Virgin Islands
PROPERTY&YACHT
LAU IZARRAK
Paradise found: Within Tortola’s Belmont Estate, this luxury villa stands out from the crowd.
ASK A PRO With Stu Bithell and Zach Railey SHELL MAN Carrot Bay’s Go-to Shell Guy WIND MONITORING Youth Track the Wind GONE FISHING Laws of the Sea
DEC JAN 2012 -2013
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Keeping a steady course with your investments is a precondition for reaching your goals, whether you rely on our advice or entrust us to manage your portfolio along the course you have plotted. VP Bank – your partner.
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Sea Sight Great Camanoe US$950,000 Little House Jost Van Dyke US$850,000
Bayhouse Villa Virgin Gorda US$5,250,000
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INSPIRING HOMES HAVE VIEWS AS EXPANSIVE AS YOUR VISION
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A home in the Caribbean offers a blend of sophisticated design and casual barefoot living; of romance and privacy in an unforgettable setting, and wonderful memories of the time spent on a shady verandah admiring the expansive views. Live the life you have imagined. The British Virgin Islands comprise over 52 Islands, Rocky Pinnacles and Cays, appropriately named “Nature's Little Secrets.”
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS our qualities are numerous, our benefits endless Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
Maritha Keil Mill Mall, P.O. Box 188 Road Town, Tortola, VG1110 t: 284.494.5700 | m: 284.340.5555 homes@bvisir.com | bvisir.com
DEC V i r g i n I s l a n d s JAN 2012 -2013
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PROPERTY&YACHT
F e at u r e S
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Let There be Wind By Traci O’Dea
Students, faculty and engineers work to monitor the wind on the H Lavity Stoutt Community College campus.
30
Keeping Your Bill Clean By Willa Tavernier
A lawyer examines the necessary measures needed to take before casting off into VI waters.
34
The Bare Essentials By Dan O’Connor
Scrub Island’s Wali Nikiti villa gets an organic refit.
22 L a u I z arrak: Paradi s e Fo un d
High above Smugglers Cove and Long Bay, this Belmont retreat brightens any dreary day.
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Learning from the Best By Dan O’Connor
The best racers in the world hit the Bitter End Yacht Club to mingle with amateurs.
39
Sailing Into the Recordbooks By Sofia Fay
Trimiran Triple Jack sails around Tortola in record time.
42 Home Design 101 By Steve Fox
46 Decorating for the Holidays By Fran Morrell and Kate Henderson
50 Provisioning By Susie Younkle
54 Christmas Bloom By Scarlett Steer
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56 Luxury Listings
Shell Man By Traci O’Dea
Egberth Donovan of the North Shore Shell Musuem talks about what led him to sell sea shells down by the sea shore.
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VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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Scan and bookmark us
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Edi t o r ' s L e t t e r , D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 2 - J a n u a r y 2 0 1 3
Break out the tinsel Chief Editor Dan O’Connor
G
rowing up in the Midwest, the cold winter months brought with them a mix of emotions. I loved
the bonding warmth that the holiday season brought to my family and me. But I hated the brutal
Chicago winters and the debilitating negative-degree days that seemed never-ending. Although I Editor Emeritus Traci O’Dea Contributors Steve Fox Kate Henderson Fran Morrell Scarlett Steer Willa Tavernier Susie Younkle
enjoyed snow days at home near the fire, I always dreamed of transporting to a post card world rife with palms and flip-flops and abundant sunlight. It’s no wonder I traded in the snow shovel for a coconut machete and made my pilgrimage to Tortola. And it’s no coincidence that so many more search for their coconut tree away from home during these winter months. I still travel home for Christmas—I get the perfect dose of winter wonderland needed to remind me that I love my family but hate the weather. Then I come back to my beachside home in Cane Garden Bay and go swimming. Then I take pictures and send them to my family. (I’m evil). The residents and tourists that opt for a Christmas, Kwanza or Chanukah on the beach benefit from beachside rejuvenation and good vibes that emanate from this vibrant culture and refreshing environment.
Publisher Colin Rathbun
For this issue, we looked at a few ways to bring the traditions of the up-north holiday season
Creative Director Nick Cunha
poinsettias—with their Christmas green and red foliage—that bloom brightly around these islands in
Graphic Design aLookingGlass Advertising Sales Owen Waters Stephen L. France
to our balmy shores. Our resident green thumb writer Scarlett Steer delved into the history of the December. We also called upon the interior design gurus at House BVI to tip us off to the funky tinsel and streamer fashions that complement Christmas trees or century plants. For our cover feature, we traveled to the prestigious hills of Belmont, where the vibrant Lau Izarrak estate brightens the hillside. Also in this issue, writer Traci O’Dea visited the delightful North Shore Shell Museum in Carrot Bay, where she met founder Egberth Donovan. For the four-year resident, the shell museum was a first-time treat, full of little treasures perfect for personalized gift ideas. During this winter season, it’s important to be thankful for where we are—wherever we are—and those who we’re fortunate to share these special times with. From us at Virgin Islands Property & Yacht to you and yours…
Happy Holidays Virgin Islands Property & Yacht is published eleven times a year (February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December/January) by aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110. Copyright 2012 by aLookingGlass Ltd. All pieces reproduced in this issue are under prior copyright by the creators or by the contractual arrangments with their clients. Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of the creators and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership. The publisher of VI Property & Yacht, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the content placed in its publications. For the avoidance of doubt, aLookingGlass gives no warranty or guarantee in regards to any information placed in its publications.
Direct all inquiries to: Email: info@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110
Editorial and Business Office: aLookingGlass Ltd., Road Reef Plaza 6 and 7 Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Web: www.alookingglass.com Email: info@alookingglass.com Phone: 284-494-7788 Fax: 284-494-8777 Mail to: aLookingGlass PO Box 3895 Sea Cows Bay Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG1110
Cover Photo: Views from Belmont Estate over Sopers Hole. Photo by Rainbow Visions BVI.
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UPCOMING E VEN TS December 2012
Arrival of the Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta and Maxi Cup
March 11-15 2013
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P.O. box 132 | North Sound, Virgin Gorda | British Virgin island VG1150 | Coordinates 18 29’ 30.40” N | 64 21’ 31.38” W For info and restaurant reservation: Tel. +1 (284) 346-2000 | VHF:08 | info@yccs.vg | www.yccs.com VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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Learning from the Best Story and photos by Dan O’Connor
The Pro Am Regatta offers both pros and amateurs a unique opportunity to interact on the water and compete against the world’s most accomplished racers. In its 26th year at the Bitter End Regatta on Virgin Gorda’s North shore, the event continues to be a success for the handful of pros and the few dozen lucky sailors who traveled distances for the chance to learn from the best.
Above right: Great Britain Olympian Luke Patience observes from the committee boat; pros and ams sail together.
