The reason why it is called an adventure is because you have no idea what will unfold between the moment of your launch and the moment you drop anchor at your final desitnation of the voyage. All of the STUFF that happens in between is the reason why I can’t wait to launch on any sailing adventure. I eat up the STUFF in between! Some of the ”moments” that happen are unforgettable.  Some of those ”moments” are hopefully forgotten quickly. My last voyage I ended up at The Last Resort with my guests and was swept away with the music and the rum that ended up having me as the back-up singer for the BAND!  Most of the moments that need to be forgotten usually happen late at night after some Meyer’s Dark Rum and Caribe beer chasers. With that combination, anything can happen…and usually does.

Back to sailing…that is the real deal in the Caribbean. I am at my “spiritual center” when I am under sail, and with any job that is assigned to me. I have captained my share of sailboats, but I have also been the chef on many boat deliveries, and even been as lowly as a 4th Mate whose job is typically clearing out a clogged head - one of the worst jobs on the boat.  There is nothing like the feeling of the helm in your hands as you steer your course to your next anchorage.   Do you better understand why I can’t wait to step aboard my next sailboat going to who knows where? Contact me and I promise to set up this type of experience for you, your family and friends.  I am such a fan of this experience that I secured by charter yacht brokerage license in 1997 and I have arranged hundreds of sailing adventures.  Until next time.  Fair winds.

The Kwanzaa began today in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. and several other Caribbean Islands.  It is a seven day celebration that began in 1966.  Each day focuses on a principle that reaffirms the African commitment to themselves, their families, their community, and their black struggle for equality.  The daily principles are;

• December 26^th – Umoja – Unity
• December 27^th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• December 28^th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
• December 29^th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• December 30^th – Nia – Purpose
• December 31 – Kuumba – Creativity
• January 1^st – Imani – Faith

The seven Kwanzaa principles are referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and are intended to serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanzaa is Habari Gani, and the reply is Habari Gani followed by the principle of the day. Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of African descent in North America, the Caribbean and other part of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966.

The St. Croix Source has the schedule for this week’s Kwanza events.  The events vary from a 7K run honoring the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, plays and songs, and much more. There will be family gatherings all over the Virgin Islands for the next seven days.  Also check out the local celebrations held in all of the Windward and Leeward islands.  Enjoy each of your Kwanzaa days. Habari Gani!

So, at the end of 2009 Puerto Rico went into a panic because Gov. deJongh of the USVI was successful in having the USVI  now get the proceeds from the “rum cover-over tax” that is provided to the U.S. Territory who produces the rum.  We are talking about MILLIONS of dollars!  A political war began in Congress with friends of Puerto Rico proposing that the 100+ year old “rum cover-over tax” reserved for the island Territory that produced the rum be distributed by population in the Territories instead of to the specific island.  Puerto Rico has 4 million residents.  The USVI has 160,000. That would mean the USVI would produce the rum and the lions share of “rum cover-over tax” would go to Puerto Rico.  Fortunately, the bill has never made it to a vote so nothing has changed and at this point.  The USVI is proceeding with their Diageo contract and begin producing Captain Morgan.

A brand new chapter in the Rum War began this week. The lobby group for Puerto Rico, National Puerto Rico Coalition, has changed tactics and personally attacked key leaders in the USVI. Now it has become personal and the verbal exchanges have become quite vigorous. V.I. Delegate to Congress, Donna M. Christensen, on Thursday bitterly denounced the tactics being used by the National Puerto Rico Coalition (NPRC), accusing the group of willfully misrepresenting the truth in the latest round of the Rum Wars.

Here is what the lobbying group, NPRC, did. Earlier this week representatives of the NPRC held a press conference in Washington asking the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate Christensen, Rep. Charles Rangel and Assistant Secretary of Interior Anthony Babauta to find out whether or not any of them stand to benefit from the territory’s public-private partnership with Diageo’s St. Croix production facility.

Her voice bristling with indignation, Christensen fired back, saying the Puerto Rico lobbying group has taken “a page out of the Republican playbook,” launching personal attacks on its adversaries when it can’t win an argument on its merits. “These charges are outrageous and unfounded and are nothing more than a desperate attempt to spread falsehoods and innuendo since their year-and-a-half campaign to derail legally binding agreements has failed miserably,” Christensen said.

