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!

During our conversation I asked what had changed in his life since we last met.  He gave me a great quote, “Nothing has changed sine we met two years ago except the light bulbs in my home.”  I knew there was more to the story so I probed a bit more.  He had actually moved from Miami to Seattle, and is now stationed in San Francisco.  What a fun surprise for both of us that he is just 35 miles from our Bay Area office.  During our conversation he asked if I had ever been to Alaska.  I let him know that I follow the sun wherever it is in the world.  He said, that before Alaska’s pristine beauty ends that I needed to get there.  Eddie has been flying since 1986, and as long as he still finds it interesting he will keep flying.  He did say that when he decides to quit he will buy a Winnebago and travel North America with nothing but is dog, Mason, and beautiful views each day.

As I was departing the plane, he let me know that I will see Tammy, another of the crew I met in November 2007, on my flight from Miami back to San Francisco.  I look forward to catching up to her, too.  This world is way too small.  If a person travels back and forth to the Caribbean as much as I do, I am bound to run into many of the same people who have become members of my fun community of friends.  Glad to see you again, Eddie.  I am now off to the Admrial’s Club to get a little rest before my last flights to Tortola.

I arrived in Tortola about 11PM, dropped my stuff off in my room at Maria By The Sea, and wandered over the line up of yachts to see if Jonny and Kelly from Best Revenge V were still up.   They were still up after four hours of hosting the boat brokers for a martini party.  Lots and hugs and then a bit of catching up since I had not seen them for over a year.  In addition, there were a couple of crew that had stopped by to help clean up and have a final-final.    Barry and Bridget ( Barry proposed to Bridget at Jonny and Kelly’s wedding last September in Wales!!! ) from s/y Ad Star, and Alastar from s/v Marmot are now new friends to add to the world of the crews that I look forward to following over the years.   Jonny served me a Rum Punch just for old times sake, and I was off for a few hours sleep before the marathon of four days writing and posting articles about this unforgettable charter yacht show.   Stay tuned…lots more fun to come in the next eight days.

So, I have started my travels to Tortola to begin my internet reporting of the 2009 BVI Charter Yacht Society Boat Show  that will be headquartered at Village Cay Marina.  This is the annual gathering of the charter yacht community from all over the world that shows up for four days of previewing the finest charter yachts you will ever see.  Each of the crew members have worked for a months preparing their yacht for this show.  The Brokers will be inspecting the boats and their crew in order to see which ones they will have in their inventory of vacation yacht charters they will recommend to their clients back in their specific regions of the world.  It is a stressful time for the crews to make sure everything is perfect, inside and outside of their yachts, for each of the four days of the show.  They will also be preparing dishes to be sampled and some of their favorite rum drinks will be mixed  in order to intice the Brokers to stay on their yacht long enough to get a sense of what it would be like to have clients on board for a week or more of fun in the sun on a fully crewed yacht.  I am fortunate enough to be the one that is doing the internet reporting on the show each day while posting my many articles on this site for the enjoyment of all those who are unable to be here personally.  I look forward to you checking in and leaving your comments over the next week of my reports from both shows.

2009 Charter Yacht Society Boat Show – Village Cay Marina, Tortola,  BVI

Thursday November 5th – Day One

Broker Registration: 8:30 am Village Cay Marina at the Gazebo

Viewing of Yachts: 9 am – 5 pm Village Cay Marina

Broker Scrabble/Yacht Hop: 6 pm – 8:30 pm on board participating vessels

Friday November 6th – Day Two

Viewing of the Yachts: 9 am – 5 pm Village Cay Marina

Expo in the Park:   6 pm – 10 pm Noel Lloyd Park – Includes the following events:

• Official Opening by the Premier
• Napkin Folding Contest
• Random draws
• VISAR presentation:

Exhibitors include:  A Looking Glass,  Aragorn’s Studio,  Bobby’s Marketplace,  Caribbean Cellars,  Cay Electronics,  Clear Water,  CYM/Proudly African,  Golden Pavilion Villa,  Green Technology BVI,  Horizon Yacht Charters,  Journeys Health Spa – Leverick Bay Marina,  LIME, Locally Yours,  Myetts Restaurant & Boutique,  Rainbow Visions Photography,  Riteway,  Romasco Group,  Royal BVI Yacht Club,  Samarkand Jewellers,  TICO,  TortolaExpress,  Trellis  Bay Cybercafe,  VISAR   Sponsored by: BVI Tourist Board

Saturday November 7th – Day Three  

CYBA Annual General Meeting: 7:30 am Nexus Restaurant

Viewing of the Yachts: 9 am – 5 pm Village Cay Marina

Culinary Contest:  Starting at 11 am – 3:30 pm.  See  Culinary Contest for details.

