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great grandfather of the third president of the U.S. It is here that visitors can experience the unbelievable beau- ty of a nearly 400-year- old saman tree, more than 20 ft. in girth, and whose majestic bran- ches once provided refuge for the Carib chief, Tegraman. Brea- thtaking in its ele- gance, the tree branch- es out over half an acre of the landscaped grounds, providing shade for visitors and local workers. For batik lovers, Romney Manor hous- es the Caribelle Batik shop, where visitors can learn about the ancient Indonesian method of batik gar- ment creation. You can see a demonstra- tion of the ancient art, and purchase lovely caftans, pillows, and other hand- made items. For lunch, I headed over to the Clubhouse Grill at the Royal St. Kitt's Golf Club, which features incred- ible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course offers up-close sightings of the island's colorful and unusual birds. That evening, I embarked on a sunset cruise on the catamaran The Spirit of St Kitt's, owned by Leeward Islands Charters. Our party relaxed to the sound of waves and the ocean breeze, as festive Caribbean music played. Our captain, Damien Poujade, and crew pointed out nearby islands that included Nevis, before the sparkling night lights of St. Kitt's invited us back to Earth. For dinner, our party dined at the popular Marshall's restaurant, a breezy and romantic eatery that offers a French-fusion menu of fresh local produce and seafood with a Kittian twist. A popular marriage Young member of Marriott Kids Club, ST. Kitts Black Meetings & Tourism September/October 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 25 proposal spot, Marshall offers spectacular views of the sea and the neighboring island of Nevis. On Friday, I embarked on what was to be the highlight of my trip, a five hour hike to the island's volcano, Liamuiga, a physi- cally challenging adventure that will test the most hardy of hik- ers.. Led by guide O'Neill Mulraine, of O'Neil's Rainforest Tours, the well-known herbalist and "Bush Medicine" expert has over 25 years of experience in guiding hiking tours. Along the way, we hiked through an indigenous rainforest, learned about species of flora and fauna, and took in green velvet monkeys and a variety of birds. Our party included newlyweds Ashlee and Brandon Albright, who had tied the knot in Nashville before taking off to the island for a weeklong honeymoon. Along the way, we traipsed past termite hives and tree spiders; learned about the mad apple plant that you can boil and drink for loss of appetite; and learned about numerous other trees, including club moss and cabbage palms. We hiked to just below the volcano's 4,000-ft. peak and peered down into the crater where we could see the sulphur lake below. Perched on a dramatic ridge, we enjoyed a well-deserved picnic as we took in breathtaking views of the surrounding vista and were joined for lunch by a resident mongoose. Dinner that night was at Blu, the Marriott's terraced ocean- front restaurant that features fresh seafood in an airy setting. As a stunning full moon hovered overhead, we later stopped by to check out the music at the Shiggedy Shack, a popular nightspot featuring great food and on that night, even fire dancing. The beachside night spot is super casual, and tourists line up to dance to the music of various bands. My getaway ended with a bamboo massage at the Marriott's Emerald Mist Spa, a 15,000-sq. ft. beauty, health and therapeutic facility. If visiting, be sure to check out the whirlpool with its invigorating and massaging jets. The spa offers a variety of pack- ages that include body wraps and anti-aging facials. Photo Credit: ST. Kitts Department of Tourism Photo Credit: ST. Kitts Department of Tourism