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Caribbean Travel RoundupNewsletter - Paul Graveline, Editor |
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The December issue of the Caribbean Travel Roundup will contain a special section devoted to St. Martin. I'll be posting the following message in the appropriate places so if you have any St. Martin information or know someone with St. Martin information, please have them send it to editor@caribtravelnews.com "Would you like a free opportunity to promote your property in one of the most popular sources of Caribbean travel information on the internet? The Caribbean Travel Roundup Newsletter is offering you complimentary space to provide details of your property in a special St. Martin section in the December 1, 1998 edition. The CTR is popular and well respected eight year old Caribbean travel oriented newsletter only available on-line. It will be accessed by over 200,000 people this year. And St. Martin will be the focus of a special section in December. You are invited to send information about your resort for complimentary inclusion in the December issue. The only requirement is that it is in text form ( no graphics) and sent by e- mail (no faxes). You can check out the Caribbean Travel Roundup at: http://caribtravelnews.com If you would like to be included in the special St. Martin section in December, please send your information to: editor@caribtravelnews.com Paul Graveline CTR Editor"
(ED NOTE: The following material arrived after the publication of the Aruba Island Focus section in the October CTR.)
DIVI ARUBA BEACH RESORT MEGA ALL INCLUSIVE
4/30/98
J.E. Irausquin Blvd. #45 Telephone: 297 8 23300
Oranjestad, Aruba Fax: 297 8 34002
Dutch Caribbean
GENERAL PROFILE:
The hottest in the tropics{SYMBOL 188 \f "Symbol"}And the coolest
place to be Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive{SYMBOL 188
\f "Symbol"}discover the authentic Caribbean experience{SYMBOL 188
\f "Symbol"}located on Aruba’s best white-sand beach. The Divi
Aruba Mega vacation redefines “Aruba all Inclusive”{SYMBOL 188 \f
"Symbol"}by featuring the use of all the facilities and services of
both the Divi Aruba Mega and the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach
Resort{SYMBOL 188 \f "Symbol"}right next door.
LOCATION:
The Divi Aruba Mega is conveniently situated five minutes from
Aruba's capital city, Oranjestad, and is located ten minutes from
Queen Beatrix International Airport.
FEATURES:
All inclusive features include:
Use of all of the facilities of both the Divi Aruba Beach Resort
Mega All Inclusive and the adjacent Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive
Beach Resort
Air-conditioned rooms with color television, telephone and terrace
All meals and snacks throughout the day
Unlimited beverages
2 freshwater pools
Snorkeling and snorkeling lesson
Beginners windsurfing equipment and “Learn to Windsurf” Beach
Clinic
Sunfish sailing, waterbikes, canoes
Tennis
Volleyball
Fitness area
Bicycles
Theme nights
Entertainment nightly
Tickets to Bon Bini Festival
Match play casino chip for use at adjacent Alhambra Casino
Tax and gratuities
AIRPORT TRANSFERS NOT INCLUDED
Optional services include:
Car rentals
24 hour taxi service
Laundry, dry cleaning
Baby-sitting services
Barber shop/beauty salon on premise
Optional golf package available (at extra cost)
FACILITIES:
Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive - 2 Freshwater pools;
Shopping arcade, Guest services; Cordial, well trained,
multilingual staff; Adjacent to Alhambra Casino & Shopping Bazaar
Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Resort - Freshwater swimming
pool; Shopping arcade on premise; Guest services
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive - 203 rooms housed in
one, two and three story buildings; Each accommodation with air
conditioning, color TV via satellite, telephone, two double beds or
a king size bed, private bath and shower and ceiling fan;
Oceanfront, Oceanview, Beachside Casita or Garden rooms available;
110 volts electric current; Spacious balconies or terraces
providing ocean, pool or garden views
Category Description View Capacity
Garden Double Double/ Garden or Pool 2 + 2
King
Beachside Double Double/ Garden or Ocean 2 + 2
King
Oceanview Double Double/ Ocean 2 + 2
King
Oceanfront Double Double/ Ocean 2 + 2
King
BEACH:
Located on Druif Beach
SPORTS AND WATERSPORTS FACILITIES:
Extensive watersports including windsurfing, sunfish sailing,
snorkeling, waterbikes, and canoes and watersports center with well
trained staff and top equipment (Note: Non-motorized watersports
included); Tennis, volleyball, shuffleboard; Optional golf package
available (at extra cost);
Fitness area, located at the Tamarijn, including a complete state-
of-the-art line of Nautilus exercise equipment, Lifecycles
(computerized stationary bicycles), Concept II Rower (computerized
rowing machine)
FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS:
Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive - The Pelican, offering
breakfast, lunch and dinner; The Red Parrot featuring
indoor/outdoor fine dining; Pelican and Sandpiper oceanfront bars;
Entertainment nightly; Theme nights weekly; Weekly manager's
cocktail party
Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Resort - The open-air Cunucu
Terrace, offering buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner; the
Paparazzi, featuring a dinner menu of Italian dishes; Palm Court,
offering grilled fare dining; the Pizza Bar, open-air, adjacent to
the pool deck serves pizza, soft drinks and beer day and night;
Coconuts, two-story open-air bar, ocean and property views; Bunker
Bar, a long-time favorite set out over the water; Paparazzi Bar,
air-conditioned setting
Theme nights weekly; Entertainment nightly
MEETING FACILITY:
Suitable for small to mid-size meetings and functions
MISCELLANEOUS:
All major credit cards accepted; Check-in time 3:00PM, check-out
time 12 noon
Facilities, services and inclusions subject to change without
notice.
