Another disastrous tour guide like Bonaire

Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Port Zante, Saint George Basseterre Parish, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Early this morning we will make our way north-west over the Grenada Basin where the depth can get as deep as 3000m, then we will be approaching St Kitts from the south, collecting the local pilot and make our way into Port Zante to berth alongside another cruise ship. Can disembark at 10am this morning but need to be back on board before 5.30pm to set sail to St Thomas.
This two-island nation is the smallest in the Western hemisphere, both in area and population. Yet people have lived here for more than 5,000 years and it was the first island in the entire Caribbean to be settled. The island like all the others has the astounding beaches, with turquoise clear waters teaming with fish, tropical rainforests, rivers and even a lake. Was originally a tobacco island, but because of competition from the Virginia colony, quickly turned to sugar cane and of course like the other island slaves by the thousands were imported from Africa.
With two cruise ships in port it is very crowded when we disembark dodging people as we make our way along the wharf to Port Zante Terminal where there are many Duty Free shops and the usual tour guides getting your attention and into their vans or open Safari tour vans, which can take up to 18 people.We wanted to go on the St Kitts Scenic Railway a vintage double-decker sightseeing train that showcases an historic sugar can route, but it was completely booked out by both cruise lines. Settled on “Austin Powers Tours” of an island tour saying we get off at many points of view to see the sights. He told us a whopper, as we told him of our Bonaire tour where the driver never really stopped till Richard lost his temper and demanded photo stops.Quick drive on the coast Bay Road round Basseterre the capitol passed the Fish Market and fishermen cleaning their catch of the day then the back streets a mixture of two storey homes and old rundown homes. People don’t seem to look after their properties we noted this when driving through many villages.First time we have been on an island tour where you are shown teaching hospitals for nurses, doctor’s and veterinarian, plus hospitals, universities, schools and airport. Our first stop was at a viewing site overlooking Bloody Point, Old Road Bay to the first village on St Kitts Old Road Town and in the background covered by clouds is the highest mountain Mt Liamuiga (3,792’). Drove through Town of Challenger and no stopping to photo or walk through Old Road Town (very old rundown wooden buildings) or when we drove through the rainforest or passed an old sugarcane factory, which would have been interesting to view.We did stop at Romney Manor the oldest sugar plantation once owned by Sam Jefferson II an ancestor of US President Thomas Jefferson. You can walk through the ruins, botanic gardens (35 year old satan tree that spreads its leafy canopy across a half acre of manicured lawn). Didn’t both entering the Caribelle Batik Factory for a batik demonstration, as we have seen this in the Asian countries.Skirted round Basseterre near the airport can see Port Zante and the cruise ships, as we climbed the hills to the resort side of the island where most of the expensive homes are owned by overseas residents. The Marriott Resort, Golf Course and The Royal Beach Casino is the main centre feature, no stopping again till we got to Timothy Hill Lookout for a 5 minute photo stop. To the left you have views below of all the resorts and homes, beaches, Half Moon Bay and many other bays plus on a clear day you can see St Marrten and other islands on the horizon. Then to the right of Timothy Hill Lookout (between fighting for a photo with other tourists and chap with a monkey wanting you to pay for a photo of them) you get a magnificent view of the South East Peninsular with the Atlantic Ocean on the left side and the Caribbean Sea on the right-hand side. Drove down the tight hairpin turns to Carambola Beach at S. Friar’s Bay in the Caribbean Sea. A quick run in to take a photo this was very disappointing as it reminded us of Bonaire.Back at Basseterre I found a Souvenir Shop in the waterfront Duty Free Shopping Centre of Port Zante cruise terminal that only charged US$1.00 for a bottle of water to use their Internet, so I was able to do a virus/spyware scan with update, plus downloads as the internet connection was very good, plus my emails.Dinner at Horizon Court then down to Deck 5 Atrium for a drink plus watch the other passengers enjoy themselves on the dance floor to the music of the Rick Kilburn Quartet before retiring for the evening.
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