You can save money getting to the islands!

Most every person has pondered the idea of taking a vacation to a tropical paradise. Some people have even purchsed timeshares in order to travel to their dream destinations every year.

Yes, this is a great way to travel, but not everyone can afford a timeshare. Many people who own timeshares these days are more than willing to sell them, as economic situations have made lives and finances difficult. Other people are looking to rent out their Caribbean Timeshares.

Nevis and St. Kitts provide tropical paradise without the crowds. These sister islands are filled with vibrant and lush vegetation that set a very calming background.

Discover-stkitts-nevis-beaches website raises a good point in that “many people would assume that getting to a place like this, and finding accommodations in a place like this would be very expensive. That does not have to be the case.”

Timeshares are much different than a vacation home, because you pay maintenance fees instead of much more expensive property taxes. Buying the actual timeshare property can be expensive, but you don’t have to buy directly from the timeshare resort. When existing owners sell timeshare instead of resorts, you can save anywhere from 25% - 75% off the original price. That’s why many people choose to buy resale instead of resort-offered property. That is a lot of savings, and in most cases the cost of a timeshare compared to the cost of staying in a hotel can be made up in a few years.

One thing to remember is that once you buy timeshare you own it. That means a guaranteed vacation to St. Kitts and Nevis every year. You do also have the option to exchange though. This means that you can travel all over the world and explore new places if you so desire. This is possible through exchange companies that are affiliated with your resort network. When you own a timeshare you actually have a lot of people working for you. Such as timeshare brokers that can help you find the right property for you at the right price.

Believe it or not, eBay often has timeshares listed on their website. Check out Caribbena timeshares listed on eBay HERE!

You can learn more about timeshares, HERE!

It is very important to do all of the appropriate research before purchasing one. Trust me; I know from experience!

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

HERE’S A GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA FOR NEVIS ISLAND NATIVES OR THOSE ON A NEVIS VACATION!

The St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank offers a Christmas gift idea! They truely are “working harder today for a better tomorrow!”

Who can benefit? This Caribbean Bank offers a MasterCard Gift Card with a Christmas special for its customers and clients in the three-country service market.

What is it? This card is a prepaid card that can be used to purchase goods and services anywhere MasterCard is accepted, both in St. Kitts and Nevis as well as worldwide!

How does it work? The cards are similar to debit and credit cards and are loaded with sums of EC$100.00 and EC$200.00. The offer is free until December 31, after which, a small charge would be applied for the service.

According to the Bank’s Marketing Department, the card is pre-printed with a card number, as on many credit cards, and is used just like cash with no name attached. It is to be used in full, then discarded.

SKNVibes reported that:

Marketing Officer Sheridan Hendrickson said, “We have a suite of card services available, but this gift card is yet another option for everyone to enjoy banking at National. It is very ideal for the Christmas Season and may be used by persons who may not be able to hold a card under different circumstances. It is nothing like what has been given before; it is more flexible and can be used anywhere.

“It is yet another first from National Bank! The response has been very good so far; many persons have been asking questions and are showing great interest in the new service. We try to bring as many options as possible and always ensure that we provide the world’s latest financial services to our customers.”

Hendrickson informed that each gift card has an expiration date printed on the front of the card with the card’s value printed on the packaging. She added that recipients can also verify their card balance and track transactions online at www.nbcardservices.com.

She also stated that reloading gift cards and prepaid cards will soon be introduced and hinted that the Bank will soon be unveiling a new product that will “make banking even easier and more convenient”.

Read more on the Nevis Bank HERE! Also, check out the Nevis International Bank, HERE as well!

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

It hails by the name, Coconut Grove Restaurant & Bar.

Located amongst a coconut grove on the most beautiful beach in Nevis, this is one of Nevis’ finest eating and drinking establishments. Well, it’s more like a classy wine lounge.

The original architecture of this recently built restaurant is truly unique, with its thatched roof of palms and rough timber structure and decorated with a Balinese theme.

Who does the cooking!? At Coconut Grove Restaurant & Bar, the food is artfully prepared by Chef Ricky Finch in a fusion of French Cuisine with exotic flavours.

So what’s to drink!? Boasting the only wine cellar on Nevis Island, the fine selection of world class wines are the perfect compliment to your dining experience. This is also the only place on Nevis West Indies where you will find draught beers.

Who does the selecting!? Gary is a master sommelier and personally selected all the wines. A balanced choice of American(California, Oregon, Washington) European (France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Hungary) South American (Argentina, Chili) and new World (New Zealand, Australia) will enchant you as you stroll in the cellar choosing your wine.

The Wine List can be viewed on a whole new website! What an incredible selection! See for yourself HERE!

