I was having coffee early a month or so ago at Molly Malone’s Café at American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, St. Thomas, and guess what? Another addition to my scrapbook of postings was on one of the pilings…

Virgin Island Rules:

• Never judge a day by the weather.
• The best things in life aren’t things.
• Tell the truth – there’s less to remember.
• Speak softly and wear a loud shirt.
• Goals are deceptive – the un-aimed arrow never misses.
• He who dies with the most toys – still dies.
• Age is relative – when you’re over the hill, you pick up speed.
• There are two ways to be rich – make more or spend less.
• Beauty is internal – looks mean nothing.
  ( Well, sometimes it means something.)
• No rain – no rainbows!

May be we need to have the economic advisors to all of the various world governments to adopt these rules as a guide for getting out of the financial meltdowns we are experiencing.  I especially liked the “No rain-no rainbows!” one.  Are there some you can add to the list?  Until next time…never judge a day by the weather.

Attracting the most visitors of any beach on St. John, Trunk Bay rightly deserves its popularity. The quarter-mile-long getaway reaches out to the sea and is shaped almost like a heart if seen from overhead.

Possessing white sand, sparkling clear water and a cluster of coconut trees waving gently to the ocean breeze, the resort is also a breathtaking location for snorkeling enthusiasts. There is an under-sea trail where a wide variety of fish roam free.

Back in the day, New York’s literary elite and adventurous crowds flocked to this location to get away from the hustle and bustle of big-city life.

Trunk Bay was once a private property complete with “No Trespassing” signs but luckily it is now open for public enjoyment and relaxation.

- Joseph Natividad

I just got off the phone with Chris, one of my Virgin Island real estate colleagues based in St. Thomas. My call to him was because of some friends arriving on-island tomorrow and I wanted to get a first hand report on the weather. ( It is 89 degrees with light winds and the water temperature is close to 80 degrees.) As our discussion progressed we got into the topic of how Hurricane Season in the Virgin Islands effects real estate sales and prices. (July through October).

Some background on my 30+ years experiencing the Caribbean during July through October may help. I am very fortunate to have never had an experience with a hurricane while on-island in the Virgin Islands. Now, that is not to say that they are not extremely dangerous acts of Nature to be highly respected, but I have never been afraid of them. You usually get a week or more of advanced notice, so you can make a decision to get off-island or batten down the hatches and wait it out. I am much more fearful of earthquakes than hurricanes, but my wife will not be on-island during these months because of her extreme fear of hurricanes.

The last BIG ONE that hit the Virgin Islands was Hurricane Hugo in September 1989 – a Category 4 when it hit. It created a real mess in the Virgin Islands with six deaths. The total damage in the Virgin Islands was approximately $3 billion. When there is such a disaster as Hugo in the islands, it leaves a very big impression in the minds of people who own Caribbean real estate, and on people who are thinking of buying real estate in the islands. One of their thoughts is, “Oh my God, what if I had owned property there? What a mess I would be in.” There are no guarantees, but the Virgin Islands are not typically in the major hurricane paths. However, a hurricane will hit the Virgin Islands again – just like an earthquake will hit San Francisco again.

Chris was off-island for a few weeks in August this year, and when he heard about (Caribbean Hurricane Network) Hurricane Dean forming up around the St. Lucia region he hurried back to St. Thomas to see if he needed to batten down the hatches at his house and find a safe harbor for his boat. Hurricane Dean created a mess in the middle of the Caribbean island chain, but it wasn’t a Hugo. However, Hurricane Felix is just moving through Central America and this one could be catastrophic, not because of the high winds, but because of intense rains that are falling.

Now, back to the “opportunity” – making lemonade out of lemons. If your mind set is OK about living in a region of the world with the possibility of hurricanes, then the time to buy is during hurricane season – July through October, and obviously after a hurricane. During my discussion with Chris today, he was talking about the amount of real estate inventory that is currently on the market in St. Thomas, and how slow the market is because so many of the people who visit the islands come after October and leave in June. What that tells me is that it is time to BUY! Opportunity is knocking for those savvy international buyers/investors.

What better opportunity to negotiate a favorable price and terms with a Seller than when there is a very large inventory of properties and a very small Buyer pool. Not only do investors have an advantage, but the Buyer who is interested in purchasing a home or townhome on-island for their visits throughout the year is also in a great negotiation position.

The prices in today’s real estate market in the U.S. Virgin Islands range from $300,000 condos to $4 million and higher priced estates overlooking the Straits Of Sir Francis Drake. So, whatever price range you may be in, you will find many properties to choose from during this annual “slow time” in the Caribbean real estate market. Again, I would rather deal with a hurricane than an earthquake, but some have said I am a bit peculiar. Let me know about your experiences during July through October in the Caribbean. Until next time…

Holy Moly! Have you discovered The Grenadines yet? I have sailed south from the Virgin Islands several times over the past 35 years, and even have my earring as proof of being inducted into the “shellback” community*. One of top spots on my list for amazing sailing grounds is The Grenadines. If you have missed them here is information that may cause you to set sail soon…

For starters…The Grenadines was the location for much of the filming of Pirates Of The Caribbean. Just close your eyes and imagine actually being there on your own sailing adventure. I promise you it is unforgettable. The Grenadines include the islands of St. Vincent, Mustique, Bequia, Canouan, Palm Island, and Union Island. The fact is there are over 50 islands to discover. Exploring these islands is the stuff of a sailor’s dream – turquoise lagoons, palm fringed beaches, and unforgettable anchorages with just you as the only “guest”.

The diving is over the top!!! All of the abundant reef-life that you find at 80 feet in most of the Caribbean flourishes in about 25 feet of water. The temperature throughout the year averages 78 degrees – a bit cooler than the Virgin Islands. I would agree with a comment I heard at a bar in Indian Bay, “St. Vincent and The Grenadines are Mother Nature’s gift to the Caribbean.” By the way, the night life at Indian Bay and Villa is outstanding. There is a fun bar and music scene going on most every night.

During my sail around St. Vincent I discovered Buccament Bay – a five-star resort that is being developed by Harlequin Property – a British resort development company. As I wandered around the construction site I asked if there was someone I could speak with about the project. I met Geetan Jessen and a friendship and business relationship began to unfold. I had never heard of his company – which is not surprising since they had never heard of me, either. What I learned is they are one of the key players in resort developments in the Caribbean. Besides St. Vincent, they have five-star resorts in Barbados and Dominican Republic. I look forward to checking them out during other sailing adventures in the future.

Let me know if you have found some hidden spots in The Grenadines that you are willing to share. I am always looking for more to add to my wish list.

*Shellback: The ceremony of “crossing the line” is an initiation which commemorates a sailor’s first crossing of the equator. Originally the tradition was created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Sailors who have already crossed the equator are nicknamed (Trusty) Shellbacks; those who have not are nicknamed (Slimy) Pollywogs.

Claudia Creque, a 66-year-old retired educator from Anegada of the BVI, has recently garnered the honor of Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Gov. David Pearey was on hand during the awards ceremony at the Government House to praise Creque on her accomplishments that improved the overall quality of education on the island.

Having worked as a student teacher and principal at the Anegada School, she is credited for adding a full secondary division that made it possible for all children — not just those who could afford it — to receive a full education.

Outside of her professional life, Creque has also done many things to promote the culture of Anegada. Through a museum and the music programs she organizes at church, there is no denying her involvement for the greater good of the community.

Almost all of us have had at least one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. Claudia Creque has had an impact on the many children she has taught or encountered through her career, which has spanned four decades. The BVI government, along with nominations by its citizens, show the appreciation they have for her.

- Joseph Natividad