Daily Archives: September 8, 2021

Martinique is mostly known for its magnificent beaches, its hikes and its impressive waterfalls; the impetuous volcano Mount Pele; the rum, the colors, the music; lart de vivre.

But we often forget to talk about what is happening under the sea Martiniques underwater island ecosystem, so sensitive and yet so rich.

But travelers can visit this part of Martinique without a scuba tank.

Thats because this French Caribbean island is quietly one of the regions greatest snorkeling destinations.

Equipped only with a mask and snorkel, you can, just a few meters from the shore, discover a wide variety of species.

There are fish, starfish, eels, lobsters, corals and sponges in a thousand colors and turtles, too.

Youll see the French or royal angelfish, surgeonfish, parrotfish, the flying gurnard, the lionfish (the Caribbeans unwelcome visitor).

And then there is the the sergeant-major fish which will surely come say hi out of curiosity.

Its a true natural aquarium.

But the islands biggest snorkeling stars are easily the turtles.

There are five species of turtle present in the waters of Martinique; but you will especially have the chance to meet two of them during your snorkeling excursions.

First, the green turtle: its very easy to meet one near the beaches, especially those of Anses dArlets.

It is mainly found in the middle of the herbaria on which it feeds.

This turtle is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Second, the hawksbill turtle: This turtle is the only species of reptile known to have a spongivorous diet, that is to say that it feeds mainly on sea sponges.

It is easily recognizable by its beak which allows it to tear off those sponges.

You can find her during her lunch in the middle of a coral garden but also on the beaches during the egg-laying season between March and October.

Unfortunately this turtle is classified as critically endangered.

Because while sea turtles have lived in the oceans for over 150 million years, theyre are now endangered and its more important than ever to protect them and their habitat.

All these creatures add up to what is perhaps the great undiscovered gem of Caribbean snorkeling.

Martinique will offer exceptional water hikes that you will never tire of.

With each dive you will meet new species and if you take the time to take a closer look between the corals, an incredible miniature world will open up to you.

Stacy Hate is one of the top underwater photographers in Martinique. For more of her photos and videos you can follow stay_sea_rhums_lovers on Instagram.

Its getting easier to travel to Martinique this winter, with American Airlines relaunch of flights from Miami to Martinique in the first week of November. You can find more about how to visit the island here.

CJ

The rest is here:

Why Martinique Is the Best-Kept Secret in Caribbean Snorkeling - Caribbean Journal

Officials of the World Health Organization on Wednesday called on countries with a surplus of Covid-19 vaccines to speed up donations of doses to Latin American and Caribbean nations where immunization is moving slowly.

While every country in our region has begun administering Covid-19 vaccines, immunizations are following the fault lines of inequality that have long divided our region, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, the director of the Pan American Health Organization, a division of the W.H.O., said at a news conference.

Only one in four people in Latin America and the Caribbean has been fully immunized against Covid-19, and for many, vaccines remain months away, Dr. Etienne added.

The divisions within the region are stark. Chile and Uruguay have managed to fully vaccinate more than 60 percent of their populations while more than a third of countries in the region have yet to reach 20 percent.

Vaccination rates remain in the teens in several Caribbean and South American countries and coverage is still in the single digits in Central American nations like Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, Dr. Etienne said, referring to percentages of people vaccinated. The numbers are especially low in countries with particularly fragile health systems, such as Haiti and Venezuela.

Infections overall are declining in most of South America, while they are rising in much of the Caribbean and in several Central American countries, including Costa Rica and Belize.

Latin America and the Caribbean had received donations of around 43.3 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines by mid-August through bilateral agreements and the United Nations-backed Covax program, according to agency estimates.

The Pan American Health Organization is starting a program to boost regional production of so-called messenger RNA vaccines the same type as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots but that effort will not provide doses in the short term.

An additional 540 million doses are needed to make sure every country in the Americas can fully inoculate 60 percent of the population.

Officials deplored the fact that administering booster shots is being discussed in some countries while in others people are desperate to receive a first dose.

