, there is so much more that I benefit from- a fantastic quality of life, and so many things that make me happy- the ocean, warm weather and amazing people. Favourite things to do at the weekend? Every weekend I run with my trail club, Fitness Trails Saint Lucia. We run on Cas en Bas Beach. It is a great way to get fit and connect with a beautiful cross section of people from all walks of life. I also love to shop, and since Saint Lucia does not have big malls you will find me at a hotel gift shop near you. Then of course the beach, I don’t get there as often as I want but I love to chill out there with friends or by myself.

Feel the sand between your toes whilst sipping a Pitons or Rum Punch at the laid back Marjorie’s Restaurant on Cas en bas beach

How easy did you find it to settle in? Honestly, it took me like 10 months to settle in. I think that is because I came with people from work so for the first few months I only socialized with them. Also, I moved by myself so it wasn’t like I had ready-made connections through a spouse or children. However, once I started meeting people I made fast friends and immediately felt a part of a community. What are some of the challenges you find in doing business here? Initially, when I came it was the Internet. Wi-Fi is ubiquitous but hi speed internet is here is still so much slower than the States or even Jamaica where I moved from. That was an adjustment. Additionally, it is not easy to travel across the Caribbean. If you travel outside the OECS there are very few direct flights if you want to travel to Northern or West Caribbean islands. That can be hard to do quick business trips.

rive Magazine ©

Leading Figures

The musician

How strong is the music scene here? I have been in the music scene here for over 20 years and been an integral part of its growth and development. It has grown exponentially in the last decade and has been making its mark in the region quite well. I would say we have seen a bit of a brain drain when it comes to musicians on island as allot of them head for the cruise ship industry where the work is consistent and better pay. Fortunately there are a growing number of hotels on the island that do provide work for a good portion of the year. The business and marketing side of the industry, however is lacking and could be improved and more opportunities could be provided for artistes and bands to travel amongst the islands if transportation/flights were not so expensive.

Rob ZII Taylor Musician

What makes Saint Lucia so special to you? As we are located in a sense between Trinidad and Jamaica that have a very defined culture centred around their music, namely soca and reggae respectively, we are able to tap into both of these genres and cultures coupled with our unique creole heritage and wide array of creative and talent and come up with a rich melting pot of art forms which manifests itself in music, literature, sculpture and art. It’s also no secret that St. Lucians are widely regarded as one of the most friendly, happy people compared to some of our Caribbean neighbours. I was raised here and so were my children and as a child growing up here, healthy, happy, good manners, respect and compassion for everyone is instilled from home to school and is just a part of your Caribbean upbringing. What advice would you give to anyone planning to move to Saint Lucia? Slow down when you get here. Its not fast paced. Its an island. Things get done eventually but may be quicker if you know people. At least sometimes you are forced to stop and smell the roses and that’s not a bad thing. If you are looking to retire here and do very little then its a great place. If you are looking to set up a business here or similar then be prepared to be a lot more patient than you might expect. Ease of doing business here whether its banking or government departments can be like pulling teeth and feel a little backward at times. What hospitality trends do you think Saint Lucia could benefit from adopting? I think St. Lucians could definitely benefit from improving their service and efficiency in many areas of life and business down here. I also have been advocating for lower airfares to and from the rest of the world. Our port taxes are way too high forcing the price of tickets to an extortion-able amount. Sorry that probably isn’t the answer to this question but had to squeeze it in there!! What doesn’t the island have/offer that you would like to see? Machinery to remove all this sargassum seaweed from the east coast. Decriminalization of marijuana. Other islands are doing it and if we miss the boat on this it will be a tragedy. This could really strengthen our islands economy and tourism if the politicians would just take their blinkers off. Favourite places to hang out and lime? I love hanging out at Irie Bar in Gros Islet. A gathering of like minded people, always great rootsy music. And its right across from Dukes Bar to get the best cooked fish and garlic sauce on the island.

Leading Figures

From the UK to Saint Lucia, Hair stylist

Emile Williams

ritish born, of Antiguan heritage, well known hair stylist Emile Williams has been living in Saint Lucia for over 12 years. We asked him about living here and why it’s such a captivating place to be.

Saint Lucia is special because from the moment you arrive on this island, it hits you with its lush green landscape and charm. Its warmth evokes a sentiment which says, “I could live here.” You dig a little deeper only to discover a melting pot of human potential bursting at the seams. A people predominantly of African descent, east Indians, European mix, and a cocktail of all factions rolled into one. As a hairstylist this is a haven for dabbling in all hair types and textures with a wall paper for the perfect united col-

It is a dangerous risk to any nation if its human resource is not being supported to broaden its horizons.

would like

to see a more concerted interest in youth opportunity development with

an aim to encourage entrepreneurship.

ours of Benetton ad. What’s also interesting Saint Lucia special is that it provides the perfect blue print for a rainbow coalition of one people under the sun. Irrespective of the mixed melanin fusion and diversity, Lucians as

a collective are a naturally creative people with a zest for life expressed in an open theatre gesticulated in local patois or broken English vernacular is absolute poetry in motion. What advice would you give to anyone considering moving to Saint Lucia? I would strongly advise anyone wanting to move to Saint Lucia to do their own due diligence around the world of work if they are seeking employment or setting up a business. Saint Lucia is not some remote hideaway awaiting a Christopher Columbus moment. Seated between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, brews a commercial infrastructure which beckons anyone requiring a change in tempo or exploring business opportunities to its shores. An economy whose current main stay consist of tourism, the exporting of bananas, small scale manufacturing and offshore banking has ample leg room for further developments.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

A hair stylist is really an Artist, replacing the brush with a pair of scissors. When it comes to looking good nothing quite lifts the spirt of my clients like the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

transformation of hair

The Stylist Living in the Caribbean is a melting pot of cottage industries with the potential for roads less travelled. This island is well equipped with a sophisticated legal system and a highly educated workforce. This means that the for anyone seeking to set up shop, St. Lucia becomes a marriage between developer and people development. If on the other hand oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move is simply having a place in the sun, this island offers a retirement which frees the mind to explore personal interest which otherwise might have remained latent in a metropolis. All relocations require time to feel your way around. Never assume that people are asleep because of the pace and rhythm. Go to the local markets observe the interfacing and interactions between local people. All of this provides a more realistic and less idealistic reason to move to paradise. R

Saint Lucia

The RIVÉ Guide To Part 5

Living

Renting in Saint Lucia Since the launch of RIVÉ we have received a num-

views for EC$3500. If postcodes matter, a 2 bed villa

ber of questions about renting in Saint Lucia. There

with infinity pool and magnificent sea views in the

are many reasons why people choose to rent rather

popular area of Cap Estate can cost you upwards

than buy in Saint Lucia. It could be that you have

of EC$5000. Prices in the South of the island, in Vieux

decided to move to the island but still have a few

Fort for example, are a lot more competitive with

reservations so you want to use this as a trial period,

3 bed furnished apartments for around EC$2500.

spend more time on island to find the property that

There are many reputable realtors on island who of-

best suits your requirements or

fer both long and short term rentals.

perhaps you are relocating for

Their websites will give you an idea

business and need temporary

of their portfolio per location and

accommodation.

price range as well as helping you

For those choosing to go down

determine the type of property you

the “try before you buy” route,

can afford. Remember Saint Lucia

it allows you to get to know your

is a small island and outside of tour-

surroundings, community and

ism the prominent market is property

test the waters before commit-

so don’t be surprised if you see the

ting to ownership straight away.

property you are interested in regis-

Most long term rentals run for a year but you can

tered with multiple agencies. In terms of the require-

often negotiate shorter terms allowing you to “road

ments for renting, it is pretty straight forward, you will

test” different locations. Rental prices in Saint Lucia

need to pay a deposit in addition to the rental cost

are relatively affordable, many fully furnished op-

which normally equates to a month rent. The deposit

tions include all utilities, with the except of electric-

will be returned at the end of the tenancy, provid-

ity. Make sure to factor this into your monthly out-

ing the property is in the same condition as it was in

goings. Depending on budget and lifestyle, you

when you took on the lease. No personal or profes-

can find yourself a large 2-bedroom fully furnished

sional references are required. In summary, renting

apartment in Rodney Bay for around EC$3000 or a

before buying leaves you with time to research and

brand new 2 bed condominium in Marisule with sea

decide where and how you want to live. R

note

- information provided herein is based on Saint lucia 2017 property rental market averages.

Properties to Rent -

Editor’s choice Whether you are looking for a short vacation villa or a long stay whilst you’re planning your relocation to Saint lucia, with so many properties to choose from here’s our recommended Editor’s choice.

Located in the quiet residential

Property - Villa Emile

community of Bonneterre, just

Location - Bonne Terre

a minutes stroll away from the

Price PM - EC$3,000

marina, shops and bars, is this

Beds - 2

exquisite 2 bed apartment.

