Daily Archives: December 16, 2020

Theres a wellness kit with sanitizer, a face mask, gloves, and a sachet of Emergen-C. Amenities in the time of a pandemic. Housekeeping comes twice daily but will visit less if I prefer. I keep the regular schedule (Im a sucker for turndown), but head onto the balcony whenever theyre cleaning. I happily note that when Nicole arrives that evening, shes masked and wearing a disposable gown over her uniform, as well as gloves and a bonnet.

Fast Wi-Fi allows me to work efficiently from the hotel, and the generic beach scene that was my Zoom backdrop is replaced by the real deal, the whoosh of waves my soundtrack instead of daytime TV. Ive swapped my usual day-old sweats for a fluffy robe. As the sun sets, I declare day one a success.

The next two days unfold smoothly. I Zoom with Stateside colleagues visibly envious of my new beachfront location. At meal times, chef-prepped delicacies are set up on a linen-clad table overlooking the sea. I write, email, and update my social media feeds, alternating between chaise, bed, and sofa. My days are interrupted only by the chirp of bananaquits, the odd-hours crowing of roosters, and the hum of air conditioning units.

But by day three, the shine is off the apple. I no longer bother to dress, remaining in my robe all day. I wistfully watch walkers and swimmers at the beach. (Grand Anse is publicas are all beaches hereand, as such, strictly forbidden for quarantiners.) My only brief human contacts are room service and housekeeping staff. Im lonely but I miss my four-day-a-week running habit the most. That, combined with daily cheese plates, makes me feel out of sorts, physically and mentally.

Grenada's Grand Anse beach

On day four, hope arrives in the form of two nurses, who come to administer the complimentary PCR test Grenada requires before visitors can be released from quarantine. Ill have the results in one to two days, they tell me, and I cross my fingers its the former.

Day five dawns and I wake up hopeful Ill get the green light to leave and check into my next hotel, Mount Cinnamon, which will be my base for exploring Grenada in the remaining days. But lunchtime comes and goes and then suddenly it's 5 p.m. I realize that even in a luxury resortwhich might be the best possible place to spend quarantinefive days of confinement isnt much fun. When I post an update on Instagram, a local hotelier DMs to report that her guests sometimes receive results as late as 9 p.m. Hope returns. Sure enough, at 9:10 p.m., the front desk calls. Im negative and free to leave in the morning. Angels sing!

Before I go to sleep, I lay out my gear for a sunrise run along the Caribbean-lapped crescent thats been taunting me. And when I finally start my run the next morning, every splash of waves on my sneakers feels like a beachy welcome. I pass seniors taking a sea bath in the shallows and walkers with their dogs in tow. Sailboats bob at anchor and the capital of St. Georges beckons in the distance. In the morning sun everything is illuminated. And so, at last, am I.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

More Inspiration fromCond Nast Traveler:

21 Best Places to Go in 2021

The 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America

Strange Facts About the U.S.

50 Things to Do in Europe At Least Once in a Lifetime

The Most Beautiful Places in the World

The Best Travel Movies of All Time

See more here:

Caribbean Travel: What It's Like to Quarantine in a Five-Star Resort - Cond Nast Traveler

Curfews will be in effect during the Festive season to slow the transmission of Covid-19 among locals and visitors.

On Antigua and Barbuda, for example, the current curfew is in effect from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Dec. 31.

However, curfew hours will be adjusted on New Year's Eve and will be in effect from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. to allow for church services and private parties.

In Puerto Rico, an islandwide curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. through Jan. 7, including a 24-hour stay-at-home lockdown on Sundays.

Bars and marinas remain closed through this period; restaurants, casinos and museums are open at 30% capacity, as are hotel pools.

Sales of alcohol at stores are prohibited from Saturday at 5 a.m. through Monday at 5 a.m.

Public beaches are open for sports and exercise but no sunbathing, and masks are required in all public spaces.

Puerto Rico is encouraging only essential travel at this time, according to discoverpuertorico.com and is following guidelines of the CDC, the U.S. Travel Association and the Ministry of Health.

See the article here:

Curfews curb the Festive season in the Caribbean - Travel Weekly

In a new report from The Hollywood Reporter it is being said that Disney has balked at the proposal of having Johnny Depp reprise his Jack Sparrow role in the upcoming 'Pirates of the Caribbean' reboot.

Disney is rebooting the 'Pirates' franchise with Margot Robbie in the lead role and had reportedly been shying away from Depp coming back after what occurred while filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. He's accused of swallowing 8 ecstasy pills and lashing out at then wife Amber Heard. A tirade that ended with part of his finger being sliced off and a delay in production.