Diageo had tried for over a year to negotiate an extension of its rum production agreement with Puerto Rico without success. “The suffering of the Puerto Rico citizens, the loss of jobs and dire economic conditions, that is on the watch of the leaders in Puerto Rico. The result of Diageo leaving Puerto Rico is their fault,” Christense said. “Diageo tried to negotiate a new contract … The blame is on Puerto Rico for not doing their job.” It appears that Puerto Rico is making a disparate attempt capture a portion of the “rum cover-over tax” that they will now loose because of their ineptness.  It seems similar to what one experienced in the third grade when someone got the ball you wanted to play with and you wanted it back – childish behavior.

In a written statement on Thursday, Diageo’s vice president for North America, Virginia Sánchez, expressed confidence in that Congress “will see that any changes made to existing cover-over program which may impact our agreement will be extremely harmful to the economy of the USVI today and in the future.” The Diageo representatives previously said “no member of the U.S. Congress had any kind of role in the negotiation or the approval” of the agreement with the V.I. government which extends for a period of 30 years.  Sánchez said that allegations that there were deals made in dark rooms are “pure fiction”. The Rum War is not over yet, but the USVI does seem to be ahead of Puerto Rico two to nill and we are in the third quarter of the match.  More to come.  Contact me anytime for information regarding the lifestyle happenings in the Caribbean.

“The Rum Cover-Over War” was one worth fighting.  A war starts generally because one territory is angry with another, and they want to punish the people they are angry with.  Well, the offending party in this war is Puerto Rico.  Puerto Rico is angry that the giant liquor conglomerate, Diageo, did not renew an agreement with a rum distillery in their territory. It happens to be the distillery that produces Captain Morgan’s label representing significant jobs and BIG revenue to any territory that has the contract.

Because they didn’t renew their contract with Puerto Rico, Diageo contracted with the US Virgin Islands to build their new distillery on St. Croix with a 30 year lease and a rum production agreement.  The agreement has the USVI providing tax benefits for the contract and the USVI would begin to receive the Cover-Over funds that had been paid to Puerto Rico for so many years.  Puerto Rico didn’t like it that Diageo pulled out of their territory and are now setting up shop in the USVI.  So, that is why Senator LeMieus proposed the bill so he could appear to be a supporter of the many Puerto Ricans who live in Florida and are potential voters for his re-election.

Puerto Rico claims it is an inappropriate use of the cover-over money and excessively awards a foreign company.   The rum cover-over payment is currently based on the production of rum in a specific Territory.  Senator Lemieux’s proposal would have instead based the allocation on population. The population of Puerto Rico is 3.9 million, compared to almost 110,000 for the USVI territory.  Do you think he has Puerto Rico’s interest in mind?  Of course he did.   Gov. deJongh said the proposal ignored almost 100 years of federal precedent and counter to all Congressional intent,  and it would have severely harm the USVI economy in favor of Puerto Rico.

“The proposed amendment takes excise tax revenue paid by Virgin Islands rum makers on rum produced in the Virgin Islands and directly transfers it to Puerto Rico’s government coffers,” deJongh’s statement said. “Puerto Rico would end up with billions of dollars generated by rum production in the Virgin Islands. … Sen. LeMieux is directly attacked his fellow Americans in the Virgin Islands by doing Puerto Rico’s bidding.”  Gov. deJongh continued by stating, “By promoting this amendment,  Puerto Rico now seems willing to walk away from the long history of friendship and collaboration, which has linked America’s two Caribbean possessions.”

This phase of the “Rum Carry-Over War” has now ended.  Let’s hope that each of these Caribbean U.S. Territories can move on to addressing the needs of their citizens instead of wasting the Congress’s time by proposing bills that have business to even be addressed.  I look forward to any of your opinions and comments regarding this Rum War that just ended with the USVI – 1 and Puerto Rico – nil. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter continues his work!