Bob Phillips, chairman of the Royal BVI Yacht Club, might have summed up the event best when he said, “Think if you could go to a golf resort and play with the top golfers in the world. Here you’ve got the guests sailing with the best.” The event, he added, also generates a lot of publicity for the local sailing community. “It’s huge because of the PR it brings,” the 40-year sailing veteran and Tortola resident said. “The one segment of the tourism industry doing really well consistently is sailing—sailors sail no matter what the economic restraint.” This year’s lineup included Dave Ullman, Rob Crane, Zach Railey, Stu Bithell, Taylor Canfield, Andrew Campbell, Dave Berry and Bill Hardesty. Five of this year’s pros are under the age of 30—the youngest makeup of visiting pros the event has seen in its 26 years. This year’s event also hosted a number of local competitors from Tortola, who were invited to compete against teams skippered by pros and crewed by amateurs. The light-hearted yet competitive IC-24 team races were new to many local competitors who usually race against each other. At the end of the day, the pro team came out on top of the local crews. Although the daylong event headed admitted confusion among the local team, the matches provided an invaluable learning platform for all involved. Sailing amateur Chris Smith came down from Tuscon, Arizona for his fourth Pro Am Regatta. He was one of several to represent the Arizona Yacht Club. For Smith, the Virgin Islands allow him to sail in an idyllic setting under steady trade winds. And he also gets to enjoy the waters with “pros I’ve only read about.” “The majority of [the pros] are talking while they’re sailing, so you’re listening and you’re learning an immense amount,” he said, adding that he learned invaluable strategies about wind approach, racecourse management and tacking from the greats. Amateurs asked said they were particularly excited to see up-and-coming sailors participating in the event. And for the young pros, the event equally allowed them to learn from their older counterparts. www.vipropertyyacht.com
December 2012 - January 2013
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Ask a Pro While amateur sailors revel in the opportunity to sail with the pros, I look forward to the yearly event for the opportunity to ask the versed racers what they like about the BVI, and what makes them great at what they do. Last year, I caught up with decorated veteran Ed Baird and 29-year-old Olympic medalist Anna Tunnicliffe, who explained that the Pro Am Regatta afforded them a break from a busy schedule and training to enjoy what they do best. This year, I caught up with US Olympics racer Zach Railey and Great Britain Olympic rival Stu Bithell. Although they will compete against each other in the upcoming Olympics, they put their team flags away to work together at the Pro Am. P&Y: Was this your first time sailing in the BVI? ZR: No, I have been to the BVI at least seven times—and I can’t wait to be back soon. This is my fifth Pro Am and I hope to be here next year for my fifth.
SB: This was the third time i have been fortunate to visit the BVI, The first time was for the BVI Spring Regatta, the second two have both been at the Bitter End for the Pro Am. P&Y: Aside from the obvious wealth of tranquil and steady trade winds, what makes the BVI an attractive destination for racing? ZR: It’s just really beautiful, the people are fantastic, and it’s not that long or hard of a trip from the States. SB: Have you ever been to England in November? P&Y: The Pro Am Regatta provides a unique opportunity for amateurs to mingle with pros in a learning environment. What do you think was the most valuable lesson you were able to share with your AM crews? ZR: Just keeping things simple. Everyone thinks sailing is such a complicated sport but the basics are what make you successful. SB: It’s never too late to pick up a sport, particularly sailing, and get to a competitive level.
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Visit: www.stbernardshillhouse.com
“
The majority of [the pros] are talking while they’re sailing, so you’re listening and you’re learning an immense amount — Chris Smith
”
P&Y: What do you think has made you particularly successful as a sailor? What makes you fast? ZR: I am really dedicated so I like to think anything I get involved in I will do well with because ill do the hard work. As far as speed just tons of time on the water and a natural feel for what the waves and wind will do. SB: I believe what has made me so successful is the fact I genuinely love the sport and competition. I’m one of the few Olympic sailors in the GB squad who goes sailing when I get free time. I have sailed a variety of boats, all of which have added something. I’m not usually the fastest sailor, but I’m one of the most passionate.
On day two of racing, the Royal BVI Yacht Club challenged the pros in IC24 team races.
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December 2012 - January9/23/11 2013 3:16 PM
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BITTER END YACHT CLUB NORTH SOUND, VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
experience a Caribbean watersports vacation like no other
P&Y: What’s the single hardest thing about racing and why? Not having control over the conditions. ZR: You can never 100 percent know what will happen. SB: Consistency. No one race is the same. P&Y: What’s next for you? What are you training for and how are you doing so? ZR: I am in talks to do some larger team sailing so I would not be surprised to see me at some different larger class events this coming year. SB: I will look forward to another Olympic cycle, not sure what boat yet, but the goal is to top London’s Silver medal.
P&Y: What are your ultimate career goals and what are you doing to achieve them? ZR: Always has been to race the big 3 Olympics, Volvo Ocean Race and Americas Cup. Just take it one day at a time and keep working hard. SB: Olympic Gold medal. Everything.
Come ashore! Visit our lively resort community and enjoy unsurpassed watersports, sailing, and activities for every member of your family in the spectacular BVI. wATeRSPoRTS and aCTIVITIES
Sailing Calendar
2012 Dec 15
O’Neal Mundy Commodores Cup
2013 Jan 6 Latitude 18 Halyard Challenge Jan 19
Governor’s Cup
Feb 28 - Mar 3
Sweethearts and Classic Yacht
oPeN AIR DINING and EnTErTaInmEnT
PRoVISIoNING and SHOPPInG
Mar 1 - 4 Dark & Stormy Mar 14 - 18
Carib. Superyacht Regatta
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December 2012 - January 2013
13
ShellMan Story by Traci O’Dea Photos by Dan O’Connor
The North Shore Shell Museum is a spot for collecting, connecting and reconnecting—collecting shells from the island, connecting with friends over meals that might end in an impromptu fungi session, reconnecting with the past of the Virgin Islands through Egberth Donovan’s paintings of slogans and ships, and reconnecting with memories by incorporating Egberth’s creations into your home.
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VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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Tucked back
Left: Egberth Donovan cracks a smile within his museum.
off the main coast road in Carrot Bay, Tortola, The North Shore Shell Museum initially arrests visitors’ attention with the collage of shells, signs, salvaged flotsam, and driftwood. The brightly decorated exterior, which seems to have organically evolved out of necessity, beckons passersby to explore the treasures within its shell-lined walls. Proprietor Egberth Donovan and I sat at a table on the second floor of the museum—in a bright, airy, sparsely decorated restaurant where he serves breakfast, lunch and dinner made from locally sourced ingredients, including local fish, coconut, and the breadfruit tree that framed our view of Carrot Bay. “We roast it, we bake it, we make soup from it, we make salads,” he
said of the starchy fruit. He mentioned local lobster, conch, and fish that come in fresh daily from the fishermen across the street. “This is the place everybody come for lobster.” He listed off the types of pancakes—mango, coconut, banana, guava. “You can walk in for breakfast and lunch,” he said, but dinner goes by reservation. Often at these dinners, he told me, he’ll be asked if there’s live music. That’s when he starts passing out the instruments and makes everyone a part of the rotating fungi band in the dining room. “We give you an example of how people used to live in the past…When people come in to have a drink…I set the fungi band up, and everybody play because I have all the instruments there…That’s the way how our people used to do it in the past days…In those times, everybody’d get involved…People come and ask me if there’s a band, and I say, ‘You is the band, I’m the band.’” Though his restaurant is much-lauded and much-loved by tourists, it’s the museum itself, full of Egberth’s collections and creations, that is the main attraction. Egberth told me that he started the museum twenty-five years ago when a ninety-fiveyear-old neighbour he called Uncle Joe nostalgically mentioned a shell collection at home growing up, “and I was a bit excited because I didn’t see many shells on this island, so I asked him, and he started naming out the islands to me” where Egberth could find the shells. At that time, Egberth had been mainly looking for conch shells, and he collected them to sell them at first then began turning them into art. The room was originally a one-room building, but has now been built up and out. In contrast with the open, unadorned spaces of the restaurant,
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December 2012 - January 2013
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The bright pastels and traditional West Indian and African huts of Crafts Alive Village act as a warm welcome to Road Town’s city centre. A short stroll from the cruise ship pier or the ferry terminal, this artists’ haven has become a home to some of the BVI’s most unique and talented craftsmen.
…People come and ask me if there’s a band, and I say, ‘You is the band, I’m the band.’
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VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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Left: the musuem’s interior displays hundreds of items for sale. Opposite the storybook entrance.
