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May 1, 2023May 3, 2023

The Best Caribbean Destinations for Solo Travelers

Are you a solo traveler with a penchant for adventure and a desire to explore the captivating beauty of the Caribbean? Look no further! This is your best guide to Caribbean destinations for solo travelers like yourself. From stunning beaches to vibrant cultures, these destinations offer everything you need for an unforgettable solo journey.

Jamaica: Where Vibrancy Meets Serenity

Jamaica, the land of reggae and breathtaking landscapes, is an ideal destination for solo travelers seeking a perfect blend of excitement and tranquility. Enjoy Kingston’s lively music scene or unwind on Montego Bay’s pristine beaches. Explore the lush rainforests of Ocho Rios and discover hidden waterfalls, such as Dunn’s River Falls, that will leave you in awe. The friendly locals will make you feel right at home as you savor the delicious jerk cuisine and embrace the island’s laid-back vibes.

Barbados: Paradise Found

Barbados is your answer if you’re seeking a destination that offers natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Stroll along the stunning beaches of the Platinum Coast and witness the turquoise waters meeting the golden sand. Engage with the locals in Bridgetown and learn about the island’s history and vibrant traditions. Don’t forget to visit the iconic St. Nicholas Abbey, a beautifully preserved plantation house that glimpses the island’s colonial past. With its warm hospitality and vibrant atmosphere, Barbados will steal your heart.

Barbados beach — You’ll love Barbados for everything it offers!

One more thing about Barbados. If you’ve ever thought of taking up a new adventure sport, like kitesurfing, windsurfing or surfing, all can be done through Endless Kiteboarding on Silver Sands Beach. It might be tricky in the beginning, but everyone can do it after a few lessons. If you only have a day try surfing, cause for windsurfing and kitesurfing you might need a few days with an instructor.

Girl holding a kite preparing for launch — Don’t kitesurf on your own. Have a friend help you launch and land your kite

The Bahamas: Where Paradise Awaits

No list of Caribbean destinations is complete without mentioning the Bahamas. With its postcard-perfect beaches and vibrant coral reefs, this archipelago is a true paradise for solo travelers:

Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Exuma.
Swim with friendly nurse sharks at Compass Cay.
Visit the stunning pink sand beaches of Harbour Island and unwind in the luxurious resorts of Nassau.

The Bahamas offers a plethora of activities for every solo adventurer, from exploring underwater caves to indulging in local delicacies like conch fritters.

And if you’re thinking of renting a villa on the beach on Exuma, and make that dream come true, contact Saffron House Exuma, they offer 5 star service.

Aruba: A Haven for Water Enthusiasts

If you’re a water enthusiast seeking an island paradise, look no further than Aruba. With its pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, this Dutch Caribbean island offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and windsurfing. Explore the vibrant marine life at the popular wreck dive site of Antilla, or simply relax under a palm tree and soak up the sun. The charming capital city of Oranjestad offers a delightful mix of shopping, dining, and colorful architecture. Aruba’s welcoming atmosphere and water-based adventures make it a top choice for solo travelers.

Every year they host the Aruba Hi-Winds races where top international bikers, windsurfers and kitesurfers partake in a 5-day family fun water and bike adventure with extreme speed on both land and water. They change the dates every year so keep afloat via their website Aruba Hi-Winds. Coolest Carib has been a proud media sponsor for almost ten years.

Anual Aruba Hi-Winds. Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Biking races.

Puerto Rico: A Caribbean Gem

For an unforgettable solo adventure, head to Puerto Rico, where history, culture, and natural wonders converge. Explore the colorful streets of Old San Juan and marvel at the well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Discover the magical allure of El Yunque National Forest, where lush greenery and cascading waterfalls await your exploration. Indulge in the vibrant nightlife of San Juan, filled with live music and delicious cuisine. Puerto Rico’s unique blend of cultures and warm hospitality will make your solo trip truly extraordinary.

Puerto Rico flag — Puerto Rico is a must-see place.