For the past two years of sailing adventures in the BVI I have sailed by this development as we headed to Marina Cay for some painkillers and conch fritters, or to the anchorage right across the channel from Scrub Island.  We even took our dingy over to visit one day and wandered around the construction site.  The location is spectacular for many reasons;  A marina that has 55 deep-water slips, including five slips for yachts up to 150 feet, as well as provisioning supplies, diesel fuel, black water pump-out station, metered electricity, laundry facilities and more services;  The over-the-top spa and fitness center;  Caribbean sunsets – a must for me;  and…a few very private beaches.

Scrub Island Resort officially opened February 11^th,  with some GREAT rates between now and March 31^st – a $399 daily room rate.  This is about half of what it will be after the “soft” opening, so if you can make plans quickly you will be getting the deal of the year with these rates.  The rate also includes breakfast and nightly cocktail receptions.  The amenities and choices one has to discover the BVI are endless with Scrub Island Resort as your luxurious home base.  Here are a few to consider;

• Snorkeling and SCUBA diving adventures to destinations such as The Wreck Of The HMS Rhone,  Angel Fish Point on Norman Island, The Dogs, and many more.  And, a trip to The Baths on Virgin Gorda is a must for breathtaking snorkeling.
• How about marlin fishing to the BIG Drop with Scrub Island Marina as your shortest run to my favorite big game fishing spot.
• How about the shopping destinations in the BVI?  One of our top boutiques is a Peter Island Resort across the channel from Scrub Island.  The clothes are very high end with many of them now in my wife’s closet.  Another one would be at The Bitter End Resort on the island of Virgin Gorda.  It is worth an afternoon to just wander around.
• The Scrub Island Resort lagoon pool with the 15’ waterfall is where my wife would hang out most of the day.  It is another spot that will take your breath away from morning to sunset.  AND…they have a great pool bar and restaurant so you never have to leave your lounge chair.
• If you never leave Scrub Island the resort has created five different dining experiences to satisfy all of your gourmet desires – from candle light elegance to bare foot in the sand casual.
• For those who don’t want to fully disconnect from the world, the resort has wherever you are at the resort and all the beautifully appointed rooms have king-size beds, big plasma satellite TV, air-conditioning and non-stop views of the Caribbean.

For more information go to their website and check more of the details, or contact me TODAY.  I know you will be very excited about this brand new Caribbean experience awaiting your review.  Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective remains on duty!

He inherited a monumental debt three years ago.  His first job was to reduce that debt.  However, the impact of the global economic meltdown stripped the Virgin Islands of any of their reserves.  They now have a monthly deficit of $25 million.  Can you imagine?  Gov. deJongh said, “To put this in perspective, $234 million is almost half of the cost of salaries and benefits of our government workers for a full year.” The Legislature has now passed an initiative to borrow up to $250 million, plus they are changing their financial priorities which are allowing them to free up funds for critical government projects.  Because of this all layoffs have been avoided.

One of Gov. deJongh’s key initiatives is education.  Turning their failed education system around takes hard work,  but after three years, the picture is a bit different, he said. “Today, all of our public high schools are accredited,” the governor said. “Today, we are compliant with federal regulations and spending all available federal funds. And this year, we have come close to tripling the number of schools that are meeting their AYP goals.” He is still very concerned about the high rate of school drop-outs within the Virgin Island’s schools.

You may have no idea what the energy issues are in the Caribbean.  The are enormous.  Gov. deJongh said to the audience,  “After years of false starts, the V.I. government is finally moving ahead with a solution to address the territory’s energy crisis–a proposal for two waste-to-energy plants to help manage the territory’s waste issues and cut WAPA’s dependence on oil.  But, don’t look upon this as our sole approach to the issue of alternative energy.” He also presented his ideas about creating a “clean energy industry” in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which includes the evolution of green jobs, capturing landfill gases for energy and cutting the government’s power bills. Cleaner air and water, and a green government were presented alongside plans to keep promoting local capital projects, taking advantage of federal stimulus funds, strengthening tax incentives for businesses and making the territory a hub for technology and emergency-response management within the Caribbean.