Check out the delightful MENU:

APPETIZERS

A Beef Teaser: $18.00
Tandori Beef
Beef sates in Hoisin sauce
Beef with green peppercorn

Sesame Tuna: $19.00
Slightly pan seared Tuna in a Sesame seed crust, a touch of sweet Soy Sauce, served with a Nori Roll and Green Wakame.

Seasoned Tiger Prawns with fresh Nevis Mango Salad: $19.00
Local Mango, Cajun seasoned Tiger Prawns, Whole Grain Mustard Vinaigrette and Nevis farmed lettuce.

Baked baby Camembert: $19.00
French Camembert Cheese from Normandie, baked with calvados and served with a
Homemade Cranberry confiture.

Tea Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad: $18.00
Blue Mountain tea smoked Chicken, oven roasted Plum Tomatoes, Romaine Lettuce.

Marinated Japanese Style Tofu and Stir fry: $18.00
Organic vegetables stir fried, served with fresh Tofu and Mirin dipping sauce.

SOUPS

Soupe du Jour: $ 13.00
Daily fresh homemade soup

Soupe a L’Oignon: $ 13.00
Classic French style, Oven gratineed
with croutons and Emmenthal Cheese

ENTREES

Les Poissons

Butter grilled Caribbean Spiny Lobster: $46.00
Local Fresh grilled lobster, Caribbean style rice and peas, vegetables .

Tuna a l’Olive: $34.00
Pan-seared cooked Tuna, fillet with an Olive Tapenade and a Herbes de Provence crust, served with fresh local vegetables

Mahi-Mahi “en papillotte:” $34.00
Broiled fresh Mahi-Mahi wraped in a papillotte with Bajun seasonings and white wine, vegetable julienne.

West Indian Style Seafood Curry, with Coconut Basmati Rice: $37.00
Lobster, fish and prawns, Candied carrots and traditional garnishes.

Les Viandes

Panned seared Magret of Duck in a red porto glaze: $36.00
Local vegetables & buttered Polenta cake.

Oven- Broiled center cut Black Angus Beef Tenderloin (8oz): $47.00
Potato wedges, panache of vegetables, natural jus.

Chicken “Cordon Bleu” in a Ring: $34.00
Served with local grilled vegetables.

Chorizo Lamb: $41.00
Milk fed Australian lamb rack served with a Chorizo Sauce and Red Wine Risotto

Beef stuffed Ravioli: $34.00
Homemade Ravioli stuffed with seasoned Beef, served with a Tomato Marinara sauce.

Vegetable lasagna: $ 32.00
Homemade lasagna pasta layered with béchamel and vegetables

Kids Menu: $16.00
Homemade pasta and chicken Fingers, with or without tomato sauce.

Contact them if you want to inquire further about one of the most Amazing Nevis Restaurants!

FYI - The Bank of Nevis officially welcomed its new General Manager, Everette Martin, during a cocktail party held December 10, 2008 at Coconut Grove Restaurant.

It is truly an Elegant Dining Experience one must try out on a NEVIS VACATION!

Yum Yum ~ Becca Briley

BTW -

Myspace Graphics, Happy Holidays Graphics at WishAFriend.com

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is expanding with the use of E-Government services! Information and Communication, that is what this is all about.

The Information and Communication Technology Development Coordinator, Christopher Herbert, shared his perspective about the topic on this week’s edition of the SKNIS radio magazine. This news is is provided by my FAV news source - SKNVibes.com

Mr. Herbert stated that the success stories were shared at last week’s E-Government Seminar. The one-day event was hosted by the local Government in collaboration with the ROC. A number of representatives from regional countries including Jamaica, Belize and Barbados also attended.

He said:

They were thoroughly impressed with the presentations, particularly the morning session which highlighted Taiwan’s road from a new IT-based society, to what it is today.

Taiwan, which is widely regarded as the Asian technology hub for state-of-the-art manufacturing and research, has an impressive IT infrastructure and excellent E-Government services.

The beauty of their E-services is that they did not just throw them at the people. They were all based on information which they collected from the population with regards to their needs.

We have a keen eye out there and we see what’s working. We want these services to be to the benefit of the general public, not just the Government.

Mr. Herbert stressed that the St. Kitts and Nevis E-Government development is still information-based, incorporating email and a Government web portal. He indicated that the second half of 2009, may see the expansion into greater service provision. Whenever that time comes he promised that a vigorous public consultation campaign will be conducted in order to accurately assess the needs of the populace in relation to E-services.

Read more about the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis HERE!

Here is a helpful tool to play with as well… It is a CURRENCY COVERTER

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley