Virgin Islands Property and Yacht Magazine July 2013

V i r g i n i s l a n d s

PROPERTY&YACHT

RISING SUNEXCLUSIVE FEATURE PROPERTY: Shining on top Great Camanoe with the best view in the BVI and its very own private marina.

2 0 1 3FREE ISSUE

JULYCHARTER BOAT BARTERBoat buying made easy

PROPEllING TO PROGRESSIONHow Virgin Gorda could help us all

2 VI PROPERTY & YACHT Published by aLookingGlass Ltd.

Ins_VPBank_PacificSociety_225x297 17.09.10 14:36 Seite 1

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.

Providing bespoke banking services in Liechtenstein +423 235 6655, Switzerland +41 44 226 2424, Luxembourg +352 404 7771, British Virgin Islands +1 284 494 1100 and Singapore +65 6305 0050.

VP Bank Group Domiciled in Liechtenstein – is quoted on the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX in Zurich.

Ins_VPBank_PacificSociety_225x297 17.09.10 14:36 Seite 1

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.

Providing bespoke banking services in Liechtenstein +423 235 6655, Switzerland +41 44 226 2424, Luxembourg +352 404 7771, British Virgin Islands +1 284 494 1100 and Singapore +65 6305 0050.

VP Bank Group Domiciled in Liechtenstein – is quoted on the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX in Zurich.

Each O�ce Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Maritha KeilMill Mall, P.O. Box 188

Road Town, Tortola, VG1110t: 284.494.5700 | m: 284.340.5555/5500

[email protected] | bvisir.com

LIVE THE LIFE YOU IMAGINED

THIS CAN BE YOUR WORLD.

Living in the British Virgin Islands means having an intimate relation-ship with the ocean and our tropical climate; they permeate our daily activities. Beach day or forest hike? North shore sur�ng or South shore marina? East End or West End? The choices are many and varied. Choosing to eat out could take you to one of numerous restaurants on several di�erent islands with countless beaches and hidden coves, all an easy boat ride away – power boat or sailing yacht – you choose!

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDSour qualities are numerous,our bene�ts endless

Belmont BeachwalkBelmontUS$495,000

Shannon ManorShannon EstateUS$2,500,000

LoblollyHaver’s HillUS3,750,000

MandalayRidge Road, TortolaUS$765,000

The British Virgin Islands comprise over 52 Islands, Rocky Pinnacles and Cays, appropriately named “Nature's Little Secrets.”


18

14

8

26

F e at u r e S

Exclusive Feature PropertyBy Stephen L France, photography by Yachtshotsbvi.com

RISING SUN – the best views, island hopping accessibilityand its very own marina.

The Smarter Barter for Charter BoatsBy Brian Duff, BVI Yacht Sales

a sneek peek into the vast knowledge of yacht brokerage.

Propelling to ProgressionBy edward Childs, Smiths Gore Limited

Developments in Virgin Gorda could improve our economy.

Alleviation in ‘Staycation’By Kate Henderson and Fran Morrell

top tips for having the perfect vacation at home.

Artists’ Corner: Christine Taylor By Stephen L France

Staying StainBy robert Creel, Operating Manager of

Caribbean Colours and Sjoerd Bos, Vice

President of Sansin

Staining tips to protectyour interior.

Fooling with Guava By Susie Younkle

30

36

40

44

Sailor Sentimentson Eerie Elements By David Blacklock

as with anything related to hurricane season, the key is preparation.

Skipper’s Tips: Reef ReliefBy David Blacklock

even veteran sailorsget it wrong sometimes.

Looking After YourGrowing Concerns By Scarlett Steer, Minine’s Plants & Landscaping

the delicate skill of pruning could be your saving grace this season.

32

10

V i r g i n i s l a n d s

PROPERTY&YACHT

22Poker Run Deals a Full House By Dan O’Connor

the F1 of the sea sees more contenders than ever before.

www.vipropertyyacht.comScan and bookmark us

2 0 1 3FREE ISSUE

JULY

Alternative Energy Systems

= 10 MW Solar Power

= 5 MW Solar Power

ALTERNATIVE ENERGYRESOURCES

= 10 MW Solar Power

= 5 MW Wind Power = 1 Million (gal) annual savings

$75 MillionDiesel Savings

$17.5 Million Diesel Savings

We are here

= 1Million gal

= 5 Million gal

= 500 K gal

$15 Millon13.5 million gal diesel 2004

$140 Million26.5 million gal diesel

2020

2030

$90 Million19.5 million gal diesel

2012$36 Million14.5 million gal diesel

DIESEL FUEL BVI annual consumption

+1.284.494.1478 [email protected]

RENE WABLE ENERGY • ABUNDANT • SUSTAINABLE • INDEPENDENT • A CARIBBEAN SOLUTION

Al l figures are approx imat ions based on 2004 data . Oi l pr ic ing assumpt ions based on data f rom www.e ia .gov

When will we choose the right path?

Learn more at www.aesbvi.com

PublisherColin Rathbun

ContributorsDavid BlacklockSjoerd BosEdward ChildsRobert CreelBrian DuffStephen L FranceKate HendersonFran MorrellDan O’ConnorScarlett SteerSusie Younkle

Creative DirectorNick Cunha

Graphic DesignScott Taylor

Web DeveloperMaros Pristas

Advertising SalesOwen WatersStephen L France

2013; a hurricane season riddled with ominous whisperings and unpleasant omens from across

the Atlantic, like a Shakespearian villain cunningly attempting to unhinge the protagonist.

This issue circulates with the intention of invoking good feeling and focusing on the fortune of

residing in this special part of the world.

Over ten years ago, aLG had a dream of presenting two of the most influential industries

in the British Virgin Islands – real estate and yachting. The magazine went from two separate

publications to the quirky doubled-sided design that people adored. It then moved to a clean

layout with a linear format that furthered its popularity dramatically.

This month, we return to our roots in reviewing some of the fundamental reasons why living in

the BVI with its incredible fringe benefits, is the renowned locale it has become and also perfect

for ‘staycation’.

A visit to Great Camanoe exhibits a prime living space in the BVI—Rising Sun—with its unique

attributes of a 360 panoramic view, its own protected, private marina and easy accessibility to

all the luxurious islands in our region. Edward Childs of Smiths Gore explores how Virgin Gorda’s

tourism and property development could assist the BVI economy.

Our yachting scribe David Blacklock reveals that even seasoned sailors are privy to amateur

mistakes in his latest Skipper’s Tips. And so we fully enter the ‘staycation’ period, when the beaches

are a little quieter, the sun slightly hotter and residents have a chance to truly embrace

the islands we love.

e D I t O r ' S L e t t e r , J u l y 2 0 1 3

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 2013 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: [email protected]: 284-494-7788Fax: 284-494-8777Mail: aLookingGlassPO Box 3895 Sea Cows BayTortola, 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.comEmail: [email protected]: 284-494-7788Fax: 284-494-8777Mail to: aLookingGlassPO Box 3895 Sea Cows BayTortola, British Virgin islands VG1110

Don’t worry about hurricane season,

it will blow over…

We’ve all heard the predictions.

The lush morning view from Rising Sun on Great Camanoe. Photo by Yachtshotsbvi.com.

www.vipropertyyacht.com July 2013 7(284) 495-3003 [email protected]

Property For Sale

Baywatch Villa: Spectacular 3 Bedroom/3.5 Bath Main House with office, pool & separate1 Bed/1Bath Guest House on 1.25 acres of prime land

US $1,875,000

We are committed to �ndingyour BVI home....Leave it in our capable hands!

Rare Home with top of hill views of both Cane Garden & Brewers Bay, Tortola

Ideal Family 4 Bedroom Home 10 minutes west of Road Town

US $650,000Oleander Estate Home, Seacow Bay, Tortola

Dougall & AssociatesREAL ESTATE BVI

US $980,000

Rare Waterfront 3 Bedroom Home just east of Road Town

#2 Helm Close, Kings Town, Tortola

QR code generated on http://qrcode.littleidiot.be

BVI Specialists

Bonnie Dougall Jo Osborne Kate Caminada

reefRELiEFSkipper’s tips:

by David Blacklock,Photos provided by rebecca rowletteHusky Salvage and towing Ltd.

It’s not something I like to do…in fact I dislike it so much I haven’t done it in years – Maybe ten years. But

this time not only did I go “aground” aground, I went rig-twangingly, hull-

grindingly aground, bouncing around rocks and coral like a toy boat in a

concrete mixer. I was not happy.

Not only was I aground and thereby in contravention of one of the

deepest-held beliefs about myself—that is, ‘I am not that guy that goes

aground, thank you very much’—but I was in a position whereby I would

need assistance. Rapid assistance.

