The Kwanzaa began today in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. and several other Caribbean Islands.  It is a seven day celebration that began in 1966.  Each day focuses on a principle that reaffirms the African commitment to themselves, their families, their community, and their black struggle for equality.  The daily principles are;

• December 26^th – Umoja – Unity
• December 27^th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• December 28^th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
• December 29^th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• December 30^th – Nia – Purpose
• December 31 – Kuumba – Creativity
• January 1^st – Imani – Faith

The seven Kwanzaa principles are referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and are intended to serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanzaa is Habari Gani, and the reply is Habari Gani followed by the principle of the day. Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of African descent in North America, the Caribbean and other part of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966.

The St. Croix Source has the schedule for this week’s Kwanza events.  The events vary from a 7K run honoring the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, plays and songs, and much more. There will be family gatherings all over the Virgin Islands for the next seven days.  Also check out the local celebrations held in all of the Windward and Leeward islands.  Enjoy each of your Kwanzaa days. Habari Gani!

So, at the end of 2009 Puerto Rico went into a panic because Gov. deJongh of the USVI was successful in having the USVI  now get the proceeds from the “rum cover-over tax” that is provided to the U.S. Territory who produces the rum.  We are talking about MILLIONS of dollars!  A political war began in Congress with friends of Puerto Rico proposing that the 100+ year old “rum cover-over tax” reserved for the island Territory that produced the rum be distributed by population in the Territories instead of to the specific island.  Puerto Rico has 4 million residents.  The USVI has 160,000. That would mean the USVI would produce the rum and the lions share of “rum cover-over tax” would go to Puerto Rico.  Fortunately, the bill has never made it to a vote so nothing has changed and at this point.  The USVI is proceeding with their Diageo contract and begin producing Captain Morgan.

A brand new chapter in the Rum War began this week. The lobby group for Puerto Rico, National Puerto Rico Coalition, has changed tactics and personally attacked key leaders in the USVI. Now it has become personal and the verbal exchanges have become quite vigorous. V.I. Delegate to Congress, Donna M. Christensen, on Thursday bitterly denounced the tactics being used by the National Puerto Rico Coalition (NPRC), accusing the group of willfully misrepresenting the truth in the latest round of the Rum Wars.

Here is what the lobbying group, NPRC, did. Earlier this week representatives of the NPRC held a press conference in Washington asking the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate Christensen, Rep. Charles Rangel and Assistant Secretary of Interior Anthony Babauta to find out whether or not any of them stand to benefit from the territory’s public-private partnership with Diageo’s St. Croix production facility.

Her voice bristling with indignation, Christensen fired back, saying the Puerto Rico lobbying group has taken “a page out of the Republican playbook,” launching personal attacks on its adversaries when it can’t win an argument on its merits. “These charges are outrageous and unfounded and are nothing more than a desperate attempt to spread falsehoods and innuendo since their year-and-a-half campaign to derail legally binding agreements has failed miserably,” Christensen said.

Diageo had tried for over a year to negotiate an extension of its rum production agreement with Puerto Rico without success. “The suffering of the Puerto Rico citizens, the loss of jobs and dire economic conditions, that is on the watch of the leaders in Puerto Rico. The result of Diageo leaving Puerto Rico is their fault,” Christense said. “Diageo tried to negotiate a new contract … The blame is on Puerto Rico for not doing their job.” It appears that Puerto Rico is making a disparate attempt capture a portion of the “rum cover-over tax” that they will now loose because of their ineptness.  It seems similar to what one experienced in the third grade when someone got the ball you wanted to play with and you wanted it back – childish behavior.

In a written statement on Thursday, Diageo’s vice president for North America, Virginia Sánchez, expressed confidence in that Congress “will see that any changes made to existing cover-over program which may impact our agreement will be extremely harmful to the economy of the USVI today and in the future.” The Diageo representatives previously said “no member of the U.S. Congress had any kind of role in the negotiation or the approval” of the agreement with the V.I. government which extends for a period of 30 years.  Sánchez said that allegations that there were deals made in dark rooms are “pure fiction”. The Rum War is not over yet, but the USVI does seem to be ahead of Puerto Rico two to nill and we are in the third quarter of the match.  More to come.  Contact me anytime for information regarding the lifestyle happenings in the Caribbean.

The Caribbean is not just a place for adults to vacation and play.

