World Country Guide

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Food & Drink
Despite the island’s small size, there is a good range of restaurants offering different blends of imported and local cuisine. The hotel restaurants are probably the best – indeed the Mooshay Bay Dining Room at The Old Gin House, where Continental food is served on old pewter plates, has been given a 5-star rating by Gourmet Magazine – but the local Creole-style cooking is particularly suited for seafood dishes: pickled conch shell meat, grilled spicy fish and lobster are recommended. The Chinese Restaurant offers authentic Cantonese cuisine; other restaurants also offer Cantonese dishes, together with French, US and local specialities.
There are no licensing hours on the island (although most restaurants and bars are usually closed by midnight), and alcohol is virtually tax free. Most well-known brand names are available; a ‘greenie’ is a Heineken.

Nightlife
Centred on the main hotels and restaurants, including dancing to both taped Western music and live local bands, that might play one of the two different indigenous blends of reggae and calypso – ‘Pim Pim’ and ‘Hippy’.

Shopping
The reductions on duty free imports make the purchase of perfume, jewellery or alcohol worthwhile. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.

Special Events
For further details, contact the St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (see Contact Addresses section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in St Eustatius in 2005:
Mar 28 Easter Monday (island-wide beach picnics with music, food and drinks). Apr 30 Queen’s Birthday. Jul 1 Emancipation Day (celebration of the abolition of slavery). Jul 17-27 Antillean Games; Statia Carnival. Oct 21 Antillean Day (celebrations with games and fetes). Nov 16 St Eustatius Day (cultural festivities and celebrations). Dec 26 Boxing Day (local actors parade through the streets depicting recent events).

Note
The Carnival sweeps back and forth through the island every year during the month of July; this is of course a popular time to visit and advance bookings are essential.

Social Conventions
Dutch customs are still important throughout the Netherlands Antilles, but US influences from the Virgin Islands nearby are dominant on St Eustatius. It is conventional to shake hands on meeting someone. Dress is casual and lightweight cottons are advised. Bathing suits should be confined to the beach and poolside areas only. It is common to dress up in the evening. Tipping: Hotels add a 5 to 10 per cent government tax and 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Doormen and waiters expect a 10 per cent tip, but taxi drivers are not usually tipped.