Category Archives: Caribbean

Youve worked hard, youve put in the hours, an d now its your turn to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Youre about to retire and youre asking, Where is the best place to retire? For our money, we recommend an island in the Caribbean. Its not just a stereotype, its one of the best retirement locations in the world.

The Caribbean has long been a favorite destination for retirees and expats. The islands provide access to beautiful beaches, warm weather all year, great food, and all for low prices, especially for people retiring from countries with favorable money exchange rate.

But where should you start your research? How should you relocate after retirement? And where in the Caribbean should you retire?

All these questions are answered here.

What Caribbean island should you choose when you retire? These are some of the most popular options as chosen by most people moving from Europe and the United States.

Weve collected this data from sources online including Expat Financialand the National Library of Medicine.

Without a doubt, the most common Caribbean island that people choose for retirement is the Bahamas. Its the first place that many think of when they imagine the Caribbean. White sandy beaches, blue water, and tropical sunshine every day.

Medical Care: The Bahamas are very close to the United States, which makes travel back and forth to visit family and friends easy. This also makes it possible to get US medical care if that matters to you.

Amenities: If you want to have close proximity to the amenities of a first-world country, then the Bahamas is one of the best retirement locations.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in the Bahamas is higher than any other Caribbean island mentioned on this list. Most retirees are living on a fixed income or using their savings to fund their new lifestyle, so consider the price tag that comes with living on the Bahamas. The cost of living in the Bahamas is 14% lowerthan the average cost of living in the US.

Low Taxes: Alternatively, the cost of living may be high, but the taxes are low or virtually nonexistent. There areno taxeson personal income, capital gains, inheritance or gifts.

Best Islands: The most friendly Caribbean islands for retirees are the Abacos and Harbor Island. There are by far some of the most beautiful and peaceful places to retire.

The US Virgin Islands is one of the best places to retire in the Caribbean, bar none. Because this is a United States territory, moving there is incredibly simple for US Citizens. Its as easy as packing your bag, booking a flight, and buying a nice place to retire on the island.

Medical Care: Because the US Virgin Islands is a territory of the United States, you can still enjoy all the medical coverage you would be used to if you lived on the mainland.

Amenities: Much like the Bahamas, the US Virgin Islands also benefit from close proximity to the mainland United States.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in the US Virgin Islands is also quite high. The same prices that you would expect living in the US. Some prices are even higher because some goods have to be shipped over, increasing the markup on these items. The cost of living in The US Virgin Islands is 1.26 times higher than the average cost of living in the US mainland.

Real Estate: Remember that the housing market in the US Vigran Islands is pricey and most retirees should consider that the vast majority of their income will likely be spent on accommodation.

Best Islands: There are multiple islands to choose from that offer high-standard, modern living. Most retirees start and end on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix.

The Dominican Republic is often referred to as DR by people who have septa a considerable amount of time on the island. And this island is just as much a tropical paradise as the rest. Making it one of the best places to retire in the Caribbean.

Medical Care: The DR also offers international-level standards in terms of health care, food preparation, and other health-related industries.

Amenities: This country is filled with enough activities to keep you busy for years. The north side of the island is coevered with beautiful, sandy beaches, while the east side is filled with city life.

Cost of Living: The Dominican Republic is cheaper to live in than The Bahamas and the US Virgin Islands. On average, the cost of living is 63% lowerthan in the United States.

Real Estate: The island is filled with beautiful, newly constructed apartments and condos. This is a great place to invest in real estate.

Best Areas: The best places to retire in the Dominican Republic are Playa Dominicus, Casa de Campo, Juan Dolio, and Santo Domingo. Each area offers something unique and special for retirees.

Anguilla is very popular with European and British retirees because this Caribbean island is a great option for people interested in financial savings. There are beneficial tax exemptions to consider if you want to move to a warm, friendly, tropical destination.

Medical Care: There is only one hospital on the island, and the medical care there does meet international standards. However, Anguillas medical care is lower than any other Caribbean island on this list. If retiring to a Caribbean island with good medical care is important to you, then you may want to consider some of the other islands instead.

Amenities: The island is quite small and so there are fewer things to do if you are into action packed adventures or busy life. But the beaches are incredible. If you prefer to sit by the sand, read, and eat good food, then Anguilla is the best Caribeaab island to retire to.

Cost of Living: The cost of living is one of the lowest on the list. If you have limited funds, and a strict budget, then retiring on Anguilla may be the best option for you.

Real Estate: Although options are limited, you will find that purchasing your own little slice of paradise is much more affordable on this Caribbean island.

The islands offer a relaxed lifestyle, comfortable weather, and plenty of amenities to keep retirees busy. Whether you are looking for a quiet place to relax or a lively spot to socialize, there is an island in the Caribbean that is perfect for you.

With so many different cultures represented, you are sure to find a place that feels like home. One of these destinations may just be the perfect place to spend your golden years.

