Category Archives: Private Islands

For more than 50 years, Australia and the Pacific have worked together to achieve lasting sovereignty, stability, security and prosperity for all Pacific countries and peoples.

A major part of Australia's development program to the Pacific is infrastructure development. Australia is the largest infrastructure financier to Pacific governments after the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ADB estimates over US$30 billion needs to be invested in the Pacific's infrastructure by 2030. Better roads, ports, telecommunications, water and energy infrastructure will underpin economic development, increase employment and attract investment into new industries. It will enable Pacific nations to integrate with global supply chains and participate in the global economy.

At a grassroots level, robust infrastructure ensures remote Pacific communities can access essential services. There is also an urgent need for climate-resilient infrastructure.

The Developing Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure in the Blue Pacific Conference will highlight opportunities for Australian companies to invest in or build infrastructure across the Pacific. Attendees will hear about countries' infrastructure pipelines for the next 35 years and how to get involved in these projects. The conference will help companies understand how to engage with businesses in the Pacific Islands, including how to work with local workforces and supply chains.

'Australian companies make solid business partners for Pacific organisations,' says Adrian Weeks, Austrade's Senior Trade Commissioner, Port Moresby and Solomon Islands. 'We are well regarded for delivering high-quality projects in partnership with Pacific companies and development agencies.

This conference will present great opportunities to bring innovative solutions to projects. This innovation can then be transferred to project partners, building local capacity and new capabilities.

International development donors have made major investments in the Pacific that have improved the quality of life. The investments have helped bring essential services such as water storage and treatment, hospitals and schools to remote communities.

However, Pacific Island countries are among the most exposed nations, globally, to the effects of climate change. Yet many lack the resources and capacity to respond to external shocks because of ageing or inadequate roads, sea walls, ports and power networks.

The Pacific region also faces energy challenges. Its limited supply of fossil fuels has led to a historical dependence on imported diesel for power generation. This has made nations vulnerable to fluctuating energy prices.

At the same time, outdated power infrastructure, geographical dispersion, small economies of scale, and limited generation capacity have resulted in high power costs, transmission and distribution losses, and low electrification rates.

The most critical infrastructure projects are focused on strengthening climate and disaster resilience. These include building new marinas and seawalls and investing in renewable energy projects. There is high demand for construction services for the marine environment, renewable energy solutions, and power infrastructure and transmission.

Projects differ between nations. In Fiji, the focus is on improving water supply and treatment, with the Water Authority of Fiji tendering for suppliers. Samoa, Tonga and Kiribati are seeking renewable energy products to reduce their use of diesel fuel. Meanwhile, renewing port infrastructure is top of mind for Papua New Guinea.

Australian companies continue to deliver on major projects. Power Protection Industries (PPI) is customising electrical solutions for infrastructure projects across the Pacific. Hall Contracting, Australia's largest dredging company, is delivering climate adaptation projects with a focus on community resilience in Nuie and Tuvalu. Hydroflux is providing ecologically sustainable water and wastewater solutions for businesses and municipalities in Fiji. Geofabrics has developed a range of coast protection solutions to build climate resilience.

Australian companies are not only building infrastructure, they are helping train the next generation. Beca HunterH20 is working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian Water Partnership. This initiative includes the Young Water Professionals program, which is helping train young people in the Pacific region.

'We've trained them in a range of areas around modern water utilities,' says Peter Dennis, Beca HunterH20's General Manager of Water. 'These include governance and technical skills and procurement and risk and built their toolbox to become water utility professionals. It's a great example of supporting our neighbours in the Pacific.'

Many infrastructure projects in the Pacific are funded by the Australian Government and/or multilateral development agencies such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Pacific Marine Group recently built a provincial wharf in Alotau in Papua New Guinea with funding from the Asian Development Bank and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The project was an initiative of the PNG Climate Change Development Authority, which focuses on constructing climate changeresistant infrastructure.

'Most bilateral and multilateral agencies are open to discussion about solutions for infrastructure gaps,' says Weeks. 'Deeper collaboration is often needed to solve complex challenges like energy or fresh water supply to remote or rural areas.'

There are also investment opportunities. Private-sector investment will be critical to deliver large-scale projects such as renewable energy infrastructure. Palau's first utility-scale solar and battery energy storage facility was built by renewable energy developer Solar Pacific Pristine Power. It received $31.4 million in funding from the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFPP).

Since being established in 2019, AIFFP has signed agreements for 12 projects in 9 Pacific Island countries worth over $1.2 billion. AIFFP is supporting a range of transformative projects, including new ICT cables to provide connectivity across the region and major investments in PNG ports and airports in Fiji, Timor and Nauru.

Austrade will host a stand at the Developing Sustainable Resilient Infrastructure in the Blue Pacific Conference and Trade Expo. Interested parties can meet with Austrade to discuss aspects of doing business across the Pacific.

'The conference will give Australian companies a first-hand understanding of the investments being made and assess how their capabilities could contribute to the projects,' says Weeks. 'We can share insights about the potential challenges and the importance of partnerships and networks to address the challenges.

'Our Pacific neighbours are living with the effects of climate change. We are at a critical point in time where Australian companies can help mitigate these effects and make a lasting contribution to climate resilience in the Pacific.'

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Insight: Boosting Resilience of Pacific Islands' Infrastructure - Mirage News

Summer in Europe is synonymous with island hopping, but there are some islands that travelers may not even have on their radar. While most people are familiar with famous getaway spots like Santorini, Mykonos, and Ibiza, there are many beautiful islands in Europe that are far less busy and more affordable. Find out which islands in Europe are the best places to visit this summer and which tours to book while there. These exciting excursions offer a chance to make the most of limited time on these idyllic European islands.

Aerial view of Mallorca Spain

Besides Ibiza, Mallorca (Majorca) might be Spains most famous island. This island is part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Its got tons of beautiful beach resorts and hiking trails and is a popular destination for cycling.

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Paleokastritsa beach on the Island of Corfu, Greece

Greece has many popular islands that attract millions of international tourists each year. While many people picture the white-washed buildings and blue dome roofs of the Cyclades when they think of the Greek islands, Corfu offers another type of escape. Located in the Ionian Sea, Corfu is a great jumping-off point for exploring nearby Albania or venturing south to other Greek islands. Mountain landscapes and resorts lining the coast make Corfu a beautiful and intriguing summer destination.

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Crystalline water of Malo Zarace Beach, Hvar Island, Croatia

Croatia has a beautiful coastline, but it also has idyllic islands to explore. Hvar is one of the best islands to visit in Europe this summer. Its located in the Adriatic Sea, surrounded by vibrant turquoise waters. Its easy to reach Hvar by ferry from Split.

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Related: Brac Vs. Hvar: Which One To Choose For A Croatia Vacation?

People crossing the bridge to Eilean Donan Castle which is located on Kyle Of Lochalsh which overlooks the Isle of Skye

Perhaps this isnt the type of island that springs to mind when thinking of summer in European - its not a Mediterranean paradise, but the Isle of Skye is magical in its own way. Swim in fairy pools, hike in rugged landscapes, and relax at a Scottish pub after a day of exploring.

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Related: Is The Beautiful & Distant Isle Of Skye Actually Worth Visiting?

An ariel view ofCala Mariolu, Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is a gorgeous Italian island in the Mediterranean that offers magnificent natural attractions like Neptunes Grotto or Cala Luna by the sea. Upscale resorts and scenic views are abundant in this European paradise.

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A nature trail in Madeira, Portugal

Madeira, Portugal, is just as worthy of a summer visit as Faro on the countrys mainland. Madeira is an autonomous region of 4 islands off the coast of Portugal. Dramatic landscapes, epic hiking trails, and beautiful beaches ensure travelers will make unforgettable memories here. Renting a car is the best way to get around the island or book a tour with private transfers.