Director Jerry Bruckheimer, who previously said the finger incident occurred when Depp got it caught in a car door, was hoping to bring the actor back for the film, but that's looking incredibly unlikely. Depp was also recently replaced in the 'Fantastic Beasts' franchise, but reportedly is being eyed by longtime collaborator Tim Burton to star in his 'The Addams Family' reboot.

See the rest here:

Disney has reportedly turned down having Johnny Depp return to 'Pirates of the Caribbean' - RADIO.COM

Bob Marley would have been 75 years old this year, and while the reggae legends life was tragically cut short, his oldest son, Ziggy, has not only carried on his fathers musical legacy but his quest to make the world a better place, too.

Days after being wounded in an assassination attempt at his home in 1976, Bob Marley performed at a peace concert in Kingston, Jamaica, famously saying, The people who are trying to make this world worse arent taking a day off. How can I?

Thats a lesson that Ziggy Marley has taken to heart.

Winner of eight Grammy awards for his music, Ziggys humanitarian work has included serving as a Goodwill Youth Ambassador for the United Nations and participating in Bob Marley Foundation initiatives worldwide.

His own charity, U.R.G.E. (Unlimited Resources Giving Enlightenment), a non-profit organization whose mission ranges from building new schools to operating health clinics, receives a portion of the proceeds from his latest project, More Family Time, a new childrens reggae album featuring four of his school-age children as well as the voices of Sheryl Crow, Ben Harper, Angelique Kidjo, Lisa Loeb, Tom Morello, Alanis Morissette and Busta Rhymes.

Marleys first childrens album, Family Time, won a Grammy in 2009. My children play an important role in inspiring that, says Marley, with the latest record drawing upon the wild energy and excitement of his youngest son, Isaiah, 4.

In addition to positive messages a lot of it has to do with loving each other, having manners, and having fun says Marley the books also have a strong environmental message. Im trying to instill into children one of the most beautiful ways to make the world a better place, he said.

To mark his fathers diamond jubilee, Marley also released Bob Marley: Portrait of the Legend, an oversized photo book filled with images drawn from the Marley familys collection, including rare behind-the-scenes and casual depictions of Marleys personal life.

The focus is on understanding Bob outside the legend, and as a human being, said Ziggy, who helped curate the collection. It brought back a lot of memories about that time period, he added, including playing soccer with his father and accompanying him on a tour of Zimbabwe.

Bob Marley died in 1981 of cancer at age 36, when Ziggy, now 52, was just 13 years old.

Going though the photos, it hit me how young he was, said Ziggy. Its sad, but he did so much in that time its still a testament to his ethics and spirituality. He knew he had to do everything in the shortest amount of time.

Bob Marleys songs of freedom still resonate with marginalized people all over the world, and Ziggy has trodden a similar path with his social justice work, including support of the Black Lives Matter movement and his efforts to raise environmental awareness.

Reggae, says Ziggy, never goes out of style.

In good times and bad, it has a place in society, he says. It gives strength and encouragement to people who are oppressed.

In addition to his work on the Bob Marley photo book, Ziggy has also authored a childrens book called I Love You, Too, based upon a dialogue with his daughter, Judah; and the Ziggy Marley and Family Cookbook, filled with traditional Jamaican recipes and healthy ital food drawn from Rastafarian culture.

Food is one way that Ziggy, a resident of the U.S. for the past 15 years, stays connected to Jamaica. America is a very big, sprawling country and an individualized place, he says. Jamaica more natural and spiritual where these is more nature, there is more spirituality.

Ziggy urges visitors to Jamaica to connect to the countrys natural environment, including at less well-known places as Cane River Falls in St. Andrew Parish and the mineral springs in Bath, near Kingston, where Ziggy would go to sooth his aching muscles during his soccer-playing days.

Staying at a rural inn or AirB&B would give visitors an opportunity to connect with the Jamaica thats closest to his heart, Ziggy says.

Its not a storybook or a fantasy Jamaica is a modern place, but more rebellious against western culture, he says. In the countryside most people dont have much material wealth, but they are full of happiness and joy.

Read more here:

Ziggy Marley on His Father, Reggae and Jamaica - Caribbean Journal

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN: COVID-19

KEY FIGURES

14.1M CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES IN LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN AS OF 13 DECEMBER

314K CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN AS OF 13 DECEMBER

GUATEMALA

COVID-19 response oversight will revert to the Ministry of Health effective 1 January 2021 following the departure of the head of the Presidential Commission for the COVID-19 Emergency (COPRECOVID) after nearly six months. COPRECOVID and the Ministry of Health are already coordinating the transition, with COPRECOVID set to become a consulting body within the Ministry.

