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Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Paul Graveline, Editor |
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Wreck of the Inganess Bay "The British Virgin Islands have been blessed with easily accessible world-class wrecks and artificial reefs," shares Joe Giacinto, President of the BVI Dive Operators Association. "Divers and snorkelers have been exploring and enjoying the wreck of the RMS Rhone and the Chikuzen for years and years." Visitors to the BVI now have another wreck to explore: the M/V Inganess Bay. The BVI Dive Operators Association sank the 136- foot island freighter as an artificial reef in August 1996. The ship rests just south of Cooper Island. The Inganess Bay sits flat on its bottom in 95 feet of water, with 45 feet of water over each masthead. The site allows quick access from all points in the BVI and provides protection from swells and wind-driven seas. The steel Inganess Bay was built in Holland in 1950 for a Scottish company. In 1988, Captain Hugh Bailey of Antigua sold the ship to Captain Cosmos Sealey. From 1988 to 1996, the colorful red ship plied Caribbean trade routes from Puerto Rico to Trinidad. The incarnation of the Inganess Bay as an artificial reef began in July, 1996. During a storm, the island trader snapped her anchor chain and grounded in Road Harbour, Tortola in front of The Moorings. After assessing the damage and repair costs, Captain Sealey graciously offered the ship to the BVI Dive Operators as an artificial reef. The BVI Dive Operators Association met with the BVI Ports Authority, Department of Conservation and Fisheries, and local police and fire brigade to consider the final resting place for the lnganess Bay. Joe Giacinto, recommended sinking it just south of Cooper Island, out of shipping lanes and away from points where yachtsmen enter and exit the BVI. To prepare the Inganess Bay for its one-way trip to the bottom, workers emptied fuel tanks and then removed the main engine, all loose wood, and most doors. Many thanks go to Captain Sealey and his crew--who provided a tremendous amount of labor--and to Kevin Rowlette of Shanty Maritime Services Ltd, who provided the knowledge and equipment to pull the Inganess Bay off the shoreline in Road Harbour. Extricating the vessel took a great deal more effort than anticipated. The job started at 6 a.m., and the ship was not floated until noon. Workers needed ten pumps to keep the Inganess Bay afloat during the one-hour tow from Road Harbour to Cooper island. At 3:30 p.m. the ship made her final trip, this time to the bottom. The BVI National Parks has installed moorings for the new dive site. The BVI Dive Operators Association is covering the costs incurred by Shanty Maritime Services Ltd. A video documenting the sinking of the Inganess Bay is in the works. Said Joe Giacinto, 25-year resident of the BVI and owner/operator of Dive BVI, "The British Virgin Islands have gained an incredible diving attraction. The ship will soon teem with a huge variety of fish and invertebrate life. The BVI can now add the Inganess Bay to its list of world-class, wreck dives. To learn more about diving and vacationing in the BVI, contact the British Virgin Islands Tourism Board, 370 Lexington Avenue, Suite 511, New York, NY 10017. Phone the San Francisco office at (800) 835-8530 or New York at (212) 696-0400. On the World Wide Web: <http://www.caribbean-on-line.com/bv/bv.html>, or <http://www.bviwelcome.com>, or <http://www.britishvirginislands.com>
HOT RUMOR!!!! Source on St. John reports US Marine helicopter hovering over various villas on the island ... reportedly scouting possible vacation spots for President Clinton and family early next month! Wow-ser!!!! (12/27/96) St. John Hyatt sold for $29.5 million The deal is finally done. The Virgin Islands Daily News reports Westin Hotels and Resorts has purchased the former-St. John Hyatt and hopes to reopen the facility "in the fourth quarter of 1977". Closing on the deal for the 285-room hotel is expected in mid- February. Reporter Lynda Lohr quotes the interim property manager saying "some post-Marilyn reconstruction still needs to be done on the hotel".(12/27/96) St. John tourism outlook The Virgin Islands Business Journal has an article in the current issue focusing on St. John's prospects for the season. While a visit from the First Family would certainly boost the island's image, the Business Journal says "local merchants and business operators presented a mixed forecast based on pre-season activity at restaurants, shops and smaller lodgings." The general manager at Caneel reports his refurbished resort is sold out through Christmas, and occupancy will be "high" in January and February. Small inns and guest houses like Tamarind Coiurt and Tamarind Court are reporting a "so so" winter., Bright spot: villa rentals. Says one property manager "Vacationers who couldn't make it last year are excitedly returning."