Meandering Around Charlestown

Our calves are sore after our hike on Monday, so Mr. Man, Tamara, and I scheduled massages for this morning at Compassionate Touch Massage.  We tried to get them scheduled at Hermitage, but being that we all wanted to have a massage at the same time we had to settle for going to their spa, which happens to be just up the road a bit from The Beach House. 

Upon our arrival we are welcomed by all the staff, offered cucumber water, and then whisked into separate rooms for our massages.  Tamara and I have opted for the hot stone massage which feels delicious on our sore calves.  It begins to softly rain outside marking this as the perfect opportunity for such a luxury.  An hour-and-a-half later we are feeling rejuvenated and make our way back to The Beach House to pick-up Gary for lunch—and a glimpse of how the other half (or is it the 1%?) travels to Nevis—at the Four Seasons Resort. 

Four Seasons, Nevis

The grounds of the Four Seasons encompasses about 300 acres and some prime beach frontage.  Lined with comfortable-looking lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as individual beachfront cabanas it reeks of luxury and expense.  There is a golf course (of course) on the opposite side of the road, and three pools beach side, each with bar service.  Lunch is served in a large open-air pavilion that faces the ocean; a lovely setting for a meal—Mr. Man claims his burger is one of the best he has ever eaten; for the price it should be.  The service isn’t  what you would expect for a 5-star resort; our waitress is somewhat slow and unobservant, we have to ask for water, beer, and wine refills, and then have to flag her down when we are ready for the check.  

Private Cabana at the Four Seasons

 After lunch we drive the main road, which circles the island, to Charlestown where we wander around looking at a few historical sites: 

Charlestown Methodist Church

 Built in 1844, Charlestown Methodist Church is one of the largest churches on the island. 

St. Paul's Anglican Church

Built around 1830, St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a typical cruciform plan with gabled roof.  There are graves dating to 1669 inside the walled yard. 

Hamilton House & Museum of Nevis History

Built around 1680, this two-story Georgian style building was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, who was born in Nevis in 1757.   It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1840, restored in 1983, and today houses the Museum of Nevis History on its first floor, and the Nevis House of Assembly on its second. 

The Jewish Cemetery

Jews arrived in Nevis to introduce their knowledge of sugar production to the island, and established this small cemetery in 1769, the date of the earliest tombstone. 

Tombstones are engraved in English, Hebrew and Portuguese.