You do not have to change citizenship in order to retire in the Caribbean. There are many expats and full-time residents from the United States and other countries around the world. Always look into the rules and regulations for the specific country you intend to settle in. Plan your finances carefully.

While things are generally less expensive in many locations to the south, you still have to ensure that your money will afford you the lifestyle you want after you stop working.

Keep an eye onCaribbean newsto learn about important changes and opportunities in the real estate market and location-specific information. This will help you make the right decision when it comes to your retirement plans.

Just like any other region in the world, the Caribbean offers a wide range of property costs and ongoing expenses for different destinations. The most popular tourist spots offer full-time homes for quite high investments.

When you move away from these areas, however, you will find considerable savings. Be aware that it may be more difficult to get your favorite products or a wide range of options in the islands, however.

Go here to read the rest:

The Best Places to Retire in The Caribbean & Why - South Florida Caribbean News

Sitting just 418 km east of Nicaragua is the small Caribbean island of Old Providence or Providencia, as referred to by locals. While the island is closer to Nicaragua, it is currently owned by Colombia and considered part of the countrys San Andres Archipelagoalthough that fact can be controversial depending on who you ask.Most of Providencias Afro-natives will tell you they are anything but Colombian; they consider themselves to be Caribbean Creole, and it certainly shows through the islands rich culture.

Getting to this often-overlooked paradise can be tricky. One would think you could just hop on a plane or ship and get there from mainland Nicaragua or Colombia, but thats not the case. To reach Providencia, youll have to fly into Colombias San Andres island and then take a short 20-minute flight from there. Or, you can hop aboard Hurtigruten Expeditions MS Roald Amundsen and arrive on the island via a luxury ship.

You can sail on the brands 10-day Caribbean Vibes itinerary, which also includes other hard-to-reach Caribbean islands and destinations, including San Andres island in Colombia and Bocas del Toro in Panama.

The island is indeed special. It's surrounded by lush green mountains and lined with towering palm trees.

The locals are very friendly. Their welcoming bright smiles compliment their beautiful melanin complexions. They are especially happy to see Black American visitors coming to their homeland.

On the opposite side of the island is Southwest Bay, a stunning beach that sits down below the mountains. Providencia was hit hard by Hurricane Iota in 2020just days after the island had reopened after the pandemic.The locale is still very unspoiled thanks to the break in tourism, so it will feel like you're on your own private island.

Southwest Bay has a few colorful bars and eateries lining its shore, and its far from your average touristy beach hangout. While local vendors may occasionally set up shop along the sand when large groups are visiting, the beach is pretty quietother than the reggae or dancehall music coming from nearby bars.

There arent many beach chairs, so if you do visit, plan to bring your own beach mat or blanket to sit on. As for the beachs water, it is warm and very clear. You may also find a few fishing boats docked, but they make for amazing backdrops to your island photoshoots.

A highlight for those who visit is the traditional horse races that happen almost daily. Young local jockeys will line their horses up on one end of the beach just before they take off as fast as they can to the other side. While theres no prize, its certainly bragging rights for the winner and a fun sight for non-locals.

Beyond Southwest Bay are a few other public beaches across the 8-square-mile tropical destination. As for hotels, you wont find any major chains like Marriott or Hilton, but there are locally-owned guesthouses and bed & breakfasts, which takes the local charm up a notch.

But, the real winner of Providencia is its locals. Mostly of Creole descent, they are some of the nicest people you will ever encounter, and they are all very proud of their island.

Original post:

Providencia, the Caribbean Island You Likely Didn't Know Existed - Ebony - EBONY

It began during the pandemic, when expert tourism management and a flexible travel health policy helped drive a new wave of visitors to the US Virgin Islands.

And the last two years has seen unprecedented levels of tourism growth in the Territory, making the USVI the fastest-growing destination in the region right now.

Indeed, the US Virgin Islands has seen a 44 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019 a growth rate no other destination has managed to match.

The Caribbean tourism industry has led the world in recovering from the pandemic, said Jose Boschulte, the USVIs Commissioner of Tourism. And theUSVirginIslands has been at the forefront of the regions recovery.

The tourism growth has been accompanied a dramatic increase in new airlift to the USVI, both on major carriers like American Airlines and Delta and fast-expanding low-cost carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines, among others.

And its been spread out across St Thomas, St Croix and St John; the latter has seen remarkable levels of demand, particularly for its villa market.

The destinations blazing growth comes as its prepared for a major injection of room stock this winter, with the highly-anticipated opening of two Marriott resorts: The Seaborn, part of the Autograph Collection, and the new Westin St Thomas, both of which are set at the iconic Frenchmans Reef property, the product of a $425 million project.