Anything is for sale. You talk with us; we charge you a little something for it.
the museum is full, literally floor to ceiling, with shells—loose shells, shell mobiles and wind chimes, boats made from shells and driftwood, shell bracelets and necklaces. “This is a boat we call the log boat,” he said, pointing to one made from scraps of wood and sailcloth. “This is how we learned to swim in the olden days,” he said. “When your parents build one of these, it has a rudder to the back, you’re gonna tie a string on it, and you’re gonna just watch it sail, but you has a string that it can’t get away from you, but when you can swim, then you take off the string, but then you can try to swim to catch the boat.” Though he said that children these days no longer use that method to learn how to swim, he continues to make and sell the little log boats. The floor and several walls, made of shells and cement, have taken Egberth a long time to make. “I decided, it’s a shell museum,” he said, “so the floor should be in shell.” In addition to the shells are brightly painted pieces of wood with sayings or drawings of maps or old sloops. The phrases, painted in bright orange or blue or green on a white background, come from conversations Egberth had with Virgin Islanders of the past. He got the idea to record their sayings years ago. He said, “I was watching how the island was going, and I tell myself, ‘Someone has to try to live with the history of this country to move on.’ And that’s where I come in.” The sayings often deal with interpersonal relationships in a humorous way that also reflects the voice of former Virgin Islanders. Each painted locution
invokes a character, and the paintings feel like found poems. “This one here, this is the one here that makes me laugh, ‘The old man with a beautiful lady, but he cannot sleep with his eyes closed. Hell.’ There’s an old gentleman telling me about that, he was speaking about his wife. He said, ‘She was beautiful, but I couldn’t sleep with my two eyes closed.’” I asked him if he sold his signs and sayings, including the many signs advertising the museum itself, to which he replied, “Anything is for sale. You talk with us; we charge you a little something for it.” Above me and beside me hung thousands (maybe millions?) of shells. Wind chimes made from shells, fishing line, driftwood and bamboo hung beside mobiles made from the tops of bleach bottles, shells, and beads. I asked him if he considered himself an artist, and he said, “Sometimes if I’m a little not too comfortable, and I know a guy who’s an artist, sometimes I stop and I ask him questions. That’s how I get my ideas. I meet some of the guys, and I ask them how to draw this or how to put this, you know like that? And that’s where I’m really catching up with things…A lot of good people has ideas, but unless you don’t talk with them, you don’t know what you would get. I follow up on a lot of things like that.” Egberth’s conversations have encouraged him to capture the natural and oral history of the Virgin Islands. “I’m still hanging on and trying to do it, that people can able to get a idea because this island has come a long way from how it used to be, and each day, I keep opening my ideas more and more through talking with folks, and I get better ideas as I go on.”
www.vipropertyyacht.com
December 2012 - January 2013
17
Let There be
Wind By Traci O’Dea
Wind Power Feasibility in the BVI
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On a Friday afternoon in October, I traveled from my office among the green, rambling hillsides of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College main campus over to the tradewinds-swept coast of the campus’s new Culinary Arts Centre.
When I arrived at the roundabout in front of the Centre, the area was abuzz— literally with the sound of a circular hand saw cutting through a striated steel wire which sent orange sparks in a plume, and figuratively with a hive of students, administrators, faculty, consultants, observers, and press who all displayed interest in the latest technology being erected on campus—a wind monitor. “We’re installing a wind monitor to see if we have enough wind here to actually put up a wind turbine,” HLSCC student Ajahni Lockhart told me. Ajahni and others are part of the college’s new Renewable Energy Club (REC). The Club has been active on campus since June with projects such as a pilot solar project at the Centre for Applied Marine Studies which has the intent, according to the College, “to provide HLSCC with a solar power demonstration system geared towards education and training.” New this semester is a one-credit course where students “get involved, talk about energy, oil, wind, coal, what is viable for the BVI, and what are other options,” said Jacco Bos, managing director of Alternative Energy Systems (AES), the renewable energy partners in the REC. “This is a hands-on project because everybody can do something,” he added, referring to the new wind monitor. As HLSCC president Dr Karl Dawson helped a group of students and faculty expand the approximately 50-foot long telescoping pole that would hold the wind-speed meter, Jacco Bos explained the logistics of the device. “It’s not unlike a boat wind meter,” he said. “It measures wind direction and gauges wind speeds with meters at two different heights.” The meters then send the information to an SD card inside a solar-powered data logging device at the base of the monitor. The monitor will be up for six months to a year to record wind data at the site. “What the students learn from this is maintenance—this will need to be maintained as do our other projects—and economics—this energy is worth x compared to the investment, and then they’ll determine the payback,” said Bos.
Shannon Manor’s outdoor pool and expansive verandahs, illuminated at night. HLSCC President Dr Karl Dawson helps students from the Renewable Energy Club expand the wind monitor pole. Photos by Mangoman courtesy of HLSCC.
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December 2012 - January 2013
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“It just seems like a better alternative than using petrol because our electric bills are pretty high, and this is our way to reduce them,” club member Mikey Joseph said. Soon the group rallied around the pole, making adjustments, attaching the steel anchor wires and wind speed meters, and tying down the data chord with zip ties. AES Director of Operations Dana Miller secured the pole in the base bolt while a group of five club members, including Dr Dawson, hoisted the pole up to its full height. HLSCC student Chris Brockbank, along with other club members, helped secure some of the anchor wires as the group adjusted the pole to ensure that it was straight, upright and centered. The group hopes to erect a grid-tie wind turbine at the site, where the breeze seemed constant the whole time I was there, reinforced by the clanging of boat lines at the nearby hurricane hole at Paraquita Bay. The college’s press release
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Left: The Renewable Energy Club succeeded in erecting a wind monitor in Paraquita Bay. Right: AES engineer Dana Miller (right) works with teammembers.
summed up the next steps in the process, steps possibly leading toward energy independence for the BVI: “Ultimately, the data collected will be sent to wind turbine manufacturers to get estimates of energy production…club members will conduct a cost benefit analysis to include the costs to install a wind turbine at the site and payback time. The results of this study will then be passed on to the relevant stakeholders for a decision on whether to install a wind turbine.” Visitors are welcome to stop by the new Culinary Arts Centre in Paraquita Bay to check out the wind monitor.
