Antilles Treasures

 AT is proud to introduce our exclusive line of I Phone 4 and 4S hard covers.  These beautiful hard covers are dye sublimated for rich colors and produced at a nationally known professional photo lab to make sure the image is of the highest possible quality.  

Carrying one of these to protect your phone is a great way to display your tropical spirit.

We currently have 4 designs;

Colorful Cat; A vibrant catamaran resting on Orient Beach

 In Bloom; Pink Frangipani flowers in full bloom

Island Vista; A breathtaking view of Baie Rouge and  more coastline of French St Martin

Liming Time; Captured on Anguilla’s Upper Shoal Bay

 Jump on board and pick one up this month at our introductory price of $27.50

You can find these here;  http://treasures.beachjunkie.com/products/trinkets/i-phone-4s-cover/

With this being the season of “love”,  we thought we would share a wonderful place that one could go to leave all their cares behind and enjoy the company of the person they love in a place  that epitomizes romance.

Antilles Treasures LLC would like to introduce our readers to a wonderful Boutique Hotel that offers exquisite vistas, beautiful rooms, and a lovely staff; Club Fantastico. This six bedroom gem is in a gated community that sits high above world famous Orient Beach in French St Martin, often referred to as the St Tropez of the Caribbean.  From this vantage point  not only do you get breath taking views but you also are in a prime spot to pick up the trade wind breezes.

We did say risqué in our title; this boutique hotel caters to the naturist community, so you can go as bare as you dare.  No you don’t have to leave your clothes at the door upon check in…but you can feel free to roam the grounds, lay out by the pool to soak up some sun or just spend your day sans any or all garments you deem too cumbersome to wear.

Each of the suites include a king size bed and full  bathroom.  The common area has a large lounge and media center with access to wifi, North American Telephone service and Satellite TV.

We spent a day at Club Fantastico, touring the facility and enjoying some of the amenities   We visited in off season and happened to tour on a day between guests so we had the hotel and staff to ourselves.  We shared the day in conversation with on site staff, Chloe and Thierry.  Both were gracious and quite entertaining sharing stories of their travels that have taken them to exotic locations.

Our hosts for the day were a font of local knowledge and happily shared their experiences living on the island and can direct their visitors to any need they may have from particular dining choices to day sailing and even scuba contacts or a masseuse.

The Club offers both room-only rates and an all- inclusive rate which encompasses breakfast, dinner and an open bar. Thierry also wears the chef hat and makes wonderful meals. If you choose the a la cart avenue you will have access to the kitchen for your own food preparation.

Chloe is a very talented artist and you may be fortunate enough to catch her working on one of her paintings while you are there.

We were truly as impressed with our hosts and the conversations we had with them as we were with the Club Fantastico facility.

Club Fantastico is not a lifestyles facility, it is a wonderful upscale small resort where one that is comfortable in their own skin may want to go to be pampered with personal attention by the staff and relax how ever they may be comfortable with the person they love.  Club Fantastico would be a romantic place to nurture or re kindle a relationship

For more Club Fantastico information go to their website at http://www.clubfantastico.net/

Happy Bay from one end to the other

We have been going to St Maartin/St Martin for years and regularly hear, “Happy Bay, you really should go see Happy Bay, it’s a beautiful beach, one of the jewels of the island”.

Rob put a visit to Happy Bay on the to do list and it has stayed there for at least the last two years if not three but always we find ourselves tucked into a routine and just not making it over to see this jewel.

Our most recent journey was to be different. First the weather cooperated for our scheduled day sail this year and the last stop of the day was to bob around on the waves in front of …yes, you guessed it “Happy Bay”. Second, this trip was very different as we had built a routine of visiting with friends at a couple of different villas every other day and then creating activities on the in between days.

A bit of a caveat here, We were on island two weeks and truly only made it to the beach for three full days. Villa life is good, VERY good!!! Some is the villa, some the view but most is the company we kept while visiting both villas.

