Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

Once upon a time… long before pillow menus and linens with thread counts were of any importance to me, I lived here… the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. 6 glorious months without a care in the world in a place trapped in time. I was here 12 years ago, before the digital camera age so I don’t have many of my own photos to share. Recently, I found a wonderful company and creators of a DVD of images from the coast… each one straight from my own memories. Enjoy these images below and check out Pura Vida DVD for more!

The End! All photos from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Interview with an Eco-Pro, Herbert Samuel

It seems every hotel I work with, is marketing some sort of eco advancement as everyone jumps on the eco-travel bandwagon. Thus, it is more important than ever to be aware that any hotel can announce their own "greenness" and market facts about their energy saving efforts. Only a Certified or Green Globe Certified hotel is in full compliance with internationally recognized standards.

Green Globe has been certifying hotels since 1993. The Caribbean is home to 63 Green Globe Certified Hotels & Tour Companies. Read about their high standards here.

During my research, I found Mr. Herbert Samuel. Herbert has recently been accredited as a Green Globe Certifications auditor for the Caribbean region. He is a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a background in energy planning and project management. Herbert is founder and president of Green Island Inc, a Caribbean energy sustainability consulting firm. Being always curious about "green" efforts in the Caribbean and those behind them, I had a few questions:

Laura: Your company, Green Island, Inc. is very exciting! Would you explain for my readers what it is Green Island, Inc. does in a nutshell?

Herbert: Green Island Inc is a consulting firm, specializing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy sustainability in the Caribbean. Right now we are working with several clients, mostly regional & international agencies, on projects ranging from project management (of renewable energy projects) to energy policy and planning studies. In addition to this, we’re doing Green Globe Certification audits this week in Barbados, next week in the Grenadines and in St Lucia soon after.

Laura: On a personal note, where is your favorite place to do some serious relaxing?

Herbert: Actually, at home! I have everything I need there; a view of the Grenadines from the side lawn, my music, my wife. We’re recently married and we both love to cook, so we’ve created our own little resort at home where we spend most of our spare time.

Laura: How fantastic that you live in the region! (I glance at my virtual beach with jealousy) Are you a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines?

Herbert: Yes, I was born in Kingstown, St Vincent (1960) and have lived here for most of my life. I am also a citizen of St Lucia, having lived and worked there for 10 years from 1993 – 2003.

Photo is the view from Mr. Samuel's house... swoon...!

Hurry - Last Chance to book Curacao NOW!

Curacao is an exotic island... Not for the usual reasons of lush tropical fauna and deserted beaches, but because of its well preserved and showcased history. The island is home to the oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, a beautiful structure with sand floors. Local philanthropist, Jacob Gelt Dekker, spent millions on a world class anthropological museum, Museum Kura Hulanda, featuring the Origin of Man, the African slave trade, West African Empires, Pre-Colombian gold, Mesopotamian relics and Antillean art. Wandering the streets of Williamstad, browsing the art galleries and museums, you will be left with a keen sense of the intoxicating mix of cultures that made the island what it is today... simply amazing!

Hurry – Book the Curacao NOW Promo by July 15th to get these great savings: (Valid for travel August 15- December 15 with a 4 night minimum stay required.)

One free night
A $200 per person air credit
$140 Food & Beverage Credit
Free shore or boat dive day
Free car rental day
Coupon Book for discounts on entrance to Museums
Half price off on attractions, tours and transfers
High value shopping discounts in downtown Willemstad
Some of the participating hotels:

Hotel Kura Hulanda – located in town and adjacent to the island’s best museum.
Avila Beach Hotel – family owned and operated, a true boutique hotel.
Curacao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino – all the norms one would except at a Marriott but a supreme beachfront location and energizing casino.

I’d be happy to plan and book your trip to Curacao. If interested, please contact me for a customized itinerary.

Book Review - The Reaper of Souls

Publisher's Summary: On 1 September, 1957, an excursion train left Montego Bay on its return trip to Kingston and met disaster halfway there. Dangerously overcrowded, it had rushed down towards Jamaica's central plains on its way back to the capital. Sometime after midnight, in wet conditions, the train derailed near Kendal, Manchester, creating a horrific tangle of wood, glass, steel and torn bodies. Of the 254 lives lost, 14, nearly 6 percent of the dead, were members of Beverley East's family.

In my own words: This is a truly gripping tale of how tragedy can form one's live and make us change course completely. I enjoyed this book primarily for its poignant view of Caribbean life and most importantly, for a glimpse into times-gone-by and the Jamaica of yesteryear. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I picked up my copy at the airport in Kingston in April. You can order yours here.

Photo of Ms. East from here.

Cayman Jazz Fest 2009

The 5th Annual Cayman Jazz Festivel is December 3-5, 2009. This year's lineup is quiet impressive... Peabo Bryson, Keith Sweat, Kirk Whalum, and headlining the event, Alicia Keys!Book your tickets now!

