For the past two years of sailing adventures in the BVI I have sailed by this development as we headed to Marina Cay for some painkillers and conch fritters, or to the anchorage right across the channel from Scrub Island.  We even took our dingy over to visit one day and wandered around the construction site.  The location is spectacular for many reasons;  A marina that has 55 deep-water slips, including five slips for yachts up to 150 feet, as well as provisioning supplies, diesel fuel, black water pump-out station, metered electricity, laundry facilities and more services;  The over-the-top spa and fitness center;  Caribbean sunsets – a must for me;  and…a few very private beaches.

Scrub Island Resort officially opened February 11^th,  with some GREAT rates between now and March 31^st – a $399 daily room rate.  This is about half of what it will be after the “soft” opening, so if you can make plans quickly you will be getting the deal of the year with these rates.  The rate also includes breakfast and nightly cocktail receptions.  The amenities and choices one has to discover the BVI are endless with Scrub Island Resort as your luxurious home base.  Here are a few to consider;

• Snorkeling and SCUBA diving adventures to destinations such as The Wreck Of The HMS Rhone,  Angel Fish Point on Norman Island, The Dogs, and many more.  And, a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda is a must for breathtaking snorkeling.
• How about marlin fishing to the BIG Drop with Scrub Island Marina as your shortest run to my favorite big game fishing spot.
• How about the shopping destinations in the BVI?  One of our top boutiques is a Peter Island Resort across the channel from Scrub Island.  The clothes are very high end with many of them now in my wife’s closet.  Another one would be at The Bitter End Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda.  It is worth an afternoon to just wander around.
• The Scrub Island Resort lagoon pool with the 15’ waterfall is where my wife would hang out most of the day.  It is another spot that will take your breath away from morning to sunset.  AND…they have a great pool bar and restaurant so you never have to leave your lounge chair.
• If you never leave Scrub Island the resort has created five different dining experiences to satisfy all of your gourmet desires – from candle light elegance to bare foot in the sand casual.
• For those who don’t want to fully disconnect from the world, the resort has wherever you are at the resort and all the beautifully appointed rooms have king-size beds, big plasma satellite TV, air-conditioning and non-stop views of the Caribbean.

For more information go to their website and check more of the details, or contact me TODAY.  I know you will be very excited about this brand new Caribbean experience awaiting your review.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

He inherited a monumental debt three years ago.  His first job was to reduce that debt.  However, the impact of the global economic meltdown stripped the Virgin Islands of any of their reserves.  They now have a monthly deficit of $25 million.  Can you imagine?  Gov. deJongh said, “To put this in perspective, $234 million is almost half of the cost of salaries and benefits of our government workers for a full year.” The Legislature has now passed an initiative to borrow up to $250 million, plus they are changing their financial priorities which are allowing them to free up funds for critical government projects.  Because of this all layoffs have been avoided.

One of Gov. deJongh’s key initiatives is education.  Turning their failed education system around takes hard work,  but after three years, the picture is a bit different, he said. “Today, all of our public high schools are accredited,” the governor said. “Today, we are compliant with federal regulations and spending all available federal funds. And this year, we have come close to tripling the number of schools that are meeting their AYP goals.” He is still very concerned about the high rate of school drop-outs within the Virgin Island’s schools.

You may have no idea what the energy issues are in the Caribbean.  The are enormous.  Gov. deJongh said to the audience,  “After years of false starts, the V.I. government is finally moving ahead with a solution to address the territory’s energy crisis–a proposal for two waste-to-energy plants to help manage the territory’s waste issues and cut WAPA’s dependence on oil.  But, don’t look upon this as our sole approach to the issue of alternative energy.” He also presented his ideas about creating a “clean energy industry” in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes the evolution of green jobs, capturing landfill gases for energy and cutting the government’s power bills. Cleaner air and water, and a green government were presented alongside plans to keep promoting local capital projects, taking advantage of federal stimulus funds, strengthening tax incentives for businesses and making the territory a hub for technology and emergency-response management within the Caribbean.