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Related: 10 Things To Do In Madeira: Complete Guide To Vineyards, Islands, & More

A panoramic view of Corsica, France

While many tourists head to Paris in the summer, travelers should opt for the French island of Corsica instead. As the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean, it offers plenty to see and do, plus dreamy beaches and a vibrant gastronomy scene. The key to visiting Corsica on a budget is to spend time outdoors in the islands beautiful nature.

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While French is widely spoken in Corsica, it might surprise travelers to know that the local dialect is Corsu, which is similar to Tuscan (Italian).

Kleftiko, Milos island, Cyclades, Greece

Skip the expensive islands of Mykonos and Santorini this summer in favor of a more affordable Greek island with just as much to offer. Milos is quickly gaining popularity as an island in the Cyclades that has beautiful coastal towns, epic beaches, and excellent cuisine.

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View of Capri's beautiful harbor

Another dreamy Italian island to consider visiting this summer is Capri. Located in the Bay of Naples, Capri is famous for the Blue Grotto, a sea cave with otherworldly blue waters. Travelers can reach Capri by boat from the Italian cities of Naples or Sorrento.

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Valletta cityscape in Malta

Malta is an island nation in the Mediterranean that is the epitome of summer in Europe. Located between Sicily, Italy, and the coast of North Africa, Malta offers a rich history, vibrant blue waters, and upscale hotels. Travelers can spend a full week or more in Malta without seeing everything it has to offer.

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These Are The 10 Best Islands To Visit In Europe This Summer - TheTravel

FIRST ON FOX:The Democrat tech billionaire who helped rehabJeffrey Epstein'simage and visited his island has poured thousands in donations into several vulnerable Senate races across the country.

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman recently gave the maximum donations of $6,600 each to the campaigns of Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev.,and Bob Casey, D-Pa.,according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records.

All three races are considered battlegrounds going into Election Day 2024.

BILLIONAIRE WHO VISITED EPSTEIN ISLAND DROPS MASSIVE SIX-FIGURE DONATION BACKING BIDENS REELECTION BID

News of the donations come afterthe Wall Street Journal reported in May that Hoffman visited Epsteins private Caribbean island, called Little St. James, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on at least one occasion in 2014.

Hoffman and the now-deceased convicted pedophile were planning to return to the island in November 2014, and then travel to Boston, the report said. It's unclear what the intent was for those planned trips, but the report also revealed Hoffman was planning to stay at Epsteins luxury Manhattan townhouse in December 2014 after a late arrival in New York City.

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Hoffman also sent the maximum $6,600 donation on June 14 to the campaign of California Democrat Will Rollins, who is again trying to grab a congressional seat after a narrow loss during the 2022 elections, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday.

Fox News Digital also reported this week that the Biden Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee authorized by the Biden campaign, received a whopping $699,600.00 donation from Hoffman on April 26 and a maximum donation of $6,600 went directly to Bidens campaign.

Hoffman recently made headlines in June after Biden attended a fundraiser the billionaire hosted on behalf of the Biden Victory Fund at the private residence of Shannon Hunt-Scott and Kevin Scott in Los Gatos, California.

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Hoffman told The Journal in May it "gnaws at" him that his association with Epstein "helped his reputation, and thus delayed justice for his survivors."

"My last interaction with Epstein was in 2015. Still, by agreeing to participate in any fundraising activity where Epstein was present, I helped to repair his reputation and perpetuate injustice," Hoffman said in 2019. "For this, I am deeply regretful."

The 2015 interaction was when he invited Epstein to a Silicon Valley dinner with tech industry leaders.

In September that same year, Hoffman attended a state dinner hosted by then-Vice President Biden at the White House in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Fox News Digital has previously reported that Hoffman's money also goes into nontraditional groups that aren't mandated to report their funding and often operate in the shadows. He was forced to issue an apology in 2018 for funding a group that falsely tried to give an impression that the Russian government was supporting Alabama Republican Roy Moore in a 2017 special Senate election.

Biden has benefited from Hoffman's lavish spending on campaign contributions, donating $1.5 million to a super PAC that supported Biden's candidacy in the 2020 election as well as the maximum individual dollar amount allowed to Biden's campaign, according to FEC records.

Such spending can come with certain perks such as access. According to White House visitor logs, Hoffman visited the White House five times last year.One of the visits appears to have been for the state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. The other four trips were for meetings with Madeline Strasser, who at the time advised then-White House chief of staff Ron Klain; Kimberly Lang, who at the time was the executive assistant to Biden's national security adviser; and Jordan Finkelstein, a special assistant to Biden and chief of staff to the president's senior adviser.

Hoffman and the campaigns for Tester, Rosen, and Casey did not respond to Fox News Digitals requests for comment.

Fox NewsJoe Schoffstall, Aaron Kliegmanand Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.

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Billionaire who visited Epstein island pours thousands into coffers of vulnerable Dem Senate races - Yahoo News

After a two-week handover delay, Explora Journeys has taken delivery of its first ship, Explora I, a luxury cruise ship built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

The 64,000-gross ton vessel is the first of four sister ships that will be operated by Explora Journeys, a brand of MSC Group, which also owns MSC Cruises.

Explora Journeys, the new luxury lifestyle brand of MSC Group, celebrated the July 20, 2023 handover of its first cruise ship, Explora I, at a ceremony held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, where the vessel has been under construction since 2021.

The delivery came roughly two weeks after the ships originally planned handover date of July 6, 2023. Explora Journeys announced on July 5 that the ships debut would be postponed due to supply chain issues and the need for enhancements to the vessel. At the same time, the ships naming ceremony, planned for July 8 in Rome, also was canceled.

Top executives from the cruise line and the shipyard were in attendance as the luxury brand marked the handover milestone.

Today is a historic day, and represents a decisive step in our growth path, because it marks the entry of the MSC Group into the luxury travel sector, said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division at MSC Group.

Vago said that the luxury travel segment has strong growth prospects, and Explora Journeys will redefine existing luxury standards.

Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys, said, We have pushed the boundaries of innovation and design to create a ship that embodies our commitment to excellence. With the delivery of Explora I our vision to provide unparalleled luxury experiences has become an incredible reality.

The 922- guest ship was constructed with state-of-the-art environmental and marine technologies, and was designed with the lines Homes at Sea theme, which promises a residential-style quality to accommodations and services.

The ship, built at a cost of about $600 million, has 461 oceanfront suites and penthouses, all with private terraces, and features six restaurants, a dozen bars and lounges, four pools, 64 private cabanas, and a wide range of spa and wellness facilities.

The ship will depart on her maiden voyage on August 1, 2023 from Copenhagen, and operate a 7-night sailing to Reykjavik, Iceland, with port calls to Lerwick, Shetland Islands, and Kirkwall, Orkney.

Had the ship been delivered on schedule, Explora I was scheduled to sail her maiden cruise on July 17 from Southampton, UK. The 15-night itinerary was to include the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic Circle, with debarkation in Copenhagen.

Also postponed was the ships christening ceremony. The cruise line had announced that the ships godmother was to be Dr. Sylvia Earle, the renowned American oceanographer, explorer, biologist, and conservationist. A new christening date has not been announced.

While Explora Journeys did not specify the cause of the ships launch delay, its postponement coincided with industry reports that a manufacturer of fire-safe insulation panels used in cruise ships had failed safety certification testing of its product.

Some cruise watchers had posited that the ship could have been constructed with those panels, which needed immediate replacement. However, there is no confirmation that was the case.

Following her maiden voyage, Explora I is scheduled to spend the remainder of the summer season sailing a series of Northern Europe cruises. Starting in November 2023, she will reposition to the Caribbean and offer cruises between Miami, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bridgetown, Barbados.

The ship will sail 7- to 14-night cruises on itineraries that vary by departure date. All itineraries include a call to MSC Cruises private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a 95-acre destination in the Bahamas.

Explora Journeys second ship, Explora II, is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy, and is due to enter service in August 2024. Two more ships, Explora III and Explora IV, will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Both of those ships will be powered by liquified nitrogen gas (LNG).