www.vipropertyyacht.com
December 2012 - January 2013
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Lau Izarrak Pa r a dis e F o u nd
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VI PROPERTY & YACHT
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By Dan O’Connor, Photos by Rainbow Visions BVI
The Virgin Islands invite some of the most positive and uplifting architectural design on the planet. With an ample amount of bright sunlight and saturated natural hues, the environment begs to be celebrated. High above Tortola’s northwestern-most beaches, within the serenity of Belmont Estate, Lau Izarrak stands as an illustrious testament to all that is bright and beautiful among these glorious islands. The radiant pastels and cheerful charm of Belmont’s Lau Izarrak give this three-bedroom hillside hideaway an undeniable sense of energy and vivacity. I visited the tucked-away home with Sotheby’s Maritha Keil during a dewy morning in November. A short drive from Long Bay and Smugglers Cove, the Belmont home exists within one of the most prestigious neighbourhoods on Tortola. A long driveway through almost two acres ensures privacy and seclusion, and the home’s cheerful glow welcomes its guests. As we disembark our vehicles, I first notice the on-property garage—a rare treat in the Virgin Islands, where the extra storage space always comes in handy. Tropical flora from the outside garden compliments the home’s bright yellow, pink and teal hues. As we approach the home, stonewalls meet a front gate, arched in ruin-like fashion and draped with green ferns. Exterior
lighting custom designed by Trellis Bay’s Aragorn DickReed is sturdily secured to both sides of the entrance. The stonewall ruins stand out in bold contrast with the bright backdrop—a nod to a scene from a medieval fairytale. The home’s original architect, Michael Arneborg, has famously interspersed ruin-inspired stonewall with bright tropical hues through many of his homes. His work distinctively etches out a large portion of Belmont’s hillsides, where unique yet complimentary homes brighten the terrain. As we enter the great room, I’m simultaneously cooled by the steady breezes and warmed by a bright, open setting within the main entertaining room. Maritha explained to me that each room intentionally remained open on all four sides to encourage the refreshing flow of our ample trade winds. Mexican Saltillo tile floors blend
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December 2012 - January 2013
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Dining most likely occurs outside, where a sheltered dining table and sitting area are arranged neatly near the pool and overlooking spectacular views over Smuggler’s Cove and St John and St Thomas. in harmony to connect the kitchen to the main room and verandah. Tall ceiling with sturdy beams overhead bring space and security to the room. Within the kitchen, unique Louis Wells cabinetry shield the modern utilities, while hand painted tiles add an artistic splash behind the main cooking area. From the ceiling, a large centerpiece hangs as a rack for easy access to pots and pans—and acts as a unique attribute. A spacious pantry provides the perfect finishing touch to inspire culinary genius. Dining most likely occurs outside, where a sheltered dining table and sitting area are arranged neatly near the pool and overlooking spectacular views over Smuggler’s Cove and St John and St Thomas. I can imagine entertaining friends or intimate dining under celestial skies most days of the week. The pool acts as a centerpoint to the three separate but connected dwellings. Stonewall ruins bring coral stone walkways to a congregating point in the middle. In the summer, the light coral stone remains cool enough to provide a comfortable barefoot commute between rooms. The master bedroom takes the commanding vantage point above the pool, with a spacious sleeping area and ensuite bathroom. The cozy bedroom uses a combination of glass and screen doors to invite cool breezes sans mosquitos, but AC units provide an alternative option for particularly hot days. Solid brass fixtures and fittings add a touch of detail to each door. From the shower, the views amaze. I couldn’t think of a more invigorating way to start the day, or relaxing way to end one than from underneath an invigorating www.vipropertyyacht.com
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open-air shower. Like the great room, tall rafters provide extra comfort and protection throughout the home. The guest bedrooms, which occupy the third bright bungalow on the property, enter with through a traditional foyer, lined with local artistry and bright scenes of Caribbean culture. Because the home was originally owned by an interior decorator, the home currently remains decorated with particular attention to character and detail. For each room, an individual bathroom finds a strategic spot to bring in the magical views. Like the
great room, the guest beds share a spacious verandah, ideal for admiring morning views over coffee or cozying in at night with a good book. As our tour of the house ended, a gentle rain began to sheet the pool and gently pattered on the pink roofs, and I admired the views from under the great room’s shelter. Light rays emitted from beyond Long Bay and added to the seascape’s undeniable beauty. It’s these moments of serenity that we live for here in the Virgin Islands, and it’s homes like Belmont’s Lao Izarrak that help to truly encapsulate its beauty.
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LAU IZARRAK Location Belmont, Tortola At night, the property still remains a beacon of light within Belmont’s hillsides.
Bed
3
Bath
3 full, 2 half
Size
0.7 acres
Price
US $2.2 million
Extras
Swimming pool
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For more info contact: Maritha Keil t (284)494.5700 m (284)340.5555 e maritha.keil@sothebysrealty.com www.bvisothebysrealty.com
December 2012 - January 2013
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VI PROPERTY & YACHT
(284) 495 3000
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Call in to our offices at Nanny Cay Marina (Tortola) or Spanish Town (Virgin Gorda). www.vipropertyyacht.com
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Keeping Your Bill Clean Laws You Should Know Before Casting Off By Willa Tavernier, O’Neal Webster BVI
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A marlin jumps out of North Drop waters after falling for a sportfisher’s bait. Photo courtesy of the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club.
I’ve heard it said that saltwater fly fishing is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. I can see the allure of spending a day on the water, man or woman against the ocean, the excitement of the catch. I’ve even tried fishing once or twice, more enchanted by the idea of fishing (I probably watched A River Runs Through It one too many times), than having any actual ability for the sport. We all know that the BVI has fantastic waters—its reefs and flats flourishing with fish— and destinations like Virgin Gorda’s South Drop and Anegada’s North Drop are becoming renowned for their teeming fish populations. Fishing excursions in BVI waters are increasingly popular among visitors, particularly visitors to the United States Virgin Islands. According to the Department of Conservation and Fisheries, during the year 2000, the USVI economy generated over 80 million dollars from conducting fishing excursions in the BVI waters. The industry made the agenda for the 2012 BVI-USVI Friendship Day meetings, unfortunately because of visitors exceeding the allowable catch limits. It’s therefore useful for visitors and anyone in the industry to understand the rules for sport and pleasure fishing in the BVI.
Immigration and other applicable requirements Vessels must check in at one of the ports of entry for private boats in Road Town or Soper’s Hole on Tortola, or Great Harbour on Jost Van Dyke, to be cleared by BVI Immigration and Customs. The captain and first mate are required to disembark, and they can clear the crew and all passengers, but each person must have a passport, or in the case of US or Canadian citizens, a birth certificate with a photo ID, and for other countries that require them, the appropriate visas. One important additional requirement to normal immigration clearances is that for entry on these non-commercial carriers, all those who are not US or Canadian citizens must obtain a visitor’s visa, even if your country is not otherwise subject to visa requirements for its citizens entering the BVI on normal commercial vessels. Immigration and/or Customs officers each have the right to board the vessel and conduct a search to ensure no undeclared or contraband items are present. www.vipropertyyacht.com
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In addition foreign fishing vessels are required to give at least 24 hours notice to the Chief Conservation and Fisheries officer of the vessel’s entry into BVI waters. The Department of Conservation and Fisheries also employs marine patrols to monitor fishing priority areas and fisheries protected areas. Any authorized officer (at present any fisheries officer, customs officer or police officer) may board fishing vessels and remain on board as an observer with full access to all equipment, records, documents and any fish on board. The authorized officer may make tests, observations and records and take and remove such samples as he reasonably requires to monitor the vessel’s activities. The master of the vessel may be required to proceed to any port or place as the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer may reasonably require to allow an observer to board or disembark from the vessel. Interestingly, captains are required by law to provide without charge food and accommodation for an authorized officer, equivalent to that provided for officers of the vessel.
Pleasure fishing This traditionally refers to recreational fishing on a catch-and-release basis. It appears that the term pleasure fishing appears to arise from the concept that the fisherman is fishing, not to keep the catch, but just for the pleasure of the sport, which begs the question: If the fisherman doesn’t catch any fish—is it still pleasurable? However, a BVI pleasure fishing licence entitles the holder to fish on a catch and release basis or for personal consumption up to a maximum of 30 lbs per boat. Private boats can be used for pleasure fishing but each person on a pleasure fishing excursion has to have a licence. Application is made to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the processing time is approximately 2 weeks. Of course, visitors can obtain a temporary pleasure fishing licence. This is likewise applied for at the Ministry of Conservation and Fisheries and licences are issued immediately on application and each licence is usually issued for 1 month.
Sport Fishing
Fishing Permits Licences are issued in three broad categories: to local fishing vessels, locally based foreign fishing vessels, or foreign fishing vessels, and the application fees and licence fees vary according to the applicable category. There are also separate licences to hold, or to engage in, sport fishing tournaments and events. The maximum catch allowed by law is 30 lbs per boat. These regulations are in place to ensure that all of us, and our future generations can equally enjoy the sea’s bounty, and should be respected.
