Monthly Archives: February 2024

The mystery vessel was reported overturned last week just off the coast of Tobago, the northern island of the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. No crew were spotted just a dark, sticky fluid leaking from the vessel.

That material is now blackening beaches, a key draw for the countrys important tourism sector.

On Wednesday, the government appeared to have cleared up some of the mystery. The vessel, reported on Feb. 7, was an overturned barge that was being pulled by the tugboat Solo Creed from Panama in Central America to Guyana in South America, The Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of National Security said. Guyanese authorities confirmed that the excursion never reached Guyana, the ministry said.

The oil was initially spotted around four miles north of the barge near the Tobagonian town of Scarborough. More recent satellite imagery from the Tobago Emergency Management Agency shows contamination much farther out about 48 miles west of the island.

As round-the-clock cleanup efforts continued, it was still unclear how much oil had spilled and how much remained in the largely submerged barge. What caused it to overturn are not yet known.

Its appearance inspired investigation and speculation about its identity and provenance. Users on the sites of the Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, an environmental nonprofit based in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, marinetraffic.com and shipspotting.com suggested it might be the Gulfstream, a 561-foot oil products tanker built by South Koreas Hanjin Heavy Industries in 1975.

But Gulfstream has been used for many vessels, at least one of which has been broken up, and others users disputed the identification.

Divers approached the vessel, but it had been moving and bobbing in the shallows, clouding the water and stymying close inspection.

Roughly 480 feet

from shore

Aerial image source:

Office of the Chief Secretary - Tobago House of Assembly

Roughly 480 feet

from shore

Aerial image source:

Office of the Chief Secretary - Tobago House of Assembly

Roughly 480 feet

from shore

Aerial image source: Office of the Chief Secretary - Tobago House of Assembly

Roughly 480 feet

from shore

Aerial image source: Office of the Chief Secretary - Tobago House of Assembly

Trinidad and Tobago has long experience with spills. The nation is the largest oil producer in the Caribbean; according to the World Bank, its petroleum and petrochemicals industry generates more than a third of its gross domestic product.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley has declared a national emergency. Workers were deploying booms to contain the spill, cleaning beaches and protecting wildlife, he told reporters on Sunday.

Heavy equipment was shipped from the larger island of Trinidad to help.

Rowley said it was fortunate that the vessel overturned in a sparsely populated area. If it had been farther north or west, the spill could have rounded the tip of Tobago at Crown Point and contaminated the islands west coast, home to several resorts and tourist attractions.

Sources: Tobago Emergency Management Agency, TEMA Geographical Information System Specialist Dayreon Mitchell, Office of the Chief Secretary and Fishermen and Friends of the Sea.

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Oil spill off Trinidad and Tobago blackens Caribbean beaches - The Washington Post

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Theres no place in the world that you can go to that doesnt have some level of crime.

That being said, despite being a safe vacation destination, there are things that you have to watch out for when visiting the Mexican Caribbean.

Typically its more petty crimes that tourists are faced with, but now tourists are being warned to protect their passports, as thefts in the Mexican Caribbean are on the rise.

Although you probably dont hear about it very often, passport thefts occur more than you probably think.

In the state of Quintana Roo, where popular vacation destinations like Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen are located, they happen about six times a month.

That number rises even higher sometimes during the busier seasons.

Losing your passport or having it stolen when youre on vacation in another country can cause a myriad of problems.

Not only are you losing a form of identification, but your ability to get back to your home country.

Furthermore, if your passport ends up in the wrong hands you could wind up having your identity stolen as well.

Many times, losing a passport is a result of making mistakes that are more common than you think.

One mistake to avoid is putting your passport in the seat pocket on the airplane.

Since you use your passport at the airport, its not hard to make the mistake of taking it out of your pocket and putting it in the seat pocket while you get settled in, but you could end up forgetting it.

Another common mistake to avoid is carrying your passport somewhere that it can easily fall out without you noticing, like your back pocket for example.

makeup story time

Once you arrive at your destination you dont have to carry your passport around with you if you have other identification that you can use.

It may be better to leave it in your hotel room so that youre less likely to lose it.

