Terri Henry - Contributor - Caribbean Living Lifestyle Blog

Tips on Interior Decorating

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 21:00:00 -0500

In today's times there are many designs that can be incorporated to the styles that are required for the interior decorating. However all over the world there are only few of them that are actually put to practice. It is easy to identify some of the designs that most of the people around the world love and flaunt.

Some of the styles that are popular all over the world are the styles from Morocco, Japan, Italy and the Mediterranean. Though Japan and Italy fall in the Mediterranean region they still have a style that is unique to each. In fact in the Mediterranean region designs it also includes certain designs from regions that are a part of Italy.

Common Styles of Interior Decorating

The Mediterranean style of decoration is very old and people have been adapting it for a very long time. Because of this it is available very easily. The Italian style is the most copied one. This is because there are many designs that look Italian but are actually cheap imitations of the same. The Fresco paintings and the molding of cement are jut poorly made copies and cannot even be remotely compared to the original. The Moroccan is the latest in fashion as far as decorations are concerned. This style is mysterious and charming and magical in the true sense. Then there is the Tropical style, Swedish and the African style and also the Asian style

Other influences

Apart from the influence of the regions there is also the influence of other factors like Feng Shui and the Tuscan style of decoration. There are also the designs inspired by Victorian age and the Traditional decorations of the 18th and the 19th century. Other influences are drawn from the colors that are coordinated in the decorations and some of
them are blacks and whites. Then there is the Rustic and the contemporary styles and the casual style of decorating. Next is the influence from the Vintage styles and the Retro style of decorating your home.

Continue reading "Tips on Interior Decorating"

New UK visa requirements for visitors from Dominica and St. Lucia

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:38:00 -0500

The UK border agency has announced that it may introduce visas to the
UK for visitors from Dominica and St Lucia, after analyzing the results
of a Visa Waiver Test on seven countries in the eastern Caribbean.

The Visa Waiver Test is carried out to determine the risk that a
specific countries' citizens potentially pose to the UK in terms of
illegal immigration, crime and security, to help decide where visas to
the UK may be required.
It also helps the government determine whether the visa regimes are in
the right places.

The Test was announced in 2007 when travel from any country beyond the
European Economic Area and Switzerland was measured against a range of
criteria including illegal immigration, crime and security concerns. The
assessment found that there was a need for introducing visas to the UK
for a number of currently visa free countries, based on the current
level of risk posed to the UK by sufficient numbers of their nationals. A
UK visa regime is a simple but very effective immigration, crime and
security control measure.

In this case results of the test showed a strong case for introducing
visas to the UK for citizens of Dominica and St Lucia. The UK government
will now work with these two countries and try to resolve the its
concerns during a six-month period.

The final decision on visitor visa regimes will be taken until the end
of the six-month period after all relevant factors are considered.

Written by Lucy Johnson

http://uk.immigrationvisaforms.com/uk-visa-application-packs

Caribbean Food - A Little History

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:20:00 -0500

The Arawak, Carib, and Taino Indians were the first inhabitants of
the Caribbean islands. These first inhabitants occupied the present day
islands of British Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti,
Trinidad, and Jamaica. Their daily diet consisted of vegetables and
fruits such as papaw, yams, guavas, and cassava. The Taino started the
process of cooking meat and fish in large clay pots.

The Arawaks
are the first people known to make a grate of thin green wood strips on
which they slowly cooked meat, allowing it to be enhanced by the flavor
of the wood. This grate was called a barbacoa, and the word we know
today as barbeque is taken from this early Indian cooking method.

The
Carib Indians added more spice to their food with hot pepper sauces,
and also added lemon and lime juice to their meat and fish recipes. The
Caribs are said to have made the first pepper pot stew. No recipes exist
since every time the Indians made the dish, they would always add new
ingredients. The Carib had a big impact on early Caribbean history, and
the Caribbean sea was named after this tribe.

Then the Caribbean
became a crossroads for the world . . .

Continue reading "Caribbean Food - A Little History"

A crash course in the formation of black sand beaches

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:20:00 -0500

Somewhere in most tropical vacation
fantasies you will find a white, golden sand beach complete with palm
trees, crystal clear water, and tall tropical drinks with tiny
umbrellas. The little known black sand beach is often nowhere in this
picture. However, for ecotourism enthusiasts, and travelers just looking
for a change from the typical tropical vacation fair, the beauty of
black sand beaches have become more recognized as a wonderful
alternative.

