We stopped at many old plantation estates, some, like the Montpelier are now very beautiful hotels. Though they have kept many artefacts from the original estate the level of luxury was plain to see. Apparently this was a hotel Princess Diana stayed in with William and Harry.

The Hermitage estate had plenty of examples of traditional wooden houses from all around the island and what is believed to be the oldest existing wooden house in the Caribbean. The interior was furnished with items from all of its 300+ years of history and again looked like a spectacular country house hotel.
It did feel a little strange to be able to wander around a hotel we were not resident in but it was fabulous to see/feel the  history of the places.

Other plantation estates were derelict but still contained the industrial remains of the sugar cane or cotton production equipment. Windmill or steam driven, blacksmiths forges, large houses for the owners, huge acreages of crop and up until the 1830’s  slaves to keep everything going.

There were information boards at all points of interest and anything further we wanted to know, Curtley was our man! 

The Nevisian Heritage village had examples of island houses throughout the ages, from original thatch type round one room abodes to the sort of houses Curtley remembered from his youth, wooden constructions, simple but with separate areas for cooking and sleeping. Most everything else would have been done outside the home. We were intrigued to see an old record player and some rather warped vinyls….. 

The heritage village is still a  work in progress and our guide was enthusiastic about the plans for expansion and development.

We ended our tour at the famous Sunshine Bar on Pinney’s beach ( which we can see from Cassini’s mooring). The signature “Killer Bee Rum punch” is something of an  institution here on Nevis so we just had to try it……just one you understand! And after such a delightful tour we thought lunch out would be the icing on the cake.

Delicious BBQ ribs, chicken and fish of the day with salad, rice and veg. Yummy.

A walk back along the beach to the dinghy and back on board. 

Quite a day. Off to St Kitts tomorrow, only a short hop so hoping it will be a straightforward sail.

Sally