The USVI is also set to welcome a slate of events this fall, including the VIPCA Charter Yacht Show November 12-15, the International Yacht Brokers Association and IGY Marina Caribbean Charter Yacht Show December 8-11, the Paradise Jam Basketball Tournaments in November, and St Croxs beloved Crucian Christmas Festival.

That comes as the USVI has also seen a major renaissance for its cruise industry, which was hit hardest by the pandemic.

And, increasingly, the USVI is seeing new interest as a sailing and yachting destination, another trend that began during Covid and has seen tremendous growth, both from notable charter companies like The Moorings, which now has a base at Yacht Haven Grande in St Thomas, to boutique firms like And Beyond.

We are continuing to build upon our existing relationships and to create new ones to attract more visitors to the U.S.VirginIslands, who was speaking during the recent CHTA Marketplace conference in Puerto Rico. Our goals are to grow the cruising business, amplify our airlift, and increase overnight stays, so it is essential that we attend, network, partner, and learn from our industry peers.

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The USVI is the Caribbean's Fastest-Growing Travel Destination - Caribbean Journal

Some 4.3 million face challenges accessing food, housing, and stable jobs, according to the Refugee and Migrant Needs Analysis (RMNA) analysis, conducted by the UNs refugee agency, UNHCR, and its migration agency, IOM.

They co-lead the Regional Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), and the report is based on collaboration with more than 190 partners.

"Venezuelans are eager to share their skills and knowledge and contribute to the communities that have generously welcomed them. Many have already been doing so. said Eduardo Stein, Joint Special Representative of UNHCR and IOM for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela.

But they wont be able to continue if they are not given an opportunity to integrate effectively.

More than 7.1 million refugees and migrants from Venezuela are scattered around the world, according to latest data. The majority, over 80 per cent, live in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Despite progress achieved through various regularization and documentation initiatives in the region, the report showed increased humanitarian needs underline the urgent need for enhanced protection, access to services, and job opportunities.

Half of all Venezuelan refugees and migrants cannot afford three meals a day and lack access to safe and dignified housing. Many are resorting to survival sex, begging or indebtedness, just to be able to eat or to avoid living on the streets.

Extremely low salaries also make it difficult to support themselves and their families, the report said. A staggering 86 per cent of Venezuelans in Ecuador do not have sufficient income to meet their basic needs, while 13 per cent of their counterparts in Chile live below the poverty line.

Even though schools are now back in session, many Venezuelan migrant and refugee children face multiple barriers to accessing education, mainly due to the lack of enrollment slots or space.

Nearly 30 per cent of refugees in Colombia aged six to 17 years, are not going to school because their parents cannot afford the fees and materials. The situation is similar in the Caribbean islands of Aruba and Curaao, where parents are hampered by the cost of mandatory insurance, transportation and school materials.

The study further revealed that some Venezuelans, who lack documentation, livelihoods and prospects for integration, are moving elsewhere to find a better future. Many are taking extremely dangerous irregular routes, putting their lives in danger.

A Venezuelan family who walked for a month to reach Ecuador, are now staying in an emergency shelter in Cuenca that is supported by UNHCR.

As the world faces numerous humanitarian crises, Venezuelans and their host communities must not be forgotten, said Mr. Stein.

While commending the governments that have opened their borders, he stressed the need for greater action.

Host countries have shown continued leadershipin responding to the crisis through establishing regularization initiatives and facilitating access to health, education and other social services, he said.

Regularization, however, is only a first step to integration and needs to be followed by policies that allow refugees and migrants to be self-reliant. International support is urgently required.

See the article here:

Venezuelan refugees and migrants struggle to survive in Latin America and the Caribbean - UN News

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Celebrity Cruises is back better than ever, with nine cruise ships being deployed in the Caribbean for the winter season. Their new itineraries offer four-night sailings departing from Miami and longer cruises at sea for seven to eleven nights with luxurious stops in destinations like Aruba, Grand Cayman, St. Thomas, and Cozumel.

The newest ships joining the fleet include three in the Edge series, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond, which all depart from Fort Lauderdale. The Edge series has been named after its main attraction, the Magic Carpet a floating platform that can be stationed on different stories of the ship.

From Miami, the oldest cruise ship in the fleet, Celebrity Millennium, will be departing to sail for seven nights around the Caribbean for the first time. Celebrity Constellation and others will be combining Caribbean destinations with visits to Central and South America for longer durations.

Caribbean cruise highlights boast visiting the worlds most beautiful beaches, snorkeling in the pristine coral reefs, or a visit to the ancient Mayan ruins. Cruisers can also opt for a more exclusive experience with The Retreat option, which includes upgraded accommodations, a private restaurant, and access to a special lounge and sundeck.

The cruise line has also added additional itineraries around the globe, with Celebrity Eclipse offering cruises departing from Australia or New Zealand and visiting Fiji, Tonga, and the South Pacific islands. Five ships will also be servicing cruises to South America, the West Coast, and Galapagos.