Many visitors choose sport fishing charters operated by licenced vessels that offer these excursions as a business. Sport fishing refers to recreational fishing for game fish such as wahoo, kingfish, tuna, marlin, sailfish, dolphin, king mackerel, and wwordfish. Fishing for marlin and swordfish are only allowed on a catch and release basis. Each vessel, even if owned by the same company or business must be licensed, and the captain and crew named on the licence. Application for a licence is made to the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the processing time is approximately two weeks. The determining factor is whether the vessel is owned by a belonger or a
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Expensive fishing boats line the pier at Red Hook Marina. Photo by Dan O’Connor
non-belonger in the case of a company, for the vessel owned by that company to qualify for a local sports fishing licence, a belonger must own at least 51% of voting rights. The licences, which are renewable yearly, are issued with a form for submission of catch data as determined by the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer. The data is required on at least an annual basis. This feeds into the BVI’s reporting obligations under the International Convention on Atlantic Tuna. The 30 lb per boat limit is equally applicable to sport fishing. Every other person that is part of the sport fishing excursion must have a temporary pleasure fishing licence, the procedure for obtaining which is explained above. The Department of Conservation and Fisheries and the Ministry of Natural Resources are currently reviewing the scheme of sports fishing licences to determine whether each person on such excursions should be required to obtain a sport fishing licence. If this initiative is pursued, we can expect legislative changes in the next one to two years.
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“Tis not too late to seek another world”
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Smiths Gore opened its office in the British Virgin Islands in 1965. The firm was established in the UK in 1845 and currently operates from 26 offices.
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British Virgin Islands Britannic Hall, P.O. Box 135, Road Town, Tortola T 1(284) 494 2446 E info@smithsgore.com United Kingdom 17-18 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4PT T +44 (0) 207 290 1616 E michelle.persaud@sgcommercial.co.uk
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The Bare Essentials Refitting a tasty retreat
The villa’s unique interior benefitis from minimal furnishing complements.
Story and photos by Dan O’Connor
Renowned BVI chef Davide Pugliese has thrived on a successful culinary career that has amounted to an array of flavourful artistry. Off the serving plate, he has also embarked on creative ventures. At his Scrub Island retreat, Wali Nikiti, work continues, where various influences combine to bring organic elements from the outside in. In Aborigine, the home’s name literally translates to a bare hut. From the exterior, the luxury hut bears distance resemblance to its tribal origination, but upon closer inspection, its intricacies are far less primitive. Modern yet simplistic design allows the home to benefit from a clean and neat interior. From within, the oval masterpiece opens in dramatic form to a heavenly view of Scrub Island’s sophisticated northern hillsides, and the sea’s magnificent abyss. It’s no wonder Davide worked closely with BVI architect Viviana Jenik, and Arawak’s Roy Keegan to ensure that the home did not attempt to compete with these miraculous views. Each curve and contour caries an aesthetic purpose, and each fixture and piece of furniture adds a new dimension to the villa’s character. The kitchen acts as the centrepoint
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From the exterior, the luxury hut bears distance resemblance to its tribal origination, but upon closer inspection, its intricacies are far less primitive. of the kitchen, elevated slightly from the living and dining area where sweeping views hold guests captive. Above the spacious kitchen area, hanging kitchen lights stand out with large chicken baskets as lightshades—a unique conversation piece for Davide to discuss while perhaps whipping up some Italian-infused delicacies. While admiring the blissful views and enjoying the open-air tropical breezes and aromas from the master chef, guests might also inquire about the unique canoe that acts as a divide from the sitting area and the open exterior. Both the canoe and chicken baskets are a product of communication between the Arawak buyer and the homeowner. Each unique in their own way, they come to Wali Nikiti from thousands of miles away in Bali. Roy travels to Bali frequently on buying trips, where he visits manufacturers and scours the bazaars and tiny shops from where these hidden treasures find a perfect home in the BVI. www.vipropertyyacht.com
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A wooden canoe makes for the perfect barrier between indoors and out. RIght: Wali Nikiti, photo by Rainbow Visions BVI.
Roy explained that this unique relationship he carries with each client extends past watery boarders and travels thousands of miles with him to these far off destinations. For Davide, who aspired to have a widely varied yet mostly Balinese- and African-influenced interior design, pieces from Roy’s most recent trip to Bali proved priceless—with stories that will live on. “It’s an ongoing project,” Davide explained of his now three-year transformation of his prided villa. “And I’m constantly emailing Roy back and forth with ideas—he’s out there with these ideas and following through with new ones.”
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Within the bare yet sophisticated organic-themed hut, Roy has also dug up complimentary treasures like coconut-carved light fixtures to line the master bedroom, and teak chairs to compliment the long dinner table where Davide displays his culinary masterpieces. As this project unfolds, Roy said he “loves the hunt”—a passion that takes him across the globe to discover items matched with sentimental value for each of his clients.
“It’s an ongoing project, and I’m constantly emailing Roy back and forth with ideas—he’s out there with these ideas and following through with new ones.” — Davide Pugliese
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The Estate at Spring Bay www.theestateatspringbay.com
Secreted away at the edge of a private cove, The Estate at Spring Bay is as astonishing in its size and scope as it is in its extraordinary finishes and attention to creative detail. The Great House acts as the centerpiece for an amazing smorgasbord of terraces, bedrooms, pools, shaded pavilions, chef’s kitchen, billiard room, wine cellar, theatre, office, gym, pier, de-sal plant, generator and numerous outbuildings. Three other complete residences dot the property. All these are wrapped by a sweeping driveway, paved in native stone and brick and lined with indigenous flora. 20 acres of land leaves plenty of room for thoughtful expansion on the gently-sloped terrain.
If dreams of a private oasis fill your thoughts, this one-of-a-kind creation will excite even the most fanciful dreamer! For further details and price on request contact: Rosie Nichols | T(340)642-8981 | E rosienichols@gmail.com
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Tom Echle trimming the mainsail, flanked by Steve Davis and Richard Woolridge. Photos by Alastair Abrehart.
Triple Jack
Races Into the Recordbooks By Sofia Fay Trimaran Triple Jack snatched back her Round Tortola Record on Thursday October 25, flying around the island in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 18 seconds, taking 10 minutes off Formula 40 Soma’s record time set in April 2010 (2 hours, 50 minutes and 15 seconds). The vintage 34-year old Kelsall One-Off shattered her benchmark time of 3 hours and 33 minutes set in the 2009 Round Tortola Race. She covered 39.0 miles with an average speed of 12.68 knots and a top speed of 20.6 knots. When Formula 40 Soma broke the record, she sailed 45 miles, averaged 15 knots and reached a top speed of 25.4 knots. With Miles Sutherland-Pilch, general manager of Nanny Cay, onshore calling the start, Triple Jack crossed the transit of the corner of PegLegs Restaurant and the western tip of Peter Island at 12:10 pm. With an almost perfect southeasterly
blowing, she started close to Peter Island and flew up the south side of Tortola on starboard tack before bearing off for the spinnaker hoist off Scrub Island. Only about a third of the way along the north side of Tortola, the crew had to douse the chute and fetch to Soper’s Hole under genoa. Triple Jack wiggled through this potentially time-sapping area of mixed currents and winds relatively painlessly before beating over to St John. From St John it was, in theory, one straight shot back to Nanny Cay where every header had the crew anxiously looking at their watches. Owners Richard Wooldridge and Steve Davis were now feeling the pressure, exacerbated by being fed the wrong elapsed time – 10 minutes more than reality. However, Steve carefully worked Triple Jack upwind along the south side of
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Tortola finishing only 100 yards off Nanny Cay’s breakwater. “It was a great BVI sailing day made even better by getting our record back,” said Richard. “We have waited a long time for the perfect weather window and a 20-knot south-easterly was it. The crew work was fantastic, Mike Hirst played the mainsheet like a man possessed! We had our moments, like having to cut our spinnaker halyard to drop it; the attempt could easily have gone the other way but it was beautiful sailing out there.” The crew comprised Richard Wooldridge, Steve Davis, Mike Hirst, Miles Fossey, Henry Leonnig and Tom Echle. On congratulating the crew, Miles said: “I must admit I didn’t think they’d do it. I thought they’d need more breeze than we had and was a bit surprised when I got the phone call that they were through Soper’s Hole. That said, they did a great Triple Jack approaches the finish of Nanny Cay’s beach.