Visiting Old San Juan, ‘Viejo San Juan’, the first plaza you’ll see is Plaza Colón, and at the top end overlooking this quaint small public plaza you’ll find Cafe Berlin. If you’re into the European like terrace culture and international food you’ll go there for breakfast, lunch and supper. Sit inside for the decor and ambiance, and outside under a red umbrella ideal for people watching.

Cafe Berlin Restaurant Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Vacationing alone in Puerto Rico try get some boating in. There are quite a few operators around the island, but if you’re in San Juan already get yourself on a sail boat tour departing from San Juan. The docks at Parque Central are only 10 min drive from Cafe Berlin in Old San Juan, about 3 minutes from Condado, and just around the corner from the cruise ship docks. We know Jim Boat Trips offers tours in and around the harbor.

Sail Boat Tours in Old San Juan Puerto Rico

Cayman Islands: Underwater Paradise

If you’re a solo traveler with a passion for diving and marine life, the Cayman Islands should be at the top of your list. With its world-class dive sites and vibrant coral reefs, this Caribbean destination offers unparalleled underwater experiences. Known for its strong financial industry and political stability, the Cayman Islands attracts investors seeking high-end properties and a favorable tax environment. The demand for luxury properties and rental accommodations from expatriates and tourists contributes to the island’s robust real estate market. So, if you plan to invest in real estate here, you must choose among many options!

Check out the famous Stingray City, where you can swim with and feed gentle stingrays in their natural habitat. Dive into the depths of the Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman, known for its stunning drop-offs and diverse marine life. After your underwater adventures, unwind on the pristine beaches and indulge in the local cuisine influenced by Caribbean and international flavors. For many reasons, the Cayman Islands are considered among the best Caribbean destinations for solo travelers.

For self-catering condo vacation rentals the Grandview Condos on Seven Mile Beach provides the ideal setting for families, couples and friends in Grand Cayman.

Aerial view of Grand View Condos in Grand Cayman — Grandview Condos in Grand Cayman

St. Lucia: A Tropical Paradise

For solo travelers seeking a slice of tropical heaven, St. Lucia is a must-visit destination. Known for its majestic Pitons and twin volcanic peaks rising dramatically from the sea, this island offers a breathtaking backdrop for solo adventures. Explore the lush rainforests and hike to enchanting waterfalls like Diamond Falls and Toraille Falls. Relax on the pristine beaches of Rodney Bay and soak up the warm Caribbean sun. Don’t miss the chance to experience Sulphur Springs, the world’s only drive-in volcano, where you can indulge in a rejuvenating mud bath. St. Lucia’s natural beauty and serene ambiance make it a perfect escape for solo travelers.

The Caribbean Attracts Many Newcomers

The Caribbean has long been a desirable destination for people seeking a change of scenery or a slower-paced lifestyle. Numerous individuals worldwide choose to make the Caribbean their new home each year. The reasons for relocation vary, ranging from retirees seeking a tropical retirement haven to expatriates searching for new job opportunities or entrepreneurs attracted by the region’s growing economy. Moreover, some are drawn to the Caribbean’s rich culture, warm climate, and picturesque landscapes.

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nthusiastic woman suggesting best Caribbean destinations for solo travelers — Pack your bags and experience some of the best Caribbean destinations for solo travelers!

Plan the entire endeavor if you plan to relocate to any Caribbean destination. Contact trustworthy international movers that provide all the necessary services in one place, as the Ample Moving experts team advises.

Conclusion

The best Caribbean destinations for solo travelers offer many experiences that cater to your adventurous spirit and desire for cultural immersion. Whether you’re exploring the lush rainforests of St. Lucia, diving into the vibrant underwater world of the Cayman Islands, or indulging in the tranquility of Turks and Caicos’ pristine beaches, each destination promises a unique and unforgettable solo journey. So pack your bags, embrace the freedom of solo travel, and embark on an extraordinary adventure!

For more articles on Caribbean islands go to CoolestCarib.com

Images:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/the-fishing-boat-16403289/
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https://www.pexels.com/photo/cheerful-trendy-young-woman-sitting-on-floor-with-luggage-4254148/
https://www.pexels.com/photo/flag-of-puerto-rico-painted-on-the-wall-4633604/

February 9, 2023February 9, 2023

The Best Caribbean Festivals and Celebrations to Attend

By Caribbean Blogger.

