Category Archives: Private Islands

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As P.T. Barnum is so famously credited with observing a century and half ago, Americans can be a surprisingly credulous people. Whether its a circus sideshow curiosity, a new cure-all elixir or a supposedly surefire get rich scheme, ours is a nation of hopeful people who like to believe in and celebrate the claims of convincing and seemingly successful salespeople, while averting our eyes from their transgressions and excesses.

Witness the excitement with which the recent suborbital space flights of billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos have been met in many circles. While some critics have rightfully panned the flights as wasteful exercises in egomania, millions of others have looked on with awe and admiration.

Wow! goes this thinking. Isnt that awesome? That could be me!

Never mind the thousands of Amazon warehouse workers and Virgin Group hotel maids and other employees in both mens corporate conglomerates who get by on lousy pay and SNAP benefits to help make those flights possible. We see the shiny object that marks the great persons success and set aside concerns for the broader picture.

Perhaps not surprisingly, a similar phenomenon has been at play in another important and parallel area of modern discourse in recent decades: tax policy.

In this case, the shiny object that captures our attention are the taxes we pay to government and, especially in recent years, the tax cuts that are championed by politicians usually of the political right.

We see those tax cuts and the ever-lower rates they produce and imagine that we, like the successful people and organizations promoting them, will be similarly successful better off with more money in our pockets.

Unfortunately, as with billionaire spaceflights, this simplistic obsession with public taxes and tax rates tends to promote a kind of perverse myopia toward less visible, but nonetheless massive and truly confiscatory taxes that we all pay in the form of crumbling public infrastructure and declining societal well-being.

And in early 21stcentury America the most pernicious and destructive of these taxes a deeply regressive tax that dwarfs all others in scope and scale is what we might properly dub the global climate tax.

As veteran New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd observed recently in a powerful and frightening column, our planet is experiencing a cascading series of increasingly dire events in 2021 that are directly attributable to the global climate emergency.

Simply put, the planet is in crisis right now and absent urgent, heroic, and unprecedented international cooperation, its going to get much worse and soon.

Whats more, this is a tax that all of us are paying and will continue to pay. Oh sure, one suspects that Branson and Bezos will be able to avoid its worst impacts by walling themselves off on private islands or more likely, gated estates well above sea level but the vast majority of the rest of us (and especially our children and grandchildren) will pay an astronomical price.

Already, the International Monetary Fund estimates that humans pay a $5-plus trillion each year as a subsidy of fossil fuels. Meanwhile, as the news site Marketplace reported earlier this year, a report from Swiss Re, one of the largest insurance providers in the world, predicts that climate emergency and its many destructive impacts rising temperatures, higher sea levels, falling crop yields, wildfires will likely reduce global wealth significantly by 2050. According to the report, climate change could eliminate as much as 14% of the global economic output in the space of 30 years. This during a 30-year period in which global human population is expected to increase by 25% to nearly 10 billion.

And the global climate tax bill wont be confined to mere economic loss. The pressure brought on by declining biodiversity, deteriorating living conditions and a rising tide of climate refugees will almost certainly contribute to higher levels of social and political dysfunction, unrest and conflict.

There is, it must be conceded, plenty of blame to go around both globally and domestically for this oppressive, terrifying, and centuries-in-the-making tax on humanity. People and politicians of all ideological persuasions Democrats and Republicans, capitalists and communists, supporters of democracy and autocracy bear responsibility for having ignored this tax for too long.

But in 2021 there can be no doubt that the chief defenders of preserving and, indeed, dramatically raising the global climate tax inhabit the political right. These are the politicians, think tanks, media outlets, corporations and voters who deny the reality of climate change, defend or excuse our addiction to fossil fuels, resist a rapid transition to a green economy, and crusade incessantly to slash the amounts we pay to support public services and structures services and structures that cost a tiny fragment of the global climate tax and that could, if properly and aggressively applied, help dramatically reduce it.

And as the climate emergency grows more urgent, the most important question facing our species during the third decade of the century is whether it will awaken to the true nature of the Barnum-like shell game they are playing before its too late.

Read more:

It's time to say 'no' to the massive tax conservatives are imposing on Americans - ncpolicywatch.com

Some HNW divorce battles can develop into a game of hide and seek as sizeable assets go missing

Over the course of a marriage that lasted more than three decades, Texans Ed and Marie Bosarge amassed a treasure trove of assets that included a 12-home property portfolio (including a private island in the Bahamas), a $5 million Egyptian mummy and a 180ft superyacht.

Then Ed filed for divorce in 2017 and things turned ugly. The pair did not have a prenup and had married in Texas a community property state where everything earned during their marriage, including profits from his business Quantlab, would be considered as jointly owned.

According to Forbes, Eds net worth is at least $1 billion, but according to his lawyers, the couples community property assets total a mere $25 million.

Bosarge was able to make such a claim thanks to the deployment of several trust structures. Everything from company stocks to a $1.9 million necklace was owned by trusts held in states such as South Dakota, which allow assets to be moved and protected without notifying beneficiaries, even if they might be excluded from the new trust.

