One Girl Updates

My business partner and co-author, Kristina, has her new blog up called Frugal n Fabulous. The premise of the site is to create a community to share tips on saving money and making extra money while not sacrificing a comfortable lifestyle.

In other news, our travel business has a new look, Via Via Travel, is revamped and we are getting ready to begin the Caribbean off-season.

I've already booked an eco-honeymoon in St. John, USVI, in September for a happy couple. The couple requested a weeklong honeymoon for under $1500. We found the perfect place for them at Maho Bay at $80 a night. They are going to have a fabulous time!

Itching to do Something

I've been all around the world and just about everywhere I go I am inspired. Through traveling I gain a better perspective and respect of the world than I receive at home. Don't know why exactly, but if that is what it takes its OK by me.

Today I was thinking about how much I loved Africa. Of all the places I have been no where else in the world touches my heart the way Africa does. One place in particular that I loved was Coffee Bay, South Africa. I stayed at The Coffee Shack and had the time of my life. I wish that on normal days when I wake up I could feel that same feeling I had when I was there. I would say the feeling was a "joy for life!"

While I think it is going to be a while before I can go back again, I was thinking I would like to give back to the community even when I am not there. I think it would be cool to set up a donation drive to send funds back to Coffee Bay maybe to help some of the school programs there. I am not really sure. I know The Coffee Shack has some programs set up. Does anyone out there know of some programs there that need funding? I want to set up a donation campaign here on my blog. Any ideas out there?

Yacht Hits the Rocks at Cannes

The Lady Moura, 354' private yacht estimated to be worth $200 million, ran aground in Cannes today. The yacht, owned by a Saudi billionaire, spilled several hundred gallons of fuel and authorities had to evacuate nearby beaches. Fortunately, the boat could be pulled off the rocks by tug boats and repaired enough for the boat to head to Gibralter for more extensive work on the hull.



See the full story here.

My past travel life

Today I was wishing I was here again:

Magen's Bay, St. Thomas USVI

According to Wikipedia, Magens Bay (18.366° N 64.930° W) is a world-famous beach on Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean.

Located on the North (Atlantic) side of the island, Magens Bay is a well-protected white sand beach stretching for nearly a mile. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island.

With its clear water, soft sand, and palm trees, it is commonly considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and National Geographic has recognized it as such.

The beach amenities are managed by a local government agency, the Magens Bay authority. They include lifeguards, a snack counter, bar, souvenir shop, chair and beach toy rentals, windsurf and boat rentals, and showers and bathrooms.

Legend (probably false) has it that Sir Francis Drake used the bay as an anchorage while waiting for ships to plunder.

What's Up With Cruise Ships These Days?

What's up with all the cruise ships running aground lately?

First there was the Greek cruise ship, "Sea Diamond," that sank off the coast of Santorini, Greece.


Now there is the Alaskan cruise ship, "Empress of the North" that hit a rock south of Juneau.



How does that happen? There are depth radars, maps, officers on watch. How do you miss a huge rock?