Aboard the boat with me were a young couple who had joined me in

Road Town not three hours prior and now here we were, grinding it out

within screeching distance of the Lemurs of Necker Island. People were

watching, too. Friends of my guests, as it happens. This brought little joy to

the captain.

But wouldn’t you know—a quick phone call, rapid deployment of a tidy

wee RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) and a bit of heave-ho and we were right as

rain. The man in the RIB was a friend of my guests and laughed as I tried to

stammer out my gratitude.

“This happens all the time,” he said. “No worries.” With pride, I wanted

to impress upon him that it doesn’t happen to me all the time, but he

disappeared before I found the right words.

I went aground the other day – to those unaware of this nautical term, that means my vessel touched the sea bed.

I did learn a couple of things. One, I’m no different than anyone else—

though I do have a long list of reasons why it wasn’t my fault—did you know

there’s a four-knot current barrelling over the reefs at the east end of Virgin

Gorda at full moon? See, case dismissed.

The biggest lesson, one I’d learned a long time ago and forgotten, was it’s

rarely as problematic as you think it is. I had visions of a cracked hull, loose

keel, snapped-off rudder—but the worst of it was a couple of gouges in the

gelcoat and some tell-tale scrapes on the bottom of the rudder. The sound

of rock grinding against GRP (Glass reinforced plastic) is not pleasant and,

as is the case here, when the GRP comprises the hull of your own boat well,

it’s not pretty.

www.vipropertyyacht.com June 2013 9

Satellite Television

B R I T I S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S

t +1 284 494 2400 f +1 284 494 5389 [email protected] www.cayelectronics.com

Call for satellite internet services via VSAT, Inmarsat, Iridium, Globalstar & 4G.“

”I wanted to impress upon him that it doesn’t happen to me all the time, but he

disappeared before I found the right words.

What I do remember is the feeling of helplessness evoked by the dreadful

realisation I was stuck, literally between a rock and a hard place. That

feeling, and my reluctance to repeat it, should keep me out of deep water or

perhaps more accurately, keep me in deep water.


article and photography provided by edward Childs, Smiths Gore.

It has been encouraging to see the return of uS investors to the residential property

market in the BVI during the winter months. With the american market emerging from

recession—albeit based on modest growth that continues to be constrained by european

woes and a slow-down in the Chinese economy—uS investors are starting to look once

again at the ‘second home market.’ In contrast, european investors, who had been more

active in recent years at the higher end of the market, have been quieter this season.

A Property Market Overview

PROPEllING TOPROGRESSION

“”

www.vipropertyyacht.com July 2013 11

For the past four years, the section of the BVI residential

market which has suffered most has been the price band between

$1.0M and $3.0M with the number of sales falling by over 80%, from

11 sales in 2008 to 2 sales in 2012.

Interest from US investors this season has generally focused on this price

range, which will have brought some respite to vendors who have otherwise

not seen much activity.

In contrast, the sale of real estate under $1.0M has been buoyed by the

activity of local investors, whose share of this sector of the market increased

when overseas investors all but disappeared after 2008.

Virgin Gorda’s position as a luxury destination has been underlined, with

key developments at Oil Nut Bay and Moskito Island offering investors a

level of real estate investment not previously found in the BVI.

While these exclusive markets will generate their own publicity and create

new markets for the North Sound area, these developments will also benefit

Virgin Gorda and the BVI as a whole.

” “the continued growth of the real estate market on Virgin Gorda looks promising.”

With these projects still in their early phases of development, the

continued growth of the real estate market on Virgin Gorda looks promising.

A survey by CheapHotels.org, recently found Virgin Gorda to be the

most expensive destination in the Caribbean for lodging based on hotels

and resorts with a minimum of three-star accommodation, ahead of both

Anguilla and St Barts, who were second and third respectively.

CheapHotels.org recently found Virgin Gorda to be the most expensive

destination in the Caribbean for nightly rates based on hotels and

resorts with a minimum of three star accommodation, ahead of both

Anguilla and St Barts, who were second and third respectively.”

1. Virgin Gorda $321

2. Anguilla $315

3. St. Barts $295

4. Nevis $254

5. St. John $224

6. Tortola $217

7. Eleuthere $214

8. Grand Cayman $197

9. Paradise Island $195

10. Runaway Bay $187

11. Exuma Islands $180

12. Saint Marteen $174

13. Dominica $165

14. St. Martin $164

15. St. Thomas $159

16. San Juan $157

17. Palm Beach (Aruba) $154

18. Guadeloupe $149

19. Trinidad $146

20. Martinique $144

“While these exclusive markets will generate their own publicity…these developments will also benefit Virgin Gorda and the BVI as a whole.”

On Tortola, the local market has remained somewhat active below the

$1.0M price band, but there has been little activity in higher price ranges.

As a result, vendors have generally been willing to consider more realistic

pricing recommendations or price reductions when properties have been on

the market for some time.

Nevertheless, with a significant amount of inventory available on the

market, vendors will need to maintain a realistic approach to pricing until

the demand/supply equation stabilises.

Since the recession, we have experienced the cyclical nature of recovery

where positive economic indicators in the winter months are countered by

fears of recession during the summer. As a result of the failure of several

significant projects in the region, investors are more aware than ever of the

risks associated with investments and the slow pace of recovery in the major

economies has impacted the Caribbean.

This year, with the US economy maintaining its recovery, we are hopeful

that the real estate market will remain stable and the next high season will

continue to experience more activity in the market.

It remains a buyer’s market for the moment, but the increase in activity in

real estate indicates that international investors are once again looking at

the ‘second home market.’

While the sales pace will remain modest and vendors should be

conservative with pricing, we are optimistic that the real estate market will

show more signs of a sustained recovery through the balance of the year.



So goes the mantra of the professional weather forecasters at The Weather Channel and elsewhere, as well as the amateurs at the yacht club bar, whenever the subject of hurricanes is discussed. No matter if the storm forecasts number in the single digits or into the high teens, location and luck seem to be the deciding factors every year.

So, what can a prudent boat owner do to protect their vessel from a pounding by the elements? The first step is to arrange for a secure place to store the boat in the case

of emergency. Many owners, of course, pull their boats from the water and

leave them high-and-dry for all or some of the hurricane season. Those

whose boats work for a living need a secure place to run to.

Popular land-based solutions include the yards at Virgin Gorda Yacht

Harbour, Tortola Yacht Services at Wickham’s Cay II, and the yard at Nanny

by David Blacklock, photography providedby the BVI Department of Disaster Management


Serving Lighthearted Mediterranean fare with flair.

foxy’s taboo Diamond Cay. Jost Van Dyke . BVI. VHF Channel 16 Tel: 1 (284) 340 9258

Cay. Most of these are booked well in advance, but may have last-minute

space available. The trick to procuring last-minute space is to have had made

arrangements well ahead of time. The “last minute” aspect refers to the time

of arrival at the slip or haulout, not the time of making the arrangement.

It is essential to get well ahead of the situation.

Yard manager Keith Li Greci at Nanny Cay says they still have space

available. “We require a commitment for three months, no matter how long

or short the actual period is,” he said.

Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour at Spanish Town offers similar amenities—

Desney in manager Keith Thomas’ office, stated that there is availability at

similar rates to Nanny Cay’s.

Tortola Yacht Services, now under the Tui Marine umbrella, is “basically,

jam-packed full,” according to manager Drew Whittaker. “We’ve been turning

people away left, right and centre,” he said. Whilst accommodating slightly

fewer boats this season, around 76, he relayed that TYS has had almost the

same number of additional enquiries.

On the contrary, he said, it seemed there were a greater number of boats

in the BVI than in previous years which may be a sign of an improved economy.

The Hurricane Hole in Paraquita Bay, a vast repository of boats that offers

excellent shelter from all directions, is the default destination for working

boats that are furloughed for the summer with hundreds of boats tied to

moorings in the bay.

Paraquita is an excellent option and one favoured by the large commercial

charter operators. As TMM’s Sam Welsh explained to me, “BVI Government

has given the right to use Paraquita Bay as a harbour of refuge and a

controlled hurricane shelter to the members of the Marine Association of

the BVI. It is only used for this purpose during the months of the hurricane

season and is to be vacated at other times.”

Members of the association, Welsh said, “have an allocation. The charter

companies put down their moorings and have a certain number of slots

available to them. Some private owners have moorings there too—priority

going to BVI-licensed vessels.”


Some mariners choose to sit out the storms at anchor. The one downside

to this practise, and indeed to any in-water solution is that in the final hours

before a storm arrives full-force, commercial ferries and other vessels are

brought in to the bays and anchorages, anchored hastily by inexperienced

crews and then abandoned to their fates. The result is that these boats risk

dragging anchor, bearing down on the vessels deeper in the anchorage,

which are themselves otherwise quite secure.