Baths - 2.5

Tastefully decorated with modern furniture and neutral soft

colours throughout Villa Emile, named after is owner is a one of a kind. Airy and breezy, sliding doors and floor to ceiling windows allow for cross breeze throughout the property, loads of natural light. The open plan living/ kitchen which is fitted with stainless steel appliances, handcrafted cabinetry and tiled countertop flows out onto what is the highlight of this property, a large balcony offering a

9.2

fantastic viewing point onto the Rodney Bay Marina and Pigeon Island, ideal for entertaining. Both bedrooms are fitted with air conditioning units and en-suite with separate shower as well as having ample cupboard space with fitted wardrobes. The master benefits from access to the expansive viewing balcony. This apartment is the perfect place for stylish Caribbean living.

Property - Villa Zatarra Location - Cap Estate Price From - EC$5,675pw Beds - 2 Baths - 2

Designed and built by its owners, Villa Zatarra is an artistically designed two bedroom, two bathroom property nestled in the heart of the desirable community of Cap Estate. Spanning across 3 quarters of an acres,

surrounded by lush vegetation and excavated stone along with woodwork accents with eclectic pieces of driftwood, the property is just minutes away from numerous beaches as well as an 18 hole golf course. Its design has an overall rustic island feel with hints of Indonesian accents throughout. All bedrooms are fully air con-

8.9

ditioned, with mosquito nets over the beds and cable tv in each room. The bathrooms are all well-equipped including large showers and the fully fitted kitchen and entertainment area with marble countertops, a large kitchen Island. Double doors throughout the property make for seamless indoor-outdoor living and constant ocean breeze. Villa Zatarra is perhaps one of Saint Lucia’s most desirable properties. for more information on these properties email: christine@riveslu.com tel

+1 (758) 718-3530 or +1 (758) 486 0077

Real Talk

At what point should we say

Enough! S

aint Lucia’s reputation for being one of the world’s most sought-

Who really benefits from Saint Lucia’s reliance on tourism and is the ever increasing number of resorts turning this idyllic island into a giant Monopoly Board?

after holiday destinations is in no doubt. The island regularly

receives international praise, recogni-

tion, numerous accolades and awards for its beauty, resorts, guest experience and above all as the Caribbean’s leading honeymoon destination. According to statistics released by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Saint Lucia hit an all-time high in total visit arrivals in 2017, when the island welcomed 1,105,541 travellers. Saint Lucia also recorded the highest growth in 2017 among the CTO member countries, registering an 11 percent increase. Commenting on the fig-

saint lucia

ures, Saint Lucia’s Minister of Tourism said: “The tourism industry continues to be an incredibly important and vital part of the Saint Lucian economy. We are happy with the levels of growth witnessed and as we continue our marketing efforts, we as well look to maximize the impact of tourism on our economy”. As with a number of other tourism dependent islands, Saint Lucia’s focus is on maximising the volume of arrivals, with the head count being the performance indicator of success. Saint Lucia’s tourism industry is the life

quieten any discontent which might be

change, including rising sea levels, coast-

blood of its economy, without it there is

felt by the local community…..JOBS!!.

al erosion, biodiversity loss and Cruise ship

no doubt that there would be rapid de-

And yes they are right, tourism particu-

waste. Bizarrely in the face of these reali-

cline and a significant proportion of the

larly within the resort sector brings a great

ties and direct first-hand experiences of

population would invariably lose their jobs

deal of employment and opportunity.

their effects, there appears to be little mo-

and livelihoods. As such Saint Lucia fully

Such is the island’s reliance (some might

tivation or appetite to invest in or devel-

recognises the enormous value and huge

say, over reliance), according to the IMF

op robust long term innovative, revenue

importance of cultivating close business

this lucrative industry accounts for 65% of

streams in alternative economic, industrial

relationships with its tourism partners, the

the country’s *GDP which is projected to

or environmental sectors.

resorts and hotels, investors, developers,

rise to 68/70% by Q2 2019. But with all ups

The question many increasingly ask is, if

travel agents, tour operators, airlines as

there are inevitable downs, and unfortu-

you continue to put all the eggs in one

well as press and media.

nately Saint Lucia’s lack of economic di-

basket what are the real cost benefits for

For those who have a vested interest in

versification has left it vulnerable to ever

the island’s legacy and its people?. Within

the sustained growth of Saint Lucia’s Tour-

present global financial market volatility

the travel and tourism industry perhaps

ism industry have only to say one word to

and exposure to the effects of climate

the most impactful sector on the local

*Gross domestic product (GDP) is a monetary measure of the market value of all the final goods and services produced in a period (quarterly or yearly) of time.

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So who’s reportedly coming Fairmont Saint Lucia at Sunset Bay Projected to open late 2019, the resort, located in the area of Choiseul, is slated to include 120 rooms and 40 private residential villas. Coming - AM Resorts Apple Leisure Group subsidiary AM Resorts is expanding with a pair of new resorts in St Lucia. AM Resorts will manage two new luxury all inclusive resorts in what will be the company’s first entry in St Lucia. Coming - Sandals - LaSource 19 acres of land next to their existing Sandals Grande, will consist of 350 rooms and suites. This will be the all-inclusive company’s fourth property on the island.

the company’s latest hotel project set on

Coming - The Pearl of the Caribbean This $2.6 billion dollar project will occupy a approx 840 acre site on the south end of the island at Beausejour, Vieux Fort. Plans include a casino, horse racetrack, resort and shopping mall complex, free trade zone, waterfront villas, boathouses, a marina, an eco-tourism zone, entertainment and leisure venues, and housing. Phase one will feature 200 hotel rooms and a spa, with up to 500 possible villas. Coming - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Part of Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton has signed a management agreement with Range Developments to open a Ritz-Carlton property in Saint Lucia in 2021 The 180-room Ritz-Carlton hotel will be located on the southern tip of the island.

community is the perceived open door

For her it was about gaining experience to

significant portions of their tourism rev-

policy for all-inclusive resort develop-

one-day return to Saint Lucia and teach.

enues towards sustainable development

ments. With little noticeable linkages to

“I have to return and show young people

programmes that focus on creating a va-

the local economy being formed, the

that we can aspire to do more, we need

riety of biodiversity, pharmaceutical and

results are often resorts with no real “sense

an environment that encourages people

ecological industries which are of enor-

of place” that drain tourist traffic from

to be change innovators.”.

mous social and economic value.

local businesses. Rushing to embrace multiple big brand hospitality developments can also lead to questionable compromises in areas such as labour laws, tax relief, citizenship investment programme due diligence and of course, the environment. With limited options of employment be-

Even though tourism is the life blood of Saint Lucia’s economy, we must also create ladders of opportunities beyond this industry for our youth.

Along that environmentally conscious arch is eco-tourism, with an emphasis on the conservation of rainforests, areas of cultural significance, natural resources, marine reserves and coral reef rehabilitation, tourism that priorities local culture. Thankfully with the recent opening of a 3 megawatt (MW) solar farm, renewable

yond working in this industry or for one of

A 27 year old working in the development

energy project in Vieux-Fort there are signs

its many ancillary support sectors, an in-

of low carbon economies in America

that Saint Lucia is making the right moves.

creasing number of broad minded gradu-

with CARIBSAVE was of a similar but more

ates and aspiring entrepreneurs continue

deep rooted opinion. “I sometimes feel

The island’s tourism industry has a lasting

to leave the island in search of alternative

that they don’t want to invest in creating

impact on the environment, its economy

opportunities. As one 25 year old Saint

opportunities for us for fear it may some-

and culture and with that comes a re-

Lucian, now living in Canada, told us “go

how reduce the tourism labour work force,

sponsibility to ensure that their impacts

back, go back for what? I don’t want to

for me the country’s focus on tourism has

on the lives of the local community is an

work as a front office manager in one of

created a one dimensional population”.

uplifting one. Foreign investment through

those all-inclusive resorts, I want to be a

tourism is good, but even though it has

bio engineer, work for an international

So what’s the answer?. A number of as-

positive economic implications let us

company, then start my own business”.

tute tourism reliant countries seeing these

ensure that the terms of these deals are

We met a passionate young lady work-

“horizon risks” have begun taking a for-

not detrimental to Saint Lucia’s peo-

ing for an architectural firm in London,

ward thinking perspective. These include

ple and its environment and above all

specialising in sustainable eco design.

putting in place plans to start directing

does not dilute the island’s uniqueness. R

rive Magazine ©

Real Talk

What do we really know about them? Behind the façade of the fun filled, family day out watching the pretty dolphins perform acrobatic feats for our entertainment, it is important to remember that these majestic mammals didn’t choose to do this. A Dolphinarium is an aquarium for dolphins, dolphins are usually kept in a large pool, though occasionally they may be kept in pens in the open sea, either for research or for public performances. Some dolphinariums consist of one pool where dolphins perform for the public, others are part of larger parks, such as marine mammal parks, zoos or theme parks. So how do they get there? Sadly even though many marine parks have started breeding dolphins in captivity, the barbaric practice of hunting young calves with nets, in the wild still continues.

“A country that tries to fuel tourism with animals made to perform circus tricks, is a country with very poor moral standards” The Captive Animals Protection Society

24 rive Magazine ©

Many animal welfare groups such as World Animal Protection consider keeping dolphins in captivity to be a form of animal abuse Why?, The main arguments are these.

The Aquarium With many Dolphinarium being between 3 and 6 metres deep, dolphins do not have enough freedom of movement in pools, regardless of pool size, (in the wild, dolphins swim hundreds of miles every day. The pools are designed oval-shaped so that the audience can watch the animals from different angles. This means that dolphins have little choice but to swim in endless circles.