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job and I’m glad to see that Triple Jack can still give the younger generation a run for their money!” The crew were presented with a bottle of Drappier by Eddie Brockbank of TICO and celebrated with a team dinner in PegLegs Restaurant. The $250 entry fee has been donated to the BVI Humane Society. Nanny Cay launched the Nanny Cay Challenge for the round Tortola record in 2010. Yachts visiting the British Virgin Islands are invited to make an attempt to beat the latest round Tortola records. The monohull time to beat of 4 hours, 15 minutes and 5 seconds, was set by Dave West’s Jurakan, a Melges 32 in the 2009 PegLegs Round Tortola Race. It’s an all-comer, any-day event, starting and finishing off Nanny Cay. Competitors in the 2013 BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival will also have a chance to contest the record; a Round Tortola Race will kick off the Sailing Festival on March 26. The entry fee has been waived and Nanny Cay will donate $250 to a local charity if the record is broken.
The crew claims their award.
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December 2012 - January 2013
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Home Design 101 By Steve Fox, Managing Director OBMI BVI
For this issue, I thought I’d write about the design process; to give a summary, from an architect’s perspective, of the typical steps necessary for the creation of a successful design. Of course, no two projects are exactly alike, but there is a certain pattern to things—from the very first meeting to the completion of the construction documents to give to the builder. So, here’s my attempt to condense nearly 30 years of architectural training and working experience into this short article.
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Meet to discuss the project requirements The owners and the architect meet on the site or in the office to discuss the objectives of the project. The owners may have a very clear mental picture of what they want, or they may only have very vague initial ideas. The initial meeting (or meetings) should aim to establish the basic program—a number and size of bedrooms and bathrooms, general ideas for the type of living, dining and kitchen spaces, thoughts on aesthetics, style and materials, outdoor space ideas, pool and garden requirements, and functional requirements and preferences—to AC or not to AC? Bug screens or not? General site issues should be discussed, such as orientation and views, sun path and winds, accessibility, and the steepness of the slope.
Agree the budget, building program and fees Following on from the initial informationgathering, a building program schedule can be produced. This is a very useful tool, to set out in a clear format all the project requirements, with an anticipated area associated with each space, and typical construction costs applied on a persquare-foot basis, with allowances included for foreseeable elements such as retaining walls, the driveway and parking areas, and landscaping. This will result in a preliminary construction cost budget, which, once agreed by the owners as a manageable target, can be the basis for the agreement of the professional fees.
From conception to design to completion, the home-building process takes shape. Sketches and renderings by Sian Seys-Evans.
Get a topographical survey done For most construction projects, it’s a good idea to obtain a topographic survey of the site, encompassing the entire lot, or a defined key area of the lot. The survey will provide fairly precise information, usually at 2-foot contours, on the lay of the land and any major features such as boulder outcroppings and important trees. It will reveal most of the nuances and subtleties of the site; any slight shifts and variations in the orientation and steepness of the slope. The CAD information generated by the land surveyor can be used directly by the architect, to start to model the site on computer, in 2- and 3-dimensions.
Create initial concept sketches Working with the target programme and the site information, the designer can begin to sketch out ideas. We all have our own ways of doing this; I like to alternate between hand sketches and CAD outline drawings; scribbling down thoughts and ideas in my sketchbook, creating little diagrams exploring the possible relationships of the spaces and the positioning of buildings on the site, and testing these ideas for scale and accuracy in outline form on the computer. Out of these explorations, a schematic design emerges; a clear, robust direction for the project which aims to meet the owner’s needs economically and aesthetically.
Communicate, refine the design The key to a successful project is good communication. The personalities of the owner and the architect need to be compatible, and the architect needs to be a sensitive and perceptive communicator of ideas and issues. The schematic design needs to be illustrated to the owners so that they fully understand what’s being proposed, and the owners in turn need to look at the design very carefully to satisfy themselves that it’s to their liking and is meeting all their needs. Once the schematic direction has been established, the design can be developed and refined. This is an iterative process: the gradual addition of layers of information, meetings to discuss progress, initial meetings with the structural engineer, drawing to scale in more detail, determination of building materials and components, making adjustments to stay on budget. Once the design has been developed so that all the major aspects are drawn to scale and the intent is firmly set, the drawings can be submitted to Town and Country Planning for approval.
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Produce the construction documents; engineering and utilities, finishes, fixtures, fittings, windows, doors, details The remainder of the process focuses on the technical aspects of the project; the production of the drawings and other documents for construction. It’s important to work with a structural engineer who’s familiar with the local conditions and the current building codes for seismic and hurricane conditions, to design the structure properly but efficiently. Materials should be specified and the building should be detailed for good constructability and durability. We now use the latest BIM software to model the entire project in 3d, which virtually eliminates the old-fashioned risk of having drawings which don’t coordinate with each other. This is only a simplified summary of the process. But it should give a basic taste of what we do as architects. It’s rarely simple—there will be inevitable complications and unexpected twists and turns along the way—and we always need to be flexible in our approach. But with the right balance of creativity, experience and good communication, it’s very rewarding to see a unique new home design emerge and develop.
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Decorating For a HOT Holiday
By Fran Morrell and Kate Henderson
The holiday season is here and it is always exciting to think about how we can decorate our homes to celebrate the festivities that this time of year brings. Parties and entertaining are a huge part of this season and a great opportunity to have fun with decorating. There are many ways that we can change our dĂŠcor temporarily for this season with minimum disruption.
At this time of year, homeowners can get away with bigger, bolder statements. However, some decorating ideas, as seen in the US or Europe, may look a little stuffy and out of place in our warmer climate. Here are a few tips and ideas for decorating for the holidays Virgin Islands style. The Christmas tree is a huge part of traditional decorating and the choices available from the local supermarkets have greatly improved over the years. This year, try opting for a new colour of ornaments to rejuvenate the look of your tree. Or go for a beach theme using shell decorations only. Alternatively, opting for only one colour of ornaments will create a more elegant look.
Fake Christmas trees are extremely popular here and are now so realistic looking that sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. Try placing a fir or spruce scented oil diffuser or scented decoration sticks around the tree to complete the illusion. Before traditional Christmas trees were available in the VI, residents would farm century plants to celebrate the season. Sadly, a few years ago, many of the century plants on the island were destroyed by a virus, but are now coming back slowly. If found, the tree should be painted white, silver or gold to make more of a celebratory statement, and decorations can be hung on them. If you do not have the space for a
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tree, try taking dry branches inside to put in a large vase and spraying them white silver or gold to create more of a festive illusion. Lighting is another way to make your house look festive. Battery operated LED lighted branches in a vase or as a table decoration are hugely popular in the holiday season. Nothing screams celebration more than strings of white fairy lights or candles. Festive coloured votives on a table with tea lights look charming. Candles with holiday scents scattered around the home are reminiscent of this special time of year. Pot pouri and diffusers with pine or autumn scents can be switched in around the house to create more of a seasonal feel. Festive plants may be expensive and hard to find, but this a good time of year to treat yourself and many stores sell poinsettias plants in white or red which can look glorious and can easily outlast the season. Try changing your table linens for the holiday season. Richer colours and textures are perfect for your big dinner. Don’t be afraid of a bit of sparkle and well-placed sequin. This is the time of year to go a bit over the top and get away with it. Good quality paper tablecloths and napkins can be a great alternative to introduce a festive colour without a big investment. They also make clean up much easier. All the very best for a happy and healthy holiday season and fabulous 2013. Century plant atop Belmont Estate hill. Photo by Hugh Whistler.