TAMARIJN ARUBA ALL INCLUSIVE BEACH RESORT
4/30/98
J.E. Irausquin Blvd. #41
Oranjestad, Aruba
Dutch Caribbean
Telephone: 297 8 24150
Fax: 297 8 34002
GENERAL PROFILE:
All Inclusive All Oceanfront All Yours
Aruba’s only all oceanfront all inclusive resort{SYMBOL 188 \f
"Symbol"}a beachfront playground that’s like no other. Perfect for
singles, couples and families, Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach
Resort vacations include everything{SYMBOL 188 \f "Symbol"}all
meals and drinks, sports, activities{SYMBOL 188 \f
"Symbol"}especially the fun! Select the new Tamarijn Deluxe
Oceanfront Mega room category and enjoy all the facilities and
services of the neighboring Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All
Inclusive.
LOCATION:
The Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Resort is conveniently
situated five minutes from Aruba's capital city, Oranjestad. The
property is located ten minutes from Queen Beatrix International
Airport.
FEATURES:
All inclusive features include:
Oceanfront air conditioned rooms with color television, telephone
and terrace
All meals and snacks throughout the day
Unlimited beverages
Freshwater pool
Snorkeling and snorkeling lesson
Beginners windsurfing equipment and “Learn to Windsurf” Beach
Clinic
Sunfish sailing, waterbikes, canoes
Tennis
Volleyball
Fitness area
Bicycles
Theme nights
Entertainment nightly
Tickets to Bon Bini Festival
Match play casino chip
Tax and gratuities
AIRPORT TRANSFERS NOT INCLUDED
Optional services include:
Car rentals
24 hour taxi service
Laundry, dry cleaning
Baby-sitting services
Optional golf package available (at extra cost)
FACILITIES:
Freshwater swimming pool; Shopping arcade on premise; Guest
services; Alhambra Casino & Shopping Bazaar nearby
ACCOMMODATIONS:
236 rooms housed in two story buildings; Each accommodation with
air conditioning, color TV via satellite, telephone, two double
beds or a king size bed, private bath and shower; 110 volts
electric current; Spacious balconies or terraces providing ocean
views
Category Description View Capacity
Superior Double Double/ Ocean 2 + 2
Oceanfront King
Deluxe Oceanfront Double Double/ Ocean 2 + 2
Mega * King
Deluxe Oceanfront Mega category allows for use of all facilities
and features of both the Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive Beach Resort
and the adjacent Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive.
(Please refer to Divi Aruba Beach Resort Mega All Inclusive fact
sheet.)
