Well, back in my January blog about Customs and Immigration in different countries, I said you need to pack your patience...and my trip to Mexico last week proved that I wasn't kidding.

While the group of islands located just south of Cuba has been prone to serious tropical storms and hurricanes, the destructive 2005-hurricane season, Ivan in particular, almost swept the Cayman Islands off of the map. The Caymans’ notoriety as one of the world's leading offshore financial centres has helped bring the economy back to life.

What is a Caribbean Vacation without a few cocktails and some adventure? While cruising on a BVI Yacht Charter offers some of the finest luxuries any vacation can offer, it never hurts to go ashore for some mingling with locals and a little libation. Here is a list of some of some of the best beach bars in the British Virgin Islands. Land HO!!!
ANEGADA

If it’s the first time you’ve traveled on a Bahamas Yacht Charter or you haven’t chartered within the last five years than you may want to know that a few of the customs rules have changed. Whether you are traveling by yacht or car outside of the United States you will need to present additional paperwork when returning from nearby countries.

The December, 2007 issue of South Florida CEO, The Business Magazine of Miami-Dade, Broward and the Palm Beaches, featured an article about Merrill-Stevens' Miami River expansion and the future growth of the company. Merrill-Stevens CEO Fred Kirtland was interviewed for this article written by Jennifer LeClaire.
The Miami-Dade County Commission recently approved plans for a $55 Million expansion of Merrill Stevens Boat Yard that will facilitate yacht re-fits and repairs for luxury mega-yachts.

You are deplaning after a long flight, eager to get to your hotel and your complimentary rum punch when wham…you run into a huge mass in customs and immigration. You’re not going anywhere soon. Sound familiar? While the requiring of US Passports (instead of the birth certificate and drivers license of old) seems to have helped speed things up, if you travel often enough, it is inevitable you will run into a mess somewhere.

I am by no means an expert on getting married in the Caribbean, but since I’ve been married there (twice), I do have some thoughts on the subject.

People often ask me "which is your favorite island in the Caribbean?"
That would be like asking a parent "which is your favorite child?" Each island is different with it's own distinct personality...how can you choose one favorite? Sure, you can select one with the best beach...but do you mean the whitest sand, the calmest surf or the most people watching? You can select the most "lush" island, but do you mean flowers and rainforest or do you mean packed with tropical palms and bamboo? You can select an island with the "most to do" but is that above or below water?

Most Americans are interested in vacation promotion, especially when the traveler is coaxed into visiting a Caribbean Island like Barbados. Last month we read with interest when our eyes spotted
part of a small ad offering a vacation promotion the BEST of BARBADOS. While in Barbados we learned the Best of Barbados promotion is an off season promotion offered twice each year, in the spring after the winter high season and again in the fall after summer season. Because it is lightly promoted travel consumers can miss the offering. This writing is our effort to help spread the word.

The Oct.2007 issue of CT & L mentions numerous natural herbs found on Caribbean isles.(see Bob's Back Page) Here are some of the curatives I've encountered in my travels: On a recent trip to St. John, a local elder offered me a concoction of guavaberries and cinnamon. The guavaberry/rumberry is supposed to be a remedy for liver ailments. The fumes from this fermenting liquid burned my nostrils!