Your kids are completely aware of the Caribbean.  Ask them if they have watched the movie Pirates Of The Caribbean .  I know many of you have never been to the Caribbean.  Your kids are now asking that you take them there for your next vacation.  I have done my homework, so here are some suggested Caribbean destinations for your first or next visit:

• Booking a cruise could be your easiest introduction to the Caribbean.  It allows you to scout out many different islands during a week cruise that is not possible by just vacationing on one island. ( A cruise vacation is not my favorite way to see the Caribbean, but it is a very Kid Friendly vacation.  Check out the 100-passenger Pacific Explorer  as a possible option for an unforgettable cruise. 
• The next step into the kid-friendly Caribbean is an all-inclusive resort.  Some resorts to consider for this type of vacation are; Jamaica’s Starfish Trelawny Resort; The Beaches in the Turks and Caicos Islands; Iberostar’s resort on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera; and the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.  All four of these are great choices for you to consider as a destination your kids will love.
• The next step up in kid-friendly Caribbean adventures would be to choose a region.  Three of my family favorites are Jamaica, Mexico’s Yucatan with Cancun as the center of action,  and the Dominican Republic. You can visit each of these region’s with Google or Yahoo! as your resources.  Just put into their search bars “Kid Friendly Vacations In The Caribbean”, and then design your own vacation adventures.
• A charter sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands would be another one to consider a with your kids. You pick the can yacht together on the internet, or call me as your guide.  You decide your daily anchorages.  You decide on your daily adventures.  You even decide on your daily menus and beverages. ( This is my personal choice for a family adventure in the Caribbean.)
• A final destination to consider is a 5-star luxury resort like Azul Beach Resort on Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. This all-inclusive resort even has “beach butlers”, luxury spas, hair braiding and fun manicures.  This resort is one of the most luxurious for any family wanting to have every one of their needs met at the resort.

So, here is the real deal…the Caribbean can be the most family-focused vacation destination you have ever experienced!  No matter how you decide to experience the Caribbean,  your kids will be eternally grateful you decided to provide a vacation that included them.  Contact me  any time for information on any of this family vacation options.  So, what have been some of your favorite family vacations!  Until next time…your Caribbean Islands lifestyle detective remains on duty!!!!

What does it take to create a memorable moment for the world you touch each day?

I was minding my own business yesterday, waiting in line for a sandwich at my favorite deli at Lunardi’s Market.  Pamela, one of the ladies that always is smiling and engaging who makes my sandwiches, welcomed me back to the deli.  I had just returned from the VICL Boat Show the week before.  After she made my sandwich she said she had something for me and asked me to wait just a moment.  She went in the back of the store and came out with a DVD of the movie “Pay It Forward”.  She asked that I watch the movie and return it to her the next time I came in for a sandwich.  I thanked her for her thoughtfulness, and let her know I had already seen the movie.  She asked me to please watch it again. I took the DVD from her and promised I would.

So, a moment later I walked to the check out counter and Denise was there to ring me up.  I fumbled around in my pockets and realized I had forgotten to put my wallet and money in my pants when I left the house.  I embarrassingly let Denise know I had no money, but I told her I would go back home and get some cash if she would just keep the sandwich at her check out stand until I returned.  She said, “No problem. I will pay for your sandwich today. Next time you’re in the store just pay me back.”  I was blown away by her random act of kindness.  I hurried home and came right back to the store to repay Denise within a half hour.

It takes so little to create an unforgettable moment for our customers – whether they are charter yacht vacation guests, real estate clients, or just one of the retail stores on or off island.  Just so you know, I have this experience all the time in the Caribbean.  The locals in the Caribbean are some of the kindest people I know.  Maybe that is one of the reasons I love it so much down there, and keep coming back. 

My question today is,  what are you doing to create unforgettable memories each day for the world in which you live in?  Please rent “Pay It Forward” and watch it. Also, click on “Johnny’s Story” right now in order to see “service above self” in action.  Take a moment and leave me some of your extraordinary customer service stories.

I met Garrett and Kyle Weiss last week at my Rotary Club.  These are two high school young men who were inspired to make a difference in this world because of attending the World Cup  games several years ago.  The most impressive soccer game they watched at the World Cup include an African team with almost no support and from a war torn country.  They sat next to the small enthusiastic group of cheering fans and had the chance to speak with them about their country.  They were shocked at the conditions in the country and how difficult it was to participate in the game of soccer that Garrett and Kyle love so much, because of having almost NO soccer fields.

Garrett and Kyle  were so moved by their experience that they decided to see if they could raise a little money, send it to Africa, and continue on with their lives.  They never dreamed they would end up creating a movement that is now building soccer fields all over Africa…FundaField  was born!

