Dominica’s Dive Fest 2009

All I can say is that I’m sorry I missed this year’s Dive Fest in Dominica. It was held from July 10^th through the 19^th and apparently was a huge success. The Dominica Watersports Association has been promoting awareness of Dominica’s marine environment through this week-long event since 1994.

Word is getting out about the colorful reefs, the lush tropical landscape, incredible waterfalls, warm hot spring and a natural “boiling” lake! A bit difficult to get to, but well worth the trip…Dominica is an eco-tourist’s heaven!

Dominica is located between Martinique and Guadalupe in the Eastern Caribbean and is known as the Caribbean’s “Nature Island.” It was recently reported that Dominica will be the leader in eco-tourism throughout the region for the next ten years, so I would imagine that it will become easier to get to…right now though, the trip getting there is an adventure in itself! But well worth apparently…they have Mermaids there!

I found a tremendous Dominica real estate opportunity for the right developer to build, what I envision as, a luxury boutique eco-resort...complete with a marina.

One thing I have not found here just yet is a golf course…but what hell…tee ‘em up and hit ‘em anyway…then grab an ice cold Kubuli (beer brewed in Dominica) and a Mermaid or two…and well…you get the idea!

'Til next time......SkipJack

Dominican Republic ranked #2 in Happy Planet...

In a recent Happy Planet Index comparison of 143 countries worldwide (from Cambodia to Cameroon) the Dominican Republic ranked #2 behind only Costa Rica! By comparison, the USA ranked #114 and Canada #89.
The criteria used for the rankings are Life expectancy, Life satisfaction (Happiness index) and Ecological footprint.
I have to say that I am very pleased with the fact that 3 of the 5 countries in which I am recommending specific developments are within the top 30! They are:
-Dominican Republic #2
-Nicaragua #11
-Belize#27
Then there are the other two countries:
-Dominica
-Bahamas
Neither of which were mentioned, which I find a bit odd...the Bahamas are extremely Happy...especially the outer islands like Long Island. And Dominica?! Come on now...the filmed the Pirates of the Caribbean there...I've got a great opportunity there for a developer with vision interested in developing the first marina on the island.
Anyway...very cool that the DR is in the #2 slot...it couldn't be a better time to invest in any of these places, but the DR is experiencing a boom in some very nice luxury Caribbean real estate. Now IS indeed the time to buy and with the popularity of self-directed IRA's and 401K's...it's easier than ever!
Make sure you check out the Happy Planet Index...I had never heard of it before, but there is some very interesting (and useful) information there!

Hit 'em straight or take a drop!

SkipJack