There was much more to his address that needs to be considered.  But, one of the key points Gov. deJongh made as he concluded his remarks was to urge the community to set anything aside that would stymie the territory’s progress, such as pettiness, partisanship, ill will and self-interest.
“Every act of pettiness, of meanness, of nay-saying and of disrespect diminishes not just the actor, but the audience,” the governor said. “We can and must rise above this. We cannot back into the future, but we must look forward boldly and with confidence. We must turn and face the future even as we carry with us the best of the past. We must not wallow in the past, in past wrongs or slights, or even past injustices. We must turn and face the future working every day to make it better.”

Gov. John deJongh is one of THE key leaders in the Caribbean!  He is transforming the Virgin Islands into the center piece of those who love the Caribbean as much as I do.  Until next time…fair winds!

Hospitals, schools, the capital building, stores and most buildings in the capital city and surrounding communities have collapsed.  There are no services available and the dead are being left where they lay. It is unimaginable to think of how the poorest nation in the Caribbean can deal with such devastation, or how any of us could manage through this catastrophe.  “We expect the damage to be significant and the loss of lives catastrophic,” said Christa von Hillebrandt, the head of Puerto Rico Seismic Network in Mayaguez.  She estimated that in Haiti, the earthquake lasted anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.  Von Hillebrandt said that two major fault lines run through Haiti: one in the north, the other in the south. Therefore, she said it was no surprise that Haiti was hit with a destructive earthquake.

Officials from disaster relief organizations across the territory say that the best way to help Haiti in the aftermath of Tuesday’s massive earthquake is by sending monetary donations.  Our State Department has set up a method for each of us to do our part by texting the number “90999″ and put in the message the word “Haiti”. (As of 1-15-10, over $8 million US was raised just in two days from people donating $10 at a time!  WOW!) It will immediately send $10 to the Red Cross – 100% of it will get to the Red Cross.  Please take a moment and do this IMMEDIATELY!  You will then get a text back from the Red Cross thanking you for your contribution.  Please do this now.  The monetary donations will be used to purchase emergency relief items there thus injecting money into the local economy.  You can also go to DoubleTake Clothing and purchase a “Help Haiti” t-shirt and they will send $5 to the American Red Cross. ( Spread the word about these shirts.)

In a noontime press release, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Senate President Louis P. Hill urged residents to coordinate their relief efforts.  “We are asking each and every Virgin Islander who wishes to offer their assistance with the recovery in Haiti to work with us and within the guidelines given us by the American Red Cross, the Haitian Embassy and F.E.M.A.,” deJongh and Hill said.  Within the next 24 hours, a disaster-management team will be on the ground and in place to focus the necessary resources in the primary relief areas, where food, water, temporary shelter and emotional support will be provided.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Red Cross, C.A.R.E. and Rotary International have all provided relief.  “Rotary is working on an efficient way for people to make donations, which we hope to unveil in the next 24 hours,” said Roger White, who is part of Rotary International’s District 7020 Haiti task force.  “We are looking to find out what the priority of needs is and looking at logistics,” said David Edgecombe, special assistant to the USVI governor for external affairs. “We want to avoid getting relief items and then have no way of getting them there without knowing the best routing. The needs are clearly great … it is going to take a little while for us to get the lines of communication open and accurate data as to how best to get goods to people in Haiti.”  “The Red Cross is specifically telling those who want to help to send money at this time,” Edgecombe said.

Click on each of the following links for additional ways to be of help to this world crisis;  Haiti Community Support; American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands;  Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands;  Rotary – St. Thomas;  C.A.R.E. ; Catholic Relief Services;   DoubleTake Clothing.  Please act now!

Diageo’s Captain Morgan Rum’s

For many years, a third party distiller in Puerto Rico has been producing Captain Morgan Rum and selling it to Seagram’s.  Diageo bought the Captain Morgan Rum label in 2001 inheriting this third party manufacturing agreement.  They have looking for years how to arrange a way for them to produce their own rum under the Captain Morgan Rum label.  With the manufacturing plant now being built for Diageo to produce the rum themselves, Puerto Rico will be losing millions of dollars that were coming to their territory from the rum excise tax.  Since they will not be getting any of these taxes, they are protesting to the Congress that the U.S. Virgin Islands should not get any of them either, because the USVI is going to use these taxes in order to finance the construction of the new distillery on St. Croix.

