Category Archives: Private Islands

Privates Island Online is a niche real estate company that specialises in selling islands and resorts and leisure properties. Richard and Narelle Vanhoff have been in the island sale business since 2004 and as an individual team have an impressive sales record.

Richard Vanhoff has had diverse business background with his early career starting in the media working with one of Australias leading TV stations and then eventually moving to radio. Through these two major media agencies, Richard met the crme of international artists and personalities.

This provided access to the rich and famous, which brought with it a plethora of contacts that inspired the development of his real estate career with his wife Narelle.

Richard and Narelle lived on one of Australias best-known resorts, Hamilton Island, for over 17 years with the Beatles George Harrison as one of their neighbours on Hamilton Island. Richard again was introduced to some of the worlds best musicians and international celebrities. This furthered his passion for sales and in particular islands and island resorts, using these well-established contacts over the last 20 years as a foundation of his client network.

Richard has received many international and Australian awards for achieving the highest gross commission sales, which included the sale of Great Keppel Island, Pumpkin Island, Long Island & Bamborough Island just to name a few. As a single real estate agent, Richard can comfortably state that he has sold and negotiated the sale of some of the most exotic island properties in the Pacific.

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Australian Islands | Private Islands Online Australia

Professional, Personalized Service With No Booking Fees

CaymanVacation.com has over 28 years of experience arranging perfect Grand Cayman Island Vacations serving over 50,000 guests. With CaymanVacation.com, you will receive friendly, personalized boutique service, which leverages our in-depth knowledge of the Cayman Islands. Our attention to excellence assists you in choosing the very best Cayman Islands vacation accommodation to meet your specific requirements.

Choose from over 250 Grand Cayman condominiums, private villas and exclusive luxury estate homes. Grand Cayman accommodations range from 2 to 8 bedroom properties, perfect for honeymooners, family groups, reunions and wedding parties. Our hand selected properties are ideally located all over Grand Cayman. We personally know each property featured, helping you decide on the best option for your personalized Cayman Island Vacation.

Select from ultra luxurious to mid-range direct oceanfront condos and villas on beautiful 7 Mile Beach, East End, Northside, Cayman Kai and Rum Point.

Stay on Seven Mile Beach for all the action, virtually unlimited dining options, full water sports, water parks, duty free shopping and night clubs. Or get laid back in Cayman Kai and Rum Point for a slower pace of island living.

We also provide complete Travel Guard Vacation Trip Insurance to cover the cost of your airfare and/or accommodations.

Call CaymanVacation.com toll free at 1-888-208-8935 to learn more about our full travel services, accommodations and to schedule your Perfect Cayman Vacation. Or Book Online from our website for 24/7 real-time reservations.

CORAL STONE CLUB #21 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Sleeps 6 Perfect for up to three couples looking for the ideal Grand Cayman condo on beautiful and spectacular Seven Mile Beach. The master bedroom and both guest bedrooms feature king beds,

Rates from: (USD) $725 / night

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2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM, GROUND FLOOR, GARDEN VIEW UNIT Enjoy this units garden surroundings and its direct garden access through the screened patio door onto the garden path, leading to the south side beach, or the pathway from the front

Rates from: (USD) $370 / night

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Master Bedroom-King Bed. 1- Guest Bedroom: Queen bed :2 -Guest Room : 1Twin bed. & 1 Queen SecondFloor- Great View of the Ocean New Renovated Kitchen. Unit Beautifully appointed.

Rates from: (USD) $425 / night

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Located on the garden side of the North tower, this traditional and grand fourth-floor suite offers privacy and a fabulous view by which to relax and enjoy the breeze. Furnished in a traditional manner with Caribbean flair, this suite offer

Rates from: (USD) $1300 / night

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This expansive residence is located on the garden side of the South Tower and is angled to capture beautiful views of the aquamarine waters of Seven Mile Beach and lush tropical landscaping. Inside, the unit is furnished in a classic Britis

Rates from: (USD) $1400 / night

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CORAL STONE CLUB #31 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Sleeps 6 In a corner spot that looks directly onto the Caribbean out front and up Seven Mile Beach and beyond on its side, this Grand Cayman condo offers a beautifully tiled main bathroom tha

Rates from: (USD) $725 / night

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2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOMS, 3rd FLOOR, OCEAN VIEW UNIT w/ NEW DECOR - NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON. Enjoy the privacy provided by tall mature trees which frame the screened lanai of this second floor condo. Relax overlooking the sprawling lawn and ga

Rates from: (USD) $370 / night

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This lovely 5th floor 2Bed/2Bath Villa # 27 offers spectacular Caribbean Sea views from The kitchen, dining room and living room. This designer decorated villa offers a private patio, gourmet kitchen with granite counters, high-end stainles

Rates from: (USD) $650 / night

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Cayman Islands Vacation Rentals, 7 Mile Beach, Grand ...

ALISON STEWART

Last updated07:44, April 27 2017

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Never thought I'd be a little out of my comfort zone on a South Sea island so enchanting its palm-fringed shores, tropical forests and sapphire lagoons have featured in Hollywood productions and stars of screen, sport and politics have flocked to its luxurious resort.

It soon passes, this discomfort. I remind myself that, as the eminent British literary editor DianaAthillwrote of Florence: "Its great charm lay in its unlikeness to home in it being so enchantingly 'elsewhere' ".

Turtle Island, an all-inclusive, indulgent, private island resort in Fiji's Yasawa island chain, is like that.

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From the moment guests are carried off the seaplane by grass-skirted Fijian "warriors", they are "welcomed home" by Fijian staff.