(12/27/96) Ritz Carlton opens on St. Thomas, promises luxurious service The property-formerly-known as the Grand Palazzo Hotel has been refurbished and reopened for business as the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas. Rates range from $200 in low season, to $925 in high season, Dec. 19 to April 13. The 152-room facility is now owned by Marriott International. Every room has an ocean view. Daily News reporter Patrice Johnson says the Ritz-Carlton's intention is to coddle guests "from the time ... they set foot inside the building ... (with) chilled water and champagne." The fourth Virgin >From the St. Thomas waterfront, you can see Water Island, which has been owned entirely by the US federal government. But this week, the Interior Department sold 50 acres of the island (about 10%) to the government of the Virgin Islands. Over time, more of Water Island will transfer to the VI's, too. Water Islands is perhaps best known for the Flamingo Bay hotel, which was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 but which is not being refurbished. The VI government will spend almost $250,000 to spruce up Water Island.(12/17/96) Holiday gift idea Cap'n Fatty Goodlander, St. John storyteller, has published another book, "the Collected Fat". It's a collection of stories he's penned over the past dozen years, the publishing of which has been prompted, he says, by the desire to continue to feed his family. The St. John Tradewinds reports the stories include profiles of several people well known in the islands' sailing community as well as landlocked St. Johnians, too.(12/17/96) Caneel's original employee, now 72, still on payroll Cornelius Matthias started working at Caneel Bay Plantation in 1950, when the property totaled six rental cottages. Daily News reporter Lynda Lohr has profiled Matthias, and reports his memories of those early years being those of guests who arrived by ship and stayed for a month. Matthias was one of the first employees, a laborer helping to build the terrace dining room. He was paid $40 a month. He still works at Caneel three days a week. The resort's manager says Matthias "is very popular". (12/17/96) Hotel: Hyatt out, Westin in Tradewinds editor Tom Oat writes in his latest issue "The Hyatt is out of the running" to operate the facility it managed for at least five years, until Skopbank foreclosed on the owners. "The Westin hotel corporation," he says, "could be the next management company ... according to hotel industry sources." Oat says he was unable to get comments about the report from either Hyatt or Westin.(12/10/96) St. John's hottest new restaurant It's La Tapas. Chef Alexandra Ewald learned the food business in her father's restaurants in Germany and his supermarket/deli in St. John. Living in Spain, she found tapas bars and decided to open one in Cruz Bay. The menu offers what one reporter calls "mucho munchies", lots of appetizer-sized portions which you accumulate into a real dinner. She uses fresh-grown (Coral Bay) herbs, and makes her own mozarella cheese. (And in a pinch, if she runs out of something, she runs up the street - wearing her chef's apron - to the family's deli, and does a little shopping, while you wait.(12/10/96) Ritz-Carlton offers "aggressive hospitality" It's the old Stouffer's hotel on St. Thomas, which opened maybe five years ago. Today the 152-room facility has a new look and the new attitude of its new operators, upscale hoteliers Ritz- Carlton. And nowhere were the changes more obvious than in the staff recruiting ads which appeared in the Daily News reading "ladies and gentlemen wanted to serve ladies and gentlemen". The hotel is offering unheard-of benefits for its employees and promises to "train, train train" to make sure guests get the best. The hotel says its personnel; policies are so selective, that of 100 job applicants it interviews, it may hire a dozen. (12/10/96) Report from St. John, USVI We were there just last week. Happy to report there is enthusiasm and lots of energy on the island, as businesses prepare for what is hoped will be a very good Season. Downtown Cruz Bay is busy, very busy, even at 7:30am some days - when the cruise ships make a "pit stop" so passengers can spend a quiet day on St. John. The rest of the rowdy boat people then steam into St. Thomas. Re: restaurants. We are happy to report, first-hand (and at considerable expense) that the beachfront restaurant are Caneel and Cruz Bay-overlooking "Asolare" are at peak performance levels.