COPRECOVID highlights improved epidemiological intelligence, testing expansion and decentralization, as well as tracing, as key accomplishments during their tenure at the head of Guatemala's response. The change response oversight comes amid localized outbreaks following Eta and Iotas impact to Guatemala and the potential for further outbreaks during holiday season festivities, which COPRECOVID warns may lead to super-spreader events.

BOLIVIA

The Ministry of Education announced that schooling will resume on 1 February 2021 under area-specific modalities pending the results of a forthcoming education summit. The Ministry is advocating limited onsite learning in a staggered manner to reduce the number of students per classroom as a health security measure. Despite these plans, the Ministry is not ruling out virtual learning, indicating that many decisions will depend on the pandemics behaviour in coming months. The 2020 school year ended abruptly in August 2020 due to the pandemic, with the Government declaring that schools did not meet the necessary health security conditions to allow for a safe learning environment.

CARIBBEAN

Total cases in the Caribbean have now surpassed 300,000. Many countries and territories have recorded slight but steady increases in cases, namely Aruba, Cayman Islands, Saint Martin and the Turks and Caicos Islands.Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis have also reported additional imported cases resulting in increases of 5 per cent or greater. Belize, Bermuda and Curaao have seen significant active case spikes cases of 145 per cent, 326 per cent and 566 per cent, respectively, over the last month.

Conversely, many countries and territories that saw a surge in cases after reopening their tourismdependent economies, such as Jamaica and The Bahamas, are now seeing a steady decline in COVID-19 infections, while infections are rebounding in Cuba and the Dominican Republic after a recent drop in cases, indicating that the Caribbean will potentially have to cope with multiple waves of COVID-19 and its socioeconomic repercussions well into 2021.

Read the rest here:

Latin America & The Caribbean - Weekly Situation Update (7-13 December 2020) As of 14 December 2020 - Guatemala - ReliefWeb

Windstar's newly stretched Star Breeze next year is trading an Alaska summer for the Caribbean, followed by a fall and winter season in Tahiti.

The Breeze's new schedule plans a debut in the Caribbean May 15 with a cruise from St. Martin to the British Virgin Islands. The cruise, dubbed A Remote Caribbean Getaway, will focus on secluded beaches and watersports, the line said. The ship will stay in the Caribbean until mid-August, when it plans to transit the Panama Canal and reposition to Tahiti, where it will sail from September to March 2022.

The Breeze will join Windstar's Wind Spirit there, which has long has a presence in the Society Islands. Windstar said that a cruise on the Breeze in Tahiti, "where Windstar's 148-passenger Wind Spirit typically only sails, is a unique opportunity to experience the islands on this newly transformed yacht."

Windstar said it had canceled the Breeze's 2021 Alaska, U.S. and Mexico ports.

The ship, which has been stretched to accommodate 312 passenegers and add other amenitiees, had originally been scheduled to debut in 2020 with Alaska cruises, but those sailings, like others, were canceled during the pandemic and the global cruise pause.

Windstar also updated its sailing schedules for the Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Surf and Wind Star, which it plans to operate next spring in Europe.

Read this article:

Star Breeze to forego Alaska in '21 for Caribbean and Tahiti - Travel Weekly

ANN ARBOR, MI Inside a cozy spot across from Hill Auditorium near the University of Michigan, there is flavorful Jamaican cuisine you wont find anywhere else in Ann Arbor.

The Jamaican Jerk Pit, 314 S. Thayer St., has been a favorite Caribbean food spot for more than a decade.

Each entre is made to order, meaning the spice level can be can customized to a persons preference, from mild to hot. Jamaican jerk style seasoning is best known for its use with meat that is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated in a spicy mixture to create the famous smoky flavor.

Among the most popular items on the menu is the jerk chicken or pork, with plantains, rice and peas, tropical salad with pineapple and mango chardonnay dressing.

Anybody who calls me for the first time, thats what I would recommend. I call it the classic, said Robert Campbell, the restaurants owner and chef. Some people who arent sure what they want, I ask What are your favorite proteins? and that makes it easy for them.

Campbell doesnt give away all of his secrets, but says the one ingredient customers will find in each dish is the love he and his staff add to every plate.

You have to be consistent, no matter what, Campbell said. We try to stick with the basic seasonings: onion, garlic, thyme, ginger to keep the flavor, but the cooking process is a bit different back back home where we cook with the open fire and where Im at its difficult to do but we try and maintain the flavor.

