Daily Archives: April 21, 2017

The Caribbean is caught in a housing trap. The cost of living is high: building a house in Kingston is three times more expensive than in a typical Latin American city. This has left ten million people in The Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago without a decent roof over their heads. Building adequate housing for this population would cost about $18 billion a number that only grows as the rising cost of living pushes more people out of the market. Without action, conditions will worsen, as more than 80 percent of the Caribbean population will be living in cities by the year 2050.

This trap does have a way out, however. A recent study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), The State of Social Housing in Six Caribbean Countries, has looked at successful efforts to tackle the lack of affordable housing across the region. Governments have launched programs to expand social housing, lower mortgage lending costs, and promote disaster-resistant buildings. The Dominican Republic is a case in point: in 1990, close to thirty percent of Dominicans lived in substandard housing; this proportion has decreased to under fifteen percent today.

Despite this progress, much more needs to be done. By looking at what has worked and the gaps that remain, an affordable housing action plan for the Caribbean would contain at least three elements:

First, we need new alliances between financial institutions, housing ministries, and construction firms. A first generation of partnerships created many successful options for the middle class but failed to find solutions for lower income residents. Government alone cannot fill the gap. To incubate new low-cost housing developers, governments need to design attractive packages that reduce the costs of acquiring land and support the development of durable low-cost building materials. The development of new rent-to-own schemes in Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago illustrate the sort of innovative approaches that are needed.

Second, if we are truly to leave no one behind, we need a new social contract with informal settlements in Caribbean cities. Neighborhood upgrading projects could revitalize the regions shanty towns, bidonvilles and tugurios through new housing, public spaces, infrastructure, and schools. But these programs will only succeed if they are done in close collaboration with residents and community-based organizations. Governments already acknowledge that low-income families build and renovate their homes at a massive scale in the region. Suriname leveraged this expertise by providing discounted building materials to certified community-based organizations trained in housing construction. This led to the repair and expansion of thousands of homes. Jamaica too is driving down costs using this model, providing free design services that allow social housing residents to both expand their homes and comply with building codes.

Lastly, we must call on governments at all levels to establish and enforce housing policies with explicit targets for affordable housing. Elevating housing policy as a national development priority would revitalize distressed neighborhoods and limit sprawl. Last year, United Nations member states committed to ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing by 2030, as spelled out in the landmark Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is fundamental as Caribbean residents flock to cities in decades to come.

The need for transformative action on this front in the Caribbean is clear and conditions are ripe. It is up to all leaders in government, business, and civil society to galvanize housing and radically improve quality of life in the region.

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Donovan is a senior housing and urban development specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Turner-Jones is the General Manager of the Caribbean Country Department of the IDB.

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Caribbean Housing Is Expensive and Scarce. Here's How to Change That. - Americas Quarterly (blog)

04/20/2017

As they have done in past years, radio amateurs in Puerto Rico took part in the Caribe Wave tsunami exercise on March 21. Tsunami Preparedness Week was March 19-25 for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Caribe Wave is the annual tsunami exercise of the UNESCO Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (CARIBE-EWS). Its major objective is for countries, emergency managers, and communities at risk to test, validate, and update their tsunami response plans.

Tsunami occurrences are relatively infrequent in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The most significant historical events happened in 1867 and 1918, a NOAA/NWS report said. However, the Puerto Rico Trench and other seismic zones in the Caribbean region are all capable of generating tsunamis. Further, vulnerability [in this region] is very high, due to the high population density near the coast and tourist activities concentrated at the coast.

In Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, Caribe Wave is conducted in coordination with the Puerto Rico Seismic Network (Red Ssmica de Puerto Rico), UNESCO, NOAA, and the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA-AEMEAD). This years scenario was an earthquake, with an epicenter at the east of the island of Antigua, generating a tsunami incident for the entire Caribbean. Exercise information can be found on the Tsunami Zone website.

Historically, Amateur Radio has been an important part of this exercise at an island-wide level with various island radio groups participating on an array of VHF/UHF and HF frequencies. Puerto Rico Section Emergency Coordinator Juan Sepulveda, KP3CR, noted that some Caribbean island nations, such as St. Lucia, conducted their own drills. Other Caribbean islands checked into the Puerto Rico net established on 40 meters.