(12/3/96) Caneel's renovation and repair job is marvelous. If you visited previously, you'll be hard pressed to see changes, but you'll know they were made because the resort looks spiffier and more solid. But the public areas, the beach, the buildings and the grounds all have the appearance of quality and tradition. They've made it "new again" without making it look "plastic".(12/3/96) Asolare, the restaurant we said was the best in the world before the hurricane ... is open ... and is still the best in the world. Even though the meal is the price of a night's hotel stay, it's worth it! Book it.(12/3/96) Rainy season ending early The Christmas Winds have arrived about a month early on St. John, bringing cool temperatures and dryer conditions to end the rainy season a bit ahead of schedule. One report says nighttime temps are in the 60's! A former meteorologist, now living on St. Croix, told the Virgin Islands Daily News "this is truly the weather of Paradise right now." He explains the Christmas winds are the remains of dry and cold high pressure systems sliding down from the States. Forecasters say the Winds (more like breezes) remain through March.(12/3/96) Governor optimistic for new year Despite skeptics who predict the VI government will be bankrupt within a year, Gov. Roy Schneider sees no need to reduce essential government services or raise taxes. In a broadcast address last week, Schneider said "I inherited a (financial) mess," a $300 million deficit. Then came Hurricane Marilyn to wallop the islands' economy. But he said half a dozen capital projects will pump dollars into the government treasury and workers' paychecks. Schneider also listed casino development on St. Croix as a soon-to-arrive economic boost for the islands.(12/3/96) Casino plans Hong Kong businessmen will take advantage of federal legislation to buy "green cards" by investing $10.5 million in a hotel-casino project to be developed on St. Croix. The green card-for- investment plan was authorized by Congress. Green cards give their holders residential status by the US Immigration and Naturalization Service, permitting their holders to live in the USA. Plans call for construction of a seven-story, 166-room facility. (12/3/96) VI America's Cup challengers $500,000 serious The V.I. America's Cup Challenge has bought Stars and Stripes, the boat Dennis Conner sailed in the 1992 Cup finals. Price: $500 million, funded says a spokeswoman for VI Challenge by St. Thomas's Cornelius Prior and wife, and "an anonymous local resident". The ship is expected to arrive in St. Thomas, aboard a transport vessel, Friday, Dec. 6. It's the boat team captain Peter Holmberg will use to compete in trials in New Zealand in October, 1999. Source: http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/
Are you looking for an island with beautiful rain forests, large
resorts, inexpensive food, lots of stores for shopping and a
great night life? Then try a Mexican vacation or perhaps Jamaica,
because Anguilla has none of this.
Are you looking for an island that has incredible white-sand
beaches, turquoise waters, world-class resorts and restaurants,
friendly people and no crowds at all? Then try Anguilla.
My wife and I took a one week vacation in early December, 1996,
to Sonesta Beach Resort on Anguilla. We chose Anguilla because of
reports in the CTR. We have been to some other Caribbean islands
and Hawaii, and Anguilla is the best we have found so far. You
will notice that most people's CTR reports exclusively talk about
how wonderful everything was and what they had to eat every meal.
I don't find these to be particularly helpful in choosing a
resort or island, so I will give you a couple of personal
opinions and suggestions. We discussed our trip with some other
couples who had multi-island experience and most had the same
opinions of Anguilla and Sonesta.
We flew American Airlines from San Juan direct to Anguilla. For
those of you coming from the western US, there is a problem. It
is almost impossible to get into San Juan on American in time to
make the afternoon American Eagle flight. The only other flight
leaves at 10 pm, and therefore you get to the resort after
midnight, losing the first day on Anguilla. You can take a flight
from San Juan to St. Martin and then transfer to another shuttle
airline or take a taxi from St. Martin airport and hop the ferry
over to Anguilla, but both of these options are a bit of a
hassle, especially considering the ferry did not run two of the
seven days we were in Anguilla due to rough seas.