The Caribbean LOVES soccer, and all eyes are on the 2010 Football World Cup  coming up in South Africa.  With statistics such as 75% of children in South Africa are surviving on less than $2 per day, have little or no access to sporting facilities, and are exposed to greater risk of violence, drug abuse and early pregnancy, there are not opportunities to do much else than to figure out how to stay alive another day.  FUNDaFIELD understands that sports can be a vital tool for the development of children in South Africa, improving overall health and physical development, improving mental abilities, developing social skills and interactions all while providing for the child to have fun and challenge themselves in the sporting arena.

The facts Garrett and Kyle have discovered about Africa were absolutely shocking to them.

• Twenty percent of Africa’s children die before the age of five. Africa has the highest infant mortality rate in the world:
• 118 African babies out of every 1,000 born alive die before their first birthday.
• One African in three is malnourished.
• More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea.
• More than 40 percent of Africans do not have the ability to obtain sufficient food on a day-to-day basis.
• Nearly two million African adults and children died from AIDS in 2005. Nine out of 10 children living with HIV/AIDS are African. More than 12 million African children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. HIV/AIDS has created more than 14 million orphans – 92 percent of them live in Africa.

In magazines and on billboards, you have seen little picture squares that are used to create one BIG picture.   Their concept is the same with their fundraising efforts.  Their little squares cost $1 each, and they put your initials in that square.  When all of the little squares are sold – 100,000 of them, they will spell out, FundaField, and they will have reached their commitment of raising $100,000.  They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization so all of the squares you purchase are tax deductible.  Contact me if you would like more information about how to assist with this amazing project.  Until next time…

One of the many locations that celebrated Three Kings Day was St. Croix this week.  Three Kings Day honors the arrival of the magi bearing gifts to the baby Jesus.  After the Christmas gifts have been unwrapped and put away,  many communities in the Virgin Islands and Pureto Rico celebrate this holiday, also known as Epiphany or Dia de lost Reyes Magos.  Many European countries still celebrate it, too.

The Biblical story tells how the Kings or Wise Men or Magi – who according to legend are named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – presented the baby Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. During this weeks holiday,  Three Kings Day was celebrated by giving gifts.  There was a parade, and afterwards families gather together for a community meal,  and for the gifts from the Wise Men are given to the children.  On St. Croix over 300 gifts were distributed.

It is also a National holiday in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and many others. It is looked upon as an extension of the Christmas holiday, and all government agencies and business are closed. There is a public procession in most of the local communities and it is focused on retelling the story of the magi to all the children involved in the celebrations.

If you participated in any of the Three Kings Day celebrations I would enjoy hear about your experience.  We need to find many more opportunities to celebrate life’s important traditions in all our cultures.  My observation is that we miss too many “moments” that allow us to take a break from the typical stress of our lives and get some further perspectives as to what is really important – family and dear friends.  Until next time…fair winds!

December is the time of year that all of us spend time with family and friends, and it is a time we remember the many blessings that we have received each day throughout the year.  One of our wishes for you to is that this Holiday Season is not the only time that is only focused on a few days in December, but actually everyday throughout the year.  There are so many grateful moments that we need to pay attention to each day!  There are people to love, to serve, and even to just take a moment and listen to that will improve whatever condition they are in.  There is a quote I really like, “If you are wondering if your mission in life is complete, it is not if you are still alive.”  Below is a prayer that we will be using at our Holiday celebration dinner.  Make a copy of it and review it from time to time.  It means a lot to us.

Dear God, this is the Season of getting together with our loved ones; feast, toast, enjoy the blessings of life – and give thanks.  Thanks for life all around us, under foot, and overhead.

Thanks for the ability to remember the things that we love as well as to forget how much we’ve been hurt. Thanks for fine young bodies and old, venerable minds; for sun on our faces, the rain on the roof, and the food on the table grown by people we don’t even know.  

Thanks that the jets overhead aren’t dropping their bombs, that our healing hands have a place to practice, that children are born every minute of the day, and that death is there to gather us up at the end. And thanks for at least a few days a year when we all take the time to get some perspective.

 We send our best wishes for a wonderful Tropical Holiday Season with your dear family and friends!  Until next time…fair winds for 2009!!!

So, let’s see if we can get into the mind of a first time charter yacht guest.  “I wonder if I will get sea sick during this vacation on a boat?  How much sunscreen will I need?  Will I really like being in such a small space for a week?  Do I need to be worried about safety issues – both on the boat and when I am ashore?  What about bug-bites?  Are the promotional photos really representative of the boat and the color of the water?  Do the fish bite if I get in the water?  What about sharks and barracuda?  Will I have enough to eat and drink, and will it be good food? I really hope I find the beautiful post card beaches, swaying palm trees, azure blue waters, some local culture and everything that embodies the “good life”.  But, will it really happen for me, or was this a bad choice for a vacation?”

