Monthly Archives: May 2022

The Hamburg-based island broker Vladi Private Islands offers a true jewel for sale in the Bahamas: the centrally located private island Little Whale Cay in the Berry Islands.

This self-sufficient island, surrounded by crystal clear waters, covers 16 hectares and is one of the few islands in the Bahamas with a private airstrip. In addition, Little Whale Cay features a harbor, white sand beaches, three luxury villas, a chapel, an infinity pool with stunning ocean views, a tennis court, and a fitness center, among other amenities. Nature lovers delight in 34 different species of birds in the subtropical gardens, including flamingos and peacocks.

Little Whale Cay is an El Dorado for water sports enthusiasts and offers ideal conditions for kite surfers, for example. Among sailors, the area is considered a dream spot.

The island is easy to reach by plane from Florida or the capital Nassau, and the island of Chub Cay (customs clearance) is only a five-minute flight away.

The asking price for the island, which is being offered for sale after 40 years of family ownership, is USD 35 million.

http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/en

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Spectacular private island with own airstrip in the Bahamas for sale - POLO+10 The Polo Magazine

In Adrian McKintys new breakneck thriller, The Island, an American family visiting Australia takes a chance on an afternoons diversion, paying for an hours time on a private island outside Melbourne, hoping that the sight of a few koalas will help heal their rifts. But a tragic accident soon changes everything, with the family pushed to the very limits of safety, endurance, and morality. For several hundred pages, your heart will not stop pounding. McKinty, a veteran noir writer, has brought tremendous style to his new turn as a thriller author. Above all he has a way with characters of finding the core of their humanity, and putting that core to the test. With The Island, hes at the very top of his game. In the lead-up to the books release, I caught up with him to discuss moral dilemmas, literary islands, and the 1970s thrillers that inspired his stunning new novel.

Dwyer Murphy: Youre becoming the bard of families pushed to the brink of morality, survival, the bonds that hold them together. How did it happen?

Adrian McKinty: I had the idea for The Chain and then I wanted to do a follow up that was thematically similar but NOT a sequel. So something must have been brewing in my head

Murphy: What was the first germ of the novel for you? It feels like an intensely personal story, and yet one thats almost universally relatable. So how did it start?

McKinty: During lockdown I had some writers block and I was talking to my agent about the next book and I said I didnt really have any ideas that I liked. We got to talking about 70s movies (I love 70s movies) and I mentioned a sort of Deliverance moment Id had:

About five years ago my wife and I were driving on an island on a remote part of Australia. Wed taken the ferry over and the vibe was immediately odd. There were men walking around with shotguns broken over their shoulders (apparently shooting rabbits) and when we stopped at a farm to get some lunch we found out that everyone on the island was basically one large extended family. Everyone knew about us coming over on the ferry and a conversation wed had with the ferryman that we were from Melbourne had somehow been relayed all over the island. We had lunch at the farm and I cracked a joke that failed badly. (There was a barn behind me and I said is that where you keep the wicker man?) We were pretty spooked out by the place and I was keen to get back on the last ferry back so I was driving the car, fast. Suddenly out of the spinifex a woman on a bicycle turned onto the main road. She was wearing a hearing aid and the battery must have been off because she didnt see or hear us. I honked the horn and slammed on the brakes and just missed hitting herShe continued on with her bike ride oblivious to us behind her. As a kind of joke I said to my wife, If wed hit her we wouldnt have got off this island alive. Very seriously she replied, no, we wouldnt have.

I told my agent that story and he said no you did hit her, thats the next book.

Murphy: Why a private island? This outlier space, beyond the realm. Theres a great tradition of islands in mystery and thrillers, but this one feels distinct.

McKinty: There really wasnt much creativity here to be honest. I put it in a real place with the actual landscape, actual temperature, actual flora and fauna. Its not called Dutch Island in real life because Im sure the actual people there are lovely and I dont want to upset them. But everything else is pretty much as is

Murphy: Once were on the island, the story takes on this almost gothic atmosphere. Were there certain books or movies you were looking to in order to capture the place and the way you wanted it experienced?

McKinty: I wanted this to be a sort of 70s movie updated to 2022. My models were Deliverance, First Blood, Rogue Male and I Spit On Your GraveBut I wanted to update those tropes to a 2020s sensibility and my style. But again, being perfectly honest, it was one of those books that more or less wrote itself once I had set up the initial parameters. Terrible things happen but theyre all logical things once the initial inciting incident takes place.

Murphy: The family comes from Seattle, which seems in many ways the polar opposite of Australia, or at least the version of it theyre experiencing. Why those two locales?

