mpkp

Almost time for our trip -- we leave Thursday.

I was wondering -- someone asked about drinking the water in the Carribbean -- if you would not drink the water on Nevis because of taste, is there a place you would stock up on bottled water? I believe we have refrigerators in our rooms and -- even though the hotels will shop for you -- I believe it will be less expensive to get it ourselves.

We have not yet reserved a car as I was told I did not have to until I got to the island -- little bit nervous about this. Is a 4 wheel drive vehicle necessary?

I do not think we will hike to the top of the volcano but I would like to do some hiking. Any favorite guides or hikes to do?

When we travel, we like to bring home something hand made from the area but not trinkets. Any suggestions of what to get and where to look?

We plan to go over to ST. Kitts for at least one day so something from either island would be good. We have 8 full days there and a half day the day we leave.

Thanks!

ejcrowe

I thought the water on Nevis tasted just fine and was happy to drink it.

We rented a very small car that was not a four wheel drive and we felt very comfortable in it. Didn't miss having 4-wheel drive.

We bought a few pieces from Newcastle pottery, which is very near Nisbet, for our souveniers. We still think of Nevis every time we use those coffee mugs. You could also daytrip to St. Kitts to the Batik place and get a tour of the facilities as well as purchase some batik cloth.

mymoosie

Ohhhh Nevis. My hubby keeps saying that's his favorite island, no matter how much I glare at him for not saying Grenada. LOL.

We rented a little car as well and didn't feel like we needed a 4wd.

You can buy Caribelle Batik items in Nevis as well. Nevisian honey is another great thing to take back. And if you enjoy Sunshine's Killer Bee, bring a bottle back home. ;-)

mymoosie

I forgot, re: reserving a car...
If you know the dates you would want the car, I would suggest reserving now. We didn't reserve one ahead and walked into the car rental and all they had was a small car and it was very expensive. We could have gotten a better deal if we had done our homework and booked online.

ejcrowe

What?! You can buy a bottle of Killer Bee? I had no idea! That's almost reason enough alone to return to Nevis. (And there are a whole slew of others!) That was my favorite rum punch and I've tried to recreate the taste at home. If I had a whole bottle I could do better than just remembering the taste from three years ago.

So, Kris, when is your return to Grenada? It's before the holidays, right? Maybe by your second trip there your husband will get his answer right!

joan

Aaaahhh Nevis! We loved our trip there.

For water, go to Ram's - they have a bottle outlet (ask in town) or a grocery store.

We bought a beautiful hand woven mat from the straw factory. I can't remember the name but it's on the way to town, on the mountain side of the road, between the Four Seasons and Charlestown (right near the bottle outlet). I even have a picture of the four ladies who wove the mat holding it up (what smiles!). Got some of that Newcastle pottery too!

I second the idea of renting a car ahead of time - we used Thrifty I believe, which has the neat arrangement of trading your car for the day while in St. Kitts. We just called a couple of days ahead to set this up, parked at the ferry, walked upon departing the St. Kitts ferry right over to the Thrifty office, and got our new car for the day. Tour the Caravelle Batik and don't forget the awesome fort. You can't book a car for Nevis on the Thrifty website, you must call the local branch in Nevis if I remember correctly.

You really don't need 4WD. There are potholes, but we explored every little blue sign we found - just go slowly and enjoy!

Nevisian

Nevis water is drinkable. Especially drinkable at the hotels. The island treats the water and the hotels re-treat the water. There is no need for bottled water but if you feel safer then by all means buy bottled water to enhance your vacation safety. Better safe than worried. The island is volcanic and by the time the water gets down from the rain forests to the water source it is filtered. Personally, we drink treated cictern water (rain water). Joan, the bottled water source is Rams Beverage Depot. Coming from town turn right at TDC Hardware store or coming from the Four Seasons (Jessup Village area turn left). The depot is up the hill on the right. You can buy your soft drinks and beer (including TING) by the case. It is much cheaper than by the six pack at the stores. The place that has the grass and coconut mats is also on the corner of the main island road and the TDC turn. It is The Nevis Craft House. Go there early and they will make your rug to order. The grass rugs last longer and shed less than the coconut ones. And Cheap! We just ordered a new 8'x11' tight circle pattern rug for our veranda. There is also an outlet in the Cotton Gin Mall downtown that will assist you in getting the rug made. 4 wheel drive is not necessary. The island has just finished repaving the island road and is working on the village roads. The road through Jessups is torn up but Barnes Ghaut is finished and you will be able to make the loop on freash pavement this winter season. The old style parrallel concrete paths (like up to Montpellier) are no trouble unless you're knee deep in rain. Also go to Newcastle pottery for hand made clay goods. They still fire the clay over coconut husk fires which are VERY hot. The finished red clay products have distinctive burn marks. On St. Kitts you should tour Romney Manor for Sea Cotton batik products. The Nevis honey is the best in the world. O.K., I like it. It has the flavor of flowers like you've never tasted before. I send it out as Christmas gifts to our friends in the States. If you are brave, try taking home some of the homemade scotch bonnet hot sauce (Downtown at the Nevis Gov't. Crafts store - not the crafts house - or at any island grocery store). Your hotel will arrange for a rental car and temporary island drivers license. You might want to inform your hotel in advance that you will require one if you are going in high season. Get a car with left hand drive to remind you to drive on the left. It is much less expensive to grocery shop for yourself. The hotels may add a 25% service charge to your bill. There is nothing more fun than doing a grocery store run on a small island. Don't forget to shop at the vegetable market downtown by the Cotton Gin Mall. That's where you get all the locally grown food and gossip.

mymoosie

Ok, you all want to make me want to go to Nevis again soon.

ejcrowe - Yep, you can buy a liter (or was it 2 liters) of the killer bee at Sunshine's gift shop. It was one of the best souveniers.