Our first sighting of Happy Bay, French St Martin was on a Friday day sail aboard the Celine.  We passed it on our way to our destination of the day but on the way back we had the winds at our back and steered in to tie off at a mooring ball for a chance to escape the heat of the afternoons sun then followed by a nice snack as we finished off our day sail.

Once moored, I took a bit of time to survey the beach it was only sparsely inhabited that day and was quite an inviting sight. The beach was wide and called for me to visit like the sirens in an old pirate movie. The sand is a bit more orange in color than I am used to seeing on this island but I am sure some of that is because of the mass of dark rocks on the west end of the beach. Me thinks we will be making a visit to this beauty of a beach via land in the very near future.

A couple of days later we set out to find this elusive sliver of paradise. First stop is the parking area at Friar’s Bay. Friend to anyone that would stop by was Jack. He played the roll of security guard, greeter and tour guide to all that visited.

We easily found the path that leads to that Happy spot so off and up the hill we went. Today’s trip was going to be a short one to just check out the beach as the day was already scheduled for a visit new beaches and shoot photos of those that we thought were attractive and had never been to before.

The hike to Happy Bay was mildly difficult but not too strenuous. The views it afforded were at times breathtaking the entire walk to the beach from the Friar’s Bay parking lot lasted about 15 min. There is a fairly large hill with a loose stone path that you have to scale but it can be done in sandals if you are sure footed. Entering into the thicket I started looking for a creature from an episode of Lost or even a hobbit or two.
We conquered the hill and next looked for an open gate…found it ….and continued to a derelict group of buildings and turned left down the hill. Watch for fresh cow pies in the field area as there are a few bovine wandering the area but aren’t an issue. The walk was easier than we would have thought and led to today’s find…The beautiful strip of sand so aptly named Happy Bay!

We walked to the edge of the sand to survey the beach a bit, deciding to aim off to the left of the little makeshift shack that Danny calls home and works from then nestled ourselves in among the sea grapes for a few photos of this gem.

We took our pictures and decided it was time to venture off for another discovery as the Cap’n had no intent of getting in the water that day so had no swim attire which for this beach was no worry but didn’t think to bring along even a towel to dry off with if he got wet. Otherwise we would have stayed all day…not a bad thing but I was on a junket to shoot pictures this day no more no less.

First impression of the beach…BEAUTIFUL! Come early stake your spot and enjoy the day…we will return for sure! Waters edge faces North by North East so no real swells to speak of making for easy access in and out of the water. There is a drop off a few feet out but I don’t get in if I cant swim. There are a couple of shady areas for those that do arrive early and there is a beach guy “Danny” there daily that rents chairs and cooks lunch for those that are interested.

Our hike out was an uneventful decent down the rocky path…frankly I like going up it better than down. Back at the car Jack was still standing guard so we thanked him and headed off to our next adventure for the day.

We did go back for a full day later in the trip and loved it. We found a natural photo studio on the western end of the beach with beautiful entries into the water surrounded by large dark stones that I’m sure over the years have made the pigment of the sand what it is as it is darker, somewhat of Hawaiian like, sands than in other beaches on the island.

In Summary; Happy Bay is somewhat of a secluded beach that one must either hike to or arrive via water. It seemed while we were there that the western end of the beach has a bit of proclivity to be clothing optional but no one even looked up or thought twice about it. If you are relatively healthy (sans knee or back issues) Happy Bay may be that little get away you have been looking for. The hike is tedious but not too strenuous ailments aside of course. Bring some water, your camera and a free spirit and spend part or all of a day on a quiet little beach…enjoy!!

No, not as the Beetles sang about rather as a passenger aboard a 40’ catamaran in the waters around ST Martin that was christened with the name ”Celine”.  She was custom built by her Captain Neil Roebert in his home country of South Africa and then sailed to St Maarten and now resides daily in the Simpson bay Lagoon.  The Celine’s current home is docked at Skip Jack’s restaurant and all sailing adventures depart from there.

