In spite of the double-digit growth of U.S. visitors in 2007 to the Caribbean the airlines are cutting back flights!

I am not an alarmist, nor do I ever look at my glass “half empty”.  But, there are a series of SERIOUS decisions being made by the major airlines serving the Caribbean!  The past year has seen on of the largest levels of visitors to the Caribbean in history - over 15 million people enjoying the most beautiful resorts and beaches in the world!!!  As I have written many times, the Caribbean is THE place to be for second, third and fourth homes - whether fractionals or full ownership real estate. 

During my 30+ years of traveling to the Caribbean I have NEVER thought about not being able to get there.  My only concern is planning my monthly and yearly schedules to fit in the hundreds of adventures I have enjoyed over the years - from the BVI to Trinadad/Tobago.  BUT, today, with the monumental impact the oil prices are having on all aspects of our lives, the ONLY method to get to the Caribbean - airlines, are cutting back or canceling their flights to Puerto Rico, the visitor’s hub to all the Caribbean islands.

Allen Castanet, the chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization said last week, “Billions of dollars of investment are being exposed, and thousands of jobs are being exposed.”  The weak link in access to the Caribbean is American Airlines.  They are in a mess and are struggling to stay in business.  Here is the rub…they currently control more that 60% of the passengers traveling through Puerto Rico as they connect to smaller airplanes servicing each of the Caribbean islands.  American Airlines has just announced that they are cutting back their daily flights to Puerto Rico this September from 93 to 51!!!  Holy Moly!!!  If you owned any tourist oriented business in the Caribbean, wouldn’t this news put shivers up your spine?  This is a BIG issue that will need to be addressed by anyone who has an interest in the tourist economy of this very special region of the world.

The flights that are being cut to Puerto Rico will also greatly impact the cruise line business.  San Juan is the city where most cruise line passengers meet their ships.  Over ten cruise lines use San Juan as their destination port.  Continental Airlines is another big player in flights to San Juan, and they are now expected to announce flight cuts because of the price of jet fuel and the soft American economy.   Last week Spirit Airlines has closed their Puerto Rico hub entirely!

Again, in past articles I have highlighted the amazing opportunities in the Dominican Republic -fractional and full ownership real estate opportunities.  Get this…from January through April of this year more than 407,000 tourists visited the DR - a 6% increase over the same period last year!  The question now is how will you get there?  Peter Muller who owns the Hotel Coyamar in Samana, Dominican Republic said, “This is just the beginning.  We’re going to reach a point where it’s no longer worth keeping the airport open.”  In spite of this latest blow to those wanting to travel to the Caribbean, solutions will be found.  Those travel solutions will cost a lot more, but they may be the only options we have.  One thought may be that Cancun becomes the airline hub to the Caribbean.  It would make traveling there much more difficult for those U.S. travelers from the East Coast, but it would be about the same travel time for those going to the Caribbean from the West Coast.  It would also immediately put the focus on Belize, Turks & Caicos, Bermuda, Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands as places to consider for your next Caribbean home.  I am absolutely sure viable solutions will be discovered.  But, for the short term, we will all need to make flight plans months in advance in order to make sure we get a seat.  Let me know your thoughts on these latest developments impacting traveling to the Caribbean.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is on duty.

The last day of celebrating Family, Community, and African culture.

Today is the final day of the Kwanzaa celebration. After seven days of celebrating, it ends on the first day of the year.  Each of the celebration days has a topic.  The final day is focused on Imani - Faith, “…the faith to believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our righteousness, and the ultimate victory of our struggle.”

For each of the seven days’ celebrations, a specific place in the home is chosen to display the symbols of celebration.  A table is spread with a beautiful piece of African cloth.  The mat is placed on the cloth, and all of the other symbols are placed on it which symbolize the deep roots of tradition.  Next, the candle holder is placed on the mat and the seven candles are placed in the candle holder. The colors of the candles are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle – one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles.

The table is then set with two ears of corn, and the Unity Cup. The ears of corn symbolize that all of us are social parents of the children of our community. The Unity Cup is used to pour the “libation” to the ancestors in remembrance and honor of those who paved the path down which we walk and who taught us about the good and beautiful life.  The final additions to the table are; African objects and books on the life and culture of African people to symbolize their commitment to heritage and learning.

