Island Hopping
Already a week into the 2009 Hurricane season and so far all is quiet. So let’s take the opportunity to island hop a bit for a few tales from the tropics. The tropical mega-mogul Jimmy Buffett is keeping busy. Jimmy and pal Mac McAnally will be playing at a benefit for wounded soldiers tonight in Washington D.C. After that Jimmy only has a little time to squeeze in some fishing and surfing before the next leg of his annual summer tour launches on the 18th. Check out the article on www.buffettworld.com about the surfing museum that Buffett recently opened next to his Honolulu restaurant. Buffett has built his Margaritaville venture into a very recognizable and prosperous brand but may someday soon be outdone by late Reggae legend Bob Marley who may have his own money! Many Jamaicans were disappointed by a recent decision to feature a former Prime Minister on Jamaica’s $5,000 bill (worth about $70 US) rather than Marley. Bob Marley is arguably the most famous Jamaican ever and the issue is likely to come up again. There are many who support the Marley money because of the significant impact Bob and his music have had worldwide. Certainly hard to argue with that. The BBC named Marley’s “One Love” the song of the century and Time magazine hailed “Exodus” as the album of the millennium. Based on that criteria the U.S. would appear to be long overdue for at least putting Elvis Presley on the $20 bill. Next time you escape from prison don’t count on Mom to provide you with a safe house. A recent report from Tortola, recounted the misadventure of a 19 year old man who cut his way through a prison wall and fled to the assumed safety of his mother’s house, only to have her promptly turn him back in at the Police station in Road Town. Authorities did not specify if the Mother had dragged him in by the collar or one of his ears. Feeling out of the loop because you don’t know when the volcano’s gonna blow? Fear not, just log on to the official site of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory at www.mvo.ms for the latest updates on volcanic activity at the Soufrière Hills Volcano in Montserrat. The site also provides education on safety precautions and procedures. Dang! Just when I had enough change in the old piggy bank they go and close the only Four Seasons resort in the Bahamas! The Four Seasons recently shut down their five star operation at Great Exuma due to mounting financial losses. The closure is unlikely to have much impact on wealthy travelers who have no shortage of exotic destinations to toss their cash around. Sadly it will have a heavy impact on the locals. The resort was the largest employer in Exuma with a staff of over 500.
