Snorkeling with the Rents

Courtesy: http://best-diving.org/stkitts-diving-nevis

With all the activities we packed into one week while Julie's parents were here I couldn't possibly get them squished into one post or even two posts, but I wanted to share with everyone some of our pictures from snorkeling.

St. Kitts has quite a few different snorkeling spots and although you may not see the huge coral reefs you see in other Caribbean destinations you are guaranteed to see some interesting sea life. If you are willing to do some searching you will find some beautiful spots too. (From my research I believe a lot of the lack of great snorkeling spots is because of the lack of artificial reefs that most other places build.)

Snorkeling is definitely one of my favorite hobbies now and has been since I tried it for the first time in The Bahamas in the early 2000s. Julie and I did some more on our honeymoon in Cancun last year and even snorkeled in a Cenote. I find snorkeling very relaxing and am always amazed at the diversity of all the fish and sea life. I mean who comes up we these things?? A human couldn't dream up some of the animals you see in the ocean. It's simply humbling.

The difference now is that we can do it almost as often as we like. We like to share our favorite spots with our visiting guests and the rents were no exception. Julie's mom even bought a full wet suit because she doesn't handle the cold water very well. Her only request was that she wanted to see a sea turtle. We were pretty sure we could meet that request.

Our first snorkeling location was Timothy Beach. Southern Timothy Beach to be precise. If you want to see some sea turtles chances are darn good that you'll see at least one along to way to Dolphin Cove, as long as you stay near the shoreline where rocks and corral serve as protection for the turtles.

We got suited up and Patti, Julie's mom found it a little more difficult to put her wet suit on, especially after it got wet. Julie's dad called the suit the "Orca Suit" and I guess I can kind of see why. All was well though and we hit the water.

Julie helping her mom get her "Orca suit" on.

I forgot to mention that I don't have a waterproof camera but Jim, Julie's dad did bring his and man did it do the job. Just look at these pictures:

Seafans

 

 

Starfish.

It didn't take long before our wildlife spotter extradanaire, Julie spotted a sea turtle.

And then another one:

These guys are faster than you think.

We all saw interesting sealife during the snorkeling including Spotted Eagle Rays, Starfish, Pufferfish, and many more. Julie's mom got to see and snorkel with the turtles so our mission was accomplished.

I wanted to mention that another fantastic snorkeling spot is Shitten Bay, as I may have said in the last post. You can't get there unless you are on a boat though. While snorkeling out there on our sailing trip we spotted an amazing new sight —A large Octopus. Apparently they're nocturnal but this guy was hiding near a rock, puffed up, and changed colors right before our eyes. He didn't squirt his ink but he didn't look happy. Did you know that Caribbean Reef Octopuses only have a lifespan of around a year to a year and a half, according to most marine biology experts.

Their eyes are really creepy. Too bad we didn't have our camera with us but this looks just like him. Photo Courtesy:funscubadiver.com

 My next step is to become dive certified so I can get out to the deeper water and see some shipwrecks and some more reef systems. Anyone want to join me?

Hiking and Sailing with the Rents.

Julie's parents came down for a week during RUSVM's break between their spring and summer semesters.

I always get really excited when we have visitors in St. Kitts because not only do I get to show off this beautiful island, but I also get to experience many new parts of it myself.

Julie and I sat on our porch and could see her parents' plane coming in for a landing. How cool is that?

We waited just a little and headed to the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. When an airplane comes in, as American Airlines does everyday, it looks like every taxi in St. Kitts is there waiting for business. Julie and I entertained ourselves by reading all the taxi bus names and throwing out smart quips about each one.

I really like this taxi bus. I need to get one of these.

The DHL van showed up and as soon as he pulled out the UPS van showed up too.

Don't these taxi vans have character?

One car in particular looked like an overloaded clown car and when the passenger got out of the back seat he knocked the plastic wheel molding off and then fixed it but stared at it for some time. It would've been great to have my video camera for that one.

Clown Car??

"Darn thing, why do they make these clown cars out of plastic anyways?"

"Hmm, well it doesn't look too bad, I don't think she'll even notice."

Sorry guys Island Babble is everywhere, all the time. :)

Anyways, enough dumb humor. Alas the rents arrived.