Campbell, who grew up in Jamaica, has owned and operated the restaurant for more than 10 years. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Campbell currently lives in Belleville and said he is thankful to the area for keeping his restaurant afloat during the pandemic.

They do support me a lot. They do whatever they can, Campbell said. Theyll come in and buy gift certificates and use it for a later date while still using their cash or credit card when they come in.

Those stepping inside Jamaican Jerk Pit for the first time will have plenty to study. Inside the establishment, you will see dozens of flags and ornaments representing different nations and cultures from around the Caribbean Islands. The palm trees, Bob Marley portrait, as well as the traditional Jamaican art that is mounted on the green, red and yellow walls, add to the experience.

There is a small seating area on the first floor, but during normal circumstances customers can find a few more tables downstairs in the basement. As a result of the pandemic, Jamaican Jerk Pit is currently only offering take-out.

With many students electing to study from home during the fall semester, the effects of the pandemic have been noticeable, Campbell said, adding that he credits his loyal customer base for allowing him to stay open since March.

Im there every day and when youre honest with your customers, theyll do anything for you, Campbell said. If you take good care of them, they appreciate that and they tell their friends. Their friends will come and then it just becomes word-of-mouth.

Jamaican Jerk Pit is open from from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed Sunday. Customers can call the restaurant at (734) 585-5278, to place an order for pickup. More information is available on the website.

MORE ANN ARBOR LOCAL EATS:

Local Eats: Relish Red Hawks comfort food in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Savor a bowl of ramen at Slurping Turtle in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Seva serves up savory, sweet vegetarian dishes in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Angelos still serves homemade bread after 60-plus years in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Try cauliflower wings, soups or vegan sweets at Detroit Filling Station in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: 24th CheeseCakerie makes Kool-Aid, pumpkin and honey pear-flavored sweets

Local Eats: Chapala offers southern California Mexican food, tequila, Pedialyte on tap in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Try high end bites at Ann Arbors Blue LLama Jazz Club

Local Eats: Grab a pizza or sub or try the monster challenge at Thompsons Pizza in Chelsea

Local Eats: Savas restaurant offers upscale diner cuisine in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Ypsilanti Townships Minys Mexican Restaurant named after mother

Local Eats: Frita Batidos serves Cuban-inspired street food in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Try simple, honest food at Beezys Cafe in Ypsilanti

Local Eats: El Harissa serves Tunisian, North African flavors in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Cravings Dessert Lounge infuses traditional with modern Middle Eastern flavor in Ypsilanti

Local Eats: A taste of the Middle East at Ann Arbor-areas Palm Palace

Local Eats: Have a taste of Italy in Ann Arbor at Mani Osteria & Bar

Local Eats: Ypsilantis Bird Dog Baking opened at the start of Michigans coronavirus lockdown

Local Eats: Grab some gourmet delights at The Broken Egg in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Authentic Lebanese street food served up at Ann Arbors Pita Kabob Grill

Local Eats: Soul food restaurant serves up comfort in Ypsilanti Township

Local Eats: New Ann Arbor-area restaurant features burrito bowls

Local Eats: Hola Seoul embraces virtual locations during pandemic

Local Eats: Five things to know about Haymaker Public House in Ann Arbor

Local Eats: Recently re-opened Blue Nile Restaurant offers traditional Ethiopian food to Ann Arbor

Follow this link:

Local Eats: Jamaican Jerk Pit serves a taste of the Caribbean in downtown Ann Arbor - MLive.com

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises was among the first to cease operations in March and has been a leader in taking careful preparatory steps for a future return to business. The line has now made the decision to postpone all sailings until May, including the debut of its recently reimagined 312-passenger Star Breeze all-suite yacht. With this latest shift in operations (which includes cancelling Windstars 2021 Alaska, U.S., Mexico ports), Windstars Star Breeze will now return to cruising May 15 on a newly added itinerary departing from St. Martin.

Three departures of Beach Fun & Sun A Remote Caribbean Getaway, will be more adventure-focused with an emphasis on secluded beaches and water sports activities. Windstar will use its Watersports Platform (which opens directly into the sea) as well as its watersports crew to offer exploration by small boats with trips to remote beaches, kayaking, snorkeling, water skiing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Stops include Norman Island, an island at the southern tip of the British Virgin Islands reputed to be the inspiration for Treasure Island; two days at Prickly Pear Beach, a white-sand beach with turquoise waters ideal for snorkeling on Virgin Gorda; and Sopers Hole on the quiet island of Tortola.