If youre going to leave it there, though, its important to keep it in a safe place, like a hotel safe or even a small lock box that you bring yourself that you can keep in the room.

If you are going to carry your passport with you youll want to keep it protected from thieves, and from losing it.

Using a passport cover can keep it hidden so that people with bad intentions cant see it.

Its also a good idea to carry your passport in either a passport holder that you can wear around your neck, a fanny pack, or a crossbody purse or bag.

In the very unfortunate event that your passport is lost or stolen, youll need to take immediate action so that when its time to go home you can get on the plane.

First, if it was stolen, youll want to locate a police station and report the theft.

Then youll want to locate the closest embassy for your country to start the process of getting a new passport, or a certificate thats used in the case of emergencies that will allow you to return home.

While a copy of a passport wont do any good as far as getting you on your plane to return home, it can come in handy.

Passport copies can help facilitate the process of replacing your passport if it is lost or stolen.

You should keep several copies, but not all in the same place, and even send one to yourself or a trusted family member in an email.

This way youll have it if you need it.

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Tourists Warned To Protect Their Passports As Thefts In The Mexican Caribbean On The Rise - The Cancun Sun

A man is now behind bars for the recent killing of a 22 year-old that brought Antigua and Barbudas murder toll to two.

Eric Burton, a 59-year-old resident of Villa, has been arrested and charged for the murder of Jamal Ryner from Yorks.

The fatal altercation took place on Rowan Henry Street around 8:30 pm on Tuesday, February 13.

Ryner's untimely death was a result of a stab wound to the chest.

He succumbed to the injury shortly after 10 pm that same evening.

This unfortunate event marks the second homicide in Antigua and Barbuda for the year 2024. The first occurred on January 7, when 24-year-old Kieron Hutson, also from Yorks Extension, was fatally shot during a party on Christian Street.

Eyewitnesses reported that a lone gunman approached Hutson, opened fire, and then disappeared into the crowd. Hutson suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and was rushed to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre by emergency services, but tragically, he was pronounced dead around 8:30 pm.

The community was alarmed by the incident, and a call to the Grays Farm Police Station reporting gunshots was made around 7:30 pm.

Despite the swift response of the Emergency Medical Services, who arrived at the scene within six minutes of the call, Hutson could not be saved.

As of now, no one has been charged in connection with Hutson's murder.

Original post:

Antigua: Elderly man charged with second homicide of 2024 | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean

With tensions continuing to cause travel concerns in the Red Sea and more cruises being impacted with itinerary changes, the fate of Royal Caribbean Internationals epic Ultimate World Cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas will be decided not by the cruise line, but by the passengers themselves.

Guests on the cruise will have the opportunity to vote on how their itinerary changes and what ports of call they visit, an unprecedented way for the cruise line to handle the situation.

Due to the tensions in the Middle East, including ports of call near the Red Sea as well as through the Suez Canal, Serenade of the Seas will not be able to preserve three segments of her original 274-night route.

Rumors that the ship would need to change her route have been circulating for weeks, but the decision has now been made that a change is essential for the safety and well-being of guests and crew members.

As weve continued to monitor what is taking place in and around the Red Sea for the safety of our guests and crew, we have made the decision to adjust plans for Serenade of the Seas transit through the Suez Canal this May, a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean said to Cruise Hive.

Because of necessary changes, three sections of the full world cruise will be impacted. The ship will be unable to sail the planned 18-night Ultimate Jordan, Egypt & Israel segment from May 9 through May 27, the 11-night Ultimate Bulgaria, Romania & Turkey segment from May 27 through June 7, or the 13-night Ultimate Greece, Turkey & Italy segment from June 7 through June 20.

Unlike other adjusted cruises that are simply informing guests of the itinerary changes, typically coupled with some compensation options or refund choices if travelers prefer opt out of the altered itinerary, Royal Caribbean is giving passengers the chance to decide where they will sail.

Read Also: The Impact of Red Sea Tensions on Cruising

In keeping with the adventurous spirit of our guests, we are engaging them for their thoughts and preference between two alternative itineraries that will take them on an epic adventure to Africa, the cruise line confirmed.

