After much consideration regarding the situation with both the Democrats and the Republicans,  Jim Walberg has decided to run for President of the United States as a fifth alternative!

A grass roots effort has already begun.  Please log on to the U-Tube  that just surfaced!  I welcome your comments and support during the next 68 days.  It will require a miracle of millions of write-in votes, but I have a feeling that it just may work.  I am also looking for any input regarding some policy issues you would like me to be focus on.  I am standing ready to serve!

We are traveling back to California to enroll our last one into college!

We are gladly taking donations from all of our friends, family and the internet world.  As of today we will have all THREE of our kids in college – Matt at Loyola-Marymount University, and JJ and Bryana in Santa Barbara, California!  In fact, what we really need are more real estate sales in the Caribbean!  It is a hectic time of transporting ALL of them and us to the various campuses to get them settled into their college dorms and apartments.  In addition, it will be the first time in 22 years that Ann Marie and I will be “empty nesters”! 

Bryana, as a freshman, is very excited, nervous, and filled with anticipation of how the next chapter in her life will be unfolding.  Her three girlfriends since the second grade have said their goodbyes since they are all going to different universities.  Ann Marie found a blanket manufacturer that could weave in a photo into the blanket.  We found the girls’ favorite photo of them and surprised them with a blanket for each of them so they could be reminded of their dear friendship.  Bryana is currently focused on a career in journalism.  As you can see, she may want to start in television since she is so beautiful and so darn smart.

JJ continues his passion for surfing and golfing while attending college in Santa Barbara.  As a Junior he has kept a 3.0 GPA, and he has lowered his golf handicap significantly between his class work.  If I could pick a career for JJ it would be doing something with kids.  He is an amazing coach with sports, and he has a natural knack of having kids bond with him and listen to his advice and direction.  At the moment his major is social science.  He would be a great elementary school teacher, too.  However, no matter what he does he will need to live by the beach.  We are so glad that he and Bryana will be in the same college town, just so they know there is a family member close by.  It is comforting to us, too.

Matt is completing his last few courses at LMU.  He already graduated with double degrees in Economics and Music – what a combination of interests.  He is passionate about both, and during his last four years he has more than tripled his stock portfolio because of studying the stock markets.  He has made some BIG hits with Apple stock purchases over the last few years.  His next step will be in some type of international experience.  We will be taking him to London in January to interview with the London School of Economics.  And, next we will open some doors in Geneva, Switzerland with the Nestle Group.  He would really enjoy a year’s internship with Nestle. ( Any contacts would be greatly appreciated.)

Ann Marie and I are already planning an adventure when Bryana graduates in four years.  As she exits college at that time, we will get an immediate raise in our income.  With that in mind, we are planning to sail in the Caribbean for six months starting in the BVI and heading south with no other plans than beautiful sunsets, SCUBA diving, fair winds, and having friends meet us along the way at various islands.  I will let you know how these plans unfold.  Wish us well as the launch our last child into a new world.  Until next time…fair winds to all of you!

The Charter Yacht Society and the Virgin Island Charter League boat shows are booked again for November – Road Town, BVI and St. Thomas, USVI!

As you know, I am a RAVING FAN of the charter yacht industry in the Caribbean!  Each year for the past 34 years the Caribbean charter yacht industry creates an opportunity for the charter yacht vacation Brokers to inspect the charter fleet in two locations – Road Town, Tortola, BVI, and St. Thomas, USVI.  Each of the charter yachts that register for shows present their yachts in the most amazing condition – bright work sparkling, and all of the woodwork freshly varnished.  The crews are decked out in their finest, and the presentation of their yacht is meant to communicate what it would be like for a charter guest to share a week with them.  So, the yacht Brokers are taking notes during the days of the Boat Shows and generally picking their favorite dozen or so yachts they will be promoting to their U.S., Canadian, and European clients.  As I have mentioned in previous articles, there is NOTHING like a charter yacht vacation!  Forget cruise lines.  Be pampered by the most amazing service professionals you will ever meet as your captain and gourmet chef.

There used to be just one Virgin Island Charter League in the Caribbean that served the BVI and the USVI.  But, in the early 1980s the demand for charter yacht vacations grew at such a rate that it made sense to have two distinct organizations specifically serving the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Even though they are separate associations, they work in tandem regarding any issues facing the charter industry.  An example of that would be like behind the scenes is the work they did together in negotiations with the BVI government that was about to implement an increased TAX on every charter yacht that anchored in the BVI.  It would have added a difficult burden of expenses to the charter fleet that spends most of it’s time in the BVI, when they are all dealing with the oppressive fuel costs for their boats.  Remember, even though most of them are sail boats, they need fuel to run their generators to make sure their guests are comfortable at night with air conditioning, and to make sure they have cold refrigerators and ICE!  So, even though the guests are on a sailing yacht, the yacht needs FUEL to create the unforgettable experience of a crewed chartered sailing adventure.