The guests stayed over night at Secret Harbor Resort on Friday night, and they are now walking down the dock Saturday at noon at American Yacht Harbor, after eating breakfast at Molly Malone’s, and they see their crew for the first time.  “Well, they look friendly enough, but what is a Captain supposed to look like? They appear a bit young for this work.  WOW!  They really are nice and they even know my name.  I walked aboard our floating home for the next week, and they already have Tropical drinks waiting me.  I can’t believe they asked me to take off my shoes before I climbed on board.  Why did I buy “deck shoes” if I am required to be barefoot on the boat?  We have a brief crew meeting where the safety issues of a charter yacht are discussed and I learn where the life preservers are located.  This is very important information I need to remember.  And, I learn that whatever I want to happen on this vacation may really happen.  Another WOW!  I hope it does.

“Next, I have a tour of the boat and I am directed to my bedroom, and I am given instructions regarding the use of the toilet called a head.  I learn that the shower actually works, even though it is in the same space as the toilet.  I am actually surprised at how efficient space planning is on a yacht.  The storage locker for my clothes is pretty small for all the stuff I brought.  As I meander back up to the deck, what awaits me are some beautifully prepared appetizers before we shove off for Norman Island.  Another WOW!  I am being swept away with the reality that my Crew is taking all the vacation hassles away so I can just stay in the moment of Paradise for seven days. I haven’t taken my watch off yet, because it is always important to know what time it is.  I wonder where I will be able to read a book since the boat is always rocking?  Boy, I hope this vacation works out O.K.?

“What I am discovering within the first few hours is that the Caribbean Sea is allowing me to dump all of my typical daily “baggage” for just a few days.  I am starting to realize that there may be some remarkable thoughts that I will hang with for a moment or two during my Caribbean sailing adventure.  I didn’t realize that the need to feel cared for is such an important part of the experience I have been secretly craving,  since my “real world” expects ME to always do the caring.”

We, in the charter vacation industry understand this is not the typical vacation experience most people have.  AND… it is the one we deliver to each of our charter guests every moment of everyday.  In the past eleven years of having our charter yacht business, we’ve discovered that our guests are not just looking for the 5-star service and quality of a vacation.  They are actually looking to be more in the “moment” each day, and have an “extraordinary experience” of pampering and discovering new adventures during their time away from there personal rat race.  Anything less yields just the same old run-of-the-mill vacation where we’ve all said the following: “We went, we saw and we can check that one off our list.”   A really devoted charter yacht crew realizes the importance of having an awareness of what is going on around them without having to be told about anyone’s needs. A good charter is not complete without a crew that intuitively anticipates what you need before you realize that you need it, or even better, they know right before their guests even ask for something.

Here is what we deliver for every charter guest…the realization that your Crew is delivering an extraordinary experience, from their hearts, in order to create another raving fan for the Caribbean sailing experience.  99.9% of our guests say, “I didn’t expect it to be this nice!” Later on it’s another comment that we hear,  “Boy, you guys work hard, yet you make it look so easy”.  Or, “Wow! How did you find enough time to prepare an appetizer, meal and dessert like that when we were all out doing water sports together this afternoon?”  Other funny comments are: “Are you guys’ psychic?  As I got out of the water, you were there to hand me a towel and my favorite drink”.

We have to admit that some of our charters are just “vanilla” and others are “double decadent fudge chocolate” topped with a dose of pure joy.  We can honestly say after eleven years and hundreds of charter guests, we’ve only had two guests who really would have been happier at a resort or on a crowded cruise ship.  Lucky for us, we have had wonderful mentors in this business. Everyday we are part of a very large “village” of Crews from all different backgrounds, many different countries, many levels of experience,  who are willing to offer their advice and support. The collective commitment of all charter vacation Crews is to deliver to their charter guests the BEST experience of their entire life.  Extraordinary experiences are what makes a Caribbean charter yacht vacation so special.  Because of the experience we deliver to them each day, 80% of our charters are returning guests!  Most of our charters are now like “family reunions”.  We invite you to experience a transforming moment on a charter yacht vacation, too!  We have never found one person who wants a charter yacht vacation to end.  And all of our guests start planning when they can return for another unforgettable Caribbean sailing experience, before their charter vacation with us is even over!  It is very hard work.  There are times we are actually tired.  And, we love our charter career so much, that we can’t wait for our next guests to arrive, in what we call “Paradise”!   Fair winds until we meet again…and I know we will.   Captain Randy & Shelly Tucker - s/y Three Moons

