At the start of any sailing voyage, this is the mantra Jim Walberg uses when he raises the anchor and sets sail for another adventure!

This phrase, “Do not be fearful,” is one that I have not only used as a life long sailor, but in many aspects of my life.  It is the phrase that is used by both those staying behind and those on the sailboat as it leaves the anchorage or dock for another voyage.  My experience with this mantra is based on the fact that no one knows what will ever happen on a sailing adventure. The one constant is you know the latitude and longitude of your destination.  What happens from the moment you set sail to the moment you drop anchor at your destination is what is called “a sailing adventure”.

I could write a book about all of the “unexpected / expected” experiences that relate back to “not being fearful”. Well, I guess it is OK to be fearful, but a sailor doesn’t let the fear prevent her/him for setting sail, even knowing the challenges that will be faced during the voyage.  Someone that lets fear stop them from setting sail to a familiar or new destination is called a “landlubber”, not a sailor.  So, fear can either serve you or it can paralyze you.  I chose to have it serve me, even though I have been in some pretty scary experiences during my life time of sailing adventures.

One example of my 50+ years of sailing adventures was during a sailboat delivery on the west coast from San Francisco to Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. The sailboat was a MacGregor 65 that is a “rocket ship” that is only twelve feet wide and sixty-five feet long, and is primarily used for racing. It is not considered a “blue water” sailing vessel. It is just built for speed – 12 to 14 knots for a mono-hull! It is known to break up in even moderate seas because of it being so narrow and light. (If a MacGregor does break-up it doesn’t sink because it is filled with foam so it actually floats and one can hang-on to debris as a last resort while awaiting someone to save your ass.)

Off the Santa Barbara Islands our crew of four decided we better stress the boat to the max to see if there were any flaws that could be uncovered before we got into Mexican waters. Another important note – sailors do attempt to always find the “surprises” during a voyage before they are actually surprises.  Well, one showed up with all the sails out in a 20 knot wind. Within minutes the boom broke in half and I happened to be in the path of the broken parts. It hit me square on the head and knocked me out. (When we meet again you will now note the dent that is still on the right side of my bald head.) My crew mates acted quickly – another important trait of a sailor, and first made sure I didn’t roll overboard, and then lashed the broken boom together and re-grouped. As a sailor you need to constantly improvise during these types of moments which requires a curious and inventive mind. With the boom broken in half you can’t use your mainsail effectively. So, we rigged it to use the jib and “jerry rigged” the main so we had a small portion of it in the wind. We limped to a repair facility in San Diego harbor and set sail again to complete the delivery. We did deliver the yacht on time, in spite of the detour, and I added another story to my journal of sailing tales.

Well, enough of my musings for now. My point is that you can never explore new shores by standing on the dock wishing you could get their. You must get on board, set the sails, and be prepared for many sailing adventures between the launch and your destination.  Hum…maybe there is even some analogies in life that the sailing mantra applies, too – “Do not be fearful!”!!!    So, what about some of your tall tales from sailing adventures?

Most everyone I know thinks the Bahamas are in the Caribbean – they are not, but you will think they are when you arrive!

For the past year or more, we have been getting inquiries from Buyers who want information about buying in The Bahamas since they believe these islands are in the Caribbean.  Up until about six weeks ago I told all of those inquiring that the Bahamas are not in the Caribbean. Starting about six weeks ago there has been non-stop inquiries about real estate opportunities in the Bahamas. If you remember my “Brits & Boomers” blog posting, most of these inquiries are coming from Brittan, Europe and Eastern U.S. With this type of interest I had better pay attention to what the consumers are looking for.

One of the BIG benefits is that the Bahamas are so darn convenient for visitors to get there – direct flights from England and the Eastern coast of the U.S. It is definitely a British experience when you arrive. The uniforms of the police and driving on the left side of the road are just the first two clues of the British influence on this 100,000 square mile cluster of 700 islands that include an estimated land area of 5,382 square miles, and the highest land elevation is only 206 feet!