Have you ever wondered what causes such a striking difference in the
appearance of black sand vs. white sand beaches? This results from the
fact that black sand beaches are formed very differently from their
white sand counterparts which are coral in origin. Here's a crash course
in black sand beach formation:

Black sand beaches are volcanic in origin. Hot lava flows into the sea
and turns black upon contact with the cooling effect of the water. As it
cools it breaks up into smaller fragments. The constant pounding of the
surf and waves over time causes these fragments to form smaller and
smaller particles, until sand is produced. The development of this sand
is also encouraged by the steam explosions which occur when the water
and the hot lava meet.

The size of sand particles may very significantly from quite coarse to
finer grains depending on the location. The color of the sand may also
differ from light grey to charcoal black, even on the same stretch of
beach. But regardless of the exact color, black sand beaches are truly
breathtaking.

Black sand beaches can be found in more places and closer to home than
you may think. These include Polynesia, Indonesia, Hawaii, Iceland, and
the Caribbean islands of Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and
Puerto Rico.

Written by Kim Phillips

Experience black sand beaches in a premiere ecotourism
destination in the Caribbean, Dominica.

The Seven Wonders of the Caribbean

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:11:00 -0500

Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
Kaieteur National Park is situated on the Guiana Shield, a plateau that
is one of the world's oldest and remotest geological formations. The
entire Kaieteur National Park area is located within one of the largest
and most biodiverse rainforests in the world.

Kaieteur Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world.
It has a free fall height of more than 700 feet, making it about five
times taller than Niagara Falls It is one of the few places in the world
where endangered species are easily observed. Specially designed
on-site nature walks place you face-to-face with the many and varied
exotic plant and animal species. Kaieteur can be admired close-up or
filmed at varying distances and from numerous camera angles; aerial
views of the Falls are truly spectacular.

The Pitons, St Lucia
St Lucia possesses a topography and ecology of stunning beauty, matched
by no other location in the Caribbean. The island's pride in its natural
resources is evident in the country's ongoing protection and
conservation efforts.  In the mountainous interior lies the enormous
National Rain Forest and the island's protected coastal sights include
the breathtaking, unforgettable spires of Les Pitons. Located near
Soufriere, these primeval twin peaks, topping 2,000 feet, are St Lucia's
most famous landmark. Only the most daring climbers have attempted an
ascent on their summits, but they can be seen in all their glory from Mt
Gimie or from the decks of a boat offshore.

Now dormant, the Sulphur Springs is the world's only drive-in volcano. A
tour of its bubbly, steamy sulphur springs offers a direct and
fascinating lesson in the violent geology of the Caribbean Rim.

The Pitch Lake, Trinidad
The Pitch Lake or Asphalt Lake of Trinidad and Tobago is situated in the
southwest peninsula of the island of Trinidad. It has fascinated
explorers, scientists and the common folk since its discovery by Sir
Walter Raleigh in 1595. Raleigh himself found immediate use for the
asphalt to caulk his ship. Since then, there have been numerous research
investigations into the use and chemical composition of this material.
Above all, there have been countless theories, postulations and
conclusions as to the size, source and origin of the asphalt. The
Asphalt Lake is at present an oval, lake-like outcrop composed of an
oil, clay and water (mud) mixture. The asphalt from the Lake is of
economic value to Trinidad and Tobago. Some 10 million tons have been
mined since mining started in 1867. The refined product is used in the
manufacturing and road surfacing industries.

Harrison Cave, Barbados
Although historical references were made to Harrison's Cave from as
early as the 18th century, no serious exploration of the cave was
carried out until 1970, when speleologist, Ole Sorensen, was
commissioned by the Barbados National Trust to make a survey and map the
cave. Sorensen immediately recognised the potential of the cave and
recommended that it be landscaped and developed. Four years later, work
on the cave began, drawing on scientific, artistic, technological and
geological resources.

The work involved digging tunnels, improving lighting and diverting of
underground streams. A unique phenomenon of nature, Harrison's Cave is
an amazing gallery of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave, and
stalagmites that emerge from the ground, with streams of crystal-clear
running water that drop from breathtaking waterfalls to form deep
emerald pools. The stalactites and stalagmites were formed over
thousands of years and in some places the stalactites have reached down
to the stalagmites and a spectacular pillar has been formed.

Stingray City, Grand Cayman
Located in the shallow waters of the northwest corner of Grand Cayman's
North Sound, the waters are filled with "friendly" stingrays, that can
be fed by hand You'll find this anomaly just inside a natural channel
that passes through the barrier, it consists of a string of sand bars
that cross the North Sound from Morgan Harbour to Rum Point.
Local legend has it that the stingrays began gathering in the area
decades ago when fisherman would return from an excursion and go behind a
reef into the sound and clean their fish in the calm water of the
shallows and sand bar area. The fish guts were simply thrown overboard
and the stingrays eventually congregated to feast on the discarded guts.
Soon the stingrays began to associate the sound of a boat with a free
meal.
As this practice turned into a tradition, local divers realised that the
stingrays could be fed by hand. There are three ways to experience
these bottom-dwelling, prehistoric-looking creatures that feed primarily
on molluscs and crustaceans and each involves a short boat ride to the
sandbar area at the North Sound. Divers or snorkelers who dare to get
into the water experience an adrenaline rush as the stingrays rub
against you with their bodies and "wings".

