04/23/09

TITLE: HC NEWS NEW FEATURE - Destination reviews - join us from the wonderful isle of St Kitts - article two - the southeast peninsula (pictures)
DESCRIPTION:
Time: 06:00:37

ARTICLE

As you climb us St Christopher Hill and leave the business of Frigate Bay you are transported into a natural wonderland called the South East Peninsula, an up and down adventure over the remnant of long ago volcanic activity which rises you toward the clouds and back down again to the sea.

Driving along the somewhat treacherous road, beware the giant potholes if you fall in we may never see you again, it is not uncommon to come upon a large group of goats grazing in the roadways, or a pair of mongoose – mongeese??   

Letter from one zoo curator to another: "Dear Sir, would you be so kind as to send me a pair of mongoose for my collection. No sorry, that must be a pair of mongooses, or is it a pair of mongeese? I tell you what. Please send me one mongoose, and then send me another! Yours thankfully" –

playing on a cliff top above, and if you are super keen you may get a glimpse of a monkey, but during the early day they seem to watch you more than you watch them.

The beaches along this strip are incredible. If you are one that likes to thrash about in the waves the Atlantic side provides crashing waves that break close to the shore. If instead you’d rather lallygag on you back and float in peace the Caribbean sea is for you. In the pics below you can easily see which is which as the Caribbean is relatively flat.

As you continue forward you come to the great Salt Pond, a large protected area that is to be changed into a marina for sailboats in the near future. This will make the island a great destination point for sailors looking to dodge a storm or just have a non bouncy night of sleep.

Right before the great slat pond is a great place to snorkel. There is a little dingy dock there right now which will signal you where to get in the water. For about 300 yards or so you swim in water just above your belly surrounded by hundreds of multi colored fish. Then you get to the edge of the reef area and the water plummets 80 feet and if you are not prepared for it you will feel like you are falling off of a building. In this deep water things get much more interesting. I came upon, or should I say it came upon me at blazing speed, a barracuda, and yes they do have enormous teeth. It paid me no interest and went on its way, keeping to the good tradition of not wearing rings or anything shiny that might interest these wily characters.

At the end of the run are several fine places to grab a cold drink, listen to some music and have a catch of the day lunch or dinner, but we will get to that in a day or two.

The only thing you really need to know is that this area is a much see.

Tomorrow – The Marriot – the islands resort.