The diving is over the top as one of the many draws since The Bahamas have the third largest barrier reef next to Australia being #1, and Belize being #2!  It also has 14+% of the world’s coral. There are just over 305,000 Bahamians living on the islands with the majority of them on Nassau and Paradise Islands. There are actually only 14 main islands that serve the remaining 686 islands – either by boat or plane. The boat anchorages available throughout the Bahamas allows a sailor to never have another boat anchored next them if they plan their sailing adventure properly.

The African culture has created the flavor and texture of The Bahamas.  There is definitely a British influence , but the culture is West African.  One of the amazing festivals in the Bahamas is Junkonoo. This would be a close cousin of the Caribbean Carnivals, but it is held twice a year on Bay Street in Nassau, so the typical tourist does not get a chance to experience it.  But if you venture down the Prince George Dock in Nassau, you can check out the Junkanoo Expo. 

If sailing is your deal, as it is mine, then you need to show up at Montagu Bay for The Valentine’s Day Sailing Regatta. This regatta is part of the Caribbean regattas that are some of the most competitive in the world.  Remember Ondeck Ocean Racing charters?  They will be entered in 2009 and they are always competitive. It is truly a championship race that has all the fun of Race Week in Antigua. I have finally accepted the fact that the world embraces The Bahamas as part of the Caribbean scene.  So, if you would like to check some of the real estate opportunities in this “paradise” that is only 600 miles off the coast of the U.S., email me and I will send you some fun stuff.  Until next time…

  They are not only targeting old and young visitors, lovers and divers!

The Virgin Islands Tourism Board showed off their newest cutting-edge marketing tools earlier this month in St. Croix at Buccaneer Resort in Christiansted. They are going to be using DVD, a music video, U-Tube, and print ads to reach their target audiences. “We want to target the young who can spend many vacation years here,” said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Tourism commissioner.

The music is pop, with Jade Anderson singing an original tune, “Island Time.” She is the daughter of Jon Anderson, who sang such hits as “Roundabout” and “Owner of a Lonely Heart” in the 1970s and ’80s as front man for the British rock band Yes. “Worries are oceans behind …,” Anderson sings, “washing the tension from my mind … sleep beneath the trees … swim the seas, this is how life is meant to be.” The catchy tune communicates the feel of the islands.  Stanley & The Ten Sleepless Knights does the music.

The DVD tells of a young woman’s trip to “America’s Caribbean.” It is a scrapbook and travel journal; she narrates as the pages turn. The footage shows mocko jumbies, weddings, diving, history, culture and more. The printed guides target potential visitors, lovers and divers. Each printed guide is chocked full of island photos in order to hook in the consumers and travel agents so they will choose the U.S. Virgin Islands as their vacation destination.

The romance guide is for couples thinking of beginning lives together with an island wedding. The dive guide is an undersea exploration with shots of the “Wall,” shipwrecks and reefs. The new materials will be used at trade shows, and with travel agents. “We’re doing 500 sales calls a month with this material,” Nicholson-Doty said.

The Virgin Island Tourism campaign is currently focused in Atlanta as a test run, with signs on 75 buses and at airports. The next cities targeted are Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New York, Cleveland and Chicago. The Tourism Board is also working with airlines to bring more visitors, Nicholson-Doty said. “We need to ensure filling the plane and solidly grow the market with filled seats,” she said. “These are exciting new marketing pieces promoting the Virgin Islands,” Nicholson-Doty said. “This is a first with exposure in mediums we haven’t used before.” All the Toursim Board needs to do is get their target markets to the islands and they will be hooked for life.  I visited the Caribbean over 30 years ago, and looked what happened to me!  Be sure to link on the V.I. Tourism Board to view their new marketing material.  They have done a great job with these new marketing tools.  Until next time….your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

On March 19^th – 23^rd St. John is the place to be for the best Blues Festival in the Caribbean!The Beach Bar at Cruz Bay is the beginning venue and the ending venue of this unforgettable event. Reverend Raven & The Chain Smoking Altar Boys will be the headline for the kick-off at The Beach Bar on March 19^th. ( You will remember that The Beach Bar is THE spot to hang out at on Thursday late afternoon for blues music from local USVI talent.) Well, Steve Simon has organized a five day Blues Festival this year from March 19^th through March 23^rd! On March 22^nd is the BIG concert of the event at Coral Bay Ball Field starting at 7PM. Simon said, “It’s probably the single greatest evening of entertainment throughout the year in the USVI.” Advance ticket sales are $25 for the Saturday night concert and $30 at the gate. ( You can contact me for the various locations where tickets will be on sale for the next ten days.)