Health Dolphins are highly mobile mammals and require vast areas to roam and so confining them in a tank in an artificial setting has been found to cause them both major physical and mental health problems. Because their life is no drastically different in captivity than it would be in the wild, captive dolphins often show repetitive behaviour in captivity and have been shown to suffer from stress related psychological issues. A Dolphinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural habitat range is hundreds of miles of open ocean. Their natural navigation is by echo-location, small concrete tanks can result in sensory overload.

Artificial Feeding Few Dolphinariums can supply the wide variety of fresh food that dolphins have available to them in their natural habitat. The fish fed to them in Dolphinarium is, in many cases, dead.

Tourism With global tourism becoming increasingly environmentally conscious there are signs that, in the face of growing public outcry, the industry has lost its appetite for Dolphinariums. An increasing number of travel agents are now publicly stating that they will not do business with countries that advocate the exploitation of dolphins for entertainment.

rive Magazine ÂŠ

Lifestyle Living

Staycations The aim of a staycation is the same as a vacation, to take a break from your day-to-day life and go somewhere to relax and still feel like you are on holiday. They allow you to see the country in a different light and perhaps explore parts of it that you may have never been to or experienced before.

Here are

3 of our favourite getaway staycations

i email: reservations@stonefieldresort.com Tel +1 758 459-7037 www.stonefieldresort.com

28 rive Magazine ÂŠ

9.1 Stonefield Villa Resort

ncreasingly we have noticed that many guests are not just looking for “tranquillity with a view” but a return to cultural authenticity. Places with character and above all sense of place.

Steeped in an authentic back to nature vibe is Stonefield Villa Resort. A former lime and cocoa plantation estate set in 26-acres of lush rainforest in the shadow of the smaller of the two iconic Pitons, is one of the Island’s most picturesque and distinguished boutique resorts. Each of the resort’s spacious and refreshingly simple 17 distinctive one, two, three and five-bedroom, gingerbread framed, French colonial styled cottage villas, which follow the slopping topography of its hillside location, are set on various levels and positions to ensure the utmost privacy and vistas. Once you become familiar with your villa’s unique entry door locking system, you are greeted by your own private piece of paradise. We stayed in the spacious Frangipani which features an extended terrace with hammock, outdoor dining table and chairs and plunge pool with a stunning backdrop of the majestic Petit Piton. Inside, the high quality craftsmanship is clear to see, each of the self-contained cottages, are furnished with four-poster beds and planter-style chairs, attractive jalousie shutters and kitchenettes or full kitchens. Our particular favourite feature is the indoor/outdoor garden showers. The Escape Spa, which we just had to try, offers a range of options to relax and rejuvenate including its signature scrubs and facials, massages and all-over body experience. And what about the food?, well here again Stonefield does not disappoint. Creole-inspired food from the Mango Tree Restaurant, which uses all fresh local market ingredients, is simply stunning, refined, well presented and plentiful. Laid back and incredibly peaceful, Stonefield is the celebrated

9.3

embodiment of its late owner Canadian builder Wayne Brown’s vision. Offering elegantly rustic accommodations that affords visitors a chance to escape, relax, and rejuvenate, this resort has all that you could wish for in a perfect staycation. R

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i email: info@tikaye.com Tel +1 758 456-8101 www.tikaye.com

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8.5 Ti Kaye Resort & Spa

ith much attention given to the top resorts to the south of the island, the well known and much loved clifftop edged, adults-only Ti Kaye Resort & Spa, nestled on the

cliffside above Anse Cochon cove, is one of Saint Lucia’s most uniquely located resorts. Situated way off the beaten track on the south west coast of the island offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, the vibe here is all about that much needed uninterrupted retreat and privacy. Accommodation consists of 33 charming gingerbread cottages which line the sloping hill. Each cottage, or house as the name suggests, (‘ti kaye’ is Creole for ‘little house’) are purposely built for stunning sunset views over the Caribbean sea. All cottages and ocean view rooms alike share similar aspects including; a private outdoor garden shower and a large balcony with a double hammock. With the shutters open their design allows for the easy flow of air to keep the rooms cool, along with the ceiling fan. Those with a keen eye, if having spent some time there also, will notice more than a few design similarities between here and Stonefield resort further south. That’s because they were both designed by the late prolific and talented Canadian born builder Wayne Brown. The main outstanding feature of the resort has to be their wellstocked wine cellar, boasting over 500 different wines we would highly recommend participating in one of their much celebrated wine tasting session, the sommeliers are outstanding, fun and incredibly well informed. If you want to enjoy lunch down at the outdoor beach bar be prepared for the steep 166 steps decent, it’s adventurous fun the first few times but a real lung burning workout on the way back up, and as most of steps are wooden, an absolute no no if it has been raining. The Kai Koko Spa boasts a dramatic cliff’s edge location, however, with just three treatment rooms, book early as availability is limited. That being said Ti Kaye Resort makes for a wonderful secluded, intimate staycation ideal for couples or individuals. R

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i email: info@calabashcove.com Tel +1 758 456-3500 www.calabashcove.com

32 rive Magazine ÂŠ

8.3 Calabash Cove Resort & Spa

s is much the case with many of the Island’s intimate boutique-style beach fronted resorts, Calabash Cove is not that easy to get to. However heightened by expec-

tation once you’ve glimpsed your first views of the resort’s dramatic open-air entrance lobby and reception area, with that magnificent vaulted ceiling, trepidation turns to delight and all is quickly forgiven. On arrival guests are immediately greeted with breathtak-

ing views of the Caribbean Sea from all directions, as well as the capital city Castries to the South, and neighbouring island Martinique to the North. The resort’s atmosphere is wonderfully laid back and tranquil, and the staff are as you’d hope warm, attentive and as engaging or remote as you want. Because of the resort’s position above a natural sloping mountain side, strolling out beyond the reception area towards the Windsong Restaurant balcony, you’re presented with impressive views of the resort’s 40-foot infinity edge pool. Surrounded by well manicured gardens flanked by coconut trees with blossoming bougainvillea and hibiscus lined pathways, each of this discreet and intimate resort’s 26 rooms are divided into three categories, four swim-up junior suites, thirteen luxury ocean view junior suites and our personal favourite, the nine water’s edge Balinese inspired mahogany cottages. Each of these spacious cottages are only a short 20 metre walk down to the Bonaire Bay beach. And what of the food? The resort’s Windsong Restaurant specialises in using fresh local produce and ingredients to create French-Creole dishes with an Asian twist. Each of these delightful dishes offer a mouth-watering mix of international flavours presented with uniquely imaginative fare. Calabash Cove may not have the same“full fat” wow factor of the other resorts listed in our top picks, but it more than makes up for it with its excellent customer service and flavour filled cuisine.

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Game Changers

he hugely talented and creative wedding planner Marcus Joseph has been planning weddings in Saint Lucia for over 12 years. Formerly the events coordinator at the exclusive 5 star Sugar

Beach Resort, Marcus now leads his own creative team of professionals, as he explains, “the secret to planning a successful wedding is attention to detail. Listening to what is not being said, reading between the emails, and making sure the bride gets exactly what she wants. Here at Thouzand Wordz we always try to go the extra mile. There is just so much joy in the journey of meeting two individuals who are totally unique, and hearing about their vision, and then being able to fulfil it”.

“

We always give everyone, no matter who they are 101% attention. We just love weddings and making a couple’s day as happy and as memorable as possible

“

34 rive Magazine ©

Meet one of Saint Luciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier

Wedding & Event Planners

thouzand wordz Rive l

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Giving Back

From Event Planner to Humanitarian

the quiet Saint Lucian

hen

not

organising

some

the

Island’s

most

salubrious weddings and events Marcus packs up his bags and heads out around the world to do what he can to improve the lives of those less fortunate.

He tells RIVÉ about his work and what Giving Back means to him. So Marcus what does giving back mean for you?. Giving Back means everything to me, we are all part of a puzzle on earth and giving back truly helps you find out lots of untapped potential within, launching you into purpose. Giving Back helped me discover my purpose and uniqueness, quote from one of my favourite authors Dr. Myles Munroe, “Your potential enables you to fulfil your purpose and your purpose reveals the potential hidden within you.”

36 rive Magazine ©

“

It all starts with just the first step of faith and the burning passion within to make a difference.