The fact is I'm overwhelmed by the love of strangers. Not false affection, as it becomes apparent, but the kind of genuine warmth you might feel from family a desire to please, to make good any hurts, to surround one with happiness.

READ MORE: *Fear and floating in Tahiti *Beauty and fear under the sea *A to Z of Yasawa Islands

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Once the "cityness" has drained away, and shoes permanently shed, time slides easily into serenity.

For a person whose learned response to city-street advances is to brace for a sales pitch, it takes some adjusting to being folded so comprehensively into the arms of the "Turtle family".

Anonymity is not a word that exists in the Turtle Island lexicon. From the moment guests are carried off the seaplane by grass-skirted Fijian "warriors", they are "welcomed home" by Fijian staff singing beautiful songs, who clasp you to their hearts, kiss you repeatedly, bring little drinks and food treats, wanting to entertain and enlighten you, to initiate you into their culture, customs and families, sometimes joining you for meals, taking you around the island to introduce you to its workings.

Good luck trying to walk down the beach without a happy "bula bula, Alison!" or three echoing across the sand, followed by the arrival of a cocktail or an impromptu serenade.

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Turtle Island is exquisite a powdery crescent of sand frames a traditionally built, low-rise, eco-friendly resort.

And your exclusive "Bure Mama" is exactly that the Fijian mama you never had. Her heart's desire is to spoil you with champagne, homemade biscuits soft drinks, platters of fruit, leaving anything from little gifts and notes to aloe vera stalks for sunburn to daily activity plans and freshly washed laundry thank you, Mama Adi, our very own new mum.

Once the "cityness" has drained away, and shoes permanently shed, time slides easily into serenity. The South Sea breezes blow, the rains flow across the islands, then back out to sea, the trees wave their arms about, coconuts fall (preferably not on my head), the tide climbs and retreats and the days pass benevolently.

No wonder children adore Turtle Island visiting during dedicated family weeks in April, June-July and December-January this year and many have returned into adulthood. Five-year-olds and under have their own nanny and from six, a "Bula Buddy" is companion and playmate.

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Turtle Island, Fiji - only 14 huge, well-spaced bures hanging their toes into crystal waters.

We arrive from Nadi in the Turtle Island-owned Turtle Airways seaplane 30 interesting minutes as tropical storms sweep the Yasawas. Chief pilot Ontario-born Jamie Vanlenthe puts us down in the famous Blue Lagoon in practically zero visibility. We silently thank his Canadian blizzard experience.

Even in the rain, Turtle Island is exquisite a powdery crescent of sand frames a traditionally built, low-rise, eco-friendly resort with only 14 huge, well-spaced bures hanging their toes into crystal waters. They're set on the island's sheltered western side in tropical landscaped gardens of hibiscus, bougainvillea, fragrant white ginger, frangipani and strelitzia. Above the bures rise hills thick with mahogany, casuarina, Fiji Christmas trees, rain trees, papaya, coconut and pandanus.

To a bula chorus, Mama Adi and Turtle Island general managerRob Burnsescort us to our grand bure. Rob, or his wife and co-managerLandi, meet and farewell all guests, part of the total staff immersion guests experience.

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You can go snorkelling the reefs, or paddleboard, or kayak.

This includes being invited as guests of honour to the staff meeting on our final day where we are presented with our photo album and asked to address the staff.

The fact that I'm able to name and thank many staff members is testament to relationships formed. There's Adi, and Semi and Phillip who feed us amazing cocktails. Beni who trained with Turtle Island's food consultant, the much-awarded Jacques Reymond of Melbourne's former Jacques Reymond Restaurant and Tima indulge us with food. Senior staffAto and Billhost us. Ere, Ray and others take us for tours and snorkelling. Sali wrangles the horses. Mere charms us with her dancing and singing. Wainese is the friendly island seamstress. Mr Lui explains the incredible solar installation,for the island is 100 per cent energy sufficient with the biggest panel array in the Yasawas. And, apologies, that's just naming a few.

And by this stage, public speaking is second nature, expected the night before at the formal kava ceremony, lovo and meke (dancing and storytelling through song), as well as at pre-dinner cocktails when "the talking stick" may appear. Brush up your Toastmaster skills.

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Find your own deserted beach.

The two-roomed thatch bures, which have been built using island materials of hardwoods and stone in the traditional manner, are undergoing a "soft upgrade".

The brown-painted wood is being stripped to its natural state; the heavy drapes repurposed into screenprinted upholstery and delicate white drapes will lift the interiors. The lightening of the furnishings will enhance the charm of the bures with their coconut-leaf ceilings and traditionally woven bindings telling island stories. There is no television and onlyWi-Fi in the gift shop.

Bures have huge, petal-strewn, netted beds, indoor spas, double showers and basins with Pure Fiji coconut lotion and soaps and lemongrass insect repellent body spray, two toilets, a kitchen area, water cooler, sitting area, verandah with daybed, beach hammock and chairs to watch the setting sun make its red path across the water to neighbouring Nanuya Lei Lei or Little Turtle Island.

Nothing is compulsory and if guests choose, they can retreat to their villas for total solitude, but this is what you would miss:

A sunrise canter along Long Beach's white sands on Nemo and Deepak, followed by a beach breakfast of Moet, freshly baked muffins and fruit. Or deep-sea fishing to try and catch your lunch the tuna weren't running, but barracuda and trevally jumped onto the hook not mine, I was fast asleep. I ate them later, though. Or scuba diving one daily tank a guest provided, or stand-up paddling, or sailing.