This is not only an ethical and moral problem, it is also a public health problem, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, the pan-American agencys assistant director, said. The best way to control transmission and prevent other variants from emerging is to increase vaccination everywhere, Dr. Barbosa said.

While the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread rapidly in much of the world, Latin America and the Caribbean have so far largely been spared by the variant and experts arent sure why.

Its not easy to explain, Jairo Mndez Rico, a regional adviser to the agency for viral diseases, said. Perhaps some sort of cross-protection because of the previous circulation of many other variants could be helping to delay the community spread of Delta, he suggested, adding, Its early to say what is happening.

View post:

Health officials plead for vaccine donations to Latin America and the Caribbean. - The New York Times

After a 17-month pause, the Oasis of the Seas is back in cruise service for Royal Caribbean International.

Sailing on its first post-pandemic commercial cruise later today, the first Oasis-Class vessel is launching service from Bayonne, in the New York region.

Based in New York the first time, the vessel is now offering a series of seven-night voyages to the Bahamas.

Through the end of October, Oasis is making weekly visits to Nassau, Port Canaveral and Perfect Day at CocoCay Royal Caribbeans private island in the Bahamas.

Home to North Americas tallest waterslides, the popular port of call features unique attractions and sawa $250 million transformation in 2019.

After the New York program, the Oasis is repositioning to Miami for the winter season. Through December, the vessel is sailing alternate itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, including stops in Mexico, Honduras, St. Maarten and Puerto Rico.

One of the worlds largest cruise ships, the 2009-built Oasis of the Seas has capacity for over 5,400 guests.

Built in Finland, the vessel introduced a groundbreaking design that is highlighted by features such as the Central Park, a park with real plants, surrounded by shops and restaurants.

The vessel also has its public areas divided in seven different zones, known as neighborhoods. Each one of them has a different appeal, with unique attractions. The BoardWalk, for instance, reproduces a seaside pier, with a carousel, carnival games, retail outlets and eateries.

The Oasis of the Seas was also the first ship to feature a dancing-waters theater, a zip-line and a moving bar.

In 2019, the vessel underwent a $165 million refurbishment in Spainas part of the Royal Amplification program.

After a two months period in drydock, the ship emerged with new additions, such as the tallest slide at sea Ultimate Abyss; The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides; a reimagined Caribbean pool deck; and new kids and teens spaces.

The Oasis of the Seas is the 14th Royal Caribbean ship to resume service since the COVID-19 pandemic operational pause.

The ship is also the tenth to return to service for the operator in the United States, after the Freedom of the Seas became the first ship do so in July.

With a 25-ship fleet, Royal Caribbean plans to have 21 vessels in service by the end of the year.

Read more:

Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas Set to Resume Cruise Service - Cruise Industry News

In 2016, when my husband and I told our family and friends that we were selling our home and cars and moving our family to Mexico, they immediately told us we'd regret it.

They even brought up stats on the dangers of living abroad, ranging from cartel violence to healthcare problems. But we didn't let that stop us from doing something that we knew was necessary for our growth as a family.

We've been living abroad for almost five years now in two very different places: Mazatln, Mexico, a beautiful, colonial city on the Pacific Ocean, and currently Antigua, a colorful Caribbean island.

When my husband and I tell people that we have no regrets about leaving the U.S., they ask about what tips we'd give others, especially families with kids, who want to move abroad.

Here are our top tips:

Before we moved, we introduced our three kids then ages three, four and five to Spanish via television (with Netflix, you can change language) and the Duolingo app.

Even though we were downsizing from a 3,200-square-foot home in Chicago to something much smaller, we told them they could each bring a couple of their favorite toys and a blanket, so they had some comfort items.

Gabriella M. Lindsay and her family in Mexico

Gabriella M. Lindsay

Having some constants can help kids adjust amidst big changes. In Chicago, we enjoyed pizza night every Friday, so we've been keeping that tradition alive.

In Mexico and Antigua, basic healthcare is considerably less expensive than in the U.S., and in some cases, it's cheaper to pay out-of-pocket.

When our son needed a CT scan in Mexico, we booked it directly with the diagnostic center (no referral needed) and paid $65 out-of-pocket.