In a lawsuit, Marie alleged that the structures were used to hide income and property and to hold what would otherwise have been personal income and assets. When they were approached by CNBC over these allegations, attorneys for Ed declined to comment, citing confidentiality rules.

However, in court papers obtained by the outlet, his attorneys have claimed that the assets are owned and controlled by the trust, not him, and are therefore not marital property.

The case has since been put on hold, but it provides a clear example of how complex structuring has become a significant part of many high-value divorce proceedings.

Tax optimisation not divorce tends to be the main motivation for asset structuring in the first instance, says Dr Stephen Bence, CEO of law firm Vardags.

As tax rules have become more and more sophisticated, so tax planning has become more and more sophisticated. And the pace of this cat-and-mouse game has undoubtedly increased in recent years.

But these mechanisms can often be used to later fend off a spouse, especially in certain offshore jurisdictions where one can establish a company without the requirement to prepare accounts or be named in a public record of ownership.

Some jurisdictions such as Panama even use bearer shares, which allow the owner to hold a physical share certificate, meaning nobody else knows who owns the company.

Creating a web of companies, across multiple jurisdictions, can make this even more impenetrable, Bence explains. Then there are cases when a party will not hide the asset but instead claim that they are nothing to do with their true owner.

This can entail giving away assets to relatives or trusted associates, or using trusts with a charity as the ultimate beneficiary.

In one recent example, Chinese conservationist Li Quan attempted to claim a share of 25 million worth of assets in a tiger charity by alleging that her spouse Stuart Bray had spent donations on fine wines.

William Longrigg, a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, tells Spears that hes had several cases where essentially charitable trusts have been set up, but questions has been raised as to the how the assets have been used by a party.

These concepts are very little understood by the people who set up the trust because they take the firm view that nobody can touch the stuff once its in trust, but the English courts may have a different approach, he says, noting that his practice has seen a significant increase in complex financial cases over the past 25 years.

Some parties keep assets in jurisdictions that are unlikely to uphold an English court order requesting access, says Bence.

Its all very well a claimant having a piece of paper that says they are entitled to a large sum of money, but if the asset is in a hostile jurisdiction it can be impossible to enforce the English order.

London enjoys a reputation as the divorce capital of the world not just because of its courts generous awards to financially weaker spouses, but also because of the analysis that courts carry out in terms of assets and resources, notes Longrigg. English courts tend to take a robust view on the reality of asset structuring.

In England, individuals who are getting divorced have a duty of full and frank disclosure to the courts, and thats very important, he tells Spears.If they dont give a full and frank disclosure, essentially theyre in contempt of court, which is potentially punishable by imprisonment.

Before the money can be demanded, it must first be tracked down. Vardags and Charles Russell Speechlys both have teams that can forensically trace assets through rigorous investigation of transactions, investments and so on. Sometimes information in the public domain can be a giveaway, Bence says.

In other cases a more personal method may be required. Clients might be asked for details or recollections that can be used to build a picture of their spouses activities.

In one instance, Bences client made his team aware that their spouse had been on a business trip to the US but no sign of this appeared on their credit card statements.

The firms team followed up the information and discovered that the spouse had been using a company credit card linked to a business in the Cayman Islands, itself owned by a Cayman Islands trust, of which the spouse was a beneficiary.

That small detail led to us uncovering a web of internationally based companies serving to conceal a vast fortune, Bence recalls.

While those who are dedicated to concealing assets will try a huge variety of tactics, that is no guarantee they will succeed it is extremely difficult to hide assets from a concerted, professional and skilled interrogation.

The Spears Family Law index 2021

What is divorce mediation?

To the victor, the spoils: When UHNW divorce becomes a battle, this is how top lawyers win

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When divorce becomes a game of 'hide and seek' - Spear's WMS

FAQ: Private island homes on Airbnb

It depends on where you want to go and the vibe you want. Cozy cabins in Minnesota are appealing year-round. For more of a beach getaway, like in Belize or Colombia, be sure to check with the local weather conditions to be sure it lines up with your stay.

When you search on Airbnb, you can select "go anywhere" from the location dropdown and then pull up a list of results. From there, filter using the drop-down navigation above the search results to select "islands," then refine further by price, number of guests, and location.

It depends on how your accommodation is stocked before your arrival. It's a good idea to chat with your host about that before arriving so you know exactly what to bring and leave at home,

Sometimes, hosts will offer to stop at the grocery as part of their transport service, others might provide catering as part of the rental cost or for a separate fee.

There's truly a range of prices possible, depending on where you want to go and the kind of Airbnb you want to rent. Are you looking for a backcountry getaway? Those often come cheap. If you want a luxurious, designer home, however, prepare to pay much more. We found prices that start close to $100 and go up to $1,000. Though, to be sure, there are far more expensive ones available, too.

The vast majority of hosts will provide details about how to transfer from the mainland or a larger island, if that's the closest transportation hub. Read the listing carefully to see whether it's included in the rental price or if transport to and from your private island will incur extra fees. If anything is unclear, message your hosts before you book.