Or perhaps a champagne beach picnic at one of the 14 private beaches, with names like Honeymoon, Devil's, Shell, Racheli's. Guests are taken there with hampers. The "vacant" sign is turned to "occupied", and we're free to do as we please snorkel, scoff, drink, snooze in the hammock, or whatever.

Or a private dine-out at one of many locations perhaps a pontoon in the lagoon with the constellations twinkling and the mullet jumping while you savour a Beni creation. Or dining at Cliff Point with its private swimming pool and 180-degree views, or on the mountaintop, or the jetty.

Or snorkelling the reefs to marvel at the cushions, flutes, curls, prongs and Christmas-tree forests of peach-coloured, pale blue, yellow and purple coral with garish little fish turning sideways to ogle you. And the occasional reef shark, which still give me the willies possibly the least friendly Fijians we will meet.

Or an excellent, Asian-inspired meal with produce from the huge gardens, cooked on the spot at the cyclone-proof Teppanyaki Grill, or sharing stories at the long dining table with your toes in the sand.

Or planting your own little papaya tree and naming it, in our case, after our first child, Georgia, so that a little part of us will remain on the island.

Or maybe, if you're a masochist, a screening with popcorn of the 1980 version of the movieBlue Lagoon, starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, that was filmed on Turtle Island and is a fixture for post-dinner Sundays.

Some tuneful snoring joins the lagoon's lapping lullaby after an hour or so of Brooke's wooden acting she won an award for it.

Or the communal breakfast where hospitality staff go through the "Bula Board", which lists arrivals and departures, your private beach or dine-out options, activities, ending with a reminder that rule number one is "keep smiling," while rule number two is: "Refer to rule number one".

But most of all you would miss the chance to build relationships with lovely people the guests often honeymooners or special-occasion couples who come mainly from the US and Australia, and the handpicked staff, many related to one another or to owner Richard Evansonsnr he has had six wives or partners, five of them Fijian, and has nine children.

Turtle Island is Evanson's creation. An American who grew up with a desire to own a tropical island, he bought the 202-hectare island in 1974. Evanson went about building one of Fiji's first luxury resorts. It has won many awards since it opened in 1980.A son, Richard Evansonjnr,now runs it.

At week's end, staff sing their lovely Fijian farewell,Ise Lei.Mama Adi fastens a hibiscus lei around my neck. Mere gives us a memory stick of photos with a shell tag she has made. Then, the charming Mintesh Prasad, Fiji's first Fijian-born seaplane pilot carries us back to Nadi, entertaining us with tales of movie stars.

We leave with the knowledge that Turtle Island is a place not just for those in search of luxury, or for lost souls whose spirits will be soothed, but for anyone willing to accept its uncomplicated kindness. Once you visit Turtle Island it's doubtful you will forget it.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO DO

A low-flying, 10-minute scenic flight will take you to dive and snorkel at the limestone Sawa-I-Lau Caves, home of Yasawa islands' deity, Ulutini. The adventurous are guided through an underwater passage between the two caves. Turtle Island will book this two to four-hour excursion. US$300 a person (NZ$435).

During their May to October Yasawa season, you can swim with manta rays at one of the nearby resorts. A Turtle Airways seaplane will deliver you to a manta site. Seeturtleairways.com/swimming-manta-rays-fiji/

Visit a local village to experience the warmth of Fijian life. Turtle Island can organise a visit as many of the staff live across the channel.

Dive cage-free with sharks at Vertical Blue Diving at nearby Blue Lagoon Resort on Nacula Island. You will need certification. Speak to the Turtle Island dock man.

In Nadi, there is a half-day tour of the Sabeto Mud Baths and Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Experience lush tropical gardens with lily ponds and orchids, then soak in traditional mud baths in the Sabeto Valley. Seeviator.com/

FLY

Manyairlines including Fiji Airways and Air New Zealand flyfrom New Zealand to Fiji, and Turtle Airways connects you to the island.

STAY

Turtle Island costs from US$2499 a night, a couple, all-inclusive. Seeturtlefiji.com

Alison Stewart was a guest of Turtle Island.

- traveller.com.au

-Stuff

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Turtle Island, Fiji: Unforgettable island offers more than just luxury - Stuff.co.nz

WITH AMENITIES RANGING FROMsecluded beaches and personal chefs to sailboats and submarines, renting an island can be a great option for travelers who want the comforts of a luxury resort, minus the crowds.

Islands that typically accommodate a dozen to 30 or more people are popular for family reunions, weddings, and milestone birthdays. Smaller islands make for intimate honeymoon and anniversary destinations.

Renting an island takes the idea of getting away from it all to a whole new level, says Melanie Fish, a travel expert at the vacation site HomeAway.com. When you know youre surrounded by water, it makes disconnecting all that much easier.

The disconnection comes at a cost. Fees range widely, from $1,000 per night for basic accommodations on a private island in Belize to a whopping $170,000 a night for a luxuriously equipped island in Fiji. The sticker price typically includes food, a chef, housekeeping, and all the islands amenities. Many groups opt to split the fee among several couples or families. This can sometimes bring the cost more in line with that of a high-end resort.

If you dont like the price, moreover, you can try asking for a discount. Theres significant room for negotiation, says Eric Grayson, founder and CEO of Discover 7 Travel, a luxury travel concierge company in New York City. He says he has seen prices drop as much as 15 to 20 percent during negotiations.

Many travelers think tropical when contemplating an island rental, envisioning secluded coves in the Caribbean Sea or Indian Ocean, but you can find plenty of private islands in other locales. Fish says she has seen rentals just off the U.S. coastline and on domestic lakes and rivers. You can even rent a private island in Connecticut, she adds.