We had an early morning call with a quick briefing about the days activities followed by a light breakfast found a place to sit on the decking next to the mast and soon were underway.  I was able to anchor my camera equipment bag to the main so it wouldn’t head overboard while I was shooting.

We were prepared for a great adventure as neither of us had been on much more than a ferry ride to Anguilla or ST Barts.  We motored thru the lagoon and waited for the drawbridge to raise  and let us pass.  Neil had cast off early enough that we were first in line and soon were headed out into the channel between French St Martin and Anguilla. We passed the French capital of Marigot (photo), Friar’s Bay, Happy Bay, Grand Case and finally Anse Marcel then about 30 minutes of open ocean sailing before we tied off to a buoy at a little out island just north east of St Martin named Tintamarre.

Once on the buoy we were given the option to swim ashore or ride the dingy in. The daintier of the two of us had a broken toe so she was escorted in via the dinghy.  I chose the formality of stepping to the front of the boat and performing a “classic” swan dive to the water’s surface below…oops I misjudged how far down it was and the impact was a pretty solid thud!  Thank goodness no one was watching, as surely the judges wouldn’t have given very high marks.  I shook it off, made sure the trunks were still in place and took aim at my lovely wife who was already on the beach and started swimming her way.

We had a couple of hours to explore the island so after walking the beach that was available to us we decided to cut across the island and see the view of St Barts from the far side.  We also learned from Neil that the island was used as an R&R base for German U boats in WWII.  There was at one time a small village on island with a runway.  All  since overgrown and indistinguishable.  The island was very quiet that day with only another cat that didn’t stay long, a sailboat for two and one other but again no one stayed as long as we did.

Lunch was prepared on board the Celine by the Captain and quite well I must add, so we headed back to the boat to enjoy the banquet that Neil had prepared for us.  We ate like a bunch of starving sailors just back from a long trip.  There was little left but the decorative lettuce, so that was fed to the fish that were schooling behind the boat.  Think they have ever done this before?

We were visited by a couple of turtles while we feasted .  This is where the one and only occurrence happened.  I snapped the lens cap off my camera to shoot pix of the turtles and sat it next to me just as the boat rocked…off and into the deep the cap went.  No worries, lens caps are much easier to replace than lenses or cameras but with that said, Captain Neil appeared with fins and a mask.  Asked me to point out where the cap had drifted off to and went over the side.  Shortly after Aquaman surfaced with a big smile and my lens cap in hand.    We were soon headed back to ST Martin so across the channel we headed once more.  .

First stop was Creole rock which is located at the edge of Grand Case harbor. There was snorkeling to be done by those who wished to do so.  We chose to chat with Neil as Patrick was busy watching the snorkelers.  We then cruised around the point to Happy Bay for a refreshing swim.  This beach is beautiful and we were to return a couple of times during the remainder of our trip.  Upon leaving Happy Bay we were served a wonderful fruit plate and then headed back to Marigot to once again await the draw bridge.  While waiting we were blessed with viewing an incredible sunset  then Patrick presented us all with some Baileys Banana Coladas so we toasted the setting sun with them.

We arrived back at Skip Jack’s restaurant and said our good byes then headed back to our room.

Our opinion of the our first exposure to day sailing;  Fantastic! I can not say enough positive about it.  The boat was wonderful, Captain and crew were top notch and the food as tasty as we had eaten all week.  Worth every penny of the fare Neil charges for the day and we will make a day with the Celine and crew a part of our routine!

In short if you get the opportunity to do something like this..jump at it as it was a lot of fun.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words…these can speak for themselves.

Capt’n Rouge has been sitting in his terrarium looking at his tropical calendar and marking off the days until his next adventure.. Watching the seasons change and sitting and pondering when the fog in his head that is daily life would lift and he would take dead aim at thinking about his next trip. As the days have slowly passed Rouge just hasn’t had the expected level of excitement that usually accompanies a planned and already totally paid for vacation.