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MSC's Explora Journeys Takes Delivery of First-Ever Cruise Ship - Cruise Hive

Amid a record-breaking surge of summer travel, a surprising destination has emerged as a favorite: the Caribbean.

While the warmer summer months usually represent a low season for Caribbean travel, the demand for this region seems hotter than ever, with a 48% increase in flight bookings over 2019 highs, according to ForwardKeys.

To the surprise of many travel critics and trendspotters, all-inclusive resorts are more popular than ever, even among millennial travelers who might be expected to opt for more boutique properties or bespoke travel experiences.

Many of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean are doing a better job than ever of offering both seclusion and personalized travel experiences that appeal to even the newest generations of travelers.

While many travelers' first image of Cuba is the colorful, historic buildings and vintage cars that contribute to the energy of the capital city of Havana, Cuba is also one of the premier beach destinations in the Caribbean.

While many beaches on neighboring Caribbean islands are overdeveloped and over-touristed, many of Cuba's beaches remain untouched and pristine. For many travelers even those from the United States Cuba can be a perfect beach destination for a unique and secluded stay in paradise.

Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski is among the most impressive resorts in Cuba and is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. The resort is nestled along the white sands of Cayo Guillermo, one of the thousands of tiny white sand cays surrounding the Cuban mainland. Part of the prestigious Kempinski brand, known as the oldest luxury hotel brand in Europe and synonymous with elegance, it guarantees one of the most luxurious stays in Cuba.

The resort is home to 222 rooms and suites, 12 private villas, and seven unique overwater bungalows, which are some of the most you'll find outside of the Maldives. Suspended over crystal waters and featuring spacious private patios and plunge pools, they offer another level of seclusion and luxury to a memorable stay.

Whether you stay in one of the resort's impressive suites or overwater bungalows, you'll be wowed by the incredible natural beauty of this white sand destination. The resort sits along Playa Pilar, considered among the best beaches in the Caribbean. This pristine beach was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's Islands in the Stream, which featured the beach after the author visited himself a number of times.

Direct flights from international airports and Jos Mart International Airport in Havana to Jardines del Rey International Airport in neighboring Cayo Coco make it easy to access this impressive resort.

Whether you're looking to add a stay at this all-inclusive resort for an addition to your Cuba itinerary or the sole destination of your vacation, it's sure to be a memorable trip.

For a secluded getaway, how does a private island resort sound? Nestled among some of the most pristine white sand beaches in the Caribbean, Ambergris Cay in Turks & Caicos is the perfect choice. The resort is spread across the 1,100-acre island, most of which remains untouched and undeveloped, rimmed with stunning white sand beaches.

Offering just ten suites and seven private villas, Ambergris Cay ensures its guests the highest level of seclusion and privacy whether you're looking for a beachfront pool suite with a private plunge pool for the ultimate romantic getaway, or a spacious six-bedroom villa with over 10,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor living space for a family vacation of a lifetime.

Ambergris Cay welcomes just a few guests at a time and offers the ultimate guest experience, complete with amenities you'd only expect at a much larger all-inclusive resort.

The resort recently completed an extensive refurbishment, adding a new dining venue to its enhanced main clubhouse, a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness center, and an expanded and enhanced pool area, among an array of other impressive features and amenities. Whether you're looking forward to sticking close to your spacious suite or enjoying every amenity, you'll love what you find at Ambergris Cay.

Ambergris Cay is easily accessible via a 20-minute domestic flight from the international airport in Providenciales, which is well-served with multiple daily direct flights from the United States and beyond. It's a hassle-free way to reach the private island resort that will exceed your every expectation of an all-inclusive Caribbean resort getaway.

With its dense, lush jungles, soaring volcanoes, and rich reefs, the island of Dominica handily earns its name as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, offering an abundance of richness to the adventurous travelers that make it here. Jungle Bay is a perfect choice for an eco-luxury stay in a unique Caribbean resort bursting with all the verdant beauty and laid-back character of the island.

While there is no beachfront at Jungle Bay, you won't miss it. The resort sits perched on the hillside overlooking the fishing village of Soufriere, with stunning views overlooking Dominica's dramatic southern point and the Caribbean Sea. Jungle Bay features two incredible pools, each with mountain and ocean views better than the next.

Jungle Bay boasts sixty rooms and villas, though it maintains a boutique feel with personalized attention and service. The resort's grounds are covered with paths shaded with fruit trees and palms, giving the ultimate feeling of seclusion and privacy.

If you're looking for a romantic getaway, upgrade to one of the private villas. At around 800 square feet, they are spacious and include a large private terrace with a daybed. A massive indoor-outdoor shower room covered with natural stone and natural, locally-sourced furnishings invites the ultimate sense of bringing the Nature Island close.

While Jungle Bay isn't all-inclusive by design, it offers many all-inclusive packages so that guests can tailor their stay to make the best of the resort's amenities and the highlights of the island. The popular Active Wellness Package includes guided excursions, organic meals, and even spa treatments and airport transfers.

For adventurous travelers coming to experience Dominica's reefs, considered some of the best in the world, a dive-specific package offers everything you could need and more.

Recently opened as one of the most impressive luxury hotels in the Dominican Republic, Cayo Levantado Resort sits on a private island off the shores of the beachy Saman Peninsula. With an incredible array of activities and amenities to draw visitors, it's poised to be among the next best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean on your bucket list.

As part of the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, the luxurious resort represents a step further into the luxury sector for the Spanish Grupo Piero brand, which already owns a number of award-winning properties around the Caribbean.

Gorgeous suites and villas meet two pools, an impressive reflection and wellness space known as Yubarta for workshops and activities, and incredible white sand beach fronts for the Caribbean resort experience you're dreaming of.

Cayo Levantado Resort significantly emphasizes local culture and cuisine, an area many other luxury Caribbean resorts lack. Interior design concepts and furnishings are local in design and inspiration while keeping an elevated, breezy Caribbean feel. Guests can also try local favorite dishes, along with international cuisine, at any of the resort's eight restaurants and six bars.

Despite being relatively new to the scene, Cayo Levantado Resort is already making a big splash, promising to be an up-and-coming favorite among the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Located off the coast of Belize, the private island resort Cayo Espanto is a favorite with the rich and famous, and it's easy to see why. This white sand private island is home to just seven private waterfront villas, each with its own private pool, patio, and ample space to enjoy lazy days along the clear waters of the Caribbean.

Cayo Espanto is the perfect spot to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, a healthy and colorful portion of the Mesoamerican Reef, the world's second-largest barrier reef. The resort is well-positioned for divers and snorkelers alike to enjoy access to the reef's incredible biodiversity.

Cayo Espanto is accessible by a quick 7-minute boat ride from San Pedro, Belize, which is just over two hours from many large cities in the United States. Or, for an even more hassle-free escape, fly in from the international airport on the resort's helicopter. The helicopter is also available for excursions.

From the air, take in Belize's one-of-a-kind marine sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole, on an unforgettable excursion. The resort can also arrange diving excursions to the Great Blue Hole for experienced divers to encounter a dive site unlike any other.

Whether you're looking for the seclusion of a private island vacation, the exclusivity of an overwater bungalow, or the incredible flavors only found in the Caribbean, consider these resorts for your next vacation. As resorts take the all-inclusive experience to the next level, you'll be hard-pressed not to fall in love with this style of travel all over again.

Carley Rojas Avila is an avid traveler, writer, and creator behind Home to Havana. Having traveled to twenty-five countries and spent years living abroad, she shares destination guides, travel tips, and hacks to help travelers and digital nomads feel at home when traveling off the beaten path, whether their travels take them to Havana or beyond.

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Paradise Found: Discover The 6 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in The ... - Wealth Of Geeks

Anse Source d'Argent in the Seychelles is smattered with gargantuan boulders that create winding passages, natural arches and tunnels to private slips of sand. Photo / 123RF

A trip to the Seychelles - despite its reputation for being expensive - can easily be done on the cheap, writes Julia Hammond.

