Author: Joseph
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St Kitts and Nevis, Day 6
Today was a relaxed and low key day, exploring Pinney’s Beach near Charlestown, looking at expensive yachts in the harbor, a visit to the island’s famous hot water springs and a very relaxed lunch at the picturesque Hermitage Inn. The Hermitage is a collection of brightly painted cottages around a 250 year old plantation great…
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St Kitts and Nevis, Day 5
We had planned today to hike to the top of Mount Nevis, the dormant volcano at the center of the island; however, we learned it was advisable to have a guide ($135 a person), and, since it has been rainy the trail would be muddy…and, furthermore, part of the trail required using ropes to pull…
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St Kitts and Nevis, Day 4
Beach day…and that was about it for the day. Before the beach we visited Newcastle Pottery where whimsical objects are made out of the island’s red clay, and Sweet O Savory bakery where we bought a selection of beef, chicken and fish pies for tonight. And, then it was to nearby Chrishi Beach Club where…
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St Kitts and Nevis, Day 3
Today was a beautiful day that began at the Nevis Botanical Garden, the Caribbean’s largest. There was an outstanding collection of palm trees from around the world, bromeliads and orchids everywhere. We spent half a day in the gardens and could have stayed longer. Lunch was at the famous, and exceptionally beautiful Golden Rock Inn…
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St Kitts & Nevis, Day 2
Today was a day of exploring our neighborhood with a walk along the island shore and a visit to Charlestown, Nevis’ only city. We visited the Alexander Hamilton birthplace and a few shops and the local grocery. Hamilton was born on Nevis, but moved to St Croix as a child. One of the finds of…
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St Kitts and Nevis, Day 1
This is a lovely mid-winter getaway with my sisters. Tricia found a five bedroom house on Nevis, a few minutes walk from the beach and in the shadow of the volcano that dominates Nevis. God willing, we will climb the volcano before we leave. Travel was long, leaving Hartford at 5:30 in the morning, and…
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January in New York
It has been bitterly cold, a touch of snow and sometimes stiff winds that cut through the heaviest of parkas, but it has been a lovely time. There was a bit of shopping, a lot of window shopping, dinner with Hartford friends who have retired to New York and a splendid high tea at The…
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West Quoddy Head, Maine
West Quoddy Head is the easternmost point in the continental US. We were there on a beautiful, still day, unusually warm for the end of November. This is one of my favorite coastal hikes in Maine. The coast is rugged: granite meets evergreens at the ocean. The West Quoddy Head light has a companion light…
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Cartagena, Last Day
It’s remarkable that in a week we have left the old city only twice and ventured less than five miles each time. The first excursion was to the monastery of La Popa; the second to Forteza San Felipe. The small, walled old city is teeming with life, flowering bougainvillea and great restaurants. Last night we…
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Cartagena, Day 6
We spent a big part of the day in Getsemani, an artistic neighborhood. It has become such a popular tourist place that few locals still live there; instead it is full of bars, restaurants, small hotels. The streets are lined with murals, some with fierce political commentary. We also made a pilgrimage to Gabriel Garcia…