Holbox, Mexico

Holbox is pronounced "Holbosh"...

http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-holbox.htm

Here there are no cars, no cell phones, no internet, no wake up calls and i hope... no gyms...

Only white beaches for miles and miles. Whale sharks you can dive with and Isla Parajos (Island of the birds), a bird sanctuary. I feel in love with this island 2 years ago. My first find in secluded islands. It is easily accessible from Cancun. A choice or planes, buses or cars are available from the Cancun airport. Once at port, a ferry can take you accross the water to the island of Holbox. But from what i've heard, many local fisherman are happy to take you accross at a low cost. What i like about the bird sanctuaries is that they are all equiped with viewing platforms, well above ground on stilts, so the grounds are not disturbed by humans.

Here are a few places you can stay at on Holbox...

Belize

I feel i've passed out on something good here...

I had seen a few years ago land for sale in belize.
Many places on the beach. I'm starting to regret never looking into it more seriously...

Many beautiful house are in Belize, and in my opinion, at affordable prices. The image here on the right is run by a couple in Belize, at Caye Casa. What a great way to live! You can rent a cottage from 150$/night (sleeps 4 adults) or from 100$/night a couple's cabana. This place is on the beach and has it's own dock.

Shout out to my Bro!

My little brother JF is currently in San Cristobal Mexico, in the Chiapas Mexico area. I still call him my little brother, but he's now 24 years old. We all miss him like crazy and worry sick about him. But he's a smart kid and should be ok! Below is a map of Mexico. JF is close to the bottom of the map, near Guatemala. He should be in the area of Oaxaca.

I had never researched this part of Mexico before. It is very close to Guatemala and Belize. I have tried to convince my brother to go to Belize and check out some places for me. It may take more convingcing... JF being a back-packer, we don't have the same taste in lodging : )

http://www.mexico.us/sancristobal.htm

Maybe showing off a little of Belize will change his mind. I haven't yet finished with the British Virgin Islands, but i'll make an exception! While i sit here, with a nice glass of red, i will dream about beautiful beaches and try to convince my bro to stop by one of these. So here's to you little guy, Cheers!

Belize...

Ever wanted to be a pirate? Pusser's Marina Cay, British Virgin islands

I mean really, did you ever want to be a pirate? I have! I'm going to refer to Mr. Depp again... ever since that scene of drinking rum around a fire on a deserted island in Pirates on the Caribbean, yes! I'd love to be a pirate! : )


Anyways, back to Pusser's Marina Cay... I'd like to dedicate today's caption to Mr. Charles Tobias. Who personally resurrected Pusser's rum. Pusser's rum had been made for 300 years, from 1655 till 1970. http://pussers.com/outposts/


It is now again available to the public and made here at Marina Cay, off Tortola British Virgin islands. Ketya






They also have a live web cams on the island:

http://pussers.com/outposts/webcam?R=200611231123274565caff2fc5f&ID=1


http://pussers.com/outposts/webcam?R=200611231123274565caff34a78&ID=2


http://pussers.com/outposts/webcam?R=200611231124384565cb46ac8ca&ID=3

Partying and sailing in Tortola, British Virgin Islands

It seems Tortola is always in party mode! You can constantly find sailing events and almost weekly festivities. But the biggest festival seems to be in August, celebrating the 1834 Emancipation Act. Here's a link i found of an updated list of what's happening in the British Virgin Islands.
http://www.bvitourism.com/events

Sailing is a huge part of these islands. So many services are available for fishing and boating. You can rent a boat and crew (for those of us, like me, who have no idea!) or just a boat. It can be for a full, all-inclusive weeks tour or just for an hour. Here are a few places, But they're easily found on the web.

http://www.yachtpromenade.com/index.htm

http://www.catamarans.com/







http://www.endlesssummer.com/

http://www2.gobeach.com/bvi/psipsina.htm

http://www.charteraboat.com/silmaril/

British Virgin Island map

http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/caribb/vg.htm

The Distillery, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Tortola, the largest piece of the British Virgin islands. Many choices are available here. From a quiet villa to a spa, Tortola will not disapoint. Most of the villas I've found in Tortola are from a great web site: http://www.caribbeanway.com/ This site was the first to get me hooked on the caribbean. It's very easy to use and they have options for all budgets.

I've tried doing a compilation here of the best ones, enjoy!

The Distillery is about 1200$ cdn for 7 nights per person, if it is booked for 7 people. This building used to be a rum distillery until 1950. Before the distillery, the site had been an indigo and a sugar cane plantation. The area must be filled with history.

Peter Island, British virgin Islands

Maybe as a special treat, a couple of nights on Peter island would be just the thing... Check out the Peter island resort. Even the logo is great : ) http://www.peterisland.com/peterisland.html

Ketya

Norman island, British Virgin Islands

I couldn't wait to get to this island just so i could talk about William Thorton. It's a floating bar! How cool is that! It would be like being a pirate for a night. If that means i get to see Johnny Depp on a boat, sign me up! : ) In my opinion, not something to miss if visiting Norman island.

http://www.lionindasun.com/destinationPages/establishments/willyT.html


Like most of the British Islands, the reefs are everywhere. A perfect spot for scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing. Many excursions are available to the caves on Norman island.