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Grapefruits Galore By Susie Younkle
Impending New Year’s resolutions often loom in the back of one’s mind during December’s many holiday parties and celebrations. Fortunately, the season to be jolly is also the season for fresh citrus in the Virgin Islands. Get a jumpstart on a healthier 2013 by incorporating grapefruit into your diet.
In my experience, people have a love-hate relationship with grapefruit. They either love it or think they hate it, probably because they haven’t had an opportunity to like it. I did not start out as a grapefruit enthusiast. However, shortly after my husband Matt and I were married, I learned that Matt loved grapefruit. We had recently moved to Chicago and as winter approached, Matt began sectioning a grapefruit for us each morning. Not only did I learn to enjoy my daily grapefruit, but I was 100% healthy that winter, nearly unheard of during a Chicago winter. We starting believing that “a grapefruit a day keeps the doctor away.” A dozen years later, Matt and I still eat grapefruit nearly every day during the wintertime, and our 2 year-old daughter now shares our affinity for the fruit.
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My first introduction to Caribbean grapefruit occurred while sailing in Dominica. Matt and I had barely dropped anchor in Portsmouth Bay when vendors offering fresh fruit started paddling out on surfboards to meet us. We happily purchased a variety of fruit, including gorgeous pink grapefruit. During a hike the next day, our guide told us that so much grapefruit grows on the lush hillsides of Dominica that residents could never pick it all. Indeed, we saw hundreds of grapefruits rotting on the ground—a frustrating sight for someone who grew up in a cold climate lacking locally-produced citrus. While in Dominica we feasted on all the fresh fruit we could eat, including grapefruit for breakfast each morning.
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If your consumption of grapefruit is limited to the popular Jamaican grapefruit-based soda Ting, you’re missing out on the delicious pleasure and serious health benefits of fresh grapefruit. (Full disclosure: I’m a big fan of Ting and rarely set sail without it.) Grapefruit is high in vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber, and low in calories. I think of it as one of my personal superfoods. A grapefruit needs or wants very little in the way of preparation. Although grapefruit is sometimes used in lettuce or fruit salads, it is usually eaten plain—perhaps with a sprinkle of sugar—or squeezed for juice. I like to add water and sugar to freshly squeezed grapefruit juice for a refreshing beverage, as I learned from a guide while hiking in Dominica. Top your drink with a little sparkling water for a homemade and all natural version of Ting. It’s a wonderfully refreshing beverage whether you’re doing a serious hike or some serious lounging on the beach.
For more information, please contact: Michael Burns Managing Partner - BVI +1 284 852 5318 mburns@applebyglobal.com Offshore Legal, Fiduciary and Administration Services applebyglobal.com
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December 2012 - January 2013
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If your consumption of grapefruit is limited to the popular Jamaican grapefruit-based soda Ting, you’re missing out on the delicious pleasure and serious health benefits of fresh grapefruit. A few tips about grapefruit: choose fruit that’s heavy for its size and has thin, smooth skin. Grapefruit trees are scattered across hillsides throughout the BVI and bear fruit in the winter months. Look for grapefruits for sale occasionally at roadside stands or supermarkets. Better yet, find a friend who has a fruit tree on his property. To prepare, peel the grapefruit like an orange, separate the sections and eat out of hand. Or, cut in half and section it, my preferred way to eat the fruit. A small grapefruit knife makes quick work of preparing grapefruit and is a useful utensil if you eat grapefruit frequently, but a small paring knife will also do. If healthier eating is your New Year’s resolution, grapefruit is a perfect fit: vitaminpacked, delicious and in-season right now in the Caribbean.
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Grapefruit-ade Adjust the sugar content depending on the tartness of the grapefruit. 3 c freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 1 1/2 c water 3 Tbl sugar (preferably superfine) Combine all ingredients in a covered pitcher and shake very well. If possible, refrigerate a few hours before serving. Serves four.
DRAKES TRADERS
Est. 1984.
The ACE Hardware store at Drakes Traders is the ultimate one-stop shop for all your home improvement and maintenance needs. Not in the store? No problem. We can bring in any ACE product. Lawn and Garden Outdoor Living Electrical & Lighting Tools Power Tools Hardware Paints & Sealers
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Pool Visit our showroom located at Fish Bay, Tortola
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(284) 494 3282 | drakestraders@surfbvi.com | www.drakestraders.com
Restaurant Hotel Gift Shop Spa Live Music
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Everyday from 5-7pm On the beach, in beautiful
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284.495.9649 Drawing to be held November 25th.
Tickets for dinner guests for parties of 2 or more
SUPERIOR PROPERTY SERVICES LTD Cleaning Services
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a Christmas
Bloom Once upon a Christmas Eve in a small Mexican village
a little girl named Pepita and her cousin Pedro made their way to church. Barefoot and clothed in rags, they hung their heads in shame as they had no gift to offer to Baby Jesus. As they entered the chapel, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered an armful of weeds, the only offering she could think to make. Downcast, she and Pedro approached the altar with their scraggly bouquet. But then an astonishing thing happened. Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds bloomed brilliant red, and all who bore witness swore they had watched a Christmas miracle right before their eyes. From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.
Poinsettias are not poisonous (although ingestion is strongly discouraged) Other versions of the legend include Franciscan friars, instructions from an angel, wise words from Pedro and a single tear from Pepita. But regardless of which version takes your fancy, the end result is the same. Today poinsettias are synonymous with all things Christmas, and are sold across the world in their millions during the end of year holiday season. A bunch of weeds is unlikely to inexplicably become a poinsettia if set at the altar around this time of year. That was a once off. You’ll have more luck at your local nursery. In the beginning cultivation of Euphorbia pulcherrima, meaning very beautiful, can be traced all the way back to the 14th century and the Aztecs, who called the plant Cuetlaxochitl, meaning “mortal flower that perishes and withers like all that is pure.” Bountiful botanical gardens flourished throughout the Aztec empire in preHispanic times where plants were cultivated for their decorative and medicinal value. The Cuetlaxochitl was regarded as ‘an exotic
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By Scarlett Steer, Minine’s Plants
gift from nature’. It was highly prized by the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, and transported to his home in caravans as it could not be grown at the altitude in which he lived – today’s Mexico City. The sap of the Cuetlaxochitl was thought to have antibacterial and pain relief properties, particularly for tooth ache. It was also used to alleviate warts, pimples and other skin problems, to stimulate lactation in nursing mothers, and as a hair remover (don’t try this at home). From its bracts (red part of the leaves) a reddish purple dye was extracted, which came in handy in the ancient cloth-making industry. The Aztecs believed that the Cuetlaxochitl’s bright red color was given by the gods as a reminder of the periodic sacrifices made in accordance with the creation of the Fifth Sun - the world in which the Aztecs lived. The Aztecs regarded themselves as “the People of the Sun” and deemed it their responsibility to nourish the Sun god, Tonatiuh, through blood offerings and sacrifices. Failure would result in the disappearance of the sun from the sky and the end of their world. The intense red of the Cuetlaxochitl represented chalchimatl, the precious liquid of the sacrifices offered to the gods.
In the US, December 12th is National Poinsettia Day and has been since the mid-1800s Coming to America In the United States, as in most of the rest of the world, the plant is now known as the Poinsettia, and has a slightly different history although one with root still firmly planted in Mexican soil. It all began with a man named Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US minister to Mexico (the US only began appointing ambassadors in 1896). Poinsett was no slouch. He was a physician, an amateur architect, and a congressman. Before his time in Mexico, he was also appointed Secretary of War. He was also an avid botanist who bartered seeds with friends on a global scale. On Christmas day 1825, during his term as the US minister to Mexico, Poinsett allegedly visited a local Taxco church in Santa Prisca, where Franciscans friars had adorned a nativity scene with unusual bright red flowers. Poinsett was so taken with these striking blooms that he sent some home to friends and family in South Carolina.