BEFORE YOU COMMIT to a major rental, make sure youll like island life as much as you think you will. The idea of being separated from the rest of the world may sound appealing, but when some people realize just how separate they are, they go a little stir crazy, says Melissa Biggs Bradley, CEO and founder of Indagare Travel. She recommends doing a dry run at a private island resort, booking just a villa or room, instead of the whole island, for a weekend to see whether you enjoy being that removed from society.

If you do, its time to start shopping for an island. The best way to avoid disappointment is to work with someone who is familiar with the available properties, says Grayson. Engaging a booking agent lets someone else ensure that the rental contract, which is often extensive, details everything from how the island deals with power outages to how food is prepared. It may also open up new options, since some island owners opt to work only with certain companies and agents.

The key to getting what you want is clearly communicating all your expectations.

Were all about getting to know clients needs, says Lindsey Epperly, a luxury travel consultant and owner of Epperly Travel. Her process involves asking people about past experiences: Wheres the nicest place theyve stayed and what did they like and dislike about it? This helps her find properties that will fit their needs.

It also gives her information that the islands staff can use to pamper guests with personal touches. Dont be surprised if you find pictures of your dog in your room or if music by your favorite musician is playing in the main cabana when you arrive. The staff on a private island, Epperly says, is always five or six steps ahead.

EVEN WITH GREAT STAFF, though, a property may not suit your needs. We scout out each island, and we are upfront about what we think the pros and cons are, says Bradley. Everyone is going to show you the photo of a palm tree and a white sand beach. But whether that beach is in the British Virgin Islands, the Maldives, or the Bahamas makes a big difference. Transportation issues, local culture and customs, and seasonal weather changes cant be communicated in a photograph, she adds.

Working with an island advisor isnt the only way you can do your due diligence, says Jon Santangelo, founder of Chariot, a company that assists with arrangements for tropical destination weddings. Websites like TripAdvisor.com may contain feedback from travelers who rented all or part of an island. An online search can reveal whether an island has received any negative press. Santangelos favorite trick: entering the islands name into Facebooks search bar to see what other visitors have publicly posted.

You can also ask to speak to former renters, he says. You might not be able to, but theres no harm in trying.

If you opt to find island listings without the help of an agency on sites like HomeAway.com and Airbnb.com, do so carefully. If someones listing a private island for rent on Craigslist, I would proceed with caution, says Fish.

Its particularly important to clearly communicate your needs if you work directly with a private owner, she adds. Many offer a chef, staff, and other amenities, including transportation to and from the island and a fully stocked refrigerator, but sometimes only if you ask. You dont want to wake up the first morning and realize you have to fly back to the mainland for coffee, Fish says.

ONCE YOU'VE PICKED your perfect island, suggests Santangelo, reserve it at least a year before you plan to go, to ensure availability. Then start planning the logistics, or let someone else do so. Because the location may be remote and importing wine and foods may involve complications, you might need to allow considerable time for customs approvals and transporting specialty items by boat, says Bradley.

You do have to plan differently, she adds. You cant be spontaneous.

Thats certainly true when it comes to arranging for your arrival. Some islands have private airstrips but most require you to land at a nearby airport and take a boat, seaplane, or helicopter. Experts recommend ensuring you understand the transportation process and how long it will take to get from the airport to the island. Hopping in a puddle jumper and then a ferry after a two-hour flight is one thing. Doing so after a 12-hour, multistop journey is another.

When you arrive, you can typically expect to find an around-the-clock crew of housekeepers, butlers, and kitchen staff, with employees living in separate quarters or on nearby islands. Understanding whether you want to feel completely secluded or want to always know someones nearby is part of the booking consultants job.

There are ways [staff] can appear and disappear, says Epperly.

A Sampling of Island Rentals

Laucala Island, Fiji. Prices start at $170,000 per night with a five-night minimum. This 3,500-acre private island features 25 villas, complete with pools and indoor and outdoor showers. The property also features a hilltop spa offering Fijian treatments, five dining locations, an equestrian center, a boat fleet, and an 18-hole golf course. You can fly your private jet directly to the islands airport or land at Fijis Nadi International Airport and be transferred to the island via the resorts airplane.

Little Palm Island, Florida. Prices start at $175,000 for a three-night stay. The island has 30 one-bedroom suites. The fee includes transfers from and to the mainland; breakfast, lunch, and dinner for up to 60 people; non-alcoholic beverages; and amenities that include paddleboards, kayaks, motorboats, and fishing and snorkel gear. To reach the island, you fly to Key West International Airport and then transfer via seaplane or by car and then boat.

Turtle Island, Fiji. Prices start at $325,000 per week. The island has 14 bures, or Fijian villas. Each comes with an assigned Bure Mama, also known as your personal concierge. The island is designed to be self-sustaining and harvests all its power from its solar farm. As the name suggests, Turtle Island has its own sea turtle preserve. The closest airport that accepts private jets is Nadi International. The rental fee includes transfers to the island.

The Brando, French Polynesia. Prices start at $130,000 per night. Located on the Tetiaroa atoll 30 miles north of Tahiti, the island features 35 villas, a spa, and watersports that include snorkeling, paddleboarding, Polynesian canoeing, and scuba diving. Guests enjoy cuisine from Guy Martin of the Michelin two-star restaurant Le Grand Vfour in Paris, as well as guided island explorations led by local naturalists. Guests land on the main island of Tahiti at Faaa International Airport, where they are transferred by the islands private airplane and/or helicopter to the Brando.

Deep Water Cay, Bahamas. Prices start at $75,000 per night at this island, which can accommodate 50 guests in cottages and oceanfront homes. The cost covers lodging, meals, and daily boat-guided activities such as scuba diving, flats fishing, reef fishing, and snorkeling. You can fly privately directly to the islands airport, or you can land at Grand Bahama International Airport and then take a boat to Deep Water Cay.