+1 (284) 494 5808Contact: Willa [email protected]

R E A L E S T A T E

Leave the work to us.From conception to completion, we have the depth and

experience to advise on a broad range of legal issues – from

title veri�cation, planning and design approval, through to

corporate structuring and �nancing. This is why hundreds

of buyers and sellers, including every �ve star resort in the

BVI, have turned to us for representation in real estate.

Go Play.

there were a greater number of boats in the BVI than in previous years which may

be a sign of an improved economy.

“” There are many other anchorages and areas to shelter a boat. One major

dive charter has for years secured their vessel to mangroves and multiple

anchors in Virgin Gorda’s South Sound. Others have pulled the vessel for a

few days or weeks, and some get the boat out of the Territory altogether.

Whatever the choice, the planning needs to take place early and measures

must be clearly mapped out to avoid last-minute confusion. Lines, shackles

and other gear need to be checked and stored close to hand.

When all the planning is done, the remaining question to ask is the one

renowned fiction character Dirty Harry once posed; “Do you feel lucky?”

74-95 mph (64-82 kt)

No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to

unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some

coastal flooding and minor pier damage. Surge 4-5 ft

96-110 mph (83-95 kt)

Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable

damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages

piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their

moorings. Surge 6-8 ft

111-130 mph (96-113 kt)

Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings,

with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are

destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures

with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be

flooded well inland. Surge 9-12 ft

131-155 mph (114-135 kt)

More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof

structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach

areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. Surge 13-18 ft

155 mph+ (135+ kt)

Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial

buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility

buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage

to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive

evacuation of residential areas may be required. Surge 18+ ft

SAFFIR/SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE

CAT/Winds & Effects

Visit our lively resort community and enjoy

unsurpassed watersports, sailing, and activities for

every member of your family in the spectacular BVI.

284.494.2746

www.beyc.com

experience a Caribbean watersports vacation like no other

Come ashore!

BITTER END YACHT CLUB

NORTH SOUND, VIRGIN GORDA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

PRoVISIoNING and SHOPPInG

wATeRSPoRTS and aCTIVITIES

oPeN AIR DINING and EnTErTaInmEnT


RisingSUNWords by Stephen L France, photography by Yachtshotsbvi.com

When looking for a luxurious residence in the British Virgin Islands, the most frequently requested features are seclusion, serenity and majestic views that express nature’s dramatic seascapes and the nautical activities occurring therein.

A-Rise Above

in the distance, a highly convenient communal private Marina allows home owners a protective facility for their boat.

www.vipropertyyacht.com June 2013 19

Rising Sun on Great Camanoe will brighten any new

home seeker’s horizons. Presented by British Virgin Islands

Sotheby’s International Realty broker Maritha Keil, this

outer island home exceeds the aspirations of many, with

its malleable identity as it is flexible to use as a large family

retreat or a retired couple’s sanctuary.

A short five to ten-minute boat ride from Beef Island will bring the home

owner into the secure, private marina of the cosy Great Camanoe island and

the luxurious residential estate known as Indigo Plantation, the location of

approximately 18 other exclusive homes.

The dock is an impressive and unique feature that places this wonderful

residence above many other competing locations in the BVI; the territory’s

immense yachting community and lofty label as the global capital for

sailing, highlights the valuable function of this amenity.

The almost hidden inner marina is shared with the Indigo Plantation estate

community, each member paying an annual fee, which provides a resident

with a slip and some owners an optional garage. Everything necessary for

boat maintenance, including a waterside cistern for washing down boats, a

convenient haul-out lift and yard for long-term boat storage, a communal

library/meeting room and restroom are all situated nearby.

Near the marina, there is a seaside park and sandy beach with picnic

tables and lounge chairs offering community areas for residents to

congregate. A tennis court and overhanging branches of Loblolly trees

for children to climb and entertain themselves, stand as testament to the

communal atmosphere and authentic warmth of village unity found in

island living.

The vast, lush green landscape surrounding the marina infuses the

breezes with floral fragrances, relaxing the senses for the short journey to

the property. The island naturally harnesses the nature of its loblolly, bay,

fig and cedar trees, offering tantalising and delicious aromas of jasmine,

sage and thyme. With three beachfronts in total—Low Bay, Potato Bay and

Well Bay—residents have the luxurious choice of where to meet for leisurely

lounging, pleasant walks, snorkelling, beachcombing, swimming, night-time

bonfires or evening stargazing.

The slender, tarmac roads are well-maintained with rules only allowing

three-yard trucks to provide construction materials; this is intended to

preserve the roads from damage caused by heavier vehicles, but is also

testament to the high value of the property, because more labour and time

is required increasing the cost of construction. Subsequently, the estate is

well-run with homeowners proactively sustaining all elements.

a rising sun is artfully designed and sits in the properties surrounding garden area.


Arriving at Rising Sun, a freehold property located on a prominent hilltop

within the estate, the impressive garden swing immediately reveals the

flexible character of the villa; a mixture of adventure and tranquillity;

children energetically frolicking on them, or a happy couple engrossed in a

romantic, ever-changing sunset that the BVI is consistently blessed with.

The floors are finished with natural stone, clay and wood – the

architecture has an earthy and environmentally friendly sentiment. The

design of the property reveals the profound contemplation invested in the

construction, with reinforced poured concrete pillars and fittings.

The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and a vast walk-in

wardrobe. A guest bedroom with en suite bathroom completes the upper

level of the property that has immediate access to the outer decks.

Satellite TV, DSL Internet connection, a pool table and a spacious open-

plan living area contribute to the expanse of the upper level.

The lower level of the property includes a spacious deck with a swimming lap pool, smaller children’s pool, a well-equipped outdoor bar – for those who wish to play mixologist – and an exposed outside dining area, creating

a perfect ‘island-time’ environment.

The functional design of the guest room, located below the main house and

beside the pool, plus the overflow fourth bedroom or artist’s studio, grants

guests their independence.

A uniquely designed private outdoor gecko shower bestows the option

of bathing in the cool outdoors under the stars. Additionally, a utility room

under the main house with a fully shaded workshop, including tools and

benches behind the outdoor bar with a walk-in storage area and a covered,

drive-in, spacious garage, neatly complete all the essentials for outer

island living.

Maximising every single sunset, sunrise or stargazing viewpoint from the

property, residents have a choice between upper and lower deck balconies.

With 85% of easterly winds passing by the property, different times of the

day will dictate whether residents sample a refreshing breeze on one side

of the property, or lounge in the setting sun with views presiding over the

uninterrupted island seascapes.

This is the epic feature of Rising Sun. It harbours the rare and grandiose

boast that it is a premier site in the BVI for its 360-degree, breath-taking,

panoramic views; Scrub Island, Marina Cay, the lush green of Guana Island,

Virgin Gorda, Cooper Island, Peter Island, Norman Island, Trellis Bay—on the

BVI’s centre of activity Tortola—and the myriad of island and cays between

are all viewable. On the East side of the house, even the famous Dog Islands

are visible in the distance.

The view of these luxurious islands is only surpassed by easy accessibility

to their exclusive locations via boat, permitting gratification of a viewer’s

curiosity. Scrub Island hosts a multitude of activities and offers Great

Camanoe residents a discount on resort spa treatments and dining. The

weekly pig roast is currently a preferential community event on Scrub’s

private beach at the “One Shoe Bar”.

Top: The enterance way is surrounded by beautiful natural landspacing.above: Outdoor dining area for breakfast in the cool morning breeze.

Top Right: Guest bedroom with en suite bathroom and wrap-around balcony.


Location

Size

Bed & Bath

Features

Price

RISING SUNFreehold Private Residence on Indigo Plantation Estates on Great Camanoe Island with private slip in a protected Marina

2.036 acres

3 Bedroom, 4 bath with additional office/4th bedroom

Garage and Workshop, Barbecue deck facing sunset views,

pool, 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4 wheel drive , 45,000 gallon total

cistern capacity, Dish Network HD Duel Satellite, Dynamic

6500 Diesel Generator, Communal Tennis court, Marina, Haul

Out Lift, Ramp and additional boat trailer storage areas near

the marina, with access to 3 beaches, 15 minute boat ride to

the airport.

US $1,850,000

For more info contact:Maritha Keilt (284)494.5700m (284)340.5555e [email protected]

Marina Cay also offers resident rates; another fringe benefit of

association with the community on Great Camanoe. Five - ten minutes

away by boat, Trellis Bay market place and all the stores ashore, as well as

the many events taking place – like the famous Full Moon parties – offer

additional entertainment opportunities for residents and their guests.