Jim on the left and Patti in the pink.

After a good night's sleep we were up early and off to hike Monkey Hill and Sofa Stone. I have hiked nearly every trail here but somehow I overlooked this hike. I heard people talk about the Sofa Stone Hike but it was really cool to see it in person.

It does really look like a sofa too.

The view up there was really amazing too. I need to head up there when I know a plane is coming in for a landing and get some shots of it coming in for a landing.

The Hunt Williamson family again.

On the way up and back we had some friendly bovine onlookers, some with what had to be less than week old calves.

The small bull on the right is obviously not the little one's mother. The little one looks like a baby deer.

With Julie's parents thoroughly initiated to St. Kitts with a steep hike we planned for the next day's adventures. They were real troopers but Julie's mom had a little too much "fun" we said, but never once complained.

Now, a few month's ago I met an interesting man who followed the blog, Bruno. Bruno and his wife have lived here for three years and he wanted to join in on a hike I was leading. During the hike he mentioned he had bought a sailboat and I told him I'd really enjoy seeing his boat and he said, "Sure."

It just so happens that Julie's parents are experienced sailboat racers and I thought they would be interested in seeing his boat. Being true to his word, Bruno sent me an email stating that they would be taking out his sailboat the next day for a short afternoon sail. Talk about great timing! I was just as excited as they were to get out on the water on a magnificent 46 foot catamaran.

The dinghy we had to use to get out to the boat.

It turned out to be a fantastic sailing day as we set out from Timothy Beach and cruised over to Shitten Bay, (It's a historical figure's name I believe) where we moored the boat and jumped in for some of the best snorkeling on the island that can only be reached by boat.

We met some new expat friends on the boat and I got the chance to sail on a large sailboat for the first time. Julie's dad instantly got into sailing "mode" and helped offer some advice and lent a helping hand. He was definitely back in his element. Julie's mom said she never thought she'd be on a big sailboat again. They used to race sailboats in the Great Lakes and in the Florida Keys but this boat, according to Julie's mom was a whole different "animal."

Securing the dinghy

We had winds of around 17 knots and with just the jib or front sail up we were cruising at about 5 or 6 peaceful knots.

Julie and her mom, Patti

I didn't realize pulling up the anchor was such an involved process but it really is.

Pulling up the anchor.

To me this boat was high tech. Check out the dashboard! It has a really nice GPS map, depth finder, and electronic compass. The boat even has auto-pilot that will steer itself in a set heading. Cool.

Most of the water depth is around 60 to 70 feet along the coast and drops to a few thousand feet probably a mile out I'd guess.

We passed several other boats including this Leeward Islands Charters vessel. That's a big boat too.

Of course we had to take the grand tour of the boat. The boat has four bedrooms, one in the end of each hull and two bathrooms. You could totally live on this boat without any problem.

Looks comfy.

This was a tough crew. Just kidding. Here are two shots of some of the crew relaxing.

Moving around on this boat was really easy and the boat was really stable.

We arrived back to Timothy Beach just before the sun set. I liked this picture of Julie and her mom.

The picture below is Shitten Bay. In the center of the picture is the old boat that has been there quite awhile. It looks like a tug boat.

I got some awesome shots from the boat after we got back and successfully anchored. Here is the full moon coming over Timothy Hill. Cool shot huh?

And that wraps up our hiking and sailing adventures with the in-laws, or as Julie calls them, "rents." I think we did a decent job as hosts. In the first two days we did a lot and the sailing was probably the highlight activity of the week, at least for me anyways.

Thanks so much Bruno for having us. It amazes me the great people you meet in St. Kitts. Oh I almost forgot. Everything that I know about sailing I could write on a napkin but this book did help. Bruno did let me steer the boat for a little bit, although I believe the auto-pilot could've done just as well.

How to Hang a Hammock.

We've been living in St. Kitts for a little over seven months now and things couldn't be better. Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, where my wife teaches, had their semester break for the last two weeks and unlike most students and faculty we decided to stay on-island for the break.

I've been dabbling in many aspects of island life and it's difficult for me to keep up with everything, but that's how I like it. It's sometimes not easy living in a perpetual vacation spot when you're not on vacation because you still have to maintain all the essential daily life jobs at the same time, like hanging a hammock.

