Hurricane season officially stretches from June 1st to November 30th. Since it’s almost here, I thought I’d gather together protective strategies for traveling in the Caribbean during hurricane season. If you want to know more about how hurricanes form, there is a nice Squidoo lens with a interesting facts and books about hurricane formation.
Choose Low-Risk Locations
Some Caribbean islands are much less likely to be hit by a hurricane. It’s safer to choose an island not located within the hurricane belt. Your best bets for vacationing in the Caribbean during hurricane season are:
- Aruba
- Barbados
- Bonaire
- Curacao
- Grand Cayman
Choose A Resort With A Hurricane Guarantee
Many resorts offer what is known as a “hurricane guarantee” which essentially offers you money back for vacation days lost to bad weather (due to a hurricane). Always check the fine print for any restrictions. It’s best to call ahead, because policies do change and websites might not be current.
Consider Purchasing Weather Insurance
Some insurance policies may offer weather insurance. To find out more about this, check with your insurance company or a travel agent.
As the season progresses, I’ll update you on any significant hurricane news as well as providing helpful tips in the case that you do get caught up in a tropical storm or hurricane.
For more information on tracking hurricanes, visit the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center.
]]>
The great thing about making shrimp (besides eating it!), is that it only takes minutes to cook. Served hot off the grill is a real treat, but shrimp can also be prepared a few hours ahead of time and brought to room temperature just before serving. I always enjoy a little spice, and spicy Caribbean shrimp is the perfect way to enjoy a seaside treat, or to remind yourself of your last vacation in the Caribbean!Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons minced shallots
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 ¾ pounds jumbo shrimp, shelled and uncooked
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions:
- Heat broiler
- Combine the first 8 ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk in lime juice and olive oil until smooth.
- Peel shrimp. Leave tails on and devein if desired.
- Add shrimp to mixture making sure to coat well.
- Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes, stirring once half-way through.
- Arrange shrimp on broiler pan rack.
- Broil for 2 minutes making sure the pan is approximately 4 inches from the heat.
- Turn shrimp over and broil for another 1-2 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve shrimp warm over rice.
There are so many things to do on this wonderful island, but some are more popular than others. A great site called TripAdvisor lets people rate their favorite things to do, in locations all over the world. I can’t say enough about TripAdvisor, there is such an abundance of valuable information on this site. During my review of the Caribbean, I’ll be revisiting TripAdvisor from time to time. Sandy Island, is a tiny islet consisting of fine sand and a few coconut palms. The islet is surrounded by shallow reefs and calm waters, perfect for snorkeling and swimming. It is accessible only by boat and is ideal for a secluded day on the beach.Another very interesting find in Aguilla is El Buen Consejo Underwater Archaeological Preserve, a shipwreck site available to citizens and visitors for public enjoyment. El Buen Consejo is in the award-winning underwater Park, Stoney Bay. Anguilla boasts 15 art galleries and studios, dispersed throughout the island. There is a growing colony of acclaimed international and local artists. Loblolly Art Gallery, showcasing contemporary Caribbean art is worth a look. Please check back this week for more on Anguilla!
Anguilla (pronounced an-GWILL-a) means eel in Spanish and Italian, which is in reference to the island’s eel-like shape. Anguilla is especially popular with the rich and famous.
The island is a British dependency and although small, it makes up for its size with it’s ability to have something for everyone. There is plenty of nightlife as well as opportunities for relaxation.
Anguilla boasts some of the finest white coral coastline and pristine powdery beaches.
Food here is excellent, with an emphasis on fresh seafood. The island has an abundance of spiny lobsters and crayfish and these items end up everywhere, from posh restaurants to simple beach bars. Some of the local dishes include: salt fish (prepared with chopped onions, tomatoes, hot pepper, green pepper oil and seasoning and then served with boiled egg and avocado), Johnny Cakes, the Tamarind Ball (an acquired taste) and the traditional peas and rice.
Anguilla is the northernmost of the Leeward Islands. The geography of the island is flat with low-lying island of coral and limestone.
There’s plenty to do and to see in Anguilla and during this week I’ll be showing you around.