Governor’s Reception:  7 pm at the Governor’s House

Sunday November 8th – Day Four

Viewing of the Yachts:  9 am – 5 pm Village Cay Marina

Broker & Crew Dinner Party:  7 pm – 10:30 pm Nanny Cay Resort & Marina (shuttles provided from Village Cay & Maria’s)    Sponsored by:  Nanny Cay Marina & LIME

Monday November 9th – Lay Day

Broker Daysail to Peter Island:  9 am until 3:30 pm.  Drop off at Peter Island for transport by chartered ferry to St. Thomas – Yacht Haven Grande  for the Virgin Island Charter League Fall Boat Show  that opens on morning Tuesday, November 10^th. 

St Thomas Fall Yacht Show – November 10^th-12^th – Yacht Haven Grande Marina

Monday November 9^th

Check-In: Noon – 6pm Pool Side – YHG

Dress is casual and swim wear is encouraged.  After a long day of preparing your boat for the show, cool off with your fellow yacht crews and catch up on off-season exploits while enjoying cocktails and appetizers around the pool. Sponsored by Hooters of St Thomas, Wikked,  Budget Marine,  and Bellows International

Tuesday November 10^th

Check-In begins at 8:00AM – Information Kiosk  North Lawn – Coffee provided by Bad Ass Coffee

Yachts Available for Viewing – 9:00AM-12 noon

Brokers Luncheon – 12 noon-1:00PM  Gourmet Box Lunches Furnished    VICL Main Tent – Guest Speaker TBA

Yachts Available for Viewing – 1:00pm-5:00pm

Champagne Dock Walk – 6pm-10pm – Yacht Haven Grande   Dress: Island Casual – Music provided by Ros Abijah As the Caribbean sun sets in the West, listen to cool steel drums and enjoy the tasty offerings and appetizers prepared by the Caribbean’s best Charter Yacht Chefs.  Sip and sample the new wine and champagne offerings provided by our local wine distributors and available for charter menus this season. Sponsored by V.I. Wine Wholesale,  Dyonasis Wine Distributors, Premier Wine and Sprits, Bellows International

Wednesday November 11^th

Eggs and Issues Breakfast – 7:30-9:00am – VICL Tent An informational exchange of ideas and suggestions between boats and brokers on mutually beneficial subjects ranging from charter contracts to cancelation policies.

Yachts Available for Viewing – 9:00am-12 noon

Brokers Luncheon - 12 noon-1:00pm – Gourmet Box Lunches Furnished – VICL Main Tent

Guest Luncheon Speaker – Territorial Economic Forecast – First Bank of St Thomas

Yachts Available for Viewing – 1:00pm-5:00pm

U.S. Virgin Islands Governor’s Reception – 7:00PM to 10:PM – Governors Mansion Catherineberg

Transportation from Yacht Haven Grande North Lawn:  6:30PM   Dress: Island Black and White

Transportation provided by CYBA    Sponsored by:  Theodore Tunick and Sons Insurance, the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism,  Reef Co,  Antigua Inflatibles

Thursday November 12^th

Yachts Available for Viewing – 9:00am-12 noon

Open Lunch Hour – 12 noon-1:00pm Enjoy local lunch locally at the restaurants of Yacht Haven Grande. Fat Turtle, Wikked, Peg Legs, Hubbly Bubbly, or Bad Ass Coffee

Yachts Available for Viewing – 1:00pm-5:00pm

Taste of Two Islands: Land and Sea – 7:00PM – 10:00PM Dress: Island Casual – A Fund raising Event in Partnership with WTJX Channel 12 Public Television Featuring the finest culinary offerings from over thirty restaurants and resorts of St Thomas and St John,  as well as the finest Charter Yacht Chefs in the Caribbean.

