Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in the very traditional Africa and is now celebrated around the world.  There are seven days of celebrating family, community and equality.  Each December 26^th the Kwanzaa celebration begins and it ends on January 1^st.  Each day of the Kwanzaa celebration focuses on specific principle.

The seven principles are collectively referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and 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 part of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966. Read the rest of this entry »

Why not have everyday be a day of thanksgiving?  How about that for a worthwhile idea?  We are surrounded by so many blessings each day that often times we just walk by without even noticing.  Just look at the news of the world and you will discover that wherever we are, we are blessed beyond measure.  For many years at our Thanksgiving table I have said the following prayer written by Patrick Finley.  You may want to include it in your Thanksgiving celebrations this year.  You may even want to forward on the prayer to your family and friends to use, too.

What a blessing it is to get together with our loved ones;  feasting with them, toasting a glass or two, enjoying the blessings of life – and giving thanks.  Thanks for life all around us, underfoot, and overhead.

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

Thanks that the jets overhead that 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 one day a year when we all take the time to get some perspective.   AMEN - Patrick Finley Read the rest of this entry »

Kids and the Caribbean are quite a pair!

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: Read the rest of this entry »

There is a very BIG disappointment In the sighting of your home port in the Caribbean islands after a week of decadence on a chartered yacht vacation!

It is always a challenge to end a crewed charter sailing vacation in the Caribbean.  It is when you know you are going back to the mainland.

Usually on the third or fourth day of a charter vacation in the Caribbean the watches seem to disappear, the conversation slows down, and books seem to be read at galactic speed in between the snorkeling and SCUBA diving. There is an amazing transformation that happens when you are in a tropical paradise on a yacht while being pampered 24 hours a day by your captain and 1st Mate, and 5-star chef.

Mark Twain was on a Caribbean voyage a 75 years ago and had a similar experience. This is how he described the moment when the yacht was coming into port:

“There is no unhappiness like the misery of sighting land after a cheerful and carefree voyage.”

I can’t tell you how many times this has been my experience.  Have you had a similar experience when you have ended your charter yacht vacation, or, really, any unforgettable vacation? Let me know your thoughts… Again, if you are on-island in St. Thomas the first week or so of November, look me up at Yacht Haven Grande during the VICL Caribbean Charter Boat Show.  I have done the internet reporting for this amazing week of previewing the most luxurious charter vacation yachts in the Caribbean.  And…I we would be glad to be your guide in setting up your Caribbean charter yacht vacation.

The Virgin Islands are just one of the many regions that celebrate Three Kings Day!

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!

Every charter yacht crew I know is working non-stop over this Holiday Season – including New Year’s!  They are delivering unforgettable Holiday experiences for their guests.

We are in the midst of the busiest weeks of the year for the Caribbean charter yacht fleet – December through New Years weekend!  These are the most popular charter dates for people all over the world to book.  You will find the majority of the yachts chartering in the Virgin Islands.  And, most of them are booked a year or two in advance.  Some of you may remember the millenium charter yacht frenzy.  Foxy’s  is generally one of the craziest spots in the Caribbean for “Old New Year’s Night”.  Foxy even did a major expansion of his world famous beach bar for the year 2000 celebrations, and even built a concert stage.  My memory is Foxy brought in the Beach Boys for that New Year’s celebration.

Those of you who have ever anchored or moored off of Foxy’s Bar on Jost Van Dyke have probably heard of the 400+ yachts that were rafted up for the 2000 New Year party.  No wonder the charter crews charge a premium for the last two weeks of December and New Year’s.  It is very intense work.

So, while your favorite charter yacht and crews are working night and day to create unforgettable memories for this Holiday Season,  they are also wanting you to know they are thinking of all of their special past guests by sending greetings to you!  Their messages have just started arriving so I will be posting them all on this article as they come in the next ten days. 

The first charter yacht crew greeting to arrive for posting in this article is from s/y Double Feature  and Captain Jonny and Chef Kelly:  “We are just coming to the end of our Christmas Charter tomorrow which has been great …. two adults and five children on s/y Double Feature, in tandem with another two boats from the same family … lots of children and lots of fun has been had!  We are now on to our New Year’s charter on Tuesday with four couples and a New Year’s celebration at Foxy’s, so that should be a very fun week!  Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  All the best for 2009!”