Musha Cay, Bahamas. Prices start at $57,000 per night for up to 24 guests at this island, which magician David Copperfield owns. Rental includes access to a gym, tennis and volleyball courts, and a pool. To reach the island, you fly into Exuma International Airport; from there youre transported to Musha Cay by private air or boat charter.

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Paradise by the week - Business Jet Traveler

Since last fall, all eyes have been on Cumberland Island, where private landowners within Cumberland Island National Seashore were granted a variance to subdivide 87 acres into ten lots. This action spurred a furious debate about the remaining roughly 1,000 acres of privately-held land on the island and how much, if any, development should be permitted. In response, Camden County officials recently announced they are entertaining proposals for a new zoning code for the island.

Now is the time for all who love Cumberland Island to advocate for the adoption of a low-density, residential zoning solution for the islands remaining private property.

Georgias entire 100-mile coast is a globally-significant model for conservation. Private and public partnerships have resulted in the protection of 10 of our 14 barrier islands, which serve as critical habitat for our most beloved wildlife while also preserving our cultural and historical heritage. Conservation of these islands, including Cumberland, would not have been possible without private landowners.

When Lumar, LLC, was granted a variance for 10 lots on 87 acres, it was apparent that Camden Countys Conservation-Preservation zoning category was not working for private property owners. The fact is that the zoning is not ideal for the park, either. Under the current zoning, one could lawfully build a marina, bait shop, or even a hotel; yet this same policy does not allow a private landowner to build even one single family home. Additionally, the Lumar tract variance was required not because the subdivision would have violated the zoning code, but because it normally requires a paved road.

For Cumberland, a responsible zoning solution is one that prevents high-rise hotels, marinas, and high-density residential development while preserving private property rights in a way that doesnt interfere with the publics use of the park.

This conversation signifies a turning point for Cumberland Island and we all have a role to play.

To the islands private landowners, who have helped to steward this great place: Deepen your legacy by working together to determine the realistic needs of future generations. For those thinking about long-term land conservation, now is the time to talk to a land trust. For others not yet ready for a commitment, I hope you will make low-density zoning recommendations to conservatively meet your needs.

To Camden County officials: You will make the biggest impact on the future of Cumberland Island. I recommend adopting zoning regulations that allow for an average density of one residential unit per 25 acres, with an incentive to cluster homes to reduce fragmentation of habitat, lessen the impact of impervious surfaces, and ensure safe management of the islands fire-dependent ecosystem.

To all lovers of Cumberland: We must offer constructive suggestions that will allow responsible land use without compromising the ecological and cultural significance of the park. With continued responsible use, private landowners will add to Cumberlands value far into the future.

It is possible to support both conservation and private property rights through responsible zoning. Now is the time for all of us to celebrate the value Cumberland adds to our coast and advocate for sound policies that preserve the islands past, present, and future for generations to come.

^

Megan Desrosiers is the President and CEO of One Hundred Miles, a coastal conservation organization.

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Keeping Cumberland pristine and honoring private rights - Savannah Morning News

Every time a picture of America's Coolest Prez Ever gets posted on social media, the internet lights up like a Christmas tree. Of late, His Excellency, Barack Obama, was caught on camera photographing Michelle while they cruised the South Pacific on a carbon footprint-hogging 450-foot super yacht.

One Instagram click later and, who cares about global warming, or ISIS, or Russia? The picture goes viral ... followers gasp ... tears flow ... and leftists the world over fawn over their American idol.

One guy on social media went so far as to describe Obama as "our stepdad who broke up with our mom, America, who still loves us." Seriously? No wonder people think they need safe spaces these days.

Conveniently, leftists neglect the fact that their idol who trashed the rich for eight years now lives a lifestyle of the rich and famous.

If he isn't tucked away on a private island in the South Pacific once owned by Marlon Brando or kite surfing in the Virgin Islands with billionaire bud Richard Branson, he's hanging out with fellow Hollywood BFFs Tom Hanks, Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Springsteen.

Not too bad for a community organizer from Chicago.

His followers don't care how it happened, nor do they care that this adulated man they worship like royalty left in his wake a royal mess, spending more money and creating more debt than all his predecessors combined. Making income redistribution over economic growth his top priority, the economy sputtered his entire presidency. Americans suffered while he played golf.

Add to that, the world is on fire, thanks to poor choices, feeble leadership, and awkward appeasements. The worst of which were stashed away like time bombs, set to go off after his exit and upon the next president's arrival.

Last year, the man whose decisions in Syria helped to create ISIS told us "the world has never been less violent" and "we are living in the most peaceful, prosperous, and progressive era in human history."

On his watch, the Afghanistan war dragged on and Iraq was in shambles as ISIS expanded. But "the world has never been less violent" said he whose red line helped to stain the ground in Syria with the blood of a half million people while ISIS burned Christians in cages. Meanwhile, a million young Muslim men who should be defending their own countries deluged the West as "refugees" wherein terror attacks now abound.

That he believes "this is the most peaceful, prosperous, and progressive era in human history" is the reason why Democrats lost over 1,000 seats under his watch. It's also why America painted the electoral college map red last November.

But he still has his devoted followers.

Those who live to watch the world burn are forever grateful for the Obama era ... that eight-year vacuum of leadership when the inmates began to run the asylum and bad people were emboldened to act out evil.