Lnks To All Of The Event Sponsors and Dignitaries

Gov. John deJongh, Jr. – http://www.governordejongh.com/index.html

Virgin Island Charter League – http://www.vicl.org/

Yacht Haven Grande – http://www.yachthavengrande.com/index.php

Shopping at YHG:   http://www.yachthavengrande.com/index.php?sv_path=4507,2526427

Governors Mansion Catherineberg – http://donwiss.com/pictures/St-Thomas-2006/h0008.htm

Hooters Of St. Thomas – http://www.hooters.to/usvi/

Wikked Restaurant – http://www.wikkedrestaurant.com/about.html

Fat Turtle Restaurant – http://www.fat-turtle.com/about.html

Peg Legs Restaurant – http://www.entreevi.com/index.pl/article?id=1088138

Hubbly Bubbly Restaurant – http://www.entreevi.com/index.pl/article?id=1142648

Budget Marine – http://www.budgetmarine.com/Store.aspx?id=St.%20Thomas

Bellows International – http://bellowsinternational.com/overview.shtml

Bad Ass Coffee – http://www.badasscoffee.com/aboutus.php

Ros Abijah – Concert – http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&rlz=1T4GFRD_en&resnum=0&q=Ras+Abijah+%E2%80%93+Virgin+Islands&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=_lXvSv2OBoHOsQPZlez1Aw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CA4QqwQwAA#

V.I. Wine Wholesale – http://www.viwinewholesale.com/mm5/merchant.mvc

Dyonasis Wine Distributors – http://usvihta.com/st-thomas-allied-members/premier-wines-spirits.html

Premier Wine and Sprits – http://usvihta.com/st-thomas-allied-members/premier-wines-spirits.html

First Bank Of St. Thomas – http://www.firstbankvi.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=315&Itemid=956

CYBA – http://www.nandjyachtsforsale.com/cyba-broker.html

Theodore Tunick and Sons Insurance – http://www.theodoretunick.com/tunick800/main%20page.html

Virgin Islands Department of Tourism – http://www.usvitourism.vi/

Reef Company – http://www.reefco.net/

Antigua Inflatable’s – http://www.seagullinflatables.com/

WTJX Channel 12 Public Television – http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wtjx

There are many yachts that will be sailing from their off-season anchorages to make sure they are on-deck to meet the various charter yacht Brokers during this very important three days of inspections each year the first week of November.  Two of the yachts that will be at this year’s show that I have personally chartered for sailing in the BVI are s/v Best Revenge 5 – a Lagoon 60 – with Captain Jonny and Chef Kelly as your hosts, and s/v Dream Catcher II – a Privilege 51 with Captain Jean-Pierre as your host.  I can tell you from first hand experience that both of these crews and yachts provide unforgettable experiences for whoever charters them for a Caribbean adventure.  However, as you read the many postings that I will be doing from the show as their internet reporter there are 50 or more yachts that will meet your needs.  I view all of them as Rock-Stars of the Caribean.  CLICK HERE if you would like more details about these very special crews and catamarans.

Each morning of the Boat Show the crews re-polish every inch of their yachts and prepare it for the viewing of their “Floating Villas” by the charter vacation Brokers.  From 9AM to 5PM each day of the show, the crews are welcoming aboard the people who will be promoting their business throughout the year.  The crews are dressed in their best stuff, and each morning they are prepare appetizers and beverages for all who come aboard.  Also, each day there are various events happening for the Boat Show participants;

• Service Provider Expos: Provisioners, Restaurants, Charter Yacht Services, and more.  They have live entertainment and various contests for the crews and Brokers.
• Education Seminars: “Best of Practices” presentations for both Crews and Brokers.
• BVI Governor’s Reception: Hosted at the Governor’s Residence.
• Contests: There is serious competition for Napkin Folding and Appetizers.  The chefs from each of the yachts create their best presentation of napkins and appetizers.  You will not believe what they create from their very small galleys.

Sunday, the day after the Boat Show ends,  a tradition has unfolded where the charter yachts who attended the show sail to Dead Man’s Bay at Peter Island for what is now titled “Splish Splash”.  It is quite a party with the crews taking the charter yacht Brokers on a day-sail to Peters Island and the fun three days of the show continues on.  Sunday is a day filled with water skiing, snorkeling, and cocktails.  The BVI Tourist Board takes care of the transportation of the ferry which takes everyone to St. Thomas and Yacht Haven Grande.  Virgin Island Charter League Boat Show – another week of viewing charter yachts and Broker/Crew events.  Stay tuned!  I will have several updates of the next week’s VICL Boat Show, too.  Until then…fair winds!

Each of them wants to be one of the yachts the brokers put on their short list of their favorites.  The charter yacht vacation brokers can make or break a crew’s charter season by the recommendations they make.  The Caribbean charter season typically starts November 15^th and ends June 15^th, so the annual show the week before the season opens is the beginning of seven months of non-stop work and customer service for this amazing professionals.