In a town-hall-style meeting held in the ships Tropical Theater, the situation was explained to guests and two alternative sailing routes were presented.

Both will go around the southern and western coasts of Africa to enter the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar, but each one has vastly different ports of call and experiences for travelers.

The first option, an Immersive Africa itinerary, features ports of call in 11 different African countries and a total of 20 port visits from May 9 through June 20.

Guests would enjoy visits to such unique destinations as Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Angola, Ghana, and Senegal, as well as more popular ports in South Africa and the Canary Islands.

The second option is an Africa and Greece itinerary that cruises around Africa much more quickly with just three ports of call a visit to the Seychelles, an overnight in Cape Town, and a stop in the Canary Islands. This option, however, includes an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt and extensive exploration of the Greek Islands during the last week of the segment.

In comparison, the Immersive Africa itinerary features 21 days at sea during the 6-week period from when the ship will leave Dubai on May 9 until she arrives in Ravenna on June 20.

The Africa and Greece itinerary has 26 days at sea in the same time period, all of which are between May 10 and June 11 a full month at sea with just 7 port days, two of which are overnight calls (Cape Town and Alexandria).

Both itineraries have a stop in the Seychelles, an overnight call in Cape Town, and a visit to the Canary Islands. Dates and port times vary between the different schedules.

Guests onboard the ship can submit questions about the new options through February 20, and a webinar is planned with the cruise lines corporate office on Wednesday, February 21. After that, passengers will be able to vote on the itineraries, and the winning option will be confirmed on Tuesday, February 27.

All travelers will be receiving either a 25% or 50% pro-rated refund for the altered segment of the cruise based on their cruise fare and which option is ultimately selected. Guests can also opt to cancel and would receive a full segment refund and assistance with onward travel plans if they prefer not to continue the cruise.

They will receive compensation for the adjustment, and guests who prefer to not sail on the updated itinerary will receive a full refund and support for their travel arrangements, the statement from Royal Caribbean concluded.

Guests who have been booked on one of the three individual segments of the cruise that are impacted are also being offered compensation options for the cancellation of their cruises. Their options vary depending on which part of the cruise they had planned to join.

Which cruise option would you vote for if you were on the World Cruise? Id go for the Immersive Africa opportunity myself, and use the pro-rated refund to book myself a Greek Isles cruise at another time. Share your choice on the Cruise Hive boards!

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Royal Caribbean Gives Unprecedented Choice on Ultimate World Cruise - Cruise Hive

Its raining in Grenada.When I open the car door, theres a surprise: the cover of an umbrella waiting for me, along with a smile. A staff member has rushed through the drops to ensure I get back to the lobby dry.

I cant think of a time thats ever happened to me at a hotel before, Caribbean or otherwise, but its a small symbol of the kind of service you get at the legendary Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada.

The resort, set on the sparkling sands of the islands stunning Grand Anse Beach, is one of the most celebrated places to stay in the Caribbean for a reason its just that good.

Carefully stewarded by Grenadas Hopkin family for more than a half century, first by hospitality icon Sir Royston Hopkin and then his daughter Janelle Hopkin, this 64-suite property has few peers in the region: its a timeless, grand, thoughtful resort that has for decades redefined the concept of the luxury all-inclusive resort.

Of course, as you sip Westerhall rum at the edge of the sand or dine on tempura frog legs, kingfish with black bean spaghetti or a callaloo souffl, its easy to forget that youre at an all-inclusive at all. Because even at the greatest all-inclusive resorts in the region, youd be hard pressed to find food quite like this, with a menu that changes every day and a three-week cycle to ensure culinary originality.

The capacious suites are a mix of toes-in-the-sand rooms right on the beach and garden suites, many with their own private plunge pools, along with Molton Brown amenities, minibars, Nespresso machines and Alexa voice remotes.

The feel is rarefied and serene, no matter whether youre lounging by the central pool, strolling through the gardens or sitting at the lovely beachside bar. Thats what we want at a luxury resort the endless delight of quiet and tranquility, of catered indulgence.

