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The best St. Kitts restaurants

January 27, 2014 Alex food, Nevis, St. Kitts, tips, Uncategorized No comments

Spending 9 days exploring the hidden gems of the paradise islands St. Kitts and Nevis, we were also making our way through them tasting both the local and the luxurious restaurants. I put up a list of the best ones when going all around St. Kitts.

The best St. Kitts restaurants:

El Fredo’s restaurant

Located on Bay Road in Basseterre is a locally owned restaurant with local specialties and local beer. If you are a fish lover, order the super tasty Creole Fish of the day. I had the famous Mahi Mahi for lunch with rice, beans, vegetables and a fresh fruit punch. We were served by the very friendly Jasmine, the tall owner of the restaurant and then had a chat with her husband Kenneth who just came by to check if everything was ok and we were enjoying the food. We randomly asked him about all the Welsh flags hanging on the walls of the restaurant, and found out a very interesting story behind it.

”I was born on St. Kitts but when I was 14, we moved to Wales. Later on, I met Jasmine there whose family was from St. Kitts but she was living in Wales. We married, moved to St. Kitts and opened this restaurant.” started with their family story Kenneth Francis.

Jasmine was able to visit her grandparents here on the island as they still lived there 30 years ago.

”We named the restaurant El Fredo’s after my auntie” continued Kenneth with a smile on his face which was not showing any wrinkles even though he was a father of 2 grown-up boys and 2 girls living all around the world now (in Wales, Vancouver, London and one on St. Kitts).

Kenneth, a cricket player years ago, was now very happy to serve delicious local dishes to both the locals and travelers. I took a quick snap of Kenneth and Jasmine for a memory.

Check out El Fredo’s Facebook page, they don’t have a website yet.

Spice Mill

I think this was my favorite dinner place on St. Kitts especially when it comes to its setting. Personally I would definitely make Spice Mill one of the top 2 St. Kitts restaurants. Situated at Cockleshell Beach with stunning views of Nevis island and Mount Nevis on the horizon during the day and then the lights far away make it very romantic too. You can also witness amazing sunsets from here just before your dinner!

When we came in, I was really in awe. Coconut wood-top, indigenous arts, natural material and all designed in a very original Amerindian way. The restaurant’s interior is actually a Kalinago dug out canoe, custom built by the Caribs of Dominica! Spice Mill is definitely the Kittitian restaurant with the nicest interior.

The food is very authentic too. You really feel like in the heart of the Caribbean. My friends also enjoyed some drinks and wine, I kept staring at the unique chandeliers when sipping on my juice.

There’s a lot to discover at Spice Mill, check out their website for more.

Carambola Beach Club restaurant

Opened since December 2011 in South Friar’s Bay where the general manager Chris Evelyn is making sure everything works fine. A local owns it, so it is locally managed too. 99% of all people having lunch here are the cruisers so they come here and mostly stay on the beach too after they have lunch.

I enjoyed the ambiance of Carambola Beach Club – we walked in, then spent some time at the very pretty beach, had some fun in the waves, enjoyed our fresh drinks and then head inside to cool down for lunch.

As soon as I saw sushi on the menu, I was sold. We could even watch the cooks preparing our sushi right there! There’s a European chef with Asian influence which makes up for an interesting menu.

Carambola Beach Club restaurant has an exotic feel to it, it’s a very open restaurant with a lot of fresh air coming in. You can eat both indoor or outdoor. Soon they are expanding to residences on the beach too where you will be able to stay for a night.

Check out Carambola Beach Club Facebook page for the menu and other news.

Reggae Beach Bar

I really loved its location. It was the first place where we had lunch so I was thrilled to get to the beach after a few winter months back in Europe. Reggae beach Bar is located right on the beach at Cockleshell Bay on the South East Peninsula just 9 miles from Basseterre, the capital of St. Kitts.

The beach looks like heaven, there’s sun beds, you can swim and even watch cruises passing by on the horizon. Then just walk a few metres to get in the shade of the restaurant. Drinks and tasty fish were on our table very quickly.

I also enjoyed looking up to the ceiling reading the messages about love, life and happiness.

Check out Reggae Beach Bar website for more info.

Ottley’s Plantation Inn

Restored 18th century sugar plantation run by a family. Very laid back place and fun at the same time. The plantation stands out for its amazing swimming pool set in between historic plantation building walls. We spent a few hours there, first with drinks and then tasting fresh local food and drinks at The Royal Palm surrounded by palm trees with the view of the ocean. Fresh salads, Mexican dishes and even many special Caribbean meals were on the menu, yay! What a pleasant place to chill out!

Check out Ottley’s Plantation Inn website to find out more.

Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack

Situated in Frigate Bay just a few metres from Timothy beach resort where we were staying, it’s one of the most-known bars and restaurants on St. Kitts. I cannot say it was my favorite one though. It took ages to get a table, it was so busy! And then it took long again for our meals to arrive but with so many guests, it makes sense.

Thankfully, the sound of the sea waves and a show with local kids dancing and then a fireshow made it for an interesting time. I also liked sitting under the stars. And the name of the restaurant just always makes me smile.