“

givingback

What inspired you to get involved in this African project?. Love! After my first trip when I returned to St. Lucia everything within me could not settle back to just doing things as normal. The love of God really moved me to return and make a difference, started Kairos Konnection which is the name of my organization and got lots of support from my family, church, friends and other organizations. It all starts with just the first step of faith and the burning passion within to make a difference. I will be returning next year 2019 to Ethiopia with the sole purpose of drilling another water well and working with an orphanage, thanking all my friends and partners for the strong support.

i For anyone wishing to find out more or support Marcus email: marcus.kairoskonnection@gmail.com instagram Kairos.Konnection

Why is it important to give back? In a nutshell, It takes your eyes off “SELF”, Giving Back has taught me how we take so much for granted and how my selfish lifestyle had to change. On my first expedition in Zambia Africa I saw villagers walk 3 hours for filthy water, this really broke my heart and showed me so much how lightly I took simple task

What advice would you give to anyone wanting to

like brushing my teeth or taking a shower. There is no one else

get involved with Giving Back projects?

like you on earth when you invest your time, talent and treasure

We all can make a difference in society, first thing is to

into a project or community you are leaving a personal lasting

understand and realise that out of 7.5 billion people

impact for generations.

on earth there is no one else like you. So the question is

Giving Back without the pure agape love of God is useless, as

what’s my purpose on earth? What talents, abilities and

we give back out of love we get bless. Mother Teresa “ Love

areas that I’m gifted in, and how can I make a difference

can not remain by itself - it has no meaning. Love has to be put

out of genuine love, not for attention, fame or fortune but

into action and that action is service.”

agape Love. R rive Magazine ©

Environment Watch

Environmental Crusader

Wayne Neale

the Caribbean

The ways in which we dispose of our waste in the Caribbean is of growing concern and an issue we need to start taking seriously. Here in Saint Lucia we see roadsides, gutters and bushes littered with dumped general waste not to mention plastic bottles, boxes and plastic bags. There are those who proactively go out and organise clean ups but this is something we ALL have to do as a community to keep our island pristine, our oceans clear of garbage not only for ourselves but also for the future generations. So what can we do and how? This is what we asked passionate environmentalist and Greening the Caribbean founder Wayne Neale about waste management and recycling best practices here in Saint Lucia.

38 rive Magazine ÂŠ

How big is the “waste pollution” problem in the

Electronic and electrical waste is a major and increas-

Caribbean and Saint Lucia?

ing source of a new and complex hazardous material

If we accept that pollution is the introduction

to the environment. Health consequences can include

of a thing that has harmful or poisonous effects

cancer, mortality, birth defects and low birth

on the environment then the problem is

weight according to World Health Organiza-

massive in Saint Lucia, and in the Car-

tion. When no longer of use to the owner,

ibbean. Our region is in the midst of

these materials are discarded in land-

an exponentially increasing waste

fills. Ozone-depleting substances re-

disposal crisis. This is not my opinion.

leased from discarded electronics

It is a fact documented in a range

contribute to ozone-layer depletion,

of research studies and reports. Lit-

which exacerbates climate change.

ter is one source of pollution which

Many of these materials become

persists in a very visible way, howev-

unstable and can contaminate soil

er pollution is not visible. Overall the

and groundwater; but when handled

region lacks strong environmental laws

correctly, as we do, 90% to 100% of the

and an integrated solid waste manage-

materials extracted can be recycled. This

ment (ISWM) infrastructure. What is ISWM? solid wastes in a way that reduces risks to human health and the environment by incorporating waste-to-landfill minimization, sorting, recovery, and recycling. This is the system used in North America and a host of European countries. What are the health risks and implications for the environment? Based on the legislated practices for waste disposal in Saint Lucia, the environmental implications of waste and its risk to our health and that of future generations are catastrophic. Our waste disposal crisis, a key source of the waste pollution problem, is anticipated to weaken the competitiveness of the region as a tourism destination. Again, not my opinion, nor is it fake news. Each type of

“

I wanted to create a business that protects the environment by reducing landfill dumping while creating jobs and developing a localised green economy in St. Lucia

“

It is a strategic approach to managing

greatly reduces the local environmental impact of landfill dumping and pollution. JE Bergasse, a leading retailer of IT equipment, is an environmental trailblazer in responsible e-waste handling of the end of life equipment it uses and sells. Why is it important for an island like Saint Lucia to get to grips with its waste pollution problem? WN: Self-preservation or fear of loss should be a motivator. If you want to live and have a desire for your offspring to live within a healthy Caribbean ecosystem, then each of us should take action on issues related waste disposal and pollution where we live, work and recreate, namely our neighbourhood, beaches and of course our country. We talk about social responsibility, what does that entail?

waste creates its own unique health

Good Question, we hear the phrase,

risk when disposal is absent of known

however it lacks relevance to most. By

best practices. The public is becom-

definition social responsibility means a

ing more aware of the dangers of our

duty every organisation or individual to

over dependence on single use plas-

act for the benefit of society at large.

tic products. In Saint Lucia, MASSY

The modern parlance is corporate and

Stores is raising public awareness on

social responsibility. And now we have

the dangers of plastic waste. And of

to get people to care about preserving

equal significance is their bold move

the space, ecosystem/environment/

to replace plastic grocery bags with

community/ocean/island, we all share

re-useable shopping bags as the pri-

and need to thrive. Go figure? It’s all

mary means of carrying groceries.

about preserving Mother Earth.

rive Magazine ©

Environment Watch

microplastics The microscopic plastic particles

We can see the destruction caused by plastic bottles,

end up in the ocean and Great Lakes, which when in-

bags, straws, etc, but what about all the little bits of

gested by fish and marine mammals, may pose enor-

plastic that are too small for us to really notice?. How

mous damage to our ecosystem and possibly human

can so much pollution possibly come from something

life. As an emerging field of study, we are now learning

that is smaller than your pinky nail?.

more and more about microplastics

Where do they come from and how

or microbeads and their full impacts

can we keep them from infecting

on nature and our drinking water.

our environment?. There are a lot of

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is

questions that surround these petite

leading efforts within NOAA (Nation-

polluters, so here’s a quick summary

al Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-

on everything you need to know

ministration) to research this topic.

about microplastics.

According to National Geographic, there are anywhere between 15

Microplastics are, as the name sug-

to 50 trillion pieces of microplastics

gests, tiny particles of plastic less

in our oceans, that’s about 93,000

than 5mm in size. They are formed

to 236,000 metric tons of just mi-

from a variety of industrial and waste

croplastics! They don’t stay there

sources, including from larger plastic

either, plastic contaminates have

debris that degrades into smaller

made their way into our drinking

and smaller pieces. In addition, mi-

water, salt and food!. Filtration sys-

crobeads, a type of microplastic,

tems can’t catch the contaminates

are very tiny pieces of manufac-

either, so that means every day we

tured polyethylene plastic that are

may be ingesting countless amounts

added as exfoliants to health and beauty products,

of microscopic bits of plastic. As one of the most wide-

such as some cleansers and toothpastes. These tiny

spread and potentially damaging aquatic pollutants,

particles easily pass through water filtration systems and

let us all do our part to eradicating single use plastics.

40 rive Magazine ©

rive Magazine ÂŠ

Environment Watch

Plastic Straws

42 rive Magazine ÂŠ

“the last straw moment”

lastic strаwѕ аrе а mајоr hazard for thе еnvіrоnmеnt, and perhaps thе mоѕt uѕеd “ѕіnglе uѕе” plastic рrоduсt. Figures from the US-based Ocean Con-

servancy’s TIDES data system show that plastic straws are the 11th most common item of rubbish found during oceanic clean-ups, making up about 3% of recovered waste. Even when plastic straws are recycled, they are generally too lightweight to make it through the mechanical recycling sorter, which means they drop through sorting screens and mix with other materials and are too small to separate, contaminating recycling loads or getting disposed of as garbage. Маdе оut оf роlурrоруlеnе, whісh іѕ реtrоlеum oil bаѕеd рlаѕtіс, thаt іѕ асtuаllу lеаkіng ѕуnthеtіс еѕtrоgеn, thе ѕtrаw ѕеrvеs us wеll fоr аbоut 15 -20mіnѕ аnd thеn іt јuѕt ѕіts thеrе аnd роllutеs. With Віllіоnѕ оf ѕtrаwѕ bеіng thrоwn аwау еасh dау, evеrу ѕіnglе рlаѕtіс ѕtrаw thаt wаѕ еvеr mаdе іѕ ѕtіll оn іt!. Ноw tо Rерlасе Тhе Рlаѕtіс Ѕtrаw Today thеrе іѕ mоrе аnd mоrе discussions аbоut рrоduсtѕ thаt соuld rерlасе thе рlаѕtіс ѕtrаw. Ѕосіеtу іѕ furthеr асknоwlеdgіng thе рrоblеmѕ wіth рlаѕtіс роllutіоn аnd thе роllutіоn оf thе осеаnѕ, thеrеfоrе wе аrе bеіng mоrе рrоасtіvе іn fіndіng dіffеrеnt ѕоlutіоnѕ. Тоdау wе hаvе nоt оnе оr twо, but mаnу rерlасеmеnt options for thе рlаѕtіс ѕtrаw which are all designed to be rеuѕаblе and environmentally sensitive. The Paper Straw This is the most obvious naturally degradable alternative to single-use plastic with many companies having already begun to gravitate towards paper. Васk іn thе 1900ѕ, thе рареr ѕtrаw wаѕ асtuаllу thе оnlу drіnkіng ѕtrаw thаt уоu соuld fіnd. Іn 1950 thе rеѕtаurаntѕ ѕwіtсhеd frоm wаѕhаblе, rеuѕаblе glаѕѕеѕ аnd dіѕhеѕ tо ѕіnglе uѕе рlаѕtіс расkаgіng. Тhе рареr ѕtrаw mіght nоt bе all that durаblе but іt іѕ thе сhеареѕt and most effective option. The most common alternatives to the paper straw is glass Stainless steel or our personal favourite, thе 100 % bіоdеgrаdаblе and eco friendly bаmbоо ѕtrаw, which you can read more about on the next page. So an easy way for each of us to do our part to help rebuild our environment is by saying NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS!!!