BEACH:
Located on Druif Beach
SPORTS AND WATERSPORTS FACILITIES:
Extensive watersports (including beginner windsurfing, sunfish
sailing, snorkeling, waterbikes and canoes) and watersports center
with well trained staff and top equipment, tennis and volleyball
(Note: Non-motorized watersports included at Tamarijn Aruba All
Inclusive Beach Resort)
Fitness area including a complete state-of-the-art line of Nautilus
exercise equipment, Lifecycles (computerized stationary bicycles),
Concept II Rower (computerized rowing machine)
FOOD OUTLETS:
The open-air Cunucu Terrace, offering buffet breakfast, lunch and
dinner; the Paparazzi, featuring a dinner menu of Italian dishes;
Palm Court, offering grilled fare dining; the Pizza Bar, open-air,
adjacent to the pool deck serves pizza day and night; Theme nights
weekly; Entertainment nightly
BEVERAGE OUTLETS:
Coconuts, two-story open-air bar, ocean and property views; Outdoor
Pizza Bar, adjacent to the pool deck serving beer and soft drinks;
Bunker Bar, a long-time favorite set out over the water; Paparazzi
Bar, air-conditioned setting
MISCELLANEOUS:
All major credit cards accepted; Check-in time 3:00PM, check-out
time 12 noon
Facilities, services and inclusions subject to change without
notice.
October 1, 1998 Shoal Bay beach is one of the premier stretches of sand in the Caribbean. . A Tour of Shoal Bay Beach Although Shoal Bay is the most popular beach on Anguilla and the site of occasional model photo shoots , there are many days when it is virtually deserted . Even in February you can find a quiet stretch for yourself. The main road to Shoal Bay dead ends at Uncle Ernie's BBQ . You can park along the road, 100' to 200' up from the beach. For a glowing review of Shoal Bay, find a copy of Conde Nast Traveller for November 1996. On page 133 in an article entitled "The Secret in the Sand" , Ron Hall describes his search for the most perfect sand in the Caribbean. He reviews some of Anguilla's thirty-plus beaches , including Rendezvous Bay, with its "long, curving ribbon of sand held in the protective arms of a two- and-a-half-mile-long bay", then focuses in on one beach: "The most pristine sand sample, however, is from long, low, dusty Anguilla, the Caribbean island most envied for the number and quality of its beaches... Shoal Bay's sand is truly amazing: Not only is it as white as coral sand can ever be, but mixed into it are tiny fragments of pure while shell. The effect of wind on this mixture is to bring the shell fragments to the surface, where they catch the sun and add a distinctive sheen to the entire beach." This is the busiest part of the beach, where you can rent shaded lounge chairs from Raymond from Skyline or Pressure King . Of course, many people enjoy the beach without a lounge chair and some restaurants provide free lounge chairs for their customers. You can see the reefs on Junior's or Mike's glass bottom boat, and snorkel parts of it yourself. Stroll East to Upper Shoal Bay If you turn right you go east past Shoal Bay Resort, Shoal Bay Villas and Le Beach restaurant. Then you come to a wire fence which is the boundary of Bummy's Beach Bar and the Elodia's apartments. Milly's Inn is on the hill above this spot. About halfway down the fence toward the point is the easiest place to snorkel the reef. The shore at Shoal Bay is usually gentle and quiet, due to the reef protection. Often there is no surf at all. This is a good place to take young children and grandmothers. At the point you turn right around a point into Upper Shoal Bay (pictured right). Along this stretch you will find Shoal Bay Scuba and Watersports and Allamanda Beach Club . This long portion of Shoal Bay has fewer people and has a quieter feel. At the end of the beach you will find Seabreeze Villa and Serenity Restaurant . You will also pass pallet fences designed to rebuild the sand dunes along the beach. There is a limestone ridge that runs along just off shore for about 100 yards that is perfect for novice snorkelling. It isn't coral, so you don't have to worry about cutting yourself on it. You can snorkel up the outside of this ridge in water that is shallow enough to stand in easily (2-3'). In the usually clear waters you will see hundreds of small tropical fish. There is also good snorkelling along the rocky shore at the eastern end of beach. The West End of the Beach Past Uncle Ernie's to the left, or west, is Madeariman Reef restaurant , followed by Hannah's jewelry table and Joan's beach wrap display . The unfinished structure on the beach is the Round Rock Bar, which blew apart in Hurricane Luis . Hardbroke Bar and Restaurant sometimes features Dumpa and his steel pans on Sunday evenings. Along this part of the beach there are some exposed stretches of rock and reef, so be careful. At the west end of Shoal Bay beach are Fountain Beach Hotel . That was a long tour. To finish it off, come down to Shoal Bay about 6:30pm, share a Pina Colada at Uncle Ernies, and take a romantic swim while watching the sun set into the water. Directions: This is a long beach and