Check out Mr. X’s Shiggidy Shack Facebook.

Marshall’s Restaurant

Thumbs up for the very fine dining at this restaurant. I really enjoyed our round table as we finally could see each other very well when trying to chat in between the meals and not sticking around to talking just to those sitting next to us 🙂

The pool and all the lights around it were very nice. And the chef said hi to us when we were leaving, so thoughtful!

Ballahoo restaurant

The best thing about this restaurant is its location in the historic centre of Basseterre which makes up for really nice views of the area. At night time it’s very romantic with many different lights all around.

I enjoyed my mango smoothie and you can even order Mexican quesadillas! Or many local dishes such as fish of the day with veggies, chicken or sea food.

Check out more about Ballahoo restaurant.

Looking for Indian food on St. Kitts? Then check out Bombay Blues Restaurant. I am not the biggest fan of it as I do not like spicy meals and almost everything is spicy for me.

How about an afternoon tea with a rum tour at Fairview Great House?

Many thanks to St. Kitts Tourist Board and all the mentioned restaurants for treating me like a star. All the opinions in this article are my own as usual.

*** It took me more than 10 hours to write this post.

Is it really possible to save on Hotel Bookings using Incognito Mode in your Browser?

October 30, 2013 Alex tips No comments

ACTIVATE “INCOGNITO MODE” ON YOUR BROWSER AND SAVE!

How many times have you walked into a store and noticed that the price point for a certain item is cheaper, or more expensive, than you’ve seen elsewhere? More times than you can count, right? Me too.

Why is that?

It’s not a question that we, as modern consumers, ask often; we’ve just kind of gotten used to this sort of thing and don’t really question it. Instead, we just kind of make a mental note to buy elsewhere, or come back to this store for the best deal. What we don’t do is stop to realize why this items is priced higher in this location, than another.

When it comes to online shopping, we question even less. The common misconception is that we are all looking at the same exact internet, so why would the prices be any different? Well, you would be surprised.

The Role of “Dynamic Pricing”

Price fluctuations from location to location come from the retail use of Dynamic Pricing – a system which determines price points from a variety of variables, some of which evolve slowly, while others constantly change.

For example, a car rental service next to an airport is going to constantly be offering differing price points, because the service’s automated dynamic pricing system is constantly calculating flights in and out, weather changes, cancellations, nearby hotel bookings, etc.

At its outset, dynamic pricing didn’t gain much steam and was heavily criticized when Amazon first put it into practice back in the year 2000 with DVD sales. Their test run was the box-set second season of the X-Files, which sold for $89.99, $9 $97.49, and $104.99; if you lived in an area that was statistically wealthy, you would probably see the $104.99 price point.

Despite the fact that this kind of dynamic pricing, based on location, had been used for years in the physical retail environment, online consumers (while the internet was still relatively new) were outraged. After all, part of the allure for making purchases online was that it was supposed to take away the window shopping aspect and put everything right at your fingertips, the same for everyone.

The Return of “Dynamic Pricing”

As we all know, only the new gets criticized and the ever-evolving tides of public perspective find new things to latch onto and criticize. As the times have evolved, and online practices have become more and more prevalent, dynamic pricing has wedged itself firmly into the online shopping sphere. It hasn’t come out of nowhere, either; it’s been alive and well since it first lost popularity – it was just quiet, at first.

Now, not so much. Companies such as Staples, Discover Financial Services, Rosetta Stone, and Home Depot all regularly use dynamic pricing and are having more success with it than ever with our browsers and phones constantly reporting our location.

How Can I Avoid Being Location Stereotyped?

Every browser has a little feature called Incognito Mode, which masks your location from the prying eyes of the internet. Turning this feature on, will keep retailers from giving you certain price points based on location. In some cases, you may find that the price points are better when Incognito Mode is turned off and in others, the prices will be more expensive. The point is that you’ll get to see what all of your options are.

A good practice is to have a browser that you designate as your online shopping browser. This way, you can have incognito mode turned off the majority of the time, unless you want to cross check a price, and don’t have to fiddle with your main browser settings too often.

Give it a shot – see if you save!

Travel tips when heading to South Africa

October 18, 2013 Alex Africa, South Africa, tips No comments

It’s an incredible experience to be able to travel to a land that is completely alien to you. South Africa is often the destination of choice for many Americans and Europeans. The opportunities to experience new and incredible things is never ending. A trip that offers so much will also require hard work and preparation to prevent any problems.

The Weather in Africa is hottest during European winter. While many choose to head for warmer weather during the dead of winter, many mistakenly travel to Africa and find the unbearable heat infinitely worse than their winter environment. It is advised that a trip to Africa be made during the Summer when the temperature is more comfortable.

A South African plane ride will take approximately 12 hours depending on which state or part of Europe you reside in. These trips are often pricey but there are always ways to maneuver to find a great deal. The earlier you book your flight, the better easier it will be to find a cheaper rate. Enterprising young companies are utilizing social media to leverage quick communication in order to offer low cost tickets. Several innovative websites participate in such transactions.

Once you’re there it’s advised that you take advantage of bus transportation. Simply hop on when you find a bus and hop off when you reach your detestation. The most important advantage to this kind of transport is that you will be forced to interact with locals as well as other travelers.