A woman at one of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend.

Whether planning your next vacation or looking for an exotic place to move to, the Caribbean should be at the top of your list. This region has so much to offer that it’s impossible to get bored. Here, you’ll find some of the best Caribbean islands for couples that provide romantic sceneries and fabulous resorts. However, there’s a lot more to it than that. The region is home to many cultures with very different backgrounds. As a result, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about their history and traditions. And what better way to do this than by participating in their festivities? Here’s a list of some of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend.

No. 1 The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the best-known celebrations in the region. It has become so popular that other Caribbean islands avoid scheduling their festivities simultaneously. This carnival has a history that dates back to the 18^th century when the French colonized the island. As a result, the celebration still includes elements of French masquerade balls. However, it also celebrates the rebellion of the enslaved people against the colonizers. Thus, the festivities also incorporate cultural expressions of the African population.

No. 2 The Reggae Sumfest and Jamaica Carnival

Why visit Jamaica? Apart from the alluring beaches and fantastic food, this is reggae’s birthplace. So, this is the place to be if you’re a fan of this music. Specifically, you should attend Reggae Sumfest, which is one of the largest music festivals in the Caribbean. It has a history of around 30 years and has developed into a week-long festivity. While it used to include many international artists as well, in recent years, it started to focus on Jamaican artists. That is great because it provides you with a more authentic experience.

A reggae musician. — One of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend is the Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica.

While in Jamaica, you should also make time for the Jamaica Carnival, one of the most popular festivities in the Caribbean. It includes everything from colorful carnival costumes, parades, and parties to great food, music, and a lot of dancing. While this celebration usually starts after Easter, Jamaica’s carnival season begins as early as January.

No. 3 The Barbados Crop Over Festival

The Barbados Crop Over Festival is one of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend. It all started in 1678 as a slaves-only celebration. And it used to celebrate the end of the harvest. Nowadays, it has grown into a 3-month-long festival. Thus, if you feel up to it, you should join the party. You’ll enjoy great concerts, dancing, contests, and fantastic food. Plus, it all culminates with an incredible carnival parade.

No. 4 The Aruba Carnival

The Aruba Carnival is one of the main reasons to vacation in Aruba. While the carnival celebrations on the island began in the 1920s’, they were primarily private affairs. Plus, they mainly included European elements. But later, the English immigrants and Creoles combined and created this fantastic festivity. Apart from the carnival costumes and street music, this carnival also provides children entertainment. So you won’t have to leave your kids at home.

No. 5 The Saint Lucia Carnival

While this festivity is a bit smaller than the previous one, it’s still one of the most popular. The best part about the Saint Lucia Carnival is that the festivities start a few weeks before. For instance, you can attend the two-day Parade of the Bands. That includes costumed mas bands and traditional music. You shouldn’t miss the Color Me Red street party with a red dress code. And if you want to dance while being covered in body paint, mud, or foam, participate in the carnival’s opening event, J’Ouvert.

No. 6 The Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas

If you want to go to the Caribbean during the holiday season, you should attend the Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas. That is mostly a street celebration that takes place the day after Christmas. The unique, handmade carnival costumes are the most notable elements of this festivity. The locals spend months creating and are highly competitive in what concerns their creations. Here you’ll also get the chance to listen and dance to the percussive beats of goatskin drums, cowbells, whistles, and horns.

People dressed in costumes at the Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas. — To see unique carnival costumes, you should attend the Junkanoo Carnival in the Bahamas.

No. 7 The Pirates Fest in the Cayman Islands

If you’re looking for a family-friendly festival, the Pirates Fest in the Cayman Islands is the place to go. While it used to last one week, it has now grown into a two-month festivity. As you probably guessed from its name, the festival celebrates the pirate cultural heritage of the Caymans. The festival includes a float parade, a pirate landing, costume parades, street music, food, and fun competitions. As a result, neither you nor your kids will get bored.

A pirate ship. — The Pirates Fest in the Cayman Islands offers lots of entertainment for kids and adults.