Check out the travel itineraries below:

Celebrity Millennium

Itineraries: a 10-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, a 7-night cruise to the Southern Caribbean, 6 to 8-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, and a 3-night Bahamas Getaway.

Celebrity Summit

Itineraries: 4 or 5-night cruises to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, the Bahamas, Mexico, and more.

Celebrity Silhouette

Itineraries: 8 to 10-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean visiting St. Croix, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, St. Kitts, and more, as well as shorter 4 or 5-night cruises to the Western Caribbean, Key West, the Bahamas, and Mexico.

Celebrity Beyond

Itineraries: 5 to 8-night cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, and more.

Celebrity Constellation

Itineraries: 10-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, visiting Panama, Mexico, St. Maarten, Colombia, Aruba, Curaao, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, and more. There is also an 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruise visiting the Americas.

Celebrity Edge

Itineraries: 4-night Mexico getaway and 10 or 11-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean, visiting St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, Bonaire, Curaao, Aruba, and more.

Celebrity Apex

Itineraries: 6 to 8-night cruises to the Western and Eastern Caribbean, visiting Mexico, Grand Cayman, Belize, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, and more.

Celebrity Reflection

Itineraries: 5 to 8-nights to the Western, Eastern, and Southern Caribbean, visiting Aruba, Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and more.

Celebrity Equinox

Itineraries: 9 to 11-nights to the Southern, Western, and Eastern Caribbean visiting Aruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, and more.

Celebrity Eclipse

Itineraries: 3 to 13-night cruises visiting New Zealand, Fiji, the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Tonga, and more.

Celebrity Infinity

Itineraries: 9-to-14-night cruises visiting Brazil, Patagonia, Antarctica, Falklands, and more.

Celebrity Solstice

Itineraries: 7 and 8-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Pacific Coast, visiting Cabo San Lucas, Catalina Island, Mazatln, Puerto Vallarta, Monterey, San Francisco, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and more.

Celebrity Flora

Itineraries: 7-night cruise to Galapagos visiting Rabida Island, Puerto Egas, Elizabeth Bay, Las Bachas, and more.

Celebrity Xploration

Itineraries: 7-night cruise to Galapagos visiting Black Turtle Cove, Sullivan Bay, Calega Tagus, Punta Espinoza, and more.

Sailing Season: Year-round

Celebrity Xpedition

Itineraries: 7-night cruise to Galapagos visiting North Seymour, South Plaza, Santa F Island, Puerto Ayora, Bahia Post Office, and more.

This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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Celebrity Will Deploy 9 Cruise Ships in the Caribbean for Its Biggest Season Ever - Travel Off Path

Following his recent visit to Colombia, Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenari is visiting Panama on the second leg of his stay in Latin America and the Caribbean. On the occasion, the Commissioner announced 153 million in humanitarian aid for the region as a whole for 2022.

Furthermore, in line with the recently announced European Humanitarian Response Capacity initiative, the first EU funded regional humanitarian stockpile to be based in Panama City was launched. Building on the success of rescEU in Europe, this overseas EU aid stockpile will be used to pre-position equipment such as shelter items, first aid kits, food and sanitation items to deliver them directly from the region when crises such as natural disasters occur. This is expected to greatly speed up aid delivery in one of the most disaster affected regions of the world and be supported by the new regional Copernicus data centre, a flagship initiative of the Global Gateway strategy.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenari, said: Several overlapping emergencies, increasingly combined by the disastrous effects of climate change, are resulting in complex humanitarian situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, I am in Panama, albeit with a regional outlook, to express the EU's continued support to often forgotten and underfunded crises, set to aggravate even further with global impacts of the war in Ukraine. For this reason, we are releasing further funding and enhancing our response by opening the first EU regional humanitarian stockpile in Panama, a strategic point to efficiently deploy aid where it is most needed.

EU funding will addresses urgent humanitarian needs across the region, among which those resulting from the Venezuelan crisis, food insecurity, exposure to natural hazards, transcontinental migration as well as the consequences of pervasive violence, conflict and forced displacement.

In this view, Commissioner also participated in the high level meeting of the Inter-Agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela, the so-called R4V, where the refugees and migrants needs assessments report has been issues; where the EU committed 77 million for this crisis.

Visit to Darien region of Panama

During his stay, the Commissioner is due to visit a reception centre for migrants in the area of Darien, one of the most dangerous migration routes in Latin America. The population influx reached record numbers in September 2022 with the arrival of up to 2,400 people per day, while projections remain very high. The EU is supporting UNICEF, UNHCR and IFRC to provide essential care to vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and people on the move.

In view of further strengthening of relations, Commissioner Lenari inaugurated the new EU regional office for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid operations and met with representatives of the Panamanian government as well as UN agencies and humanitarian organisations active in the field.