rive Magazine ©

Environment Watch

Make Ultimate Eco-Statement

Bamb

44 rive Magazine ÂŠ

boo

Could bamboo be the answer?

ith the growing concerns about the harmful effects of plastic on both the environment and our health could the eco-friendly and reusable bamboo straw be the alternative to the plastic straw? Still somewhat of an expensive novelty item the solid and durable all-natural bamboo straw is chemicalfree, naturally anti-bacterial, organic and 100% bіоdеgrаdаblе. Bamboo is not only safe and nontoxic, the straws are tasteless, so free of that odd after taste often found with paper or stainless steel. Using a natural, organic straw made from bamboo also eliminates the potential for ingesting chemicals. Made from whole pieces of young bamboo cut into various lengths, Bamboo straws have far more longevity than paper and perfect for both hot or cold drinks. How often can the bamboo straw be reused? Well if you take good care of them and always rinse immediately after use, at least 50 times. If you’re looking to buy some we’d recommend keeping it natural, avoid the ones which contain any form of polish or unnatural finishes. So perhaps switching over to bamboo straws could be your first step in being kind to our planet. R rive Magazine ©

Environment Watch

Fond Doux Plantation & Resort

46 rive Magazine ÂŠ

The Eco Friendly and Culturally Conscious

Plantation & Resort

t a time in hospitality when “going Green” and being environmentally friendly has become the popular fashion, many resorts around the world, in a rush to capture the lucrative environmentally conscious Responsible Traveller market, have begun retrofitting Green features to their resorts during

their annual 6-8 week closed for renovation period. There are however a number of forward thinking resort owners and managers for whom this trend is neither new nor is it a marketing gimmick. For them sustainable business practices have always been a way of life and philosophy.

Set deep amidst a 250 year old, 135 acre working plantation in the heart of Soufriere, in the South of the island, and rooted in the history and culture of Saint Lucia, the back to nature Fond Doux Estate Resort is one such place. There is an old saying “Built it and they will come”, a saying given credibility and relevance here as this is precisely what the

Eroline & Lyton Lamontagne

“

It wasn’t easy, creating something new even though we had many doubters telling us the resort had to be near a beach, we knew if done right Fond Doux would work and thankfully it has.

Soufriere born and raised husband and wife owners of Fond

This transformative decision saw the diversification away from

Doux Estate Resort, Lyton and Eroline Lamontagne did. In

an industry dwindling Banana plantation and into thought-

1980 the Lamontagne family purchased the estate, oper-

ful heritage tourism, with the creation of Fond Doux. But just

ating it as a banana plantation throughout the 1990s. In a

how serious are they about their national heritage? In 2006

break from the then conventional wisdom of where resorts

in an audacious and imaginative feat of creative thinking

in the Caribbean, particularly those in Saint Lucia should

and engineering, Lyton saved from demolition a 160-year-

be located i.e. outward looking towards the sea, in 1999

old two storey house that stood in neglect for many years

Lyton & Eroline, chose to buck this trend and look inwards.

in the town of Castries. He bought, disassembled, relocated

Inwards to a view that captured the true heart of the island’s

and then, like an elaborate jigsaw puzzle, reassembled it

plentiful and fertile vegetation, its Mamey “Sapote” apple

back on the grounds of Fond Doux Estate. This would be-

fruit trees, lush cocoa groves and vivid natural beauty.

come known as Angelina Villa, the resort’s first cottage. R rive Magazine ©

Environment Watch

CLIMATE CHANGE Puerto Rico

US Virgin Islands

climate change is a war against nature and the Caribbean is now

St. Kitts & Nevis Antigua & Barbuda

Guadeloupe

Dominica

On the front line Martinique St. Lucia

Barbados St. Vincent

What is the state of the Caribbean’s preparedness in the face of Climate Change’s new

Natural events and human activities have contributed to an increase in average temperatures around the world, Fact. Increases in greenhouse gases such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the main cause, Fact. Warmer air and sea temperatures have now

A 2017 Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme commissioned

supercharged hurrIcanes

permanently altered the climate

report on Caribbean Marine Climate Change, which focused on countries including Jamaica, Belize, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and St Lucia, recently issued the warning. The report made it clear that climate

around the world, Fact. Today ordinary storms are now be-

change is a clear and present danger and failure to act could

coming supercharged hurricanes inflicting devastation across

result in grave consequences for the region. It stressed the

the Caribbean. The fallout from hurricane Irma, Jose and

Caribbean was “in the front line” and at greater risk for more

Maria’s ability to decimate an entire country overnight, has

severe impacts than many other parts of the world because

left many countries and the economies in this region feeling

most of them are small islands where people live close to and

helpless and unprepared for what may come next. Michael

depend on the sea. Their open economies, high reliance on

Lowry, a visiting scientist at the University Corporation for At-

natural resources and indebtedness also exacerbate their risk

mospheric Research, in Boulder Colorado noted that

to a changing and variable climate.

since hurricanes began to be recorded and classified in 1851, thirty-three storms have reached Category 5 strength in the Atlantic, three of those tore through the Caribbean in

According to a recently released report by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization, climate change will lead

2017. Data compiled by Weather Un-

to more frequent and severe droughts

derground shows that in only twelve

in the Caribbean region, already home

hours Hurricane Maria strengthened

to seven of the world’s most water-

from a Category 2 hurricane to a

stressed countries. That will in turn af-

Category 5. When the storm made

fect agriculture, with the risk of food

landfall in Dominica, on the Monday,

shortages. Scientific analysis shows

it unleashed a-hundred-and-seventy-

that the climate of the Caribbean re-

five-mile-per-hour winds on an island of just seventy thousand people.

gion is already changing in ways that seem to signal the emergence of a new climate regime. Irma and Maria fit this pat-

Days after Hurricane Maria decimated Dominica, the country’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed the United Nations General Assembly and declared that “Eden is broken,” and demanded

tern all too well. At no point in the historical records dating back to the late 1800s have two category five storms made landfall in the Caribbean island chain of the eastern Antilles in a single year.

that world leaders acknowledge climate change. “To deny

According to the Caribbean Community Climate Change

climate change is to procrastinate while the earth sinks; it is to

Centre, a Belize-based organization that studies climate

deny a truth we have just lived. It is to mock thousands of my

change in the region, if sea levels rise by three feet in the

compatriots who in a few hours

Caribbean, an estimated hun-

without a roof over their heads

dred and ten thousand people

will watch the night descend on

will be displaced because of

Dominica, in fear of sudden mud

changes to coastal topography.

slides and what the next hur-

The centre estimates that a hun-

ricane may bring,” Skerrit said.

dred and forty-nine of the region’s

“My fellow-leaders, there is no

six hundred and seventy-three

more time for conversation. There

major resorts and eighty per cent

is little time left for action. While

of its forty-four seaports would be

the big countries talk, the small

inundated. The flooding would

island nations suffer. We need

devastate tourism, one of the

action and we need it now.”

Caribbean’s primary industries.

Inaction is VERY costly, economic analysis suggests increased hurricane damages, loss of tourism revenue and infrastructure damages, could cost the region US$10.7 billion by 2025. That is more than the combined GDP of OECS Member States. The impacts of yet more devastating hurricanes can be managed if we start taking ‘no regrets’ actions. We must place greater emphasis on awareness and construction best practices, build our infrastructure to withstand more intense weather events, select crops that can withstand extreme conditions and transform our planning frameworks to improve our resilience. Climate Change is a fossil-energy related problem, its consumption is a major driver of Climate Change. It also costs the Region US$37 Billion of its foreign exchange earnings and further reduces the potential for economic growth. Employing renewable forms of energy will allow us to also tackle not just climate change but economic competitiveness. Working together with our neighbouring islands is key, thankfully in this area many islands within the Caribbean have been proactive in sharing resources, solutions as well as funding. Underscoring the need for integration within the region is Dr. Maureen Lichtveld, Professor and Chair of the Department of Global Environmental Health Sciences at Tulane University, who has urged the region to pool its assets to address gaps in analysis, research and training to become more climate change resilient. The Caribbean has also begun the development of a regional network of marine protected areas designed to “future-proof” marine biodiversity against climate change, and stabilise shorelines to preserve natural barriers such as mangroves, salt marshes, and coral reefs. In the words of Skerrit “Let these extraordinary events elicit extraordinary efforts to rebuild nation’s sustainably, let these extraordinary events unleash the innovation and creativity of global citizens to spark a new paradigm of green economic development that stabilises and reverses the consequences of human-induced global warming.” Here in St Lucia we need to focus more on our youth, start teaching them not just how to be environmentally conscious and the importance of recycling but also on how to build robust homes to stand against these devastating storms

Caribbean sea

FMI Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre. Climate Change and the Caribbean: A Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change. Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre.

