Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A
nimal lovers: the South Peninsula is your best
chance for spotting vervet monkeys. Look in the under-
brush and not in the trees, however. These monkeys
don't have a prehensile tail, so they are usually seen on
the ground.
The north end of St. Kitts is the lushest, due to soil that owes
much of its fertility to a volcano named
Mount Liamuiga,
a
Carib word that means “fertile island.” The remote reaches of
Mount Liamuiga are home to St. Kitts' rain forest.
For all the tropical splendor of St. Kitts, Nevis is even more ver-
dant. Tall coconut palms cover hills carpeted in tropical under-
growth. Eco-tourism is also a major draw on Nevis. Mount
Nevis offers many hikes of varying difficulty levels. History
buffs find numerous sites of interest in the capital city of
Charlestown.
Like its sister island, Nevis is home to many
vervet monkeys, a reminder of the French occupation of the is-
land centuries ago. When the British took over the island from
the French, they didn't mind transporting their enemies back
home but they weren't about to take along their favorite pets:
monkeys. Small vervet monkeys had been imported from Africa
by the French. The British turned the monkeys loose on the is-
land, where they prospered. Today it's estimated that the mon-
keys of St. Kitts and Nevis outnumber humans two to one. If
you get up early or go out after sunset, you'll stand a chance of
spotting one of the primates.
N
evis recognizes the value of its environmental re-
sources and has declared that, by law, no building may
be taller than a palm tree.
Festivals
The calendar of St. Kitts and Nevis is dotted with special events
through the year. During most holidays and festivals, Nevis co-
mes to life with
horse racing
. Race days are scheduled during
most special events and draw crowds in one of the Caribbean's
most unique events. Horse racing is sponsored by the Nevis
Jockey Club and held at the Indian Castle Race Track. For in-
formation, call
869-469-3477.
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