This year’s event features some of the finest Cajun music with three of the performers coming from New Orleans. The concert stars Tab Benoit, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Waylon Thibodeaux, and Sean Carney and the Sean Carney Band. Benoit is a recording artist who remains true to his Cajun roots. Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band play Zydeco music, with Waylon Thibodeaux playing a mixture of Louisiana-based music. Sean Carney and the Sean Carney Band was the winner of the 23rd annual Blues Challenge in Memphis. On March 20, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys will play on Bluesday in Coral Bay at the Aqua Bistro Café. The performance begins at 8 p.m. with free admission. Danny Draher and Mitch Woods play at the One Night to Go Party at Shipwreck Landing outside Coral Bay. The entertainment begins at 8 p.m. with free admission. The Blues Festival wraps up March 23^rd with a closing party at the Beach Bar in Cruz Bay. It runs from 4 to 7:30 p.m. with “surprise artists.” Admission is free.

Most of the proceeds from the Blues Festival will go to the Voice of the Wetlands to help Benoit’s efforts to put a stop to the dramatic loss of Louisiana’s wetlands. “A football-field length of wetlands is disappearing every 30 minutes,” Simon said. The loss of the protective wetlands puts the area at risk from hurricanes. Additionally, the wetlands loss has a huge economic impact on the region. “The seafood industry will be brought to its knees,” Simon said.

I love the Blues, and this is the event of the year for those that share this love. If you go to this year’s Festival, let me know what was your favorite performer. It would blow you socks off…well, I never wear any, so that will be a problem for me. Until next time…..

Saborea Puerta Rico is THE annual culinary event of the Caribbean!

Did you know that Puerto Rico is considered the culinary headquarters of the Caribbean. OK, I know that each of the islands have their very specific pride in the food they present to the world, however, I would have to agree with the press releases that “Saborea Puerto Rico” which is being presented April 4^th – 6^th at the beach of Isla Verde is not to be missed. This incredible three day program includes demo kitchens, signature events, wine seminars, kid’s kitchen’s and, the very popular Tasting Pavilion. The events program that I have reviewed was over the TOP!

The event starts off at a coffee plantation and then moves to Isla Verde Beach the last two days. Many of the five-star hotels and restaurants will create venues for many of the food and wine presentations. Puerto Rico can’t wait to show off the islands best features – it’s amazing cuisine! It is also the main fund raising event of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association benefiting the educational fund which provides training and certifications in a variety of specialties for candidates entering the hospitality industry.

The Puerto Rican culinary fusion of traditional African, Indian, and Spanish cuisines includes coriander, papay, cacoa, planains, and toro, as well as the entire variety of seafood that is available for the local Caribbean waters. The locals call their food “cocina criolla”. The mixture of ingredients and cooking techniques has evolved into the blend that is Puerto Rican cuisine. When you visit Old San Juan you must dine at La Mallorquina – which is the oldest continuous restaurant in all of the Americas. Dining in Puerto Rico is an amazing adventure that offers hundreds of choices of dining atmosphere and dining diversity as any majore metropolitan city in the world. If you are in the Caribbean during this event you would be well served to participate. I know you will enjoy every minute of it. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is searching out the BEST experiences available.

This is the title of Herman Wouk’s first novel and it is a must read for those that love the Caribbean experience!