We had a 7-night honeymoon package from Sonesta which turned out
to be one of the better deals on the island. Make sure your
package includes transfers to and from the airport - this will
save you about $40. Some people had this included in their
package, others did not. Also, a couple of people had gotten free
upgrades to a Junior Suite in their package. Evidently there are
some slight differences in the Sonesta honeymoon packages,
depending on your travel agent. Off-season the package ran about
$2200 for seven nights (airfare separate) and included all
breakfasts, two dinners, watersports and a jeep for a day plus
some other little nice extras. Expect to spend no less than $150
per day on top of this for food and drinks and other extras. The
restaurants on Anguilla are wonderful, but expensive.
Sonesta Beach Resort (formerly Casablanca) is a very pretty,
romantic resort of about 90 rooms. We had a junior suite in
building C which was very fresh and clean (seemed almost new) and
had a wonderful view of the ocean. We would suggest you ask for
rooms in the A or B building which put you right on the beach.
However, we were told the suites in building C were a little
larger with a tub for two and separate shower. The rooms are
white tile with Italian marble bathrooms. All have a private
balcony/patio.
Although Sonesta is one of the largest resorts on Anguilla, you
would never know it from the amount of people you see. It was
very quiet and the beach was never crowded. A couple of days we
took walks to adjacent bays and found ourselves completely alone,
no one within 200 yards of us. I don't think you will find too
many islands where you can sit on pure white sand and turquoise
waters and have a whole beach to yourself.
If we were to go back we might try Cap Juluca or Malliouhana if
we could afford them. Cap has the best beach on the island.
Malliouhana has the best service (according to a couple who had
stayed at Sonesta and Malliouhana). Sonesta service is very good;
the concierge is the best. A lot of folks, including us, had
strongly considered Cinnamon Reef. It is tranquil but a little
old looking and not on one of the better beaches. We were all
glad we chose Sonesta. Cap, Sonesta and Cinnamon Reef are on the
leeward side of the island overlooking St. Martin. It was a real
plus to be on the leeward side during the week we were there
because of strong winds and rough seas. Something called the
Christmas winds which, we were told, would go away by February.
If that is true, then the windward side which is Malliouhana,
Frangipani and others would be fine.
We had a couple of complaints with Sonesta. First and foremost
was that current management can't seem to make up their mind as
to whether they want to be a romantic honeymoon resort or a
family resort. Fortunately for us, there were only two guests
with children. However, our last day there, as Christmas
approached, about four or five guests showed up with children -
some of them very noisy. We have kids, but chose Sonesta as a
romantic get-away. There really isn't much for kids to do other
than play on the beach and in the pool. However, Sonesta put up a
small playground/swingset near the restaurant. Really stupid -
you've got this romantic open-air restaurant that overlooks the
pool, ocean and SWINGSET! If you go to Sonesta (Cap also had some
families) and you are trying to get away from children, you
should try to go when school is in session. However, even this is
no guarantee since most of the kids were under 5 years of age.
Second complaint is that Sonesta really feels like a Florida
resort. No Caribbean flavor. The only night you got any island
flavor was Thursday night when they hired a local band and had a
barbecue on the beach. A steel drum band at happy hours would
have been nice and would have kept people around the bar. Again,
you get a feeling that Sonesta management is not very experienced
and missing the boat on some opportunities.
Anguilla is an arid island. It gets much less rain than the
tropical islands. I read that the island is considered to be
fairly wealthy with most everyone owning a home. Well, wealthy is
relative and although we did not see the shacks and begging
children that we had seen on other islands, it really is a junky,
messy island with poor infrastructure. A word of warning - If you
are considering a villa, make sure you know what you are getting.
Most of the villas we saw were in junky areas. The neighbors had
lots of goats and chickens running around and normally a wrecked,
rusting car in the yard. This was the norm of what we saw in
villas, not the exception.
In the midst of this, however, are many small, exclusive
restaurants. Our quick review of these: Best lunch - Uncle Ernies
on Shoal Bay. Six tables, $2 beer and $6 ribs or chicken. Fun
place right on the water. Some guy named "Pressure King" will
give you his card and recommend several restaurants if you ask.
However, he recommended Ripples restaurant which was not that
great. Best dinner - Koal Keel in the Valley ("downtown"). The
oldest house on the island and the best food. $110 for two
included two glasses of house wine, appetizers, entrees and we
split a dessert. Make sure and take the tour of the house which
finishes with a complimentary rum tasting. Most Romantic
Restaurant - Mangos - candlelit tables 10 feet from the waves.