]]>
I’ve been on hiatus for a short bit, but I’m back now and ready to delve into the Caribbean bit by bit. Each week I’ll be focusing on a particular Caribbean island, showcasing interesting finds, great beaches, news and other tips.
Join me this week for a review of Anguilla!
]]>
Planning a trip to the Caribbean is certainly something to look forward to, but if you have kids, it might seem a bit overwhelming at first. Which island is the most family-friendly? Where should you stay? And is there enough to keep a teenager occupied or are there amenities that every parent needs when traveling with a small child? All of these are valid concerns.
The most comprehensive site I’ve found is: TravelWith Kids.about.com. The “30 Days of Caribbean Vacations” is chock full of information. This site lists many family-friendly resorts, but also presents articles such as: “Which Caribbean Vacation is Right for You” and “Luxury Caribbean Vacations. Both of these links have information geared towards family-friendly vacations.
Other good resources include: Definitive Caribbean’s family-friendly section. Here you will find information by island for child-friendly hotels. Caribseek also gives a list called: “the 10 top family-friendly resorts throughout the Caribbean”.
Wherever you choose to vacation, there are plenty of options open for a fun vacation with kids. Do your research beforehand and you will be ready for the fun to begin!
]]>View Larger Map
Google map — note that you can drag it around to find a specific island (also zoom in and out).
If you’re looking for a map of the Caribbean, there are many resources to go to.
A great place to start is the World Atlas site. The map you see after clicking on this link is interactive, so click on the particular island you want to see and you’ll be taken to a page with an island-specific map.
Another resource is the maps section on Caribseek.com. Click on a specific island and you will be taken to a page with a map and additional links to other more specialized map of the island of interest.
One of the most comprehensive sites I’ve seen is here. The map section for Caribbean-on-line.com is large and contains maps to view online and to purchase. The site also contains satellite maps which are quite interesting.
Going to the official tourism website of the island you are interested in is usually a good bet as well.
]]>
If you want to keep up with the National Weather Service’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center advisories for the Caribbean Sea, you can monitor any warnings yourself.
The latest warning says that there was an earthquake of 6.9 magnitude in the South Sandwich Islands region. The statement says: “There is the small possibility of a local or regional tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a few hundred kilometers from the earthquake epicenter. This statement applies to countries within the bordering Caribbean Sea…except for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.”
It’s quite an interesting site, with maps of various regions. The site also gives information to help communities that are at risk to better prepare themselves for a tsunami.
The site also has an extensive FAQ section on tsunamis.
]]>
If you’re interested in renting a villa on your next Caribbean vacation, then you’re in luck. I’ve just created a new FREE eBook that reviews five Caribbean villa rental websites.
Download it for your use, pass it on to friends and family. I hope you enjoy the eBook and I welcome your comments and feedback.
I’ll be coming out with other free guides from time to time, so please check back frequently.
To download the FREE Caribbean Villa Ebook, click here.
Cheers!
]]>
Mofongo is a popular dish, made from fried green plantains. It is usually seasoned with garlic, olive oil and pork cracklings, then mashed. Mofongo is usually served with a fried meat and a fish broth soup. Making this recipe is fairly easy and results in a delicious side dish.
A basic recipe for Mofongo, found on the Grace Foods website is worth a try!
Ingredients
3 Plantains — very green
1/2 Pound Pork rinds — ground *
3 Cloves of garlic
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
Veg. oil for frying
- note: packaged pork rinds can be used.
Method
Peel the plantains and cut into 1-inch diagonal pieces. Place
them in 4 cups of water with 1 tsp. of salt and let stand for 15 minutes.
Drain well.
Heat oil in a pan to 350~ and fry the plantains for about 15 minutes.
Do not over-cook.
Remove the plantains from the pan and place on paper towels to drain.
Place the garlic in a food processor and mince well.
Remove garlic from the processor and mix with the olive oil well.
If you have a large, wooden mortar and pestle; place 3 or 4 pieces of
plantain in it and an equal amount of pork rind.
Mix well. Add a little bit of the garlic oil and mix well.
( If you don’t have a mortar; improvise )
Take 3 Tablespoons of the mixture and with your hands form a ball with it.
Repeat until you have used up all of the ingredients.
Serve hot!