Nevis

I had based myself on St Kitts, but the country's sister island of Nevis is so near as to make easy day trips possible. Nevis is circular shaped with a ring road around the entire island. At 3,231 feet, Nevis Peak dominates the center and is often covered by clouds. I watched and waited until the summit was visible one morning as a signal that the weather was as good as it could possibly get, then made the jump by car ferry over to check out the island for myself.

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The 135-foot Sea Bridge allows tourists and residents alike to shuttle their vehicles between the islands for the 3.6 mile crossing.

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Up to 35 vehicles can be crammed on the deck at one time, but this requires expertise that only the locals possess. It was amazing to watch the crew slowly position cars and trucks with just the smallest of gaps between vehicles, Every available inch of space was used, and the "show" was something that seemed to captivate every passenger's attention. The shots below show two local girls watching as my blue rental car is wedged all the way at the back of the ferry next to the lifeboat (a hanging tire is all that prevents the rear of my car from hitting the side of the hull).

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Relaxing on deck during the 20-minute crossing.

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Almost there...

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My first stop on the circle island tour, the massive Four Seasons resort complex. I counted only two other tourists on the property during my familiarization walk. Such is the wonder of off-season Caribbean travel!

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History is also alive and well on the island, and Nevis is dotted with old colonial plantations, several of which have been converted into delightful B&Bs. Below, one of the buildings near The Hermitage -- originally built in 1690 -- gives tourists who would rather avoid mega resorts a different perspective on island life.

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Not to say that Nevis hasn't entered the modern world, with all the benefits and problems it entails...

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Churches, old and new, also dot the island.

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Some of the island's "wild" life...

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Alexander Hamilton's birthplace is now a museum.

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Like St Kitts, Nevis has a sizeable number of massive pastel-colored dream homes.

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It is also possible to fly from St Kitts to Nevis, but that would mean having to disturb the goats grazing next to the runway, and who would want to do that?

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Heading back to St Kitts on the ferry after a very full day of sightseeing.