Fast forward to today. News breaks that Russian bombers have been spotted off the Alaska coast twice this week, and it likely isn't to see if our snow is melting. Russia just unveiled another new Arctic military base. The first one, Northern Clover, was completed in 2015, probably while Obama was playing golf on Martha's Vineyard, yucking it up with his rich pals while reminiscing about his 2012 debate zinger to Romney about the non-threat Russia posed.

Now North Korea is threatening to launch a "super-mighty pre-emptive strike" that will reduce the United States "to ashes." China just put its bombers on alert and moved troops and equipment to the North Korean border along with Russia in anticipation that President Trump will keep his promise to keep America safe.

Spineless leadership, fake red lines, and pompous arrogance all have one thing in common: Barack Obama. If only Obama had pursued a career in Hollywood rather than Washington, he'd still have his feckless followers, but the world would be safer.

2017 Susan Stamper Brown Susan lives in Alaska and writes about culture, politics and current events. She is a regular contributor to Townhall, The Christian Post, Right Wing News and GOPUSA. Susan's nationally syndicated column is published in scores of newspapers and publications across the U.S.She writes about politics, culture and media and was selected as one of America's 50 Best Conservative writers for 2015 and 2016. Contact her by Facebook or at writestamper@gmail.com.

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Susan Stamper Brown: After an 8-year vacuum of leadership, Obama lives the life of a rajah - Tulsa World

The former president will take part in public and private events in the coming weeks, beginning with a Monday gathering with University of Chicago students, but dont expect a direct confrontation with President Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON Barack Obamas extended post-presidential vacation is about to end. After spending weeks in French Polynesia including time on the yacht of movie mogul David Geffen along with Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey Obama will return to Chicago on Monday for his first public event as a former president.

His self-imposed silence since Inauguration Day will end with a series of events over the next four weeks. A Monday event with students at the University of Chicago will be followed by an awards ceremony in Boston, a series of public remarks and private paid speeches in the United States and Europe, and an appearance at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Obamas supporters, who have been waiting eagerly for the former president to respond to his successors accusations and policy reversals, are likely to be disappointed.

Even as he witnesses President Donald Trumps relentless and chaotic assault on his legacy, Obama remains committed to the idea that there is only one president at a time. Those closest to him say the former president does not intend to confront Trump directly on immigration, health care, foreign policy or the environment during any of his events.

Why are we not hearing from him? Weve got to hear from him, said Sarah Kovner, a New York City Democratic activist who raised more than $1million for Obamas campaigns. Democrats are desperate.

Obama and a small cadre of former White House aides in his Washington office know that anything he says in public, no matter how veiled, will be interpreted as criticism of Trump.

Obamas aides say he will also not criticize Trump in his private paid speeches. The aides would not say how much Obama will be paid per speech, but former President Bill Clinton averaged more than $200,000 per speech between 2001 and 2015; former President George W. Bush is reportedly paid $100,000 to $175,000 for each appearance.

Aides have rejected the idea that Obama should actively wage a public feud against Trump, with whom he has not spoken since the inauguration. They believe that such a fight would give the current president the high-profile political foil he wants to further energize his conservative supporters.

Obama has also concluded that his voice is not essential in the daily back-and-forth. His aides note that a new level of civic activism among Democrats eager to challenge Trump has emerged without much encouragement from the former leader of the Democratic Party. And many of Trumps attacks on Obama-era policies like the health-care law have so far failed or stalled.

Instead, Obama is preparing remarks that focus on broader themes he hopes will keep him above the cable-television combat and the Capitol Hill debates: civic engagement, the health of the planet, the need for diplomacy, civil rights and the development of a new generation of young American leaders.

Obama is not the first president to try to avoid the political fights that consumed his time in office. Bush resisted pressure from his aides and supporters to criticize his successor during the months after Obama took office.

People around him wanted him to do it, recalled James Glassman, founding director of the George W. Bush Institute. People would come to me and say, Cant you get the president to defend No Child Left Behind? His legacy was about to be wiped off the face of the earth. The answer was no. Thats not the way he saw his post-presidency.

Glassman said that Bushs keep-quiet approach toward Obama was shaped by what he saw as unfair criticism by former President Jimmy Carter of his father, the elder President George Bush.

In the weeks after winning the White House, Trump assembled a Cabinet intended to eradicate most of Obamas accomplishments. Once in office, Trump accused the former president of wiretapping him, without offering any evidence, and he said on Twitter that Obama was a Bad (or sick) guy! Trump also accused his predecessor of being behind national-security leaks, and he all but blamed Obama for Syrias chemical-weapons attacks.

The pressure on Obama to enter the fray has steadily increased as Trump moved to reverse Obama-era environmental protections, ban travel from several predominantly Muslim countries, abandon trade deals, eliminate progressive regulations and install a conservative Supreme Court justice.

Through it all, Obama has stayed mostly silent. (During a conference call with thousands of despairing supporters a week after the election, Obama said only: Dont mope. And dont get complacent.)

After the Obamas moved into a nine-bedroom mansion a few miles from the White House in January, they began a series of vacations, each captured in grainy snapshots posted online.

Obama quickly left Washington for Palm Springs, California, and then it was off to a private island in the British Virgin Islands with British billionaire Richard Branson, where he was photographed kitesurfing.

More recently, Obama and his wife, Michelle, spent nearly a month in French Polynesia. A snapshot of the former president taking a picture of Michelle on the deck of Geffens yacht, the Rising Sun, went viral on the internet.

On Monday, the former president will return to his adopted hometown, Chicago, for a conversation with a half-dozen young people in front of an audience of college students.

As he begins his paid speeches, Obama, who is represented by the Harry Walker Agency, is scheduled to engage in a private conversation with the historian Doris Kearns Goodwin for the employees of the A&E television network.