Plan your trip

As you can see, there are plenty of great Caribbean festivals and celebrations. So, if you’re ready to have a great time, it’s time to plan your trip to the Caribbean. Since there’s a lot to see and experience, scheduling a more extended trip would be best. Or, if you’re a digital nomad, you might want to consider moving to this paradise, at least short term.

In any case, the consultants from mybrooksmoving.com advise you to pack light. That will enable you to be more flexible and explore more of this remarkable region. Make a list of your essentials and leave the rest behind. After all, you’ll spend most of your time in a bathing suit anyway. Furthermore, if you’re planning a longer journey, you should consider renting storage. This solution is much cheaper than paying rent and utilities for an apartment you won’t live in.

In conclusion

If you’re looking for a sunny paradise to spend your vacation or temporarily relocate to, the Caribbean is a great option. Firstly, you’ll find some fantastic beaches and resorts. Secondly, you’ll immerse yourself in new cultures while having lots of fun. This list of the best Caribbean festivals and celebrations to attend is only the beginning. Just do some research, and you’ll discover countless other incredible regional festivities.

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April 29, 2018November 26, 2019

Cayman Islands – a Hell of a Place

Grand Cayman Caribbean Travel Info Network

CAYMAN ISLANDS. You might know the Cayman Islands from a famous movie line, like The Firm – starring Gene Hackman and Tom Cruise. Yes, this is probably THE off-shore banking haven outside the USA. Maybe the fact that they have more registered businesses than people (population is around 60k) has something to do with so many banks – one on nearly every street corner – here. In fact, it’s all linked – the government’s primary source of income is indirect taxation: there is no income tax, capital gains tax or corporation tax. Henceforth, based on income, Caymanians enjoy the highest standard of living in the Caribbean and every second person you meet is a banker or finance expert of some sort.

Pic of Grand Cayman from Royalcaribbean.com

Most people find themselves in George Town – on the biggest island – when they visit Grand Cayman. The other ones are called Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, but very few people live there. Maybe you dream of living on a tropical island for a while?

So what is it like to live in Grand Cayman?, you ask. Some locals complain that there’s little to do, but we beg to differ. First off, this island was frequented by many pirates, including the famous Captain Blackbeard. If you don’t believe us, you can go scuba diving in the swimming pool-clear water of the ocean and visit many ship wrecks from this bygone era, amongst others. You can see what the ships looked like in those days and maybe even endeavor to find treasure down there, although that’ll be your own little fantasy trip, nothing we suggested… While you’re at it, you may see amazing sea turtles and stingrays in these deeps. In fact, there are some specific locations on the island where you can swim with stingrays.

Shipwreck in Grand Cayman waters from Caribbean360.com

This is not all. The beach is 7 miles long in Grand Cayman – or so the name of the beach says, but we have heard its longer! White, sandy and undulating into clear azure waters, which we already swooned enough about above. Whatever you want to do on this beach can be done – watersports, swimming, splish-splashing, drifting in the water with a cocktail in your hand, rolling in the sand like a kid, sunbathing with your toes in the water – you get it. Considering the big island is 22 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide, all at pretty much sea level, makes us think you can run around the island and that would mean you completed (nearly) a marathon. If you’re into that kind of thing or about to complain that there’s nothing to do on the island, that is.

Next, you can go to Hell. No, not being rude. There really is a place called Hell. It’s a sight to see – black volcanic, sharp rocks are the only landscape here. Quite different to the rest of the environment. What’s more, there is a little post office right in Hell where you can buy a “postcard from Hell” to send to loved ones to alarm them unnecessarily and cause your grandfather to preach about the evils of travel to foreign countries… But that’s thát story.

Of course, there are great restaurants and shopping on the island, even Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville franchise boasts a prominent spot if you want to get your or any Parrot Head doused in some rum.

Not only does this place have a Hell, it also has crocodiles. Ever heard of crocodiles found naturally in the Caribbean? Well, hear again. That is where the island gets its name from – Caimans are a specific kind from here. Wait, they have indigenous reptiles – curly tailed lizard iguanas – but also crocs and sea turtles on and around the island!? Cowabunga!