you can actually approach it from three directions. The normal route is by paved road from The Valley. Start in the airport parking lot which has only one exit. Turn left on Airport Road, go straight past Island Car Rentals, Anglec and through the light at Albert Lake's Super Market. Continue for 2 miles through Stoney Ground and Little Dix, and turn left on a paved road toward Shoal Bay (there are restaurant signs here -- if you get to the cement plant you missed the turn). The road goes over a hill and descends into Shoal Bay. At the bottom of the hill you can go straight to Uncle Ernies. Or turn right on a gravel road that runs to Milly's Inn, Allamanda and Serenity. Or turn left on a gravel road and take the first right turn for Hardbroke or the second right turn for Fountain Beach. News Tidbits from Anguilla Hurricane Georges. This storm was relatively gentle to Anguilla , but devastated the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Many people in Anguilla have family and friends in the Dominican Republic and have had great difficulty getting information since the phones are down there. Here are some web sites with news: - Ultimahore (Spanish) - Listin (Spanish) - DR1 (English, with message board) - The Caribbean Hurricane Page with bulletin boards on every island. Volunteer Hams Deliver the Mail. When a hurricane hits hard, one of the first things to go is the telephone service. Although Anguilla was not struck directly enough by Georges, neighboring islands were. When that happens, the network of amateur radio enthusiasts steps in, with Anguilla's Dorothea Evergates (ARS VP2EE) as one of the key connections. With people everywhere worried about St. Kitts, Dorothea connected the St. Kitts/Nevis Prime Minister with their embassy in the USA using 80 meter radio from St. Kitts to Anguilla, then telephone from Anguilla to New York. At the same time a ham in the USA had the St. Kitts embassy personnel listening to the reports from the upper band ham. Then after a short rest, she passed "Health and Welfare" messages among the islands, such as Anguilla and St. Croix. People in Anguilla were desperately worried about the welfare of their families on St. Thomas, so Dorothea passed messages and phone numbers to a ham on St. Croix who passed the messages by phone calls to the families on St. Thomas. Dorothea writes: I was talking to the Hurricane Watch Net which at one time asked if I would stick my head out the window and tell them what I heard. I did as they asked and reported back,"freight train" at which time they told me those were tornadoes and I should get off the air and go somewhere safe. I don't think the USA hams understand we build bunkers here. After the storm passed here, I put up an old antenna I had saved inside from the hurricane and then we started passing traffic for the affected Caribbean islands, then the Bahamas, then for the US. If you are too close to one another, you cannot talk to each other on a high band where we were working. So, the Caribbean hams came in useful as "Relay" stations from one USA station to another. Calling Anguilla. For some reason, many people have been unable to call Anguilla from the United States using AT&T for about the last two weeks. By using Sprint or MCI (10-10-231) they have been able to get through easily. Resort Donates for Basketball Court. The new Cuisinart Resort is donating $15,000 to build a new basketball court for the community in Blowing Point. Read about playing basketball in Anguilla . Sonesta recently named Diane Gumbs their "Employee of the Year" and Alan Carty won "Star of the Year". Changes at the Airport. Wallblake Airport has a new sign at the entrance (you can only see it if you are coming from the west), a new freight warehouse, and a new one-way automatic door out of customs that you step on to open. If you want to visit customs at the airport, you now knock on their window and they will "buzz you in" when they are ready! Body and Soul Located next to the dive center in Sandy Ground , the Body and Soul health and fitness center is a welcome addition to Anguilla. Enter the renovated Caribbean house on the ground floor, sea-side and enter the bright and well- ventilated fitness room, with a 1000 sq ft wooden floor with mirrored walls. Blending their talents together, the directors of the center are Suzane Schroder-Geyser and Michelle Ward. Susi is always in front to show you how, keeping you going through the cardiovascular, strengthening, toning, stretching, ahd whew... finally, cooling- down phases of her classes. Classes offered: Reebok step, Abs, Legs, and Buns (really works), Callisthenics, Back Strenghtening and Yoga. The gym is equipped with ballet bar, benches, steps, hoops, dumbells, mats, weight wraps, elastics and some of the hippest music in Sandy Ground. There is no one too out of shape or uncoordinated for Susi -- with her patience you will never feel out of place. Kids love the fun and zippy classes set up for them with Michelle. She takes them through a rousing junior rendication of Reebok