At 10:05 AM on March 21, the exercise commenced with an Emergency Alert System (EAS) activation on broadcast media on the island, announcing the drill scenario. Sirens were tested in all of Puerto Ricos coastal cities and towns. Many government and community administrations co-conducted evacuation drills.

Amateur Radios role was to gather reports on how residents heard or learned of the EAS Alert and if any heard the sirens. A report summary was delivered to PREMA officials during a post-exercise meeting with SEC Sepulveda and ARRL Puerto Rico Section Manager Oscar Resto, KP4RF.

The primary repeater system used to communicate the reports was the island-wide Movmiento Radioaficionados de Puerto Rico, comprised of 13 VHF and UHF repeaters. The exercise net was managed by the Patriot Amateur Emergency Radio Club (WP4PQK, an ARRL-affiliated Club. Section Traffic Manager Pedro Irizarry, KP3PI, ran the net on 7.188 MHz, the frequency of the daily Friendly Net, a popular meeting place for Caribbean radio amateurs. Local and neighboring Caribbean stations reported into the net. A VHF net on 147.090 MHz, managed by the Radio Operators of the South (Radio Operadores del Sur), which also served as a clearinghouse for reports.

PREMA Executive Director Abner Gmez Corts hailed the Caribe Wave 2017 exercise as a success during a visit to a school near the coast, which was practicing evacuation measures Thanks to Angel Santana, WP3GW, Puerto Rico Section Public Information Coordinator and Assistant Section Manager

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Puerto Rico Radio Amateurs Take Part in 2017 Caribbean Tsunami Exercise - ARRL

The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and government representatives from eight member countries met with Airbnb officials to discuss Airbnb's growing presence in the region and to address areas of mutual cooperation as outlined in an agreement signed in February.

According to the CTO, the sharing economy is driven by consumers who decide with their pocketbooks what they want to do and where they want to stay in the Caribbean.

"It is our responsibility to speak with Airbnb and other players in the sector to get the maximum benefit from this phenomenon," said CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley.

Discussions covered safety and security, standards, policies, the importance of the region's cultural heritage, and how Airbnb is expanding economic opportunities in the region, said Riley.

Airbnb and CTO will share aggregate data and research, explore ways to make the sharing economy more inclusive and develop a set of policy principles and recommendations.

"Those are factors that we were able to cover and we are extremely happy for the level of interaction between our members and Airbnb," Riley said.

Currently there are 41,000 Airbnb listings across the Caribbean and a typical host in the Caribbean earns approximately $3,900 a year.

"We view this as a first step in building a lasting partnership that will democratize travel, create thousands of entrepreneurs and allow a greater segment of the Caribbean to truly benefit from tourism," said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb's public policy director for Central America and the Caribbean.

Earlier this year Anguilla, Bermuda, Curacao and Jamaica each signed partnership agreements with Airbnb that outlined similar goals.

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Airbnb meets with Caribbean government reps: Travel Weekly - Travel Weekly

Tucked away between Guadeloupe and Martinique is unadulterated Dominica (pronounced dom-ah-nee-ka ). Because its often confused with the Dominican Republic and lacks direct long-haul flights, the destination has predominantly remained under the radar. But with few places left in this world that feel unspoiled, the country truly stands out. A favorite of Vogue s Fashion News Director, Chioma Nnadi who used to live on Martinique and brought her family and friends to Dominica twice because she loved it so muchshe blissfully sighs when I tell her Ive just returned from the verdant island. Everything about Dominica is kind of magical. The fact that it feels like a small village, but has so many natural and unexpected wonders packed into one island, is beyond anything I have ever seen before. If youre expecting a picture-postcard Caribbean beach scene with powdery white sand, then you wont find it [there], but thats also what makes it special, she raves. With two-thirds of Dominica covered in rain forest, 365 rivers weaving their way around the land, and a number of volcanoes and waterfalls, youll wonder whether or not youve been transported back to the Jurassic period. Dont expect to come here for white-glove service the way you would in St. Barth's or Grand Cayman , but rather to get a taste of what local, unsullied life is like. Seeing how the indigenous Carib communities, which still build very traditional wooden houses literally on stilts, live was super-memorable, recalls Nnadi. Now, whos ready to pack their bags for the Caribbeans Nature Island?

