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The Dutch Caribbean triumvirate of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao (ABC) offer cruise visitors some unique island adventures b y
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Photo: Armando Goedgedrag
Awesome Excursions on the ABC’s
C a m p b e l l
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
“Shake and Bake” Scenic Snorkel Tour
Cactus Cocktail Anyone?
Explore the Depths Without Diving
There’s lot of great upscale shopping and a new free eco-trolley for cruise visitors in downtown Oranjestad, and the beaches are within easy reach of the cruise terminal and some of the best in the Caribbean. But if you really want do something different and get a feel of Aruba’s arid and rugged interior then a jeep safari to the scenic natural pool called “conchi” for a surreal snorkel is a must. Some call it the “ shake and bake tour” because it’s hot, dusty and bumpy, and the drivers love to make you bounce -even driving straight up rock cliffs sometimes! But it’s a ton of fun and also covers some of Aruba’s other signature landmarks like the Alto Vista Church and the fallen natural bridge. And no doubt, you’ll be surprised at how arid and cactistudded the interior of the little island is- no wonder they nicknamed it “The Rock”! It is certainly no lush tropical paradise, but it does have a stark and haunting beauty all of its own. And the wild restless sea cresting the natural pool where you snorkel is constantly storming the perimeter causing cold sprays of sea to cascade upon you without warning. It’s an awesome experience and the scenery is stellar. But be forewarned that there is a long steep staircase down to the pool and it’s not handicapped accessible. The rocks can also became very slippery around the pool so take extra caution when entering the water.
Long known as a “Diver’s Paradise” (it’s even on their license plates) Bonaire also offers some fabulous snorkeling right offshore and is also one of the best places on the planet to learn to windsurf at Lac Bai. But if you are seeking something completely different then head to the interior village of Rincon to try the only liqueur in the world made with cactus! Cadushy of Bonaire is a unique distillery founded by Eric and Jolande Gietman offering not only the world’s only cactus spirits but also many other artisanal liqueurs, rums and whisky using ingredients specifically from the Dutch Caribbean islands. You can sample them all in their tasting gardens, try some signature cocktails like their famous Green Bonaire, see how they are made, and purchase some for souvenirs. The small village of Rincon where it’s located was the first established colony on Bonaire. The Spanish settled inland to avoid detection from passing ships. It’s worth a walk about as well to see some interesting historical sites and local culture while you’re there. You can purchase selfguiding booklets at the distillery produced by the Bonaire Heritage Foundation.
Though the city of Willemstad is definitely worth a stroll through for excellent history and culture, after all it is a UNESCO World Heritage site, you might also want to do something very out of the ordinary to explore the island’s underwater beauty. You need not even know how to snorkel (though you must be able to swim,) in order to ride the unique Aquafari vehicle under the waves up to 30 ft. below, You need only breath normally as the air is supplied by a tank to a giant bell helmet. The vehicle moves slowly, and the group is guided and overseen by a diver. These underwater scooters are an incredible way to get up close and personal with marine life without any certification. The adventure is safe, fun and absolutely surreal. You can have a lunch and a beach break at the surfside emporium Pirate’s Bay next next door.
Visit: www.cadushy.com Visit: www.depalmtours.com Canadian World Traveller Spring/Summer 2015
Photo by Aquafari
DePalm Tours is best outfit to do this tour with-cruise terminal pick-up and drop- off included.
Cruise visitors can visit The Cadushy Distillery through booking a local tour operator- there are many in town right off the dock, ask for a North Tour which includes a stop in Rincon and the tasting gardens.
Visit: http://aquafari.net
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N e v i s b y
S u s a n
C a m p b e l l
photo: Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
S t . K i t t s ’ l i t t l e s a t e l l i t e s i s t e r i s l a n d i s l u s h , l o v e ly a n d s w e e t
I
was stoked to finally visit little Nevis in the Caribbean West Indies recently.