Background

The total funding figure includes an additional package currently under approval.

The Latin America and Caribbean region home to some 650 million people is one of the world's most disaster-prone areas and also heavily affected by violence and forced displacement. Violence and armed conflicts are a major threat to populations in Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, Central America and Mexico. The EU has been providing humanitarian aid to the region since 1995 investing over 1.7 billion over this time.

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EU launches first ever overseas aid stockpile in Latin America and the Caribbean - World - ReliefWeb

Dr. Ghislaine Lewis and Dr. David Gosling will be the featured speakers for the University Lecture Series this semester. Both lectures will take place in Hall Campus Centers Memorial Ballroom. Admission is free and the public is invited.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, Lewis will present News, China, and the Recolonization of the Caribbean. Lewis, associate professor of communication studies and co-chair of Africana studies, will examine the intersection of news, China, and regional integration.

In a description of her lecture, Lewis wrote, Caribbean islands are world-renowned for their sand, sea, and sunshine. However, beneath the veil of tourism is the quiet takeover of local infrastructure and development by Chinese-based firms.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, Gosling, an assistant professor of counselor education, will presentMoral Injury and the Military: When Duty Conquers All. In his talk, Gosling will speak about how U.S. veterans reintegrate themselves into their communities following combat.

With the influx of military veterans back into the civilian population following two decades of wartime duty, there are millions of current and former service members who have served in overseas campaigns, many within combat or in hazard duty stations where violence and hard choices were often required, Gosling wrote in his proposal.

His lecture, he added, will detail the mental, physical, and spiritual consequences of our nations extended military campaigns on those who served and fought in them, particularly around the phenomenon of moral injury and the shattering of deeply held value systems when in conflict with the realities of both peacetime and wartime military service.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Allison Jablonski noted that the University Lecture Series has been a staple in Lynchburgs academic sphere since 2018, allowing the campus community to learn from and celebrate its scholars, educators, and mentors.

For more information about the University Lecture Series, contact the provosts office at 434.544.8367 or provost@lynchburg.edu.

See original here:

University Lecture Series highlights research on China and the Caribbean, military's impact on American culture - University of Lynchburg

Its not the all-inclusive resort you might be thinking of.

Its hidden away on the spectacular Turners Beach in Antigua, 29 barefoot-chic rooms, all endlessly private, individual sanctuaries on the sand.

Its a boutique, adults-only all-inclusive, where many of the rooms have their own private plunge pool, all with outdoor showers, all of them just a step away from the sand itself.

But its different here, a small all-inclusive where the focus is on the local.

You might call it a boutique all-inclusive, where the focus is on Caribbean personality, about Caribbean design.

Owner Andrew Michelin says the aim is to reflect vintage Caribbean living with a modern indulgent twist, encompassing the small wooden cottages with wattle fences dotted around the islands countrysides; the flowering vines between cottages for privacy; bathing beneath the stars with our outdoor showers; and living, dining, and relaxing with the sand between your toes directly on the beach.

And that extends to every facet of the resort: the food is fresh and organic: think breakfast plates like Antiguan black pineapple custard French toast and dinner favorites like escovitch snapper.

In a very cool inclusion, the resort has a snack menu, on offer from 11 AM to 4:45 PM, a time period during which it can sometimes be difficult to find a meal at many all-inclusives. And its not bag of chips, either: think fried local chips, pizza, fish and chips, tofu burgers, open-face cajun sandwiches and coconut cookies.

And it all comes right to your room.

There is also the Serenity Spa, a boutique wellness center where the soundtrack isnt piped-in flute music, but the revitalizing sound of the waves just outside the door.

And then there are the delicious rooms, a lovely mix of pool cottages (either on the beach or in the garden), sunset beachfront rooms or beach house rooms.

Keyonna also cleverly labels each room with the distance to the beach. That means as low as 10 seconds from a sanctuary pool cottage to just 60 seconds in a garden pool cottage.

In other words, theres nothing between you and your Caribbean beach dreams.

And thats the spirit of this boutique all-inclusive, where the island itself is front and center and where the emphasis is on a true, unfiltered Antiguan experience.

Its the way Keyonna has carved out a beloved niche on an island thats long been home to some of the Caribbeans top all-inclusive resorts by doing things its own way.

Weve ensured that everything possible is made locally the furniture, soft furnishings, placemats, bread baskets, lampshades and produce as we seek to build up those communities that surround us, Michelin says. With the added benefit that our food and drinks are fresh, nutritious, full flavored with no preservatives, just like the food that came from my grandmothers kitchen in Jamaica.

For more, visit Keyonna Beach Resort.

Read more:

In Antigua, the Art of the Boutique Caribbean All-Inclusive - Caribbean Journal

On Oct. 6, the Center for Self Advocacy (CSA), based in Buffalo, NY, hosted its first-ever Womens Summit focused on disability and healthcare.