When anyone is about to have an adventure in the Caribbean, they need to immediately order “Don’t Stop The Carnival” by Herman Wouk. In fact, this is the book I would suggest is required reading for ANYONE interested in the Caribbean lifestyle! This was Herman Wouk’s first book! It is a book about escaping middle-age crisis that takes place on a fictional island of Amerigo. An excerpt of the novel describes Amerigo as;

“Kinja was the name of the island when it was British. The actual name was King George III Island, but the islanders shortened that to Kinja. Now the names in the maps and guidebooks is Amerigo, but everybody who lives there still calls it Kinja. The United States acquired the island peacefully in 1940 as part of the shuffling of old destroyers and Caribbean real estate that went on between Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill. The details of the transaction were, and are, vague to the inhabitants. The West Indian is not exactly hostile to change, but it’s not much inclined to believe in it. Meantime, in a fashion, Amerigo was getting American-ized; the inflow of cash was making everybody more prosperous. Most Kinjans go along cheerily with this explosion of American energy in the Caribbean. To them, it seems a new, harmless, and apparently endless carnival.”

One of my favorite Caribbean characters is Jimmy Buffet. He bought the rights to “Don’t Stop The Carnival” in 1996 and wrote an operetta using the story line as his inspiration. It did not have a very long stage life, but I loved it! You may not remember, but Jimmy Buffet is an amazing writer, not just a concert icon! He has compiled a list of the books he would require if he were stranded on a Caribbean island. Here goes;

• Follow the Equator – Mark Twain
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain
• Don’t Stop the Carnival - Herman Wouk
• Winds of the Carolinas – Robert Wilder
• One Writer’s Beginnings – Eudora Welty
• The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
• A Gift from the Sea – Anne Morrow Lindbergh
• The Fables of La Fontaine – Jean de la Fontaine
• West with the Night – Beryl Markham
• A Collection of Poems – Pablo Neruda
• The Road Less Traveled – M. Scott Peck
• No One Writes to the Colonel and Other Stories – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

So, as I look at turning 60 in two weeks I found these comments for me to consider, “We are indeed the people our parents warned us against! Our generation, the Boomers, have been through a lot – some of it joyous, some of it painful. We are now approaching the second half of our years. Part of that stage of life is reflecting on what we have done and what we will do with the time we have left. Jimmy Buffett does that in his best-selling book, A Pirate Looks At 50. Jimmy turned 60 in December. We are growing older, but not growing up.” I am turning 60 in February. Here are some quotes I am focused on during the start of the second half of my life;

• Never mistake motion for action. Ernest Hemingway
• No one gets out of this world alive, so the time to live, learn, care, share, celebrate, and love is right now. Dr. Leo Buscaglia
• Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time. Sir J. Lubbock

So, if you are on your way to the Caribbean, pick up Don’t Stop The Carnival. If you are about to be stuck on a Caribbean island for an extended period of time, buy the rest of the books. And, memorize the three quotes. You may need them someday soon. Until next time…

The biggest event in the Virgin Islands is coming April  6^th!

THE biggest event in the Virgin Islands each year is Carnival!  In fact, the Virgin Island Carnival is one of the biggest celebrations in the WORLD!  The highlight of the three week celebration is the grande finale – “Adult Parade”. It is the event that most of us think of as Carnival – colorful and BIG costumes, steel bands, floats, and the world famous “Mocko Jumbie” stilt walkers.  (Jumbies, they are stilt dancers who have their origins in West Africa where they were used to scare away evil spirits. You can find them appearing at street festivals and carnival all throughout the Caribbean.)  Every year it is an unforgettable experience. In addition, Virgin Island Carnival on St. Thomas has calypso competitions, local foods, arts and crafts, beauty pageants, concerts, and jump up parties.

The 2008 Virgin Islands Carnival plans have started way ahead of schedule. The plans started today! Beverly Nicholson Doty from the Virgin Island Tourist Board just joined the Carnival Committee, along with Ira Rosen from the States to assist with the planning. Carnival Committee Chairman, Kenneth Blake, and Executive Director, Caswil Callender, announced this year’s festivities Tuesday morning at a press conference at Palms Court Harbor View Hotel. The committee praised the participation of Gov. John deJongh Jr. in this years’ party. “He has done what he said he would do to work with us. We sat down with him two weeks ago and listened to his suggestions. He didn’t try to press anything on us just because he is the governor; he really listened to us.”  The hurdles each year are getting corporate sponsorship.  There are thousands of dollars that are earned by the local businesses in the Virgin Islands, but it is still a challenge for the committee to get the local businesses to give back to this critical annual event.