Rouge drifted by a mark on his calendar that said only 45 days until he boards the giant cigar tube with wings and spends the day riding it as he is propelled thru the atmosphere at 600mph. Day 45 means its time to get his glow on! Our scallywag Anole likes to tan before he spends time in the tropical sun, even this late in the year.

Usually laying in a tanning bed with little plastic lenses covering ones eyes, soaking up electrically generated vitamin D, is what makes Rouge’s brain shift gears and focus on his “vacation”. It could be the new rum infused misting machine that Rouge’s caregiver installed in the terrarium that has delayed the firing of his vacation synapses because the electric boost of vitamin D has done nothing more than make sure that Cappy’s okole doesn’t get burnt in the Caribbean sun.

Today as the countdown hit 10 days until the top comes off of Rouges home and he hitches a ride to first Charlotte and then on to ST Maarten, Saba, Anguilla and maybe even ST Kitts, there was a jolt that went thru Rouges system. For the first time in preparing for this trip cappy is in full bore vacation mindset. Woo hoo.

This is a bit of a late start so there is still lots to do but the fog of daily life is lifting as Rouge eyes his countdown like it was a fresh mosquito pupu platter that had made the fatal mistake of visiting the good Capt’n s quarters looking for a meal.

Fortunately this trip is to places that Rouge is familiar with so packing is a no brainer…some flip flops, couple swim trunks for the “public” beaches and a pair of shorts or three. Pick out a few AT logo wear shirts and a couple of ball caps along with some crazy patterned boxers and shove them all in a bag grab the Maui Jims and go!

It is almost that simple. Rouge will be hosting a get together in which some of the AT photo art will make an appearance and possibly even a second gig while on island so there will be a suitcase full of AT goodies to pack too. Of course there is the camera equipment and laptop as this is a “working” vacation. Looks like Cappy needs to shift into overdrive and get a move on! Welcome back Capt’n Rouge…we missed you!!!

Cap’n Rouge recently escaped his terarium and set sail on a business trip to sunny Florida, specifically Orlando and figured that while he was visiting the great state of Florida would stop to fill his sea bag with some Siesta Key rum. 

This were to be a 4 day journey, a shake down cruise of sorts to work out the kinks of dealing with the TSA and migrating himself thru the multitudes of airports that he will be traveling thru in a couple of months to get back to his Caribbean home.

This trip Cap’n Rouge has a new crew member…we will call him Mr Peebody as this crew member be a nervous flyer and lets just say Mr Peebody got to know the aft stewardess well because of his many visits to her staging area. 

Cap’n Rouge and Mr Peebody started their travels at 8 bells on Sunday morning.  Sitting in the airport MR Peebody wanted to take a bit of edge off so we strolled to the airport bar…which didn’t start serving till 9.  Traveler’s nerves appropriately calmed….we head off to our gate for a great flight to Orlando.  Navigated across town to our hotel and checked into our rooms.  The search for Siesta Key began in earnest.  We were on a county line…one county no liquor on Sunday the other no big liquor stores.  Stopped in one that had rum but not the Key….did however decide to mitigate risk and snagged the only bottle of anything decent in the store…..a bottle of Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva….now this trip is not wasted even if Siesta Key doesn’t end up in the Cap’n’s storage locker.  Gave up the search at this point and will focus on it later. 

We were in town for three and a half days of training as we work for a company that has just merged with another so this was both sides eyeing new teammates and determining the pecking order!!   We had some long days and fun evenings. 

The Cap’n didn’t abandon searching for his mystical rum but changed course and lets just say “enlisted” local team members to put their heads together and help locate the treasure we had set out to find.

Cap’n Rouge and Mr Peebody did stop at another large liquor store but they acted as if this rum were the proverbial black spot…and pretended to never hear of it. 