Heather Horwedel who led the summit is this years Ms. Wheelchair New York, a competition that promotes disability awareness, education, advocacy and celebrates the accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs. She was born with spina bifida, a condition that affects her spine. Horwedel shared her experience with getting access to proper medical care. Something related that she was experiencing was hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain that can also affect the spine.

I experienced symptoms of it in 2018. After being misdiagnosed by various doctors several times, I finally got checked, found out what it was, and got surgery. Once it happened again, I knew how to handle it, she said. Horwedels advice regarding healthcare is: You should listen to your body. Get multiple opinions. Dont be afraid to speak up.

The next speaker was Ketrina Hazell, whose family is Caribbean. Born prematurely, Hazell spent two months in the hospital, and was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) at nine months old. CP affects a persons ability to move, as well as their balance and posture. Hazell shared her experience with getting access to education, in addition to proper medical care, as an adult.

I had lots of doctors appointments, surgeries and therapy growing up. Once I turned 18, I had to learn how to advocate for myself, Hazell stated. At that time, she also transitioned to adult care, which was better for her, and she is pretty healthy now. Any movement is better than none when you have a disability, she continued.

At one point, Hazell was denied necessary therapy, and she decided to write a letter to her doctors, advocating for her needs. As a result of this experience, Hazell has a call to action for the healthcare system. She is advocating for several things, including more disability awareness training in the medical field and having more doctors who are specialized in the field of different disabilities.

After hearing from Horwedel and Hazell, the first panel of the summit began. The speakers in the first panel were Buffalo, NY locals Robin Ripple, Maria Bell, and Dr. Jennifer Abeles. Ripple and Bell, who also have CP, shared that transportation has been a major challenge for them when getting to their doctors appointments.

Ripple stated that, as a wheelchair user, she has had experiences in which doctors knew her condition and they acted very unprofessional. Bell, who is also African-American, shared an experience in which she was going to the allergist one day, and she decided to get her flu shot while there, but she was told that she couldnt get it because of her insurance.

Dr. Jennifer Abeles shared that she cares a lot about her patients, ensuring that they have proper care. I know my patients by name. It doesnt matter what condition a patient has. I take care of my patients like one of my family members.

Ripple, Bell and Abeles, as well as Horwedel and Hazell, all made it clear that more training is needed for medical professionals to truly understand their disabled patients and make it easier for them to get access to the care that they need and deserve.

Read the original post:

Local disability organization hosts first-ever Women's Summit Caribbean Life - Caribbean Life

In Bonaire, you dont think, you just do. At least thats what I repeat to myself standing at the edge of this cliff, eyeing the dirt-covered notch of fossilized coral beneath my feet. About 25 feet below that theres clear, impossibly turquoise water. Maybe too clear: I think I see shadows of rock-masses right beneath the ripples, but hopefully my eyes are playing tricks on me.

On the southern end of the Caribbean, the Dutch municipalitythe B between Aruba and Curaao in the ABC islandsis less about tourist traps and more about outdoor appreciation. Here, 20,000 residents are relegated to two citiesKralendijk, the capital, and the older Rinconwhile about one fifth of the whole island is covered by Washington-Slagbaai National Park, where I am currently frozen.

To get to this perch above Boka Slagbaai bayonce a setting for goat slaughtering (slagbaai comes from slachtbaai, Dutch for slaughter bay)I trekked in aqua shoes up a lumpy trail lined with spindly candle cacti that sprung from the ground like electrified hairs. Take away the sounds of the ocean, and the landscape could easily double as a Western US desert. But then an iguana crosses my path, moseying along on Caribbean time. Behind me flamingos converge, feasting on a former salt pan. And at the top of the trail, I emerge to see the waterexpansive, gorgeous, with coral reef all around, all protected thanks to the islands conservation efforts.

So now, all there is to do is jump from this cliff, which seems like nothing. But a crowd has gathered to watch. Maybe they were in the national park to hike the trails of Mount Brandaris, the highest peak on the island. Or maybe they were there to dive and snorkel in secret cove beaches, like the hidden tide pools of Boka Kokolishi, a favorite for wading. Maybe theyve kayaked, explored historic ruins or driven in their 4x4 along a dirt road, where mountain goats climb rugged mounds to one side and geysers from the ocean spurt angrily on the other. Maybe, but now theyre here to watch me.

All I just want to get it over with. I look downa mistake, because then I hesitate (a note to cliff jumpers out there: Dont look down. Never look down.). And eventually, I leap.

Did you know you could do a belly flop on your back? Before visiting Bonaire, I didnt. But now I do. And Id do it again. Heres what else you can get up to on this small but mighty adventure island.