There was much more to his address that needs to be considered.  But, one of the key points Gov. deJongh made as he concluded his remarks was to urge the community to set anything aside that would stymie the territory’s progress, such as pettiness, partisanship, ill will and self-interest.
“Every act of pettiness, of meanness, of nay-saying and of disrespect diminishes not just the actor, but the audience,” the governor said. “We can and must rise above this. We cannot back into the future, but we must look forward boldly and with confidence. We must turn and face the future even as we carry with us the best of the past. We must not wallow in the past, in past wrongs or slights, or even past injustices. We must turn and face the future working every day to make it better.”

Gov. John deJongh is one of THE key leaders in the Caribbean!  He is transforming the Virgin Islands into the center piece of those who love the Caribbean as much as I do.  Until next time…fair winds!

Hospitals, schools, the capital building, stores and most buildings in the capital city and surrounding communities have collapsed.  There are no services available and the dead are being left where they lay. It is unimaginable to think of how the poorest nation in the Caribbean can deal with such devastation, or how any of us could manage through this catastrophe.  “We expect the damage to be significant and the loss of lives catastrophic,” said Christa von Hillebrandt, the head of Puerto Rico Seismic Network in Mayaguez.  She estimated that in Haiti, the earthquake lasted anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute.  Von Hillebrandt said that two major fault lines run through Haiti: one in the north, the other in the south. Therefore, she said it was no surprise that Haiti was hit with a destructive earthquake.

Officials from disaster relief organizations across the territory say that the best way to help Haiti in the aftermath of Tuesday’s massive earthquake is by sending monetary donations.  Our State Department has set up a method for each of us to do our part by texting the number “90999″ and put in the message the word “Haiti”. (As of 1-15-10, over $8 million US was raised just in two days from people donating $10 at a time!  WOW!) It will immediately send $10 to the Red Cross – 100% of it will get to the Red Cross.  Please take a moment and do this IMMEDIATELY!  You will then get a text back from the Red Cross thanking you for your contribution.  Please do this now.  The monetary donations will be used to purchase emergency relief items there thus injecting money into the local economy.  You can also go to DoubleTake Clothing and purchase a “Help Haiti” t-shirt and they will send $5 to the American Red Cross. ( Spread the word about these shirts.)

In a noontime press release, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Senate President Louis P. Hill urged residents to coordinate their relief efforts.  “We are asking each and every Virgin Islander who wishes to offer their assistance with the recovery in Haiti to work with us and within the guidelines given us by the American Red Cross, the Haitian Embassy and F.E.M.A.,” deJongh and Hill said.  Within the next 24 hours, a disaster-management team will be on the ground and in place to focus the necessary resources in the primary relief areas, where food, water, temporary shelter and emotional support will be provided.

In addition, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services, Red Cross, C.A.R.E. and Rotary International have all provided relief.  “Rotary is working on an efficient way for people to make donations, which we hope to unveil in the next 24 hours,” said Roger White, who is part of Rotary International’s District 7020 Haiti task force.  “We are looking to find out what the priority of needs is and looking at logistics,” said David Edgecombe, special assistant to the USVI governor for external affairs. “We want to avoid getting relief items and then have no way of getting them there without knowing the best routing. The needs are clearly great … it is going to take a little while for us to get the lines of communication open and accurate data as to how best to get goods to people in Haiti.”  “The Red Cross is specifically telling those who want to help to send money at this time,” Edgecombe said.

Click on each of the following links for additional ways to be of help to this world crisis;  Haiti Community Support; American Red Cross of the Virgin Islands;  Catholic Charities of the Virgin Islands;  Rotary – St. Thomas;  C.A.R.E. ; Catholic Relief Services;   DoubleTake Clothing.  Please act now!

Diageo’s Captain Morgan Rum’s

For many years, a third party distiller in Puerto Rico has been producing Captain Morgan Rum and selling it to Seagram’s.  Diageo bought the Captain Morgan Rum label in 2001 inheriting this third party manufacturing agreement.  They have looking for years how to arrange a way for them to produce their own rum under the Captain Morgan Rum label.  With the manufacturing plant now being built for Diageo to produce the rum themselves, Puerto Rico will be losing millions of dollars that were coming to their territory from the rum excise tax.  Since they will not be getting any of these taxes, they are protesting to the Congress that the U.S. Virgin Islands should not get any of them either, because the USVI is going to use these taxes in order to finance the construction of the new distillery on St. Croix.