If youve ever tried to imagine what paradise looks like, then get up early on the sleepy Seychellois island of La Digue. Grab your bicycle and pedal along a quiet back road shaded by trees until you reach Grand Anse, where granite boulders line a fat crescent of wheaten sand. The peeling paint on a battered sign advertises fresh coconuts, but it will be several hours before someone arrives to sell them. The many footsteps that scuff the surface of the beach suggest that therell be no shortage of customers when they do.

Fallen branches of palm trees form a makeshift path that beckons over the headland. It passes a pond where skinny coconut palms and weathered slabs of rock are reflected in the still water. The trail continues; sometimes a narrow strip of sand thats barely wide enough for me to squeeze through encroaching vegetation, other times a scramble up a rocky slope.

The reward is Petite Anse. When I get here, mine are the only footprints. Though others have been here before me, the receding tide has wiped away any trace of their presence.

In the soft light that follows the dawn, languid waves half-heartedly lap the shore, leaving tiny lace-like traces of foam that dissolve into the wet sand almost as quickly as they appear. As the sun musters strength, the sea brightens to a vivid turquoise. Luxuriant vegetation hints at tropical downpours but there is barely a cloud in the sky as I swim in the limpid water.

This became one of my favourite spots on La Digue: a million-dollar view that cost absolutely nothing. In fact, most of the islands beaches are free. One notable exception is Anse Source dArgent which forms part of LUnion Estate. This drop-dead gorgeous part of the coast polls well with visiting travellers, often ranking high on lists of the worlds best beaches. To see what all the fuss is about, youll need to pay an entrance fee of 115 Seychelles rupees (NZ$14), though Id venture youll think its worth it.

Your ticket covers more than the beach itself, including a stroll through a shady vanilla plantation. Coconuts are also grown here. The dried white pulp, called copra, is milled to produce coconut oil and you might catch a demonstration.

Youll definitely want to visit the estates Aldabra giant tortoises. These wrinkly old beasts were once found in large numbers all over the Seychelles until they were hunted almost to extinction. Today, the largest wild population numbering more than 150,000 can be found on the outlying Aldabra Atoll, but the cost of getting to this distant region is out of the reach of budget travellers. However, cycling around to the east side of La Digue one morning, I got lucky. I stopped for juice at an oceanfront bar; when I returned to the bike racks, a giant tortoise had taken up residence beside my back wheel. What was supposed to be a quick pitstop turned into an exercise in patience as I waited for it to finish its business and amble off.

Cash-strapped travellers will be pleased to learn that island-hopping is affordable. La Digue is connected to both Mahe and Praslin, the archipelagos two largest islands, by a regular ferry service. While not dirt cheap, its not what you would class as eye-wateringly expensive either. On Praslin, a 15-minute ride away, youll find the Vallee de Mai, a Unesco-listed nature reserve thats home to the largest seed in the world. Known as the coco de mer, it often elicits a giggle from visitors as its shape resembles the smooth curves of a pert derriere. Several hiking trails, varying in length between 1.5 and 4km, wind through the lush 19.5ha palm forest. Though its possible to book a tour, theres really no need as the bus stops right outside the entrance, where youll pay SCR450 (NZ$55) to get in.

Over on Mahe, there are a number of reasonably priced visitor attractions that can be slotted in between your beach days. In the capital, Victoria, learn about the nations past at the National Museum of History; entrance costs SCR150 (NZ$18). A kilometre away, the National Botanical Garden provides an introduction to Seychellois flora, with 280 endemic and ornamental plants to admire. Entry costs SCR250 (NZ$30) for non-residents. Le Jardin du Roi, above Anse Royale, is a wonderful spice garden boasting a small museum; tickets cost SCR150 (NZ$18).

Mahes La Plaine St Andre is the home of Takamaka rum. The history of this plantation can be traced back to 1792, and the rum thats bottled today draws on this rich heritage and Creole traditions. Once, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and patchouli were produced for export to Europe; now, local ingredients are used to flavour the rum. Guided tours of the estate are free; rum tastings can be added for SCR125 (NZ$15) per person.

If you prefer to drink tea, then youll want to visit the SeyTe factory in the hills above Port Glaud. A short tour provides an overview of the processes from drying to packing and theres a small shop if youre keen to buy some flavoured teas to take home. Theres a stellar view over the coast from up here. Hike through more of the verdant Morne Seychellois National Park, following the Morne Blanc or Copolia trails, to explore the islands mountainous interior. Watch where you tread: the tiny Gardiners Seychelles frog, found above 150m, is only the size of your fingernail.

The Seychelles has a reputation for being expensive. Rooms at one of the many five-star resorts set you back at least a couple of thousand dollars a night, while a secluded villa on a private island can easily run to five times that amount. But its also possible to holiday here without spending that kind of money. A budget of around NZ$100 a night buys a basic inland double in a simple guesthouse, while for NZ$250, there are plenty of beachfront hotel rooms and small apartments. Check the small print: many places throw in watersports gear too. On Praslin, I stayed at Palm Beach Hotel, right on Grand Anse beach. Ocean-facing rooms start at around NZ$220 but the sunset is priceless. On La Digue, its possible to find a self-catering apartment for as little as NZ$150, though I splurged in a spacious poolside bungalow at Cabanes des Anges (from NZ$310). Mahe also has plenty of budget accommodation. Base yourself somewhere like Beau Vallon, a lively resort town on the islands north coast, where a night at the Oceanic View Apartments within walking distance of the beach would set you back about NZ$170.

The biggest outlay for your Seychelles trip is likely to be the airfare, so lock this in as far in advance as you can. Check deals on flights with Emirates via Dubai, Etihad via Abu Dhabi or Qatar via Doha. In addition, Turkish Airlines flies direct from Istanbul; fares with Kenya Airways and Ethiopian can also be very reasonable. Though there are domestic flights between Mahe and Praslin; most people take the cheaper Cat Cocos ferry. It takes about 75 minutes and costs SCR840 (NZ$105) each way. From Praslin, its a short hop to La Digue for SCR170 (NZ$21).

On Mahe and Praslin, make use of the local buses which are a cheap and efficient way to get around. Easily recognisable in their blue livery, schedules and stops can be found online and you can pay per ride on the bus. Alternatively, make life easy with a visitors card for SCR 250 (NZ$30) which is good for 16 rides and can be topped up. There are no buses on La Digue its too small. Most travellers hire bicycles for about SCR150/day (NZ$18). Stan Bike Rental near the jetty in La Passe gets good reviews, but check with your accommodation before making a booking as many throw in use of a bicycle at no extra charge.

For more to see and do, visit tourism.gov.sc

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How to holiday in the Seychelles with a budget-friendly itinerary - New Zealand Herald

1,700 SF new construction home on Long Island, which is a 40-minute ferry ride from Portland

Open concept main floor with wraparound porch is ideal for entertaining and enjoying every season

Partial daylight basement ideal for outdoor/indoor transitions; ready to be finished to specific needs

Low taxes with well-supported town services make Long Island a unique option for those seeking a quiet life near the city

Live your dream in this newly constructed, energy efficient, year-round home with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms on Long Island, Maine. With an open concept main floor and wraparound porch, this is the perfect home to gather friends and family and savor each season of year-round living just 40 minutes by ferry from Portland.

Long Island is one of the dozens of Calendar Islands in Casco Bay. The population grows during the summer months with many families returning generation after generation. Residents make their living in fishing and ocean related industries, while others commute to Portland and beyond. This address is a five-minute car ride, eight-minute bike or 25-minute walk to the public ferry landing. Private marinas are even closer.

Enjoy the day on the wraparound porch, catching the sights and sounds of the ocean, like the soft peals of bell buoys in the morning and the ember sunset in the evenings. In addition to all the living space upstairs, where youll find three bedrooms, a full bath and laundry room, theres a partial daylight basement waiting to be finished for your needs. The patio doors open right under the porch, making this an ideal space even in its unfinished form for transitioning from outdoor to indoor activities, or for storing gear.