The Poinsettia cocktail is made with Prosecco (a sparkling Italian wine), vodka, cranberries and sometimes orange-flavoured liqueur Several unfortunate choices and one political dispute later, Poinsett was recalled to Washington where he succeeded in making a small fortune by introducing the poinsettia to the United States, as well as the rest of the world. He is also responsible for introducing the plant to the National Institute for the National Association of Science – what subsequently became the Smithsonian Institute. Dr. Roberts Faden, a botanist at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History, claims that the poinsettia belongs to a vast and intriguing species of plants, the Euphobiaceac or Spurge family, which just might provide a cleaner, renewable substitute for gasoline and other fossil fuels.
California produces more poinsettias than any other state in the US.
In the wild, Poinsettias can reach an impressive 16 feet, although most people keep them in pots where they grow to approximately two foot. Through careful propagation, colors now range from white to cream to pink, although the scarlet version remains the most popular today.
According to a study conducted at Ohio State University, if you are a 50 pound child and you eat 500 poinsettia bracts you might have a sore tummy It can perhaps be seen as ironic that the plant that formerly denoted Aztec blood sacrifice also came to symbolize the blood of Christ, Christmas, and the blood sacrifices of a U. S. Secretary of War who was responsible for allegedly displacing more Indians any other government official. So this Christmas when you’re reaching for the turkey, have a care not to slop gravy on the brilliant red plant in the centre of the table. It’s more than just a pretty face.
Est. 1984.
Supplying brands that represent quality, beauty and sustainability.
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(284) 494 3282 | drakestraders@surfbvi.com | www.drakestraders.com www.vipropertyyacht.com
December 2012 - January 2013
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LuxuryLIST The Virgin Islands is home to some of the most beautiful properties and seascapes in the world. From the dramatic hilltops to the valleys, incredible efforts have gone into artchitetural design in order to develop homes worthy of laying their foundations in this ideal tropical paradise. Now, some of the finest luxury estates, villas and resorts offer non-residents the chance to live lavishly—even if only for a a few days or weeks. In this listing section, we feature some of the best-of-the-best in high-end rentals and resorts in the Virgin Islands.
Spoiled at Spring Bay
Spring Bay: Luxury Estate St Thomas, USVI
Short-term rental pricing available upon request Price: $24,175,000
For more info contact Rosie Nichols t (340) 690-8981 m 1(800) 537-6246 www.theestateatspringbay.com
Hidden from view and approached by a long, stonepaved driveway, The Estate at Spring Bay quite literally takes your breath away when it first comes into view. It’s common to become tantalized with glimpses of the azure bay, and the indigenous flora leaves the air scented with jasmine and fresh sea air, but the immense tile roof- line and deeply shaded porte-cochere of the Great House make the heart beat faster, The exclusive and expansive villa sits on a private cove secreted away from fast-paced St Thomas. Stepping off your jet you easily transit to this idyllic spot—no bouncy boat rides, no white-knuckle small planes, just a short limo ride to paradise. Astonishing in its size and scope, in its extraordinary finishes and attention to creative detail, Spring Bay offers a smorgasbord of terraces, bedrooms, pools, pavilions, chef’s kitchen, billiard room, wine cellar, theatre, office and gym. Twenty acres of gently sloped terrain lead to the shoreline with a large pier offering seamless marine access. Water toys abound. Kayak the coastline, snorkel the reefs, hike the property or just laze away your day under a palm rustling in an onshore breeze.
Authorized Dealer for:
Your Store For: • The only certified paint consultants • Largest inventory of paints, paint sundries & Coatings • Most advanced color equipment • Consistent color matching • Contractor and quantity discounts • Top quality product lines • Quick and reliable service • Reasonable pricing
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T: (284)494-1800 | F: (284)494-1803 E: paintfactory@surfbvi.com | www.paintfactory.com Located between Tool Town and Tortola Carpets, Port Purcell, Tortola, BVI
Escape From Reality
Golden Pavillion: Villa Rental Loc. LIttle Bay, Tortola Bed 5 Bath 5.5 Price From $16,000
For more info contact Tony: 1 284 541 0185 Kate: 1 284541 0201 e info@goldenpavilionvilla.com www.goldenpavilionvilla.com
Golden Pavilion illuminates Tortola’s dramatic north shore cliffsides with dominance and charm. From within this private paradise, guests are treated to the highest level of customer service—that’s why they return year after year with glowing reviews. Amazing environs and accommodations provide Golden Pavilion’s guests with an otherworldly, zen-like tranquility. Just a 15-minute ride from the airport and ferry dock, this prime, 5-beroom luxury villa provides easy access to one of nature’s most prided little secrets. The 5-star accommodations are unrivaled, and the friendly staff provides impeccable service. Resident chef Kate Purdy’s culinary creations bring the dining experience to the next level. The celebrated retreat has worn the title of “Best Villa in the BVI” for two consecutive years, as awarded by readers of Virgin Islands Property & Yacht. In 2011, Trip Advisor rated Golden Pavilion “Best Rental Villa in Tortola.” It’s no wonder their guests have astounding reviews about their stay at the 5-star luxury retreat. Greg from Washington Crossings, PA said, “From the gorgeous villa to the breathtaking views to the incredible cooking and service of Tony and Kate, everything was simply perfect.”
Find Yourself
Frenchmans: Resort Loc. Frenchmans Cay, Tortola For more info contact Scott Hart Bed 1 - 2 Bedroom Villas t (284)494.8811 Bath 1 - 2 e info@frenchmansbvi.com Size 12 acres www.frenchmansbvi.com Price From $305 a night Extras: Pool, Beach, Tennis, Restaurant
Find yourself on a warm tropical morning with the sun on your face, breathe in the delicious air of the Caribbean and open your eyes to the stunning natural beauty of TripAdvisor’s number one rated hotel in the British Virgin Islands. Frenchmans overlooks golden sands and crystal clear waters, on the tip of a private 12-acre peninsula just off Tortola. This fabulous resort is your escape to paradise. Nine separate villas offer spacious, open comfort, with one to two bedrooms, and a relaxing Balinese-inspired design. Enjoy full kitchens, elegant bathrooms, and complete modern entertainment systems when indoors, and step out onto your magnificent balcony to soak in the sun and gaze out over the breathtaking island views. After a wonderful breakfast in the Clubhouse, make your way to the spa for an amazing massage that will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to explore the island. Stroll down to the beach and stretch out on the warm sands, or dive into the Caribbean Sea and snorkel along vibrant reefs. With the stars shining brilliantly overhead sit down to a wonderful dinner and laugh the night away as you decide on what exciting things you will experience the next day in this beautiful Caribbean hotel. www.vipropertyyacht.com
December 2012 - January 2013
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2010 Winner, “Best Vacation Experience.” –Fodor’s Gold Choice Award
SOL Y SOMBRA Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
US$8 Million This spectacular beachfront villa boasts four beautifully decorated air-conditioned suites, each furnished with custom-made teak furniture. Outside amenities include an ocean-front infinity pool and lit tennis court, bound within lush tropical gardens. Inside, take advantage of a European-style kitchen, private movie theater, daily maid service and state-of-the-art gym. An in-villa cook is available upon request. www.solysombrabvi.com
Smiths Gore Limited : : British Virgin Islands
T 1(284) 494 2446 F 1(284) 494 2141 E bernadette@smithsgore.com
T h e C a r i b b e a n ’s m o s t e x c l u s i v e s a n c t u a r y
A legacy lasts forever... As faraway places diminish in their access and modern day luxury becomes more commonplace, there remains a little known outpost where legacies will live on in safety and seclusion, and generations of families will gather together as one – now and forever. This opportunity is as limited as the land itself. When it’s gone, it’s gone – and may very well stay that way for generations to come.
+1.284.393.1000
l
+ 1.248.364.2400
info @ oilnutbay . com
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