Read the original here:

Renting out your own private island may be cheaper than you think here are 13 incredible Airbnbs - Business Insider

For Sale/Rent

An island getaway? In Maine? You've got options, thanks to these beautiful summer homes in Vacation Land.

While its nice for Boston to be back to its usual bustling self, sometimes its even better to just get away from throngs of people, especially as humidity and temperatures increase. Luckily, were in New England, which is chock-full of isolated, nature-filled escapes. Theres lake houses and beach side homes aplenty, but honestly, you can dream even biggermaybe an island residence?

If you truly want privacy and luxury this summer, try taking a drive up north to Maine, which boasts more than just great seafood. You can enjoy the best of Vacation Land and its rocky coastline from one of its many islands, which offer seclusion and natural beauty. Consider one of these homes for your own private island escape, without having to escape to the Caribbean.

Photo by Joseph Sortwell

1552 North Haven Road, Vinalhaven, MEPrice: $4,500,000Size: 6,550 square feetBedrooms: 8Bathrooms: 9

This waterfront propertys location on Fox Islands isnt even the most impressive thing about it. The modern estates main house alone will wow you, with its sweeping great room, while a guest house, gym, and barn provide space for the whole family to spread out. Waterfront is also a bit of an understatement when it comes to this 17-acre piece of property. Buy this and get over 500 feet of island shoreline to yourself, along with the lush grounds, which feature gardens, trees, a tennis court, and in-ground trampoline.

For more information, contact Terry and Joseph Sortwell, Landvest Realty, landvest.com.

Photo by Peter G. Morneau

1 Hope Island, Chebeague Island, MEPrice: $10,500,00Size: 11,658 Sq Ft.Bedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 3 full, 3 partial

Why limit yourself to a home when you could buy an entire island? Hope Island is an 86-acre piece of land located in the heart of Casco Bay, just a short 20-minute boat ride from Portland. While you may be tempted to head to the mainland for shopping and restaurants, many of your needs can be met right here on this island, which features a tavern, a chapel, a boathouse, equestrian and storage barns, guest homes, and other ancillary buildings that can be used as youd like. A dock allows for a place for your boat so you can easily get to shore. And of course, theres the Mediterranean-style main residence, which boasts a gym, courtyard, and ocean views from every room.

For more information, contact Jasmin Moulton, Legacy Property | Sothebys International Realty, legacysir.com.

Photo by Joseph Sortwell

153 Tip Toe Mountain Road, Vinalhaven, MEPrice: $1,475,000Size: 2,400 square feetBedrooms: 5Bathrooms: 3

The name of this home alone is enough to make you swoon. Tip Toe Mountain Cottage can be found on Vinalhaven, a town on the larger of the two Fox Islands in Penobscot Bay, at the end of a road on the lands edge. The waterfront home comes with over 1,700 feet of sand and pebble beach facing the bay and a deep-water dock for boating. Stroll up from the beach through the flowering gardens, stonework, and trees on the 21-acre lot to get to the main house, perched up above the water to offer elevated views. Inside, it offers wood-paneled walls, exposed-beam ceilings, and large windows to offer rustic flair to its contemporary design.

For more information, contact Joseph and Terry Sortwell, Landvest, landvest.com.

Photo by Lynn Dube, Wave 5 Productions

367 Island Avenue, Portland, MEPrice: $1,195,000Size: 1,773 square feetBedrooms: 4Bathrooms: 2

If youve been to Portland and havent been to Peaks Island, youre missing out. Luckily, this home in Casco Bay will catch you up on what exactly youve been missing. This charming cottage on a grassy knoll is a short walk from the ferry and the beach and close to the islands many attractions (including the quirky Umbrella Cover Museum). And of course, the house itself is nothing short of perfect. Youll get plenty of living space, two bedrooms, and views of the Portland skyline that you can enjoy from your spacious porch, large stone patio, or water-facing decks.

For more information, contact Sue Lessard, Town and Shore Real Estate, townandshore.com.

Photo by Joseph Sortwell

Lot 28 Bremen Long Island, Breman Long Island, MEPrice: $725,000Size: 1,680 square feetBedrooms: 3Bathrooms: 1

You dont have to go big to enjoy island life. This shingled Cape-style home makes a great seasonal home with its three-bedrooms and bright, airy living room that leads out to a covered porch. A fire pit, elevated picnic platform, gardens, walking paths, and a dock offer endless ways to spend summer days and nights along the 200 feet of shoreline youll inherit with this property. The owners here will also get a barn and a writers studio on the waters edge, perfect for someone who wants a quiet place to get away and work on their novel.

For more information, contact Joseph and Terry Sortwell, Landvest, landvest.com.

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Five Homes on Maine Islands You Don't Want to Miss Out On - Boston magazine

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Dr. Susan Agolini, an assistant professor of biology at Marymount University, recently led more than 20 community scientists from across Northern Virginia to understand where residents are most at risk during extreme heat waves.

The effort was part of a larger, community-led campaign organized by the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. On July 15, Marymount joined 12 other higher-education institutions in recording air temperatures and humidity of communities throughout Virginia.