Here is a brief description of the rum excise tax program.  Rum produced in the U.S. territories and sold in the U.S. is taxed at $13.50 per proof gallon, and $10.50 per proof gallon is then returned to the territory where the rum is produced.  In 1986 the amount was extended to $13.25, but that extension must be reauthorized periodically and that reauthorization was due by the end of 2009.

Not only is Puerto Rico protesting to Congress they are lobbying to have Congress change the rules related to the remittance of the rum excise tax to be paid to the USVI.  Puerto Rico is not just mad about the loss of millions of dollars of the rum excise taxes,  they are FURIOUS! They have secured a member of Congress with Puerto Rican heritage, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) to co-sponsor HR 2122 to eliminate the rum excise tax.  He said, “It is preferable for the whole program to be dismantled than to have it used like this. If one is going to use the program to enrich companies, it doesn’t have to exist at all.”

Puerto Rico and Rep. Gutierrez are claiming the USVI have enticed (bribed) Diageo to sign the agreement to produce their own rum on St. Croix by financing the construction of the manufacturing facility using the rum excise tax.  And, when the cost of the plant has been recovered, the USVI will also share a portion of the rum excise tax with Diageo. Virgin Island Gov. John deJongh Jr. has stated to Congress that Puerto Rico’s case is completely wrong.  The USVI’s never entice an established Puerto Rican business to leave their island.

Since 2001 when Diageo purchased the Captain Morgan Rum label they have looking for alternatives to end the arrangement it had inherited with Puerto Rico.  Number One: Diageo has never has produced rum in Puerto Rico so how could they be lured away.  Number Two: Since 2001 Diageo has been searching for a site where it could produce its own rum.  Number Three: Diageo concluded very quickly it could not make a satisfactory arrangement with Puerto Rico.  Number Four: Diageo had investigated sites in Jamaica, Guyana and Guatemala before they ever entered discussions with the USVI Virgin Islands.

This is a BIG deal for the USVI and their financial future.  It will create about 120 new jobs, and generate almost $3 billion in rum excise taxes to the USVI over the 30 term of the agreement.  We believe this is a significant Win/Win for the USVI and Diageo, and it is anticipated there will be no change in the laws regarding the rum excise tax rules currently in place in Congress.  What are your thoughts about this drama between Puerto Rico and the USVI?  Until next time…fair winds!

For example, today a gay man in Barbados could still be sentenced to life in prison if he is found guilty of homosexual acts. In Jamaica, a man can be sentenced to ten years hard labor.  In Trinidad & Tobago a man found guilty of homosexual acts can be sentenced to twenty five years in prison.  However, there are still some Caribbean countries that don’t criminalize female-to-female sexual acts.   ALL of the Caribbean island nations except for the Bahamas and Cuba have criminalized homosexuality to in some manner.  There are just a few acts in this world that greatly anger me, and one of them is discrimination in any form.  Universal access to AIDS prevention, education and medical treatment need to happen NOW!

A  2009 UNAIDS report found that heterosexual sex is the main ways that HIV transmission is occurring in the Caribbean.  The latest available information shows that at least 240,000 people in the Caribbean are infected with HIV!  Because of the criminalization of homosexual acts, men are having sex with men, being infected by HIV, but then are having sex with women in order to claim they are not homosexuals therefore spreading the HIV virus into the general population.  It is an insane cycle that is creating such a high infection rate in the Caribbean.

Throughout the Caribbean there are laws that focus on providing individual rights, freedoms and protection from any form of discrimination.  But, these laws that are imbedded in the constitution of all Caribbean states are totally incompatible with the laws that criminalize homosexual behavior.  Most Caribbean states have ratified or signed the United Nations’ International Covenant On Civil and Political Rights which has been used to repeal laws against homosexuality.  But, still the laws against homosexual conduct prevail in the Caribbean.