But it's still a good idea to have international health insurance. Some carriers include emergency air ambulance, which is a must-have. When my mother was in the hospital in Mexico City, we had to get an air ambulance back to the U.S. Without health insurance, it would have cost around $25,000.

Keep in mind that international health insurance is not the same as travel health insurance. International insurance provides a comprehensive level of health care to those relocating from their home country for a sustained period of time, whereas travel insurance offers emergency treatment while you are in another country for a shorter amount of time.

Before moving, we set aside at least three months' worth of living expenses in our emergency savings account, plus airfare home.

It's important to be financially prepared for unexpected events, like needing to book a flight out due a bad storm or hurricane, losing a job, or if an urgent medical issue comes up.

Research the place you plan to move to and figure out the costs of housing, food, education, transportation, utilities and other essential expenses. If you have kids, don't forget to factor in the number of people in your family.

Four months before moving to Mexico, we spent two weeks in Mazatln. We drove around the areas we wanted to live in looking for "For Rent" signs, then called the numbers and made appointments (in the best Spanish we could muster).

After looking at five different places, we finally found one we loved and signed a lease. It was a two-story, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a small casita or a maid's quarters just 10 minutes from the beach in a safe and friendly neighborhood.

Our monthly rent was $475. By searching ourselves and contacting the owner directly (their information is typically listed in the "For Rent" signs), we avoided paying the inflated fees that often come with using a rental agent, which can sometimes cost two or three times more.

Connecting online with expats who live in the area is another great way to discover available rental options.

Most of the non-retired expats we know are either employed in the country they live, work remotely for a U.S.-based company, or are entrepreneurs.

Currently, my husband teaches at the American University of Antigua, and I run my own copywriting business. We follow a monthly budget plan based on our income and projected expenses.

We also researched banks in advance and set up an account ASAP. You might not be able to open an account before arriving, but you can still make sure you have all the required documents ready when you get there.

Lastly, if you're a U.S. citizen living abroad, your worldwide income is still subject to U.S. income tax. But you may qualify for certain foreign-earned income exclusions or foreign income tax credits. (Check out the IRS' Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad for more information.)

In Mexico and Antigua, we chose reputable local private schools for our kids. Tuition per child was about $100 per month in Mexico, where they spent six to seven hours a day learning in Spanish. Here in Antigua, we pay $200 per month for each child.

In Mazatln, Mexico: The kids' very first week of school in 2016.

Gabriella Lindsay

Enrollment is often limited for international private schools, so make your plans early by researching online, filling out any applications and making deposits.

The quality of education has been great small classes, traditional subjects like math, science, reading and lots of history. Our kids love it, too, and they've made many wonderful friends.

If your partner is not yet on board, give them time and space to explore. Suggest taking a trip to the area you're interested in and spend a few weeks there.

Discuss plans that you'll both be comfortable with. Speak and listen to each other with kindness, love, respect, understanding and patience.

It may take a lot of compromises, perhaps even so much as splitting your time between a family home in the U.S. and a rental home abroad.

The same advice goes for those who considering moving abroad solo. Visit the place and live like a local stay in an Airbnb, go grocery shopping, use public transportation and attend events like an outdoor concert or festival. Make new friends and talk to other expats in the area.

You don't have to live abroad for years on end to experience a new culture. You can take an extended vacation or get a digital nomad visa and work remotely for a few months.

These past few years have been such a life-enriching experience for our family. Our kids are so much more cultured, open-minded and well-rounded. Whether you live abroad for a month or a lifetime, it's worth the adventure.

Gabriella M. Lindsay, a Chicago native, is a copywriter, author, and educator. She lives on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean West Indies with her husband and three young children."Living F.I.T.: A 40-Day Guide to Living Faithfully, Intentionally, and Tenaciouslyis her first book. Follow Gabriella onInstagram.

Don't miss:

See the rest here:

This family left the U.S. and now lives on a Caribbean island: 'We have no regrets' about moving abroad - CNBC

I recently had a conversation with someone that I met for the first time, and because of his accent, I asked him which island he is from. He responded by stating that he is from Dominica but, he said, I am a proud West Indian. Many of us can identify with this statement because when asked where we are from many of us will say one of three things: We will say the specific name of the island we are from, or we will say we are from the Caribbean, or we will say that we are from the West Indies (if we want to sound more exotic).