The Heat Watch project is a way to measure the heat that exists in a community and is really looking for heat islands urban areas that are significantly hotter than other surrounding areas, Agolini said. Marymount is very interested in interfacing with and supporting the Arlington community, and this is really a perfect project for a community partnership.

Using specially designed thermal sensors, Marymount faculty, staff, students and volunteers from EcoAction Arlington and the Virginia Department of Forestry set out to detect heat conditions throughout Arlington during three times of day: 6 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

I think its really important to volunteer where you can, said Maureen Dour, a learning specialist at Marymount and Heat Watch volunteer. To be part of this study, it was not hard and it was really interesting.

Data collected will be analyzed by project partner CAPA Strategies to create a high-resolution heat map that will better inform increasing risk and exposure to extreme heat. Previous Heat Watch campaigns in Richmond, Norfolk and Roanoke revealed temperature differences as significant as 16 degrees Fahrenheit between the coolest and hottest places.

People who live in the areas of heat islands typically already have a higher risk for different diseases we want to find out if theyre also experiencing additional burdens due to the heat in these areas, Agolini said.

The heat-mapping program was created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and has given rise to more than 10 heat-island-mapping campaigns across the country this summer.

Its great to see volunteers from across Virginia taking action to address extreme heat thats affecting their families and neighbors, said Hunter Jones of NOAA.

Participants in the effort, in addition to Marymount, come from the public Virginia State University and private colleges including Bridgewater College, Emory & Henry College, Hampden-Sydney College, Hollins University, Randolph College, Roanoke College, Shenandoah University, Sweet Briar College, University of Lynchburg, the University of Richmond and Virginia Wesleyan University. They traversed Abingdon, Arlington, Farmville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Richmond, Salem, Virginia Beach and Winchester as part of the effort.

Community-science initiatives like this heat-mapping campaign have contributed immensely to our understanding of how environmental stressors are not felt equally across communities here in the commonwealth, said Science Museum of Virginia chief scientist Dr. Jeremy Hoffman.

See more here:

Marymount team helps in statewide effort to address 'heat islands' - Inside NoVA

The health crisis of the past year and a half has impacted every aspect of our lives. But perhaps nothing was as affected as an industry quite like cruising. From widely reported outbreaks early in the pandemic to a global halt of sailing to tough new rules required from the CDC to sail again, the industry has seen a long road in order to get back to cruising.

The good news is that if you are vaccinated and you are sailing on a fully-vaccinated cruise where at least 95% of passengers have the shot then the experience is largely the same, at least right now. You can enjoy dinner, play in the casino, hang out by the pool, or watch an evening show in the theater, just like before the pause in sailing.

Even so, there are still a number of things that you shouldnt do now that cruises have returned even if you have the shot. After sailing on one of the first cruises to return, here are our suggestions for things not to do as you get ready to get back on the ship.

When it comes to sailing without the shot, many people wont have a choice. Cruise lines are largely requiring the vaccine for most passengers on most cruises. The one exception is from Florida. There, a law says that businesses cant require proof of a vaccine from customers. As a result, unvaccinated passengers are allowed to sail.

Even so, its not a good idea to sail if you havent received the vaccine. Not only does it increase the risk of cruising at this time, but it can also hurt your enjoyment of the cruise.

For instance, cruise lines require multiple tests before and during the cruise if you dont have the shot and charge hundreds of dollars for testing those who sail unvaccinated. There are also travel insurance requirements. And on some ships, many places like the casino and spa are off limits if sailing without the vaccine.

The bottom line is not only do you put yourself and others are risk on a cruise ship, but it will also cost you more and lead to a cruise thats not as much fun.

If youre a cruise passenger, then masking might be a little confusing. Youve heard about the danger of spread on ships but if on a fully vaccinated cruise, masks arent required at this time. They are needed if the ship doesnt meet that criteria, but can be off if outdoors or in spaces where access is limited to only vaccinated passengers.

Even so, many ports of call do require masks, even if you have the shot and you are outdoors, unless swimming or eating. So on the ship you can enjoy yourself without covering your face in many cases. On shore even if there is more space the masks go back on.

You dont want to make the mistake of going maskless in port. These are federal guidelines for other countries. So in addition to the general courtesy of following the rules in a foreign port, theres the potential to get in more serious trouble if you arent following the laws.

Is it likely that youll get in serious trouble if you dont wear a mask? Not if you put it on when asked. Even so, you dont want to run afoul of the laws of another country when on vacation.

One of the big points of emphasis as cruises return is on hygiene. Thats why when you sail youll see more hand sanitizer stations and more hand-washing stations. For instance, on a Carnival cruise we took, there were machines that you insert your hands into, and it spins around spraying soapy water to wash your hands automatically.

Even before the health crisis, keeping clean hands was important on a cruise ship. With people in close proximity its easy for viruses to spread. There are also a number of shared surfaces such as elevator buttons and handrails.

With the pandemic, the importance is greater than ever on keeping your hands clean before and after eating, using the restroom, and after touching shared surfaces.

What does your smartphone have to do with cruising? Oddly enough, a whole lot. And you definitely dont want to sail without it.

