Coldwell Banker Islands Blog

The 35th anniversary of our festival, Culturama, will be held July 30 - Aug 4, and Nevis and St Kitts hotels are already filling up. The official opening ceremony for the celebration will be Thursday, the July 30, at 7:30 p.m., followed immediately by the Mr. and Ms Talented Youth Pageant and Junior Kaiso Contest. The long-awaited Emancipation Jouvert Jump-Up will be held Monday, August 3, starting at 5:00 a.m.

The Jouvert Morning jam session is now known as the Emancipation Jouvert Jump Up and has grown into a huge event, with thousands of revellers taking to the streets from the wee hours of the morning right up until mid-day. A four-mile road jam from Gingerland into Charlestown has now become a feature of the Emancipation Jouvert Jump Up.

Other fun activities include the Culturama 35 Clash Of D’Bands, Food Fair, Drag Races, and the much-loved Ms. Culture Queen Pageant, along with many others. The Culturama prize-giving ceremony will take place on Saturday, the 15th of August, at 8:00 p.m.

The idea of Culturama was conceived in February, 1974 by the Nevis Dramatic and Cultural Society (NEDACS). The main objectives of Culturama originally were - and still are:

1. To give a vital thrust to our dying traditional customs.
2. To stimulate an interest in the wealth of our cultural heritage.
3. To create a climate in which indigenous folk art can reassert itself and flourish.
4. To raise funds for the constructing a community center, which will serve as a base for the projection of cultural awareness programs.

It’s a time when class barriers are broken down and people of all creed and class, locals and visitors alike, become culturally assimilated and socially united in seven days of fun, frolic, mas, revelry, splendor, history and creativity.

Come on down during these amazing weeks, and immerse yourself in the culture of Nevis with Culturama 35! Be sure and stop by our local Coldwell Banker office while you are here, to find out about our great buying opportunities.

The British Virgin Islands will be a contributing destination sponsor for the 2009 Bank of the West Classic Tennis Tournament. While the top 32 female players compete in the first ladies tournament of the Olympus U.S. Open Series, the British Virgin Islands will be represented as the premier destination in the Caribbean.

The tournament starts today in Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, featuring top players like Maria Sharapova, the Williams sisters, Elena Dementieve, and Jelena Jankovic. The west coast market (specifically including the San Francisco and Bay Areas) will be represented by 35,000 well-cultured, diverse and affluent attendees. The Bank of the West Classic is a locally attended and internationally televised event, which draws an audience of tennis enthusiasts who enjoy travel to exotic destinations.

The BVI Tourist Board North America Marketing Office will promote the islands through exposure and interaction with tournament attendees in a hospitality lounge, offering last chances on “Summer of Savings” deals, answering any questions about the islands, and encouraging guests to enter in the sweepstakes drawing to win a trip to the BVI.

(resource: TravelDailyNews)

JetBlue Airways is pleased to announce “The But Wait, There’s More!” ten day sale for fall travel to more than 56 destinations in the carrier’s network, with fares starting as low as $29. Customers must book travel online at www.jetblue.com by Wednesday, August 5, 2009.

For instance,

New York JFK to/from Aruba - ONLY $149

There are many specials to other Caribbean destinations you could visit and include Aruba in the itinerary. Fares require up to a 14-day advance purchase. Fare sales are one way. Certain restrictions and blackout dates apply (a). Travel must take place between September 8, 2009 and December 16, 2009. Travel must be completed by December 16, 2009.

About Jet Blue Airways(from their press release)

New York-based JetBlue Airways has created a new airline category based on value, service and style. Known for its award-winning service and free TV as much as its low fares, JetBlue is now pleased to offer customers Lots of Legroom and super-spacious Even More Legroom seats.

JetBlue introduced complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services on aircraft “BetaBlue,” a first among U.S. domestic airlines.

JetBlue is also America’s first and only airline to offer its own Customer Bill of Rights, with meaningful and specific compensation for customers inconvenienced by service disruptions within JetBlue’s control.

