On Top of the World

Last weekend I ventured over to St. Kitts with some friends to get a change of scenery. We finally decided to check out the zip-lines that we'd heard so much talk about. Even with all the hype, and the zip-line course being rather short, I would definitely recommend checking it out if you've never done anything like it. There were a total of 5 zip-lines - some taking you 1,000 feet above the ground, 1,350 feet in length, and up to 40+ mph. Check out the video below.

Taking the Sea-Bridge ferry to St. Kitts

Tu and I strolling into the Mariott

Getting geared up

Me and Tu - ready to go

Going up

Ready to fly

"De Boss" - the longest and highest line

Coming in for a landing

Aaaaaaaand, we're back!

I've returned to the island for my 5th, and (hopefully) final semester here at MUA. With little time to myself, I've found my blog taking a back seat to my studies. In anticipation for the long and grueling 5th semester, we decided to kick off the New Year with a birthday party for my classmates Tu and Pam. We busted out the charcoal grill, iced down the Caribs and welcomed ourselves back in true island fashion.

Thuy's Nevis body-guards

Hangin' out with my cousins!

Birthday boy and girl pose with some friends

Bottoms up, bottoms up

It just wouldn't be a party without an island-jeep adventure

Double Deuce Raft Races

Our good friends Mark and Lyndeta decided to host, for the first time in 4 years, a raft race at the Double Deuce Beach Bar and Restaurant on Pinny's Beach. The rules were set weeks ago - construct a raft using rubbish from around the island. Everything down to the paddles needed to be "homemade." Although each team understood the rules - not a single team followed the rules. It turned in to a day at the beach where kids and parents alike took turns having a go on the semi-homemade rafts. I snuck out of the house for a few hours to enjoy the 80 degree November weather and to sit and visit with some island friends while taking in a few races. On the ride home, Hunter and I decided to recreate a legendary picture that was captured 365 days ago.

The Double Deuce

Once again, the Deuce

Pinny's Beach - St. Kitts in the distance

And they're off...

Taken just before it capsized...again.

Mark's raft, taking on water

A few boats off the shore of Pinny's Beach

Not as epic as Round 1 - but still classic

Cat Ghaut Golf

With final exams rapidly approaching, it's getting increasingly more difficult to find time to get out and explore all the island has to offer. This past weekend, I figured I would celebrate my birthday by doing just that -- getting out of the house and forgetting about school work for a few hours. A couple buddies of mine decided to treat me to a round of golf for my birthday at the Cat Ghaut Golf Course. This course is a little known gem on the north side of the island that offers 12 par 3 holes, a full croquet set, and a set of horse-shoes. But best of all, the clubhouse "bar" functions on the honor system - all the water, pop, and beer in the fridge is there for the taking, and you're just asked to leave your money in the collection box. I suppose the view of the Caribbean Sea from most of the holes is a nice perk as well.

Raegan paying the dues

The dead grass-patch is the "green"

I think this shot went clear over Mt. Nevis..

Looking for my ball

They knew I was coming!

Hole #9

Playing in the sand

Hole #12 - The "signature" hole (if you look closely you can see the pin across the ravine, just to the right of the palm tree)

We even had time to fit in a game of horse-shoes

Ringer-ringer chicken dinner

Crunch Time

With less than 30 days left in the semester, the inevitable spike in stress levels is starting to take its course. One way for me to maintain sanity is to take a little time every now and then to remember that regardless of the hundreds of hours I still have to spend studying, and the countless exams left to take before the semester break....I AM still studying in the Caribbean -- Tonight's sunset from our beach

Jones Bay BBQ

We finally decided to break in the back porch at the new house with a small get-together. My roommate had some friends come visit the island from back home, so we welcomed them with a Nevis-style BBQ: A few classmates, some chicken, sausage and ribs, and some home-made Nevis Mango wine. Hopefully this is just the first of many evenings we spend like this.

Social hour

Can't beat it

Group shot

Our first taste of the home-made mango island wine

Cheers!

14th Annual Nevis Fishing Tournament

For the 14th year in a row, boats have cruised into Oualie Beach in hopes of capturing the title of "Champion" of the Nevis Fishing Tournament. Fisherman travel from as far as St. Croix and St. Maarten just for this event. This year, the Black Fin boat, manned by local Nevisian fisherman, hauled in over 600lbs of assorted fish, including Wahoo, Tuna, King and Dolphin fish to earn the title of Champion. The Black Fin fisherman also managed to bring in a 5 1/2 foot long Reef Shark.

Submerging myself into the local culture by attending events such as this tournament is quickly becoming one of my favorite parts of living in the Caribbean.

[click to enlarge]

Oualie Beach

A few of the boats from the competition

Busy day on the docks

Wahoo and Dolphin fish

Tuna weighing in

SHARK!!

Ouch!

It wouldn't be a true Nevisian event without Carib and BBQ

Boats at Oualie from across the Bay

View of the boats at Oualie from the mountain-side