With cruising after the return, many things have gone digital. Now you access what was normally on printed paper via your phone. For instance, you head into the restaurant and instead of being handed a paper menu, you scan a QR code to pull up the menu. And instead of having the paper daily schedule delivered to your cabin each night, its all on the cruise line app.

Personally, were not fans of the change and expect many others arent either. Having to pull out your phone at the dinner table isnt fun. Yes, you can get paper copies of things if you dont have your phone. As well, not every cruise line may do things the same. Still, just be sure that you dont forget your phone in your cabin as you may need it around the ship.

If youre sailing unvaccinated, or you are traveling with someone that doesnt have the shot, then dont expect to be able to easily get off the ship.

So far it seems that private islands are treated as an extension of the ship as the cruise lines have control and can ensure vaccinations for the vast majority of people there. However, other ports of call will see requirements that people without the shot only can l go ashore on approved bubble tours.

Simply getting off the ship and heading into port isnt allowed. So if you were thinking that youd be able to simply walk into port, do some shopping, eat at a restaurant, etc., thats simply not the case unless you are vaccinated.

As weve said, theres some confusing rules regarding masking. On the ship? Its not required when the vessel is fully vaccinated. Off the ship? You have to have it on while in port, despite having more space.

Another thing to know is that masks are required in cruise terminals. So when you head to the ship on embarkation day or you get off the ship to head home, U.S. federal rules require that you have that mask on. It doesnt matter if you have had the shot or not. Everyone has to have the mask.

Its the same rule that requires masks in airports and airplanes thats seen throughout the country and it has to be followed.

As weve mentioned, sailing unvaccinated isnt ideal. But what about kids who arent eligible for the vaccine? In that case, they can often still sail, but the experience just wont quite be the same for them.

For instance, Carnival is sailing with the kids clubs closed for kids that are under 12 years old. And if they want to visit ports of call, then it will have to be on a bubble tour as simply going off the ship to explore is against the rules, unless its a private island. That limits the opportunities to get off the ship.

Kids can still enjoy the activities on the ship, but the experience is different enough that wed suggest holding off on longer cruises of a week until things are more normal. Trips of 4-5 days should be fine as thats enough time to enjoy the ship without getting bored.

One other thing to keep in mind is that if you are on a ship where the kids clubs are closed, it means mom and dad are going to have their kids with them all day, every day. So be prepared.

On ships where 95% or more of passengers have the vaccine, life onboard is surprisingly similar to what it was before the pause. In these cases, masks arent required, nor is social distancing. Other ships have distancing rules in place.

Either way, you shouldnt unnecessarily crowd people. In some cases, its inevitable that crowding will happen. If you need to take an elevator, then expect there to be others that youll share it with. But there are instances where crowding happens that it doesnt have to.

If you are in the line at the buffet, you dont need to be rubbing shoulders with the person next to you. The same goes being in the Guest Services line, or if youre at the pool with plenty of open chairs. Be cognizant of the space around you and realize that even if vaccinated, not everyone is comfortable being so close to others given everything thats happened in the past year-and-a-half.

Youve done exactly whats required. You got the shot and now youre ready to set sail. The last thing you want to do is forget to bring your vaccine card with you. Think of it as your passport or birth certificate you need it with you to sail.

If you dont have proof of vaccination, it could be that you arent let on the ship and could lose your fare as a penalty. At best, youll have to pay up for testing and travel insurance, which could cost you hundreds of dollars and lead to more restrictions on the cruise and in port.

What we suggest is attaching the card to your passport or birth certificate with paper clips so that you cant accidentally forget it at home when it comes time to head to the port.

If after everything weve mentioned you still want to sail without the shot, then in some cases thats allowed. For instance, Royal Caribbean does allow passengers without the shot to sail from Florida as laws in that state say a business cant require proof of the shot. (Although this is under legal challenge from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.)

But in addition to testing fees and travel insurance requirements, Royal Caribbean sharply restricts where unvaccinated passengers can go on the ship. For instance, on Symphony of the Seas there are nearly 20 events and areas that are off-limits if you dont have the shot. This includes the casino, a number of shows, certain bars, and more.

What you dont want to do is try to skirt these rules. Cruise lines are serious about health and safety especially right as they return to sailing. In addition, federal regulations are behind the protocols, so cruise lines could get in trouble if the rules arent enforced.

See the article here:

10 "No-No's" of Cruising After the Pandemic - Cruzely.com

Who they are: Dale Inverarity, a 24-year-old software engineer, and Jessica Weaver, a 23-year-old nurse

What they bought: Hei Hei, a 53-foot Bruce Roberts steel-hull ketch sailboat, for $62,000

What its costing them: $5,672 for summer docking, $8,000 for winter docking, $1,478 a year for insurance, $100 a month in maintenance costs, $200 a month for diesel heating in winter, $400 a month for high-speed mobile internet, $500 for a yearly maintenance haul-out and $300 for a water-taxi season pass

As told to Jessica Lee

Dale: We met in August 2014 when we were both still in high school, at a train station in Cobourg. Jessica realized shed missed her stop as the train was departing and managed to convince the operator to back up onto the platform for her. We got to talking, and it turned out that we were both on our way to a youth business conference. Jessica lived in Chatham at the time and I lived in Thamesford. We started dating, and after high school, we both went to Western and lived together in London. Then, we moved to Toronto in 2016. I was looking for job opportunities and Jessica was going to nursing school.