Yes, there was an after-party today!  Many of the Crews have charters that start on Saturday, so they had one more day to relax before they started their provisioning details.  Since their yachts are all charter-ready, it gave them one more day to relax and enjoy the time off before their real work begins – six to seven months of hosting charter guests.  And, some of the Brokers are stay an extra day or two, since they are already on-island.  The day started pool-side at Yacht Haven Grande, and then transitioned in the afternoon to Secret Harbor.

Since many of the charters will be starting this Saturday at American Yacht Harbor, it made sense to move to the Red Hook side of the island for the rest of the after-party.  Secret Harbor is the perfect location for any party.  Even some floaties showed up so cocktails could be consumed while sunning in the water.  There even was some fun happening at the outdoor showers.

The sunset set with more goodbyes, and some were even planning on participating in Jonny and Meredith’s wedding tomorrow.  Remember them?  they are the adorable crew from s/y Conundrum.  Yes, they have been planning a wedding for months so it coincided with the Boat Show.  That way their family and friends could fly down for the wedding, and all of their very special Crew friends could join them, too.

The light started to dim and we watched another glorious Caribbean sunset.  The “Charter Gang” started to dispurse for the actual start of another very successful charter yacht season.  And, the mantra we talked about several times today that many are now going to post in their crew quarters to read each morning when they get up to face another day of customer service is;

“Today I will declare a commitment to a result that has no present evidence of possibilities.  Let’s make miracles happen today!”

Fari winds to all, as your Boat Show internet reporter signs off until November 8th – 11th, 2009 at next year’s VICL Boat Show!  Contact me  any time with updates on your adventures.  I will glad to post them for all to read.

What a Boat Show!  Now for the list of “credits”.  I know there are many more contributors I may have missed.  If you are one of them, please contact  me  and I will be sure to add you to the list.  The Boat Show Stars were actually all the Crews and Yachts that dazzle our charter guest all season and make the Brokers proud of the businesses they are in.  The “Charter Life”  may not always be easy, but it is certainly fun and very satisfying when you see your clients’ smile from ear to ear because of the experience delivered to them on their most unforgettable vacation – a crewed yacht charter vacation in the Caribbean.  Fair winds to all of you.

Presenters & Honored Guests – In Order Of Appearance

• Erik Ackerson – VICL Director
• VICL Board of Directors:
• President Mike Calhoun…s/v Southern Comfort
• Vice President Franz Gradler…s/v Hanalei Bay
• Secretary Kevin Mare…s/v Instant Karma
• Vince Stracener…s/v Drumbeat 1
• Brian Johnson…s/v Sublime
• Gordon Monsen…s/v Liberte’
• Sue Maki, Gen.Mgr. Flagship – New Broker Seminars
• Charter Chef Ashley Lynn Hotchkiss
• Bill Canfield St Thomas Yacht Club
  Lt. Cmdr. Tim Grant U.S. Coast Guard
• Gov. John deJongh
• Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis
• Senator Louis Hill
• Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson Doty
• Lt. CMDR. Tim Grant – USCG
• Director Mel Vanterpool Homeland Security
• Mike Fitzsimmons (Maritime Law) 

Sponsors & Vendors

• Yacht Haven Grande
• Flagship
• Treasure Hunt Grand Prize – Donated By Owen & Mary – s/v Fidelity
• The Workbench Limited at Virgin Gorda Marina
• Frenchmen’s Reef Resort Hotel
• Budget Marine
• Hooters
• Premier Wine and Spirits
• Bad Ass Coffee
• Southern Trades
• V.I. Wine Wholesale
• Gourmet Gallery
• CharterPort – Boat Show’s Virtual Office
• The Real Estate Center
• Dolphin Cove Resort
• Fat Turtle
• Bellows International
• V.I. Dept. of Tourism
• Yacht Haven Grande
• ONDECK Racing
• Theodore Tunick and Company
• CYBA
• Paradise Point
• The Pirate’s Chest at Paradise Point
• Reefco
• Marshall Islands Yacht Registry
• A.H.Riise,
  Island Marine Outfitters
• Virgin Islands Canvas
• Custom Canvas and Sails, Inc.
• High Tech Water Sports
• The Pegasus Group
• Caribbean Islands Realty  - Internet Reporting