~Yes, Miss St. Kitts and Nevis, Shinika Mercer was crowned Miss Caribbean Diva 2009.~

Not only the title, but Mercer proudly walked away with the Miss Congeniality, Miss Intellect, Best Seller of Tickets, Best Diva Wear and Business Wear awards! What a WIN!

For those who are unaware, the Miss Caribbean Diva Pageant was held on June 29, 2009, and many are glad it came and went! It took place after a very late start, at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, ending at 2:30 am!

SKNvibes informed that the contestants were drawn from the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, British Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Grenada, Haiti, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Virgin Islands Platinum News reported that the show which featured nine contestants, started two hours late, and by the end of the show, patrons who complimented the performances of the young ladies, expressed distaste over the length of the show. “Mercer said that though the competition was tough, she is happy that she came out the winner after all her hard work.”

First Runner up went to Miss Grenada, Arianna McQuilkin, who also copped Best Ambassadorial Speech, Miss Popularity and 2nd best seller of tickets. Second runner up went to Miss BVI, Andrea Howe who also won Miss Poised.

Miss Dominican Republic, Darys Smith who secured third place also won Best Evening Wear, while fourth place went to Miss Trinidad and Tobago, Mickisha Gould-Foster who won 3rd best seller of tickets. The crowning was done by the first Miss Caribbean Diva, Krystal Maduro, who held her reign for the last three years.

Rashidi Clenance was the host for the evening while the Judges were Nadia Harrigan, Purnel Thomas, Dionne Mitchelle, Xavier Pemberton and Karia Christopher.

Miss BVI and Miss Teen Diva contestants made a special appearance.

It was a great contest and all contestants did a great job.

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

One of the Greatest Nevis Tour companies goes by the name of Sunrise Tours. In business for almost 20 years now, they are very accredited and have won many awards for their services in Nevis West Indies. They offer some superb NEVIS ISLAND HIKING!

Take much delight on any one of their ten available tours:

Rainforest - This is a moderately challenging hike through the lush cloud forest, an ideal spot for panoramic views. You will witness flora and fauna such as bamboo, tropical fruits and vervet monkeys.

Nevis Peak - Take a strenuous hike up the slopes of Nevis Peak. Along the way you’ll be introduced to plant and animal species natural to these elevations and conditions and the panoramic views of Nevis and St.Kitts. For those who endure to the end, a certificate of achievement awaits them at the bottom.

Learn all about the Nevis Peak HERE. It is actually a Stratovolcano at 985 m / 3,232 feet.

Devil’s Copper - Available in one hike are the area’s known as Devil’s Copper, New River Spring and Three Waterfalls. An interesting and moderately challenging hike into the area that historically supplied water to the New River area of the island.

Hamilton Estate - Take a leisurely hike within Hamilton Estate, an eighteenth century sugar plantation that ceased operation in 1951, while we wander the old estate grounds imaging what it was like to live back then. Stroll along the part of the Upper Round Trail that traverses this grand estate and learn about the indigenous plants with healing powers native to the area.

Nature Trail - Take a moderate hike with Lynnell along the scenic Golden Rock nature trail which highlights the flora of Nevis with special focus on its medicinal and local uses. Spectacular views of Montserrat’s active volcano, Nevis Peak and surrounding islands. View our shy green monkeys and multicolored tropical birds. That’s not all, see the old ruins as you walk along the grounds of this eighteenth century sugar plantation which has been converted into a hotel.

Monkey Tour - Take a moderate hike into the rainforest in search of the Vervet monkey, locally called green monkeys. These mischievous vegetarians have been with us since the seventeenth century. They have become a nuisance to the farmer but at the same time an attraction to the tourist. Learn about their eating habits and inherent nature.

Village Hike - “The Breadbasket of Nevis”. We’ll stroll back into Nevis village life as it was in the 1940’s. See traditional homes and stores, and discover how villager’s grow and cook their food.

The Valley - Adventure into the lost city of the valley where the plantocracy held their balls and fetes at an old estate home now in ruins hidden in the rainforest. In and among the ruins you can envision the candlelit night, horse drawn carriages and almost hear the waltzes playing as you wander the old building’s footprints.

Amerindian Site - Hike along a section of the South-East coast of Nevis gaining an insight into what Amerindian life must have been like. Here too is the second most extensive coral reef system around Nevis and the secluded Brandy Point and Black Bay beaches.