In 2017, we moved to a 12th-floor condo near Queens Quay and Bathurst with a view of the waterfront. We were close to the National Yacht Club, and from our window, we spotted the ferries going to and from the Islands all the time.

In December 2019, we travelled to Belize for a vacation, and rented a 32-foot sailboat on Airbnb. There was no fridge, no air-conditioning and it was sweltering hot. To keep beers cold, we had to put them in plastic bags tied with rope and lower them into the ocean. But we loved the experience. We had a captain and the boat to ourselves, and we could take it wherever we wanted. It was very freeing; there were no doormen or neighbours, just birds and the ocean. In Belize, we dreamed up a five-year plan to buy a boat and travel the world.

During Covid, Jessica and I were working and schooling from home. All the benefits of living in Toronto werent available to us anymore. We were just sitting in the apartment day after day. So we figured it was a good time to move onto a boat. Our five-year plan morphed into a five-month plan. Jessica had a boating licence, but I got mine during the early months of the pandemic. We also did a two-week harbour permit course and four weeks of Zoom classes about marine radio.

As soon as marinas opened in May 2020, we rented a car and drove around to look at 20 boatspeople were panic-selling at the beginning of the pandemic. We were about to put an offer on a Corbin 39 with two bedrooms, but then we saw this other boat. It was 53 feet and much roomier inside. Plus, the previous owners had lived in the boat for 20 years, so it didnt need a lot of work to make it comfortable. We hired a boat surveyor who okayed the saiboat, got financed at a boutique lender that mainly works with boaters, and picked up the keys in July.

The boat has nice traditional lines and a pilothouse, which is an enclosed space to steer in stormy weather. Inside, there are two bedrooms and ample headspace. We were new to boating, and we didnt want to come into it naively. We spent an entire day with the previous owners going over every inch of the boat. We wanted to keep in touch with them, so they could help us out if any issues came up.

The boat was parked in Port Credit, and we moved in right away. We named our boat Hei Hei, which is the name of the rooster in Moana. In one scene, Hei Hei realizes hes on a boat, starts screaming and jumps overboard. Thats what most of our family thinks will happen to us. But at the end of the movie, the rooster survives. If he can survive, so can we.

A week after we moved in, Jessica had started working as a nurse and I was in a Zoom meeting, when all of a sudden, I heard a crushing metal sound. A 20-foot powerboat had T-boned us. I frantically checked for punctures on the boat and any damage to the stays. Thankfully only a little wooden end cap was nicked. After that incident, we bought bumpers to attach to our boat.

Living in a sailboat during winter in Toronto was okay but I dont want to try to do that again. We had the boat wrapped, but at night we would hear the ice rubbing up against the hull. And, it took some play to get the furnace working, but once it did, it was far too warm. Once, the furnace stopped working while I was out, so Jessica brought our dog, Apollo, and cat, Belle, into the bedroom and turned portable heaters on until I got home and fixed it.

When we first visited the city before moving here, we went to the Islands and thought, This would be a lovely place to live. That was before we learned about the years-long waiting list for a house. Then, in January 2021, we realized we could finally live on the Islands, so we moved over to the Toronto Island Marina.

Now, were pretty comfortable handling our boat, especially in a big body of water. Plus, it doesnt go very fast. Were still a little iffy about docking because we havent had a lot of practice, so we hired an instructor to help us.

Were extremely lucky to be able to spend our summer here. Its like living in a park. The only downside is that the last boat to the Islands is at 11:45 p.m. so we cant meet up with friends for late-night drinks, or else were stuck on the mainland. We also cant take the boat to the mainland because there arent many spots to dock, and we dont want to drive the boat after weve been drinking. Still, the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks. Apollo is so much happier here than he was in the condo unit.

For groceries, we go to a Farm Boy near our water-taxi dock on the mainland. We can fit three months worth of food on the boat. Theres also a Penguin pick-up spot near the dock, which is great for Amazon orders. Our parents have started coming around to the idea of us living on a boat too. We recently had them over for dinner. They appreciate that were in charge of the boat and dont have to answer to a landlord. Plus, theyre excited to come visit when were in warmer destinations.

We have pretty much everything we need on this boat. Theres water all around us, and we can make it safe to drink using desalination equipment and a UV filter. Its very liberating to have total control of our living situation and not have to depend on anyone else. Weve rented for our entire relationship, and its nice to be able to paint or change whatever we dont like on the boat.

Were hoping to begin our travels around the world soon, especially since Im able to work from home indefinitely. Weve bought dozens of chart books and navigation guides with field suppliers, docks, bridge heights, frequencies to call operators, anchorage locations, fuel prices and spots for haul-out.