Delivering transformational change 2011-2021: Implementing the CARICOM Regional Framework for Achieving Development Resilient to Climate Change`.

rive Magazine ÂŠ

Saint Lucia

The RIVÉ Guide To Part 6

Moving

CBI Citizenship By Investment Programme Before we delve into the benefits, issues, miscon-

Here in the Caribbean the CBI concept began with

ceptions and morality of Citizenship by Invest-

St Kitts and Nevis which launched its programme

ment programmes, for context some background.

back in 1984. An innovative and highly lucrative in-

In the past few years interest in second citizen-

vestment migration programme that offered high

ship passports has never been higher, lucrative

net wealth individuals a second passport in ex-

or as competitive. The rapid growth of private

change for financial investment in the country’s

wealth, especially in emerging market economies, has led to a significant increase in affluent people interested

economy. Dominica then introduced its own CBI programme in 1993, followed thereafter by Antigua and Grenada in 2013 and

in greater global mobility and few-

in 2016 Saint Lucia. St Vincent and the

er travel obstacles posed by visa

Grenadines remains the only one of

restrictions. As a result an increas-

the five independent Organisation of

ing number of countries are open-

Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) mem-

ing citizenship to applicants whose

ber nations without a CBI programme.

money in turn helps generate

In an attempt to enhance their pro-

much needed foreign investment. Citizenship can be obtained in a variety of ways, with some paths more com-

gramme’s competitiveness and make it more attractive to foreign investors, a year after launching its CBI, in 2017 Saint Lucia decid-

monly travelled than others. Such paths may

ed to substantially ease accessibility to its CBI pro-

include e.g birth within a nation’s recognised

gramme by amending the qualifying contribution.

territory, descent, marriage, or long-term residence.

This included reducing the Single Applicant fee from

Increasingly however individuals and families from

US$200,000 to US$100,000 and removed the require-

around the world are looking at a more time-

ment for an affidavit to declare financial resources

efficient path to guarantee risk free movement

(net worth) of at least US $3,000,000. The Government

and a more global lifestyle. These desires can

also lifted a self-imposed 500 limit on the number

be achieved through citizenship by investment.

of applications that could be processed annually.

At the time of going to press, for the second consecutive year, the Financial Times’ Professional Wealth Management (PWM) ranked Saint Lucia’s Citizenship By Investment programme the worst option in the Caribbean.

Caribbean CBI programmes fall into the category of direct economic citizenship programmes which entitle qualifying investors and their qualifying spouse and/or dependents (e.g: children or elderly parents) to citizenship of the host country upon making a qualifying investment under that particular programme. Depending on the programme, a qualifying investment could be a monetary contribution of a certain amount to an investment fund, the purchase of real estate of a minimum value or, in some cases the purchase of government bonds. Investors and their co-applicants must also pass stringent due diligence procedures and pay the prescribed fees. Frowned upon by some who describe the practice as “giving up or selling one’s birth right” there is no denying CBI’s enormous revenue generating potential. These concerns are given even more credence when you con-

economy and attract much needed foreign investment in a relativity short period of time. Linkage to national development programmes with clear socio-economic outcomes i.e. infrastructure development, improvements in education, health, the environment, diversification and job creation, all benefit greatly from well managed CBI programmes. In short the measure of success for CBI programmes is a combination of transparent legislation, a strong code of conduct and above all a positive impact on the economic wellbeing for the local community. However as long as citizenship programmes exist, questions will always remain regarding the morality of the granting of rights, tax exemption and freedom of movement to those who are not required to reside in and who have no historic or cultural affinity to the country.

sider that CBI applications can be filed remotely, as there is no requirement to live in or even visit the country.

St Lucia’s CIP Investment options

Whilst a CBI obtained passport from Saint Lucia, which

Under the Saint Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment

prefers to refer to its citizenship programme as CIP,

Programme there are 4 approved types of investment

doesn’t get you into the United States or Canada, hold-

that qualify an individual for citizenship

ers of a Saint Lucia second passport have visa free access (or visa on arrival) to 130+ countries and territories,

Make a contribution to the National Economic

including the EU’s Schengen Region which includes Aus-

Fund(NEF).

tria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and 26

Investors can make a non-refundable financial contribu-

different European nations in total. Basically, it gets you

tion to Saint Lucia’s National Economic Fund (NEF) using

anywhere you want to be in Europe.

one of the following options: Single applicant: USD 100,000 Applicant and spouse: USD 165,000 Applicant Plus Spouse and Two Children – US $190,000 Each additional dependent: USD 25,000

Real Estate Under this route, investors must purchase real estate that has been pre-approved by the St Lucian Government. The real estate must be held for at least 5 years following the grant of citizenship.

In light of increasing inter-regional competition amongst

Per application: USD 300,000 in government approved

the islands there has been calls for CBI harmonisation or

real estate project.

unification. However, whilst a reasonable suggestion, in the real world of multiple unresolved regional ideologi-

Pre-Approved Enterprise Project

cal, political, economic, and personality differences, it is

Investments in pre-approved enterprise projects must

hard to imagine achieving a consensus that lasts.

create no less than 3 permanent jobs. Joint investments are allowed, although each applicant must contribute at

With the ever increasing speed of process and conces-

least $1 million and the entire project must be valued at

sions, CBI programmes across the Caribbean are com-

$6 million and create at least 6 permanent jobs.

ing under greater scrutiny as officials try to convince

Main Applicant: USD 3,500,000

their international partners, not to mention the IMF, that they have robust due diligent vetting and screening pro-

Investment in non-interest bearing Government bonds

cesses in place to identify and deter money laundering,

Investments in Government bonds must be held in the

terrorism, tax evasion as well as undesirable characters.

applicant’s name for at least 5 years following the grant of citizenship. The bonds must not attract a rate of interest

Tools of development

for the entirety of this period.

In theory there is much to be said for CBI programmes,

Purchase of Government Bonds starting: USD 500,000

if well administered, monitored and transparent they can generate vast sums of money (revenue), stimulate the For more information on the full breakdown of the four investment options, www.cipsaintlucia.com - email: info@cipsaintlucia.com

Leading Figures

Through the Lens with

Is there no end to the talents of this energy fuelled and lover of life photographer

he’s a mother, martial artists (black belt), kite

How would you describe your approach to

surfer, fitness coach, skate boarder, adventurer,

photography?

diver, free diver, oh and yes a hugely successful

There’s always a natural flow to any shoot. Beforehand

and much sort after professional photographer.

I take time to visualize the shoot as well as the needs of

What may come as a surprise to many is that

my client, so by the time I start the job I have a head full

whilst Dani Devaux calls Saint Lucia home she is originally

of ideas! However one still has to be open to unforeseen

from St Kitts, growing up both there and in Antigua.

factors that can provide unexpected inspiration.

Dani spoke with us about her life through the lens. What is your favourite subject matter? How and when did you develop your passion

Definitely people! I love hearing their stories

for photography?

and little anecdotes on life, I learn a lot from

I think from the first time my eyes could focus

this diversity. The conversation also helps me

I’ve always been an observer of life and the

to see the different expressions in a person

camera is like my third eye. When I see an

and maintains a certain ease between us.

image, there’s also a ‘feeling’ or emotion accompanying it. I got my first little camera at 6 and

My favourite portraits show the subject as a part of the environment.

a simple manual film SLR at 11. I began shooting, developing and printing my own images both at home and at school. That’s where thanks to ENORMOUS patience from my Mum, I learned the rudiments of photography.

What do you look for in a scene?

From this point, my inner fire found fuel!.

A subtlety that’s strong enough to evoke an emotion.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Living in Saint Lucia is somewhat like living in a frontier town.

We are at

a crossroads where all these cultures collide. It is chaotic, colourful and

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

dynamic.

There are obvious great stories behind each image, can you share one with us? Ha - so many!! The most recent one happened in Dominica on the way to my first free-diving lesson with Jonathan Sunnex. I got lost down a little country lane and had to get directions from the first person I found on the edge of the small town. A man and his granddaughter on their veranda told me I’d gone too far and missed the turning, so I had to turn around and head back up the way I’d come. A kind voice behind me said he’d gladly show me the way. I turned to see an older man in sunglasses, carrying a backpack and leaning on a stick - “I’m heading that way anyway”, he tells me. I approach him but he doesn’t move, so I touch his arm and say I’m ready. “OK”, he replies and sets off up the road tapping his stick!!! Both he and I laughed so hard about the ‘blind leading the blonde’ but he showed me everything along the way and knew exactly where he was on the road. His name was Rudy from Soufrière, Dominica. Of course I shot his portrait too.

What is your Saint Lucia? My Saint Lucia is the natural beauty and the pure, complex roots that join all of us with the land and our dark history. I love the raw and chaotic nature that exists here - from this unstructured base I see the limitless potential to build something new and unique. However I’m not sure enough people feel this way to make the difference.

You are known for your undiscovered, secret places in Saint Lucia, which is the most arresting? This has to be the captivating power of the Pitons anywhere in the Soufrière area... To be near them is aweinspiring, to view from afar is breathtaking and to stand on the summit of either one - to be at that elevation so close to the sea - makes you feel alive!

You are also extremely active and a lover of water sports, what’s the secret to staying fit and healthy? There’s no secret... Do what you enjoy - what makes your heart and body sing! For me it’s PLAY OUTSIDE - in total wonderment at all the elements, like a small child.

