Daily Archives: March 25, 2021

Have you ever wanted to just drop everything and move to a remote island in the middle of nowhere?

Because you can.

If you have over $1 million that is. (Or, get 1,000 friends to chip in $1,000 each)

If you have more than $1.8 million at your disposal, why not splurge on your own island?

According to a listing from Private Islands Inc., a 67-acre island at the heart of Lac des Grandes Baies inNominingue is up for grabs for USD$895,000 ($1,125,686 Canadian).

Its an extremely rare location especially for those prioritizing tranquillity, diverse nature and precious wildlife, reads the listing.

A portion of the island is a protected wildlife reserve known as the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, meaning you will have neighbours just not of the human variety.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

According to SEPAQ, the island is home to moose, deer, bears, fish, and a variety of birds.

The listing says a maximum of 12 residential homes can be built on the island, so you and your 1,000 buddies can split it up as you all see fit.

Ownership on the island grants legal access to a private boat launch, a lakeside beach, and a private dock.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

Private Island Inc.

The land is exactly 200 kilometres from downtown Montreal so you can be sure youre isolating yourself with the best of them.

Here is the original post:

This $1.1 million island in Quebec is for sale (PHOTOS) | Urbanized - Daily Hive

If youre in the market for a new home in Vancouver, you could save yourself a few hundred thousand dollars and buy yourself a private island instead.

Yes, you read that correctly.

According to the National Bank of Canada, the average price of a non-condo residence in Vancouver is$1,342,184.

Meanwhile, the entirety of Burts Island less than a six hour drive from the city is for sale for just $695,000.

The sprawling 5.3 acre private island is located within thewell-protected Bamfield Inlet on Vancouver Islands west coast.

Unlike the Georgia Strait and Inner Coast, very few private islands become available for sale on the west coast of the island, readsthe listing from Private Islands Inc.

Burts Island is currently undeveloped, leaving you ample space to build your dream home. According to the listing, there are several building sites to choose from.

The land is easily accessible, and features gentle topography, Private Islands Inc. notes.

Other highlights of the property include its proximity to Barkley Sound, one of BCs top fishing destinations, and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

If youd rather buy a move-in-ready island, Private Islands Inc. has dozens of other listings up for sale across the province.

Go here to see the original:

Private island for sale in BC costs less than the average Vancouver home | Urbanized - Daily Hive

It shares a ZIP code with apartment complexes, storage centers, a skate park, a Walmart Supercenter and thousands of Wilmingtonians who hang up their board shorts and bikinis in and around Ogden and Porters Neck.Yet hardly a directional sign shows drivers the way to Figure Eight Island.Thats by design.I used to run an ad that said, Discover Figure Eight Island, the bestkept secret in the South, said longtime Figure Eight Island resident and real estate agent Buzzy Northen. I had to take it away because nobody wanted me to tell anybody that.The private island, located just north of Wrightsville Beach across Masons Inlet, is home to the most expensive real estate in North Carolina. Nearly all of the islands 498 properties are valued at more than $2 million, and some exceed the $5 million barrier. And the law of supply and demand shows that values on the island will continue to rise.

Our problem right now is we have a lot of demand, and we have very low inventory, said Jo El Skipper of Figure Eight Realty. But it was a roller coaster ride of a year, and I guess a lot of people who had been thinking about Figure Eight decided to jump in and finally pull the trigger and buy a beach house.In October 2020, the sale of 142 Beach Road South on Figure Eight was the highest ever recorded by the N.C. Regional Multiple Listing Services (MLS). The 5,800-square-foot, sevenbed, seven-bath home that features ocean views from nearly every room carried a price tag of $5.5 million.2020 was the biggest year ever on Figure Eight, said Northen, who was the listing agent for the 142 Beach Road South sale. The pandemic led the way. People were looking for a safe waterfront community that they knew was a good investment.

On Figure Eight Island, shared community expenses among the islands 498 homes also involve maintenance items such as beach nourishment and 24-hour island security.Everybody maintains, everybody chips in to maintain the waterfronts, the oceanfront, said Northen. God does most of it.Wilmington-area beach towns have in the past received help from federal, state and county funds to help cover the cost of beach nourishment projects. The 2018 nourishments of Wrightsville Beach and Ocean Isle Beach carried a price tag of $13.2 million.Were currently finishing a two-year beach-nourishment project, Northen said. It will probably be finished by the first of April. Were putting sand on the south end of the island.We have never accepted any federal money. We pay for everything.