Just before the break began i decided to buy a hammock for our porch and hang it. This wouldn't be too difficult in the U.S. because chances are your whole house isn't made of solid concrete as it is here. I never even really used a hammock before but it sounded like a must have item for the Caribbean, right?

I quickly googled how to determine the height of the anchors for a hammock and found this great site that you could plug all your variables into and, "voila" perfect hammock. This is the site: http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator.html

You have to love this image from the site:

Now doesn't he look comfy. lol

To make a long story short, I did have to re-drill and move both anchor's holes because the site's calculations didn't work for my first position. As soon as you sat down in the hammock it stretched all the way to the porch floor.

Who knew that you'd have to work so hard for something you're supposed to be able to enjoy. Can you say hammock hanging Fail!

It did turn out nicely after moving the anchors up and I did get some practice drilling concrete, which I didn't really need. I must say that a hammock is the way to go if you want to relax, but I haven't used it much yet. It is there if I get time to relax.

Below is a picture of Julie making good use of the hammock and Kermit making good use of the lounge chair.

Kermit doesn't really like being in a hanging bed but we caught him specifically for this shot:

So my advice is to definitely get a hammock but make sure you hang it higher than you think you'll need it, and don't let your wife know about it or you may not get to use it. :)

Stay tuned for the next blog post where I explain how we spent our break on beautiful St. Kitts.

Week of April 1st photos

I've decided to start posting weekly blog posts with photos of what took place during the week or whatever kind of fun I got myself into. I take a ton of photos and I really think photos are meant to be shared so here we go.

The picture above is the village of Bell Vue or Black Rocks, on Good Friday. Kite flying during the Easter Holiday is a popular tradition here.

Estridge Moravian Church, on the northeastern part of St. Kitts near the village of Estridge.

Julie's vet school friend from Michigan State, Lauren, was here for a long weekend and the three of us played tourist for a few days. We headed out to Reggae Beach for Lobster Fest, an amazing meal but a little pricey, so we only go there on special occasions. I had to show Lauren the adopted monkeys before our dinner.

Oliver looking at himself in the mirrored image from a spatula. So human-like.

 

 

 

 

Lauren, Julie, and Amanda at Reggae Beach Bar.

I almost forgot but we were also celebrating Amanda's last night on the island too at Lobsterfest.

One of the downsides of living internationally is that people and families are coming and going all the time, so it's kind of sad when people you've become friends with leave and go home or somewhere else.





The food looks so good and tastes even better!

Two of my favorite things 1. My beautiful wife 2. Food, notably Seafood!

I caught Amanda, The Southern Belle mid-sentence.

Sorry, I didn't mean to take your lobster!

The next day Julie, Lauren, and I hiked up to the volcanic crater rim. I've done the hike probably almost half a dozen times but I love it.

Mt. Liamuiga Crater Rim Trail.

We made it to the top!

Until next post, Live De Life.

2013 Bente Weber St. Kitts - Nevis Channel Swim

Swimming two and a half miles is quite a feat regardless of the body of water. Swimming across a channel in four to six foot waves that is known to have sharks and quite a current is taking the feat to a whole new level.
Over a hundred people did the latter Sunday during the 11th Annual Bente Weber St. Kitts Nevis Cross Channel Swim.

The actual number of swimmers this year was 136 who started on Oualie Beach, Nevis, and 127 finished the swim at Reggae Beach, St. Kitts. (Don't worry they didn't leave the other nine swimmers out there, they did pick them up with a boat.)

I arrived just in time to see the first person cross the finish line at Reggae Beach.

Finish Line!

Can you believe it only took the first place finisher One hour and Four minutes to swim the entire 2.5 miles?? Unbelievable. The coolest part is that the first place finisher was a lady, and a student from Ross University. Christina Wensman, 27, of California brought home the largest trophy and did it with style.

Christina Wensman 2013 St. Kitts Nevis Channel Swim Champion.

First, you have to realize that there are two categories for the event. One category, The Racing Class or Competition Class is all out bare bones swimming to see who can do it the quickest. The second category is called Assisted Class or Challenge Class, and these swimmers can wear fins, snorkels, and wetsuits, but do not really compete for time.