What would be your advice to people wanting to move here?. Can you do without certain comforts? Can you integrate into a society that’s quite probably vastly different from your own? Can you remember to greet everyone when you enter a room or a bus? Can you maintain your sanity during the hot, humid summer when even the sea offers no relief? Can you spot the subtleties between summer and winter light and find the magic in small things? Can you keep hold of the last thread of your patience when everyone’s pace is on ‘island-time’ and yours is totally metropolis, if the answer is yes to these questions, then you will love the lifestyle that this island has to offer.

Healthy Living

e all want to be healthy, avoid chronic illness, and live longer and successful lives. The key to healthy living is quality and quantity of foods you eat, getting adequate sleep, physical

activity,

spiritual

connection,

adequate

sunlight, water and relationships with others. “We are the creators of our own surrounding,” Earl Nightingale. Everything we eat and drink overtime matters, which can determine a healthier you now and in the future. Why do we need to focus on nutrition as the key to longevity and a more productive life? First and foremost, we need to be an expert of our body.

The importance of nutrition for healthy living Dietitian Cleanne Johnson

People seek other alternatives and fail to realise, the foods we consume are medicine for our body. The nutrients our body needs come from the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vegetables, dairy, vitamins and minerals found in the foods we eat, which the body requires to function. These foods are the building blocks and the basis of sustaining our wellbeing, vitality and energy for everyday living. Making half your plate fruits and vegetables, while focusing on whole grains, aiming for more colourful vegetables which contains antioxidant and phytochemicals, move to lowfat or fat free milk or milk alternative such as almond beverage, vary your protein intake, eat less sodium, saturated fats and added sugars. More people are leaning towards a vegetarian and vegan lifestyle, while some are flexitarians. The trend in St. Lucia is growing exponential and people are more aware of what they are eating and avoiding foods, from animal origins. We need to enjoy the healing power of foods, while eating mindfully, putting down the utensils and chewing our foods with gratitude, and assurance knowing the foods are our daily medication. For example, beets contain an amino acid called betaine that can reduce fat accumulation in the liver and can help lower LDL cholesterol.

The sugar (fructose) found in fruits and the added sugars

they behave differently in our bodies. Carbohydrates that

in pastries, cakes, coffee are processed the same way in

break down easily during digestion have the highest gly-

the body, the only difference is that the sugar in fruits is

cemic index 70 or more, such as white rice. Carbohydrates

curtailed by the plant cell wall and doesn’t raise blood sug-

that break down less easily release glucose in smaller

ars therefore, it takes a longer time for the body to break

amounts into the bloodstream therefore having a low gly-

it down. Sugar does not cause diabetes or other chronic

cemic index 55 or less such as peanut butter, soybeans,

disease, but it can contribute to overweight which may

and yogurt.

increase the risk for some chronic diseases. Fiber from

We need protein to build and repair tissues, to make en-

foods we eat is the better way to go, because it keeps

zymes and hormones, hair and nails, muscles, skin, blood

the digestive tract in good working condition by boost-

essential and non- essential amino acids. Everyone’s pro-

ing gut bacteria, it also plays a major role in youthfulness.

tein intake is different, and a good way to measure one’s

Fiber helps reduce cholesterol, protect against diabetes

protein is the palm of their hand and the thickest part of

by slowing absorption of carbohydrates into the blood-

your hand is about 3 oz (21 grams) of protein. The lean cut

stream, aids with weight control, and its ability to make

of meat, such as white meat chicken or turkey, flank

you feel full faster and stay full longer. A recent

steak, ground turkey, ground turkey breast low

study showed that people whose diet had ad-

in fat or opt for protein foods high in omega

equate fiber were more likely to live longer and

-3 such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. Some

stay healthier than those who don’t. ½ cup of

good choices of plant-based proteins include

lentils contains 8 grams of fiber. Fiber recom-

soybeans, tofu, lentils, nuts, seeds and quinoa

mendation for men and women is 25-30 grams

which contain no cholesterol.

per day. Start slowly and increase your fiber intake, but don’t forget water intake. Fluids add bulk

Growing vegetables can be easy and conveni-

and soften stools. Fiber and water go hand in hand.

ent, for people who prefer raw and fresh vegetables,

Carbohydrates are our main source of energy and

but depending on the time of year; these vegetables can

most of the foods we eat contain carbohydrates. The

be stored in your freezer. Frozen vegetables are as good

glycemic index is the different carbohydrates that

as fresh ones. Try to have a colourful plate with dark-green,

rank according to their effect on blood glucose lev-

purple, yellow, orange, red vegetables for an abundance

els. The glycemic index rank carbohydrate on a scale

of nutrients. Start with small changes to make healthier

from 0 to 100. Not all carbohydrates are created equal

choice in moderation and balance so that you can enjoy.

nutrition

health

wellness

Saint Lucia

The RIVĂ&#x2030; Guide To Part 6

Living

Janine Royer Managing Director, Caribbean Habitats

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

I am the Managing Director of Caribbean Habitats Real Estate Services, which is a boutique real estate firm. Certified in Real Estate in both the US and St. Lucia I am also, for the last 4 years, a board member of the Realtors Association Of St. Lucia, I am now the PRO for the Association.

Often, people who make the decision to relocate to St. Lucia have fallen in love with not only the unmatched beauty of the island but also, the friendliness and culture of the people. Visits have turned to passion, and that passion drives the decision to relocate here. The reality is that visiting the island is far different from living on the island. There are many considerations that have got to be contemplated prior to making this life-altering move. The smaller less regularly thought of day to day considerations like the constant high temperatures, bugs, lack of familiar infrastructure, slow small-town living; where everyone knows everyone, hurricanes and storms maybe passing thoughts for some, moreover, there are more serious decisions which can make the relocation process disorganized and unsuccessful, if not considered, addressed, and planned ahead. Here are few helpful tips which should make your process easier. Prior to making the move, it is imperative to spend at least two-three months on the island. During this time frame, you can learn as much as possible about the culture, day-today life, and speak with people who have already made the same type of move. You must know specifically in what capacity you are planning to relocate to St. Lucia. Are you purchasing a second home where you will spend some months on the island, and spend some months off of the island? Will you be living on the island permanently? You have to research the residency and visa policies ahead of

the move and make sure that your relocation plans are aligned with the immigration policies of St. Lucia. Do you qualify for an Aliens Land Holding License? If you do qualify, do your plans take into consideration the application processing time? Would you prefer to make the purchase through an IBC where an Aliens Land Holding License is not required? Are you planning on seeking employment while you live here? If so, what type of work are you going to do? Our best advice would be to retain an attorney early who can educate and guide you through which process is best for you. St. Lucia offers a ying-yang living experience and you must consider which is for you. Which part of the island is your preference to live in? Are you looking for an area with the option of active nightlife, bars, restaurants, and amenities which are familiar nearby? Perhaps an abundance of nature, quiet and serenity at your fingertips is what you desire. These two very different living experiences can be located at opposite ends of the island and can make a difference when considering where you decide to make a home. Further, do you want to live in a house or condominium? In St. Lucia, there is an unlimited number of beautiful, yet, very characteristically different properties which one can choose from. There is also an abundance of raw land that allows one to design, build and create their dream home themselves. On the island, there are a few very experienced, talented builders who can assist you in making the dream home become a reality. One of the biggest factors which can drive your decision to relocate to St. Lucia will be your budget and financing. How much money can you afford to spend on purchasing a home here? Depending on the size, amenities, location, and view, the cost of condominiums start at US$190,000.00, stand-alone homes begin at US$350,000.00, and the cost for raw land starts at US$100,000.00. Prior to relocating, you should know how you are going to finance your purchase. Will you be paying for your new home out of pocket? Conversely, will you be securing financing from a financial institution? If the funds are going to come from a financial institution, will you be exploring getting financing from an institution local to St. Lucia? If so, you need to find out what the requirements guiding financing non-nationals are, and if you meet them. Preparation from Home: You have to decide how you will finish and furnish your home. Are you going to ship your existing furniture to St. Lucia? What will it cost to get your belongs from door to door? Is it worth it, or can you have a local company and local tradespeople help with the completion of decorating and customizing some local wooden pieces that will bring the true essence of the island into your home?. Caribbean Habitats Real Estate Services offers relocation services, so let us assist you to make your dream a reality and to live where most vacation! R

Live Where Most Vacation

Property - Leela Plantation Location - Bonne Terre Bedrooms - 4 Sq.Ft - 5950 Price - US$1,200,000 Available immediately

Property - Villa Chloesa Location - Belle Vue Bedrooms - 3 Sq.Ft - 3500 Price - US$750,000 Available immediately

Property - Villa Hall Location - Cap Estate Bedrooms - 6 Sq.Ft - 6,500 Price - US$4,000,000 Available immediately

Caribbean habitats real estate services Property Sales & Leasing

Corporate Relocation Services

Short Term Vacation Rentals

Tel: (758) 725-6325

Property Management

www.caribbeanhabitats.com

info@caribbeanhabitats.com

Caribbean Habitats real estate services is a full service Boutique Real Estate firm which offers an array of services which includes st. lucia real estate for sale. We specialize in house and land sale packages as well as residential land sales. We also specialize in short term vacation rentals, property management services, your choices range from land parcels, modest houses to upscale luxury villas located in St Lucia, hence we are flexible with your needs

Saint Lucia

The RIVÉ Guide To Part 7

Banking

We were named by World Finance as Most Innovative Bank Caribbean 2018 following enhancements to our Mobile App and Online Banking platform.