People that own property on the island, they say when they drive over that bridge, they say its a whole sense of peace, Skipper said. Its the feeling that youre a world away, but with the accessibility to all of the things that you want if you decide you dont want to be a world away, so its the best of both worlds.Fourth of July, when the island is at its capacity and everyone is there with family and friends, and you go out to the beach, you can literally go out to the beach and find your own space to sit and the next person might be 25, 30, 50 or 100 yards from you. That is really hard to find these days. The fact that it is so limited is whats made it the special place that it is.Its a very unique 5-mile stretch, Northen said. We are one of very few designated areas that has a pristine water designation. And we think we have the finest walking beach anywhere. Its very tidal. We have an average 4-foot tide. Shells everywhere.

See the article here:

Escape to Figure Eight - Greater Wilmington Business Journal

If you were lucky enough to take a tropical beach vacation more than 30 years ago, you were likely amazed at the underwater world you could explore with a snorkel and mask. Since then, underwater enthusiasts often find reefs are a disappointment, with bleached, broken, and dead corals more prominent than live colorful ones.

Coral restoration projects are making a difference. Theyre not just for guests of the hotels that sponsor them but make a difference for the entire planet. As you plan a post-pandemic beach vacation, lend the oceans a helping hand by choosing a resort that participates in coral reef restoration programs.

Dead coral reefs in shallow water which were killed during the mass coral bleaching event, related ... [+] to climate change. Bleaching of coral colonies is caused by warming of sea temperature and most likely combined with other environmental stresses causing coral to expel symbiotic zooxanthellae algae, which could even lead to coral death.

Due mainly to climate change, but also to problems like over-fishing and even tourists wearing the wrong sunscreen, the worlds corals are dying at an accelerated rate. Experts say that in the last 30 years, 50 percent of the worlds coral reefs died. They predict that 90 percent of corals will die within the century without interventions, chiefly reducing the temperature of the oceans by controlling global warming.

Snorkelers and scuba divers have a vested interest in the health of the worlds coral reefs. But so does every inhabitant of the planet, regardless of where they live or what they like to do on their vacations.

Healthy coral reefs are essential to humans, both directly and indirectly. In her TEDTalk, biologist and TED senior fellow Kristen Marhaver describes how corals are security guards, chemists, and even artists.

Ocean waves and coral reef from above, Grand Baie (Pereybere), Indian Ocean, north-west coast, ... [+] Mauritius

Corals protect coastlines from erosion and storm damage; keep the oceans carbon dioxide levels in check; filter ocean water making it clearer and cleaner; are a source of key components of new antibiotics and cancer drugs; and are nurseries for many of the fish humans eat and for the food chain that sustains them. And, of course, corals are a source of beauty and a key contributor to the tourism industry. In the U.S. alone, its estimated that coral reefs are worth $3.4 billion each year and that they prevent $94 billion in damages from flooding annually.

Coral restoration, Viking Bay, Phi Phi Le, Krabi province, Thailand. Sony mirrorless camera in ... [+] underwater housing, Iron Z330 strobe lighting.

Slowing climate change and reducing global warming is essential for protecting the planets coral reefs. Coral restoration projectsmany sponsored and supported by beach hotelshelp too.

Basically, corals are grown in nurseries and then transplanted onto reefs at risk. Most corals grow very slowly and scientists are doing much work to determine the ideal conditions to encourage coral reproduction and development to get the worlds reefs back to health.

Coral restoration at Kokomo Private Island

When you choose to stay at a resort that supports coral restoration, you help revitalize reefs. Some resorts welcome you to see the coral nurseries with your own eyes and even help out.

At Kokomo Private Island Fiji, marine biologist Cliona OFlaherty established a coral restoration project in 2018 (heres more on OFlaherty and her work). So far, 1,200 corals have been planted in the nursery and 200 transplanted back onto the reef. Stay at one of Kokomos 21 villas or five residences and you can swim over the coral garden and get hands-on experience helping with coral selection, fragmentation, and transplantation. Divers can also visit nearby Walker Restoration Reef, the reef Kokomo adopted under PADIs Project Aware sustainability program.

Kokomo Private Island Fiji's healthy house reef.