Step. And they offer Ballet, Jazz dance, and even Acrobatics. Swimming lessons are offered for adults and children, taught in the sea right in front of the house by a professional Swim Instructor. The calm waters of the bay are better than a chlorine pool... an ideal setting for the beginning swimmer. And you can shower after swimming lessons. More is in the works: healthy juice bar, massage, ... something for every age and shape. It makes getting healhty fun. Telephone: 1- 264-497-8364. Upcoming Events in Anguilla Anguilla Art Show in Barbados. From November 28th to December 7th, 1998 there will be a showing in Barbados of work by six artists from Anguilla: Cheddie Richardson , Louise Brooks , Courtney Devonish , Melsadis Fleming , Michelle Lavellette , and Lynne Bernbaum . Summer Shutdowns. Most restaurants in Anguilla shutdown this time of year, but you can still get a good meal at Ripples in Sandy Ground, nice ribs for lunch at Uncle Ernies and Smitty's is still open, and he has started to get fresh crayfish and lobsters again (after the summer interruption of the catch). And soon our restaurants will be opening for the season. Check with Chef Shamash at Zaras after October 15th! Culinary Competition Cancelled. The annual "Taste of the Caribbean" competition, at which Anguilla did so well in 1997 , was scheduled for Oct 3- 8 in Puerto Rico. However, it has been cancelled due to disruptions by Hurricane Georges. Updates and Feedback Feedback on Beach Conditions. Jibralta's message serves as a reminder that many beaches in Anguilla are wild, untamed, without lifeguards, and often empty. The surf and currents can vary dramatically with the weather and time of year, so it is advisable to be cautious everywhere, especially if you are not a strong swimmer: At Junk's Hole, I was assuming that there was no current and it was shallow and I went in without my life vest. About 15 feet from the shore, it suddenly went from 2-3 feet deep to 7 feet deep in a matter of few inches. A strong current began pushing me westwards towards the other side of the bay... all I could see was more deep water. No, it wasn't very deep, but over your head is over your head if you can't tread water (I'm handicapped). The current was so strong I couldn't swim against it. I began to panic. Through my snorkel I saw a boulder sized coral and put my feet down and clung to it like a spider clings to a wall. I shouted for my husband Gene as the current was pulling me off the boulder. He had quite a time getting me the 20 feet to shore. On another topic, Junior is a wonderful guy, who calmed my fears and showed me the wonders of Little Bay (with my vest on) in deep water that I'd never believed anyone would have ever been able to induce me to go into. Update on Reading Recovery : Ross Cashmore writes The Reading Recovery project in the primary schools has benefitted from the support of All Island Cable TV Services, The Anguilla Rotary Club, and the Optimists Club of Anguilla. They contributed to a fund to purchase texts and resource materials for the teachers currently training to deliver the programme. Many thanks. There will be a continuing need for local organisations to to build up our stocks of up-to-date children's readers so that young readers can widen the scope of their reading experience. Any individuals or organisations wishing to donate books to support Reading Recovery could contact Ms. Monica Harrigan at the Department of Education. 1- 264-497-2873. Authentic Anguilla: Keg Rogers Looking for an authentic boat trip in Anguilla, try Keg Rogers in Island Harbour . This isn't a party boat, it is a commercial fishing boat. Painted blue and white, and custom built for fishing and cruising in Anguilla waters, his boat has a broad beam (i.e., it's wide), handles the waves easily, is stable and doesn't roll in the surf, spreads the sea spray so you don't get drenched. And there is lots of room for you and your "stuff". But Keg is the perfect gentleman captain and host, loading and unloading your coolers and etc. When you board his boat, notice the winches for pulling up lobster pots. And the space at the stern for two trolling rods. If Keg isn't busy, you can charter him to take you out fishing or to explore (a trip to Scrub Island takes 15-20 minutes from Island Harbour, but you can spend all day there). Here is another view of Keg's boat and his mate, with Island Harbour in the background. For more pictures of a trip to Scrub with Keg, visit this web page . Telephone: 1-264-497-4487. Since Keg is usually out fishing, the best way to reach him may be to call Smitty's in Island Harbour and Smitty will arrange it. Web Sites About Anguilla Tennis.ai is the web site for the Anguilla Tennis Academy and it's free summer tennis camp. The web site has tripled in size, with more pictures of the children, news of the junior champions, matches in St. Martin, lighted courts, bios and pictures of Mitch, Shawn, and Damien, plus pictures and bios of the visiting coaches from the US. With over 250 children participating and learning