A caring, year-round community with lower taxes, and well-supported town services make Long Island one of Maines best kept secrets. If youre looking for a quiet lifestyle just outside the city, take a closer look at Long Island.

857 Island Avenue is listed by Mary McAleney of RE/MAX Shoreline. Contact Mary by phone at 207-799-4306, or by email at marymcaleney@shorelineagents.com.

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New construction home on Long Island, a small town off the coast of ... - Press Herald

Australias Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles landed in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, last week for talks on the future of Australias defence and policing presence in the country. The day before Marles arrived in Honiara he suggested that the Australian-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF) could remain in Solomon Islands beyond the missions expiration date of December this year.

This was a miscalculation. Marles signalling that Australia is interested in an enduring security presence in Solomon Islands would likely have been viewed in Honiara as pre-empting the outcome of their discussions.

Under pressure since the signing of the security agreement with China in 2022, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare responded during Marles visit by calling for a review of the Australia-Solomon Islands bilateral security treaty under which the SIAF is deployed. The treaty provides the legal basis for the rapid deployment of Australian police, defence and other personnel in the event of a major security challenge or humanitarian emergency and at the request of Solomon Islands. It also provides for third countries to contribute to the deployment with the consent of Solomon Islands. Under this provision New Zealand and Fiji deployed with the SIAF Sogavare has not stipulated what aspects of the bilateral security treaty with Australia he wishes to be reviewed.

Competition is most visibly playing out in the countrys security sector as Solomon Islands hedges its two competing security partners.

The SIAF comprising of Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji first deployed to Solomon Islands following the riots in November 2021. Papua New Guinea provided security personnel under a separate bilateral agreement with Solomon Islands. In March the following year the SIAF deployment was extended to assist Solomon Islands with operational readiness and security planning in the lead up to the Pacific Games, which will run from 19 November to 2 December 2023. At the time the SIAF was extended, then prime minister Scott Morrison insisted it was a short-term deployment, dismissing comparisons to the 14-year Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.

Geopolitical competition has intensified in Solomon Islands since it switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 2019. This competition is most visibly playing out in the countrys security sector as Solomon Islands hedges its two competing security partners, and Australia and China in turn jostle for advantage, influence and presence.

Solomon Islands has successfully leveraged geopolitical competition to meet its security interests. Australia has long dominated the security sector in Solomon Islands. However, the Solomon Islands 2020 National Security Strategy provided early indications that it would seek partnerships with friendly foreign governments to address security gaps. In 2022 Sogavare referred to Australia as the security partner of choice but went on to say that for Solomon Islands to meet its security needs, the diversification of security partners was necessary.

Enter China.

In 2022, China announced that it was not seeking a sphere of influence in the Pacific but that it is a direct stakeholder in the security of the South Pacific. This was the first time China had publicly stated this and it can be seen most visibly in its security cooperation with Solomon Islands. That year Solomon Islands and China signed a succession of highly scrutinised security agreements, a policing agreement which formalised the presence of the China Police Liaison Team to Solomon Islands (CPLT) following the November 2021 riots, and the Framework Agreement on Security Cooperation which provides for Chinese military and other security personnel to be deployed in response to a crisis and at the request of Solomon Islands.

Countries should heed the concerns raised within the region about the impact of geopolitical competition on Pacific security sectors.

Competition in the security sector has since escalated as have concerns about the ways in which geopolitical competition is intersecting with and exacerbating local security dynamics. These concerns include distrust of the local police. Concern was raised first about the Chinese Embassys importation of 95 replica rifles and 95 replica pistols into Solomon Islands in February which bypassed port authorities, and later about Australias donation of 60 semi-automatic rifles (with specialist training included). Opposition leader Mathew Wale warned against the militarisation of Solomon Islands and accused Australia of making the donation purely to stop China building up its influence in the police force.

These concerns also include Solomon Islands Chinese communities who have been targeted during riots. In 2016 when I was researching private security companies in Solomon Islands as part of a Pacific Islands Forum-UNDP project on private security sector governance in the Pacific, Fijian private security personnel were highly visible patrolling Chinatown. Shop owners said it increased their sense of security as most of the private security personnel were former Fijian military. Fast forward to 2022 and a contact centre between the CPLT and the Solomon Islands Chinese Association has been established, its secretary telling the Global Times that Now we, the Chinese here, have gained a greater sense of security.

There are worrying points of potential friction such as the Pacific Games which begin in November. Australia and China will each retain a security presence mission in Solomon Islands throughout this year and potentially into 2024. Australia has voiced concerns about how effectively Australian and Chinese police forces currently on the ground would be able to cooperate, particularly with respect to unity of command. The protection of Chinese citizens and property, particularly major projects such as the Pacific Games infrastructure is a core tenet of Chinese security cooperation in the Solomon Islands.

And in that, countries should heed the concerns raised within the region about the impact of geopolitical competition on Pacific security sectors. The Pacific Islands Forum Pacific Security Outlook 2022-2023 highlighted the increased tempo of engagement by security partners. The competing and non-aligned security partners, it suggested, could overwhelm and undermine peace and security efforts.

*This article is based on research examining the geopolitical drivers of security assistance in Solomon Islands and which was first presented at the Pacific Islands Strategic Dialogue hosted by the National Bureau of Asian Research and University of the South Pacific in Fiji, 3-4 April, 2023. The research is funded by the New Zealand Multi Agency Research Network and Massey University.

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Geopolitical duel in the Pacific: Solomon Islands security at risk as ... - The Interpreter

The Champlain Bridge marks the way on a trip up Lake Champlain by kayak. Photo by Brian Nearing

A kayak, a car and two weeks on the water

By Brian Nearing

With the Adirondack Mountains to the west, New Yorks shoreline on Lake Champlain is branded recreationally as the Adirondack Coast. This 120-mile lake flows north, making this coasts unofficial starting point the lake headwaters in South Bay, just north of the historic village of Whitehall in northern Washington County.

Having kayaked several times in South Bays shallow, milky waters from a state boat launch off State Route 22, I often wondered about the lakes distant northern outlet, at the Richelieu River, which runs through Quebec to the St. Lawrence River and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean at the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Last summer offeredtwo weeksto make that trip, driving, camping, and kayaking along portions of a lake with a whopping 587 miles of shoreline in New York, Vermont and Quebec. It could at best be a snapshot, not a detailed portrait.

South Bay forms a southeastern portion of the Adirondack Parks Blue Line, which runs northward through the lake about 80 miles to the Valcour Island Primitive Area, near the town of Peru in Clinton County. From South Bay and its handful of private camps, the lakemoves slowly north past cliff-lined wetlands of the lower lake up to the beginning of the wider lake beyond Ticonderoga.

It takes up to three years for the bays water to drain north through the lake to the Richelieu, according to Lake Champlain Basin Commission, but I didnt have that kind of leisure time.

Starting from a camp just north of South Bay in late July, a short hop led to the Crown Point State Park Campground in the shadow of the graceful arch of Crown Point Bridge and a historic lighthouse. This Vermont connection opened in 2011 after the unstable old bridge, which dated to when Franklin D. Roosevelt was governor of New York, was closed and demolished.

The grassy, wooded campground offered 66 campsites that were fairly spaced out, as well as hot showers, a trailer dump station, a recycling center, a small picnic area, and firewood sales.

The parks boat launch provided easy and immediate access to paddle beneath and around the bridge, as well an opportunity to take out at a small museum on the Vermont side at the Chimney Point State Historic Site, where a steel pier from the old bridge remains on display outside. Tucked in along a retaining wall, I found a beautifully painted rock hidden by someone who is part of a Facebook group called VT Rocks. The group promotes the creation and scattering of such tiny artworks.

For the ambitious paddler, the lakefront town of Port Henry was more than a mile north across the neck of Bulwagga Bay, but I was content to meander along the Vermont shoreline at Chimney Point, before turning back to the New York side and a rocky take-out just above Coffin Point.