Hike Waitukubuli Trail The longest in the Caribbean, coming in at 115 miles, its recommended that you walk one segment a day, which would lead to a whopping two-week hike through the mountainous terrain. Its no easy feat, but for the truly ambitious, its a scenic bucket-list endeavor that will put you face-to-face with sulfur springs, local farmers, and picturesque waterfalls.

A waterfall cascades into the ocean. Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

Sail Around the Island For those who want a quick glance of Dominica without all the work of a grueling 14-day trek, hop on a speedboat and motor your way around. On the northern end youll come across Douglas Point, otherwise known as Split Rock, named after the slab of stone that halved underwater upon separating from its cliff, as well as a waterfall that cascades directly into the ocean.

Visit Boiling Lake Be forewarned that this is known as one of the most difficult hikes you may ever endure. Located in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, the islands UNESCO World Heritage Site, it takes about six hours round-trip and requires scaling steep inclines and trudges through sludgy mud and multiple rivers. Its strenuous, but for the avid hiker, totally worth it when it comes to the panoramic views of the rain forest and a pit stop at a natural Jacuzzi before reaching the worlds second largest boiling lake.

A canopy of trees shrouds you from the beating sun as you travel up the Indian River. Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

Paddle Through the Indian River Dont worry, your guide will be the one doing the rowing, but the calm and serene Indian River is a must for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, where a few scenes of Dead Mans Chest were filmed. The original witchs hut is no longer there; however, a replica stands in its place and tourists would be none the wiser if they werent told it wasnt the real thing. Enjoy cruising underneath the canopy of trees, and channel your inner Jack Sparrow at a riverside bar upstream.

Whale and Dolphin Watching While theyre most prevalent in April during mating season, Dominicas resident population of sperm whales can be seen year-round. Head to the southern end of the island to catch glimpses of the largest toothed whale, as well as a myriad of dolphins as they playfully jump in and out of the water.

Go Bird-Watching or Forest Bathing For those who have the patience or want some quiet time in the backwoods, consider heading up to Syndicate Forest with a man known as Dr. Birdy in search of the endemic Imperial Amazon parrot, the elusive blue-headed hummingbird, and more. Or, for those who need to decompress and are hoping to shut their mind off from the outside world, consider forest bathing , in which host Terri EarthDancer says the goal is to reimmerse ourselves in the hidden power of nature.

KeepinIt Real, a great spot for a rum tipple and fresh seafood. Photo: Courtesy of Christina Liao

KeepinIt Real A small shack on the beach in Toucari with five tables and a rolled-up hammock stretching across a quarter of the restaurant, its the perfect spot for some homemade rum punch (a ubiquitous tipple on the island) and fresh fish off the grill, dressed simply with vinaigrette and served with rice, plantains, and vegetables.

Iguana Caf Owned by a Rastafarian man and his wife, this little shop (two tables and one narrow countertop) doesnt look like much from the outside, but the food is packed with soul and flavor. Seafood is a must here, and if you get to choose the sauce thats used in your entre, go with the coconut pumpkin optionyou wont be disappointed.

Pagua Bay Bar & Grill On an outdoor deck overlooking the Atlantic, regular diners here will tell you everything on the menu is good. Stop by for a quick lunch of fish tacos, but if you plan on having dinner, make sure to phone ahead, as its reservations only.

Sunset Bay Clubs Lobster Palace As its name suggests, this spot is known for the delectable crustacean, and although their size resembles that of a large langoustine rather than a full-size lobster, they are freshly caught and portions are generous.