A further result of these laws against basic human rights is allowing hate crimes to be legitimatized.  Follow the logic here, crimes against gays are generally ignored because of the laws that brand gays as criminals.  Make sense?  Of course not!  There needs to be laws in place that immediately protect gays from hate crimes, which would be a BIG step in ending discrimination – if these laws are actually enforced.  The real hurdle to any anti-discrimination laws are enforcement.  With the criminalization of homosexual acts as law, then gays still run the risk of becoming victimized within the legal system for their sexual behavior and actually then going to prison in the midst of defending themselves from a hate crime.  It is insane!

So, what can each of us do who care about these critical health and human rights issues that still need to be addressed?  We can send a message to each of our Caribbean lawmakers to take a stand against the laws which are currently in place that criminalize homosexuality that are contrary to all aspects of HIV/AIDS prevention and control and are totally incompatible with human rights issues.  Please do this TODAY!

The VICL Fall Boat Show is also a time when new Charter Yacht Vacation Brokers are able to get certified so they can actually open their businesses.  Flagship is the clearing house that is providing the New Broker Training this year, with Sue Maki as the facilitator of this critical two part mandatory seminar.  Sue also was the instructor for the new Brokers taking their certification course at the BVI Charter Yacht Show.  Another important event of the Boat Show is the annual VICL Board of Governors meeting.  All VICL members are invited to attend so they are able to get updated on the issues and actions that will be enacted this next year.

At the end of the day on Tuesday, Erik arranged for what he called “The Champagne Dock Walk”.  All along the docks of Yacht Haven Grande, there were various Champagne and food stations.  The chefs from each of the yachts supplied some of their favorite recipes to accompany Champagne so the Brokers could get an even better sense as to what their charter vacation guests will experience on the most unforgettable vacation of their lives.  The music was provided by the very popular Ros Abijah.

Wednesday evening, Gov. John deJongh, Jr. invited the Fall Boat Show attendees to the Governor’s Manson at Catherineberg. The estate was built in the early 1800s by a Danish merchant.  It eventually became the Danish embassy during the period of time the Dane’s owned the islands.  Around 1917 the U.S. bought the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark as a base of operations to protect the Panama Canal.  During the reception at the Governor’s Mansion one of the bartenders didn’t show up, so I was called into action.  I now have first hand experience as to how much the Crews and Brokers can consume at a party.  What a great time we all had.  In addition, Gov. deJongh, Jr. gave some brief remarks regarding his appreciation for the Crewed Charter Yacht industry that is such a critical part of the U.S. Virgin Islands economy.  A great time was had by all.

Thursday wrapped up the Fall Boat Show with the “Taste Of Two Islands: Land and Sea”.  It was a fund raiser for WTJX Channel 12 Public Television. It featured the finest culinary offerings from over thirty local restaurants and resorts on St. Thomas and St. John.  In addition, it was the evening where the Best Chef awards were to be given to the finest Charter Yacht Chefs in the Caribbean.  There were several categories of the competition, from appetizers, main courses, desserts and even cocktails.  There were over 800 people who packed the docks for this grand finale to the best VICL Fall Boat Show in my memory.  Congratulations to Erik, Sue, Josie, and the entire army of charter yacht crews and volunteers. Until next time…fair winds!

They jumped in with both feet by securing their commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmasters Offshore license and extensively sailing in South Africa, plus twice around Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas – the southern most tip of Africa.  While in South Africa they met the eventually owners of SEMPER FI.  The brand new Leopard 46 cat was being built for the owners and they needed to get it to the Caribbean where they wanted to put it in the BVI charter fleet.  They needed a crew, so they contracted Dan and Susie to do the job.  With the help of a 1^st Mate, the owners and Dan and Susie sailed her to Trinadad.  Dan and Susie managed the completion of her fitting and they sailed her to the BVI arriving last month.  Their dreams are now coming true with day.

Dan is currently pursuing his PADI certifications and is following his interests in photography, discovering his new Caribbean sailing grounds, and his love for rugby.  (Australia did beat England yesterday, but he missed the match because of entertaining Brokers all day.)  Even though Susie has her Commerical Yacthmaster Certification, too, she has taken on the duties of 1^st Mate and Chef.  As part of her preparations for their new life she completed the Yacht Cookery Class from the Gables School of Cookery in Gloucestershire, England.  She is loving the opportunities that are unfolding with creating her gourmet Caribbean cuisine using only the freshest ingredients possible.  She also brings aboard her professional sports massage therapy,  her love as competitive swimmer and triathlete.