Here is a brief description of the rum excise tax program.  Rum produced in the U.S. territories and sold in the U.S. is taxed at $13.50 per proof gallon, and $10.50 per proof gallon is then returned to the territory where the rum is produced.  In 1986 the amount was extended to $13.25, but that extension must be reauthorized periodically and that reauthorization was due by the end of 2009.

Not only is Puerto Rico protesting to Congress they are lobbying to have Congress change the rules related to the remittance of the rum excise tax to be paid to the USVI.  Puerto Rico is not just mad about the loss of millions of dollars of the rum excise taxes,  they are FURIOUS! They have secured a member of Congress with Puerto Rican heritage, Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) to co-sponsor HR 2122 to eliminate the rum excise tax.  He said, “It is preferable for the whole program to be dismantled than to have it used like this. If one is going to use the program to enrich companies, it doesn’t have to exist at all.”

Puerto Rico and Rep. Gutierrez are claiming the USVI have enticed (bribed) Diageo to sign the agreement to produce their own rum on St. Croix by financing the construction of the manufacturing facility using the rum excise tax.  And, when the cost of the plant has been recovered, the USVI will also share a portion of the rum excise tax with Diageo. Virgin Island Gov. John deJongh Jr. has stated to Congress that Puerto Rico’s case is completely wrong.  The USVI’s never entice an established Puerto Rican business to leave their island.

Since 2001 when Diageo purchased the Captain Morgan Rum label they have looking for alternatives to end the arrangement it had inherited with Puerto Rico.  Number One: Diageo has never has produced rum in Puerto Rico so how could they be lured away.  Number Two: Since 2001 Diageo has been searching for a site where it could produce its own rum.  Number Three: Diageo concluded very quickly it could not make a satisfactory arrangement with Puerto Rico.  Number Four: Diageo had investigated sites in Jamaica, Guyana and Guatemala before they ever entered discussions with the USVI Virgin Islands.

This is a BIG deal for the USVI and their financial future.  It will create about 120 new jobs, and generate almost $3 billion in rum excise taxes to the USVI over the 30 term of the agreement.  We believe this is a significant Win/Win for the USVI and Diageo, and it is anticipated there will be no change in the laws regarding the rum excise tax rules currently in place in Congress.  What are your thoughts about this drama between Puerto Rico and the USVI?  Until next time…fair winds!

Kwanzaa means “first fruits of the harvest” in the very traditional Africa and is now celebrated around the world.  There are seven days of celebrating family, community and equality.  Each December 26^th the Kwanzaa celebration begins and it ends on January 1^st.  Each day of the Kwanzaa celebration focuses on specific principle.

The seven principles are collectively referred to as the Nguzo Saba, and serve as guideposts for meditation and daily living.  The greeting each day of Kwaanza is Habari Gani, and the reply is Habari Gani followed by the principle of the day. Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of African descent in North America, the Caribbean and other part of the world connected to African heritage.  It was created by M. Ron Karenga in 1966.

• December 26^th – Umoja – Unity
• December 27^th – Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• December 28^th – Ujima – Collective Work & Responsibility
• December 29^th – Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• December 30^th – Nia – Purpose
• December 31 – Kuumba – Creativity
• January 1^st – Imani – Faith

Celebrations began all over the Caribbean today.  The traditional opening of Kwanzaa on St. John was in Cruz Bay near the ferry dock and the Beach Bar.  The Sigma Theta Omega Chapter again welcomed the community to the celebration which was made up of residents and tourists alike. The Love City Pan Dragons played the America National Anthem and Virgin Islands March. The 3 Sweet trio sang the Black National Anthem and South African Anthem.  There were other student performances, as well as the St. John Cultural Dancers.

No matter where you are in the Caribbean there will be celebrations this week.  There will be dinners each evening with family and friends who prepare Caribbean/African dishes to share with all who come.  Make sure you find a community of people with whom to celebrate this important traditional experience.  The principles are ones to integrate into all of our lives everyday, not just the last week of December.   Habari Gani!