The most popular is a snorkelling trip, which has been called the best
snorkeling experience in the world. This trip normally occurs in the
heart of the sandbar where the water is only three to five-feet deep.

The second way to experience Stingray City is as a scuba diver. Dive
groups consist of 10 to 20 divers, wearing no fins as they may hurt the
congregating stingrays. The divers are over-weighted, which keeps them
on the bottom and the dive master swims from diver to diver dispersing
diced squid and fish pieces. Stingrays quickly surround the divers.
The third way to experience Stingray City is via a glass bottom boat,
which is a good alternative if the weather is too windy for snorkeling.

Continue reading "The Seven Wonders of the Caribbean"

How To Avoid Legal Difficulties When Traveling Abroad

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:08:00 -0500

When you are in a foreign country,
you are subject to its laws and are under its jurisdiction. You can be
arrested overseas for actions that may be either legal or considered
minor infractions in the United States. Familiarize yourself with legal
expectations in the countries you will visit. Country Specific
Information include information on unusual patterns of arrests in
particular countries, as appropriate.

Some of the offenses for which U.S. citizens have been arrested abroad
are:

Drug Violations

More than 1/3 of U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad are held on drug
charges. Some countries do not distinguish between possession and
trafficking, and many have mandatory sentences - even for possession of a
small amount of marijuana or cocaine. A number of Americans have been
arrested for possessing prescription drugs, particularly tranquilizers
and amphetamines that they purchased legally elsewhere. Other U.S.
citizens have been arrested for purchasing prescription drugs abroad in
quantities that local authorities suspected were for commercial use. If
in doubt about foreign drug laws, ask local authorities or the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate.

Possession of Firearms

The places where U.S. citizens most often experience difficulties for
illegal possession of firearms are nearby - Mexico, Canada and the
Caribbean. Sentences for possession of firearms in Mexico can be up to
30 years. In general, firearms, even those legally registered in the
U.S., cannot be brought into a country unless a permit is obtained in
advance from the embassy or a consulate of that country and the firearm
is registered with foreign authorities on arrival. (Note: There are also
strict rules about bringing firearms or ammunition into the U.S; check
with U.S. Customs before your trip.

Continue reading "How To Avoid Legal Difficulties When Traveling Abroad"

Exploring the Diversity of Leeward Islands through Yacht Charters

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:17:00 -0500

A true yachting experience is one where you not only just visit a
location but experience a part of the culture, history, tradition and
lifestyle of the place. One of the most diverse places for any yacht
travel is the Leeward Islands.

The Leeward Islands stretch from Anguilla to Dominica; it is a group of
several different small and large islands, each one with a different
nationality and a different culture. The islands here are not only
pristine and beautiful but they are also rich in history and culture and
great places to experience the local lifestyle and cuisine.

Every day on Leeward Islands yacht charters tour can be totally
different since there is so much diversity present on each island. To
make the most of this unique experience, include some of the below
mentioned destinations in your itinerary:

Continue reading "Exploring the Diversity of Leeward Islands through Yacht Charters"

Caribbean-Style Tilapia with Fresh Lime

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:40:00 -0500

Escape from the ordinary, boring fish recipes that call for just
butter and a little lemon. This zesty, mouth-watering recipe will make
your taste buds come to life as the flavors of the Caribbean combine to
create a spicy, healthy meal. Enjoy this easy-to-prepare entree with
plantains, black beans and grilled corn on the cob. Yummy!

Ingredients

4
tilapia fillets

2 tablespoon margarine; low-fat

1/4 cup
green pepper; chopped

4 tablespoon chopped onion

1/4 cup
toasted almonds; chopped

1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

1/4
teaspoon oregano

4 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon
chopped coriander; (or parsley)

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cup
water

2 cloves garlic; crushed

1 bay leaf

1 teaspoon
red pepper flakes

1 lime peel

Continue reading "Caribbean-Style Tilapia with Fresh Lime"

A Guide to Professional Closet Organizers

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:03:00 -0500

When a family move into an unfurnished home, be it brand new or
cleared out after the last family, the more immediate furnishings take
priority. When it comes time for storage space, little thought is put
into it and in the long-term, this can be a liability due to the
inefficient use of space. This is where professional closet organizers
come into play, offering more than just a more efficient use of closet
space to store clothing and fashion accessories. In fact, they can
eliminate the need for other furnishings, such as dressers, cabinets and
wardrobes, leading to space for more important things. Here's a look at
just a few of your many options.