A view of Secret Bay, an intimate hotel in Dominica. Photo: Courtesy of Secret Bay

Perched on a cliff on the northwest side of the island is Secret Bay , an intimate property consisting of eight tree housestyle villas and bungalows, all outfitted with terraces and several with heated infinity plunge pools. The eco-hideaways made from sustainable materials (which, by the way, were all assembled by hand) integrate harmoniously with the lush surroundings, while each of the villas expansive balconies allows you to sink into nature even more. Fall asleep to the waves crashing against the rocks and wake up to singsongy chirping and butterflies fluttering around the trees before a chef arrives to prepare your breakfast. Here, things are done a little differently. Save for a couple of decks, there arent any communal spaces. Meals are served in the comfort of your accommodations; a yoga instructor will stop by if youre in the mood for a morning stretch; and a masseuse will pop in for your afternoon treatment (ask for Margaux LaRocque, who really hones in on your problem areas)its all about making things as convenient as possible for the guests. But if you do want a change of scenery, head down to the Souce Shack, where you can have a drink and watch the cooks at work; venture over to the black-sand Tibay Beach; or grab a kayak (paddleboards and snorkeling gear are also available) and make your way to Secret Beach, where a strip of soft white sand only accessible by water awaits you. Its truly a romantic getaway, where you can do as much, or as little, as you want.

Originally posted here:

Dominica Travel Guide, the Caribbean's Nature Island - Vogue.com

To read more from EWs Summer Movie Preview, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands Friday, or buy it here . Dont forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW.

One does not simply act opposite Jack Sparrow.

Brenton Thwaites, 27, grew up in a world where Johnny Depps Captain Jack Sparrow was an almost instantly iconic comic creation, a character pop culture embraced with open arms from the moment Depp debuted him in the first Pirates of the Caribbean film in 2003.

Now, Thwaites is the star of the fifth movie in the Pirates franchise, Dead Men Tell No Tales (in theaters May 26), but stepping up as Henry Turner, the new face of the series, means sharing a certain amount of screen time with the reigning one.

My first scene with [Johnny], if Im remembering correctly, was the scene where Henry is trying to convince Jack Sparrow to team up with him and find this ancient treasure that could one, help Henry, and two, ultimately save Jack so, a lot of things going on, Thwaites says with a chuckle. Backstory- and exposition-heavy scenes can indeed be tough for actors to pull off, but they were hardly the present daunting challenge.

I just remember being absolutely terrified, like Id never acted in my life before doing this scene, says Thwaites. I just remember thinking, How am I going to stand there and talk to Johnny Depp for three minutes, opposite a character that Id grown up with in my teenage years? Its not going to be possible.

Ultimately, of course, it was and the actor even calls the exchange one of the finer scenes he had on the film.

Beyond the Sparrow of it all, themere idea of being in Pirates was enough to evoke a certain giddiness out of Thwaites, but thatjoy is only compounded by the early praise thats lauded the film for its return to the originals romantic and comic (but decidedly not rom-com) roots. It means everything, mate, and that was the goal that [directors Joachim Rnning and Espen Sandberg] were going for, says the Australian-born actor. That mix of darkness, adventure, love, and swashbuckling were something that none of us had really seen on the screen before, and it was so fresh and exciting and it was the goal for number five to bring all those elements back to the screen, all those ingredients that made such a tasteful cocktail in the first one.All those, andrum.

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Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Brenton Thwaites on filming with Johnny ... - EW.com

Miami Herald

After drownings in cruise ship pools, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean add lifeguards Miami Herald The announcement comes two months after Royal Caribbean International also decided to start posting lifeguards at every pool, including in the adults-only Solarium area. The change began in February with the Oasis of the Seas; all remaining ships in ... Norwegian Cruise Line adds LIFEGUARDS to every ship after pool drownings on boardExpress.co.uk all 87 news articles »

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After drownings in cruise ship pools, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean add lifeguards - Miami Herald

Breaking Belize News (blog)

Lisa Shoman speaks about Caribbean sex myths and the recent murder of 'Princess' Breaking Belize News (blog) By Lisa Shoman: It is 2017. It is past time that Jewelizeans stop thinking about women as providers of sex, and men as consumers. It isn't for men to demand/ask and for women to submit/give. Having sex is an eminently consensual act between two ...

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Lisa Shoman speaks about Caribbean sex myths and the recent murder of 'Princess' - Breaking Belize News (blog)