On May 7 in Boston, Obama will accept the Profile in Courage Award given annually by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. He will deliver a speech at the librarys black-tie dinner. His remarks built around the theme of what courage means in todays world will not name Trump.

Later in May, Obama will be with his White House chef and friend, Sam Kass, in Italy for a session at the Global Food Innovation Summit about the effect of climate change on food sources. On May 25, Obama is to participate in a public discussion at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, joined by Merkel, a close ally during his time in office.

In both European countries, Obama will also deliver paid speeches.

Excerpt from:

Vacation's over: Obama returning to public life - The Seattle Times

For those who really, really, really want to get away from it all (and from everyone), renting your own private island makes for an ideal vacation. While it used to be that you had to be a mogul to do such a thing, nowadays youll find many of these getaways cost roughly the same as a night at a mid- to high-end hotel. From the shores of Colombia to British Columbia, these Airbnb islands prove lifes greatest luxuries are indeed peace and quiet.

Cartagena, Bolvar, Colombia, $572 a night

White-sand beaches and palm trees surround this classic Caribbeanfour-bedroom "cottage," which is perched on an island just off the Colombian isle of Tintipn. But this is a cottage the way Newport, Rhode Island, mansions are cottages: Its an adorable understatement. The 10,000-square-foot villa houses up to 25 people, if thats your idea of a getaway. The biggest draw is the authentic Caribbean cuisine served up by The Arks head cook, Maria Candela. Dine on traditional panfried fish and coconut rice, perhaps in the comfort of one of the many hammocks in the 700-square-foot outdoor great room.

Hinesburg, Vermont, $245 a night

If your ideal traveling companion happens to be of the four-legged variety, youll love this appropriately named dog-friendly island in the middle of Lake Iroquois. Theres a main cottage with a screened-in porch for lazy summer nights, plus places to camp if you prefer to sleep right under the stars. Hang out by the fire pit, take a swim or just enjoy the classic New England scenery.

Manchester, Michigan, $700 a night

If a private island somehow doesnt offer enough privacy, how about one that comes with a private 156-acre lake? Though youll have to pay a bit more for such a luxury, the ability to vacationand skinny-diplike no ones watching might be worth it. Swim and fish your heart out or just enjoy the simple pleasure of having a beach (and perfect view) all to yourself.

#ashkayisland

A post shared by Ashkay Island (@ashkayisland) on Jun 12, 2016 at 7:07am PDT

Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada, $333 a night

If youve logged too many hours on emails to count, book this island right now. This private island eco-retreat promises a break from notifications against the backdrop of the stunning Sunshine Coast of British Columbia(which hasnt been fully discovered as a vacation destinationyet). Youve got your choice of a yurt or tent-cabin, and meals are included in the price of your stay.

Sanibel, Florida, $775 a night

Youre never truly alone when you vacation in Floridaeven its gorgeous coastline becomes sullied by throngs of vacationers. That's especially the case for the picture-perfect beaches on Sanibel Island; that is, unless you opt for a private island off Sanibel instead. You can rent a boat to get to and from civilization, like restaurants and shops, then retire to a secluded paradise that remains confidently free of other peoples selfie sticks. Wanna share? The home sleeps up to 10.

Follow this link:

5 Private Islands You Can Rent on Airbnb for Under $1000 - Huffington Post

The cramped storage unit doesn't come with enough room to swing a cat, but there's a serious upside to living here

THIS home may look humble on the inside, but theres a very good reason why it comes with a 150,000 price tag.

The cramped storage unitdoesnt haveenough room to swing a cat, but buyers will have to hand over $189,000 (150,000) to get their hands on it.

privateislandsonline.com

This may sound like a terrible deal, but the whole package seems far sweeter when you realise what else youre getting for your money.

Thats because your 150,000 doesnt just get you a tiny property it gets you an entire private island, situated in Canadas picturesque Lake Superior.

Sarrat Island is a 1.5 acre plot, complete with a campsite, storage unit, outhouse, and, of course, a charming wooden dock where you canmoor your ride.

privateislandsonline.com

privateislandsonline.com

The pine-covered slice of land is the perfect spot for a fishing enthusiast or even a moose hunter and can be accessed easily by boat.

Surrounded by idyllic woodland, the islands lucky buyer could strike out in any direction and explore Canadas natural beauty at their leisure.

Andthe island could be all yours for less than the price of a London flat, with the freehold patch offering the perfect opportunity to escape the rat race and forge a new life in the wilderness.

privateislandsonline.com

Its listed on Private Islands Online, a site where you can bag islands from all over the globe.

The listings on the site range from humble homes like this one, to vast, multi-million pound paradise islands.

Google Earth

privateislandsonline.com

This isnt the first island home to excite house hunters, after we revealed that this dream island was on the market for a whopping 2.4 million.

And if youre looking for a cheaper buy, we recently revealed how one man was raffling off his mansion for just 2 a ticket.

See the original post:

This pokey home may not look like much, but it comes with something special to justify its 150k price tag - The Sun

JANE REDDY

Last updated14:26, April 11 2017

SUPPLIED

Blessed seclusion on the Song Saa Private Island.

It's the closest thing I'll get to a culinary romance.

In a crisp jungle dawn but with the promise of heat later in the day, I open the heavy wooden door of my villa to retrieve the rolled note that's been slipped between the outside handle. It's a love letter of sorts.

"'Souse day', good day from all the Song Saa Islanders.

SUPPLIED

Song Saa Island is nestled in the Koh Rang Archipelago.

"We trust that you are enjoying our little paradise and the Monk Blessing this morning.

