Dreamtime goes to St. Kitts & Nevis

5/11/2006 through 5/20/2006

Many of the Leeward Islands are volcanic in nature and as such  tend to be round with no natural harbors.  Like it’s neighbors, Saba, and Eustatia, St. Kitts and Nevis are a bit more challenging for yachts , not only because of the general absence of natural harbors but also due to very deep water right up to the rocky shoreline. Typically many yachts take a mooring or go into a marina if the island has one.  We did the latter, and stayed in the Port Zante Marina for 3 nights, quite a bargain at .50/ft, with excellent access to the town of Basse Terre.    A trip to the Brimstone Hill Fortress is a must do.

Brimstone Hill Fortress

Situated almost 800 feet above sea level, this remarkable fortress is one of the most dramatic spots in the entire Caribbean, both historically and aesthetically. It commands astounding views of the Caribbean, including Nevis, Montserrat, Saba, St.  Martin and St. Barts. Brimstone Hill sprawls over 38 acres, and its massive Fort George citadel is defended by seven-foot-thick walls of black volcanic stone--then better known as brimstone. In 1782 Brimstone Hill had been under nearly continuous construction (by slave labor) for almost nine decades.

Brimstone Hill was abandoned in 1851, and the fort suffered neglect and vandalism for the next century. In 1965, when the site became a national park, intensive restoration returned the imposing fortress perched atop the hill to its original grandeur.

The view back towards the island of Statia visible in the distance

Check out the sailboat waaaay down there

Ballast Bay's anchorage with the salt pond to the right of the shot

Dreamtime at Port Zante marina

After our third night at the marina we head out and down towards Ballast Bay at the south end of the island.  Mostly preoccupied with chilling and grilling we relax and do some boat chores.  The next morning we hear via the VHF that our friends “Diesel Duck” will finally rejoin us after their lengthy stay in St. Thomas waiting for parts caused us to part company.  “Scott Free” also heads down to Ballast Bay for a gala joint dinner catch-up session.  Marlene and I took a nice climb up Long Hill. 550’, where we could see the anchorage, up the western side of the island and  the large salt pond created for salt production, still a pretty big business in the area. With the weather being somewhat stormy we decide to clear out of St. Kitts and get clearance into Nevis to be better poised to make a jump down to Montserrat then Guadeloupe.  Headed over across the Narrows to Oualie Beach at the northern end of Nevis - unfortunately we don’t have permission to go ashore!  Oh well, grilled and chilled all around, and looking forward to exploring the island on the flip-flop this winter.

Goats on top of Long Hill