Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Bonaire Voted #1 Dive Destination
Once again, Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Award for 2007 goes to Bonaire! This is the 5th year the island has won. Bonaire also received the #1 rating in four other Caribbean/Atlantic categories: Healthiest Marine Environment, Top Shore Diving Destination, Top Destination for Underwater Photography and Top Destination for Beginners, and took second place in the categories of Top Marine Life and Top Small Animal Encounters. Additionally Bonaire placed in the top three in the Top Value and Top Snorkeling categories, and in the top five in the categories of Top Visibility and Top Destinations for Advanced Divers. Check your local newsstand for the January/February copy of Scuba Diving Magazine to read all the rewards!
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Newsflash! Increased Airlift to the Caribbean!
Air Jamaica is increasing their flights to St. Lucia and Barbados from JFK starting January 11. American Eagle is adding two daily flights from San Juan to Anguilla starting December 14. Continental will add a second weekly non-stop flight from Newark to Bonaire on December 16. Delta has added a new non-stop flight from Atlanta to Tobago and will be adding non-stops and one-stops from the NYC area to Punta Cana on December 9. And lastly, starting January 6, Northwest will add a new non-stop from Detroit to St. Thomas. Bon Voyage!
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Moving
Captain JP is moving at last!
I've have been too busy to post for the last few weeks and I don't think unpacking will be much easier - so this might be the last update till xmas. It's not helped by BT being unbelievably slow in connecting the new build flat to broadband.
In the mean time a show of how it's possible to make an ocean yacht race viewer without the hassle - get Google Earth to do the hard work for you as was done by the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Check out their web site where you can download the kml files for the fleet and also grib data, which when loaded looks something like this:
This should be required viewing for the less than professional crew behind the Velux 5 Oceans site. I've sort of lost interest in that race, especially with both Golding and Thomson are now out of the running - even if the drama on both boats did temporarily raised its profiles.
Though again the best way to follow events was by either the Mike Golding or Yachting World sites - the former of which included a (free) video of the abandonment of Hugo Boss and interview by Elaine Bunting who had to think of what to say to Mike who must feel he is under some sort of sailing curse.
I'm finding it more fun to follow the Arc which brings back memories of doing the crossing in 2003. My old boat, Ocean Wandering, is repeating its annual migration - as is another boat we remember from 2003 called Steamy Windows, now with a new owner and skipper.
From the emails coming back it sounds like there is some great trade wind sailing go on.
Something to dream over from a stormy center of London, surrounded by packing boxes.
I've have been too busy to post for the last few weeks and I don't think unpacking will be much easier - so this might be the last update till xmas. It's not helped by BT being unbelievably slow in connecting the new build flat to broadband.
In the mean time a show of how it's possible to make an ocean yacht race viewer without the hassle - get Google Earth to do the hard work for you as was done by the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Check out their web site where you can download the kml files for the fleet and also grib data, which when loaded looks something like this:
This should be required viewing for the less than professional crew behind the Velux 5 Oceans site. I've sort of lost interest in that race, especially with both Golding and Thomson are now out of the running - even if the drama on both boats did temporarily raised its profiles.
Though again the best way to follow events was by either the Mike Golding or Yachting World sites - the former of which included a (free) video of the abandonment of Hugo Boss and interview by Elaine Bunting who had to think of what to say to Mike who must feel he is under some sort of sailing curse.
I'm finding it more fun to follow the Arc which brings back memories of doing the crossing in 2003. My old boat, Ocean Wandering, is repeating its annual migration - as is another boat we remember from 2003 called Steamy Windows, now with a new owner and skipper.
From the emails coming back it sounds like there is some great trade wind sailing go on.
Something to dream over from a stormy center of London, surrounded by packing boxes.
Using Overseas ATMs
ATM’s are a convenience of the modern world that most of us are very dependent on. Consider the rules of using atm’s the same overseas as at home, if you are visiting a modern country. The only difference will be that the cash dispensed is in the local currency. However, if you are not visiting a modern country, such as many of the islands in the Caribbean, do not expect to find as many ATMs. Yes, every island seems to have them now, but not in the abundance we are accustomed to. So be sure you take out enough cash per visit if this is your primary source of funds while traveling. Not sure if your destination has an ATM? Both Visa, MasterCard, and most banks offer this information on their websites. Is your pin number longer than 4 digits? If so, call the issuing bank and make sure it will work in your destination. And the last, most important overseas ATM tip is to let your bank know you are traveling. It is common practice for most banks to turn off ATM cards being used in foreign countries if they have not been given previous notice. They do this to prevent fraud but it can certainly prevent you from having enough cash on hand while traveling, so be sure and let them know!
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