Living quarters can be decided upon based on your budget. The cost of living as a tourist in South Africa can range in price. Because of the currency exchange, it’s possible to stay in a decent hostel for as little as $5.00 a night. These places certainly don’t offer the luxury of a fancy hotel, offer a clean and quite place to sleep while you plan the activities of the next few weeks.

There is so much more to lean about travel in South Africa. If you have the chance to take the trip, take the next step and enjoy the journey.

Tips for Border Crossing in Latin America

October 10, 2013 Alex Central America, tips, travel No comments

As enjoyable as it is to trek through a continent or travel about different countries in a region, the actual act of traveling can often be a bit knackering. Hours spent in the air, in a vehicle, in a boat, on a train, and on foot are a necessity of travel, particularly when visiting multiple destinations, coupled with time waiting to cross borders, and you may have a travel nightmare on your hands. Of course every area differs when it comes to borders, and, naturally, some countries are much more efficient than others, but there’s something extra perplexing about crossing the border when traveling through Latin America. Although crossing borders in Central and South America can be confusing and intimidating, it doesn’t have to put a damper on your excursion. Here are a few tips for safely crossing the border in Latin America.

Bring along Plenty of U.S. Currency

Many borders in Central and South America charge visitors border crossing fees. Most borders don’t have set fees, so, depending on the day and the mood of the border official, you could pay anywhere from $2 USD to $7 USD to cross. Some countries, such as Nicaragua, charge both an entrance and exit fee, and other nations, like Costa Rica, have no entrance fee, however, you are required to pay $26 to leave. In addition, you must make sure you have exact change to pay border fees. Most borders, especially in Central America, prefer payment in USD, so it’s best to carry plenty of American one dollar bills.

Don’t Let Language Barriers Hold You Up at the Border

Border crossings in Latin America can be a little scary, particularly if you aren’t proficient in Spanish. If you’re traveling in a large group with a local, Spanish-speaking tour guide, it’s less of a hassle, but you must still be alert and aware of what’s going on around you as many borders give you receipts upon entering which you must show when you exit the country or risk paying an exorbitant exit fee. While some of the border officials can seem somewhat intimidating, most are pretty accommodating, though there are some corrupt border officials who may try to extort extra money out of you, however, if you fluently speak the language or are traveling with those who do, you are less likely to be targeted by nefarious border officers.

Stay Vigilant and Observant

Crossing some borders in Latin America are simple and can be comparable to going through customs at an airport, while others can be more chaotic and require you to be more forceful when moving through the border. Locals are quick to jump in front of tourists and other non-locals in line, so you must remain watchful. Also keep in mind that some borders have longer lines than others and the lengths often depend on where and when you enter the country. When I crossed the border into Costa Rica, for instance, it took over an hour to enter the country. Luckily, I remembered to keep critical items like bottled water, sunglasses, and natural oils (used as sunscreen) within reach, which is ideal when traveling across borders. If you normally wear glasses or don’t have prescription sunglasses, you should try wearing disposable contact lenses.

No matter when you plan your Latin America sojourn, be sure to plan ahead and be prepared for anything that may arise.

What to visit in Puerto Rico

September 11, 2013 Alex Puerto Rico, tips, travel No comments

Ever wondered what to visit in Puerto Rico? Puerto Rico – the Island of Enchantment, as it is popularly known — is the perfect honeymoon, adventure, or beach destination in the Caribbean. The island of Puerto Rico (or Borinquen — its indigenous Taino name) offers a variety of tourist attractions, from Tahitian-type beaches to European-type towns, from upbeat modern restaurants, sprawling malls, and casinos to magnificent rainforests and splendid beaches.

Puerto Rico’s historical and cultural attractions are mainly concentrated in the San Juan metropolitan area. Old San Juan has a prime location across the San Juan harbor. Its historic buildings and Spanish colonial forts offer the opportunity to experience one of the most charming tourist spots in the Caribbean, reminiscent of its quaint colonial past.

San Juan view from airplane

in San Juan

Touring Old San Juan

pretty colourful buildings in San Juan

For outdoor enthusiasts, popular tourist destinations around San Juan are the beaches at Isla Verde, Condado, Ocean Park, Balneario de Carolina, and el Escambron. Most of the large beach resorts and beachfront hotels are located in Isla Verde and Condado.

In the eastern part of Puerto Rico, the famous el Yunque rainforest, located on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo Mountains, offers one of the best tropical ecosystems in the world. Travelers can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, bird watching, swimming at one of Yunque’s main waterfalls, or learning about the rich biodiversity of the tropical forest at the Portal del Yunque visitor center.

El Yunque

Other tourist spots include Culebra and Vieques, the Puerto Rico Spanish Virgin Islands. The islands of Culebra and Vieques offer vast expanses of pristine white sanded beaches, natural inlets, magnificent reefs, cozy inns and hotels, all of which makes this part of Puerto Rico a highly recommended tourist destination.

What to visit in Puerto Rico post was written by my friend David Rodriguez from Puerto Rico who is the owner of the website Tripolin. The photos were taken by the author, too.

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