Materials

Wire
is the cheapest and simultaneously, the easiest option for
do-it-yourself installers. With the widespread availability of
standalone components, it is possible to mix-and-match many different
parts to create a customized selection to fit your needs. One of the
main issues to look out for is the gap between the wires. If it is too
large you'll find smaller items falling through. So, this might not be
preferable to those who don't wish to hide their closet behind closed
doors.

Solid wood is the most expensive, yet looks beautiful and
elegant beside the wire option. For those with no financial issues, this
is an obvious choice as it gives the image of wealth, sophistication
and is the strongest of the three closet options. On the other hand,
most closets often stay in the dark, where the beauty of wood would go
unappreciated. In that case, melamine is a great option.

Continue reading "A Guide to Professional Closet Organizers"

Solar Kit For Your Home

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:58:00 -0500

Solar power is an obvious way to reduce your carbon footprint. More
and more people are finding that solar power is a clean and affordable
way to power their households. Solar panel costs are dropping as the
government is providing grants and tax incentives to home owners to
convert to renewable energy. A solar kit that contains the materials to
build a solar panel can be a solution to your renewable energy needs.

A
solar kit contains materials such as solar cells, flux pens, and
bindings that allow you to build a solar panel. The quality of solar
cells varies largely between different manufacturers depending on its
efficiency. Solar cells can convert as much as 24% of the sun's light
into electricity depending on its efficiency. The solar panels that you
make can be used for a wide range of uses such as solar power for your
RV or boat. The solar panel is most often used to power a person's
house.

If you want to power your household with a solar kit, make
sure that you can tie your solar power to your electricity grid or store
the electricity in an efficient battery. Check with your utility or an
electrician specialized in solar in your area.

Continue reading "Solar Kit For Your Home"

How Much Time Do You Spend Making Sure the Exterior of Your Home is Energy Efficient?

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:51:00 -0500

During the Spring and Summer we spend more of our time outside
cutting our grass, trimming the shrubbery, and gardening. Who wants the
exterior of their house to look downtrodden and unkempt?

A
question to ask ourselves is, do we spend as much time on ensuring the
exterior of the home energy efficient as we do on making sure the lawn
is mowed? Do you know that by letting heat escape through improperly
sealed windows and doors, you are wasting money on higher energy bills?

If
we were to spend just a couple of hours twice a year, we can find ways
to make the outside of our home more energy efficient. At first it may
seem overwhelming, but it is time well spent. The savings on your energy
bills will be well worth it.

Here are a few culprits that can
drive energy bills higher:

By not properly sealing windows and doors, you are letting way too
much of the heat in your home to escape. To save money on your heating
bills, find and fill any drafts in your home.

Do a walk around the outside of your home and observe if there are
any areas that need to be sealed. Because our home exteriors are
constructed with more than one material, be sure to look where these
different materials come together, like the foundation and exterior
brick. Also check where the chimney joins your aluminum siding. Be sure
to look at all the outside corners of your home also.

You must
seal any and all cracks in the exterior of your home. Find the
appropriate materials to seal your home. Do the job right the first
time. Your work will last longer when it is done with the right
materials.

Continue reading "How Much Time Do You Spend Making Sure the Exterior of Your Home is Energy Efficient?"

How to Fix Up Commercial Properties

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 09:10:00 -0500

Are commercial fixer-uppers worth the time, expense and effort? My answer to that would be that the right fixer-upper with numbers that make sense can be the right strategy to use. In fact, these types of properties can be an easy way to see an instant value increase in the property but like with any deal, only if the costs to rehab the property make sense.

Commercial fixer-uppers employ one of my favorite value plays called "repositioning". That means that either the tenant base changes, the appearance of the property changes or that both of these options are exercised on the properties.

In residential real estate investments, the idea of investing in a fixer-upper is to acquire the property at a significant discount due its condition. In commercial property, the same still holds true but in commercial properties can account for greater cash-on-cash returns. Perhaps you've found a property that needs some cosmetic care. Maybe the exterior needs to be updated with a new look. You'll be amazed at how a small investment can net a high return in value.

Apartment buildings can be a great opportunity for repositioning. In strategies like these, the first thing I usually change is the exterior paying special attention to the parking lot, roofing and sidings. I do other simple things like updating the landscaping and putting new signage on the property which are quick ways to give a new appearance to an older building.