By the edge of the marina, positioned on the entrance wall of the

park, is a memorial plaque dedicated to Joseph and Alice Waldschmitt – a

couple who originally conceptualised the development of Great Camanoe:

It is evident in both the prized property Rising Sun and in the simple

pleasure of living on Great Camanoe, that the founders vision was

flawlessly accomplished.

above: Open plan living space allows natural tropical air flow. Right: Outdoor swing perfect for days of relaxation and nights of stargazing.

“Your vision, wisdom and generosity were remarkably clear in this beautiful island you’ve held so dear. Thank you so much from all that are here.”


The slips at Leverick Bay were packed well before the start of this year’s 12th annual Poker Run. As the start of the race neared, Event Organizer and Leverick Bay General Manager Nick Willis radioed to the photographers and videographers in the helicopters above to attempt a boat count; “but they had a hell-of-a-hard time even trying,” he said of the record number of boats. “It had to be something like 160 to 185 boats—maybe more.”

by Dan O’Connor, photography by todd VanSickle

almost 200 competitors raced to Scrub island


Get out on the water and live the real BVI with a Moorings Day Sail! Choose a beautiful Moorings catamaran with skipper to sail you to the anchorages of your choice, or choose a fully crewed yacht with skipper & chef serving a 3 course lunch. Sail, swim, snorkel and enjoy beach bars and restaurants. Perfect for Tortola visitors, or residents wanting an escape for the day!

The Best Sailing Vacations In The World!Call: (284)494.2331 Email: [email protected]

BVI VISITORS I FAMILY REUNIONS I SPECIAL OCCASION I CORPORATE ENTERTAINMENT

YOUR PRIVATE YACHT FOR THE DAY!WITH SKIPPER OR FULL CREW

MooringsHalfPg BVIPY.indd 1 9/23/11 3:16 PM

All told, 183 hands were sold, topping last year’s record of 168 hands. The

event has quickly become one of the biggest annual nautical draws to BVI

waters, attracting a unique group of high-speed powerboat enthusiasts.

This year’s action-packed event raised $7,000 for charity, with $5,000

going to the Virgin Gorda Diabetes Association; $1,000 going to the Animal

Rescue and Control of Virgin Gorda; and $1,000 to paint the Senior Citizens

Home on VG.

Poker Run brings participants from the BVI and beyond, including a large

number of high-power speedboats and cigarettes coming from Puerto Rico

and Miami. Willis attributes much of this year’s success to marketing and

advertising exposure. JL Marketing firm, which represented the event

this year, took measures to install 100-foot wide neon signs touting the

event across “every freeway in Puerto Rico,” according to the Leverick

Bay manager.

“It’s the buzz,” Willis said of the attraction to Poker Run. “It’s the best time

on the water in the whole of the BVI, loaded with fun people. And when

you get them all together, they just have the best time buzzing around,

rafting up and enjoying time with each other.

“Next year, we’ve got to get a bigger dock, because at Leverick Bay you

couldn’t even see the water there were so many boats,” he said.

The roar of a Seaborne Airlines water plane taking off from the North

Sound signified the start of the event, even though it could hardly be heard

over the rumble of the 1000-plus horsepower engines churning water

below. Tall rooster tails trailed the high-powered machines as they took

route first to Scrub Island, then on to Village Cay, Pirates at Norman Island

High speed revelers wave to the camera for a photo op


V E H I C L E B U S I N E S SM E D I C A L P R O P E R T Y L I F EM A R I N E

Serving the Caribbean for over 30 Years: Anguilla • Antigua • Aruba • The Bahamas • Bonaire • B.V.I. • Curaçao • Dominica • French AntillesGrenada • Montserrat • Saba • St. Eustatius • St. Kitts & Nevis • St. Lucia • St. Maarten • St. Martin • St. Vincent • Trinidad & Tobago

SmoothSailing

Tortola Office - 284-494-6433Virgin Gorda Office - 284-495-6444

nagico.com

Life on the water is a cherished Caribbean lifestyle. One storm and your investment is at the bottom

of the ocean.

Protect your investment and keep afloat with a Marine policy by NAGICO.

Please Contact our General Agent.

NA1322-BVI-Marine Ad-FINAL.indd 1 5/14/13 12:32 PM


OBM International T 284.494.2148 OBMINEWS.COM

ARCHITECTURE • RESORT DESIGN • DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING • MASTER PLANNING • INTERIOR DESIGN

BVI PG APR 2012 - Brooks.indd 1 3/8/2012 12:58:41 PM

and Rendezvous Bar in Spanish Town before finishing back at Leverick Bay

for a final wild card.

After the event, revelers stuck around for 15 models that strutted the

catwalk across the Leverick Bay pool.

Former Virgin Gorda resident Joel Brillert traded the bitter cold of Canada

for a ticket to this year’s Poker Run—his fourth in five years.

“We battled delayed flights and nasty weather from Toronto to attend

this year’s Poker Run and it was absolutely worth the headache,” said the

participant, who joined about 30 on the power cat iSpeed. “I wouldn’t

miss this event.”

Brillert joined many others who attend the event for the unique

opportunity to see a number of different islands and destinations in one

rip-roaring swoop.

Willis, who spoke animatedly about the event, said he expects the event

to continue exponential growth, especially if the Poker Run associations in

the States begin to attend in coming years.

“In 2002, our first year, we had 12 boats, and every year we’re just getting

bigger and bigger,” he said. “I’ve always said, if we get less boats than the

year before, I’ll stop [Poker Run]. But we always have more boats than the

year before—it’s like we’ve created a monster.”

“Next year, we’ve got to get a bigger dock, because at Leverick Bay you couldn’t even see the water there were so many boats,”


Lookingafteryour

GRo

win

G Co

nCE

RnS

By Scarlett Steer, Minine’s Plants & Landscaping

Scissor Happy

The combination of a pair of shears and abundant foliage often inspires in

the most level-headed a fierce desire to overdo it. I know it sounds boring

and preachy but pruning really is a learned skill and a poor job is likely to do

more harm than good.

Not only are the results often aesthetically offensive, but an incorrectly

pruned tree can be far more vulnerable to high winds and heavy weather.

Professional pruners or at the very least an experienced hand will assess

their trees and trim selectively to allow easy passage of wind, promote

sturdy and healthy branch angles, and encourage a low and stable centre of

gravity – young trees need a different pruning program to mature trees and

it is aspects like this that should be acted out accordingly.

Correct pruning includes the removal of dead, sickly, and damaged wood,

fruits, pods and coconuts, and water sprouts. The latter are shoots that

often grow from previously pruned areas on a tree. Their structure is not as

strong as natural tree growth, and therefore they are often predisposed to

ailments and insects.

Fallen trees contribute immensely to the destruction potential of our Atlantic Caribbean hurricane season – June 1 till November 30. Dead, damaged, or cracked limbs, heavy and low-hanging boughs, and branches that overhang your property are all would-be hazards, but ones that can be eliminated with proper planning and care.


A tropical paradisein the British Virgin Islands

Your perfect luxury Caribbean vacation starts here...

Introducing St Bernard’s Hill House,

A beautiful fully staffed hilltop colonial style property on Tortola, fi ve star service, spectacular views, balmy trade winds and just minutes from one of the best beaches in the British Virgin Islands.

Email: [email protected] Tel: British Virgin Islands 00 1 (284) 343 7682 Visit: www.stbernardshillhouse.com

Heinous pruning crimes include ‘topping’, ‘over-lifting’, and ‘hatracking’.

The first offense refers to the removal of the tree canopy including branches

that may be vital to the tree’s health and wellbeing. When this tree grows

back, it runs the risk of becoming excessively heavy.

An ‘over-lifted’ tree is one that has had the lower half of its upper

section removed, making it top heavy and therefore susceptible to

toppling in high winds.

‘Hatracking’ is a particularly savage offense whereby a tree has been so

brutally chopped that it is left with no more than a few lone branches. These

trimming transgressions are often seen in the backyards of even the most

well-meaning gardeners, and can have disastrous results.

Once your trees are beautifully trimmed and hurricane-ready, cuttings

must be appropriately disposed of; tree limbs and stumps of wood left

unattended can become perilous projectiles during a storm.

Smart Selection While, of course, a violent enough storm can bring down any tree, there

are a few strapping specimens that have greater resilience. It stands to

While we can neither predict nor control what Mother Nature dictates this year, we can make responsible decisions in readying our ‘growing concerns.’


284.494.7788

Road Reef Plaza, Tortola, BVI

GET GRAPHIC

reason that slow-growing native trees, particularly those with broad

branches, deep root systems, small leaves and low centres of gravity seem

to hold their own better in stormy weather.