It’s a tiny island -36-square miles-largely undeveloped and dotted with dormant volcanoes shrouded in mist and carpeted in emerald greens flanked with some beautiful beaches. You can access it by a 6minute water taxi from St. Kitts or more recently by Caribbean Helicopters from Antigua or St Barts. Once an important sugar producing island for the British you witness its plantation past almost everywhere you go. In fact, seems you can’t throw a conch shell without hitting the ruins of a sugar mill, and many of them have been restored to host the island’s handful of unique resorts. Nisbet Planation Beach Club, where I was intending to stay is one of them, and it’s the only one located right on the sea. Nisbet is a storied spot dating back to the 1700’s, most famous for being where Lord Horatio Nelson met and fell in love with Fanny Nisbet. (They were later married at Montpelier Planation.) Upon arrival, the first thing you notice is the impressive stone archway ruins with a staircase that leads to the sky. It’s enchanting. And the beautifully preserved Great House where the bulk of the dining is offered also impresses. But it won’t take you long to realize that though however “grand” this resort appears at first, the vibe is anything but pretentious. In fact, it is one of the warmest friendliest and inviting spots I have ever been. It also won’t take you long to realize that the majority of guests are British- most repeat visitors. The daily high tea might be your first clue, but it’s the constant cheery
hello’s that everyone exchanges –strangers or not- with the distinctive accent that seals it. And as for the staff, they are predominantly native Nevisians. But don’t confuse friendly and easy-going with inefficient. Quite the opposite. The Nisbet staff has just received international accreditation by “Hospitality Assured”, the standard for service and business excellence in the hospitality industry, and in my opinion very well deserved. Though the feeling might be laid-back, and the charming little cottages (36 of them) give you a feeling of a small town holiday village, they don’t skimp on luxuries and amenities. The only thing that’s missing in each room however is a television. But after a day, you won’t miss it once you see that the greatest show on earth is right outside your grand deck via the sea by day and the tropical stars on moonlit waves at night. For relaxation and entertainment there is an infinity pool and whirlpool by the sea, tennis courts, cricket, yoga, kayaks, snorkel gear, or just kicking back with a fun crowd at Sea Breeze- their beach bar/dining spot. But we wanted to explore more of Nevis, so we opted for a day tour. The other resorts are worth taking a look at, as most of them are located on historic sites in their own right. Like Montepelier Planation (Princess Diana stayed there,) a Relais & Chateaux hotel with the only private dining in the world set in a 300-year old sugar mill tower. And the Golden Rock Plantation resort- also in a restored sugar mill- but decorated in avant garde art by its owner/artist from New York. Then there’s Hermitage Resort in what is said to be the oldest wooden house in the Caribbean.
They all have such interesting heritages. The main village of Charleston also has a few noteworthy sights- like the surprise of the public outdoor “spa” right downtown fed by thermal volcanic springs. And nearby is a fabulous and trendy beach/bar/club called Chrishi’s with a great view of St Kitts. And if you head up the mountain to Bananas you’ll find a gorgeous garden shaded oasis with an incredible view of the sea and the rainforest from above. You can easily tour all the points of interest on Nevis in a day. And on the waves, a don’t-miss activity is a snorkel tour with Leeward island Charters, it’s a half-day of fun fish finding and rum punch fueled dancing on the deck. They take off from the Four Seasons Nevis Resort, also worth a tour while you are there. It’s the most modern resort on the island, very luxe, though there is a brand new luxury boutique property called Paradise Beach, which will feature Balinese style beachfront accommodations. Our stay of just four days was far too short, especially since we were told that Nevis has more monkeys than people on it, but sadly, we saw very few. And though the slow pace of this island might actually frustrate some at first, once you surrender- into its gentle rhythms- you’ll never want to leave. We all need time to recharge and reconnect with nature. And taking it nice and easy in Nevis is an ideal way to do so.
Visit: nevisisland.com & nisbetplantation.com Canadian World Traveller Spring/Summer 2015