READ MORE: *Angkor Wat in Cambodia dress code: Ban on scantily clad tourists *Kiwi woman admits breaking Buddha statue at Angkor Wat *A scary incident with stray dogs in Cambodia

"This evening we would like to invite you for dinner at our main beach area for Kampong Som ocean red snapper fillet and Island coconut creme brulee and tropical fruit compote.

"... From our island bakery you can enjoy Kamping Cham, ripe mango mousse torte, caramel palm sugar infused. With warmest wishes Chendu and Chef Sophat."

An invitation to dinner, cooked by another is a clear signal that I am away from the regular world of routine and rush that I've chosen.

The off button has been pressed, permission has been given to relax, here on this tiny island in Cambodia.

But on the journey to one of the kingdom's newest resorts it's hard to keep expectations in check.

Chatter about the Song Saa Private Island begins in the hot and dusty inland of northern Cambodia and follows me all the way south to our destination in the Koh Rang Archipelago.

In the coastal town of Kep, once dubbed the Riviera of the south, expat eyebrows raise at the resort's mention and locals grin.

The resort only five years young and the story of how Australian owners Rory Hunter and Melita Koulmandas Hunter came to build such a place on a jungle-covered island in this fledgling country appears to be better known in the kingdom than it does in their homeland (although they haven't lived in Australia for several years).

The kingdom's first true luxury resort on a private island sounds like the poster child for luxury as well as for care for the community and environment.

It sounds idyllic. A little far-fetched even.

And yet the speedboat ride from Sihanoukville port with leather seats, cool white flannels and champagne is upstaged after only a few steps on to the silkiest of sand of the private island (staff assure me that it's not imported) and a walk to the jungle villa with butterflies darting among the greenery.

The 3.5-hectare island, Koh Ouen, is just one part of Song Saa.

Wooden bridges connect it to its "sweetheart" the four-hectare nature reserve of Koh Bong, to the Vista restaurant and bar area and the over-water villas.

In an arc shape, without railings, the bridge walk to breakfast is both deliberate and giddying as schools of snapper dart back and forth in the turquoise water underneath me.

In the over-water pavilion, as oatmeal with cinnamon lemongrass and kaffir lime is served alongside tropical fruit cooled by wet stones, the putt-putt of fishing boats can be heard in the distance.

Just as intoxicating is the jungle villa No.11 with its heavy doors between bedrooms and conversation-pit lounging areas; half-moon pool overlooking its sweetheart island, outside showers, furniture of recycled fishing boats and a drinks station where fresh limes, lemongrass vodka and tonic water are refreshed each day.

Koulmandas Hunter designed almost every piece of furniture before having it custom made.

"All of the floors in the villas are old recycled housing materials from Thailand and Cambodia. The pool tiles are a local stone from the mainland and all the work stations are made from 100-plus year old Cambodian beds," she says.

If rustic sophistication were a thing, this would be it.

Be prepared too for the most elaborate turn-down service with ladders required to draw the curtains, restocking of the fridge, fluffing of the pillows and the lighting of many, many tealight candles enclosed in lanterns.

Request an in-villa movie night and you will return to a screen the width of the lounge area, movie projector and boxes of popcorn.

A private island this might be, but it is also one piece in the Song Saa story as the project director, Ben Thorne of the Song Saa Foundation, says of the first government recognised marine reserve that rings 200 metres around each island and across a five-hectare stretch of ocean.

"Fishing in the archipelago is the predominant source of food and income and nutrients for the local communities," Thorne says.

"We know that we have transient turtles come through the area and a high abundance of commercial fish species such as snapper and barracuda so the ones that are caught outside the reserve have protection in around the Song Saa islands.

"Once we've protected enough fish in our own marine reserve there will be juveniles going out beyond the waters of the marine reserve. It's about protecting and creating a legacy for the local fishermen as well as the local environment here.

"And we want guests to be able to go out and see this diverse reef, which we're proud to say we have."

To see how the foundation works, I cross the waters, not by luxury speedboat but by longtail to Song Saa's closest village in the community of Prek Svay, loosely translated as Mango River. Stilt houses line the waterways and fishing and cashew farming is a source of income.

Dotted with coconut trees, about 30 per cent of staff are from the community and the foundation runs English lessons and beach clean-ups as part of its conservation club.

Many are employed from nearby Sihanoukville and staff are gearing up for World Ocean day and mangrove planting.

I receive my Buddhist blessing from two monks and then from a small child a gift of bugs wings as I leave the village.

Back at the villa the rolled dinner invitation has arrived inviting me to the main pool area at the edge of the ocean under a canopy of twisted and thatched dried vines.

There's just one one other couple dining on a small deck in the middle of the pool, clearly marooned and loving it.

There's another 30 or so guests here, I just don't see them often.

Every night is a new dining place, from the beach club to the end of the jetty, all timed for sunset and maximum serenity.

One guest I do talk to has just arrived for a break from her heavy-duty job in industrial China for a week of spa treatments and yoga classes and I understand the repeat visitation.

This tiny island is the place for a punctuation mark of sorts. The honeymoon, the anniversary, the present to yourself.

For me it's been the shortest, sweetest romance of all time.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO DO AT SONG SAA

* Take a kayak or catamaran with picnic to explore the area.

* Snorkel around the islands to spot grouper and parrotfish.

* Hire the spa sanctuary for exclusive use under the stars.

* Join the daily morning yoga class.

* Explore Koh Bong with a conservation team member to spot kingfisher, sea eagles and Malaysian plover.

Read more here:

Maldives? Tahiti? No, this luxury island is not where you'd expect ... - Stuff.co.nz