Stalwart palms include the Sabal (Sabal palmetto), Pygmy Date (Phoenix

roebelenii), Foxtail (Wodyetia bifurcata), and Solitaire (Ptychosperma

elegans). Tough trees include the Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba), the

Ironwood (Krugiodendron ferreum), the Pigeon Plum

(Coccoloba diversifolia), the Pitch Apple

or Autograph (Clusia rosea), the

Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus),

the Geiger (Cordia sebestena),

and the Sea Grape (Coccoloba

uvifera). Happily all these

mentioned are readily available

in well-stocked island nurseries.

Vigilance over more delicate

species is wise – these trees

either have brittle wood prone to

fracture in even moderate winds

or shallow root systems that are easily

dislodged from the earth. Be wary of

species of Ficus and Tabebuia, as well as

Frangipani (Plumeria), and the Queen Palm

(Syagrus romanzoffiana ).

Planting trees in a copse with sufficient shrubbery can help to redirect

wind in an upwards direction. This positions what is known as the “point of

overturning pressure” farther away from the root zone and towards a more

supple area of the tree.

In addition to making prudent planting material decisions, there are a

few other things you can do during the year to help minimize damage. One

is to water deeply during dry spells. This reduces stress and encourages a

deep, strong root system.

Another is to ensure that use of weed whackers and lawn

mowers is distant from ‘attacking’ precious tree trunks. A

damaged trunk is an invitation to

pests and diseases that will

rob your tree of vitality.

Make a habit of pruning

your trees during the

winter months. This is

when your trees are

not actively growing

and do not need

protection from sun burn.

No hurricane season arrives without a

measure of concern and caution, and while we

can neither predict nor control what Mother Nature

dictates this year, we can make responsible decisions in

readying our ‘growing concerns’ for the possible onslaught.


Selected for quality, aesthetics, security, and hurricane protection

Supplying brands that represent quality, beauty and sustainability.

We guarantee the quality and reliability of our products and customer service | Visit our showroom located at Fish Bay, Tortola

(284) 494 3282 | [email protected] | www.drakestraders.com

Est. 1984.


T (284)545-8015 E [email protected] daily 7am - 2pm

Breakfast and Coffee Shop Cafe

Restaurant Hotel Gift Shop Spa Live Music

On the beach, in beautiful

Sunset Happy Hour

Everyday from 5-7pmFor Reservations

284.495.9649

By Kate Henderson and Fran Morrell, House BVI


Make your house into a luxury resort: Invest in some new

luxury bedding to make your bed your own personal oasis –

nothing says vacation like a good nights sleep. Pack away items

that are not needed for your vacation week, creating a clutter

free environment. Light scented candles around the house

–Hang a hammock on your balcony for long lazy afternoon

reads – Take personal pampering to the next level and hire a

masseuse to come and spoil you right in your own house –

most BVI spas have a house call option.

Eliminate the boring chores: What most of us enjoy about

being on vacation in a hotel or rented property is not needing

to worry about the boring daily chores like cleaning, ironing

and laundry. Splurge on a cleaner to come in a couple of times

a week to take care of basic chores so you don’t need to worry

about them. Or, take a day before your ‘vacation’ starts to get ahead

on all those chores so you can ignore them for the next week.

Take away the distractions: If you are always glancing at the

kitchen clock to check on the time, take it off the wall for a

week! Set your email to reply with an ‘out of office reply’ and

turn your phones to silent – only checking messages to suit

you, if at all!

Eat and drink like you are on vacation: Everyone knows that

calories consumed on holiday don’t count (!), so stock up on all

those yummy foods and snacks that you would normally try and

avoid. Spurge on expensive wines and invest in a good blender

to make tropical frozen drinks. Enforce a daily cocktail hour,

and get inventive coming up with new drink ‘specials’.

Stress-free meals: Some of us find cooking a relaxing

experience and relish the extra time in the kitchen. However,

cleaning up afterwards is never fun. Whenever, we are on

vacation with family, or have visitors staying, we insist on

the ‘servant for a day’ rule. One person is responsible for all

cooking and cleaning for one day and then they can enjoy

their days off guilt-free. If you prefer to get out of the kitchen

altogether, visit a new restaurant every night, especially

exploring ones that you haven’t had a chance to try before.

Alternatively, book up a whole week of takeout meals!

Taking a week to enjoy your house and surroundings can be

the most relaxing and rewarding vacation time you spend,

especially in our exotic Virgin Islands. With very little

planning, expense and stress, staying at home will feel just

as good as a luxury holiday away.

many Virgin Islands’ residents take their annual vacation and flock to all corners of the world for a hard earned break; however, with flight costs, the burden of leaving a property, yacht or pet and the hassle of traveling for several hours (or sometimes days!), ‘Staycation’ has become an increasingly popular option. The key to a successful ‘Staycation’ is to incorporate the aspects that we enjoy about vacations, especially living in the Virgin Islands—a tourist hotspot overflowing with holiday vibes—and eliminate the tensions of normal daily life.

Here are a few ideas of how to have a rejuvenating vacation at home:


By Brian Duff, BVI Yacht Sales, photographs provided by BVI Yacht Sales

THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS IS GLOBALLy RENOWNED AS THE MOST SPECTACuLAR LOCALE TO SPEND A SAILING VACATION.

SmARTER BARTER FOr CHarter BOatS

tHe

Consistent trade winds, warm clear water, and very few hazards to yacht navigation all combine to make the BVI the charter capital of the world and a strong reason why residents and visitors covet boat ownership – but there is a wealth of knowledge to acquiring the right purchase…


A vast host of charter boats are available – most of which do either one or two

‘terms’ of charter. A term is typically 4-5 years for first tier, and another 5-6 years for second tier after

which the boats will not work in bareboat charter anymore.

The need to keep fresh boats entering a company means many vessels must be sold each season.

A quick review of www.soldboats.com shows that nearly a half of the boats to trade hands in the

Caribbean each year were coming directly out of the charter fleets – clearly a popular way to buy a boat.

Since these boats are owned by private individuals and only managed by the charter company, you

can often find sellers who have held a successful time with the boat, and want it sold quickly to seal

the deal after that last charter is over.

This makes July and August opportune months to find comfortable transactions on boats here in BVI

as the sailing season gradually slows down.

When buying an ex-charter boat, there are a few primary brands to choose from – the charter

industry is very particular with boat preference. These boats are required to work week after week

with often only an afternoon of ‘turnaround time’ in which the boat is cleaned and any service

needed, performed.

Charter companies wish to avoid any problems with the boat during charter as this leads to the

expense of sending technicians on mobile service calls or worse still, having to ‘change-out’ boats.

Perhaps of further importance is the charter company’s wish to evade guests submitting unfavourable

reviews or dispersing negative testimonies about issues on-board ‘ruining’ their vacation experience.

No matter what boat you end up selecting, a qualified marine surveyor should be engaged to inspect the boat on your behalf prior to finalising any deal.

Bear in mind that most of your outfitting can be done locally as opposed to huge

costs of delivering your boat to a location for hauling out.


V E H I C L E B U S I N E S SM E D I C A L P R O P E R T Y L I F EM A R I N E

Serving the Caribbean for over 30 Years: Anguilla • Antigua • Aruba • The Bahamas • Bonaire • B.V.I. • Curaçao • Dominica • French AntillesGrenada • Montserrat • Saba • St. Eustatius • St. Kitts & Nevis • St. Lucia • St. Maarten • St. Martin • St. Vincent • Trinidad & Tobago

When you need us most,we’re there

NAGICO has an excellent track record when it comes to disaster claims

payouts. When other insurers closed their doors in 1995 after Hurricane Luis ravaged the Caribbean, we made sure

our customers were taken care of. That’s our commitment to you.

Please Contact our General Agent.

Tortola Office - 284-494-6433Virgin Gorda Office - 284-495-6444

nagico.com

NA1321-BVI-Hurricane Ad-FINAL.indd 1 5/14/13 12:32 PM

It is for this reason that you will notice a select few brands of boats

working charter. Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Robertson & Caine, and

Lagoon to name the most common you will see, have all proven themselves

to be low maintenance and highly reliable in the charter field.

This is the reason why ex-charter boats are popular on the market. Bob

Carson, owner of Southern Trades advocates, that individuals should buy

charter businesses in buying their boats—a fully crewed yacht— because

there are a great many advantages; the boat is already fully maintained

in both mechanical and electrical functions, it’s cleaned regularly, has a

consistent change of parts and you have a source of income while you

own the boat; this in stark contrast to buying a yacht alone using, it

intermittently and not taking proper care of it.

Maintenance is one of the most important aspects when buying a used

boat, and understanding which companies do a great job is significant

when considering the purchase of an ex-charter boat. No matter what boat

you end up selecting, a qualified marine surveyor should be engaged to

inspect the boat on your behalf prior to finalising any deal.