The island has a history with pirates. Many stories surround this area about burried treasures and lost gold.

You can pretend to be a pirate for a night at Pirates Bight Bar.

http://www.normanislandpirates.com/news/index.html

Necker Island, British Virgin Islands

I've known about Necker island for about 4 years now. Who ever has been trapped at my previous apartment, forced to look at villas in the Caribbean islands by me, would have seen this one : ) It is SPECTACULAR! Fit for a king, since only a king could afford it! Never the less, it is part of the British Virgin islands and I insist on commenting on each one of these islands. This Balinese villa has 31 staff members and 13 bedrooms.

http://www.caribbeanway.com/villa-page/ind/106236.asp

Although, I can understand these prices. If compared to other islands for sale in the Caribbean, the prices are so high to buy private islands and need much maintaining. Check out the links below, they are examples of other properties for sale of about the same dimension.

Ketya

Saline island, Grenadines

This site has the cost at $20 000 000 US for 50 acres of land.

Sandy island, Grenadines

For $6 500 000 US you can buy this 20 acre island.

Little Thatch, British Virgin Islands

Little Thatch in the British Virgin islands is the perfect castaway destination. Again, this is a "when i'll be rich and famous" resort, but well worth a look! 54 acres of beautiful vegetation and white beaches.

http://www.islandhideaways.com/villa.php?villa_id=10191#

http://www.privateislandsonline.com/little-thatch.htm

Guana Island, British Virgin Islands

Rent a private island in the British Virgin islands.




This is a beautiful example of what can be done with a small island in the Caribbean. This is also why I respect the owners of these of the small islands of the British Virgin islands so much. Nothing but pure vegetation and beautiful greens. Guana island is a resort, i know, i said i would never do "all-inclusives". But if any exception should be made, this should be it! http://www.guana.com/index.html

So, when I'm rich and famous, I'll surely stop here to drink something out of a coconut : )

I would rarely recommend something to people that i couldn't afford myself and i really try to stay with villas. But once in a while, a girl's just gotta dream... This whole island can be rented for up to 35 people. They offer all sorts of arrangements for special events such as weddings and business events.

The images above of Guana island are from:
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/guana.htm

Ketya

Cooper island, British Virgin islands

I found a very cute and affordable beach club here on Cooper island. Appropriately called the Cooper island Beach club : )

Ketya

http://www.cooper-island.com/

Anegada, British Virgin Islands

Some of the most beautiful beaches are found here (above is a picture of the Anegada island Cow Wreck beach bar). The wonderful thing about the British Virgin Islands is that environment and vegetation has been left mostly untouched. Deserted islands can still be found and some even bought. The islands are very close to one another and easily reachable by boat or small planes. The locals are very familiar with the waters and many of them are available for day trips.


Also found in Anegada... lobster! They apparently have terrific fresh lobster here. It's served at the Anegada Reef Hotel:
http://www.anegadareef.com/Default.htm











Beachfront cottage rentals:
http://www.bvitourism.com/accommodations

Ketya

What if...

First, I'd like to mention that this blog will contain spelling mistakes and strange turns of phrases. English not being my first language, it will happen. Being from Montreal will do that to you. Most of the people in the city can speak both languages perfectly, but studied in only one language. Sorry!

For now, I'll be adding links to the web sites I'd like to refer to. I'll add any pictures here i have permission for and available to the general public. Please feel free to let me know if I've added restricted information inadvertently : )

As most people, i have the dream of running away to the Caribbean. Living in a small house by the sea and collecting sea shells as a simple hobby. For the past 5 years I've researched all of the islands, so much that they've become part of me. I can close my eyes and see the dirt road ahead of me that leads to the town, hear the waves in the distance and smell the ocean breeze. Running away to the Caribbean is like... when you're a kid and want to run away with the circus. But what if it could be done? What if i looked into this and made it work? Stranger things have happened!

My master plan **under construction**

Many of my ideas are still up in the air, for now. Any feed-back would be wonderful, i will be looking at the legal red tape if i see this can be done... My project is to start a type of traveling service in the Caribbean islands. I'm looking at offering Villa rentals on daily, weekly or monthly basis. I'd like to serve people who are looking for secluded and exotic destinations. While matching the "all-inclusive" prices.

My plan is to move to the Caribbean and first have a small business there. Such as a restaurant or a lounge maybe. Basically a meeting point. I'd offer services such as travelling from one island to another, cars or golf carts to rent, where to shop or have a cook. I've realised that people are willing to try more adventurous travelling if they have a place to go to for information, tips and services. I'd love to take people out for day trips to deserted islands or deep sea fishing. Reserving the villas and planning for activities in the area for my guests.