Next came Christmas news from s/y Three Moons  and Captain Randy and Shelly Tucker:   “We hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas day!  Most folks know that they can open their presents on Christmas day while sitting around  wearing their PJ’s…but that rarely happens when you are a charter yacht crew with Holiday guests aboard.   Well, Christmas Day that is exactly what we did….opened our Christmas presents in our PJ’s as we were between charters and without any guests – a rare occurance for us Christmas week!  What fun we had!  We’ve really been working hard the last three weeks getting everything ready to go for a two-in-a-row with almost no turnaround time.  Other quick Holiday news:  Vice President elect Joe Biden is staying on Water Island for the holiday.  He finally arrived this afternoon.  The Department of Tourism wanted to know if s/y Three Moons and us would be available to take Mr. Biden out for a sail while on his vacation.   We immediately said YES!  Apparently, they were already doing a background search on us at the time they contacted us! Oh boy, we were hoping they didn’t discover any of our past “dirt”!  At any rate, it doesn’t look as though it’s going to happen due to some unforeseen delays on their part.  I suppose you can classify this tidbit as the “Holiday news that almost was!”  Click here for a copy of our Holiday newsletter being sent out to all of our family and friends.  Happy New Year!”

Well, Meredith and Jonny have checked in with their Holiday updates.  You may remember them from the USVI Boat Show on s/y Conundrum.  They had their wedding the day after the Boat Show in order to have as many of their crew friends join them for the celebration and party.  Those of you who have enjoyed them as your charter yacht crew know of their love for charters all over the Caribbean, no just the Virgin Islands.  Here are their greets to all of you.  “Well, the Reggae music is still playing as we say goodbye to our repeat Christmas guests – the Johnson family , and we are now getting ready to pick up the next family tomorrow in the Grenadines.  The wind is blowing and it is great sailing weather.  This is our second year in a row to spend a three-day stay over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & Boxing Day in Bequia.  It is wonderful to have the experience again this time with dear friends!  We unwrapped presents in the salon with the family and opened up our stockings. It is still amazing that Santa finds us in the middle of the ocean.  It was a very special morning with lots of laughs, music and delicious cuisine. We are really enjoying being based here this time of year and hope to be back after we cruise north for February through April.  This is a fantastic year for us chartering from the Virgins to Grenada, then back to Antigua, then to St. Martin,  and back to Tortola by Easter.  We wish everyone a wonderful New Year!  Cheers, Meredith & Jonny.”

Chris and Julie, from s/y Felicia just sent in their 2008 greetings to all of their friends, family and raving fans. Enjoy their summary of an exciting year…

We spent the majority of the season doing charters on Blu Moon, with some repeat and new guests.  In March, we flew to the Bahamas to look at a catamaran (many of you know that we’d been looking for a larger boat for several years) then back to Kansas to visit family and iron out the negotiations and purchase of the new boat, Yacht Felicia.  Following that, we flew back to the Virgin Islands, finished our season on Blu Moon, listed her for sale, and then we took her to Puerto Rico where she lays now in long term storage.  It remains a difficult thing for us to say goodbye to Blu Moon – she provided us with more than a home for 10 years – she provided safety and shelter, and a vehicle for us to meet many wonderful people. We’ll miss her.Once we took possession of Felicia, we sailed her straight to Trinidad, learning the systems and how to sail underway.  There’s only one yard currently in the Caribbean that can haul and store a boat of this size – and that’s Catamaran Village in Port of Spain, Trinidad.  When we arrived, we quickly organized some work to be done on our return and then we prepared her for the hurricane season.  Whew, if that wasn’t enough, we flew back to Kansas, where we stayed briefly with my parents in Leawood, picked up our two dogs, Mick and Hannah, and drove to Toronto, Canada where we picked up tickets for  Paris.   We chose this route to minimize the number of legs Mick and Hannah would have to fly.  What you do for your pets! Once in Paris, we drove to Southwest France, where we now live when we’re not chartering. Our summer in France was filled with catching up with our friends & neighbors, French and Ex-pats alike, and continuing a renovation project on our 250+ year-old stone farmhouse, La Tourderie.  This year’s main project included having a new tile roof built over both the old part of the house, and the new addition that we had built last summer.  The roof, which we had built in the traditional French style (exposed oak beams & Poplar backing boards)  preserved our original charpentes and turned out beautifully. We have three charpentes, which are A-frame-like structures that are the supporting trusses for the roof and are held together with wooden dowls.  It really is a piece of art.  Other projects for us there included organizing the start of our interior renovations – plumbing, plaster and electrics all have to be done.   We’ll be including a photo album in our next newsletter, as well as details on the progress of our new guest house – La Tourderie….that will hopefully be ready in 2010. 

As more crew Holiday greetings come in I will be adding them to this article so they can spread the good cheer to all of their family, friends and past guests.  And, here is my New Year wishes for all of you as we enter into 2009 with anticipations for a GREAT year.  “May the best of 2008 be the worst of 2009 for you and those you love!”   Please leave a comment with greetings to your favorite charter yacht crews.  I know they would love to hear from you, too.  Until next time, your Caribbean lifestyle detective is constantly on durty.

Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in traditional Africa and it is celebrated throughout the world starting December 26th.

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

• 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 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 each 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. John gathering is held in Cruz Bay in a small park near the ferry dock. Lucinda Parsons, Sigma Theta Omega Chapter President welcomes the audience of local residents and tourists each year.