In recent discussions with the top marine surveyors working in the BVI,

I learned that the active surveyors here see 50-100 charter boat surveys

a year. These professionals are very well versed in the intricate nature of

each model and brand. According to Michael Hirst, of R.W. Hirst Marine

Surveyors “Each brand and model typically have reasonably specific

External appearances can be misleading and getting a survey can determine

any additional costs you are about to put into your investment.


Interior Design and Project Management www.PiperHertneck.comNew York Beverly Hills Caribbean

problems structurally…The key is finding the right boat, often you may

have the ability to choose between a number of sister ships. If a buyer is

given a choice of boats, we can do a quick walk-through inspection of each

one (looking for the common faults of that model line) and then advise on

which boat to go forward with the full survey.”

Buying a boat which is being discharged from the charter fleets can

provide an excellent value to a buyer, if done carefully. Some of the key

points are the young age of boats coming out of the fleets. This means

that standing rigging, sails, tanks and keel bolts are all likely to be in fine

condition – however, the higher engine hours and increased cosmetic

wear and tear will reduce the selling price significantly. With a thoughtful

approach, one can acquire an excellent value on boats from a $30,000

budget cruiser to large cats at nearly one half their new price!

As Bill Bailey of Caribbean Marine Surveyors mentions “They are good

value for money. You are not buying any out-dated navigation equipment

and can customize the boat as you want.”

Depending on the charter company, there will be different agreements

with the owners of the boats as to what maintenance schedule is followed

and thus the condition of the boats. Bill also noted that some companies’

boats will have a very short list of recommendations for repair, while others

can be quite lengthy.

Concluding, this is a snippet of the information available to boat buyers

here in the BVI – working with a broker as your representative and a marine

surveyor as your independent inspector will go a long way to ensure you

get the best deal you can for cruising and enjoying the pristine waters of

the Virgin Islands.


NOsTALGIA ANd A POTENT MEMORy ALLOW ChRIsTINE

TAyLOR TO RECALL ThE MOMENT ThAT hER ARTIsTIC

ABILITy uNLOCkEd.

ARTiSTS’ CoRnER: CHRiSTinE TAYLoR

By Stephen L. France

innovATion INNate

Beach painting “The viewer goes in and that’s your spot,” Christine said

describing the feeling provoked by the solitude of this beach scene.

Acrylic and watercolour artist Christine Taylor at

Images, Wickhams Cay II surrounded by selected works.

By Stephen L France, photography by Dan O’Connor and Jim Scheincer


AT sIx yEARs-OLd, shE CAME uPON A PAINTING Of A COsTAL sCENE WITh COCONuT TREEs ANd LIGhT GLINTING Off ThEM.

The depiction revealed the intricate contrast of the sparkling, white light

and dark shadow cast on the individual leaves.

Mesmerized by this complex, three-dimensional effect in the picture,

Christine questioned “How would I paint that?”

In her infant mind, she believed that her desire to replicate the

sophisticated artistic appearance was the normal thought process

of a child…

With a memory as particular as this, testifying to the unique and quirky

minds of artists everywhere, Christine heralds the theory that creative arts

are innate abilities. “I think you’re born hardwired – it’s a deep passion,”

she said in reference to the joy artistry has granted her. “When you have

that passion, it gives you life, you’re never bored – it keeps your youth,” she

added, speaking of her childlike anticipation in painting.

The watercolour artist who was born and raised in Barbados, arrived

in the BVI with her husband and three children over twenty years ago,

describing that her life here has been a mixture of, “Mom, homemaker, cook,

scrub, everything…I’m homemaker/artist.”

She initially started sketching and drawing when she was six and

continued developing her skill as she matured. She attended art groups

and read books that assisted proficiency in her chosen art forms, acrylic and

watercolour painting.

She described the difference between the two styles, revealing that,

“Acrylic you can paint on canvas and it’s permanent. You can wipe this with

a cloth and it won’t budge. Watercolour…has to be under plastic because

this is not fixed permanently. If you wipe the cloth on this, it would come off

– the colours not fully staining will lift.”

Christine ran through the techniques in her art discipline that develop

with experience and when employed, will dramatically improve the

aesthetics of a piece. Shading, dabbing/lifting, splattering, scratching,

creating perspective distances and producing a three-dimensional effect

are all abilities that take practice. “It’s one of the hardest mediums to

master,” said the artist when expressing the challenges of watercolour art.

“It took me five years plus to be able to do it properly. You can tell when

someone is a newbie in watercolour.”

Delving into the art world professionally—relaying that she paints almost

every day and is self-taught—her fascination with history and culture also

serve as impetus for her paintings; art that reveals a Caribbean world that

is very different from the islands we know today—full of daily activity

like farming, fishing and walking from place to place—a physically

energetic place.

Haunting painting - “This is a historical haunting piece with the ruins of the

Coppermine in Virgin Gorda. I wanted her looking directly out of the painting

at you. It’s a ghostly painting, you can’t see her eyes but she’s engaging

you.” - Christine

“You have to place a dynamic

spirit in your work…I always paint

the eyes first - once I get the

eyes and the spirit of what I’m

trying to accomplish, everything

else is easy.”

“Visitors & residents of the Virgin Islands truly love Christine’s historical

paintings, and they are proving to be quite popular by collectors of

Caribbean art,” said Lisa Gray, owner of Images where Christine’s work

is showcased. “Her paintings are being added to private collections in

Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Europe and the USA.”

A huge turning point in her growing experience in the field occurred

approximately 25 years ago, when she met famous Barbadian sculptor and

painter Karl Broodhagen. Renowned for his three bronze public landmark

statues of Sir Grantley Adams first premier of Barbados, the “Bussa” after

the leader of an 1816 slave revolt, and legendary Barbadian cricketer Sir

Garfield Sobers, he offered advice to the budding artist.

“You’re very good with your lines, and your colour is getting there,” said

Christine paraphrasing the pivotal point in her artistic life. “But, your design

is weak – you have to strengthen your design,” she said. “I went home

Above: Ms. Catherine Lettsome –

“She is a corner stone of Tortola

population. She had 21 children - she

was a vivacious, vibrant, creative

woman and so I saw a little picture of

her and was drawn to have to paint

her…I like to tell a story.” - Christine

Loblolly Lobster: Christine painted

this gentleman after seeing him in

Road Town; she depicted him holding

a lobster standing in Anegada. She

later found out that he actually was a

lobster fisherman.

Christine’s paintings reveal a

Caribbean world that is very

different from the islands we

know today—full of activity like

farming and fishing—a much

more physically active place.


Home and motor insurance cover costless with Colonial!

SAVE $250* when you insure your home!

Convenient, interest-free installment payments.

Competitive deductibles, generous liability cover.

Low rates, low deductibles for motor cover.

Fast, efficient claims service.

Affordable individual health insurance.

Effective and tested business continuity plan for

storm interruption.

Call 494-8450or visit www.cgigroup.com

Personal Insurance

COLONIAL INSURANCE (BVI) LTD.Palm Grove House, P.O. Box 2377, Road Town, Tortola, VG1110 Tel. 494-8450

www.cgigroup.comA member of Colonial Group International: insurance, health, pensions, life

More security,more protectionwith Colonial.

*newprivatebuildingsinsurancepolicy

Askabout

SolusHealthindividual health

insurance

$250CERTIFICATE

WITHBUILDINGSINSURANCE

insurance, health, pensions, life

Corn Blossoms: Christine depicts a typical scene of

daily life in Barbados, capturing the energy with

vibrant colours.

feeling crushed, but then in the morning, I got back up. I said, ‘you know

what? He’s given you this jewel of knowledge.’”

With this guidance, Christine intensely focused on the intricate

construction of her productions: “I put a lot of time into the design aspect

of my work – people, objects, placement, even the way the waves come in,”

she said pointing to a painting that depicts an isolated beach.

Her depictions range through portraits, animals and landscapes,

attempting to capture the things that are familiar to her. With her paintings

of the sea, viewers are privy to hearing and feeling the swaying of the

waves by her skilled ability to depict movement on her canvas.

‘Where is the light coming from?’ is another prominent question that

arises when Christine considers the design elements in her creations, which

aids the manifestation of motion in her work. In outdoor pieces, she will

query the sun’s direction and its bouncing effect.

She summarised her emotion for painting in the idea of bringing the

art alive. “You have to place a dynamic spirit in your work…I always paint

the eyes first - once I get the eyes and the spirit of what I’m trying to

accomplish, everything else is easy.”


T: (284)494-1800 | F: (284)494-1803

E: [email protected] | www.paintfactory.com

Easy access via Port Purcell Roundabout, Tortola – in between Tool Town and Tortola Carpets, Ample Parking!