Inhabit the scuba spirit of Captain Don

Today, the miles of reef fringing the perimeter of Bonaire is all a protected marine park, stretching up to 984 feet offshore and stocked with 470 colorful species of fish, 60 kinds of coral, and multiple diving and snorkeling sites. The reefs accessibility, along with year-round good weather, has earned 24-mile-long Bonaire a reputation as the shore diving capital of the worlda place where you can pop into underwater wonders straight off the land, rather than needing a boat.

But the value of the reef might never have been recognized if not for one man, a Californian named Captain Don Stewart. Navy man, avid diver, raconteur, and inventor (he apparently was responsible for the sliding screen door), Captain Don was also an environmentalist. As the story goes, he made a pit stop in Bonaire while on a sailing trip back in 1962, his 50-year-old schooner in need of repairs. At the time, only 4,000 people lived on the island, but it was the water that caught Captain Dons attention. When it was time to leave, he changed his plans. I could see the reef as we tied up, he said of his first sighting. I could hear it calling my name.

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Bonaires introduction to diving began with the six tanks Captain Don brought with him, and the protection of local marine life became his legacy. He spearheaded a campaign to have permanent moorings placed at dive sites that prevented divers from anchoring in, and thus destroying, the reefs. His efforts not only led to the banning of spearfishing to protect the reefs (its the reason conch, though plentiful in the waters around Bonaire, has to be imported from neighboring islands), but also to the creation of the Bonaire National Marine Park in 1979. Today, all divers in Bonaire are required to attend a class on reef preservation, as well as pay a nature fee of $25 to enter the park waters.

Youll see his name invoked throughout the island, most prominently at the PADI diving resort he founded in 1976, Captain Dons Habitat, a favorite of divers and divers-to-be with certification classes, specialty courses, and access to over 50 moored sites by custom dive boat. (The attached Rum Runners restaurant, a go-to for cocktails with a killer sunset view, is a favorite of everyone else.)

Other area resorts include Buddy Dive Resort, Grand Windsock, the more affordable Caribbean Club, and the luxurious Harbour Village, complete with its own secluded stretch of private beach, the only place youll find that on the island. But resort access isnt required to hit the water: Stop off at a dive shop for some equipment, choose a spotthe extraordinary 1,000 steps perhaps (actually just 67 steps), or the Oil Slick, where you step off a short cliff into the wavesand take the leap.

Throw caution to the wind (literally)

The consistent trade winds that blew Captain Dons aging sailboat over to Bonaire are the same breezes that make the island a destination for wind-fueled sports. Champion windsurfers are made hereyoull find some teaching classes at Lac Bay. The Frans Brothers, stars of the 2013 documentary Children of the Wind, about three Bonarians journey from a small fishing village to windsurfing superstardom, run their own windsurfing school and wing foil center on Sorobon Bay. (One of the owners, Elton Taty Frans holds the fastest record for windsurfing from Bonaire to Curaao).

Of course, if you want a more laid-back activity, theres plenty of that, too. The windsurfing club Jibe City offers rentals and classesplus adirondack chairs, hammocks, and a bar for those who prefer to watch.

Another option? Skim across the seas on a kiteboardthats done at Atlantis Beach, with classes at Kiteboarding Bonaire or Bonaire Kiteschoolor try your hand harnessing the wind on land. Bonaire is the only island in the Caribbean where you can landsail. Using the New Zealand-designed Blokart (rhymes with go-kart), Bonaire Landsailing Adventures allows you to zip around a waterfront track right dotted with cacti. Just watch out for those iguanas.

Duck underground

Youre standing in front of a gaping hole in the ground about three feet wide, depths as dark as the eye can see. Your snorkel is strapped around your neck. Then your spelunking guide nods: Yup, this is the cave where were going down. Yet another one of those just do it Bonaire moments. If youre lucky, theres a rickety ladder to climb, but youre most likely rappelling into a dry cave to crawl through spiny formations, or a wet one, emerging in a wonderland of clear pools, stalactites, stalagmites, and coral shaped like everything from brains to bats. Oh waitthose are real bats.

Theres a reason Bonaire is devoid of lush vegetation. Its geology was formed by a volcanic core pushed up from the earth and surrounded by limestone karst. But what the land lacks in nutrients for plant life, it makes up for with its holes. Caves, over 400 of them, litter the landscape, and the Bonaire Caves & Karst Nature Reserve is dedicated to their protection. To that end, just a few are accessible to visitors, and require a guide like those from Go Caving Bonaire or Caves Tour Bonaire to take you through the underground worlds (if you choose the latter and get Dirk as your guide, be ready for plenty of adorable dad jokes).

Delve into the islands cultural history

Arrive at Bonaire by sea or land, and the first things to catch your eye are the pink-hued salt flats on the southern end of the island, each lined with massive 50-foot tall white pyramids of salt. Theyre part of one of the largest solar salt facilities in the Caribbean. (The salt is available to buy all over, but at the flats, theres a box of crystals to sample for free.)