Back to the Boat Shows…these annual events in the BVI and the USVI are critical moments to support the tourist dollars for both of these island nations and territories.  Tourism is the KEY economy for both of these countries.  The charter yacht vacation industry is an important aspect of tourist dollars.  Speaking from a personal experience of sailing in the Caribbean for 35+ years, the amount of money spent before, during, and after a charter yacht vacation generate almost $1,000 per person to the island nations that are their start and ending port.  These are BIG dollars given the size of the Caribbean charter yacht vacation fleet.  During the 2008 boat shows there will be a Premier’s reception for the BVI show, and a governor’s reception at the USVI show.  Last year at the USVI boat show Gov. deJongh, Lt. Gov. Francis, and Senator Hill were special guests addressing the charter community.  They are not showing up at this event because they have spare time on their hands.  They all know that this industry is a key to the health of their economies.

In past articles, I addressed some of the issues that are facing the Caribbean charter and tourist industries.  The key one is having the airlines figure out a business model that allows them to supply transportation to all of the visitors who want to visit Paradise.  There was an almost 15% increase in tourist coming the Caribbean in the last 12 months.  However, American and Continental Airlines are cutting back their flights by 40% to San Juan, Puerto Rico starting September 1^st.  The airlines industries are struggling to figure out a business model that allows them to stay in business.  I will be at both Boat Shows doing the internet reporting for each of them.  You will have a great time logging on from November 6^th  – 14^th.  I will keep you posted regarding the fun events that will be part of both of these special annual Caribbean events.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter is on duty!

Casa de Campo Resort is the location of one of best resorts in the Caribbean!

If you have read any of my past postings  about what is happening in the real estate opportunities in the Dominican Republic, you know I am a raving fan!  The DR is not a secret anymore to the world travelers who want an amazing experience of Caribbean culture, luxury resorts, world class golf courses, and GREAT cigars.  The DR is now known for its beautiful beaches and some of the most friendly people welcoming you to their tropical paradise.

“Los Altos”  is a 116 unit ultra-luxury one, two and three bedroom villas and lofts development within Casa de Campo Resort.  They even have a concierge service that takes care of EVERY detail of your Caribbean experience – from booking travel, hotels, transportation, and even grocery shopping so your kitchen is stocked when you arrive. ( Wouldn’t be great if they could rent out this service at our full time homes? )

Here is an example of what is included in the two-bedroom / three-bath / 2,533 sq.ft. lofts:  swimming pool, completely furnished, and even a garage door opener!  This limited edition luxury property is right in the middle of the DR’s best golfing, spa and resort amenities in the Caribbean, and features some over-the-top gardens, and even an optional private pool.  All of the Los Altos villas have breathtaking views of the Dye Fore golf course.  I have heard from many golfers coming off the links that there is not a more beautiful site in golf than to finish a round and watch a Caribbean sunset at the 18^th hole of this course,  which is actually perched at the top of the resort’s highest point!  You will be blown away by this finishing hole.  OK, so what is the price?  How about a fractional ownership price of $200,000, to $795,000 for a full ownership!  WOW!  What an opportunity for a primary home or a part time get-a-way!

AND, Los Altos is located right next to Altos de Chavon, a gorgeous replica of a 16^th century Italian village, with shops, restaurants, and many cultural attractions.  In fact, in the village there is even a 5,000 seat open-air theater!  The concert schedule they are planning is world class!  Casa de Campo Resort has already won the Travel & Leisure Magazine’s   #1 “Family Friendly Resort In The Caribbean!”, plus, the #1 “Golf Course In The Caribbean”!  Casa de Campo Resort is one of the very special Caribbean paradises!  What a place to have your “home away from home”!  Los Altos’ villas and lofts are just a few of over 1,200 private villas at the 7,000 acre resort with outstanding amenities to satisfy clients with the most discriminating tastes.

Owners of Los Altos villas and lofts enjoy ALL of Casa de Campo resort’s amenities and services.  And, there is even MORE!

• Equestrian center!
• Tennis courts!
• Sailing facility!
• World class full service spa!
• Poolside lounges!
• Three championship golf courses; Teeth of the Dog; the Links, and Dye Fore!

And, even MORE!  So, what are you waiting for?  Contact me today  for more information!  The DR has become one of my Top Five favorite Caribbean destinations!  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is exhausted from the work required to bring these great opportunities to your favorite Caribbean website.  OK, so I am just kidding!  This “old dog” is having the time of his life!