Authorized Dealers

Products made specifically for tropical climates

Superior products and equipment - always stocked

Largest inventory in the BVI

Quantity and contractor discounts

Efficient and reliable

Consistent color matching

We’re certified paint consultants!

Paint for your climate.PPG

®

By robert Creel, Operating Manager of Caribbean Colors and Sjoerd Bos, Vice

President of Sansin

Property owners and contractors are increasingly demanding “greener” choices for interior stains.

The issue arises that many interior coatings contain harsh solvents that release highly toxic

fumes – known as VOCs, or Volatile Organic Compounds – into the air long after application.

STAYING STAIN


STAYING STAIN For property owners and contractors alike, applying stain indoors can pose health risks; however,

there are less toxic alternatives on the market that are much lower in VOCs,

using water to penetrate deep into the tissue of the wood for protection

with staying-power and an aesthetically attractive appearance.

One area that has been a challenge for driving down toxicity in interior

stains is colour. Many consumers desire a rich, deep colour for interior

staining. With newer technology, consumers can find dye-like colours in

a formulation that uses pure pigments ground so fine, they are able to

combine with the protective oils and resins on a molecular level. The result

is vibrant, crisp colour that stands the test of time, but with a fraction of the

toxicity of traditional dyes.

Tips on Interior Staining

Successfully applying stain is really not difficult, it just takes a little prep

work and patience – here are a few steps for success:

Know your wood species: Maple and pine can be very difficult to apply

finishes to, while it is easier to apply stain to hardwoods such as oak. Also,

darker stains are more difficult to work with than lighter ones. If you plan

to use a dark stain, you might consider practicing on a scrap piece of wood

before diving into your project.

Prepare the surface: Repair any defects with acrylic-based wood filler. Sand

the surface using 120-150 grit sandpaper, working with the grain. Then

remove the dust with a vacuum and a damp cloth, making sure the surface

is clean and dry.

Collect the right tools: For most jobs you will need the stain and topcoat, a

stir stick, a tray to hold the stain, a brush or sprayer to apply the finish, 120-

150 grit sandpaper, paper towels, a paint pad or lambs wool applicator, and

perhaps a sanding block (depending on the size of your project).

Apply the stain and topcoat: Apply a generous amount of stain to the

surface, not allowing it to become too thin. Generally, most projects require

two coats of stain. After staining, you will apply two coats of clear topcoat,

stroking with the grain of the wood to avoid streaks. Before applying the

final top coat, sand the surface gently with 320 grit sandpaper, working with

the grain of the wood. After cleaning the surface, close vents and doors to

keep any contaminant from landing on the just-finished surface. Then, apply

a thin final clear coat with the grain of the wood.


Moonstone Villa is located at Long Bay Beach on Tortola’s West

End. Totally renovated and re-furnished in 2011.

For many homeowners, applying interior stain can be challenging – and

messy. Go ahead and test stains out at the store and look for the following

performance characteristics:

• Make sure it has little to no odour

• Check that the stain is easy to apply. It should have excellent lapping

performance, and have an extremely uniform appearance once applied

• A fast dry time is best

• Check that there is minimum pigment transfer on the top coating

• You should be able to purchase the interior stain in a range of dye-like

colours that don’t drive up the toxicity.

For many homeowners, applying interior stain can be challenging – and messy.

Staining Shows off the Grain

Staining and clear-coating wood, rather than painting it, creates a unique,

sophisticated and timeless effect inside the property. Staining brings out

the interesting and complex character of the wood grain, which can add

tremendous warmth to your décor and provide a long-lasting, striking effect.

Wood Protection Options

One approach for wood protection is to apply film forming, semi- or non-

penetrating solvent and water-based formulas, which provide barrier-style

protection. Many believe the thicker the film, the better the protection and

longer lasting maintenance cycles. But, this comes at a cost.

The challenge is that when you use a non-penetrating, water-based

product or a high solids solvent-based product, you build a film on

wood that darkens it, degrades clarity, and then becomes thicker with

maintenance. This, in turn, traps moisture, reducing breathability and can

eventually result in peeling and blistering. Often, these types of coatings

can even cause wood decay due to increased moisture content, which

gets trapped during the wet seasons under the very product meant to

protect the wood.


UPS & Surge suppressionproducts for residences.

PRICES Back-UPS 350VA $59.00Back-UPS 550VA $79.00Back-UPS 750VA $129.00Back-UPS Pro 1000VA AVR $199.00Back-UPS Pro 1500VA AVR $299.00Smart UPS 1000VA $523.00Smart UPS 1500VA $664.00Smart UPS 2200VA $1069.00

Limited 3 year warranty included

DRAKES TRADERS

We guarantee the quality and reliability of our products and customer service.

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

Pool

Fishing

Home improvement

And many more!

Visit our showroom located at Fish Bay, Tortola

(284) 494 3282 | [email protected] | www.drakestraders.com

Est. 1984.


Few foods can compete with guava when it comes to

intoxicating aromas, with a deliciously exotic fragrance that permeates any

house or boat.

I initially tasted fresh-off-the-tree guava during my first summer in the BVI.

It was early July and I had spent a busy morning assisting with the annual

HIHO windsurfing and stand-up-paddle regatta – now held in January –

organising windsurfing equipment.

Mid-summer trade winds bring an unmistakable aroma – that of fresh guava fruit. Most of us think of beverages when we hear the word “intoxicating,” yet it is more than appropriate as a description for ripe guavas.

FOOLING WItH

By Susie YounkleGUAvA

www.housebvi.com

Everything you need to make your house a

home...

Located next to Tico and HIHO,Wickhams Cay 2, Tortola, BVI

Our group was getting hungry and we were in need of a snack. One of my

fellow regatta crew members, Sheldon – a cheerful Jamaican fellow – looked

up at a nearby tree and broke into a huge smile. He stepped over to the tree

and gave it a firm shake. To my surprise, ripe guavas started dropping to the

ground. We enjoyed a delightful buffet of all-we-could-eat guavas and in

doing so, I discovered my new beloved fruit.

Although my preferred way to eat guavas is straight out of hand, the fruit

accommodates both sweet and savoury cooking preparations – they are

used extensively in jams and jellies, fruit salads, beverages—including fruity

rum cocktails—desserts and candies. Additionally, it is sometimes paired

with meat such as pork or chicken.

A hugely popular Eastern Caribbean treat is “guava cheese” (sometimes

called guava paste). Despite its name, this local delicacy bears no

resemblance to cheddar or parmesan. It’s essentially a dense, sugary, sticky

confection that is adored by children and adults alike, particularly those

with a sweet tooth.

Barring the addition of copious amounts of sugar, guavas are a veritable

super-fruit, jam-packed with vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre. Well

over 100 varieties of guavas exist worldwide, with wide variations in

appearance and flavour.

The flesh ranges from white to yellow to deep pink. Some varieties have

edible skins and seeds, while other types must be peeled and seeded.

Typically, Caribbean guavas are completely edible, with vibrant pink flesh

and a sweet fruity flavour; however, the seeds are often removed if a guava

is to be used in sauces or desserts. Choose guavas that are a light green or

yellowish colour and slightly recede when pressed with the thumb.

It’s easy to tell when they’re ready to eat: simply wait for their sweet

aroma—or “extravagant floral bouquet” in the words of one of my favourite

cookbooks—to fill the air. If guavas have a musky or sour odour, they are

likely unripe.

This traditional English dessert consists of little more than chilled fruit

purée folded into cold whipped cream. I use guava to lend an island-

inspired flavour to this British treat.

Since guavas tend to contain flavours of a variety of fruits, predominantly

strawberries, consider guava fool a Caribbean twist on the always popular

dessert of strawberries and cream.


Purcell Estate, Road Town, Tortola. Tel: 494-2885. www.caribsupply.com.

It’s crystal clear who off ers the best selec� on of pool maintenance products! At CaribSupply you’ll fi nd chlorine, pumps, fi lters, ligh� ng and more for residen� al and commercial pools.

For Pools...

Guava “Fool” Dessert

8 oz. thawed, but cold, unsweetened guava purée

(e.g. Goya brand)

4 Tbl white sugar, divided, or to taste

1 c chilled heavy/whipping cream

1 fresh guava, for garnish

Guavas are in season right now, so seek them out at supermarkets and farmer’s markets or, look for a

nearby guava tree ready to be shaken.

Whisk guava purée with 2 Tbl sugar in a small bowl until sugar dissolves. Then, beat whipping cream

and remaining 2 Tbl sugar in another bowl (preferably a chilled metal bowl) with an electric mixer

until stiff peaks form. Fold sweetened purée into whipped cream, leaving some swirls of colour. Divide

amoung chilled bowls and top with thinly sliced fresh guavas. Makes about 5 servings.