I will again be the internet reporter for the Charter League Boat Show.  During the show I will be interviewing crews and photographing their yachts.  Many human interest stories show up each day that is connected to these owners of these floating luxury resorts.  I promise you that the stories will be inspiring and very entertaining.  These world traveling entrepreneurs  are the ones who create unforgettable experiences each day for their raving fan clients in my favorite tropical paradise – the Caribbean.  Charter yacht vacations are the BEST!

The VICL Boat Show in St. Thomas is a dream come true for anyone who loves to sail and enjoys hanging out with some of the most interesting and colorful characters in the Caribbean.  These are some of the most skilled sailors in the Caribbean who decided to monetize their skills by providing a week or two glimpse into what the Caribbean paradise really is like.

OK, so now imagine that you own one of these charter yacht businesses.  Your income is based on how many charters you are able to book during a season, and the gratuity that your guests give you at the end of their charter vacation – typically 15% to 20% of the cost of the charter vacation.  It is typical to have 20 to 25 charter weeks a season.  You are on duty 24 hours a day for EVERYTHING – four 5-Star meal presentations a day; providing Ritz Carlton-type service every moment of the day, be in charge of the safety of your six to eight guests, organize the daily water sports that are a part of this type of holiday, effortless sail and maintain your yacht each day…and do it all with a smile and enthusiasm knowing your clients will have the most relaxing and luxurious vacation adventure of their lives.

CLICK HERE  if you want more information about booking a chartered yacht vacation in the Caribbean.  Or, if you just want to stop by the show, you will have the time of your life.  We can even stop by the bar the Rum Hut for a Pain Killer and share stories about the adventures we have had, and the ones that are still to come.  I will be posting several articles a day during the show, so make sure you subscribe to my blog in order to automatically receive them.  Until next time…fair winds!

Dominican Republic:  The DR is one of the most stable Caribbean countries including Latin America.  It continues to attract international businesses because of their business-friendly policies.  Coupled with the low cost of living, the real estate values in the DR are very competitive with other Caribbean countries.  At the moment, the DR is considered the golf capital of the Caribbean.  There are more world-class golf courses in the DR than any other place in the Caribbean.

Also, travel to the DR is very easy because of the amount of direct flights from the U.S., Europe and South America.  There are ten international airports in the country.  It is a three hour flight from New York City, less than two hours from Miami, and only 45 minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico.  The luxury resorts and choices of real estate allows the DR to be the Caribbean’s most popular tourism destination.

Belize:  Belize is the only English speaking country in Central and South America.  It is the least populated country in Central America, and real estate opportunities are growing rapidly.  The tax and business structure of the Belize has been designed to conduct your personal and business affairs in a safe and tax-favorable environment.  It is an environmental paradise.  From the rainforest, the exotic wildlife and birds, and white coral sand beaches, and world class diving, has elevated to my top four countries to consider purchasing real estate.  Belize has the world’s second largest coral barrier reef – the top one is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.  The SCUBA diving and snorkeling is world class.

U.S. Virgin Islands:  Visiting or living is this Territory of the U.S. is a dream come true for me.  The beauty is boundless amongst the three very diverse main islands; St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix.  Each of the islands is unique even though they are just a few short miles apart.  St. Thomas is the most populated and the hub of commerce and tourism.  St. John is almost all a National Park.  St. Croix is the quieter of the islands, but just as beautiful.  The real estate opportunities range from $200,000 to millions.  Because the USVI is a Territory of the U.S. its government, tax structure, and all standards are the same as in U.S.  The mash potato white sand beaches, sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, fine dining, and duty free world class shopping is what keeps the world coming back to this fabulous example of what the Caribbean has to offer.

Dominica:  This is the smallest of the Caribbean islands.  Dominica is one of the more rugged of the Caribbean islands,  and it’s beauty will take your breath away.  It sits midway in the chain of Caribbean islands, just a few miles from Martinique and Guadeloupe.  It is an example of Nature’s unspoiled beauty.  Two thirds of the island is covered by tropical forests which includes over 1,200 plant species.  It is covered with lakes, rivers, streams, and waterfalls.  English is the official language with a large portion of the population speaking Creole.  This island appeals to who are seeking a sense of adventure, or would like a very quiet time away from the speed of light many of us have normalized around.  I love this special slice of Paradise.

These are my Top Four picks for the 2009 Caribbean real estate markets.  I welcome comments about any of your favorite Caribbean islands.  Your Caribbean islands lifestyle detective remains on duty.  Until next time…fair winds!

This project has been a long awaited event that will now use USVI waste and convert it into energy for the islands.  Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority  has also contracted Alpine Energy Group to reduce the Territory’s two landfills that are bursting at the seams.  Both of these critical contracts are for 20 years.