The next day, the bridge at Crown Point provided a route into Vermont and a dozen miles northward to Button Bay State Park, located on the lake about an hours drive south of Burlington.

Located in Ferrisburgh on a bluff overlooking the lake, this 253-acre park has 53 tent/RV sites, 12 lean-tos, and four cabins.

Button Bay is so named for the button-like concretions formed by clay shoreline deposits. These geologic formations are created during several centuries as clays collected around plant stalks. When the plant stem dies and rots away, whats left behind resembles a rock with a hole drilled in its center.

Wind was light and the water calm on the bay, allowing a short and easy paddle from the parks boat launch to the bays namesake 1.5-acre limestone island. This natural area, with sweeping lake views, contains foundational ruins of a 19th century summer home of a wealthy New York City art dealer, and trails to explore.

In the car, my route backtracked into New York and Crown Point and then again northward on Route 9N, to Port Henry, a self-proclaimed home of Champ, the mythical Lake Champlain monster, and during the 19thand mid-20thcenturies, the actual home of a thriving port to service the areas many small iron furnaces and canal traffic. The village has a beach and picnic area named for its famous aquatic denizen. Each summer, a Champ festival is held, featuring cardboard boat races, movies on the beach, and other family events.

A boat launch offered easy lake access and another view of the Crown Point Bridge, but I had a schedule to keep.

An hours drive north at Cumberland Bay State Park in Plattsburgh, I camped a short walk from the shoreline. The 350-acre park has more than 150 tent/RV sites, a broad, sandy swimming beach, and a new bathhouse and family-friendly playground. The wind here was too brisk for safe kayaking, but a swim was possible.

After a comfortable night tenting, I continued northward to Rouses Point, the gateway to the Canadian border crossing as well as to a bridge to the Champlain Islands, including the Alburgh Tongue, a small peninsula extending from Canada into Lake Champlain, and thus surrounded by water.

Alburgh contained numerous boat launches, including one directly across the bridge on Route 2, but high northerly winds made that part of the lake unsafe to kayak. I headed south down the peninsulas southern tip andAlburgh Dunes State Park, which features one of the lakes largest natural sand swimming beaches.

Alburgh Dunes is for day use only and a single trail runs parallel to the beach, but the dunes themselves are fenced off to protect the delicate beach grasses and other stabilizing plants. There is no public drinking water supply.

The beach also was a great place to launch a kayak, as the area was somewhat protected from the northern winds. With Isle La Motte just to the west, winds coming from that direction could also be mitigated.

Given the potentially long outings on this massive lake, wind speed and direction must always be considered before setting out in a kayak or canoe. Conditions can change quickly.

Alburgh is also a bit of a geographical oddity for trivia buffs. A welcome sign identified it as being located on the 45thParallel. This geographic line was to have been the border between the U.S. and Canada, but a long-ago cartographic error placed the border about a mile north of the 45th in many places, which gave Alburgh several square miles of land that should have been in Canada rather than the U.S.

Rouses Point presented no nearby camping options and a hardscrabble downtown with some echoes of its tourist past, but with only one lodging accommodation a large motel with its tourist heyday long behind it, now occupied primarily by long-term residents. It proved comfortable and provided the chance to sort through coolers and dirty clothing to take to a local laundromat.

At the time, due to the pandemic, crossing the Canadian border required use of a mobile phone app to relay basic passport information and vaccination/health status to customs authorities prior to arrival at a border station. That app requirement has subsequently been discontinued.

Crossing the border put me along the western shoreline of the Richelieu River, a 77-mile tributary of the St. Lawrence. The trip north on Route 223 was along the flat broad plains of Quebec, passing through agricultural fields and little towns that led to the small city of Chambly, a favorite recreation spot for residents of Montreal about 30 miles away.

Water recreation centers on the Chambly Basin, formed by an enlargement of the Richelieu that creates a small lake extending from the foot of the rivers rapids. Kayaks, paddleboards, and recreational boats filled the basin as I joined in on a perfect summer day. The lakeshore at Chambly is all privately owned, so there were no places to take out for a break.

Later, I strolled along the shops and restaurant of the compact town and to Fort Chambly National Historic Site, an imposing stone structure with parts dating to the early 17thcentury French colonial period. Nearby was a lock for the historic Chambly Canal, which connects the river to the St. Lawrence andLake Champlain and ultimately, to New York City through the Champlain Canal starting in Whitehall and running to the Hudson River at Fort Edward.

After kayaking the basin and finding a small motel for the night, I again headed north, pitching my tent at a well-equipped private campground, Domaine Des Erables, located east of the river about an hours drive north in the village of St. Roch-De-Richelieu

Nearby, the town boat launch was home to a small cable ferry that takes cars back and forth across the river. The Richelieu remains flat and placid, with negligible current and periodic river traffic confined to occasional recreational boats. A gentle paddle from the launch at St. Roch-De-Richelieu led south to the historic Chambly Canal lock on the island of St. Ours National Historic Site. The lock was built between 1830-1833, and the lockkeepers house is now a small museum that describes the canals commercial heyday. Parks Canada also has placed six large rental tents on the island for campers equipped with electric heat and cooking supplies. These rentals a cross between a tent and a cedar cabin are a leisurely, comfortable way to experience the flow of the river and of the lock as boats pass through.

Now the beginning of August, my push was to reach the mouth of the Richlieu at the St. Lawrence port city of Sorel-Tracy, about 20 miles north. The area at the mouth is industrialized in this city of about 35,000 people, and the St. Lawrence is broad, powerful, and occupied by large ocean-going freighters, making it an imprudent place to kayak.

But only a 20-minute drive downriver, the atmosphere was completely different. There, the western edge of the Archipelago of Lake Saint Pierre is dotted with 103 islands and wetlands that are important habitat for migratory waterfowl. The area, including Lake Saint Pierre just to the east, was recognized as an ecologically important Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 2000.

A boat launch immediately across from the private campground where I had set up (Camping Chenal-du-Moine) offered a tantalizing glimpse into this sprawling maze of islands and channels, as well as a guarantee of being outside the main shipping channel and the massive freighters cruising through.

The launch was still several miles from the lake itself, a widening of the river about 20 miles long and up to nine miles wide. For those who want to tour the area, several private tour businesses are available.

During my paddle along the channel between the shoreline and Lle-du-Moine, I was joined by small recreational boats and saw many small seasonal cottages along both sides. The land was all privately owned, so there was no place to legally take out. But it was a quiet refuge close to the busy shipping lanes.

Sadly, I was behind my schedule, and so had to turn south the next day and make a run along the east bank of the Richelieu for the U.S. border, with a long drive taking me past sundown and thus, requiring a stay in a Vermont motel. That led to a detour Burlington, which also offers fantastic views of the Adirdondacks across the lake, and then, on to a campsite in a return visit to Button Bay State Park.

My two weeks were coming to an end, and I again crossed the Crown Point Bridge to return to the Washington County camp where I had started. I had added 700 additional miles on my odometer, and some great memories of two rivers and a beautiful lake region that could take several lifetimes to fully explore.

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Lake Champlain trip highlights paddling and campground amenities - Adirondack Explorer

On Feb. 10 last year, the cable ship CS Dependable appeared off the coast of the island of Diego Garcia, an Indian Ocean atoll thats home to a discreet U.S. naval base.

Over the next month, the ships crew covertly laid an underwater fiber-optic cable to the military base, an operation code-named Big Wave, according to four people with direct knowledge of the mission, as well as a Reuters analysis of satellite imagery and ship tracking data.

The new super-fast internet link to Diego Garcia, which has not previously been reported, will boost U.S. military readiness in the Indian Ocean, a region where China has expanded its naval influence over the last decade.

The CS Dependable is owned by SubCom, a small-town New Jersey cable manufacturer thats playing an outsized role in a race between the United States and China to control advanced military and digital technologies that could decide which country emerges as the worlds preeminent superpower.

SubCom, a company born out of a U.S. Cold War project to spy on Soviet submarines, is living a double life.

