St Kitts Tour report

[texasgirl]

We had arranged for Ilva Wallace to meet us and be our private tour guide for the four of us. Even though it had just poured down rain, she was waiting for us in exactly the spot she said she'd be wearing her straw hat and pretty Caribbean dress exactly as promised. I had told her exactly what we wanted to see and she proved to be a very informative, fun tour guide. She's also an excellent driver. I was very impressed - she said she'd stay with us and wait for us all day and that she did.

 

We went to the Caribelle Batik factory and spent quite a bit of time there. It's on the grounds of a beautiful old estate - very picturesque! From there we toured down the coast, stopping at Brimstone Hill Fortress. I was so amazed at this place. Honestly, I figured it was going to be a nothing thing but it was very well preserved and has gorgeous views. We kept on going, stopping at a place where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet. Check out the paintings done by a local artist for sale there. Interesting and very reasonable. We stopped at the Black Rocks and took many, many photos of the crashing waves. Ilva then took us to a place on the island where you can see both the Caribbean and Atlantic. It's one of those sights I'll always recognize in pictures from now on. We finished the day at Turtle Beach. it's fun but I found it a little crowded. However, try out one of the aloe vera massages. Look up Charlie and his son. My sister and I decided it was the best massage she ever had and my second best.

 

Ilva waited for us until we were ready to go and then took us back to the ship. St Kitts is a lovely island and small enough to easily see in one day. She charged us $30 each and it was worth every bit. There was also an $8 entrance fee to Brimstone - again well worth it.

[ugogirl]

Just got back from the Crown Princess and was on St. Kitts Monday November 13. Ilva was a fabulous tour guide for our group of 12. We toured all the beaches on our way out to Cockleshell Beach on the southeast peninsula so I could decide where to spend the day. If you go to St. Kitts you would be sorely lacking if you didn't head to the southeast peninsula for the views alone. The cows, goats and monkeys just added to the scenery. South Friars Beach won hands down as the best beach. Very uncrowded, $10 total for 2 chairs and a huge umbrella, beach and water lovely, very little in the way of a reef, but snorkel on the other islands. Ilva dropped 8 of our group off at the beach and then headed inland with the other four people for an island tour including the fort and the batik factory. Everyone loved Ilva. She is delightful, informed and her van is new with great air conditioning. She also charged us $30 per person and we had her for almost 6 hours.

[Iceberg2]

Coming to St Kitts with Sea Princess on Jan. 11-2007. Does she have an email or website. Sound like a tour that my dh and I would like. Thank you.

[texasgirl]

ilvawallace_4@hotmail

 

She was a little slow to respond a time or two.

[texasgirl]

I think I posted an incorrect email for Ilva. Try ilvawallace@yahoo.com.

[Iceberg2]

I sent the e-mail to two addresses, so I will see what response I get. Its been fun reading all the emails and seeing different opinions about various tour guides. On our past cruises, we have been fortunate to get great tour guides and well worth the price. Once again, thank you.

[itsjb1]

If you are going to use Ilva Wallace make sure that you get confirmation of the price and that she will be doing the tour herself. We had an unfortunate experience with her. She double booked herself and passed us off to another driver and the price was increased. She did not have the courtesy to advise us of either of these points in advance. We only found out once we met her at the port. Very poor business practice.

[MurfAtHome]

However, try out one of the aloe vera massages. Look up Charlie and his son. My sister and I decided it was the best massage she ever had and my second best.

 

 

can you tell me how to contact Charlie and son for the massage?:D

[ped222]

Were massages offered on the beach? If so, how much did you have to pay for a massage? Thanks!

[Liz Pereira]

You can get a massage at Turtle Beach and on South Frigate Bay near Mr. X's Shiggidy Shack.

[ped222]

Liz P! Thanks for the info re: massages at Turtle Beach! Do you need to email ahead of time, or are they just located on the beach? Do you recall how much it was for a massage? Just returned from cruise to Belize where masseuse on the beach charged $1 per minute...she was awesome!

[Liz Pereira]

No need to e-mail them. They are usually on the beach. I will find out the rates for you.

[ped222]

Thanks so much for your help and info, Liz!

[ped222]

Liz, Since massages are offered at both Turtle Beach and South Frigate Bay, which would you recommend as being the nicer beach, and do you know the approximate cab fare to each of the beaches from the pier? (We are a group of 7, ages: couples 57 and 27, and a 3 yr old toddler).

[Liz Pereira]

Both are nice beaches. South Friar's is a longer beach than Turtle Beach and tends to not be as crowded when cruise ships are in. Lots of people visit Shipwreck Beach Bar.

 

You should contact Thenford Grey regarding rates. E-mail thenang06@yahoo.com