Nevisian - Is there an online site where one can order Nevisian honey? That would make great christmas gifts.

Enjoy your trip mpkp! Drink a rum punch for all of us.

Nevisian

mymoosie, Yes, and the local hot sauce too!
http://www.nevis-nhcs.org/shop_nhcs.html

iw

Hope I am not too late! Have a great trip. Nevis is my favorite island. The water is fine. We have never rented a car and have used Chip as our driver for the last 2 years.

I didn't know that Killer Bees could be bought in a bottle, either. Wow! Yep, another reason to return!

We really liked Chevy's and the food at Oualie Beach Hotel is awesome as is Coconut Grove.

Jim Johnson is a great guide for hiking. I am a very active and in-shape person, but I didn't do the volcano hike, but my husband did. It is intense. Jim also does a moderate rain forest hike. If you tell him what you are looking for, he will customize the tour/hike for you.

On St. Kitts, we used to hang out at Turtle Beach Bar, but that has moved, so I hear to Cockleshell Beach and is now Reggae Beach Bar. The famous pig, Wilburt, is supposed to be there.

The others are correct....the honey is to die for, as is the Brinley Gold Rum, which is available in many flavors. YUM, and I don't usually like rum.

Have fun and don't forget to post a trip report!

SKBFAN1

For more information on Nevis visit www.nevisforum.com

Where are you staying in Nevis?

Be sure to post a Trip Report when you return.

Have a great time!

mpkp

thanks everyone. We have never been to the Caribbean and this board helped us choose Nevis -- we like the idea of nontouristy and rain forest and other things to do.

We are staying at the Hermitage for 5 nights and Nisbet for 4 nights. Originally decided that because I did not want to pay for meals at Nisbet and eat other places -- too many good places to eat so it sounds. But as I was booking it, I found that I could book Nisbet through American Express Travel for less without all meals -- just breakfast. So we did that. Still like the idea of staying up in the mountain and at the beach.

It has been a stressful year this year as we lost my father in law in May when we were on vacation in Ireland. We came home then -- had been there only 5 days out of a 16 day trip. Then we had to clean his house out and get it ready for sale -- and we hope it sells someday soon. Since Pops was the only relative we had where we live, the holidays revolved around him -- we would not go away because he would be alone for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Without him here, we did not want to be here either this year -- too difficult.

On top of that my husband has been building a shop -- a 30x40 foot building and he has been working on it nights and weekends. The one thing he subbed out was the roof and we just got that last week so it is time for a break for him.

We want a relaxing time -- taking several books -- but also would likt to do some hiking and go to St. Kitts for a day and see the fort and other things there -- maybe the train ride -- is it worth it? Other than eating dinner at the Hermitage when we arrive and having a taxi tour the nest morning, we have no plans. We are looking forward to it.

Thanks everyone!

joan

mpkp, I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing, rejuvenating time. Sounds like a perfect destination for a much needed vacation. My condolences on the death of your father in law also.

The train trip on St. Kitts was something we had considered too. It is expensive, and it only seemed to run when there was a cruise ship in port - so you have to time it right. As it turned out, we toured instead in our rental car (figured we had paid for it, so why waste more $$ on the train?). On the day we went to St. Kitts, we criscrossed with the train a couple times. It did look a little hokey, but I saw a lot of smiles aboard.

Have a fabulous trip.

SKBFAN1

Another item to bring back from Nevis is a colourful ceramic serving bowl created by Cheryl "Cherrianne" Liburd, a St. Kitts native who moved to Nevis a decade ago and opened a studio and gift shop in Charlestown.

All of her funky and functional pieces - from tea sets shaped like pineapples to vases with coral-reef designs are inspired by island scenery and made on site.

Several celebrities have added Liburd's work to their collections.

Bocane Ceramics is open Monday-Saturday.

www.bocane-ceramics.com

SKBFAN1

Cavelle Jeffers:

"Cavelle Jeffers is the original Renaissance woman: batik artist, beekeeper, taxi driver, and avid backyard gardener. Her hands are never idle. When she's not driving, she's painting on cloth or harvesting honey, beans or tomatos from her backyard in Charlestown. The wax from her bees is used to create her batiks.

She's widely known for batik masterpieces that hang in some of the island's more prestigious homes. Painted on silk or cotton, her hand-drawn Nevisian scenes depict local, market ladies or nature scenes with animals, plants and flowers from around the island. Some can be worn as pareos, other are displayed as works of art."

Kennedy Tyrell:

"It may seem hard to believe, but tall, gentle Kennedy Tyrell used the Bible as his inspiration to learn how to become a woodcarver. Tyrell, who was born deaf and is unable to speak, received his first handcarving tools at the age of 13 from an expatriat on Nevis. He took the tools and learned to carve letters from Biblical names out of coconuts.

Today he sells his beautifully carved animals - crabs, fish, pigs - as well as pineapples and plates in his tiny roadside shop in Zion Village. There he can often be found carving away in mahogany, which he cuts himself for his craft. Once the items are carved, he sands and coats them to a high gloss, and displays them for sale. He'll also leave them natural on request."

Nevisian

Shoot, I forgot to suggest - I hope I'm not to late - take home some CSR Rum. A local rum that is distilled (like vodka). We call it "Carpet Stain Remover". Try it for your rum punch: It's sort of like pouring "Ever Clear" in the high school prom punch.