Ladesa James-Williams Director, Southern EC Islands & Country Head St Lucia for CIBC FirstCaribbean

“

Antiguan by birth, St Lucia has been my home for the last 4 years but was my favourite vacation spot for over 15 years so cherished the assignment to move here when offered. My banking career spans over 18 years starting with Barclays Plc and I have worked in several fields including Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, International & Wealth Management and Human Resources. I am also a Director of the Eastern Caribbean Automated Clearing House Services Incorporated and a member of the Saint Lucia Salvation Army Advisory Board.

What are some of the common questions get asked from people moving here about Banking in Saint Lucia?. Clients are always curious about how long it takes to open a bank account in St Lucia and we normally respond that it depends on the type of account being opened (that is a simple Savings Account, locally registered Company Account or maybe an International Business Account) and how prepared and organized they are in terms of their paper work, documentation and references. An account can be opened in minutes (yes this is possible) or it may take several weeks, depending on if all the documentation is available. Clients also often ask how they can access their funds while abroad and we advise them that they can do so using their Visa Debit Card which is provided when opening all personal and business banking accounts and is accepted at millions of Merchants and ABMs Worldwide. What are the advantages of banking with CIBC FirstCaribbean for the international community here in Saint Lucia?. CIBC FirstCaribbean prides itself on offering solutions based financial products and services to each client. We meet with each client to understand the client’s needs and expectations and based on this discussion a suite of products and services are recommended. Our main aim is to build long lasting relationships with each client and ensure we can attend to all their needs in an easy, responsive and personalized manner. Given our extensive product and service suite - which covers Retail, Platinum, Business Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, Insurance, Wealth Management, Treasury, Trade Finance, Trust Services, Cash Management and lots more - we are able to do so. In addition, given our regional footprint is across 17 countries, we can provide cutting edge and world class technology.

Can you tell us more about your Online banking features? Excluding cash transactions (which can be done at our ABMs or Night Wallet facilities) anything that can be done in any of our 4 physical branch locations of Soufriere, Vieux Fort, Rodney Bay and Castries can be done online or via our Mobile app. This includes applying for accounts and loans; processing of international wires to anywhere in the world; bills can be paid online (including payment of school fees); transfers can be done online to third party CIBC FirstCaribbean account holders and with the recent introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) on the ECACH you can make transfers to other bank clients. In addition transfers between accounts or to your credit or debit cards are in real time so you can go to the supermarket, make a payment to your credit card and have immediate access to the funds. If your credit card is lost or stolen you can immediately freeze your card without having to contact the Bank and every time you use your credit card you will receive a notification confirming the amount and location of use on your smart phone. If you haven’t downloaded our mobile app as yet I highly recommend it. What are the requirements for opening an account?. The requirements vary depending on the type of account being opened but in all cases the following are applicable: • We must verify you are who you say you are. This is done by reviewing your valid Government issued photo identification documents (passports, drivers licence, national identity card). • We will also verify your physical address by reviewing (drivers licence, bank statement no more than 3 months old, original utility bill no more than 3 months old, tenancy agreement, letter from current employer no more than 3 months old). • For clients moving to St Lucia we also require a banker’s reference that is no more than 3 months old and 2 character references. • We also need to verify the source of your income (job letter, business plan, cash flow projections, financial statements and the like). • In addition we will require your Tax Payer Registration Number (TRN). • For business accounts we will need sight of all Incorporation Documents, Business Licence and Trade licence (applicable if you are not from a CARICOM territory). What advice would you give to people move here? St Lucia is a wonderful country with warm, hospitable people with a rich and diverse culture but the driving still scares me so if you are not an exceptional driver please complete some remedial driving classes before moving here! R

iving

in Saint Lucia

Here are some useful contact information details you may need to help you live your new life in Saint Lucia.

Police - 999 Fire and Ambulance - 911

Banking First Caribbean International - Tel: 1 (758) 456-1000

Police Headquarters - Bridge Street, Castries,

www.cibc.com/fcib/

Tel: 1 (758) 456-4047 or

Bank of Saint Lucia - Tel: 1 (758) 456 6000

request the Police Rapid Response Unit,

www.bankofsaintlucia.com

Tel: 1 (758) 452-2854 ext.167

1st National Bank - Tel: 1 (758) 455-7000

Hospitals

RBC Royal Bank of Canada - Tel 1 (758) 457-6300

www.1stnationalbankonline.com In an emergency call - 911

www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean

Victoria Hospital Tel: 1 (758) 452-2421/7059

Scotiabank - Tel: 1 (758) 456-2100

St. Judeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital Vieux Fort Tel: 1 (758) 454-6041

www.stlucia.scotiabank.com

Soufriere Tel: 1 (758) 459-7258/5001 Tapion Hospital Tel: 1 (758) 459-2000

Business Investment Invest Saint Lucia

Medical Centres

www.investstlucia.com

Dennery Tel: 1 (758) 453-3310

Tel: 1 (758) 457-3400 Rodney Bay Medical Centre Tel: 1 (758) 452-8621 Gros Islet Polyclinic Tel: 1 (758) 450-9661

Consulates & Embassies British High Commission

Utilities

NIC Building, Castries

Lucelec (electricity supplier)

1 (758) 452-2484

Castries: Mon - Fri: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Tel: 1 (758) 457-4400

Fax 1 (758) 453-1543

Vieux-Fort: Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tel: 1 (758) 457-4854/5

Email britishhcal@candw.lc

Rodney Bay: Tel: 1 (758) 457-4440/5 Wasco (water supplier)

United States Embassy

Tel: 1 (758) 457-3900

Bridgetown, Barbados (also responsible for St Lucia)

Cable & Telecommunications

+1 (246) 227 4000.

Flow (phone and cable services) Tel: 453 9000 (free) Digicel (mobile phone services) Tel: 1 (758) 728-3400

Canadian High Commission

Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority

(also responsible for St. Lucia)

Tel: 1 (758) 457-6100

+1 (246) 429 3550.

Bridgetown, Barbados

Customs and Excise

Airlines

Tel: 1 (758) 468-4800

US America American Airlines, Delta Airlines, JetBlue, & United Airlines.

Immigration office

Canada

(Passport extensions)

Air Canada, Sunwing Airlines, Transat & WestJet.

Lamar Building, Bridge Street

United Kingdom

Castries

British Airways, Virgin Atlantic.

Tel: 1 (758) 456-3787

Caribbean

Monday to Friday: 9am to 12.00 - 1.30 to 3pm

Air Caraibes, Air Antilles, Caribbean Airlines & LIAT.

Business & Services Directory To help make the lives of those planning to move to Saint Lucia from around the world, as well as for the international, expat and returning from overseas community already here that much easier, RIVE promotes the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tried, Tested and Recommended best small businesses and service providers.

Advertisers Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait until movers and visitors have arrived. Get a head start by increasing your market reach internationally

Reach them before they Reach here! i for more information on rates email: mahalia@riveslu.com or christine@riveslu.com tel

+1 (758) 718-3530 or +1 (758) 486 0077

Business & Services Directory

Health & Beauty FENG SHUI SPA provides a variety of services for the purpose of improving health, beauty and peaceful relaxation through personal care treatments.

i Evergreen Plaza, Rodney Heights Tel: +1 758 717-1866

Computer Repairs CPR

is a phone and computer repair and service outlet owned and managed by 5M Solutions Inc. We provide a high standard of repair and maintenance services for mobile phones, laptops and other electronic office equipment.

i 75 Brazil Street Castries

email: cprslu@gmail.com

Tel: +1 758-453-0558

Business & Services Directory

Healthy Foods & Products

Wedding & Event Specialists

Clee’s Health Foods

is a small business enterprise selling organic, non-GMO, Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten free products, while trying to make a difference in the life of others by offering Medical Nutrition Therapy.

Thouzand Wordz

is one of Saint Lucia’s top event planners. Their passion is to make planning your dream wedding as easy, fun and effortless as possible, ensuring that your once-in-a lifetime day exceeds all expectations.

Evergreen Plaza Building Unit #5 Rodney Heights, Gros-Islet email: healthfoodsclees@gmail.com Tel: +1 758-458-0017

Tel: +1 758 286-5601

Specialist Food Suppliers Trans caribbean 2000

- marcus@thouzandwordz.com

www.thouzandwordz.com

Shipping & Freight Services

is one of the island’s leading wholesale suppliers of wholesale fruits & vegetables. They supply hotels, restaurants and the general public with affordable groceries, fresh fruits & vegetables. Eat well for less.

Superior Shipping Services Ltd. (SSSL)

is a specialist in regional and international shipping arrangements by air, land and sea, from anywhere in the world. Including Freight Forwarding, Customs Brokerage, Import & Export and Cargo Transaction.

Bois d’Orange, Gros Islet

email: info@superiorshipping.com

Tel: +1 758 485-4161

Tel: +1 758 458-1590

email: tcariba@outlook.com

www.superiorshipping.com

for more information on rates email: mahalia@riveslu.com or christine@riveslu.com tel

+1 (758) 718-3530 or +1 (758) 486 0077