Mr. Rosen said, “We need to increase the number of cultural tourists. We need to promote Carnival because it is safe, because no passport is needed in the Virgin Islands, and because of what we have to offer to cultural tourists over leisure tourists. The cultural tourist will spend three time that of the leisure tourist, and will stay three times as long.” Mr. Rosen may need a year or more to spread the word on the mainland, but the committee is confident with their game plan that they will create this result.

This year’s committee has a total budget of almost $1.1 million. They are hoping to get $600,000 from the government, and they will raise the additional $500,000 from business sponsorships.
Again, Carnival opens April 6^th with the Prince and Princess Selection Show at 5PM at Lionel Roberts Stadium, and concludes when Carnival Village closes with a “Last Lap” from midnight to 2AM April 27^th. I hope to see you all there…

Ms. Hamilton is the current sales and marketing director at Frenchman’s Reef Resort

What an opportunity for a dynamic champion of the territory to make a significant economic difference in the Virgin Islands by expanding the tourism economy. Lisa has had a distinguished career in the hospitality business for the last 20 years. She started by making beds at the Montauk Yacht Club on Long Island. Her next stop was the Virgin Islands because a friend convinced her in 1991 to vacation with her. She fell in love with the islands and got a job at Frenchman’s Reef Resort. She rose through the ranks and became their sales and marketing director – what a success story!

For the past years she has been very active in the Virgin Island Hotel Association as a member of their board of directors and spent the last four years serving as the chairwoman of their marketing committee.  Her “fingerprints” are all over their current marketing plan to gain national awareness of the vacation opportunities in the Virgin Islands. The Hotel Association’s public relations firm, Fareed, Zapala and Koepke, hired bikini-clad models to bounce beach balls on the cold streets of New York.

Last Wednesday morning, they were outside of “The Today Show” when the camera focused in on the crowd. The “Today Show” mentioned the campaign during their show confirming the results of a stealth campaign that supports awareness of vacation opportunities in the Virgin Islands. The campaign is to also hit the streets of Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. The Big Beach Ball “stealth” marketing campaign offers viewers a $100 resort credit if they book at the listed hotels on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Lisa sees the Internet as a critical marketing tool for the Hotel Association and they will be allocating 60 to 70 percent of its budget towards Internet marketing. Ms. Hamilton said, “Customers are making their buying decisions online,” ( With the results of our blog site, we have confirmed to Lisa that they are hitting a bulls-eye with this strategy. I will do my best to have Ms. Hamilton as a guest writer regarding the vision/mission that she will be bringing to the Hotel Association.)

Lisa also understands the effect of synergy on affiliate hotel associations and is a supporter of joining forces with the St. Croix Hotel Association to form strategic alliances with them to maximize both of their association marketing plans. The results of these types of alliances will greatly benefit the real estate opportunities for both sellers and buyers.

Those of you involved in the promoting the benefits and paradise experience of the Virgin Islands will give Lisa a standing ovation as she steps into the leadership role of this very important association. We look forward to engaging her in a dialogue as to her views on how to expand the tourist experience in this magical, tropical playground. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle and real estate reporter remains on duty.

The reason “Fractional” is in quotes is because of how property ownership works in Aruba.

Aruba is now listed as one of the “hot” islands for the further development of fractional resort and second home properties.  Hotels Magazine says that there are over 2,000 units already planned for Aruba!  The other “hot spot” is St. Maarten with Pelican Bay Marina as a specific example of what is happening on St. Maarten.  And, the fractional properties “market of tomorrow” is the Dominican Republic.

Aruba is just off the coast of Venezuela, at the bottom of the Caribbean islands chain.  Dutch is the still the official language since the island is still a part of the “Kingdom of the Netherlands”, with an American influence, too.  The official name is “Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles”.  The BIG draw to Aruba is the spectacular beaches that surround the island.  As you know, this is one of my top three criteria for the islands we visit – great beaches!