As is known, hurricane season comes every year to the Caribbean. Last year’s monster season didn’t affect the Caymans much – for a change! Unfortunately these islands have the highest record of being hit by hurricanes of all Caribbean islands. In 2004, hurricane Ivan nearly tore the main island into two with severe flooding. Amazingly the locals rebuilt it within about two years. What a nation!

Talk about nation, did you know that Jamaica and Grand Cayman were once considered one? Cayman and Jamaica were governed as a single British colony until 1962, when the Cayman islands became designated a British overseas territory, one of 14 territories under the sovereignty of the UK but not part of the UK, while Jamaica became independent.

As you can gather, this is a Hell of a place. It’s only 400 miles south of Miami, or apparently known as “South Miami” by expats, so you can swim there, ha! Pack your bags and get there before someone else occupies your perfect spot.

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January 5, 2018May 19, 2018

Island of Your Dreams: St. Kitts

Saint Kitts Caribbean Island Travel Network

Photo taken on the way to Cockleshell Beach, St. Kitts, at the Turtle Bay area with a view of Nevis in the background.

ST. KITTS. Ever thought what would comprise a true island of your dreams? For argument’s sake let’s say it is St. Kitts, because it should be the island of your dreams.

First off, there are more than enough beaches, coconut cocktails, hammocks and palm trees to fill in the picture of your dream island. But there is so much more to this piece of paradise.

It’s an island that has set aside more than a quarter of its land as a National Park, with growing rainforests rather than shrinking ones.

What’s more, it’s home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Brimstone Hill Fortress, a centuries-old saman tree and a sleeping volcano that you can climb to the edge of and/or then down to its steaming crater.

Don’t forget to go snorkeling or diving over its reefs covered by beds of coral, flourishing with fish of many type and color.

Oh, and doing watersports along it’s golden beaches or just lounging in the sun are obligatory, of course.

Kittitian History
Centuries ago, the Carib Indians who inhabited the beautiful island of St. Kitts named their home Liamuiga, which means “fertile land” and called Nevis, the neighboring island, Oualie, or “land of beautiful waters.”

Columbus came to these islands in 1493 but never landed. There is speculation that is was he who named the islands St. Christopher (nickname St. Kitts) and Nevis (because the cloud-capped dormant volcano reminded him of snow and the Spanish word for snow is “nieve”).

The island was originally inhabited by Carib Indians, who were wiped out by French and British settlers at, what is now called, Bloody Point. Once the English and French had St. Kitts to themselves, they established sugar and tobacco plantations, fought each other for control of the island and brought in African people to works as slaves. And so the seeds of St. Kitts’ rich culture were sewn, influenced by people from Africa, Europe and the Caribbean itself.

About St. Kitts and Nevis
Capital City: Basseterre – St. Kitts; Charlestown – Nevis.
Language: English, but filled with regional idioms.
Size: St. Kitts: 69 square miles, Nevis: 36 square miles.
Population: +- 50 000 with about 80% in St. Kitts.
Topography: Volcanic, with mountainous interior regions and gentle, rolling coastal plains. Highest points are mount Liamuiga at 3792 feet in St. Kitts and Nevis Peak at 3232 feet.
Climate: Pretty much perfect year-round.
Currency: Eastern Caribbean (EC) dollar. US dollars are accepted just about everywhere on the islands while other currencies van be changed for EC dollars at any bank.
Business hours: Banks are open Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2pm and on Fridays they are open until 4pm. Other business places are normally open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.
Dress: Mostly casual but clothing that is too revealing isn’t appropriate in their towns and villages. Going topless on the beaches – a no-no.
Getting around: Rental cars are readily available as well as taxis.
Water: safe to drink.

Fun fact: The daughter of Canadian-Portuguese singer, Nelly Furtado, was born in Nevis and named after the island.

Some Personal St. Kitts Experiences
This is one of the neatest islands we have seen in the Caribbean or actually anywhere in the world. I mean, when you drive around the island you see grass neatly cut all along its roads – which takes a lot of sweat and effort to pull off. Kudos to the Kittitian municipality! And driving around the island takes about 3 hours if you stop for coffee, take a stroll up to the fort and museum at Brimstone Hill and at a few beaches for some photo-ops and a swim.