In September, well head down through the Oswego Canal, Erie Canal, Hudson River, east coast of the United States to the Bahamas. Then, well do a full loop of the Caribbean and see where we end up. Were planning to visit Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Mexico and everywhere in between. In two years, we hope to do a North Atlantic crossing. Then, once were ready, well try to find a nice private island and settle down. Its always been a dream of mine to own an island one day.

Moving onto a boat has been one of the hardest things weve done, but it was also the best decision weve ever made. We were thrust into responsibility with a very steep learning curve. If the water doesnt work, if the plumbing doesnt work, you have to fix it. When something broke in the apartments we rented, we didnt know how long we would have to wait for that thing to be fixed. Sometimes I think about living in a house, and it just seems so boring. The freedom of living on a boat makes all the challenges worth it.

Read more here:

We bought a $62,000 sailboat and moved in - Toronto Life

The inn offers other nice touches, too: a bar area where guests can help themselves to complimentary drinks and snacks, bicycles to use to explore the island (bike trails are nearby), yoga on the lawn on Saturday mornings, and breakfast, prepared by Annabelle, and worthy of mention. All in all, it has a very upscale, unfussy, intimate vibe, the perfect balance between luxury resort and seaside inn.

After checking in on the first day, we explored the town, had dinner at Garde East overlooking the harbor, and slept like babies in our spacious rooms, under crisp Frette linens.

It might be a little sporty out there, Captain Eamonn Solway said the following morning as we boarded his 26-foot, six-passenger charter boat. But this is one of my favorite trips. I never get tired of it.

The trip is a long one, covering 50 miles around the Elizabeth Islands, a chain of 13 islands off the Cape Cod coastline, just north of Marthas Vineyard. All but two of the islands are owned by the Forbes family, a wealthy Boston-based enclave, who made their money trading opium and tea in the 19th century. We motored around the West Chop Lighthouse, and into the choppy waters of Vineyard Sound. It was a gorgeous day, bright and sunny, with great visibility. We passed Nonamesset Island, circled around a couple of striper fishermen, and motored along the shoreline of Naushon Island, the largest privately owned island in the Northeast. Solway stopped the boat in pretty Tarpaulin Cove overlooking the Tarpaulin Cove Lighthouse and a historic Colonial home nestled on the sandy shoreline.

During the 18th century, the cove would have been filled with merchant ships with their tall masts and billowing sails. There might have been 50 or more ships in the cove at one time, Solway said. It must have been quite a sight. The cove is one of the few deep-water shelters in Vineyard Sound, once the second busiest shipping passage in the world, and one of the most dangerous. Boats would shelter in the cove, pick up supplies and mail at the shoreline home, and most likely tip a few pints. Today its a popular spot for pleasure boats, and the beach, which is open to the public (thank you Forbes family), is well-liked by people and cows.

Sometimes the cows take the trail up to the lighthouse, hang out for a while near the boulders, and then head down to the beach for a dip, Solway said. Ive taken a lot of cow pictures here.

The cows were nowhere in sight until we left the cove and turned the corner, and there they were. What a nice private island life they had, one-percenter cows! The water was 61 degrees; obviously warm enough for bovines but not for us. We snapped photos of the black and white, Oreo cows as they grazed in the grass, laid in the sunshine and cooled in the water. It was a scene that was more verdant Scottish Highlands than New England coastline. Later, we spotted a large herd of Scottish Highland cows, big, hardy animals with horns, grazing and swimming in the water.

The outermost island in the Elizabeth Island chain is Cuttyhunk, a pretty slice of land with a small community. It is exactly what we want a New England island to be: well-maintained cottages and homes hugging the shoreline and rambling up hills, blooming flower boxes, gravel backroads, a community message board, a tiny K-12 schoolhouse, and views galore. A small market and a couple of take-out shacks line Fish Dock where we landed, including the Harbor Raw Bar, serving Cuttyhunk Island oysters. During the summer, they motor around the harbor offering fresh oysters on the half shell to boaters and visitors, Solway said. We were disappointed the Raw Bar was closed on our visit; instead of slurping, we walked the main street up the hill to Naval Lookout Point, an old battery station, with spectacular views.

Back on the boat, we still had miles to go, but the waters had calmed, the sun was still shining. Solway pointed out Penikese Island, with its own unique back story. It was once home to a teenage boys reform school, a former leprosy hospital, and the Anderson School of Natural History. Today, its a state-owned wildlife refuge.

Nearby, were hundreds of seals basking on a tiny island outcropping. This is a small colony, Solway says. The whole ecology out here has changed because of the overpopulation of gray seals. And theyre drawing in the sharks.

We left the cute, controversial seals in our wake and headed for the dramatic Gay Head Cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse, on the western end of Marthas Vineyard, before putt-putting slowly into Menemsha Pond, looping around the harbor. The small harbor and docks were filled with working fishing boats, including the Tomahawk. That boat is owned by Buddy Vanderhoop, a well-known charter fisherman on the island, Solway said. His great uncle was a Wampanoag who once harpooned Moby Dick, the only white sperm whale ever taken.

Menemsha Village is also known as a filming site for the movie Jaws; the remains of the Orca II, the boat that was sunk at the end of the film, sits abandoned on a beach across the village docks.