JetBlue currently serves 56 cities with 650 daily flights. New service to Baltimore begins on September 9. The airline also intends to commence service to Barbados (October 1); Saint Lucia (October 26); and Kingston, Jamaica (October 30).

See you in Aruba!

(resource: PrNewsWire)

Vacation Villa rentals in the Turks & Caicos Islands are typically ocean or beachfront homes that provide a more private vacation experience than the hotel or all-inclusive resorts. For singles, couples or families considering a relaxing tropical vacation this winter - renting a private villa in the TCI may be just the holiday you’ve been waiting for.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate Turks & Caicos has recently added 12 new properties to their vacation rental portfolio. Several of these villas are located on the quiet, south side of Providenciales. Chalk Sound, Taylor Bay (Sunset Bay) and Silly Creek are just a few of the neighbourhoods that feature these homes. With prices from a low $2400 USD per week (plus the 10% accomodation tax) these properties offer great value for guests booking at non-peak times during the fall and winter months.

Two properties, namely Ponte Del Sogno and Villa Osprey, are located in Silly Creek on the same street as the multi-million dollar Emerald Cay Private Island 4 acre Estate. These homes are both oceanfront homes set on large lots offering spectacular indoor and outdoor living areas. Plenty of room for guests to enjoy board games, tv or a pre-dinner cocktail at the poolside cabana, have an afternoon nap in the hammock off the private master bedroom, or gather everyone together for a casual lunch under the Tiki-Hut located beside the childrens pool.

With a concierge program available through your Coldwell Banker Vacation Rental Specialist you may also arrange for pre-stocking of groceries, a diving or deep-sea fishing charter, a tee time at Provo Golf Club, babysitting services for evenings when you’d like to dine out at a local restaurant, or ask us to arrange for your own private Chef to prepare and serve meals at the villa during your stay.

Crystal Sands is a child-friendly residence located on Sapodilla Beach - one of the best spots to observe the glow worms. Villa Lynda is a recently constructed beachfront four bedroom home that features a covered Tiki-Hut for outdoor dining and a spectacular pool. Bahia Mar sits on a large beachfront lot on 1/2 mile sandy Taylor Bay Beach on the quiet south side of the island.

Fall and winter rates range from $2400 to $11,700 USD per week (no hotel or resort tax). Contact a Coldwell Banker Vacation Rental Specialist for details on our portfolio of properties, visit www.coldwellbankertci.com, click on the “Rental” tab in the search box, select Vacation Rental and you are on your way.

Coldwell Banker Vacation Rentals - (649) 946-4969

Almond Hill Rum Point Ridge Point Lot now listed for $625,000 in Cayman Kai. A great elevated half acre of beachfront. With some mature trees with 100′ of beachfront.

Visit our Coldwell Banker listing page for more details.

The Salt Cay weekend promises to be filled with fun great entertainment. Here are some the events for Saturday:

Saturday-July 25:
6 AM-4 PM Fishing Tournament: Prizes for Boat & Shore Fishermen

From 10 AM Soccer, Softball, Volleyball Games: Sports Field

4-6 PM Dominos Tournament w/Fantastic Prizes
Darts & Table Tennis: Salt Shed

6-7 PM Awards Ceremony: Salt Shed

8 PM-? Tropical All Star Band (Shocking Vibes): Salt Shed

All Day Events: Bouncy Castle, Sponge Bob & Dora, Face Painting, Pinata: Sports Field
Rake n Scrape Band: Sports Field

Visit Porter’s Island Thyme blog for Sunday’s schedule.

From PlanetWare, “At one time the world’s largest producer of salt, historic Salt Cay a 2.5sq.mi/6.5sq.km island was the center of the Bermudian salt industry, the mainstay of the Turks and Caicos economy from the late 1600’s until the early 1960’s.

“Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Salt Cay is a time capsule from the days “when Salt was king”. Donkeys, wild cattle and iguanas far outnumber the 125 human inhabitants.”