tennis, it looks like Anguilla needs two more tennis courts in the Ronald Webster Park. Look at all these kids waiting for their turn to play. Weddings.ai is the web site for Tania Maynard's Weddings On the Go business. The site has been completely updated with pictures of new wedding couples, sunset kisses, and special offers. Patsy's Seaside Villas has a web page now. These locally-owned waterfront apartments are on Sandy Point beach in Blowing Point . Email addresses: ruan@anguillanet.com Jackie and Rollins Ruan, Chocolat Catamarran, and Ripples Restaurant. esubin@earthlink.net Liz Subin, former director of the National Trust, now back in the USA. carisoft@anguillanet.com Management Resources, a computer dealership located above the Cable TV office and owned by Clifton James. cperry@anguillanet.com Carolle Fair Perry, retired director of the Philadelphia Foundation, who is in Anguilla investigating the feasability of setting up an Anguilla Community Foundation. anguillafsd@anguillanet.com Financial Services Department, Government of Anguilla. Books for Christmas Looking for a unique Christmas gift? How about a set of four books about Anguilla's culture, history, and wild life. The Anguilla National Trust has published a number of books about Anguilla that would make great Christmas presents. - "Windows To Yesteryear" by ANT member Teacher Patsy Adams - EC $20.00 (US $7.50) - "Li'l Bit A Guinea Corn Porridge" by the indomitable Daisy Wong" Richardson -EC $25.00 (US $10) - "A Field Guide to Anguilla's Wetlands" - A proud first by the Anguilla National Trust - EC $40.00 (US $15) - "Dictionary of Anguillian Language" - Oldie but goodie compiled and edited by Ijahnya Christian - EC $15.00 (US $6) The books are all available at the ANT Office in The Valley: Phone: 1-264- 497-5297, Fax: 1-264-497-5571, Email: axanat@anguillanet.com PO Box 1234. Persons overseas wishing to make a purchase should add shipping per book of US $2.00 or EC $5.00 if from Caribbean region, or US $3.00 from outside the region. Sorry, they do not yet accept payment by credit card. Teacher Patsy's book is also available from her store called "The Fashion Closet" in The Quarter or from P. O. Box 1270, The Valley, Anguilla.
(Ed Note: Frank also passes along the following info: For the most
relaxing vacation of your life, stay at one of our homes: We still
have space available for the upcoming season: Oct. 13-31, Dec.16-
22, Jan. 4-8, Jan. 9-23, Feb. 6-11, Mar. 15-20, April 3-30
Over the Rainbow, St. John USVI
http://www.clark.net/pub/fbarnako/otr/Paradise.html
Beyond the Sea, St. John USVI
http://www.clark.net/pub/fbarnako/mbluff/BTS.htm
VI ready for visitors If you live in major cities on the east coast, including Washington, Boston or New York, you've probably seen the newspaper and TV ads or heard the radio spots the Virgin Islands Tourism Department has been running. The message: the territory weathered the hurricane very well, and is open for business - and sun and fun. While the Ritz-Carlton on St. Thomas and Caneel Bay on St. John suffered some wind and water damage, they both expect to be welcoming guests within two or three weeks. St. Croix expects to see its visits from cruise ships increase this season, as it's become an alternative to the severely Georges-hurt Dominican Republic. Miss Lucy's is back on St. John It may be the most romantic spot in St. John, writes Daily News reporter Lynda Lohr. She reviewed Miss Lucy's restaurant, newly opened downtown, featuring a number of seaside tables tucked under seagrape trees. Miss Lucy's was originally located at Friis Bay, at the east end of the island, and operated by taxi driver Lucy Smith. Miss Lucy is an island icon; you'll know her taxi because it's a van with fresh flowers for a hood ornament. She ran the restaurant for many years, before her son, Eddie, and two friends made a deal to take it over and move it downtown. Lohr writes the paella is wonderful. Park supt. says he's staying put V.I. National Park superintendent Russ Berry says rumors of his departure are untrue. Berry arrived on St. John 11 months ago. Reports he was on his way off-island were fueled by comments from a VI government official. But Berry told the St. John Tradewinds, "I will stay the course myself," and he has no plans to retire. Cruz Bay slated for more development Two pieces of residential property in Cruz Bay are on the market, boosting speculation a new round of condominium development may be near, the Tradewinds reported. Several properties, under current zoning, could host 100 new residential units, instead of the single- family homes they now have. "No longer is that the highest and best use of the property," real estate broker Miles Stair told the newspaper. The Beach House in the Peter Bay development of St. John is for sale. Price tag: $6 million. You can also rent if fror $10,000 a week. The beach front property's sale at that price would set a record for the island. However, there is a strong market for high- end properties on St. John, according to real estate professionals, the