By Melody Wren
News Americas, TORONTO, Canada, Fri. April 15, 2011: The British Virgin Islands have a reputation among seasoned travelers as the creme de la creme of the Caribbean.
Tortola and most of the BVI are mountainous islands, and though luxuriant-green when seen from afar, the climate and vegetation are much drier than many Caribbean isles, which has a beneficial side effect. Because of the lack of runoff, the clarity of the sea is more dependably higher than many other places in the Caribbean.
For that reason, the BVI’s are a popular destination for divers and snorkelers. Because of the protective effect of the islands surrounding Tortola, seas tend to be calm here most of the time, making the region a welcoming destination for those prone to motion sickness and who want to participate in small boat-based excursions. The steady winds and calm seas also make Tortola and the BVI one of the world’s premier yachting regions, and any sailing excursions, whether ship-offered or independently booked, should be at the top of every visitor’s list.
The British Virgin Islands are comprised of over 50 islands, islets, and cays, sixteen of which are inhabited. The largest islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada. Most flights land at Beef Island, and passengers take ground transportation to their resorts on Tortola or are taken by ferry to resorts on other islands. Ferries are an excellent way to explore the islands and run regularly between Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Peter Island. However, private ferries to resorts on private islands are only for use of resort guests making the experience is an exclusive one.
Gigantic cruise ships routinely tie up in Road Town’s harbor disgorging thousands of passengers into the native habitat for a few hours. But, unlike other port cities, Road Town still feels like a real place rather than a way station structured around T-shirts, refrigerator magnets and duty free jewelry. It pulses with street life with bands playing, the fresh catch of the day being sold out of temporarily parked trucks, and lots of locals happy to pass the time of day with a tourist.
BVI is one of the best sailing destinations in the world because of financial stability, security, natural beauty makes it an ideal destination. Sailing is the main focus of the islands, with sailing enthusiasts coming in from all over the world to indulge their hobby, or to learn how. There are many programs geared towards learning how to sail, with a variety of levels to reach for.
The captain of our boat for the few days we were on it also teaches the highest level of sailing, the captains certification. We met many tourists arriving board a charter with friends or family to sail through the islands for a week or so. The area boasts the largest concentration of Bareboats (boats rented without crew to experienced sailors) in the world. Day Sail yachts which offer half and full day trips are an ideal way to explore the BVI’s out islands.
Dutch ship captain Jost van Dyke established the first European settlement on Tortola in the early 1600s, and the islands soon become a trading outpost and lair for pirates, privateers, smugglers, and slave-dealers. The Dutch established plantations but lost control of the islands to the British in 1672. Most of today’s residents are descendants of African slaves, but Dutch place names remain. The uninhabited Norman Island also has a history involving pirates and treasure and was the inspiration for the famous Caribbean epic book “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson. Some locals claim that the spirit of the pirates live on in the islands, which perhaps which might would explain the energy, determination, character and strength of mind of the locals and expats that have settled in the islands.
I have traveled extensively, and was constantly astonished by the quality of the up-market, on trend gourmet food at most restaurants. Unusual combinations, fresh local fish, and incredible presentation impressed me time and time again. The upcoming article will include notes on where to eat and what to look for when it comes to eating your way through the BVI’s.
When I looked back over my trip, the prize for the most magic moment went unanimously to a day on a 46 foot Catamaran, perched at the top deck at the bow, camera slung over my deck, constantly clicking photos of the BVI Sailing Regatta in full swing. Sailboats stretched as far as the eye could see, all vying for a plum position in the race. The crystal clear sky, a fairytale blue, the sun shining as brightly as it possibly could, the luminous turquoise water, and steady wind held all the right ingredients for the race day. The energy and excitement of being positioned right at the start buoy was palpable, and I clicked hundreds of photos trying to capture that feeling.
The islands are amazingly safe. I was substantially rattled the first night I stayed in what I felt was a fairly secluded beachfront cottage, with no security roaming the premises, until I discovered how safe and virtually crime free all the islands are. It’s not unusual to find yachts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars docked in marinas with the key clearly visible in the ignition.
Depending on what type of experience and price point you want on holiday, there are many resorts to choose from: Tortola has the biggest variety and best bargains. Virgin Gorda is known for exclusive resorts like Little Dix Bay and Biras Creek; the Bitter End Yacht Club is a classic Caribbean seaport village. Private island resorts range from the affordable , Cooper Island Resort to the luxurious Peter Island and Guana Island to the outrageous Necker Island , owned by Richard Branson which rents for up to $40,000 a night.
Cooper Island Beach Club is relaxed, unpretentious and one of the greenest and most affordable resorts in the BVI’s. Only twenty three people live on the island including the staff and the resort managers. The beach front rooms are bright, spacious, and very inviting. Plenty of watersports are available at the resort, they have received awards for best snorkel, scuba and wreck diving Andy, general manager is originally from Oxford, England and has lived in the Caribbean for 8 years, 3 of which have been spent managing the resort with partner, Samantha. Andy worked in Aerospace before emigrating from the UK, and his engineering background is obvious once he starts to passionately explain the green practices he has installed at the resort. 90 solar panels with a three phase system creates 75 percent of their energy, and there are plans for 30 more solar panels.
They actually create more energy than they use, so the rest is used to charge batteries for use overnight, which last 15 years. They are currently looking into installing a wind turbine to help attain their goal to be BVI’s first carbon neutral resort within two years. (www.cooperislandbeachclub.com)
The secluded Biras Creek Resort on less populated Virgin Gorda island is situated to take advantage of views of the beach, and the stunning rock formations along the coast and is in many ways the perfect choice in the BVI’s. I spent a couple of nights in a luxuriously appointed private cottage directly on the beach. My room like all rooms at Biras had a small sitting room and adjacent bedroom, an open air shower, and a veranda overlooking the bay. I enjoyed a wonderful sense of privacy, and loved falling asleep with my windows open, listening to the surf lapping at the window. Bicycles are parked outside your cottage to take to the beach, the pool, the spa or the restaurant. The secluded resort has thirty duplex cottages, and a restaurant with a fabulous menu offering unusual combinations featuring local food. No surprise that there is a Michelin 3 star rating. Luxurious feel with prices to match, www.biras.com.