McKinty: I knew Seattle quite well so thats one reason. And I liked the idea of someone whod never experienced extreme heat dealing with that for the first time. Also I liked the idea that Puget Sound and Southern Victoria are in fact linked by this one crazy species of migratory bird, the Shearwater, that endlessly summers in both places crossing 8,000 miles of Pacific to do so. The Shearwater becomes a motif for Heather in the book.

Murphy: At the heart of the story is a moral dilemma. A moral failing, followed by an incredibly complex calculus of relative sins and necessities. How did you map out the internal arguments that would need to unfold, and how did you put those on the page?

McKinty: I loved the idea that the American family actually is at fault in the first place. They start the whole damn thing and then try to weasel their way out of it. And I loved the husband and wife thinking in real time about what to do about it. The moral dilemma has to be real and believable, something we could all see ourselves doing in extremis.

Murphy: Can you tell me a little about the evolution of your literary style? With The Island, it seems to me youve really honed a particular set of aesthetic choices that were coming into focus withThe Chain and are sharpening here.

McKinty: The Island is only my second thriller. Every other book Ive written is a species of noir. With noir, atmosphere and character are everything. You can have a character listening to say Exile On Main Street for three pages, smoking Camels, and looking at the rain. I love that shit. But in a thriller thats an extravagance. As a noir writer I had to learn a different way of telling a story in a thriller environment. You need to be economical with your words. Every scene should matter. Every scene should either illuminate character or turn a wheel of the story. If it doesnt it has no place in your manuscript. When I go back to writing noirs again Ill dig on music and weather and atmosphere but in my thrillers Im trying to learn the discipline of keeping the text lean and tough.

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Adrian McKinty on Family, Survival, and Finding Inspiration in 1970s Thrillers - CrimeReads

World's most unique arrival to the Brgenstock Hotel Photo courtesy of Brgenstock Hotels AG

The old saying, Its not about the destination, its about the journey, isnt always true. Sometimes it's both. And a water arrival could be just the thing to level up your next vacation. Heres a look at a few resorts that you can reach via an adventure on the water.

Arriving to the island of Nevis Photo courtesy of Nevis Island

Nevis is one of the most unspoiled islands in the Caribbean. With blue skies and empty beaches, Nevis has a pace that encourages you to stop and take in all of its beauty.

After arriving in St. Kitts, hop on a Four Seasons Resort Nevis transfer service. Then, head off on a breathtaking and scenic 15-minute ride to Christophe Harbour. There, enjoy a drink before boarding a Four Seasons speedboat to the resort, with spectacular views of Nevis Peak.

Most public boats, small cruise ships and ferries also travel to Charlestown (the capital), where its easy to find transportation to other hotels.

If you want to travel on your own schedule, book a water taxi from Reggae Beach, on the southeast peninsula of St. Kitts, and dock at Oualie Bay, on the north of the island.

Arriving by panga to Finch Bay Resort Photo courtesy of Ava Roxanne Stritt

Finch Bay Resort is all about nature and this begins before you even arrive. The journey to the resort allows you to witness all that this remarkable location has to offer.

After arriving to the Galapagos Islands, its time to journey to Finch Bay. Your luggage is whisked away, and your guide helps you load up into the resorts own panga.

The hotel is located in a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, and a panga ride there is a fitting arrival to one of the most unique places on the planet. Bonus: While arriving by water, you may actually see the blue-footed booby and be able to check it off your must-see list.

Enjoy the views on the way to Brgenstock Hotel Photo courtesy of Ava Roxanne Stritt

Brgenstock is perched on the top of a mountain that you can see in the distance as you jump on the ferry to take you across Lake Lucerne. During your journey to this dreamy Swiss destination, you'll see stunning Medieval architecture and snowcapped mountains.

Your journey doesnt stop there. Once you reach the shore, you must get to the top of the mountain resort by funicular, a type of cable railway system.

The hotel, in the heart of central Switzerland, feels like a fantasy world, with private residence suites, four luxury hotels, nine restaurants and bars, two spa areas and one remarkable wellness center.

Arrival to your own private island Cayo Espanto Photo courtesy of Ava Roxanne Stritt

Cayo Espanto is located on its own private four-acre island, just seven minutes by boat from San Pedro. Its the ultimate luxury goal a vacation to a private island.

Once you land in San Pedro, your houseman meets you at the plane. You are escorted to a golf cart, which will bring you to your own private boat, stocked with towels and water. This scenic ride takes you to your villa.