What does it mean when people from the Caribbean region say that they are from the West Indies, or they are West Indian? Lets now pinpoint the geographical location. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, there are three major divisions that makes up the West Indies: the Greater Antilles, which includes the islands of Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico; the Lesser Antilles, which includes the Virgin Islands, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados and Grenada; and the island groups of the North American continental shelf and the South American shelf the North American shelf including the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the South American shelf including Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaao and Bonaire. (Bermuda, although it is not a part of the West Indies, is historically and culturally linked with the other islands. It is often included in definitions of the Caribbean region.)

Why are the West Indies called the West Indies? This is a snippet I learned in my adult years: When Christopher Columbus arrived in this region of the Americas, he thought he had reached the Indies (Asia) on his voyage to find another route there. Later on, when Europeans realized that it was not the East Indies (Asia) that he had reached, they named it the West Indies to distinguish it from the East Indies.

Since all of the people of the Caribbean wholeheartedly claim the West Indian label, we asked some people in the area what it means to them to be West Indian. Melanie Hylton of New Jersey said that being West Indian is not just in name. It is a culture, it is unity, it is all of us as a people, she said. Just like here in the United States, we are made up of a melting pot of people who came from all parts of the world, but we came together in the West Indies and formed similar cultures on each island with just a little extra spice that makes each one unique.

Another person said to be West Indian is to be fun, energetic and colorful. In addition to that, I say to be West Indian also means to exude warmth like the sunshine and serenity like the blue waters, and to exude energy and be full of life like the lush flora and fauna of each island.

Bee Laine said that to be West Indian means she has a sense of belonging. My biological family provides a lot of support for me, she said. In a broader sense I know that I am embraced by others who share a similar culture. I am Jamaican, but when I am with other West Indian or Caribbean people, I am secure in my value system. The English-speaking West Indian people all experienced colonialism (the good and the bad). We all have the British foundation whether we like to admit or not this is part of the blend that makes all ah wi one!

Some of the most interesting statements came from young Caribbean-Americans. They said they do not feel that being West Indian or Caribbean means that you were born in the islands. They said that it is the way you are brought up. When you are raised by Caribbean parents, you grow up with a great appreciation for the culture and the history and love for the people. They become a part of you.

At the end of the day, it is our experience of life in the Caribbean and common African ancestry/roots that make us one with each other. That is true anywhere we are in the world. When one hurts, we all hurt, and when it comes down to the nitty and the gritty, we will be there for each other.

Read the rest here:

Caribbean Currents: What does it mean to be from the West Indies? - The Philadelphia Tribune

What happened

Shares of cruise line stocks Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) and Royal Caribbean (NYSE:RCL) both slumped in Friday trading, closing the day down 4.4% and 4.2%, respectively.

The jobs report -- and Delta -- seem to blame.

Image source: Getty Images.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported today that the U.S. economy added only 235,000 jobs to its pandemic-wreaked rolls in August -- less than one-third of the 720,000 new jobs that economists had forecast. CNBC called the report "the worst since January," observing that "heightened fears of the pandemic and the impact [of] rising COVID cases" appear to be behind the sad numbers.

And investors can draw two conclusions from this: First, the delta variant of COVID-19 is acting as a drag on the economy. At the same time as it depresses jobs growth, it's likely that the continued spread of the virus is going to weigh on the minds of anyone considering getting into proximity with a lot of people -- for example, bottled up on a cruise ship for days at a time alongside thousands of strangers.

And second, the corollary to that is that the more COVID-19 depresses jobs growth, the fewer people will have jobs -- and disposable income -- to spend on cruises even if they are inclined to cruise.

In both respects, therefore, a weak jobs report bodes ill for the cruise industry. That's the fact that investors in cruise stocks seem to be responding to today.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the official recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. Were motley! Questioning an investing thesis -- even one of our own -- helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.

Here is the original post:

Why Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation Stocks Slumped Today - The Motley Fool