Guana Island resort: On one of the few remaining privately owned islands in its part of the world, Guana has 850 acres of untouched natural beauty. In the 18th century Guana was occupied by two Quaker families, the Lakes and the Parkes who raised sugarcane and cotton. The island’s main house, Dominica was built on the ruins of the Parke estate and there are still Quaker walls, sugar mills, canons and other ruins in evidence around the Island. When the Quakers departed, the land reverted to local ownership. The amenities are vast including seven smooth pristine white powder sand beaches and miles of tropical forest, mountains, hills and valleys.
This setting where the Caribbean meets the vast Atlantic is the backdrop for hillside cottages dotted over a scenic ridge, all with spectacular views. The resort has a secluded feeling that guests want to embrace and stay part of. The cottages are simple, yet luxuriously appointed. Their focus on fresh, local food with an impressive daily menu at every meal keeps the guests very well fed, looking forward to their next meal. Only accommodating 32 guests, this is exclusive holidaying at its best with corresponding prices. www.guana.com.
The views in the British Virgin Islands delight at every turn with stunning turquoise waters, uninhabited islands, and a leisurely, relaxed pace found only in the Caribbean.
Melody Wren is a freelance writer because she believes that work and fun should not be mutually exclusive. She writes about travel, food and green living. When not writing she’s either on the road, in the air, or savoring something tasty and can be reached via www.melodywren.com. Her trip was sponsored by the British Virgin Islands Board of Tourism, www. bvitourism.com.
LIAR LIAR OBAMA ON FIRE???
By Arthur Piccolo
News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. April 29, 2011: Well well well ……
If there is one thing we all know Barack Obama has said it is that we are getting OUT of Iraq. He made it crystal clear during his campaign for President, disavowing George Bush’s invasion and occupation. Again and again and then a thousand times again.
Then as President Barack Obama reaffirmed again and again we are LEAVING Iraq!
Well another weekly SURPRISE from the President whose pants seems always to be on fire. The United States is now “considering” leaving a military force on the ground in Iraq for an indefinite period rather than vacating Iraq completely by the end of 2011.
Now Obama has not said that will happen and if we hold his feet not his pants to the fire it may not. But so far the signs are ominous when he allows his Secretary of Defense to say very publicly in recent weeks the U.S. may “need” to leave thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq just in case. Just in case of what??
Just in case anyone might begin to think the U.S. is no longer an imperialist colonizer in the “great” traditions of the past.
Just in case someone may decide with all those troops out of Iraq we can cut the military budget further.
Just in case those in the Middle East might think they are not still under the thumb of U.S. power.
Just in case there might be any hint that Iraq will display true
independence.
Just in case the U.S. decides to bomb Iran back to the stone ages.
And just in case Israeli officials might get miffed if we show any kind of balance in the Middle East.
Yes just in case ….
Yes President Obama the great “compromiser” has yet to meet any issue he will not compromise principle or his own positions if he thinks it serves some useful purpose for keeping him in the ultimate FUN house The White House.
Let’s cover old territory once again.
Barack Obama has one and only one agenda to keep the job and all the unbelievable perks. He will do whatever is required to win the next election in 2012. Whether it means raising obscene amounts of money even $1 BILLION and doing more than anyone before him to destroy any kind of useful campaign financing restrictions – or contradicting himself on Iraq or anything else.
So where does Iraq fit in this damaged picture. Obama has concluded logically if painfully for many of us that he can do almost anything and nothing will have Democrats and Democratic leaning independents abandoning him for any Republican let alone a complete fraud like Donald Trump or one of the Tea Party whackos. Or even the zombie Mitt Romney.
But still Barack can’t feel safe enough. Until he officially wins reelection there is the Black Swan option that somehow to everyone’s surprise he loses the election. And yes use of Air Force One. Therefore Barack Obama cannot court too many votes.
So what can he do that will make some Republicans at least mildly happy with him or not as annoyed? Prove to them he really is a military loving, imperialist leaning colonialist President like those “great” Republican icons from the past like Ronald Reagan.
What Obama can do is send a STRONG signal about his true beliefs by keeping troops in Iraq to protect yes of course freedom and democracy and the good OLD American Way in the Middle East and most of all protect the oil sorry and most of all let all those God forsaken Muslim fanatics (all Muslims) know President Obama is a True Crusader who Republicans may not love but they need not go to the wall to defeat him either.
That Barack Obama is not such a Bad Guy Democrat if he is willing to throw around American military power with abandon and mindlessly in the best Republican tradition and if he is willing to sacrifice truth on the altar of expedience again in the best Republican tradition. And prove he will give it in the back to Democrats especially progressive Democrats to win a few Republican votes.
Yes a Democrat Republicans can wait until his second term ends in 2016 before lusting after The White House.
Now wait a minute Mr. I’m No Fan Of Barack Obama ….
President Obama has absolutely not said he will keep American troops on the ground in Iraq past their planned departure date by
the end of 2011. No he has not. And he has not told his Defense Secretary and others to stop talking about the possibility of leaving troops in Iraq indefinitely if not in fact permanently because he Barack Obama has already stated his position clearly that ALL American troops are leaving. Barack Obama’s silence may be golden (sic) for him but the rest of us are left to watch his pants on fire.
Arthur Piccolo is a professional writer and commentator and often writes about Latin America for New Americas.