Speaking of Aruba beaches, you need to meet Gabriel when you are on-island.  He is the beach detective for Aruba.  He even has a website set up to introduce you to his latest discoveries and experiences related to the island’s beach scene – ArubaBeaches.com.  His site is invaluable for also finding things to do when on-island.  He is very accessible and will even answer your email inquiries and questions.

Because Aruba is still connected to Europe, the major portion of the people buying up “fractionals” in Aruba are from England and mainland Europe. The beaches, the price of property and the currency are critical factors to Aruba being one of the true bargains for Europeans and Brits looking for a slice of Paradise. As for the Americans, their reasons for buying in Aruba are because it has the most consisten t weather in the Caribbean (generally no hurricanes) and the wonderful and friendly people.

I am doing more homework on the way Property ownership is structured. The easiest way to explain it is that property purchased by non-citizens is done as a co-op partnership. So, be careful when the word “fractional” is used to market any properties in the Caribbean. The actual use of the property is structured as a true deeded fractional ownership. It is just a different legal ownership of the land. More to come, as I sort the details out further.

 For your first visit to Aruba you may want to stay at DIVI All-Inclusive resort.  It is an amazing place to stay as you are introduced to your unforgettable experience on Aruba.  While you are staying at DIVI you can check out Aruba Palace. This is a beautiful villa on the northern side of the island, just five minutes from the white coral sand beaches and world class golf resorts.  For $200,000US you can purchase an equal share of four weeks a year to enjoy the exclusively use of your villa. It is completely furnished and includes two Jaguars waiting for you in your own parking lot.  Aruba Paradise also has a management and rental program if there are times you are not visiting your villa.  This “fractional” villa has four bedrooms and four baths with a pool and fenced property. (While speaking with the owners I found there are only a few ownership shares left.)  As always, I am on the hunt for the best lifestyle and real estate opportunities in the Caribbean. Until next time….

Not only are they full-steam ahead at Raffles Tortola, but they are now on Anguilla!

You remember when I solved the mystery last September of what was happening at Lambert Bay, Tortola?  Raffles Tortola is full-steam ahead in its progress to complete the 250 Raffles Residences of luxury villas, casitas, condominiums and estate lots available for ownership on 50 acres of beach front property. 

What I learned last week from my friend, Jason Kumpf – one of the marketing guys for their project, they are about to launch another BIG project on Anguilla in partnership with the Fairmont Resort group.  The Fairmont luxury residence clubs and resorts is one of the key world players in 5-star Residence Clubs, and the one they have planned for Anguilla is an amazing example of their commitment to excellence.

A side note about Jason…remember, he joined me for a few days at the Virgin Island Charter League Boat Show last November when I was doing the internet reporting for the event.  He had only been in the Caribbean for a few months and it was a great opportunity for him to see the Caribbean that I know and love. During our conversation last week he said;

“Well, after living in the BVIs for the past few months I have had many FIRSTS; sailing on a catamaran; visiting my first Caribbean charter boat show with you in St. Thomas; Foxy’s  for New Years; and, waking up each day and taking a walk on a soft coral sand secluded beach. I now realize that the Caribbean really IS paradise.  The land that so many people have written about for thousands of years, that so many have searched for, it is here, where the air is so clean and refreshing it is nurturing for the body, and where the water is so clear and inviting, its nourishing for the soul.

I have found the character of BVI is my favorite Caribbean spot, with an understated elegance that attracts the few discerning people fortunate enough to visit here. It is populated with professionals, the fasted growing off-shore trust industry, and the second largest off-shore domicile in the world. And, of course, the green mountains that cover the interior that seem to flow right into the turquoise waters melting into the beautiful Caribbean sunsets! Yes, this IS truly paradise.” 

Anguilla has been defined as a “sanctuary”, Fairmont Anguilla takes it to a completely new level. Their marketing material for this new project states, “It’s a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Ease and sophistication. Refined adventure. And, an innate sense of well-being permeate the community. From beach visits and spa treatments to snorkeling and Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf, relaxation will be the order of the day with unpretentious client services.”                                                                                                                           
I will keep you posted as to more details about Fairmont Anguilla as they are available.  Until next time…