The Love City Pan Dragons play the America National Anthem and the Virgin Islands March. The “3 Sweet” trio sings the Black National Anthem and South African Anthem. There are also 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!  My family and I send you our best wishes for an unforgettable Kwanzaa celebration!!!

Jim and his family send you Holiday greetings and best wishes for 2008!  We know 2009 is going to be another unforgettable year!!!

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!!!

For the ninth year the Virgin Islands Charter League and the St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce have hosted the parade of lights of decorated boats from all over the Virgin Islands.

Imagine the most spectacular decorated home for Christmas – lights, Santas, reindeer, and the whole works.  OK, now you have a bit of an idea of what it is like to see yachts decorated in the same manner cruising past “Miracle On Main Street” along the waterfront at Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas.  This incredible event will happen on the evening of Friday December 19th with a $1,000 first prize for the best decorated yacht. 

After speaking with the VICL Director, Erik Akerson, he asked that I imagine the St. Thomas Harbor lighted up with boats of all types on parade for the Lighted Boat Parade.  Boats are judged on the originality and creativity of their decorations and lighting.  Judging categories include holiday lighting, creative use and amount of lighting, special effects and ornamentation.  Prizes are awarded to the top three placing boats.  The VICL and the Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce its partnership with Yacht Haven Grande for this year’s event.  To entice boats from the East End and Red Hook area, the marina will be offering free overnight slips to furthest traveling participants.  Call Kristen Galloway, YHG marina manager at 774-9500 for boat slip reservations. 

The after parade party will be at the Fat Turtle Bar & Restaurant at Yacht Haven Grande.  You may remember the Fat Turtle from the articles I wrote about the VICL Charter Yacht Boat Show last month.  There are a lot of after hours parties at the Fat Turtle for that event, too.  This is such a fun event, that I hope many of you stop by downtown St. Thomas the evening of December 19th for the fun and festivities.  Until next time…enjoy the planning for your Holiday celebrations. 

You never know who you might run into when on a November flight to Paradise - Santa Claus!

This Thanksgiving my whole family is spending it our favorite tropical Paradise.  Ann Marie and I got upgraded to first class and were settling in for another pleasant flight to our next sun-filled adventure.  As I am settling in to my cushy seat a man walked by me headed for the cockpit.  From just a fleeting glance he had a long white beard, white hair, a tropical shirt that had Santas on surfboards all over it, and shorts and flip-flops.  He was at least 70 years old and certainly had the belly that one would expect from Santa. 

As I watched him enter the cockpit, the pilots welcomed him as a long lost friend, and “Santa” took over the pilot’s seat and fooled around with the controls a bit.  The jet engines fired up and there was more conversation with the pilots and this man who was a dead ringer for “Jolly Old St. Nick”.  He said his goodbyes to the pilots and walked back past me to his seat.  This time I got a good look at his face and his spectacles that rested on his nose.

I got out of my seat and followed him to his seat.  Seated next to him was Mrs. Claus!!!  I was blown away at my good fortune to finally personally meet Santa and his wife.  I kneeled down in the isle and asked if I could speak with him for a moment.  I asked him, “Are you who I think you are?”  He said, “If you think you are talking with Santa, you are correct!”  What an unforgettable moment I was about to have.

There was a whole series of questions that I just blurted out.  The jist of it is that I learned he starts the logistics of his annual trip over 30 days before his sleigh fide on Christmas Eve night.  He and Mrs. Claus were on their way to the spot where they launch their annual adventuer and I happened to on the SAME airplane.  The conversation he was having with the pilots was to let them know they may be seeing some UFOs on their radar screens about a month from now, but not to worry.

We ended our conversation with him asking me some questions.  He started out with the tyical, “Have you been naughty or nice stuff?”  I let him know that he would have to ask my family and friends their opinion of that question.  We both laughed and he then asked if I would sit on his knee and let him know my favorite wish for Christmas.  It got a bit complicated when I started off on the topic of solving world hunger, clean drinking water for everyone, and world peace with every national leader being a woman since they never start wars. 

He interrupted me and asked if there was something just for me that I might want him to drop off when he visits our home.  I had to think a moment or two.  There is actually nothing I need in my life.  I am blessed beyond measure.  But, I did come up with a small request.  My earring that I have had since I sailed across the equator in 1997 broke a few weeks ago, so I let him know that it would be nice to find a new one.  He said,  “I will do what I can to find the perfect replacement and drop it off on my way by Christmas Eve.”  WOW! 

We ended our conversation with him thanking me for taking a few moments to chat, and his final words were, “Never stop counting your blessings, and never stop sharing them with others”  I promised I would and we said goodbye.  On Christmas Eve night, I will be waiting all night for his arrival so we can check in with each other again.  This was the most unforgettable Thanksgiving moment I have had in memory – meeting the real Santa Claus! 

We are sending you our best wishes as you spend time with your family and friends counting your blessings.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be just once a year.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!