Boutique resort Harbour Village Beach Clubon the island of Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbeanalso has a coral restoration program, via the Harbour Village Reef Foundation. Divers can help maintain the underwater coral nursery and get their PADI Reef Renewal Certification. Bonaire created the Caribbeans first protected marine park and, according to the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, Bonaire has the most pristine reef environment in the Caribbean. This is thanks to its location outside the hurricane zone and conservation actions by the government and resorts like Harbour Village Beach Club.

Baa Atoll, Indian Ocean, Maldives (Photo by Reinhard Dirscherl/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

In the Maldives, the health of the reefs surrounding the countrys 1,192 islands is essential. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhuone of the Coco Collection resorts in the protected Baa Atollwas one of the first Maldives resorts to have a resident marine biologist. Coral replanting as well as initiatives to protect manta rays, turtles, and sharks are key elements of Coco Collections sustainability work. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is another great choice for travelers wanting to help coral reefs while they take a vacation.

The Mnemba atoll on the east coast of Zanzibar

You can even support coral reefs when you take a safari by relaxing on the island of Zanzibar before or after seeing Africas land-based wildlife. Zanzibar is well known for its spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling sites, in its warm waters with underwater visibility often exceeding 100 feet. You can snorkel and dive year round (and even watch the gentle giants of the sea, whale sharks, eat tiny plankton off protected Mnemba Atoll from September to December).

Coral Reef Care began its coral restoration work in Zanzibar in 2012 (theyll happily accept your donations too). Alluring Africas The Zanzibar Collection and Zuri Zanzibar are two Zanzibar hotels that support coral restoration.

Wherever you take your ocean-side vacation, choose hotels that support coral restoration projects.

See more here:

Coral Restoration And Why You Should Choose Hotels That Support It - Forbes

AN island 4km off the West Cork coast has gone up for sale with plenty of redevelopment opportunities.

West Calf Island, the most westerly of the three Calf islands in Roaringwater Bay, has hit the market for an undisclosed sum. Up for grabs is the 62-acre island with several derelict farm and out houses.

The island is uninhabited and selling agents Private Islands say there is good potential for redevelopment under the Cork County Development Plan.

Current planning guidelines suggest that if some form of economic benefit can be offered to the local community, either by directly employing locals, or through improved tourism facilities, then redevelopment would be looked upon favourably. There is a freshwater lake traditionally used for livestock on the island so perhaps Alpacas might add the necessary spice.

West Corks Horse Island sold last year for 5.5m, although it included luxury accommodation.

Subscribe to the Southern Star'sYouTube channel, like us onFacebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news and sport from West Cork.

View post:

Chance to make a moo-ve on West Calf island - Southern Star Newspaper

A Marine from Los Angeles who was killed in November 1943 during combat in World War II was honored Tuesday with a procession as his remains were returned to Southern California.

U.S. Marine Private Jacob Cruz was killed in action Nov. 22, 1943 while he faced battle with Japanese forces on the small island of Betio in the Tarawa Atoll of the Gilbert Islands. Cruz died on the third day of a battle that left about 1,000 Marines and sailors dead and more than 2,000 wounded.

He was 18 years old.

Cruz was reported to be buried on the island in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33. In 2019, archaeologists with the nonprofit History Flight located remains and turned them over for identification to the forensic lab at the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

One set of the remains were confirmed to be those of Private Cruz.

Local news from across Southern California

A flight carrying the remains arrived Tuesday morning at LAX from Hawaii. They were transported to a mortuary in Montebello in a procession that included veterans and a salute from law enforcement officers.

Cruz's name is in the Court of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicated he has been found.

Private Cruz served in Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division.

Read more:

Remains of SoCal Marine Arrive Home Nearly 77 Years After He Was Killed in World War II - NBC Southern California

From an international party island to a paradise ghost town, Indonesias Gili Trawangan is still left waiting for the return of tourists.

When I left central London in February 2020 for six months of traveling around Indonesia, I didnt quite anticipate spending those entire six months (and more) on one tiny, remote island in the Lombok Strait with 40 other ex-pats as company.

Gili Trawangan, a famed party island thats a two-hour speed boat away from Bali, was one of the first Indonesian islands to close its border at the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020, Gili T, as its colloquially known, became exit-onlythose who decided to leave werent allowed to set foot back on the island.

I arrived excited to enjoy the islands endless beach clubs, international restaurants, and incredible scuba diving. Gili T is a place to have fun: pre-COVID, it was impossible to cycle around the islands one main road without being tempted by some kind of excursion or experience. At this point, the word corona was a distant threat, a far-away virus that would never work its way over to Indonesia, I naively thought.

