November 22, 2003

Diary from St Kitts & Nevis...

FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2003 12:08PM ON ST KITTS

Am now sitting on the upper deck of Caribe Surf Voyager - the ferry that will take me to Nevis. Lordy it's hot up here but I'm suffering because I want to get the best view. Hopefully it will leave on time. A cruise ship is in today so there are probably a few tourists from that on board, along with some locals, who speak like Jamaicans with a bad patois. In the background, a Carlene Davis gospel record is playing.

The engines have started up. Let's roll (and get burnt)


1:05 PM ON NEVIS

Unella's By The Sea. That's where I'm having lunch today before I trek to Four Seasons, trek back then catch a taxi to Fothergills Heritage Village. Those are the 2 places I need to visit. Then maybe, if I have time, I'll go to the Botanical Gardens. Oh, I need to go to the museum too. As I travel, I'm trying to learn more about these Caribbean Jewels. We are rich....we just don't know it.

I've ordered Stewed Chicken. Hope it's good.

2:45PM FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

After a scrumptious lunch at Unella's (I cleaned the plate!) , I crossed the road and waited, and waited, and waited, for a bus to take me to this hotel which is often written up in magazines as the epitome of luxury. From the rates and the lobby, it sure must be! I'm waiting to look at a bedroom. Every body who can show me is in a meeting (so the lady at the desk said).

I've seen a couple who was on the ferry over from St Kitts with me. And I'm now looking at a lady who I am sure was also on the ferry. Wonder what she does here? Looks like she works here. Took a walk down to where she disappeared to, and saw that she works in Villa Sales. Imagine how expensive those must be.

Well, that entry was written at 2:45pm, a good 15 minutes after I first went to the desk to ask to see a room. Check out what happened next.

The telephone operator had told me to wait about 20 minutes. After 25 minutes, went to find out if they were finished. There was a manager named Lennard Markezic at the desk and he said they were still there and he was alone, he was sorry, would I mind waiting longer. Sure no problem. My middle name is Job. At 3:20pm, I go to tell the ladies working across from Lennard (he was busy) that I really can't wait much longer and explained to them what had happened. They exclaimed and tried to see what they could do. One of them walked me back over to Lennard and I told him I had waited a very long time and told him that I didn't believe that there was no one in the entire resort apart from those in the meeting, that could show me just ONE room. Says he "let me see if there is anyone in Reservations". Bingo. Out comes Gary within 5 minutes. So you tell me, why de H-E-Two Stick (L L) I had to wait so long? The Mookoot couldn't think of that before?

Well, when I was telling Hilary the taxi lady who took me back to Charlestown this, she said " I bet if you were white, they wouldn't have taken that long". I told her that I was trying hard not to think that. She said that things happen sometimes that make you wonder. I heard later that the GM, who I was planning to write (Robert Whitfield), don't like black people. Hmmmm.

No sweat. They just won't get my business. No, I might not be able to afford to stay there now (the cheapest room at this time of year is US$425 ++ Room only) but when I can, they won't get my business. And the rooms aren't all that. The jacuzzis at Spice Island Beach Resort are much much larger than these. I found the suite I looked at to be pretty ordinary. They are probably living off their past reputation.

Back in Charlestown, Hilary agrees that it is now too late to go to Fothergills Heritage Village. So I wander around, go to the market to see if there is any fruit or vegetable that I don't know (no), pop into the ice cream store (yes, I know, I should have walked past), and pop into a book store where I chat with Mr Tyrell the owner who says I look responsible so I can come inside even though I am eating. Bought some newspapers and a magazine, went and read in a little garden and ate the ice cream while I waited on the 5pm ferry.

The ferry came on time, I hopped on, saw that same gorgeous 2nd officer who was on it from St Kitts and then saw the telephone operator from Four Seasons who was heading over to stay with her daughter. Just a different way of life. Of course, I told her that I was disappointed to have to wait so long.

Back on St Kitts, Sir Alex is on time to collect me. It was his birthday today. Not that he paid it much attention. His name is not MichMac!

Well, tomorrow is Brimstone Hill Fortress day. Everybody has told me it's a must see sight. We shall see.

Posted by yamfoot at November 22, 2003 04:15 PM
Comments

Having good fun reading your posts.

Write de letter....not sure if it really is a fact that they would have treated you differently if you were white or caucasoid, but it is a pity that our own Caribbean people in resorts here sometimes do treat visitors from North America and the UK differently to our own people.

Posted by: Dr. D. at November 23, 2003 10:29 AM

great. I aim to please!

maybe when I get back to JA, I will do it.

Posted by: Michelle at November 23, 2003 01:04 PM

Yeah, write the letter. What happens is that they tend to focus more on the people who spend more with them. Probably the vast majority of the big spenders who spend money with them are white. I'm not saying that it is the right attitude, but there it is... I tell you what. In your letter, tell them that you were organising a Caribbean Blogger's conference, and that you have a group of about 150 persons who you represent. We were considering their hotel for our week long conference, but due to the poor treatment, you decided to take your business elsewhere. That ought to make them sit up and take notice, and God forgives fibbers when the fib is in a good cause... :-)

Posted by: Mad Bull at November 26, 2003 09:29 AM

Mich,

I just got so cross reading about that waiting saga that I plan on visiting them myself whenever I am in the region. You know I just love to take on agro...Its my speciality (smile) ha ha

On a more serious note I do believe a letter is appropriate and I would if I were you mention that you felt so disappointed with the experience that you had to mention it to quite a few friends. The point being that "Word of mouth" you see is a very important form of marketing.

Posted by: Desiree at December 2, 2003 01:49 PM

Do you think the rooms look different depending on who shows it to you? I am sure someone from the Reception desk could have done it but couldn't be bothered to use their initiative.

Just goes to show that whether they are basic or luxury some our our region's tourism facilities have the same service problems...lack of service!

St Kitts/Nevis sounds a treat, especially the food experience :) Thought I wouldn't notice the focus?

So when can we expect the book version of these Caribbean travels?? You know I am a book worm.

Posted by: JVB at December 3, 2003 08:24 AM

I should really shouldn't I. One day when I am in the mood. I'll be sure to mention that I've told the whole world about it (technically I have!)

JVB, the room ent look no different, they just stuppidy.

Posted by: Michelle at December 4, 2003 02:02 PM