One of the crew members did locate all three variations at a store that is on the return route to the airport.  Now that you have the history…..here is how the return trip to the airport went.

Cap’n Rouge was of a mind set that he was to have a bottle or more in hand so set a time for leaving our training to allow for a stop.  We took a different route on our way back to the airport which was all surface streets so I am thinking we stopped at 1500 red lights and got behind every snow bird and tourist in Orlando…..Rouge nearly clipped the wings of a few snowbirds that habitually drove 10 mph under the speed limit and thought the dotted white line was where they centered their cars. Rouge was pretty busy dodging snowbirds, lost tourists and reading cross street signs looking for that turn off that would lead him to his local obsession.  With about 75 lights to go to the airport Mr Peebody spoke up that he needed to make a pit stop so we found a McDonalds and off he went to off load a bit of nervousness.  Once he returned to the car Rouge recognized that he had one shot at getting his stash of rum and that was it otherwise, may miss the flight home. 

Peebody had by now forgotten about Rouge’s quest and the Cap’n was switching his focus to return of the rental car as he had been warned that the last time Peebody was in Orlando with another crew member they had totally blown by the rental return and had to circle the airport like a buzzard looking for road kill.  Cap’n Rouge promised he would hit the mark on the first attempt.  While having this very conversation and passing thru intersection #1486 with a green light…..Rouge bellowed out….that was our exit to the liquor store….CRAP!!! oh well, guess there is always a next time to stop and get this rum or we can beg one of our local friends to pick up some for us and send a care package our way.

Rouge did find the rental car exit on first attempt.  Check in was a breeze.  Cap’n Rouge then saw a Sea World store in the airport lobby…..he had to stop in and pick up something for his grandson, the family powder-monkey.  Rouge picked up a penguin pillow that converted into a stuffed bird, cool gift for a three year old.  Next stop was TSA for our yearly physical then off to wait on our flight in hopes that none of the forecast thunder boomers would develop before we got into the air.  None did and  the return flight was even great…..Peebody only got up 4 times on a two hour flight to visit the lavatory and we are still friends…that is at least till he reads this..

We made it to our home port but while standing at baggage claim waiting on our luggage to appear, it donned on Rouge that he had left powder monkey’s new pillow on the plane.  Rouge talked to an agent at baggage claim and they called to the gate.  The pillow had been rescued.  The agent told Rouge to go to a specific gate and wait for the bag.  The gate was of course behind security so a knock at the door startled the security agent Deputy Fife.  As he reached for the bullet in his pocket…Rouge stepped back away from the door and told the agent he was looking for a package.  As Deputy Fife was giving Rouge the once over to see if he were a threat or not, one of the flight attendants arrived on the scene and told the Deputy that this indeed was the package that Rouge was looking for.  Whew, she saved Rouge from at least a full body cavity search and probably a screen door to the shoulder..I owe her for that one!  Thank you, MS. Flight Attendant!!

Epilogue

We all made it home safe, the Cap’n, MR Peebody and the penguin.  The bottle of rum that was purchased…though not Siesta Key, was tasty and the powder monkey is bonding well with his new penguin.  A good time was had by all!!

Vivant le Reve..is living the dream.  AT’s newest creation in t-shirt form makes you feel as if that is just what you are doing.  The image that is on this shirt was shot on the beach at Baie Rouge in ST Martin.  We had a little help from our own Cap’n Okole Rouge, our mascot, who makes an indellible mark, quite literally, with his dripping paintbrush in hand.  

This shirt is made of hefty 6.1oz pre shrunk 100% cotton. Shirt color is White and comes in men’s sizes M to 3XL and women’s sizes S to XL.  The shirt is true fit so order a size larger if you like a bit of extra room.   The image is ink bonded to the cotton and t won’t chip or crack like a screen printed image.

To purchase this  T-shirt select Treasures & Trinkets from the Antilles Treasures main menu then the Wardrobe drop down, select your shirt in either Mens or Womens size and be the frist to show that you are “living the dream” AT style.