Those conversation-starter questions of What would you bring to a desert island? Suddenly we were playing the real-life version.

Continue Reading Article After Our Video

Everything changed overnight when the threat of the virus was suddenly thrown into the forefront of the worlds issues. Tables full of international backpackers suddenly emptied out to a select handful of us who weighed up the odds and considered this paradise island to be a better alternative to our home countries.

It was a gamble. Those conversation-starter questions of What would you bring to a desert island? Suddenly we were playing the real-life version.

Those who wished to leave the island tackled a speedboat to Lombok, a two-hour drive to the airport, and a plane back to Bali, before domestic flights between the two almost entirely stopped. Then, the only consistent mode of transport was the slow ferry across the Lombok Strait. After one ferry sank and the following ones spent upwards of 12 hours waiting to dock in the port, staying put on Gili T became an even more inviting prospect.

Such a remote location has its pros and its cons. Isolating Gili T from the rest of the world was relatively effortless, considering the only entry point is via the sea.

But even the protection of Gili Ts sea border couldnt put minds at rest at the start of the pandemic. Everyone split into smaller groups and went into hiding for a fortnight. This already-eerily quiet island became a ghost town, with one designated person from each quarantine group leaving their accommodation every so often to go to the store and buy food.

At this point, we went into emergency mode, taking large amounts of cash out from the ATMs in case they ran out, stocking up on instant noodles in case we couldnt access food supplies from Lombok, and spending at least a few moments each day wondering whether wed all made the wrong decision to stay put.

Relaxing in paradise was relatively easy, as long as I didnt think too hard about the lack of hospital, doctors, or other emergency supplies within easy distance.

After a 14-day quarantine period, which ensured the island was entirely free from COVID, lockdown restrictions were loosened and life continued in a new sort of normal. Slowly, Gili Ts lively spark began to flicker.

Relaxing in paradise was relatively easy, as long as I didnt think too hard about the lack of hospital, doctors, or other emergency supplies within easy distance. So, of course, this was around the time I caught dengue fever.

One mosquito bite turned into multiple mosquito bites that turned into a disease that struck me down within 30 minutes of feeling a slight headache. And I wasnt the only one. No amount of DEET could stop resident after resident on Gili T from dropping like, well, flies.

At its best, dengue fever promises achy bones, a fever, rash, and a general feeling of malaise. At its worst, it requires hospitalization from dengue hemorrhagic fever where your blood leaks from your veins. A night of hallucinating and being too weak to do more than crawl on the floor to get a glass of water for 45 minutes placed me somewhere in the middle.

The fear of a trip to the nearest hospitalwhich required catching a horse and cart to the harbor, a private speedboat to Lombok, and a two-hour drivewas definitely a bigger fear than COVID. And that was while keeping in mind that, if I did need to leave the island, there was a high chance I wouldnt be able to re-enter, back to my community of new-friends-turned-family.

Dengue passed, along with day-after-day of this newly relaxed pace of life. People cautiously started socializing, first by popping over for socially-distanced drinks before relaxing and finally hanging out as normal. Well, as normal as an island that usually greets as many as 1,200 tourists per day can be when reduced to a tiny group of long-term residents.

Safe from tourists and the fear of catching COVID, the island became a private playground.

While the rest of the world was staying home, we had relative freedom. Safe from tourists and the fear of catching COVID, the island became a private playground. Days were spent scuba diving and hanging out with the turtles who dared to come closer thanks to the lack of boat traffic.

Empty white sand beaches and a deserted main street became my daily view. Cycling around the island and watching the waves crash against the boat-free ocean was a stress-relieving, cardio-inducing workout that simultaneously chilled me out and eased my stress levels.

Month after month passed on Gili T and I settled into an easy routine. A weekly schedule of ever-changing parties swapped for a fortnightly socially-distanced bingo game. The islands most popular restaurants and exclusive hotels quietly became local hangout spots for never-ending card games between friends. The horses and carts that could previously be heard clip-clopping in the background dropping tourists around the island lazily grazed on grass, enjoying an accidental school holiday from their daily duties.