I might also consider repositioning the tenant base with this same apartment building. I'll replace tenants who don't pay or don't fit the target tenant profile with ones that do. This may take months to accomplish, but the increase in value can put the worth of the property through the roof.

Continue reading "How to Fix Up Commercial Properties"

Dominican Republic Food: What to Expect in Punta Cana

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:11:00 -0500

Dominican Republic food is a mix of Spanish influences and those of
the native Taino Indians. Columbus claimed and subsequently exploited
the island on his first voyage in 1492. Many of those Spanish traits are
still present and you will definitely notice a Latin American feel to
the island and its cuisine. Seeing the way Spanish dishes like Paella
have become truly Dominican dishes is interesting. They are still
essentially Spanish, but ingredients and flavors have changed to reflect
fresh ingredients available in the average Dominican household.

Their
cuisine is not as spicy as you may expect after visiting other islands
in the West Indies. The main spices used in Dominican recipes are
onions, garlic, coriander and oregano. In fact, much of the livestock on
the island graze on wild oregano which gives Dominican dishes a kind of
pre-marinated flavor. What Dominicans tend to eat depends highly on
where they live, near the Sea or in the mountains. Regardless, most
Dominican meat dishes tend to involve goat meat as the animals are
farmed quite heavily on the island. The Dominican Republic does have
excellent cattle, but they tend to export the bulk of their prime beef
stock. Keep in mind that meat dishes tend to be very well cooked or even
stewed in Dominican restaurants, a tradition stemming from lesser
availability of refrigeration on the island.

Continue reading "Dominican Republic Food: What to Expect in Punta Cana"

“Very Active” 2010 Hurricane Season Expected

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:12:00 -0500

The 2010 Hurricane Season in the Atlantic officially began on June 1, and is expected to be “one of the more active on record. The seasonal outlook released on May 27, 2010 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center predicts an 85% chance of an above normal season in the Atlantic.

According to the NOAA’s website 70 percent probability of the following ranges:

14 to 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher), including:

8 to 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher), of which:

3 to 7 could be Major Hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of at least 111 mph)

The basis for these predictions include above average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, upper atmospheric wind conditions, and increased hurricane activity in the region.

Experts with the Tropical Meteorology Project at Colorado State University have also updated their 2010 Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Forecast report to predict a “well above-average probability of United States and Caribbean major hurricane landfall”.

The North Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico make up the Atlantic Hurricane region which has seen an increase in hurricane activity since 1995. Eight of the last 15 hurricane seasons rank in the top 10 for the most named storms within a season. 2005 tops the list with 28 named storms.

Hurricane preparedness is of utmost importance to the safety of all who live within this region. For more on Hurricane Preparedness and up to date tropical storm and hurricane news throughout the season please visit the Caribbean Land and Property Lifestyles blog often, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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written by DJ Alling

Cruising the British Virgin Islands on a Sailing Yacht Charter - 4 Spots Not to Miss!

nospam@example.com (Terri Henry - Contributor) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 11:56:00 -0500

British Virgin Islands (BVI's) is a group of approximately fifty
islands and outcroppings. The BVI's are considered an easy sailing area
as the islands are all within sight of one another so that navigation
can be done by Dead Reckoning. And, The Sir Francis Drake Channel, which
in right in the middle of these islands, is well protected for
comfortable sailing. The 4 spots in this article, not to be missed, are
easily included in a one week sailing yacht charter in the BVI's.

Spot
#1: The Baths

Situated on the southern tip of Virgin Gorda,
the Baths is one of the most well known and popular landmarks to visit
in the BVI's. Gigantic granite boulders and half submerged rocks line
the southern seashore of Virgin Gorda, creating grottos, tunnels, and
arches. Sandy beaches are lined with coconut palms and the area offers a
dramatic and lovely place to swim, snorkel and explore.

A second
beach in the area, called Devil's Bay, is reached through a maze-like
passage through the boulders and shallower grottos. The path is lined
with ladders and ropes to ease the hike along steeper rocks.

Spend
time exploring the area, with tidal pools of pristine clear waters, and
white sand. Snorkeling is great, however more for the marine life, than
coral, as this is not a reef area. Due to the various inlets and pools
created by the landscape, marine life is caught here in the pools with
each tidal change. Be sure to pay attention to the safety flags as
certain weather can cause currents with heavy undertows in this area.
However, even if swimming is cautioned against, there are always the
rocks to climb and the white sandy beaches for sunning.

Continue reading "Cruising the British Virgin Islands on a Sailing Yacht Charter - 4 Spots Not to Miss!"