The SEMPER FI was built by Robertson and Caine - the exclusive provider of catamarans to the Moorings.  Sailing is the ultimate “green” method of seeing the world.  One of her design criteria was to be as energy self-sufficient as possible.  The owners worked with Paul Landino of eMarine Systems to design a state of the art solar and wind system along with an optimized conventional charging system.  ( Paul is an accomplished Electrical Engineer who specializes in the design of efficient, green systems for the yachting industry.)  These systems allow SEMPER FI to operate on a minimal amount of shore or generator power.  They are using the same consciousness with the trash created from a charter, and when diving only take pictures and leave behind only bubbles.

Dan and Susie are SEMPER FI’s first crew and are guaranteed success because of combining their talents and experiences to create an unforgettable sailing vacation for the guests.  Plus, I believe this is the first Leopard 46 that his arrived in the private chartering community.  There great interest in this 4-Pack that is perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, and family sailing adventures.  They are a welcomed addition to the charter yacht crew family.  I look forward to you discovering what I have with these two delightful professionals.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter remains on duty.

Captain Kirk is as happy as can be with the life that has unfolded for him and his family.  He sails SHIWARA – a custom built 63 foot monohull built by Herbulot in France, as a captain-only crew.  He has his Yachtmaster Offshore captain’s license and is a PADI SCUBA instructor. Plus, as an expert surfer, Kirk knows all the spots around the BVI for the perfect wave.  In his spare time he also shapes custom surfboards for Cane Garden Bay Surfboards.  As a captain-only charter, Kirk guides his guest as to provisioning services and even suggested menus because you also need to FEED HIM as part of the deal.  Because of his love for all things connected to the sea, there is typically a line and lure trolling behind SHIWARA which produces tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo for fresh fish dinners.  I have no doubt that Kirk will create a Caribbean experience that guests will never forget.  Kirk is delighted to join the daily fun with you, or he will gladly fade into the background of your adventure if privacy is what you are seeking.

OK, back to his wife, Tiffany and daughter, Kaya.  Because he is a captain-only charter his guests are always curious about his family.  Their home is a 43’ troller moored at Hodges Creek.  Often times his guests will ask if they can stop by his floating home and meet his family.  He always accommodates them to the delight of everyone.  Tiffany and Kaya often times even meet the boat at one of the white sand beaches for a picnic with the guests.  When talking about the “six degrees of separation”, I met Tiffany and Kaya at the docks yesterday during the lunch break and learned that one of her friends in the Moms & Kid Club is Sofie and her daughter – wife and former 1^st Mate/Chef with Jean-Pierre on Dream Catcher II.  I have sailed with them on Dream Catcher II many years ago and we have continued to be dear friends.  Small world, aye?

To be comfortable, SHIWARA has a maximum capacity for six guests for the large double staterooms all with their own bathrooms and showers.  She has wide-open deck space with the classic monohull experience that the traditional sailing community loves and requires.  Since his guests will be doing the daily cooking the galley is first rate for any gourmet’s needs.  The main salon has comfortable seating for eight around the dining table.  And for those who love entertainment that does not involve the Caribbean waters, she is loaded with an excellent sound system, large-screen TV and a DVD player in the main salon.  And, each stateroom is air conditioned to make sure that every night includes blissful sleep.

Enough about this beautiful yacht.  I can’t wait to get back to SWIWARA today for a few more tips on the best surfing spots in the Caribbean.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter remains on duty!

After meeting at the water sports center in Wales, Andy introduced Elli to the love of sailing.  They transitioned from it being a hobby to now being a lifestyle.  Andy started expanding his Skipper experiences after his work with the offshore wind farm work to numerous yacht deliveries, including an Atlantic crossing from Antigua to Palma De Mallorca.   He has earned his commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster license, an RYA windsurfing instructor, and an RYA powerboat instructor.  Andy’s focus as all Captains is on safety first.  But, boy is he a real character with non-stop stories of his sailing adventures around the world.  He is perfect for those guests who want to learn to sail and windsurf.  And, along with his duties as Captain he is just plane entertaining.