Those whod been living on the island for a few years werent hugely phased by a lack of tourists to begin with. Because Gili T is used to disaster. When a series of huge earthquakes struck Lombok in 2018 and the surrounding islands were plunged into darkness with no electricity or running water, the island clubbed together every evening, using up whatever food was going off and splitting into groups to make sure anyone who needed help could access it.

What no one took into consideration was the prospect that this time around, those tourists who left so quickly a year ago would be yet to return. While the earthquake brought Gili T to a halt within a matter of hours, it promised a return of normality a month later. This time around, the island is still waiting for life to go back to normal.

And no one knows when that will be. Although domestic travel is now allowed with a negative COVID test and some tightly-enforced social distancing requirements, the Indonesian border is yet to reopen. As time has passed, more and more businesses on Gili T have temporarily closed.

Those that remain open are making the best of a bad situation for domestic tourists: offering upgraded rooms, cheap bicycle rental, and low-price excursions to prove that Gili T is still a magical place to be. With true Gili Trawangan spirit, optimism remains with open arms for when tourists are finally allowed back.

Read the original here:

What it's Like to Live on a Remote Island in Indonesia During a Pandemic - Fodor's Travel

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Puerto Ricos government on Monday was granted access to more than $900 million in federal education funds less than two weeks after reopening dozens of public and private schools for the first time since the pandemic began.

The $912 million is available immediately, but the US Department of Education will work with Puerto Rico officials to identify how the money would be used to address the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students in the US territory, according to a spokeswoman for Jenniffer Gonzlez, the islands congressional representative.

Further details, including whether the money could be used to buy things including computers or face masks, were not immediately available. Officials with Puerto Rico's education department did not return a message for comment.

The money comes as Puerto Rico struggles to recover and rebuild from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria and a string of strong earthquakes that began in late 2019 and destroyed or damaged dozens of schools in the islands southern region. Then the pandemic hit, forcing hundreds of private and public schools to close for nearly a year as teachers and students alike struggled with power outages and spotty or nonexistent internet connections amid virtual learning.

Our students have been through too much, said Governor Pedro Pierluisi. They deserve a semblance of normalcy.

Pierluisi authorized the reopening of certain public and private schools this month to some students, but scarce attendance was reported amid fears of contagion as less than 100 of Puerto Ricos 858 public schools reopened nearly two weeks ago for the first time in a year. For now, only kindergarteners, special education students, and children in first, second, third, and 12th grades are allowed to return to school. They attend in-person classes only twice a week and are dismissed before noon.

The release of federal education funds comes as Puerto Rico pursues a new relationship with the administration of US President Joe Biden, with local officials hopeful that funding delays common under the former Trump administration will dissipate.

The department understands the urgency to access vital federal education funds to meet the needs of Puerto Rican students who are experiencing compounded trauma, US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a statement.

Read the original post:

Puerto Rico awarded $900M to help boost islands education - The Boston Globe

World Rugby (WR) is set to spend 1.2 million pounds ($1.65 million) annually over three years on two Pacific Island teams to help them join Super Rugby in 2022, the sport's governing body said on Thursday.

The support package will include administrative help to facilitate the entry of Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika into the competition, subject to New Zealand Rugby Board approval and key conditions being met.

Both franchises will also be supported by their respective unions and private equity funding.

"From a strategic perspective, it provides the best-possible platform and pathway for the islands to reach their potential," WR chairman Bill Beaumont said in a statement.

Love Rugby? Australian users can personalise their ESPN experience by downloading the App. Get live scores, news and videos ANYWHERE, ANYTIME.

Download ESPN from Google Play Store Download ESPN from iTunes App Store Get Rugby news and more in your inbox Head to ESPN's Home of Rugby Global game: Solving Rugby's key issues

DOWNLOAD

"On a human level, this is absolutely the right thing to do. It's great for the players, allowing them to make the choice for the first time to be part of a local professional team at the top level of elite club rugby."

Fijian Drua, launched in 2017, competed in the Australian National Rugby Championship and they won the title in 2018.

An invitational Moana Pasifika squad were beaten 28-21 by the Maori All Blacks in a one-off match last year.

The COVID-19 pandemic put paid to the intercontinental Super Rugby competition last year, prompting New Zealand and Australia to introduce domestic tournaments - Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby AU.

South Africa had voted last year to pull its four major franchises from Super Rugby and explore expanding their presence in the European PRO14 competition.

See the original post here:

World Rugby to help Pacific Island teams join Super Rugby in 2022 - ESPN