Same price as Koal Keel, although service was not nearly as good.
The most popular restaurant was Blanchards, but we thought it was
overpriced - $150 - $175 for same food as above, average service.
They have a fabulous wine cellar - rated one of th! best by Wine
Spectator magazine. We had lunch at the Dunes and were the only
ones there. You can walk to the Dunes from Sonesta if you bring
your shoes along. Our other meals were at Sonesta's Casablanca
restaurant. All restaurants automatically add 15% gratuity. There
is no tax on the island.
Finally, we would recommend getting a car or jeep for three or
four days. This is because of the very high taxi prices. $18 one-
way downtown. About $15 one-way to restaurants within 3 miles of
Sonesta. A car is only $40 for 24 hours (total price, no tax), so
you can see that it only takes a couple of taxi rides to pay for
a car. It is very easy to get around the island - really only one
main road that every other road eventually feeds into. Driving on
the left takes a few minutes to get used to but really very safe
as opposed to driving in Mexico or Jamaica.
A couple of other things - We did the horse ride - don't bother.
We thought about doing a catamaran cruise but the seas were a bit
rough. We heard this was a lot of fun. We read in a CTR report
that Scilly Cay had $15 to $20 lobster - nope. We didn't talk to
anyone that went - most felt that $35 to $45 for lobster/crayfish
lunch was a bit much. It's a fairly long drive up to Scilly Cay
if you are staying at the west end of the island which is where
the majority of the resorts are. Cyril's Fish House is right
across from Scilly Cay and some folks told us they had a good
meal there. Cyril's and Koal Keel both offer pick up services so
you don't have the cost of a cab fare. The night we went to Koal
Keel we crammed in a van with six other couples from Sonesta.
That night, Koal Keel only had eight tables full and six were
from Sonesta. The restaurants on the island were really empty;
again, no crowds anywhere.
Anguilla has some of the friendliest people in the world.
Everyone is very helpful. Virtually no crime on the island - you
will always feel safe. An example of this is that we were
exploring the island one day and were having a hard time finding
Little Bay - a secluded snorkeling spot. We were out on a dirt
road in the middle of nowhere and came upon a man herding goats
down the middle of the road. He quickly moved the goats out of
the way and we stopped and asked where Little Bay was. He took a
large machete he was holding and, speaking in perfect English,
drew us a map in the dirt. Now, name another place in the world
where two white people lost on some dirt road would feel
comfortable asking directions from a large black man with a
machete.
Here is a summary of our recent trip to Antigua, including everything you ever wanted to know about the Jolly Harbour Resort (for those of you who don't believe brochures). Accommodations: We stayed at the Jolly Harbour Resort and were very impressed. The units were new two story villa/townhouses. The upstairs had two bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double bed and the other has two twin beds. The villa had an upstairs powder room (toilet & sink) and a shower room (shower stall and sink), but apparently some villas have a toilet, sink and shower in both rooms or only one bathroom. Both bedrooms had a dresser and ceiling fan. Don't be afraid to move the twin beds together or move them directly under the ceiling fan. The master bedroom has sliding doors that lead to an upstairs balcony. There was an iron and ironing board in the smaller bedroom and large closets in both bedrooms. The main floor had a nicely equipped kitchen with an electric stove, refrigerator, coffee maker and something that is apparently supposed to be a toaster (not your typical North American Toaster). There was a dining and living room (no TV, phones, or radio, so bring a cheap transistor radio if you like noise). There were sliding doors that led to a very large patio with shaded and unshaded areas and a walkout to a dock (sailboat moorings available). Our patio overlooked a waterway that separated the villa from the beach. Other villas face only a water way but not the beach. The main floor also had another powder room (toilet and sink) and a small garage for parking a golf cart or for storage. The electricity is 220 volts and North American hair dryers etc. will not plug in without an adapter which can be rented from the resort. Bring an adapter from home or don't bring appliances. Our traveling companion had her hair braided the first day so she wouldn't need the hair dryer. AC is not included but is available at an extra $US 10/day. You can survive without the AC quite easily with the fans and by leaving windows open to get the wind blowing through the villa. Try