The calm is only strengthened at the resorts Janissa Spa, where youll find waterfalls, outdoor showers, a sauna and four treatment rooms perfect for an afternoon of rejuvenation.

At the Sea and Surf Bar, the counter quickly turns into your own private club when the sun goes down. Its the rare Caribbean bar where your cocktail is immediately joined by a multi-tiered tray of delicious, handmade snacks, the kinds of little, thoughtful touches that separate luxury resorts from great luxury resorts.

But one amenity towers above them all: Grand Anse itself. When the sun hits this sand just right (and it does so just about every day), its one of the best beaches the world, with that perfect alchemy that turns white sand and turquoise water into unbridled bliss.

And here at Grand Anse, even on a beach thats the most popular in Grenada, youll feel like its your own private slice of sand.

Its almost indescribably beautiful on this beach, as you wade in the water and look back at the charming, sun-covered roofs of Spice, as just about everyone on the island calls it.

For a moment, you almost dont know which way to look. But at a place like Spice, its a dilemma as easily solved as a missing umbrella.

For more, visit Spice Island Beach Resort.

Continued here:

At Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort, the Art of the Luxury All-Inclusive - Caribbean Journal

It took eight years for Guadeloupean native Malaury Eloi Paisley to complete her first feature, LHomme Vertige: Tales of a City, which premieres in Berlins Forum. In this debut documentary about her home city Point--Pitre, Paisley depicts the unvarnished and often harsh realities of isolated living in the French Carribean island.

In LHomme Vertige, Paisley follows the life of lonely and largely impoverished individuals who wander the city, interrogating them on their views on life, human connection and the island, with the backdrop of the concrete and contaminated landscape of the inner city. For Paisley, all the people in the film represent a shared unspoken human experience. No one is a stranger, we all embody a similar history. More importantly, I wanted to show that these people are not just victims of a system but have insight into the reality of society and what it means to be free. Its a simulation between the characters and the city. Throughout the documentary, Paisley also focuses on the barren and demolished infrastructure on the island, no beach in sight till the end, to demonstrate the isolation and confinement I felt growing up here.

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Paisley, who never thought of becoming a filmaker, originally trained in fine arts at Paris Sorbonne University. So making LHomme Vertige came as a form of salvation when she returned to Guadeloupe after three years of travel. As an artist, I felt I will never be able to make it on my own on the island, there was no art center, no conservatory, the idea of going back felt kind of melancholic, she says.

It was never in her plans to return to the island. However, when Paisley found that the French filmmaking workshop Ateliers Varan was being conducted in Guadeloupe in 2016, she decied to go back. It was at this workshop, with encouragemnt from directing mentors Alice Diop (Saint Omer) and Sylvaine Dampierre (Paroles de ngres), that she began experimenting with ideas of Guadeloupes complex colonial present, loneliness and how humans, the built environment and nature interact in the visual form.

After my travels to New Zealand, New Caledonia and South Asia, I became even more pessimissitic about the impacts of colonialism that I had seen growing up and realized I couldnt see the world from a lens where I didnt see that sense of domination, especially in Guadeloupe, where the French control is very strong, says Paisley. I wanted to explore the confinement this history created as well as reconcile the different versions of loneliness in the city, which I do in this film.

The short Paisley produced at Atelier Varan, Chanzy Blues, led to one of the jurors ultimately helping her produce it into a full-length feature that became LHomme Vertige.

With the films selection at Berlin, Paisley says, its such a great honor to be able to show this piece of my island in the Caribbean, to filmmakers I admire but also expose it to some people that I feel dont even know that we are out of here. I hope they see the universal essence in the characters.

For her next project, Paisley hopes to continue exploring solitude in Guadeloupe, but in relation to local island artists. She also hopes to pursue a film on her paternal Indian heritage and the colonial story of Indian arrival in the island.

Paisley looks forward to her coming ventures. Now that I have a taste of filmmaking, I have more ideas for cinema with a poetic vision, she says.

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Director Malaury Eloi-Paisley on Her Debut Documentary 'L'Homme Vertige,' and the Unvarnished Reality of ... - Yahoo Entertainment