Bird Watching - Take a liesure hike in the Nevis forest and enjoy watching the woodland birds.

See why they are regarded so highly HERE by a few of their customers.

Also, take a sneak peak at some of the sites you will experience along your hike. They offer beautiful adventures. Find more photos HERE!

Hope I could help!

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

Where can a family rest their head on an exciting Nevis Vacation? I have the perfect place for you!

It hails by the name of the Gingerland Hill Vacation House in Gingerland Hill, Rawlins Village, Gingerland, Leeward Islands, Nevis West Indies.

Feel as if you are right at home on Nevis Island.

Wake up and take in the fresh and and gorgeous view of the Nevis Peak.

Take a dip in the clear water of your own pool after a day of suntanning and snorkeling at the beach.

Rest your head in a palm tree decor filled room and enjoy the island feel.

See more PICTURES and get MORE INFO. HERE!

This two-story house has everything a dreamy vacation home should have:

A cozy layout
4 Bedrooms (sleeps eight)
2 Bathrooms and 1 Half Bath
wrap-around porch
ceiling fans in each room (though sea breeze is constant)
cable TV/VCR/CD Player/Radio Jacuzzi in master bath
washer and dryer
swimming pool
French doors
living room
dining room
delightful mountain view
convenient nearby village
two-car garage
house cleaning, cooking and baby sitting services are available (at a small additional charge)

Pricing is as follows:

High Season is from December tp April and Low Season is from May to November. So, if you are looking to book a summer vacation you are in luck.

For a full house the High season cost is: $2,450(US) per week / $350(US) per day
Low season cost is: $1850(US) per week / $264(US) per day

For the Main House (Top Floors only) the High season cost is $2,000(US) per week/ $285(US) per day
Low season cost is: $1400(US) per week/ $200 (US) per day

For the Lower Level Unit only (All season rate), it is: $900(US) per week / $128(US) per day

As of now, it looks to be available all year round except from July 28 to August 12, 2009. That must mean it is rented out then. Check it out further at Gingerlandhill.com.

Hope I could Help!

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley

Another fun event to note on your calendars is coming up next week in Charlestown Nevis! It’s all about NETBALL!

For those who aren’t familiar with the sport, it is defined by Wikipedia as “Netball is a limited-contact team sport originating from the United States similar to, and derived from, basketball. Invented in 1895 by Clara Gregory Baer,[1] a pioneer in women’s sport, netball is now pre-eminently played as a women’s team sport in Australia and New Zealand and is popular in the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. Over 20 million people play netball in more than 70 countries.”

To be held on July 2nd to the 5th, is the 2009 version of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank-sponsored Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Under-23 Netball Tournament. FUN!

The tournament will take place at 4:30pm on July 2 with a March Pass of the teams and officials from the Treasury Apron in downtown Charlestown to the Netball Complex, where the matches scheduled for the evening will be preceded by a brief opening ceremony. For the rest of the tournament, three matches would be played at 7am and three more at 6:30pm.

SKNVibes, my favorite news source, reported that Allister ‘Allie’ Thompson, Treasurer and Public Relations Officer of the Local Organising Committee said, “Everything is pretty much in place for the hosting of the tournament here on Nevis this year.”

Preparations are in the works! The Nevis Island Government is ensuring that well-needed renovation works are presently being carried out at the Grove Park Netball Complex. The stands are being repaired and painted, and restorative work is being done on the three available courts, where the tournament will be staged.

The participating islands include last year’s champions Grenada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts, Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Anguilla, Dominica and host Nevis.

Thompson indicated that the netballers would have the three courts available, which is a standard requirement for the tournament. The center court and the court on the western end of the Complex, closest to the open stand, will be used for matches, while the court at the other end will be used for practice.

He also said that spectators would be allowed into the Complex free of charge for the morning matches, but would be required to pay EC$5 for the evening matches.

Meanwhile, the Nevis Cricket Association has agreed to reschedule the matches in the Women’s Community League scheduled for July 2 and July 4 in order to accommodate the netball tournament. The affected teams will be informed of the new dates today (June 25).

The competition continues today with St. Thomas’ taking on GT United and on Saturday St. James’ will be playing against St. John’s while St. George’s will tackle Highlights International.

Nevis Lover ~ Becca Briley