“The project clearly demonstrates that two government agencies can really work together and reach a turning point from which they can both move into the future as they responsibly are guardians of our natural resources.”  Gov. John deJongh Jr.  said during the press conference.

Alpine will invest $440 million to build both of the refuse-derived fuel-and-power-generation facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix.  It is projected that over 146,000 tons of solid waste will be used to for the conversion of fuel, producing about 33% of V.I. Water & Power Authority’s current peak generation load.  This is a BIG step by the Territory to move away from a 100% dependence on fossil fuels.

Alpine President James Beach  said at the signing’s press conference, “It’s called a take-or-pay contract.  WAPA is obligated to buy 75 percent of our output when the facility is up and running.”  If WAPA needs to purchase more power, they can do so at a discounted rate as part of this important agreement.

Governor John deJongh Jr.  also said, “These plants will begin moving WAPA away from complete dependency on fossil fuel for electric-power generation and water production, and it will be the first time in the Virgin Islands history that fossil fuel has not been used to generate electricity and potable water.  It is also the first time that the government has developed a viable solution to the landfill and solid-waste issues in the territory.”

As a further demonstration of the USVI’s commitment to becoming a model “Green” Caribbean Territory, V.I. Waste Management also has implemented “The Preserving Paradise Campaign”.  It is a three-part program designed to introduce the Authority’s concepts of environmental education and community pride to three different facets of the community –  Preserving Paradise Kids,  the Business Partnership, and the Community part of this program. The three-pronged program has been embraced by all aspects of the USVI.

Jim Walberg’s  Editorial Comment:  These environmental projects are examples of a community/nation that has no choice but to find solutions to their dependence on fossil fuels and their waste disposal issues that any island country faces.  Wherever we are in the world, these same issues will need to be fully addressed.  The fact is,  they need to be addressed immediately by EVERYONE in our world.  It will only happen when there is no choice but to do so because of the mess being left behind.  Click here  for more information.  Until next time…your Caribbean islands lifestyle detective remains on duty.

When a yacht leaves the docks for sailing adventure, the family and friends of the crew are standing on the dock waving your hands goodbye, and shouting “Do not be fearful!”  This well known sailor’s mantra is because the crew have no idea what is going to happen during their voyage. 

This phrase, “Do not be fearful,”  is in many aspects of my life, not just sailing.  How about real estate today.  It is the phrase that is used by both the crew and the family and friends staying behind.  My experience with this mantra is based on the fact that no one knows what will ever happen on a sailing adventure.  The only certainty this is known by the crew and their family and friends is the latitude and longitude of the destination of the voyage.  What happens from the moment you set sail to the moment you drop anchor at your destination is what is called “a sailing adventure”,  or maybe we could substitute it with a business phrase – “a real estate adventure.”

I could write a book about all of the unexpected events that have happened to me on many sailing adventures I have participated in the past 50 years.  It is OK to have a healthy sense of fear for what may lie ahead,  but fear does not prevent the sailor from setting sail, even by 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 very scary moments during my life.

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, which is VERY fast! However, the MacGregor design is known to break up in moderate seas because of it being so narrow and light.  

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.  We put all the sails up on a day of 20+ knot winds.  Within minutes the boom broke in half with me standing next to it.  It smacked me on my bald head and knocked me overboard.  My crew mates acted quickly – another important trait of a sailor, and turned the yacht back into the wind,  threw me a life preserver,  and slid the boat gently beside me and snagged me with a mooring hook so as to bring back aboard.  They then lashed to boom together and the “adventure” began of how we could design a sail pattern that would allows to limp into the San Diego for repairs. 

As a sailor you need to constantly improvise during these types of moments which requires focused 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.  The repair was completed in less than a day, and we were off to Cabo for another successful delivery.  Another sailing adventure was placed into the ship’s log book.

Here is the point of my story.  The only way a person gets to “new shores” is by being on the “yacht” when it sets sail – in spite of your fears.  In the midst of the continued world economic crisis there is fear and trembling happening with Realtors and their customers.  Today is THE real estate market.  There is no wishing it was different.  It will not change because of wishing.  So, we need to adapt, have a focused and curious mind as to how to solve the “challenges” that are presented to us each day,  and create magnificent outcomes for each of them.  I would rather be in the midst of a life adventure any day, as opposed to standing on the sidelines paralyzed with fear, and missing the experience.   Let me know some of your experiences where fear was overcome in spite of it being present.  Your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty.  Until next time….fair winds!

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.