We listened to the cackling of sea birds and the shrill calls of oystercatchers as we made our way back to the Vineyard Haven town dock, before returning to the quiet, plush sanctuary of Nobnocket, windswept and sun-drenched, and happy (with photos of wading cows). Nobnocket Boutique Inn, 60 Mt. Aldworth Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-696-0859, http://www.nobnocket.com; off-season rates $195-$280, in-season $375-$499. Island Girl Excursions, 508-364-1936, http://www.islandgirlexcursions.com; Vineyard Sound & Cuttyhunk Loop, up to six passengers $950.

Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at bairwright@gmail.com

Continued here:

Exploring the Elizabeth Islands (and swimming with cows) - The Boston Globe

This private Welsh island has gone viral after a visitor shared a video of his holiday there.

Ynys Castell has left people around the world speechless as the holiday-maker shares his video of his drive up the tidal carriageway, atmospherically lit driveway and then the amazing panoramic views on arrival. With blue skies all around and boats bobbing on the vibrant water, it could be a scene from Sardinia or the Balearic islands.

But the unique island is actually located between Anglesey and the mainland and has incredible views of the Menai Strait and Snowdonia. You can find 23 other secret hideaways in Wales you'll never want to leave here.

READ MORE:23 hidden Welsh beaches so beautiful you'll be delighted you found them

The home sleeps up to 13 guests and is set in mature gardens with lawned areas, vantage seating spots, meandering paths and steps down to the water's edge and its very own slipway, North Wales Live reports. It is available to book through Menai Holidays.

You can watch the video here:

TikToker ___rta' shared the video and his clip has been seen by more than 456,000 people around the world and racked up nearly 55,000 likes, and thousands more comments and shares.

They then posted a second clip with extra footage from the island after so many people asked to see more from the incredible holiday let.

Other users took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the island.

I need the link, one user commented.

Oh my god I didnt know you could stay here, Ive always wanted to visit, another added.

One woman from Anglesey said: I have lived on Anglesey my whole life and I never knew you could drive on that island.

Tagging their friend, a third local said: How the hell do we live on Anglesey and NOT know about this?

Meanwhile, dozens of users likened the island's driveway, which is only visible during certain tide times, to hit horror movie starring Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe, The Woman in Black. And others are wondering if it's big enough to hire as a wedding venue.

Eagle-eyed viewers may remember having seen it somewhere before, though. In Keeping Faith, the absolutely stunning location is where Cadi's dad lives and where Cadi and her two sisters were brought up after their mother died. You can find out more about that here.

Share your thoughts in our comment section below.

Original post:

Holiday on Welsh private island goes viral on TikTok and stuns people around the world - Wales Online

Let's be real - when it comes to property-hunting in Edinburgh it can sometimes feel like you could get more bang for your buck elsewhere in Scotland.

Properties in Edinburgh had an overall average price of 305,344 over the last year according to property site Rightmove.

So when you consider you can now actually buy your own private island for the same price as a one-bed flat on Dundas Street, you feel something may have gone wrong.

READ MORE - Edinburgh locals shocked as Jaguar spotted 'on top of the Pentland Hills'

That's right - The Holm of Huip, an isolated island located in the Orkney Islands, has gone up for sale for 300k, less than the average property price in Edinburgh.

The island is being marketed by luxury private island specialists Vladi Private Islands and comes with its own private beaches, farmhouses and ruins - although you'll need a row boat to reach it.

Their listing reads: "The charming Holm of Huip Island stretches over a surface area of approximately 250,000 square meters.

"Whilst most of its beaches are made up of slate and stone, a long, sandy beach can also be found towards the south of the island, close to the ruins of an old, stone house.

"As with the two farmhouses, it would be possible to either renovate or rebuild these ruins in order to make the buildings habitable.

"The island can certainly be described as well-connected as well as a daily flight from Kirkwall - the capital of Scotlands Orkney Islands to Stronsay (the small town directly opposite the Holm of Huip), it is also possible to make the short journey (approx. one and a half hours) via ferry.

"From the small harbour in Stronsay, it is possible to then make the transfer to Holm of Huip via either rowing boat or by motor boat."

Peter Fripp is the current owner of the island and told our sister site My London that he couldn't think of anything better to spend his money on.

He said: "I have owned it for 17 years, I am an archaeologist and the island has hidden treasures.

I believe it was once a Viking graveyard, it has great wildlife, seals come to the island and the weather is nice.

I bought it for 125,000 euros back then, I think this is a better way to spend money. I bought a big adventure where some people may buy a Porsche or a house.

It's certainly a pretty spot if the isolation isn't too much of a bother, but how does it compare to properties in Edinburgh?

Well a quick scan of property site Zoopla throws up a range of possible options in the same price range, including this one-bed flat on Dundas Street.

Described as "a comfortable and newly decorated apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town on the prestigious Dundas Street", the apartment features one bedroom, one bathroom, living room with dining area and fully-equipped kitchen.

It's a tempting offer, but is it better than a private island? Let us know in the comments.

More here:

Beautiful Scottish island goes on sale for the same price as Edinburgh city centre flat - Edinburgh Live