You can be ‘stylin’ the drive by renting a SuperBuggy from Leroy, like we did. Just make sure you have a driver’s license and get a permit on the island, plus someone who can drive stick gears. These buggies are something else with some nice torque and good looks. We got a lot of comments and waves driving around in these.

Or you can book a fun tour to Reggae Beach through Liz Perreira Tours. She is very friendly and meets you at the pier to take you to an open-air taxi that stops at some great viewpoints for photo’s and vendor’s goods. Lots of fun to be had at Reggae Beach where there is a restaurant, bar, watersports like SUP, kiteboarding, fly boarding, jet skiing, kayaking. And, of course, you don’t have to rent the ocean for a lovely swim in clear, cool water.

All in all, fun and kindhearted people live here and the streets are clean and neat. St. Kitts & Nevis is a Caribbean destination like no other. No wonder this island is called the “Jewel of the Caribbean”.

For Super Buggy rentals or tours: PereiraTours.com lizpereiratours@yahoo.com

November 9, 2017December 11, 2017

Discover Pig Beach, BAHAMAS – Where Pigs Rule (and Swim)

You’re stuck in your office, surfing the web for just about any getaway to sunny shores and you come across this story about pigs living it up on their own island in the Bahamas. WTF!? – as in Modern Family’s Phil’s acronym – Why The Face? Well, stop making a face and start reading this. For if pigs can swim in the Bahamas, so can you!

Picture from Instagram.com/theswimmingpigs

You can even visit and swim with them, these porkers. There are about 20 pigs and piglets on Pig Island, also known as Major Cay, Big Major Cay or just Pig Beach. The island is uninhabited and located in an area that comprises more than 300 islands in the Bahamas, called Exuma. They are not the only animals there, there are some goats and stray cats to be seen too.

How did they get there and how do they survive, you ask? For one thing, in order for any living being to survive, they need water. Lucky for these porkies, there are three fresh water springs on the island. What about food then? Currently they are fed by locals and tourists – a big attraction in the Bahamas.

But how these hogs got to the island is somewhat of an urban legend. There are various theories and speculations, one being that the boars were brought to the island as part of a business venture to create a tourist attraction. Another, and the most “famous” one, is that sailors brought some sows to the island with the intention to eat them at a later stage. But they never returned. Then there is the story that the swine survived a shipwreck and swam to the island to save themselves and survived on food dumped from passing ships. A last theory is that the pigs escaped from a nearby islet – and decided to rule their own island, named after themselves.

If you want to stay near Big Major Cay where the hogs are cohabitants, according to Angie Away, “your best option is itty-bitty Staniel Cay, which offers a sizable marina, several small hotels (EMBRACE Resort is my favorite) and an airstrip. From there, you can rent a small boat or hire a local guide to whisk you over to Pig Beach. From Staniel Cay Yacht Club, it’s only about 10 minutes to the pigs.”

If you do decide to visit Pig Beach, be respectful, remember these are wild-ish animals you’ll encounter and that its their island, for goodness sake! Reminds me of Animal Farm – “where all animals are equal, some are just more equal than others…”

Pigs are very clever and cute but their bite can be very serious – when you try to take selfies they might think your camera is food, or even your face! (to quote an observation by Angie Away).

So, take care and be safe on Pig Beach – it will certainly be a very different getaway story to tell when you get back home.

Continue reading “Discover Pig Beach, BAHAMAS – Where Pigs Rule (and Swim)”

October 6, 2017October 17, 2017

Elon Musk Willing to Power Puerto Rico

By Lizpiano

Picture of Elon Musk by Getty Images.

That is, if given the green light to go ahead. Elon Musk has helped many smaller islands, like Ta’u Island in Samoa, with his solar power devices and tweeted this yesterday:

“The Tesla team has done this for many smaller islands around the world, but there is no scalability limit, so it can be done for Puerto Rico too. Such a decision would be in the hands of the PR govt, PUC, any commercial stakeholders and, most importantly, the people of PR.”
@elonmusk

Above is a video about the SolarCity created with Tesla’s Microgrid Solar Power in Samoa.