it. You're in the tropics. Enjoy the heat. The resort is big, so you have to do a lot of walking. They do have shuttle buses and people will often stop and give you a ride. The main source of transportation on the resort is the golf cart, which can be rented if desired for about $US 25/day. There is a discount if you pay cash. If you enjoy walking, you can easily get by without the golf cart. If you do get one, they are lots of fun. There are a couple of companies renting the villas at the resort. One is associated with Club Antigua, and the other one is a villa management company called HBK Villa Rentals. The price in November 96 was $US160 a night for four adults. Less expensive rates for differently equipped villas are available, for fewer occupants and with travel industry discounts. There was a high vacancy rate. After April 13/97 a villa for two occupants is available from Club Antigua for $US 76/night. The Jolly Harbour Resort is located on 500 acres and is next door to Club Antigua. The resort has: a golf course, a helicopter service, a swimming pool, tennis, a sports facility, complete marina facilities, and a respectable shopping plaza with a bank, duty free shops, gift shops, a grocery store, a pub, restaurants, car rentals, and beauty salon. Dining Guest at Jolly Harbour have the option of paying an additional $US 50 / per person per day for the use all of Club Antigua's "all inclusive" privileges, while staying in the nicer villas. The down side to "all inclusive" resorts is that you have little choice but to eat only what is offered, when it is offered. The quality of food also varies, and if you have already paid in advanced, you have little choice but to suffer through it. You will also be less likely to try local restaurants since you have already paid for your meal at the resort. If you want to save lots of cash, bring food from home to be cooked in your villa We brought our own coffee, sugar, bagels, pancake mix and some frozen and canned items for quick lunches and snacks. If you bring your own, you can avoid the high prices at the local grocery stores and restaurants The other big advantage of cooking some meals in your villa is time. Service in the Caribbean is not known for speed. You can easily spend an hour at breakfast and two hours at lunch (waiting for so-so food that is quite expensive). We generally bought at least one meal a day at a restaurant, and ate in the villa the rest of the time. The maid does the dishes. There are a several restaurants on the resort where you can purchase meals: The Driftwood (at the beach), an Italian restaurant, Peter's B-B-Q Steakhouse, a Swiss Bakery/Coffeehouse and a restaurant in the Sports Centre. Your best bet is the Driftwood any time and the Italian place for lunch. We were not impressed with the restaurant in the Sports Complex (expensive, not much selection, slow). There is a Pub called the Dogwatch which is a fun place to go for a drink or try to play pool. Drinks are reasonably priced. Lots of locals, sailors and resort employees hang out there. Some other places we recommend are: Hemmingways in St. John's (have a flying fish sandwich), the Dock in English Harbour (nice atmosphere) and Fingers at Runaway Beach. Life on the Beach The Jolly Harbour has a great beach. It is very big, and not very crowded. You can stick close to the Driftwood Restaurant or walk five minutes down the beach and be relatively secluded. Chairs and "Tiki Huts" are free. Topless bathing is popular. You can walk over to Club Antigua's beach, but it is a lot more crowded and there are many more vendors. There is a $US 25/ towel refundable deposit on the towels. Get the towel and use the money for the Taxi back to the airport and for the departure tax when you leave. They will give you fresh towels daily if you run into a maid or leave them in your room. You could bring your own, but I don't think that is worth it. Bring a soft sided insulated cooler from home to take it to the beach. You can fill it with food or clothes when it is in your suitcase and fill it daily with ice and beverages and take it with you on the beach. Security We felt extremely safe in the resort. There are three security gates between the road and the villas. The villas are almost surrounded by water, which would make is very difficult for undesirables to enter the Villa Area without being noticed. There are no safes in the rooms. Leave jewelry and the unneeded contents of your wallet at home. Getting Around Rent a car and drive around. It was fun. We rented a Nissan Sentra with AC for $US 35/day. The quoted rate at Hertz (at the resort) is $40 but if you say that Dollar Rent a Car quoted $35 they will lower the price. Use the right credit card, or buy the Insurance at home from you own insurance company and you will not have to buy the optional CDW insurance. You must also pay for a