Current Rock of Residence:
Nevis
Island Girl Since:
2013
Originally Hails From:
All over the US and Panama (Dad was a Green Beret)
Shay and her husband Steve decided that when the kids left for college, they wanted to live on an island. They didn’t know which one but after renewing their vows for their 20th anniversary on Nevis, they decided that they had found their home. Now, if the kids would just stop ruining their lives and go to college already, they would be there full time (1 1/2 more years…!!). Until then, Shay goes back and forth 4-5 times a year while Steve pays for it!
Part of what feeds her family’s soul is working with the local animal rescue group. She’s not sure if she saves them or they save her. Each trip to Nevis, she goes on social media and begs anyone who knows her to take a dog, which they have affectionately named, “Nevisian Mango Hounds”. She then flies them back to the states and sometimes drives them for 14 hours. Each time, she vows “never again” and then she sees another pup.
After three years of hopping between Florida and Nevis, the honeymoon has begun to wear off and the reality of rock living has set in. It doesn’t make her want to be there any less but it has given her some interesting writing material. She has learned a few things like, “If the locals aren’t taking the ferry, don’t take the ferry” after almost dying when Steve HAD to get to the airport during a hurricane. Lesson learned!
Explore posts by this writer:
Experiencing Culture Shock When Traveling Off Your Island
There is a certain excitement one gets when going on a road trip that you don't get when flying. Yes, you dread sitting in the car all day, but you can listen to music all day and eat snacks that you don’t normally eat and your journey often has several destinations....
Sunkissed Christmas
This year I’ll be celebrating my 11th Christmas on this beautiful island and my main goal for this holiday season is to make the perfect sand-snowman. I can assure you that this is a task far more difficult than Pinterest or Instagram would have you believe. Last...
Christmas on Saba
It’s quiet out. And dark. The colourful street lights are up in each of the four villages of Saba, Chris Rea’s Driving Home for Christmas is playing, the tree is up, half hiding the presents underneath and the house smells of home-made cooking. It’s Christmas time...
My Love Letter to The Sea – How we are harming it and how we can protect it
I like the sea. That might be an under-statement: I really really love the sea. I love to see the different shades of blue, azure, turquoise and green. I love to take a stroll along the shoreline, barefoot, feeling the waves lapping over my toes, with various grades...
In Praise of Real Food
Island food culture is a wonderful riot, to be savoured and enjoyed. When we first came on island I was surprised by the food fusion between American, British and Caribbean fare. You would easily find an overblown pot of peanut butter alongside a similar-sized jar of...
How To Be An Annoying Tourist
The cruise ship horns are blasting. The streets are bustling with wide-eyed people donned in Hawaiian print. The smell of aerosol sunscreen spray fills the hot tropical air and stings your eyes. This can only mean one thing...peak tourist season is upon us. The...