Additonal information on Salt Cay Homecoming is available from Carolyn Dickenson, District Commissioner-Salt Cay: e-mail: destiny122@hotmail.com or phone: 649-243-0250.

It’s time to make your reservations to enjoy the Pirates Week celebrations in Nevis this year, October 24-October 31, and November 21-November 28.

It was on Nevis that Captain Bartholomew Sharpe first gathered his crew and ships to plan raid on Central America. Granted he lost all seven ships, got a bit confused and ended up on the Pacific Coast where he stole three more ships, but he then sailed around South America and returned to Nevis after three years. Brought back some nice emeralds and a cocker spaniel.

Captain William Kidd would steal French ships from neighbouring St. Kitts, bring them to Nevis and sell all the goods. He didn’t actually kill anybody, except when he hit one guy on the head with a bucket, and he did send the profits to New York for Trinity Church, but Kidd was a very famous pirate.

Then there was Edward Lowe, “the greatest monster to infest the seas” that stole ships from Nevis; the fearful Fran�ois L’Ollonais that ate a beating human heart; and “Black” Bart Roberts was going to level Charlestown to the ground, but got blown away by a hurricane.

Pirates practiced racial freedom in the 1600s, set up the first workman’s compensation and drank quite a bit. So Nevis, to educate people more about these pirates is starting a Peppered Pickled Pirate Party Time. Grab your hat, your sword, and your drinking mug to join them for a good time on the high seas!

Visit the Itinerary on Pirates of Nevis page, for all the scheduled festivities, and you’ll see Horse Races, a Donkey Derby, banquets and exhibits and kayaking and snorkeling and..much more.

Be sure and join us for the Pirates Weeks.

4 TV Ads will appear on CNN starting July 24, promoting the British Virgin Islands to the Caribbean and North American markets. Featuring the scenic land and seascapes of the Territory, the ads are new 30-second spots that invite travellers to the shores of the BVI. Emphasizing that the ads will be played internationally, Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board, Myron Walwyn said, “These ads will be played on Cable News Network, commonly known as CNN, and not just Channel 23 locally. We all know the innovation CNN is known for which puts them ahead of other news networks. This ad campaign on the network will allow the Territory to reach the homes and offices of CNN’s vast audience.”

According to BVI Platinum News, “This television advertisement builds on the successful Discover Nature’s Little Secrets theme, showcasing the wide variety of accommodations available to visitors. Against a backdrop of local fungi music, legendary BVI radio talent, Dave Douglas tells visitors, “’From your own room, to your intimate villa, to your own private island in the Caribbean Sea… so much to see, so much to do, enjoy your summer vacation with us and feel the British Virgin Islands!’

“With exciting and authentic images of tourists enjoying beaches, sailing, scuba diving, festivals, and dining, the advertisement concludes with a clear and strong call to learn about summer travel offers at both the BVI Tourist Board web site and toll-free telephone number to the Tourist Board’s call centre (800-835-8530).

“Ads were shot with authentic images of the Territory, showcasing the talents of BVIslandes and residents.”

This magnificent and impressive house, build in a very high quality and with a most stunning design, is one of the largest and most spectacular houses built on the island. Surrounded with gardens in tropical landscaping, it includes various fountains, a pond with exotic fishes, a huge 150 sqm covered terrace with large dining and lounge area, a covered bar in the pool area, a large lagoon style swimming pool surrounded by sun terraces, a large hot & cold water Jacuzzi with air blower and jet massage nozzles, a separate kid’s Jacuzzi with jet and blower and an exterior shower with hot & cold water, good for any kind of entertainment activities. Asking $2,900,000.

Read more details on our Coldwell Banker listing page.

Every Monday and Friday at the local Coldwell Banker Aruba office, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 12, across from Divi Tamarijin Resort, Coffee and Donuts will be served from 8:30-10:30 AM.

Here’s your chance to learn about Aruba real estate opportunities, the local market, and recent sales in a hassle-free, friendly environment.

Or, come have a mid-morning snack and enjoy the company.

Join us soon!