Star Breeze will then remain in the Caribbean sailing on a variety of itineraries through August 14, when it will head to Colombia and the Panama Canal before continuing to Tahiti on a transpacific voyage. It will then sail from September 19 through March of 2022on seven, 10-and 11-day cruises. Star Breeze in Tahiti, where Windstars 148-passenger Wind Spirittypically only sails, is a unique opportunity to experience the islands on this newly transformed yacht which offers two new dining concepts with serious chef backings, as well as new suites, a spacious spa/fitness center, and otherbigger ship perks, all with just 312 guests maximum.

See the article here:

Star Breeze Redeployed to Caribbean and Tahiti - RusTourismNews

Cricket West Indies has confirmed the mens tour of Bangladesh next month, their third series amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

This follows a report by a CWI inspection team that travelled to the Asian nation last month to conduct a review of the facilities and health protocols.

In the draft itinerary released Tuesday, West Indies will face the hosts in two Tests which will be preceded by three One-Day Internationals. The tour runs from January 18 to February 15 with the Caribbean side arriving on January 10.

Three Tests were originally scheduled but CWI president, Ricky Skerritt, hinted last month in an interview that one match could be dropped.

The tour takes place as Bangladesh inches towards the half-million mark in COVID-19 infections, with still over 60,000 active cases. There have been 7, 000 deaths.

However, CWI director Dr Akshai Mansingh, who headed the inspection team last month, said in a briefing following the tour that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had been thorough in their preparations.

The protocols that were described to us by the BCB were very, very well thought out, Mansingh said at the time.

From a medical point of view, we are very happy I am very confident what we saw is probably as good an arrangement as you can have anywhere in the world.

CWI said Tuesday the tour has been approved in principle following advice from its medical advisory committee, on the basis of the report received from Mansinghs inspection team.

The Board of Directors of Cricket West Indies (CWI) has approved in principle the tour of Bangladesh, subject to the finalization of the medical and logistical details within the tour Memorandum of Understanding, the release said.

The approval in principle was made following a recommendation from CWIs Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), having received a detailed report from the pre-tour visit of Bangladesh by CWI director and member of the CWI and ICC MAC, Dr Mansingh and security manager, Paul Slowe.

CWI will continue discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) to fine-tune the various arrangements in order to ensure the health and safety of the players and team management unit.

West Indies will play a one-day warm-up game before facing the two hosts in the first two ODIs slated for the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. They will then travel to Chattogram for the final game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Following a four-day warm-up game starting January 28, Windies will clash with Bangladesh in the opening Test also at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium before returning to Dhaka for the second Test.

CWI did not allude to quarantine measures which will be mandated on arrival in Bangladesh.

DRAFT ITINERARY

January 10: West Indies arrive

January 18: One-Day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar

January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram

January 28-31: Four-Day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram

February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram

February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka

CMC

View post:

CWI Confirm Third West Indies Tour Amid COVID-19 - Caribbean News - caribbeannationalweekly.com

MSC Cruises will have four cruise ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas during the 2021-2022 winter cruise season. The ships will offer cruises from two different homeports in Florida.

MSC Cruises is sending their new cruise ship, MSC Seashore, to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami in November 2021. The ship will offer seven night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

As the first of two enriched Seaside EVO Class ships, MSC Seashore has been enhanced with extended public spaces, more staterooms and the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any cruise ship in the cruise lines fleet.

MSC Armonia will sail three, four, and seven night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Select sailings will include an overnight stay on the cruise lines new private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay.

Sponsored Links

MSC Divina will start off the season sailing out of Port Canaveral before repositioning to Miami in December 2021. The ship will offer a range of itineraries with three and four night short cruises to Ocean Cay and Nassau in The Bahamas, and a variety of different seven night itineraries and extended 11-night cruises.

MSC Meraviglia will sail from Port Canaveral for the first time offering a combination short cruises that will range from three to four days as well as six to eight night sailings.

Nearly all itineraries out of Florida will include a stop at MSCs private island Ocean Cay.

MSC Cruises winter 2021/2022 program offers something for every type of traveler those looking for a short getaway, families looking to enjoy the holidays together or adventurers seeking longer trips to discover new destinations.

Through January 3, 2021, guests looking to book their future cruise getaway can enjoy up to 50% off, plus Kids Sail Free on select sailings, to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Northern Europe. View Prices on Cruises on MSC

In addition, with MSC Cruises Total CruiseFlex, cruisers have the flexibility to reschedule their booked cruise up to 48 hours before their departure to any ship and any sail date departing before April 30, 2022.

View original post here:

MSC Will Have 4 Cruise Ships Sailing to the Caribbean in 2021-2022 - Cruise Fever