You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Caribbean’ category.
From CNN International:
(CNN) — Authorities in Jamaica declared a state of emergency in Kingston on Sunday night after gang members blockaded a large swath of the capital city and attacked at least two police stations.
The declaration follows the United States issuing on Friday a travel alert for its citizens concerning the Caribbean nation. The U.S. cited unconfirmed reports of criminal gang members amassing in Kingston and the mobilization of Jamaican defense forces.
“The possibility exists for violence and/or civil unrest in the greater Kingston metropolitan area,” the alert said.
Most American tourists are likely to be headed to all inclusive resorts outside of the Kingston area however transit between the airport and the resorts may involve crossing through potential conflict zones so that’s something to think about. The world is a complicated place. On one hand as a traveler you don’t want to cancel a trip over situations that are magnified through mass media. On the other hand I know I wouldn’t be able to relax on the pool deck and sip rum drinks in the middle of a raging class warfare especially when I don’t know enough about the position points of each side. This is where a little research is necessary. The Jamaica Observer has several stories that provide insight into the present situation and which indicate that the unrest involved ” co-ordinated strikes on four police stations in West Kingston by criminal gunmen“. This doesn’t sound like it necessarily affects the average tourist, however tourists should exercise normal precautions and probably should not be wandering about this area alone or at night. As always before traveling, be sure to check up on the conditions you can expect at your destination. Read the State Department website for travel advisories and be sure look up local news and weather reports on the internet. Whatever your travel destination, have a safe travel week.
More sources for updates on the Jamaica situation:
http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/middle_top_news_detail.php?mid=3530
If you are like me and tend to wait till the last minute to choose gifts – including mother’s day gifts there is still time to find your Mom a travel gift that she’ll appreciate and enjoy. Travel is the perfect Mother’s day gift because all Moms need a getaway every now and again but many, especially of the older generation need a little coaxing and prodding to be convinced that it’s okay to indulge in some “me time”. And while it may be a little late to find getaway reservations for the weekend of May 9, 2010 – or practical to drop a trip on Mom at short notice, this is okay because you can always book a trip for your Mom now that can be enjoyed later this spring or in the summer months ahead.
Here are some travel gift ideas that are sure to make Moms and Grandmom’s happy. Read the rest of this entry »
The Sherman’s Travel list of “little-known dream islands” is published on yahoo. I’m a people person – (really), so I’m not the kind of traveler who’s always looking to get away from the crowds. I like to experience local culture and if that involves being part of a bustling African or Asian market place that’s fine. But I’m certainly not adverse to natural beauty and a slower, quieter pace either which is what makes places like the islands on this list worth seeing. My personal pick to start – Terre-de-Haut, Guadeloupe. Sherman advises: “Rent a golf cart to get around (you won’t find much in the way of cars here) and zip around to a different beach at dawn, midday, and dusk.” On one hand not having to worry about taxis or driving in unfamiliar terrain sounds like a liberating experience, on the other hand, either this is a very small island or they have souped up golf carts.
This island is small enough that a quickie group tour can be accomplished in just a few hours. We were actually staying on the island but everyone else on the tour was a cruise ship passenger. The tour began at noon and the cruisers needed to be back at the dock by 4:30 p.m. The tours are conducted in modified, open backed pick up trucks, and it’s easy to find a guide in downtown Charlotte Amalie. We went with the guide affiliated with The Mafolie Hotel where we were staying, but if you decide to find a guide on your own downtown, go with one who has actual business cards and a phone number. This is worth mentioning because we talked to people offering us tours who did not have cards or phone numbers including one who told us he didn’t need a phone number. I say that the intelligent traveller in this day and age is always going to feel more comfortable if the guide has the trappings of a professional business set up – including a phone. Read the rest of this entry »
In other news Tito Jackson just tweeted that he will be performing in St Kitts and in the USVI this June. No specific dates on his website yet, but he seems pretty accessible via twitter, and I assume more information will be forthcoming in the near future.
Are you looking to stay in one of the world’s hottest hotels? Conde Nast’s list for 2010 is out and lists a selection of hotels on most continents with the exceptions of Australia, N. Zealand and South America. If you’re wondering how much a stay in one of these fine institutions will put you out, the Viceroy Anguilla Hotel (of course I had to pick one in my fave zone – the Caribbean). So just how much will a stay in the hottest hotel in the Caribbean cost you this season? The Hotel Offers section quotes USD 3344 for a 5 night stay which to includes a “Linger Longer” free night and a resort credit. Resort amenities include a luxury spa and fitness center, five restaurants featuring elegant and casual dining, and the Sunset Lounge where you can enjoy a collection of aged rums, Cuban cigars and fine champagnes at the bar while a DJ spins reggae sounds.
The Linger Longer bonus offer is good through June 30, 2010
The best travel writing starts out in the form of letters about what the traveller saw, but ends up further and further from that first impression as it’s polished and buffed by editors. By the time the reader gets it, in many instances it’s hard to get a feel for what the traveler actually saw. So I have decided to present my notes from my latest trip to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, USVI. If you haven’t been, this is a duty free shoppers paradise, specializing in fine gold, silver and gemstone jewelry with a backdrop of serene, turquoise blue Caribbean waters. Here is how my day went:
Downtown
Cab arrived at 10 a.m. and dropped us downtown near the post office Basically the shopping district begins at the ocean and extends backwards in blocks from it. First we walked along the water front to the yacht club where the cruise ships come in. There are speakers all over the club grounds playing reggae music. Also the manicured landscaping is very nice. We went to a cafe there called Badass coffee – with a donkey for a logo – hah hah. It is like starbucks but indie and ironically the coffee is Hawaiian Kona instead of Caribbean, but the quality is top notch. I did not see a Starbucks anywhere on the island. The downside is that unlike Starbucks these cafes close at a ridiculously early hour – at 5 p.m. or something like that which is when the cruise ships leave.
Read the rest of this entry »
Remember when travel used to involve months of advance planning in order to get a decent rate? Sometimes you had to reserve rooms and flights so far in advance that you never could keep up and ended up not doing it at all. Thankfully this is no longer the case. If you have a few consecutive spare days available this April for example you can take advantage of this deal:
The all-inclusive Gran Bahia Principe La Romana is just $55 per person, per night for stays April 4-30, 2010, if you book with CheapCaribbean.com. Regular rates are $159 per person. Be sure to book quickly. At this rate, rooms won’t last long.
Now that’s a quickie Caribbean get away in a four star resort with a room rate that’s cheaper than a grungy motel down the road. Combine it with a fare sale which isn’t hard to find and you have a refreshing, and reasonably priced get away for the cost of a minor shopping spree.
Click here for details about the Gran Bahia Principe La Romana. If April’s no good, don’t worry, looks like the savings continue through the end of June.
The Black Travel Guide 