temporary Antigua drivers license. Four things to remember when driving in Antigua: 1) Drive on the left 2) The roads are very bumpy 3) Follow the Jolly Harbour Resort signs home 4) When in doubt, turn left at the Texaco. We took the local bus to St. John's one day. The public transit consists of a fleet privately owned mini vans that carry 15 passengers. To catch the bus walk to the road at the main gate (this is where they turn around for the trip back to the city) and flag it down. Make sure that it is the bus and not a taxi. Ask the price. It should be about $1.50 EC per person!!. It's not a bad way to travel if you don't require too much room. You have to share your ride with lots of other people, but everyone has a seat. It takes about an hour. Once you are at the bus depot in St. John's it is a short walk to the shopping areas. The best shopping was in the new Redcliff and Heritage Quays (plazas). St. John's is also a good place to stock up on groceries, go to the casino, try a new restaurant and visit a banking machine / ATM. There are a couple of Canadian banks there (Scotiabank, Royal Bank) with ATM's where you can withdraw money just like at home, but in local (EC) dollars. The ATM's are on the Plus, Cirrus and Interac Networks. There is no need for traveler cheques these days. I usually carry one banking machine card and leave another at the hotel. If one was lost, you can always use the other to get cash. They are not much good to thieves without the security code. We also went on a sailing tour. It was a great day. The sailboat was a 60' catamaran (a twin hulled sailboat) called the Kokomo Cat. The vendors sell tickets on the beach. It was $60US which includes a nice lunch, unlimited drinks, a great sail, snorkeling, and a stop at a nice beach. Other sailing tours are available including a sunset cruise. If you pay by credit card, you have to pay a 5% service charge. The whole thing was very well organized and the crew was very professional and friendly. You board the boat at the beach at Club Antigua, but the boat docks at Jolly Harbour Marina when not in use. There are other sailing tours available including on the Jolly Roger and several other catamarans. You have to ride out to the Jolly Roger on a launch, as it is too big to come ashore. You can also rent all of the popular water sports equipment (bubble boats, sail boards, etc.) on the beach at Jolly Harbour for about $US10/ Hr. Enjoy.
I do not know where to start. The waves and beach changes are the most interesting. Yes there were waves breaking 20 feet high, I saw pictures to prove it. The Tam got water in the first floor rooms 18 inches in some. The whole beach went and then came back. The area at Costa Linda had high waves and much sand movement. Many of the huts and all the stacks of beach chairs were covered with sand at CL. One tourist was killed trying to get video of the waves. The beach at La Cabana picked up about 10 inches of depth of sand. Eagle beach was cleaned up and sand was leveled in a few days Palm Beach was still not fully cleaned up two weeks later. Water a La Cabana was up to the road at the peak. High waves at CL covered much of that beach (water was up to Pirate restaurant). Insects were a problem in the evenings every where due to standing water. They were extensively fogging and spraying. Had a great time anyway. Best food this trip was at La Trattatoria el Fero Blanco (ate there twice), El Gaucho, The Grill House, and Alfredos at Adventure Golf (ate there three times). Worst meal was at Chalet Suisse (my fault ordered Turkey) Driftwood has enlarged. Except for El Gaucho downtown eateries are hurting. Most visitors are avoiding downtown due to cruise ship traffic and relocation of stores to the Pink monstrosity. Current plans call for expanding cruise ship docking area and moving cargo docks to San Nicholas. Government is selling Bushiri hotel, but may end up owning the Raddison. Divi Phoenix is opening in Feb., still a lot of work to be done. Car rentals will be at a premium in high season book now!!! Had a wonderful Hanukah at La Cabana. 85 at candlelightg 65 stayed for party. I understand the synagogue had a full house as well. La Cabana will soon have a new sales company selling the units at Beach and Racquet Club. Developer is making a bulk sale of remaining units there. I expect prices to go up. Sonesta Suites seems to no longer be selling T/S units. Rumor is that they plan to run it as hotel. Maintenance fees at Sonesta rumored to be going to $350. I do not know if it is true. Time share tax going to $7 a night. Not bad when compared to transient room tax at $16 a night plus 12% service charge on room. The airport is at capacity now I cannot imagine high season. I flew out on Thursday and all flights to US on American (4) were sold out.
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