Make a Difference - The Sandals Foundation

Its been a while since I featured a "Make a Difference" campaign, but now more than ever, Caribbean charities need our help. So take a look at all that is good about the Sandals Foundation.

The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean.

By definition, our responsibilities to family reflect our corporate social responsibilities. We believe things can be better and we want to make them better. We believe we have contributed much to the Caribbean over the years but we want to do more. We know that as World’s Best it’s our plans, hard work, skills and innovations that put us there – but we have a responsibility to put them to work beyond our resorts too.

The Sandals Foundation is our way of better enabling us to take on more of what needs to be done in the islands where we operate by making the Caribbean the best that we can be. It is not just about gathering and spending money. We also harness our passion, energy, skills and brand power to tackle issues under three broad headings; Community, Education, & Environment.

To learn more or DONATE, please visit their website.

Once Again... the CARIBBEAN FALL SALE is here!

Save up to 70% by traveling between August 15 and December 15, 2009! Don't let these great deals pass you by - book before July 13, 2009.

A sampling of the great deals:

Barbados - 3.5-star FROM $399*
INCLUDES 5 nights, Turtle Beach Resort, all-inclusive & hotel
transfers. BONUS 2 free nights & $300 air credit per person.
Plus on-island discount & gourmet dining card, $25 Oistins Fish
Fry voucher.

Antigua - 4-star FROM $549*
INCLUDES 4 nights, The Verandah Resort & Spa, all-inclusive &
hotel transfers. BONUS save up to 50% & $100 resort credit.

St. Kitts - 4.5-star FROM $259*
INCLUDES 4 nights, St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach
Casino & hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

And introducing one of the Caribbeans newest properties... the Curacao Renaissance:

Curacao - 4.5-star FROM $299*
INCLUDES 4 nights, Renaissance Curacao Resort & Casino
& hotel transfers. BONUS save 50%.

*Rates are Per Person! Contact ME for a custom quote!

Vintage Fashion Photos @ Half Moon circa 1967

I first learned that these lovely photos and talented photographer thanks to a Twitter post from the Half Moon Resort. If you know me personally, you know I love antiques & vintage... especially anything Vintage Caribbean. So I was thrilled to learn of Mark Mender and his lovely photos from 1967... a time when Caribbean Tourism was fresh and new...

And there's even a You Tube Video showing how the set was staged:

Caribbean Whale Friends

Yesterday, I read an article mentioning Whale Watching as a $300 million industry. This sparked a few hours of research into how much of this leisure activity is taking place in the Caribbean and any known harm it might cause. Look what I found: Caribbean Whale Friends.

A handful of Caribbean countries have, as recently as 2006, been in support of commercial whaling, but it seems the majority of Caribbean-ites would rather watch the whales than harm them, and for this I am proud.

"Visitors can now go whale watching in a number of Caribbean countries including: Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines. "

"Whale watching is a growing industry in the Caribbean, in fact it is the fastest growing sector of the region’s tourism industry, and brings much-needed financial revenue to the region. By 2007, the industry was generating an estimated US$22 million annually."

Organizations such as this need our support. Visit their website and make a difference!

Photo is a Caribbean Humpback Whale from here.

Meet Kanopi House...

Kanopi House. Jamaica's newest eco-friendly hotel located on my favorite corner of the island, Port Antonio. Equal parts rustic & charm...

Give a bundle of local wood to Jamaica's talented local artists and this is what you will get...

Kanopi House has just enough jungle to remind you of exactly how precious every little living thing is... Follow me...But its not all jungle... oh no, fear not. This little wonderland is only a stone's throw from the Blue Lagoon... a 250+ foot abyss of blended salt and spring water. I could stare all day at this lagoon and never tire... entertained by the constantly changing colors.
Need a closer look?

After long days of rum shop tours, river rafting, fishing, birding, or mountain biking... Kanopi House waits to welcome you... with plenty of fine cuisine crafted from fresh local ingredients, paired with the perfect vintage from the owner's cellar... and plenty of luxe lounging...

If this is starting to sound a little too civilized for what you're looking for... pause for a moment and remember... Kanopi House is comprised of tree houses... far, far away from the ordinary.

And if you dig deep into this little blog, you will come to learn that Port Antonio is one of my favorite places on earth. I've swam at midnight in the Blue Lagoon... watched from a distance a famous wife tend her mares... I've read the books and sang the songs... all about this, this perfect PARADISE. And once you visit... you too will want to find a cozy chair, put pen to paper, and draft your memories for fear there might come a day when your own experiences in Port Antonio fail to conjure up a soul warming smile...

The End.

Thank You for Mentioning My Wedding Blog!

I am so excited to see my name in print! A big THANK YOU to Destination Wedding & Honeymoons Magazine for mentioning my destination wedding blog in their summer issue... 5 Blogs they Love. On stands now!