Island Hopping 101

A vacation, finally i got a 6 day trip off my this tiny rock, St.Kitts.(The trip was, April 3rd to April 10th)
I couldn't believe the deal we found taking a cruise ship around to some of the tiny islands near St.Kitts. Usually it costs a couple hundred US dollars, just to fly to one island. But we found this cruise ship that took us to five different islands and gave us a place to sleep for only $120. Was it too good to be true? Nope, its just a british travel company being smart. Check out easycruise.com if you are interested. The ships are cruising around Greece and Holland area right now and the crew is a lot of fun (very international). So lesson 1#: travel with easycruise or easyjet or easy whatever, whenever possible and you'll save $$.

Eight of us, skipped onto the boat Tuesday evening after drinks and dominoes at our local peace corps water hole. After leaving work and culture and computers and Peace Corps "rules" behind I was very ready to relax, put on our shorts, and act like the funky freak loving American that I am. Below is a picture of me and my mate Amber as we explore the attributes of our hostel on water.

Our first arrival Wednesday morning was Antigua. For they day i hiked around this flat dessert sort of island with Nathan and Annie seeing historical sights. Nathan my favorite histroy buff gave us a great tour and explanation. Apparently boating is big on Anguilla and they had a beautiful harbor. We also so some amazing beach but i forgot to take pics., they have some like 364 beaches, one for every day of the year. Lesson #2 Vist atleast one or two of the beaches on Antigua.

Antigua is on its last batch of Peace Corps volunteers because it's become quite developed and expensive. I think we volunteers were a bit up tight still the first night in trying to let go of that Peace Corps persona, clubbing was sorta strange. Dinner was Mexican food, O' how i miss variety!

Thursday was fantastic but in a different way. (my camera broke that day as my curse with technology continues, so all pictures from here are a slow accumulation from friends...) We visited Nevis an island close in proximity to St.Kitts and one we've seen times before.

In the morning we took a hike so, to see a beautiful view of from above. Then the afternoon we went snorkling, and i saw tons of crabs. Later, I met up with Sunni, a friend of a friends whom just moved there (and now a friend of mine). She comes from America to do landscape architucture, so we ate a lovely meal and talked design theory late into the night Lesson #3 Go hiking and Snorkeling in the same day. The sea cools you and sooths sore muscles.

Friday, Good Friday at that, was almost a disapoiontment. We arrived on St. Maarten expecting phenominally cheap shopping (our home St.Kitts, is $$$) but because of the holiday everything was closed. Fortunalty St. Maarten is a strange island in that half is Dutch and half is French. Really half speaks french and uses the Euro and the other speaks more english/Dutch and uses some other money.
We found out after a couple hours of panick that the French side was open so we explored over thier. Not spending much money though because the french side was full of pretty expensive boutiques. That night at dinner the resturaunt had a crab race. (which Annie won!) As we left we knew we would be back to this island on Monday and hoped shopping would be open. Lesson #4 visit both the dutch and the French side of St.Maarten/St.Martin

Satuerday, o lovely Saterday. We were on St.Barts, such a pretty island! It is french and very french at that. Everywhere you look you see talk white beatiful people smoking cigarretes and speaking with a lovely european accent. We spent the day looking at shops and liming at the semi-toppless beach. For lunch we went to the grocery store and bought french bread, cheese, fruit and dark chocolate.

The evening was the coolest part though. We were looking for sushi and a lady gave us a tip on where to go. After telling her we lived on St.Kitts she said, "but it is so boring?" with her lovely french accent. We explained we were volunteers and she understood it was for the experience. But insisted we go out and see the nightlife of St.Barts. So we went of course and had quite the night, mojitos, live jazz music, dingy boat ride to sail boat... it was fun. Lesson #5 Enjoy St.Barts night life.

Sunday, Easter, was a bit fuzzy due to previouse late night adventures. But Anguilla had by far the prettiest beaches ever. They also had a huge reef where we saw all sorts of coral and fish and big fish. And blue fish and one fish, two fish... matt saw a baby nurse shark! We layed on the beach all day. And in the evening did some dancing on the boat. I met a group of medical students from St. Maarten and talk the night away with them. they were quite intruged with Peace Corps perspective of the Caribbean. Lesson #6 Spend the whole day at the beach in Anguilla or many if you plan to stay a while.

Monday was back to St.Maarten and shopping! Yeah stores were open! I have to say coming from chilly Wisconsin with funky student life clothing, it really wasn't making the cut. Cordoroys are way too hot as were most of my clothes, and working at a school means I have to be teacher conservative. So most my wardrobe now is anew. In the evening we went to an Irish Pub for good beer! (No beer selection available on my little island) Lesson 7# when you find good beer in the caribbean drink it!

And that was the end. much fun, great food, friendly people, blue water, white sand, live music, cheap shopping, and good beer.