Wensman was in the Racing Class and was only a few minutes away from beating the record of pro triathelete Olivier Marceau, of France who completed the race in 59.08 in 2011. Pretty darn fast if you ask me.

Wensman crossing the finish line. This wasn't my picture so it's not very good quality.

I spoke with her briefly at the finish line and was amazed to find that she looked like she hadn't even swam a hundred meters. Wensman, an outgoing second semester Ross University Veterinarian student told me she really wished she had beaten the record.

" Leading up to the race I was hoping I could win, but didn't really know if I was going to. I had been swimming 1-2 miles twice a week since January, so I was hoping it was enough, but wasn't going to give my hopes up!"  Wensman said, "I knew I would be able to make it across without a problem, it was just a matter of the time I did it in and who I was swimming against. It was a lot of fun even though the water was very rough and at some points the waves were so big I could not even see the kayaks next to me. The race aside I am so glad that I was able to experience swimming across the channel and all the great people that were involved and I cannot wait to do it again next year."

I was curious how a person finishes that quickly and how they prepare for such a race. I was surprised at how little training she had been doing. It must be like second nature to her though.

"I grew up swimming and playing Division I water polo for Long Beach State in California." she said. "I had been swimming 1-2 miles twice a week since January, so I was hoping it was enough, but wasn't going to give my hopes up!"


Congrats to her and all the other 127 finishers. I certainly couldn't do it.

I can't forget to mention that my wife swam the channel too! She did it assisted with snorkel and fins but came in second place in that category. Wow! She swam so quickly that I missed her coming out of the water and she tapped me on the shoulder and I was like, "Wow, how'd you get here?" Julie is an excellent swimmer and every time we go snorkeling she leaves me in the dust but I was hesitant about her swimming across the channel, where I know there is a rough current like a river in the middle, and yes there are sharks in the water too. Fat chance telling her she can't do something so she did it and did fantastic. I only wish I got her coming out of the water. Maybe next year.

Julie and Katie Alexander a student and friend of ours who also swam the channel.

Below are some good pictures of the bulk of the swimmers coming in to the finish. I overheard many saying they swam to the wrong beach and had to swim further than they needed to. Bummer.

Also notice the boat and kayaks in the water who helped make sure everyone made it across safely. A big thanks to all the volunteers and supporters of the event.

These local kids begged me to take their picture and show it to them, so I did and now they're on the blog too. Look at the swimmer in the background tiredly trudging out the water being cheered on by an event coordinator.

Below is a picture of finisher and friend Dana Tackes. She also ran the half marathon earlier in the year with me.

Dana Tackes

And my favorite Brit also swam the race and here she is —Amy Scorah like always with big smile on her face. I think she's training to swim the British Channel.

Amy Scorah

Quite a few Ross University faculty members also swam the channel, other than my wife. Below is Kimberly Stewart, who is the sea turtle monitoring network coordinator finishing the swim.

Kimberly Stewart

Below is also another spouse/companion of a student —Alexandra Leibner finishing the race. I didn't know she was swimming it too. Alexandra is from Canada. That's a long swim!

Alexandra Leibner

Some people still had sea legs as they came ashore. I can't blame them, I'd probably do the same.

And the hodge-podge coast guard followed up the last finishers.

And of course everyone waited until the last swimmers arrived and all the competitors had a free lunch donated by Reggae Beach Bar. The radio DJ announced all the winners, including the youngest competitor to finish this year, Eli Segota, who is only seven years old, Segota's father and mother swam with him.

Eli Segota, 7 with his trophy.

The top male finisher was Shastri Roberts from Trinidad with a time of 1:11:33. Below is Roberts posing with his trophy, Mr. X of Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack, and Jodi Peeler, Communications Director of Ross University.

Peeler and the overall first place male finisher.

Ross had a lot of competitors but also a lot of supporters. Here is a random photo of some of the Ross supporters. Say Cheese!

All in all it was an awesome swim and a great morning. Thanks goes out to all the supporters, namely: The Wheel World Cycle Shop, Ross University, Reggae Beach Bar, and Mr X Shiggidy Shack, and The SKN Triathlon Federation.

The top finishers.

 A lot of the competitors and swimmers.