The last day of Kwanzaa, January 1st, is for African people a time of sober assessment of things done and things to do, of self-reflection and reflection on the life and future of the people and of recommitment to their highest cultural values in a special way. It is a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kwanzaa questions: 1) Who am I;  2) Am I really who I say I am; and, 3) Am I all I ought to be? And it is a time to recommit oneself to the highest ideals of what it means to be both African and human in the fullest sense.  We all need to honor and hold special the many cultural celebrations of this world. Kwanzaa is one of those special celebrations. 

All of us start 2008 with high expectations of an unforgettable year of special moments with our loving family and friends. Here’s to every aspect of your magnificent life coming true in 2008!  Until next time…I remain your humble Caribbean lifestyle detective.

The place to celebrate Old Year’s Night is Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke - BVI!

Forget Times Square in New York City on New Year’s Eve.  Those who are fortunate enough to get to Foxy’s on December 30th – by boat, water taxi, dingy, or windsurfer, are in for the time of their lives celebrating Old Year’s Night with Foxy and the amazing band line-up he has planned for this year’s 48 hour Caribbean bash – the last Caribbean party of 2007!

Foxy’s Bar & Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke in the BVI is well known around the world for throwing one of the biggest and best Old Year’s Night parties – ANYWHERE!  The Millennium party was over the top!  Foxy built a huge stage behind his bar and brought in the Beach Boys for a celebration that had over 500 boats rafted up together in the small harbor.  You could literal walk to Foxy’s across all of the boats instead of bringing in your dingy.  In fact, some of the revelers did just that. 

The biggest challenge you will encounter if you show up by boat will be finding “your yacht” once the 48 hour party is over.  Many of my sailing friends have awakened after the party to find some lost souls passed out on their deck because they were unable to find their own boat.  In addition, you will want to bring along a chain and lock for your dingy if you do motor in to Foxy’s dock.  The scramble the next morning for sailors to locate “their” dingy is a hysterical event to watch. (Put your key in a place you can find easily even though your alcohol level may be sky high.  Or, get back to your boat early New Year’s morning, put a pot of coffee on, and sit back and be prepared to be amused all morning watching the dingy chaos.

At Foxy’s there’s always special entertainment for Old Year’s Eve. Headliners and local area bands are onhand to provide non-stop music from dusk till dawn. This year, they will kick things off Sunday evening (Dec 30th) with Extreme Band, which is one of the top bands of the BVI and Caribbean. And on Monday, they are bringing out the Eric Stone Band to help get the party going early with his Nautical Americana style. Shifting to the Outback Main Stage, Maxx Cabello Band is on next and is sure to jam their blues-rock tunes. Cool Sessions Brass swings their sweet Caribbean vibe next on the Outback Main Stage. And if you’re still partying strong, we’ve got DJ Avalanche to keep things going. . . the only reason to stop partying might be for breakfast!!!

After breakfast at Foxy’s on New Year’s Day we often pull up anchor and sail right around the corner of Jost Van Dyke and anchor at Soggy Dollar Bar for our first painkillers of the year – “A Sunny Place For Shady People”.  You’ll  remember  Soggy Dollar Bar and Mick, the bartender, from my past postings. It’s always an forgettable moment laying in their hammock and watching the New Year unfold.  It is an awesome way to spend your first day of 2008.  Let me know what adventures you create for your New Year’s Eve and the first day of 2008.  Happy New Year!  And, remember the quote from Dean Martin, “If you drink, don’t drive. Don’t even putt.”  Until next time…

Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in traditional Africa

Each December 26th the Kwanzaa celebration begins.  It is a celebration that lasts for seven days, ending on January 1st.  Each day focuses on a principle that reaffirms the African commitment to themselves, their families, their community, and their black struggle for equality.

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

The seven principles are collectively referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and are intended to serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanza 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 parts of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966.

The St. John gathering was held in Cruz Bay in a small park near the ferry dock. Lucinda Parsons, Sigma Theta Omega Chapter President welcomed the audience of local residents and tourists.
The Love City Pan Dragons played the America National Anthem and Virgin Islands March. The 3 Sweet trio sang the Black National Anthem and South African Anthem. There were other student performances, as well as the St. John Cultural Dancers.
There are celebrations all week on St. Thomas and St. Croix.  Also check out the local celebrations held in all of the Windward and Leeward islands.  Habari Gani!