Note: I use frozen guava purée for simplicity and year-round availability, but certainly use fresh guavas

if they’re available. Just be sure to push the purée through a sieve to remove seeds.

July—a hot month in the Virgin Islands summer

season—is not the time when people want to slave away

in a hot kitchen. rather, it’s the month for quick and cool

frozen or refrigerated desserts, such as a “fool.”




“We understand the true value of a home in the Islands”

R A K UC R O O K B A Y$ 5 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

T H E R E E F S A T B A L L A S T B A Y

$ 1 , 9 5 0 , 0 0 0

Brand new architect’s home marries contemporary luxury with Caribbean comfort.

D O S S O L S V I L L AL E V E R I C K B A Y

$ 1 , 9 9 5 , 0 0 0

Walk to the beach from this fabulous 4 bedroom home with pool. Simply stunning views of North Sound!

B R E E Z E H A V E N$ 8 9 5 , 0 0 0

U n d e r $ 1 m

G U N P O I N TS M U G G L E R S C O V E

$ 4 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

5.5 acre historic, waterfront Estate located at Smuggler’s Cove beach. 5 bed home.

THE HANDSOME BEACH HOUSE$ 5 2 5 , 0 0 0

A delightful 2 bed cottage right on the beach at Handsome Bay. Calling out to be expanded!

S E A W A T C H , V G$ 6 5 0 , 0 0 0

Lovely 3 bedroom villa with wonderful ocean views, breezes & awesome boulders!

S T R O H H A U ST O W E R S

$ 1 , 4 9 5 , 0 0 0

Immaculate 3 bed villa in private, gated estate. Views simply breathtaking!

Nanny Cay is Tortola’s flagship marina with berths for 180 yachts, full service boatyard,

pool, restaurants, shops, beach etc. Nanny Cay Village - 32 waterfront townhouses with

docks - is nestled within this thriving marina. Finished to the highest standards, these 2

& 3 bedroom homes are for sale turn key, fully furnished if required. Guaranteed marina

berths available for larger boats. Competitive, entirely optional rental program available.

N A N N Y C A Y M A R I N A F R O M $ 8 5 0 , 0 0 0

D ’ A R C Y ’ S R U N A W A Y S P R I N G B A Y$ 2 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

2 acres 3 bedrooms. Walk to Spring Bay Beach. Beautiful stonework, boulders and views.

www.coldwellbankerbvi.com (284) 495 3000 www.bvivillarental.com [email protected] our offices at Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, or Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda

S AT O R I V I L L A SM A H O E B AY$ 2 , 9 5 0 , 0 0 0

4 bed main home, 2 bed guest home. Glorious views. Short stroll from fantastic beach

L A V I D AN A I L B A Y

$ 5 , 5 0 0 , 0 0 0

New build contemporary 5 bedroom home on the beach with large infinity pool.

19 room custom beachfront home. No other BVI home finished to this standard.

A Q U A M A R EM A N G O B A Y$ 1 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

Three 8,000sqft beachfront Villas. Setting a new stan-dard for luxury in the BVI

T H E R I C E H O U S E$ 6 9 5 , 0 0 0

Delightful island cottage on Spyglass Hill. 3 beds, pool, great neighbourhood.

A N A T O L AL I T T L E B A Y$ 1 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0

Delightful 4 bed home, short stroll from Tortola’s most romantic beach.

Two 3 bed homes with pool for the price of one! Outstanding views at Havers.

R E A L E S T A T E B V I


General Enquiries Mill Mall, PO Box 188 Road Town, Tortola, VG1110 [email protected] | bvisir.com

Maritha Keil (Broker)m: 284.340.5500/[email protected]

Carol Olympitis & Wanda Manning (Vacation Villa Specialists) t: 284.494.5700 e: [email protected]

BREWER’S BAY LOOKOUT Private and secluded and away from it all. Large open living/dining room and kitchen, with 2 en-suite bedrooms and laundry room. Situated on a large lot with spectacular views over Brewer’s Bay and the Caribbean Sea. US$695,000

ENDYMION 4-bed, 4.5 bath private house with a spectacular view overlooking Hodge’s Creek and the Sir Francis Drake Channel with the verdant peaks of the numerous islands in the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. US$1,375,000

FAR PAVILION 3-bed, 3-bath main house w/spacious deck & magnificent view. 1-bed guesthouse w/ensuite bathroom. Close to Long Bay Resort w/access to all amenities: restaurant, spa, pool and of course, the beautiful beach. US$1,300,000

MACNAMARA VILLA Large 4-bed, 3.5-bath family house with sunrise views overlooking Road Harbor and Sir Francis Drake Channel. Only 3-mins drive to Road Town. Landscaped with pool and sold fully furnished. US$700,000

BROOK HOUSE A charming Caribbean villa nestled into the contours of the south side of Tortola. It was built around the existing large trees which act as a natural canopy to provide cool shading throughout the day. This two bedroom house is very private and provides a peaceful and relaxing tropical retreat. From $321 per night

BOUGAINVILLEA Superbly decorated and furnished villa located in the Long Bay Resort. Privately owned the villa has three self-contained guest suites making it ideal for families, groups or couples. The villa has the use of all the resort’s amenities: swimming pool, tennis, fitness centre, apa and beach and all are within a short walking distance. From $270 per night

LIME LEAF COTTAGE Magical jewel box property, only a few footsteps to Josiah's Beach. 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom, exquisitely furnished house on a small, fenced lot only 5 minutes walk to the beach and 10 minutes drive to aiport. US$260,000

MAARIB Four-bed, four-and-one-half bath, private villa with swimming pool and mature tropical gardens in luscious Shannon Estate. Wonderful sunset views of Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean and Jost Van Dyke. US$1,950,000

GRYPHON’S LAIRLocated in walking distance of Lambert Beach & Resort with beach and island views. The pool is great for a late night dip or a afternoon cool down. Only minutes from restaurants & popular surfing beaches.US$750,000

DOVELAND Private, 2-bed, 2-bath main house w/ 1-bed, 1-bath guesthouse, pool & artist’s studio. Panoramic ocean & islands views north & south. Landscaped in quiet residential estate. US$2,150,000

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Luxury Villa Rentals

Exquisite Properties For Sale

Local Expertise. Global Exposure.

Golden PavillionUS$7,750,000

LITTLE BAY, TORTOLA

SamsaraUS$2,975,000

SHANNON, TORTOLA

AsolareUS$4,900,000

HODGE’S CREEK, TORTOLA

5 64 55 7

Palm RidgeUS$5,900,000

HODGE’S CREEK, TORTOLA

TingalayoUS$3,200,000

ROMNEY PARK, TORTOLA

DovelandUS$2,150,000

BELMONT ESTATES, TORTOLA

3 36 76 7

The Beach HouseUS$795,000

BREWER’S BAY, TORTOLA

The LandingUS$795,000

EAST END, TORTOLA

Palm Grove VillaUS$450,000

BELMONT ESTATES, TORTOLA

2 23 33 2

Little DIx BayUS$4,200,000

LITTLE DIX BAY, VIRGIN GORDA

AquamareUS$4,500,000

MAHOE BAY, VIRGIN GORDA

Pond BayUS$6,700,000

POND BAY, VIRGIN GORDA

5 75 64 5

www.smithsgore.com

For more information on these listings or additional o�erings, call 284 494 2446.

United Kingdom17-18 Old Bond Street, London W1S 4PTT +44 (0) 207 290 1616 E [email protected]

R E A L E S T A T E

For all of your real estate needs, Smiths Gore is one of the pre-eminent real estate advisors in the British Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. With o�ces on Tortola and Virgin Gorda Smiths Gore provides in depth residential services covering all the islands.

British Virgin IslandsBritannic Hall, P.O. Box 135, , TortolaVirgin Gorda Yacht Harbour, Virgin Gorda RT (284) 494 2446 VG (284) 495 5944 E [email protected]

Smiths Gore Limited : : British Virgin IslandsT 1(284) 494 2446 F 1(284) 494 2141 E [email protected]

US$8 Million

SOL Y SOMBRAVirgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

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

2010 Winner, “Best Vacation Experience.”–Fodor’s Gold Choice Award


Distinctly Refined. Exceptionally Rare. Consciously Preserved.On the secluded eastern tip of Virgin Gorda lies a place where life is spent in perfect harmony with the ocean tides.

Here, spread across 300 pristine acres, Oil Nut Bay offers freehold legacy ownership opportunities

and unparalleled resort experiences in a setting where attention to detail and casual elegance abound.

Contact us to schedule a personalized visit or to arrange resort reservations.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

bvi 1 284 393 1000 us 1 248 364 2400 [email protected] oilnutbay.com

A LIMITED COLLECTION Of vILLAs & EsTATEs

Documents

Virgin Islands Property and Yacht Magazine July 2013