In response to this, Puerto Rico Governor Ricky Rossello showed interest, tweeting “Let’s talk” to Musk, saying “PR could be that flagship project.”

Musk has already done his part for Puerto Rico. Hurricane Maria left the island’s power grid in tatters, so Tesla reportedly sent hundreds of Powerwalls — battery systems designed to store energy — along with employees to install them in an effort to restore power.

Powerwall batteries can be paired with solar panels to help restore the grid. According to Fortune.com “the Powerwall, which was first introduced in April 2015, is a battery designed for homes that store the energy generated by solar panels.”

Musk also donated $250,000 of his own money to the relief effort.

In the meantime, President Donald Trump said on Fox News in an interview with Geraldo Rivera, “the island’s debt will have to be wiped out.” Puerto Rico owes over $70 billion to creditors while the total storm cost is between $45 and 90 billion dollars.

Continue reading “Elon Musk Willing to Power Puerto Rico”

September 28, 2017October 17, 2017

Remembering Virgin Gorda, BVI, post-Irma and Maria

VIRGIN GORDA, BVI. There was a saying on the island of Virgin Gorda that you should leave the key in the ignition of your car as someone might need it. Sadly, the British Virgin Islands, BVI, and the wonderful people who would create such a saying suffered a double blow with hurricanes Irma and Maria this year.

I’ve visited the island of Virgin Gorda, the smaller of the two most famous BVI islands. Tortola is the capital of the BVI and the biggest one.

The former beauty of Virgin Gorda lay not only in its spectacular scenery, but also in its friendly, peace-loving people and, consequently, also how safe it was to stay there. There weren’t any lock and keys on the doors of the house we stayed in – island people asked us: “why should there be?”

Photo of the Baths in Virgin Gorda — Virgin Gorda Baths (image from weddbook.com)

There were no traffic lights in Virgin Gorda, just some speed bumps. These included, it would still take you about 45 minutes to drive from one end of the island to the other. The resorts and beaches were spectacular, especially the signature swimming pools formed naturally in rocks, called the Baths, and its nature reserve.

You may note this blog speaks of Virgin Gorda in the past – that is because many of its houses, businesses and resort hotels are no more.

Virgin Gorda after effects from Hurricane Irma and Maria — Virgin Gorda after Hurricanes Irma and Maria (image from Caribbean Buzz Helicopters)

But our good memories of this island are not gone – crystal blue oceans, pristine beaches, seafood dining on the ocean, yachting and diving, meeting some celebrities in a night club (which often does happen here), cute donkeys that rove the island and even a personal near-death experience involving a ‘Death Tree’ on a beach.

Now, after hurricanes Irma and Maria, it was BVI resident and Virgin Group owner, Richard Branson, who tweeted that we should act now and help restore it to its former glory:

@richardbranson: “As Mother Nature is so clearly telling us, we need more resilient, safer community planning. The time to act is now. ” https://virg.in/oQu

Fischers Cove Beach Hotel in Virgin Gorda’s Facebook post on September 25 reads: “Fischers Cove received substantial damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria but all of our staff members survived the storms. We have limited rooms available and are on limited generator power. Our Terrace restaurant is open from 11-5:30pm with a daily special as well as our famous pizzas and wings. Sorry no phone service yet! We thank everyone for your kind thoughts and blessings.” Fischers Cove Beach Hotel Continue reading “Remembering Virgin Gorda, BVI, post-Irma and Maria”

September 20, 2017October 17, 2017

Hurricane Maria: Power Outage in All of Puerto Rico

By Lizpiano

From Instagram @whatereverpuertorico

It is with sadness and awe that one watches The Weather Channel today after hurricane Maria struck the Virgin Islands and also Puerto Rico.

According to the mayor of San Juan, PR, Maria’s power surge on the island will take 4 to 6 months to repair as electricity outages are recorded on the whole island. Yes, no electricity in Puerto Rico except for those who had their own generators.

Although the worst of the hurricane has passed the island, the storm is not over yet. Storm surges are still dangerous and record flooding of the river Rio de la Plata, south-west of San Juan, is a big problem for people in the region. FEMA rescue teams are being deployed to the island today.

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