Chilled towels and cocktails upon arrival Photo courtesy of Ava Roxanne Stritt

When I visited Cayo Espanto, the staff was ready and waiting for us by our private dock, refreshing drinks in hand. Every last detail was accounted for, from wrapping cocktails in cloth napkins to carrying your luggage from the boat to the bungalow. All we had to do was relax and enjoy.

Helicopter to Casa Vieja Photo courtesy of Ava Roxanne Stritt

Imagine arriving at a boutique, luxury lodge not in the water, but above the water in a private helicopter. Thats how you start this Guatemalan vacation.

A helicopter brings you to Guatemala's Casa Vieja Lodge and arrives waterside near the marina. This is only appropriate, as Casa Vieja combines unbeatable fishing with high-quality hospitality. In fact, it's considered the most luxurious, all-inclusive fishing lodge in the world.

Anglers who choose the helicopter upon arrival in Guatemala City also have the opportunity for a thrilling, 45-minute tour. It takes you past the volcanos (Pacaya, Agua, Fuego), ancient Antigua and marina before you land at the lodge.

Bimini feels a world away Photo courtesy of Resorts World Bimini

Travel by sea to your personal playground, Resorts World Bimini, only a two-hour ride from Fort Lauderdale on the Balearia Caribbean ferry. Enjoy drinks and snacks on the scenic ride. Or up the luxury and arrive on your own personal yacht.

This resort is only 50 nautical miles offshore from Miami, but it feels a world away. Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to the coastal United States.

Glide over the calm Gulf Stream waters and then step off on the resorts private marina or the Hilton Dock, steps away with direct access to the Lagoon Pool from water to water. No vacation time is wasted when the journey is half the fun.

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Arrive by water at these 6 incredible hotels and resorts - USA Today 10Best

When most folks think of Texas in the summertime, visions of barbecue, Lone Star-shaped swimming pools, and Texas chainsaw massacres might come to mindbut how about dolphins, rocket launches, and sandcastles the size of actual castles? The states barrier islands might surprise you.

What the keys are to Florida, the barrier islands are to Texas: a 234-mile string of islands that hug the Gulf of Mexico coast, made primarily of sand built up over thousands of years from tidal ebb and flow, ranging in size from four miles to the largest barrier island on Earth. There are seven main islands in total, and just like Snow Whites Seven Dwarfs, each one has a totally distinct personality, from the touristy trappings of Galveston to the utter solitude of San Jose.

No matter your summer beach vibe of choice, Texas barrier islands deliver. Want some R&R on a remote beach populated almost exclusively by seagulls? You got it. Want to go kayaking in a national park? Thats a distinct possibility. Want to eat foot-long corn dogs and mermaid soup? You can and you shouldand rest assured no mermaids were harmed in the making of either of those delicacies. Heres your guide to Texas barrier islands.

Galveston

The northernmost barrier island, and by far the most popular with more than 7 million annual visitors, Galvestons reputation as a summertime beach destination for Texans can largely be chalked up to its proximity to nearby-ish Houston. Although it has somewhat of a campy reputation thanks to its Pleasure Pier boardwalk, eccentric mini golf courses, sea turtle statues in Lisa Frank colors, and pyramid-shaped aquarium, giving it sort of an Atlantic City of the south aesthetic, Galveston actually has a lot going for it. As evidenced by those previously stated attractions, the 27-mile island is far and away Texas quirkiest barrier island, teeming with endearing kitsch, historic architecture, and larger-than-life nautical lore. After all, a city with lofty nicknames like Playground of the South and Ellis Island of the West is bound to at least be intriguing.

The most hard-to-miss attraction, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is a mammoth boardwalk lined with carnival games and enough rides to fill a theme park, including the Iron Shark Rollercoaster and the Pirates Plunge flume ride. For something a bit more subdued, The Grand 1894 Opera House is an ornate institution, home to popular productions like Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol. The theater harkens to the islands earliest days, when Galveston first emerged as a primary shipping and immigration port in the 1800s. Nearby is The Strand, Galvestons historic, bayside district filled with Victorian and Greek Revival architecture. You'll also find the tall ship Elissa, an 1877 vessel that now serves as a floating museum of maritime history. Further south on the island, Jamaica Beach offers a quieter reprieve from the touristy clamor, for those looking to soak up the sun without being cast under the shadow of the Galaxy Wheel.

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Follets Island

Next up on the coastal rosterand basically the antithesis of Galveston in terms of hustle and bustleFollets Island is a smaller, 13-mile island thats largely untouched and undeveloped, save for some remote beach houses that look like the ideal rental for introverts.