Our Antilles Treasures staff has racked our rum addled brains looking for a character that best represented AT in our way of thinking via business and life.  Those of you that have followed us for a while have seen this character develop over the last year or so, and we are now proud to introduce you to AT’s feature blogger….Cap’n Okole Rouge.

The good Cap’n is so entrenched in AT that he has become the face of our business; that’s right, Rouge is the red lizard in our logo. 

This well traveled lizard writes his whimsical views while sitting in a terrarium somewhere in his Kansas residence.  He dreams daily of the “Tropical Way,”  patiently planning his next escape to ST Somewhere, while listening to island themed music and sipping from his owner’s well stocked rum bar.

Why a lizard?

Though they may be different sub species, the lizard is very common in Hawaii and the Caribbean, and we even have them in Kansas.  Rob even sports an ink version on the crest of his left shoulder.  He is a character that is there, but often unseen.  That is how Rob likes to do his photo work…giving you many times that view that is there, but not noticed by many.

What’s with the name?

We will break it down, and then after you roll your eyes or chuckle a bit, you will understand the AT logic here….

Cap’n….Rouge, thinks of himself as a bit of a rogue or free spirit, doing the things he wants and likes; Things that others turn their tails up at and walk away, whether in fear or shyness.  This is a lizard’s lizard; Hence, the moniker, Cap’n.

Okole….The AT owners lived in Hawaii for several years.  There were three Hawaiian words that became an every day part of our communications.  The words were Aloha…”hello” and “goodbye” and Mahalo, meaning “Thank You.”  The last of the three was Okole…meaning “bottom,” “backside” or “butt.”  We were in the process of rearing two toddlers at the time, and that word was popular for anything from changing diapers, to getting your backside over to mom or dad for a talking to.  Hawaii is where the “Tropical Way” grew into our hearts and minds therefore we chose to use Okole in the naming of our lizard.

Rouge…French for red.  We picked this one for a couple of reasons.  First, we have plenty of experiences with the tropical sun and its burning effects.  Second, ST Martin is one of our favorite hang outs.  There, you can choose to get sun on as much of your body as you are comfortable with.  Now we have a lizard living in a land locked state like Kansas.  He visits the tropics regularly viewing himself as a free spirit.  Put the naming explanations together and you get two versions….1. Cap’n Okole Rouge, and then flip the names like you were speaking French , this brings you to the less refined version…2.  Cap’n Red Ass…need we say much more…go ahead roll your eyes now.

Yes, this guy is the face of Antilles Treasures.  His character will be the author of many of the stories here.  The photo work is that of AxARob, and will stay that way no matter how hard the Cap’n tries to lead a page mutiny.

We have done a small bit of housekeeping and added some buttons to follow us on Face Book and Twitter.

Lot’s more changes coming, we want our site to be easier to use and more fun to visit so be prepared for the changes that will take place soon.

We will also soon add a his and a hers product,
The his is a front pocket wallet that has a beautiful picture of the islands printed directly on the leather on one side and a money clip (non magnetic) on the other side.

The hers, is a small leather clutch that wraps around a ladies wrist and can be held in the palm of her hand. It has a top entry zipper that will hold a cell phone and some lipstick and a side zipper pocket that has a small id holder and a place for a few credit cards or a room key.

Both products are very high end leather products.

We will also be featuring a logo hat and a t-shirt or two.

We have a few other ideas up our sleeve for later in the summer too.

Antilles Treasures LLC is proud to introduce a third line of purses to one of our most successful ventures.  Please take a look at our “Clutch” purses.  They are a bit smaller that our other two lines and come with a shoulder strap for conversion to an over the shoulder bag.  

This purse makes for a great reminder of your time in the islands either Limin’ the day away or from an overlook of the world renound Orient Beach.  Be the first of you friends to carry this unique bag.