Freedom is something that I have enjoyed all of my life.  Much of the world has not had that experience.  It is important to not take it for granted. 

Nelson Mandela is one of my heroes who symbolizes from for me.  Here is a portion of his inagural address when he was installed as the first African president of South Africa in 1993.  It is my favorite sentiments about what to do with the gift of freedom.  As I celebrate another 4th of July celebration I wanted to share President Mandela’s thoughts about what freedom means to him and his country.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Each of us have  “baggage” that slows us down.  Our job is to discover that baggage and get rid of it so we can discover the person our creator meant us to be - magnificent.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light,  not our darkness,  that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves,  “Who am I to be brilliant,  gorgeous,  talented and fabulous?”  Actually,  who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.   Your “playing small”   doesn’t serve the world at all.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.  We were born to make manifest the glory of the God that is within each of us.  It’s not just in some of us.   It’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,  we unconsciously give other people PERMISSION to do the same - to be great!  We will provide the tools and the atmosphere for you to be GREAT, but it is your choice if that is what you become!  As we are liberated from our own fears,  our presence automatically liberates others.

As we celebrate a day of FREEDOM let’s keep the citizens in Iraq in our thoughts and prayers as they are seeing a path that will take them to an experience of freedom in their country.  Freedom is something that is hard fought and won.  And, it comes from citizens as opposed to those in power.  It is a gift that everyone should enjoy.  Please share with me your thoughts about what freedom means to you.  Until next time…fair winds!

Capt. Steve Ruda said paramedics responded to a call at Jackson’s home around 12:26 p.m. He was not breathing when they arrived. The parademics performed CPR and took him to UCLA Medical Center, Ruda told The Times.  He died at 2:06PM - June 25, 2009

No matter what your views may be of Michael Jackson’s private/public life, can we all agree that his contribution to the world of entertainment has been enormous?  My take on this question is YES!  His breakthrough music, his single-handed making of MTV, and the revolution he created with music videos was the stuff that influenced the world of entertainment forever.  Today’s news was a real shocker for the world of entertainment - not just with the death of Michael Jackson, but also the death of Farah Fossett.  Plus, Ed McMann dieing earlier this week was hopefully the end of “things come in threes”.  This is what we know.

Paramedics were called to a home on the 100 block of Carolwood Drive off Sunset Boulevard. Jackson rented the Bel Air home for $100,000 a month. It was described as a French chateau estate built in 2002 with seven bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, 12 fireplaces and a theater.  The news comes as Jackson, 50, was attempting a comeback after years of tabloid headlines, most notably his trial and acquittal on child molestation charges.  In May, The Times reported that Jackson had rented the Bel Air residence and was rehearsing for a series of 50 sold-out shows in London’s O2 Arena. Jackson had won the backing of two billionaires to get the so-called “King of Pop” back on stage.     –Andrew Blankstein and Phil Willon 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 »

Jim Walberg’s 2009 real estate predictions during the Caribbean Hurricane Season are ready for your review.  It is the BEST time to buy real estate, because it is considered the “off-season” for people visiting the Caribbean.

The “slow season” in the Caribbean is connected to the start and finish of the official hurricane season - June 1^st to November 30^th.  There are many people who live in the Caribbean only six months a year and move off-island June 1^st.  In addition, the crewed charter yacht industry typically end their charter season near the end of June.  There are a few yachts that charter all the way through August, but is it rare.  AND, it is my favorite time of year to assist Buyers who want a piece of Paradise because there are always some great bargains. Read the rest of this entry »

In the midst of one of the world’s worst economic crisis, the ultra-luxury super yachts are not only thriving, they are flourishing!  Here is Jim Walberg’s 2009 update on this necessary item for the truly wealthy.

OK, so the venue was St. Bart’s “Bucket Regatta” last March.  The scene is one that would take the breath away of any sailor worth his/her salt - there was not enough room in the massive marina of Gustavia Harbor to dock just 35 super yachts!!!  The St. Bart’s Bucket Cup is the time each year for the super rich to keep things in perspective - SPEND. Read the rest of this entry »

Jim Walberg  has just discovered one of the most decadent and luxurious chartered sailing vacations in the Caribbean - just for two people in Paradise!

So, I was having a discussion last week with Chris and Julie, who own s/y Felicia - the Privilege 65 catamaran based in the BVI.  They told me about their dear friends, Ed and Natalie who have been sailing the Caribbean since 1994, and have created an ultra-luxury chartered sailing vacation experience in the Las Aves - an eight island chain just off of Bonaire , on their 52′ high-performance sloop, s/y Safari.  I LOVE new sailing adventures so my curiosity got the best of me.  I called Ed and Natalie up on Skype  and began an amazing series of conversations about what they have created for their very discerning guests.  What I discovered was SO exciting that I needed to share it with all of you immediately.  Here goes… Read the rest of this entry »

Ten romantic spots in the Caribbean not to miss - from a $2,000 a day luxury resort,  to a $10 Pain Killer rum drink on the most beautiful sunset beach in the Caribbean.

So, my wife, and fellow world adventurer and I sat down today and said, “Why don’t we share with our friends our Top Ten Romantic spots in the Caribbean?”  I have been remiss in not telling you know about these ten jewels that are our favorite romantic spots to hangout at.  They range in price from a $2,000 a day to just the cost of a Pain Killer rum drink for $10 each.  Here goes; Read the rest of this entry »

The St. Thomas Ritz-Carlton just completed the entire re-design of 81 of their 105 two and three bedroom two residences!

As you may recall, the Ritz at Red Hook, St. Thomas is one of my favorite elegant places to stay in the Virgin Islands.  This particular Ritz-Carlton was the beta test site for the Deeded Fractional Ownership  concept for the Marriott Corporation  over ten years ago.  The outstanding results created at this Ritz-Carlton with the sellout of their initial fractional ownership opportunities launched the development of deeded fractional ownership within the Ritz organization worldwide.  They have now expanded luxury villas at their Red Hook, St. Thomas location as part of their deeded fractional ownership product.  Their success with this concept has now swept over the entire Caribbean. Read the rest of this entry »

The 13th Annual Webby Awards is the most respected symbol of successful internet sites.  Over 9,000 entries from all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide were submitted for review!

The news just arrived that Luxury Real Estate was awarded 2009 Webby Award Honoree  recognition this week in the Real Estate category - for excellent “content, structure and navigation, visual design, functionality, interactivity and overall experience”! Read the rest of this entry »

Jim Walberg logs in on the environmental controversy regarding dumping the dredgings in a hole in Lindbergh Bay.

The Virgin Islands Port Authority  and The West Indian Company  have applied for a permit to dredge the Charlotte Amalie harbor  in order to allow access for the larger generation cruise ships -  Genesis-class  that has a 40 foot draft.  The reason to accommodate this larger class of cruise ship is to make sure that Charlotte Amalie is one of the ports-of-call of all the Genesis-class ships including the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Sea  that is scheduled to start making weekly visits in December 2009. Read the rest of this entry »