The entire island is one big beach, most of which is quiet and wide-open, providing ample opportunity for swimming, beach camping, fishing, and BYO kayaking. Seeing as the beach is largely undeveloped and open, its entirely free to visit and camp, and horseback riding is also allowed on the beach. Whatever your chill activity of choice, be mindful of sea turtles; give them a wide berth if you spot one, and report sightings to local marine authorities by calling 1-866-TURTLE-5 to help protect them.

Matagorda Island

If you thought Follets Island was quiet, just wait until you see whats next. Further south, Matagorda Island is the most remote island, a 38-mile stretch of solitude only accessible by boat. A far cry from the shrieking thrill rides of Galveston, Matagorda is largely comprised of the Matagorda Island National Wildlife Refuge and State Natural Area.

For visitors who have a private boat, or are able to charter one, the car-free island is a beachy bastion for rugged campers willing to forgo the niceties of electricity and running water. As wild as a season of Survivor, this is an undeveloped place preserved for primitive activities like saltwater fishing and huntingfor those with a valid hunting license, 20,000 acres of land are open to deer and waterfowl, just as long as you keep in mind that whooping cranes, which occasionally flock to the area, are endangered and protected. At night, thanks to its remoteness and lack of light pollution, stargazing is a popular pastime out here too.

San Jose Island

Equally as undeveloped as Matagorda, yet decidedly easier to access, San Jose Island is the next barrier island on the docket. Its immediately north of populated Port Aransas on Mustang Island, where a ferry takes visitors back and forth all day, offering 21 miles of undeveloped beachfront, excellent fishing for redfish and trout (especially off the craggy edge of the North Jetty), and endless beach combing for seashell groupies. Cars are also prohibited on San Jose, which is entirely protected as a sanctuary for wildlife of both the nautical and four-legged varietiesdue to the islands history as a former ranch, wild cattle roam the island, and its not uncommon to see cows on the beach.

As quiet and untouched as the island seems today, its actually rich with Texas history. This was the first site to fly the American flag on Texas soil, when a lieutenant swam ashore from the USS Alabama and planted it in the sand in 1845. A short-lived town on the island, called Aransas, was razed by Union forces in the Civil War. In 1935, wealthy oil magnate Sid Richardson established a miles-long ranch and estate, where he once wined and dined with the likes of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Said estate is long gone, but riches may or may not remainlegend has it the island contains actual buried treasure from pirate Jean Lafitte. Ahoy!

Mustang Island

While San Jose offers remote solitude and potential pirate riches, the island on the other side of Aransas Pass is a haven of seafood restaurants, margaritas, beachside festivals, and Easter egg-colored cottages. Mustang Island is a mecca for families and spring breakers alike, especially in the city of Port Aransas that comprises most of the 18-mile island. The pirate Jean Lafitte used to frequent the island, arguably making him the original spring breaker. And while you likely wont find buried treasure here, youre sure to find treasures of other kindslike award-winning sand sculptures, adrenaline-pumping jet ski jaunts, and all the shrimp and redfish you can eat.

For a town with a year round population of about 3,000, Port Aransas is surprisingly happening and delightfully quirky. For instance, Texas SandFest is an annual springtime attraction that features carnival-style snacks, live music, and epic sand sculptures right on the beach. It's an ideal place to scarf foot-long corn dogs and funnel cakes while marveling at giant sand castles as intricately detailed as an actual castle.

Further north on the island, this is one of the few beaches where you can literally drive your car on the sand, making it convenient for heavy-duty fishermen, while seafood-centric restaurants abound further inland. Just about every place on the island offers top-tier fish and seafood, perhaps best exemplified by Lisabellas. The beachy-chic restaurant sits in a bougie community called Cinnamon Shore (named for the fact that Port Aransas beaches look like theyre swirled with cinnamon). There you can pair on-trend espresso martinis with cheesy baked oysters, pancetta-wrapped shrimp, and something called Mermaid Soup: a curried medley of lobster-coconut broth and shrimpand mercifully, no mermaids.

To fully immerse yourself in the action-packed island, though, you need to get out on the water, and by that we mean go on a guided jet ski romp. Gettin Salty Watersports takes visitors out into the bay and to a couple seashell-strewn islands, with lots of thrilling dolphin sightings along the way.