As the 1^st Mate and Chef, Elli has a great passion for gourmet cooking non-stop customer service.  Having worked in the hospitality industry since her early teens, she earned her teaching credentials, and never tires of finding new ways to entertain kids.  With her love for sailing Elli has earned her RYA Day Skipper license, and completed the marine hospitality and cookery course at the internationally recognized United Kingdom Sailing Academy, plus the advanced cookery course at Ashburton Cookery School where she learned from world renown chefs to expand her culinary skills further. Elli delivers cuisine from all over the world as part of her world class gourmet experience.  She prides herself in taking fresh ingredients and enhancing their healthy, natural flavours, with a few decadent desserts for good measure!

Andy and Elli have also created the SWISH “Opulent Option Packages”. These include Connoisseur Wine, Spirit & Cigar Packages, Luxury Air-Tours, and Onboard Day Spa Services. So, if you want to explore an over the top opulent addition to your unforgettable Caribbean charter vacation, just let them know.  They will gladly deliver it to you.

Every crew is unique and very special.  The charter yacht vacation is based on having the professionals on board surprise and delight you.  You will be thrilled to spend a week or two with Andy and Elli on SWHISH – promise!  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter remains on duty!

Let’s back up.  Here is the definition of an internet blogger – a citizen journalist writing about things she/he is observing in their world.  What is around me in my world this week are charter crews doing all that can to show off their yachts in the best light possible so the Charter Brokers stopping by for a visit will mark in their books that this is a yacht and crew I will recommend to my clients for the upcoming season.  My task each day is to discover four or five human interest stories a day to write about and add photos to the article. This is my third year providing this service to the BVI and the St. Thomas boat shows.  THE critical tool in order to complete my daily work is an internet connection.  With the jammed up internet service I am having to be very creative.  For example, yesterday morning I was sitting in the lobby of Marie By The Sea at 5AM using their free wireless service in order to get my first day of articles posted.  Yesterday at noon I spent two hours at CharterPort’s office using their wireless service to do my photo editing work – thanks to Dick Schoonover’s kindness.

Now, it is Sunday morning.  The roosters woke me at 4AM so I need to get back to my writing.  It is the last day of the show and the sweat is starting to show up on my brow because I have at least 15 more articles to create with photos regarding the BVI boat show.  The solutions have not yet shown up, so I may have to wait for many of my postings to arrive on the internet until I get to St. Thomas where I can plug into a secured connection.  The key now is for me to gather the stories from the crews, take photos, and figure out the details next week.

What I am looking for in each of my articles is the human interest side of the crews.  Each of them have a unique and actually amazing story as to how they decided to get into the world of chartering.  The yachts are all beautiful, but without a Rock Star crew the experience of having an unforgettable charter yacht experience may not be possible.  Of course, the yacht must be in tip-top condition,  but the ability of the crew to surprise and delight is at least 50% of making the charter unforgettable – from their customer service skills,  their delivery of up to four gourmet meals a day, their knowledge of the sailing grounds, and of course, their ability to satisfy the daily cocktail needs of their guests.

It is the people who make up the unforgettable Caribbean experience, not the “things”.  The crews are not the only ones who are part of this experience.  It is EVERYONE ELSE that you meet along the way.  How about Marva at the Village Cay dockside restaurant?  She runs the show there.  Janet Oliver from CYS is part of the show’s cast of characters.  The many Boat Show volunteers such as Jane and Karen, the board members of the Charter Yacht Society such as Tim Schaaf from s/y JetStream, CYBA members lead by Louise Danley,  the Brokers, and the clearing houses, ALL make up the experiences that are delivered to his amazing community of professionals.

In spite of the my momentary challenges I promise to get the word out about this community of professionals who are the ones that deliver the Caribbean experience everyday to first time visitors and those visiting the Caribbean waters each year.  The charter yacht community is the unofficial ambassadors of my favorite part of the world, and I will do my part to make sure the world discovers the best way to experience the Caribbean – on a charter yacht.  Well, I am off to see if I can find an internet connection to my posts up from yesterday.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter remains on duty!