St. John Tradewinds newspaper reports. ** St. Thomas expects cruise business bonanza As many as 1.7 million people are expected to arrive in St. Thomas and St. John between Nov. 1 and the end of April, according to the Virgin Islands News. That's up slightly from 1.6 million last year. Six hundred eighty two ships are expected during the season. Wednesdays will be the busiest days for crusie ship visits, with more than 10,000 people on board. That's when the island needs to be at its best, said tourism commissioner Wylie Whisonant. "That's a lot of feet tramping on the infrastructure," he told the newspaper. ** Megaships put St. Thomas on itinerary Among the ships putting in at Charlotte Amalie this season will be the 951-foot megaship Grand Princess. With 18 decks, it sports restaurants, casinos, sports and theaters. The ship's Skywalker's Nightclub is on the 17th deck, 150 feet above sea level. The Princess theater can handle an audience of 700 people. ** Airlines increase capacity for season The prices may not have come down, but the number of available airline seats to St. Thomas has gone up. Nine charted airline flights plus regular service from America and US Airways will provide almost 18,000 seats for tourists, the News reported. That is a 30 percent increase from last year's level. The charter flights' operators will receive guarantees they don't lose money, thanks to $125,000 put up by 15 of the 69 hotels which are members of the St John-St. Thomas Hotel Association. Hotels are also planning to reduce room rates as much as 30 percent. VI Web sites: * Caribbean-On-Line: http://www.usvi-on-line.com/barnako/barnako.html * Island map: http://www.usvi-on-line.com/sj/sjmap.html * St. John 'Tradewinds': http://www.tradewinds.vi * Team Virgin Islands America's Cup: http://www.amcup.vi * US Virgin Islands: http://www.usvi.net * VI Weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/int/cities/VI_St_Thomas.html * WSTA's Good News: http://www.usvi.net/usvi/gnews/ Source: http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/
"A quick update on the condition of Aruba-specifically Palm Beach area. The construction in this area has pretty much fouled the immediate neighborhood and the water is mucked up with the sand and dust blowing around. I would suggest that for the next six months to one year, any new visitors to Aruba should be warned about this. It is very unsightly. The Radisson is undergoing extensive renovations and they are moving earth around and forming lagoons, rock gardens, etc. I spoke with a gentlemen who is very much in the know about the completion schedule. He said the hotel will open in December, but it will only be 80% complete. There will still be lots of construction going on. Yuck. He's a good friend of ours, but I think he's dreaming. I walked down there yesterday and they have a lot of work to do. Here it is October already. The Aruba Palm Beach Hotel is closed and undergoing renovations. They are changing two floors and the side wing into timeshares. The name will be changed to the Aruba Grand Palm Resort. The pool area is undergoing renovations as well as landscaping. The Americana (Allegro) is catering to a very different clientele. These people do the all inclusive and the local people are complaining they don't spend any money on the island. The hotel itself seems very quiet and it looks like it has gone downhill since last year. Most of the slot machines have been removed from the Casino. There were only two tables for table games there when I stopped in the other night. My local friends said that there were lots of complaints from tourists about the service etc. The Holiday Inn is also undergoing renovations - again. They are building something on the beach. Either a new restaurant or a new watersport building. The lobby has been changed again. They still need to do something to the rooms. The Marriott timeshare is still under construction. Lots of earthmoving here also. They said about 45 rooms will open in Jan. l999 and the construction of the other two wings will continue. Can't say I would enjoy staying in a place that was only l/3 finished. But then to each his own. So as you can see, unless you stay at the Wyndham (which gets the dust and dirt and noise from the construction at the Aruba Palm) or if you stay at the Hyatt or the Marriott, Palm Beach is not in great shape. The lowrise area seems to be O.K. The restaurants and beaches seem to be very slow this week. I guess most people were scared off from the hurricane. It does make it nice to be able to get a chickie or a table in a restaurant without a reservation. Our apartment was in good shape when we got here. The apt. maid turned on the water, and air conditioning and cleaned the place for our arrival. So far, all is well with the Ellafritses. Having a real telephone has helped. We don't feel so isolated now. We even have an answering machine so we're complete " The above was sent to me from pme to post for all the Aruba lovers to see.
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