Publicly, it is one of the worlds biggest developers of undersea fiber-optic cables for telecom firms and tech giants like Alphabets Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta Platforms.

Behind the scenes, SubCom is the exclusive undersea cable contractor to the U.S. military, laying a web of internet and surveillance cables across the ocean floor, according to the fourpeople with knowledge of the matter: two SubCom employees and two U.S. Navy staffers. The individuals asked not to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the operations.

This dual role has made SubCom increasingly valuable to Washington as global internet infrastructure from undersea cables to data centers and 5G mobile networks risks fracturing into two systems, one backed by the United States, the other controlled by China.

SubCom is owned by Cerberus Capital Management, a New York-based private equity firm that has invested in defense contractors and national security assets.Last year, Cerberus paid $300 million for a Philippine shipyard on a former U.S. Navy base close to the South China Sea, beating out Chinese competitors for control of a strategic site in a region where Beijing has been flexing its military muscle.

Cerberus is headed by Stephen Feinberg, a billionaire political donor whom former President Donald Trump drafted onto the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board, which counsels the commander-in-chief on U.S. foreign intelligence matters.

SubCom, Cerberus and Feinberg did not respond to requests for comment.

Presented with Reuters findings, a spokesperson for the U.S. Navys Pacific Fleet confirmed the existence of a new high-speed undersea internet cable to Diego Garcia. It was the first official acknowledgement of that cable.

The resiliency, redundancy, and security of our communication infrastructure represents a top priority for U.S. Pacific Fleet, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The statement said the Navy could not discuss specifics for operational security reasons. The Navy did not respond to Reuters questions about SubCom or name the company in its statement.

SubComs journey from Cold War experiment to global cable constructor and now a shadowy player in the U.S.-China tech war is detailed in this story for the first time.

Reuters is revealing details of the Diego Garcia project and SubComs deepening ties with the Pentagon. The news agency is also the first to report on a confidential contract the company secured from tech giant Google to build the worlds largest private undersea internet network.

That partnership is the kind of America Inc project that President Joe Biden has been calling for in his drive to promote U.S. advanced technologies.

Google did not respond to requests for comment.

Undersea cables transmit 99% of all transcontinental internet traffic, including instant messenger chats, stock market transactions and military secrets. This underwater network has become one of the key weapons in the U.S.-China tech war, as detailed in a Reuters investigation published in March. Subsea cables are vulnerable to sabotage and espionage, and Beijing and Washington have accused each other of tapping cables to spy on data or carry out cyberattacks.

SubComs increasing importance to the United States can be split into two categories, one military and one economic, according to two subsea cable industry officials who have worked on U.S. government projects.

First, Washington needs SubCom to expand the Navys undersea cable network so that it can better coordinate military operations and enhance surveillance on Chinas expanding fleet of submarines and warships, the people said. Second, the Biden administration wants SubCom to build more commercial subsea internet cables controlled by U.S. companies, a strategy aimed at ensuring that America remains the primary custodian of the internet, according to the two industry officials.

SubCom operates six cable-laying ships: bespoke deep-sea vessels fitted with vast storage drums to hold sheaves of fiber-optic cable. The Navy has only one such ship the 40-year-old USNS Zeus a vessel so old that it is limited to carrying out repairs, according to Eckhard Bruckschen, director of the UK-based Undersea Cable Consultancy.

SubCom is indispensable to America if it wants to control subsea cables. Theyve got no one else, Bruckschentold Reuters.

There are only four major companies in the world that manufacture and lay subsea cables: Americas SubCom, Japans NEC Corporation, Frances Alcatel Submarine Networks and Chinas HMN Tech.

For sensitive U.S. projects, Washington only works with SubCom, according to five industry sources who have worked on projects with the cable company.

The U.S. Department of Defense and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Picking sides

Until a U.S. crackdown on Chinese tech companies ramped up five years ago, SubCom laid cables for telecom and tech companies worldwide, including the big state-owned Chinese carriers.

Not anymore. The cable firm now works almost exclusively for the U.S. military and big U.S. tech firms, two SubCom employees told Reuters.

SubComs pivot reflects a sea change underway in the internet infrastructure industry, which has long seen choosing sides in great-power politics as bad for business. But U.S. sanctions on Chinese tech companies and an increase in trade-protectionist policies under Biden and his predecessor Trump have forced American tech firms to work mainly with companies and countries viewed as friendly to the United States.

The U.S. Department of Justice in 2020 blocked Google, Meta and Amazon from building fiber-optic cables from the United States to Hong Kong due to concerns about Chinese spying.

Microsoft whose President Brad Smith said in 2017 that the tech sector needed to be a neutral digital Switzerland announced in May that it had discovered Chinese state-sponsored hackers targeting U.S. critical infrastructure, a rare example of a big tech firm calling out Beijing for espionage. Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at the time that the accusations were part of a U.S. disinformation campaign, describing America as the empire of hacking.

In December of last year, the Pentagon awarded $9 billion worth of Cloud computing contracts to Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Oracle, entrusting these companies to keep Americas most closely held secrets under digital lock and key.

Silicon Valley is waking up to the reality that it has to pick a side, said Jacob Helberg, former head of Googles news policy and a member of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, a government agency.

Google did not respond to a request for comment. Amazon, Microsoft and Oracle declined to comment.

SubComs loyalty is especially important because it is the only major U.S. subsea cable company. Headquartered in the quiet borough of Eatontown, New Jersey, SubCom secured a $10 million-a-year contract in 2021 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to run a two-vessel fleet to provide undersea cable security, according to one SubCom employee and one Navy staffer with knowledge of the deal. A 2020 DOT notice to prospective applicants said winners would be responsible for laying, maintaining and repairing subsea cables to support U.S. national security and economic interests, in partnership with the Department of Defense.

The SubCom ships CS Dependable and CS Decisive now make up the U.S. governments first Cable Security Fleet, the people said.

The DOT and SubCom did not respond to requests for comment.

Operation Big Wave

One of CS Dependables destinations was Diego Garcia, a horseshoe-shaped atoll which hosts U.S. aircraft carriers and submarines, and has an airfield capable of landing long-range bombers.

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Diego Garcia is a British overseas territory. Since the 1970s, Britain has allowed the United States to operate a naval base there. The island is currently home to around 3,000 people, including Navy sailors, family members and support staff, two people who have worked on the atoll told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. Diego Garcia boasts shops, restaurants, bars and pristine beaches, the people said.

Prior to the laying of the new subsea cable, the island base accessed the internet via satellites, which are slower and less reliable than cables, the two people said.

The CS Dependables clandestine underwater operation on Diego Garcia was never mentioned publicly by participants in the business deal that made it happen. Rather, they carefully obscured the U.S. military component within a larger private-sector cable project, according to four subsea cable industry sources with knowledge of the arrangement.

In 2020, SubCom announced that it had been commissioned by an Australian tech mogul to lay a $300 million commercial internet cable from Australia to the Sultanate of Oman on the Arabian Peninsula, a route that traverses the Indian Ocean.

That project, known as the Oman Australia Cable, was spearheaded by SUBCO, a Brisbane-based subsea cable investment company owned by Australian entrepreneur Bevan Slattery.

The industry was skeptical about the commercial viability of the route, given it would mostly serve a small pool of Australian telecom firms that already had access to multiple cables running through Southeast Asia to the Middle East, five industry sources told Reuters.

The Secret Splice

SubCom announced in 2020 that it was building a commercial subsea internet cable from Australia to Oman. The $300 million project included a clandestine link to a U.S. Navy base on the remote Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, which was funded by the Pentagon.

Sources: TeleGeography; Natural Earth

What many of them didnt know was that the Pentagon had paid for around a third of the entire cable on the condition that it include a splice connecting its commercial trunk to Diego Garcia, two of the people with knowledge of the project told Reuters.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet, in its statement to Reuters, said SUBCOs Oman Australia Cable offered a unique opportunity to connect the remote island with an undersea fiber-optic internet cable.

