Hurricane Tomas Update

Hurricanes are scary phenomenons. We lived through 5 in Miami before moving to Atlanta. We were safe, and what was scarier for me was the loss of business when the Internet would take weeks to be repaired. But in 3rd world countries, without hurricane standard construction, even Hurricane Tomas - barely a category 1 - can cause catastrophic damage as noted in this video:

So far, we don't have any reports of damage to hotels on any of the islands affected. We are keeping a close eye on the path of Tomas as it threatens Jamaica and the Dominican Republic and if it hits, it would likely disrupt thousands of travelers. We are praying the storm steers clear of Haiti because as haven't they had enough?

Stay tuned!

Art & Haiti

"In Haiti, Art Feeds Millions ”

- Tiga (Jean Claude Garoute-Hatian Painter, Saint-Soleil School.)

Haiti doesn't share the tourism blessings of the other Caribbean Islands. {not yet} Haiti doesn't share in very many blessings at all. This statement was true even before the recent quake. The poor island has had more than its fair share of bad luck. What they do have, and what I consider the island's greatest gift are its artists.

Even before the Caribbean stole my heart, the Haitan artists vending at the nationwide art festivals I loved to attend, did. I loved the warmth and bright colors reflected in their paintings. Hang one of these in your house and you will feel warmth even when it is freezing outside.

For more on the current state of Haiti's art community, let's turn to Christianne Amanpour's covereage for CNN:

Painting 1. Painting 2. Painting 3.

Help for Haiti

This is Haiti:

This is also Haiti:

So is this:

This week's news images showing the aftermath of the terrible Earthquake are for many people, the first images they have seen of Haiti. Yet, Haiti is as lovely as any other Caribbean island only with a fledgling tourism sector. I hope you will keep these images in mind and one day visit Haiti to see all the splendor firsthand.

Haiti needs our help. Yele Haiti is a great place to start. The organization was founded by Wyclef Jean, Grammy Award Winning Artist and native of the island. You can click the logo below to donate or text "Yele" to 510 510 to charge a $5 donation on your cell phone bill. 100% of donations to Yele Haiti go directly to those in need.

This is Wyclef Jean:

Haiti is a rich and colorful dive destination. Recreational dives are minimal in the area and the sea life is flourishing:

Oxfam International is a non-governmental consortia of agencies working together to help poverty worldwide. They immediately launched a Haiti Earthquake campaign and are in need of donations.

Not all beaches in Haiti are deserted crescents of paradise. Welcome to the Barefoot Beach Bar at Labadee Beach:


Doctors without Borders was already active in Haiti before the earthquake. They operate multiple hospitals on the island, all of which have been flattened. Many of their own staff are unaccounted for and yet they have already sprung into action setting up clinics to help the injured. Donate here.

The path less traveled... Haiti has many:

These beautiful photos of Haiti are from Epic Trip, a new and unique travel guide site driven by real travelers.

Want to know more about this gem of an island? Read "Love & Haiti" from Conde Nast Traveler.

Here is a twitter roll call of organizations and folks keeping us informed of the recovery efforts: @CaribbeanTrips, @MSF_USA (Doctors without Borders)@Wyclef,@YeleHaiti

my {heart} is breaking...

for Haiti

follow @wyclef (Wyclef Jean) and Help Haiti Earthquake Relief Donate $5 by texting YELE to 501 501 right now! Go to http://www.yele.org/ for more info.

UPDATE: The easist way to help is to text "yele" to 510 510 and pledge $5 to Wyclef Jean's organization. Also - Oxfam, Unicef, American Red Cross, Ben Stiller's Stillerstrong, & Mercy Corp.

5 months ago... mid-August. The phones in our little office were quiet and the stifling Atlanta humidity had drained the last drop of motivation from me and I could no longer remain at my desk. I closed up shop early, grabbed the kids, towels, cool drinks, and my most recent issue of Conde Nast Traveler and headed down the street to the cool relief of the pool. To the back drop of laughter, rounds of Marco Polo, and constant splashing, I read the story that made me think I love Haiti too...

Love and Haiti by Amy Wilentz

"You can call Haiti the Cleopatra of countries—its ravishing natural assets, thrilling history, and magnetic culture have long made select visitors swoon. Its tortured past, however, has made it the Caribbean nation that tourism largely forgot... more"

I read CNT and most other travel magazines from cover to cover every month. Not a one has shown Haiti in this light, if at all. Publications avoid it like the plague. Perhaps no one wants to sponsor a press trip to a destination that doesn't sell. Who goes to Haiti, after all? Amy Wilentz didn't care. She went and she loved and her story is incredible... so delicious that I've revisited it countless times. When I closed my magazine that day, rolled onto my stomach and stretched out on my towel, I was thankful. Thankful of the view of my happy, healthy children, cool and hydrated, doing what all children deserve to do - be kids. I was smitten with this place... a new place I had to visit, a place I knew I too would fall in love with... a place maybe I could help. I could picture myself sitting at my desk and breathing my excitement into the phone, convincing a few well qualified clients to take the same trip. {stay tuned}

And now, today... the earthquake. 7.0! I know this is serious. I found myself 6 miles from a 6.9 earthquake in 2004 and to this day, I'm still spooked. Help now.