Drive by the flats on land and youll notice something else: almost identical square white houses, Scandinavian in their minimalist design. Dating back to 1850 and made of coral stone, these were once shelters for the enslaved brought in by the Dutch from the west coast of Africa to work on the flats (slavery was abolished in the Dutch Antilles 13 years later). Their homes were typically located inland in the city of Rincon, but as the flats were a seven-hour walk away, staying overnight in these accommodations meant they could work, sleep, and work again. And it was tough workthey often went blind due to sun and heat exposure.

Though the residents today are a conglomeration of several culturestheir language, Papiamentu, is a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and African dialectsat times, Bonaire can seem like two countries: one for those who built the country, and one for those who conquered it. The original inhabitants were an Arawak tribe called the Caiquetios, believed to have migrated from Venezuela. (It was their name for the islandBojnajthat evolved into Bonaire.) After the Spanish landed, they searched for riches on the arid desert-like land and found none. They subsequently deemed the land useless, enslaved the Caiquetios, and shipped them off to Hispaniola (now Haiti) and the Dominican Republic to work in the copper mines.

1636 saw the arrival of the Dutch, who came in search of salt to use as preservatives in the herring industry. In Bonaire they found their White Gold, and, in the late 1600s, implemented the slave trade to work primarily on the salt flats. Until slavery was abolished, the entire island amounted to one large plantation. Around Kralendijk, youll see maps for a self-guided historical walking tour, taking you past Dutch colonial buildings like the Protestant church, built in 1847 for Dutch immigrants, and Wilhelmina Park, named after Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (she has her own welcome seat affixed with a plaque).

But to learn more about the cultural history of Bonaire, of those who toiled on the land and whose descendants still live there today, head inland to Rincon and find the Mangazina di Rei. Once a building used by the government to store agricultural rations for the enslaved, today its a museum documenting the islands cultural, agricultural, and geological makeup.

Every last Saturday of the month, they hold the Nos Ziljea, a celebration of local crafts, agriculture, and musical entertainment plus local foods like Funchi, a mash of black eyed peas and brown sugar, and goat curry, which you can also sample at nearby local restaurants like Posada Para Mira. (If youre feeling adventurous, go for the iguana stew). Or if you're visiting from February through May, look for one of the Simadan events throughout the country, a festival that harkens back to a celebration of the harvest, with its own dance called the Wapa. It culminates in the day-long Dia di Rinconon April 30.

Create your own safari

Cruise around the island and youre bound to encounter quite a bit of wildlife. Some are a natural fit, like iguanas, waterfowl, caracaras, parrots, and even goats. Also flamingos, pink like the salt flats, munching on shrimp from briny waters and hanging out at Bonaire Wild Bird Rehab, their very own sanctuary. They say theres more flamingos than people on the island, and that might very well be true.

And then there are the donkeys. Dropped off by the Spanish in the 1500s and left to fend for themselves on the island, about 1100 burros now roam freely throughout Bonaire. And if encounters with humans turn unfriendly, its usually the fault of the animal with two legs and opposable thumbs. Thats where Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire comes in.

Established in 1993, the sanctuary takes in donkeys injured and orphaned by car accidents or by other means. Here, about 750 animals are cared for by volunteers and set up, Golden Girls-style, for the rest of their days with food, shelter, medical care, and gossip buddies. Visitors can pay an entry fee and embark on a DIY safari, walking or driving through the sanctuary by car, golf cart, or scooter, and buying grass pellets to get swarmed by burros poking their snouts in open windows, car doors, and anywhere else they fit. Long-term visitors to the island can sign up to volunteer or apply to be an intern. Short-termers can choose to sponsor or adopt a donkey, securing a local friend the next time they return. And if you cant make it down in person, you can always watch the action go down via livestream.

(Ad)venture into the night

Bonaire might be more suited to daytime exploration, but there is also a burgeoning nightlife scene, helmed by live performances at Little Havana and salsa parties at Cuba Compagnie. And you can count on cocktails backed by spectacular sunsets at places like Karels Beach Bar in the heart of Kralendijk, or at more upscale restaurants like the Mediterranean-inflected Sebastians, Ingridints at Buddy Dive, and the aforementioned Rum Runners at Captain Dons Habitat. Theres even an option to sail into the sunset itself, with a four-hour dinner cruise aboard a 50-foot wooden schooner fromMelisa Sailing.

Later, move on to the heartier stuff at Tiki & Co. Its Bonaire-raised owner Eddy Trenidad has apprenticed everywhere from the Prohibition-inspired Room 13 in Chicago to the trend-setting Stirr in the Netherlands (now closed). Have him whip you up something to please your palate, or choose from any of the well-balanced options. Just be aware: Drinks come heavy on the gothy theatrics here (order the Sorobon Zombie for a flaming surprise), and even heavier on the booze (order only one Sorobon Zombie if you want to remember what happened that night).

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