The statement said the U.S. Pacific Fleet partnered with companies laying the Oman Australia Cable to extend a branch to Diego Garcia, but did not disclose how much it paid for the spur.

This partnership has increased the digital resiliency and security of our communication infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific, the statement said.

While the Navy had said nothing officially about the cable until now, sailors on Diego Garcia were tipped off last year. Captain Richard Payne, then-commander on Diego Garcia, mentioned the cable during a Feb. 9 guest appearance on the bases local radio station, 99.1 The Eagle, a recording of which was posted on the Navy radio stations Facebook page.

Payne, who was fielding questions submitted by listeners, volunteered that an unusual vessel could be sighted off the western shore of Diego Garcia.

We're going to have fiber optics here on the island very soon, Payne told the programs host, Alex Kerska or DJ Special K, during the segment in which he also addressed complaints about high beer prices on the atoll and called on island residents to attend a kickball tournament.

Starting today (or) tomorrow, we have the cable-laying ship that is out there off the coast now. Its a commercial company doing that Its a very interesting ship, Payne continued, without naming the company or the ship.

Payne, who now works in the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, did not respond to a request for comment.

The ship Payne was referring to was the CS Dependable, according to the SubCom and Navy sources with knowledge of the operation.

SubComs CS Reliance vessel laid the first half of the commercial cable from Perth, Australia, to the middle of the Indian Ocean. From there, the CS Dependable took over, running the splice to Diego Garcia and laying the rest of the main trunk up to Oman, the people said.

Reuters analyzed satellite images and ship tracking data on Eikon, the financial analysis platform owned by the London Stock Exchange Group. That information showed the CS Dependable operating around Diego Garcia in February and March of 2022, then sailing on to Oman.

The delicate operation was made possible by a decades-long friendship between three veterans of the subsea cable industry, according to two people with knowledge of the dealings.

Coordinating the Pentagons end was Catherine Creese, a former U.S. Coast Guard officer who is now Director of the U.S. Naval Seafloor Cable Protection Office, the unit that oversees the Navys subsea cables.

Prior to joining the Navy in 2006, Creese worked at SubCom for 11 years, a time when it was known as Tyco Telecommunications. There she worked closely alongside the man who is now SubComs CEO, David Coughlan, according to two former SubCom employees who worked with Coughlan and Creese.

Coughlan and Creese planned and executed the Diego Garcia operation, according to one current SubCom employee and one Navy staffer.

Creese and Coughlan did not respond to requests for comment. The U.S. Navy did not respond to questions about Creeses involvement.

Dreams come true

Selling the cable to investors, meanwhile, was the purview of Slattery, the Australian entrepreneur, who has made a fortune building and selling private undersea cables. In a conservative industry, the businessman stands out as a gregarious and outspoken character who is willing to take on risky projects, according to three industry sources who have worked with Slattery.

Slattery did not respond to requests for comment.

SubComs Coughlan helped Slattery pull off his first major cable deal in the late 2000s, setting him on course to become one of Australias wealthiest tech moguls, according to two industry sources with knowledge of the matter.

That project, a SubCom-built cable running between Brisbane and Guam, a U.S. Pacific island territory thats also home to a naval base, almost bankrupted Slattery, the businessman told the Australian Financial Review in a 2016 interview.

Thanks to sympathetic suppliers, Slattery got that cable, known as PIPE,over the line, according to the Financial Review article. Crucially, SubCom, the main supplier on the project, extended Slattery credit to get the cable finished, the two industry sources said.

Slattery sold the company that owned the PIPE cable for A$373 million ($248 million) in 2010, the first of a string of successful tech infrastructure bets. Slattery has a personal net worth of A$564 million ($375 million), according to a 2020 Rich List published by the Financial Review.

The entrepreneur pitched the Oman Australia Cable in public statements as an alternative to the traditional route between Australia and the Middle East that passes through Southeast Asia. The spur to Diego Garcia was never mentioned.

A blueprint for such a project already existed. Slatterys cable was essentially a revival and rerouting of a 2017 plan to build a cable between Australia and the Republic of Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, with a secret link to Diego Garcia funded by the Pentagon, according to a person directly involved in that deal. Djibouti is the site of Chinas first-ever overseas military base, which opened in 2017.

The earlier proposed cable known as the Australia West Express was never built because the U.S. company behind the project, GoTo Networks, couldnt secure the private investment needed to cover the portion not funded by the Pentagon, the person said.

SubComs cable ship tracked near remote U.S. Navy base

The CS Dependable spent weeks in the waters around Diego Garcia in February and March of 2022, ship tracking data shows. In this period, the ships crew laid a secret subsea fiber-optic internet cable to a U.S. Navy base on the atoll, according to SubCom and Navy sources.

Source: Refinitiv Eikon

John Mariano, who was the CEO of the now-defunct GoTo Networks, declined to comment. The U.S. Department of Defense did not respond to a request for comment. An official from the presidents office in Djibouti declined to comment.

Cables are typically owned by a consortium of telecom and tech companies that spread the cost and risk. Occasionally, entrepreneurs or private equity firms build a cable on spec with the aim of selling bandwidth to carriers and tech companies before flipping the cable for a profit.

Slattery is a master of such deals, two people who worked with him told Reuters. He used his experience and contacts to attract enough investors to supplement the Pentagon funding to get the Oman Australia Cable built, the two people said.

The 10,000-kilometer cable was officially opened by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in October 2022. It includes a splice to the Cocos Islands, an Australian territory which comprises a cluster of tiny islands between Sri Lanka and Australia. Australias military has been seeking parliamentary approval for funds to upgrade an airfield there and make other improvements aimed at strengthening its maritime surveillance capabilities in the region.

Slattery on Nov. 19, 2022, tweeted a group photo that included himself and Albanese, both with broad grins, celebrating the cable and the team that made dreams come true.

Albaneses office did not respond to a request for comment about the project, its funding or potential military uses. In an Oct. 22, 2022, tweet sent from his Twitter account, he lauded the cables speed, security and reliability, and boasted that it could stream over 65 million Netflix shows simultaneously.

The government of Oman did not respond to a request for comment.

Levers of power

SubComs role in the project marked a return to its Cold War roots.

The company was founded in 1955, according to its website, the year the first subsea transatlantic telephone cable system was laid between Scotland and Newfoundland. That cable was deployed by AT&Ts submarine cable unit, which would eventually become SubCom.

The true origins of AT&Ts subsea cable business go back five years earlier, when the company was commissioned by the U.S. Navy to build a network of undersea surveillance cables to listen for Soviet submarines, according to three former employees with knowledge of the matter.

The project was known as the Sound Surveillance System, or Project Caesar, according to a declassified document about the program available on the U.S. Navys website. The document does not mention AT&Ts involvement.

Once the Navy project was complete, AT&Ts submarine cable projectmorphedinto a commercial business, the former employees said.

AT&T did not respond to a request for comment.

In 1997, AT&T sold its cable-laying operation, including a fleet of ships, to Tyco International, a security company based in New Jersey. In 2018, Tyco sold the cable unit, by this time dubbed TE SubCom, for $325 million to Cerberus, the New York private equity firm.

SubCom doesnt make public many details about its business. The company has more than 1,300 employees and an annual revenue of $344 million, according to data on Eikon.

Last year, SubCom signed a master service agreement with Google, one of the worlds biggest investors in subsea internet cables, according to two people with knowledge of the deal.

That contract, which the people said is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, could help Google build the worlds largest-ever private data network, connecting Cloud data centers around the world with a web of SubCom-manufactured undersea cables.

Google did not respond to a request for comment.

More undersea cables and data centers in the hands of U.S. companies like Google and SubCom is a win for Washington as it seeks to keep Chinese firms away from the internet hardware that will underpin global economic and military progress for decades to come, said Kellee Wicker, director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based think tank.

Cables are an enormous lever of power, Wicker said. If you cant control these networks directly, you want a company you can trust to control them.

Excerpt from:

Inside the subsea cable firm secretly helping American take on China - Reuters