Padre Island

The next island is not only Texas largest, it's also the largest barrier island in the world. Clocking in at a casual 113 miles, Padre Island is bookended by Corpus Christi and Padre Island National Seashore on the north and beach bars and theme park rides on the south. Naturally, an island larger than the state of Delaware is bound to have a wide array of attractions, and Padre Island is the kind of something-for-everyone enclave that runs the gamut from urban outings to all-natural tranquility and nature preserves.

Divvied into North Padre Island and South Padre Island, separated by the Port Mansfield Channel, the top half starts with Corpus Christi, the most populated area in the region. From the Selena Museum and the Texas State Aquarium to beachside breweries and guided tours aboard the USS Lexington, theres no shortage of sights to drink in here. North Padre is also home to a national park site, Padre Island National Seashore, the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world and proof that that whole everythings bigger in Texas slogan isnt always an eye-rolling cliche. The 66-mile park protects sea turtles and hundreds of bird species, and its an ideal haven for fishing, kayaking, windsurfing, and primitive tent camping in the sand.

On the southern side of the channel, South Padre is known equally as a family-friendly getaway and a collegiate spring break staple. It's swarming with beach bars (including Claytons, the largest beach bar in the state), live music, carnival rides, an enormous water park, and Gravity Park, a theme park with some seriously intense attractions, including the tallest reverse-bungee in the world. You can also embark on a standup paddle board tour with Eh Brah SUP, slurp painkillers and margaritas on the bay at the Painted Marlin Grille, and go on a seafood spree with coconut shrimp, crab-stuffed mushrooms, broiled red snapper, and seafood enchiladas at Sea Ranch Restaurant. Of course, with this much mileage of coastline, there are plenty of beaches to choose from, too, like Isla Blanca park and South Padre Bayside Beach.

Brazos Island

The last barrier island is also the teeniest. Brazos Island is a diminutive four-mile island, home to 217 undeveloped acres of seaside wilderness. Located just north of the mouth of the Rio Grande, its a peaceful retreat for swimming, fishing, bird watching, hopeful dolphin-spotting, and camping.

Aside from that, the main draw here nowadays is Elon Musks SpaceX launch facility, which set up shop on the Boca Chita peninsula. There visitors can watch the worlds richest manand the god of Twittershow off his billions by blasting rockets into space.

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These Islands Are Like the Florida Keys of Texas - Thrillist

Trigger Warning: this article deals with allegations of sexual assaultand may be triggering to some readers.

No matter how invested in celebrity culture you are, by now, youve likely seen the headlines detailing the trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

Making news globally, all eyes have been on the former couple as the defamation lawsuit unfolds in Virginia, US. Depp, 58, is suing Heard, 35, for USD $50 million (AUD $67 million) alleging she devastated his career in the wake of a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post where she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse.

A counterclaim for USD $100 million (AUD $134 million) has also been filed by Heard against her ex-husband.

If the media coverage wasnt enough to satiate public interest in the trial, a documentary, titled Johnny Vs Amber, covering the couples romance, split and lawsuits is now set to air on the Discovery Channel.

The synopsis for the two-part documentary reads: Johnny vs. Amber takes audiences to the very genesis of this tragic union. This public account of he said/she said began when Johnny Depp brought a libel case against News Group Newspapers Ltd. in the UK, specifically suing The Sun for calling him a 'wife-beater.' Depp ultimately lost that case.

It continues: This two-part documentary takes a deep dive into the original trial from two polarized perspectives. Featuring interviews with legal experts on all sides of the proceedings, as well as family, friends, and associates of both Depp and Heard; the first hour is devoted to a deep dive into Depp's account of events while in hour two there is a dedicated look at the evidence and accusations presented by Heard.

So far, the trial has revealed intimate and startling details about the couples relationship which first began in 2012 before marrying in 2015 on Depps private islands in the Bahamas.

On the first day of proceedings, Heard's attorney, Ben Rottenborn, claimed Depp is "an obsessed ex-husband hellbent on revenge."

"For years, all Mr. Depp has wanted to do is humiliate Amber, to haunt her, to wreck her career," he said in his opening statement.

Meanwhile, Depp's attorneys alleged that Heard had falsely represented herself as a "virtuous representative of innocent women".

"The evidence will show that was a lie."

For all the details on the trial and allegations, you can read our piece here.

The Johnny Vs Amber documentary will premiere Thursday, 26 May at 9.30pm AEST on ID which can be accessed through Foxtel with a 10 day free trial, here.

If you are experiencing sexual abuse or other unwanted behaviour, please contactFull Stop Australiaor call1800RESPECT.

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Where To Watch The 'Johnny Depp Vs Amber Heard' Documentary In Australia - Marie Claire