Sunday, December 09, 2018

Tumblr has Tumbled...



...and fallen!
As many of you know, the posting site Tumblr has declared that on December 17th it will phase out their adult content. This means hundreds of bloggers will lose their platform at that time.

Due to the fact that I always keep a copy of my material in a separate file so as not to accidently repost the same material, I will be able to start fresh as soon as I find a compatible site to continue posting the more raw, down & dirty material some of our readers enjoy.

This blog site will continue to be focused on travel news and entertainment, with some pics/videos of the handsome men of the islands.

Stay tuned for updates and thanks for your continued support.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

The Taste of Christmas


Helados Bon, the leading Dominican ice cream manufacturer, is enticing Dominicans to celebrate Christmas with their "Galleta NavideƱa” desert. The ice cream is a combination of creamy premium vanilla ice cream laced with tiny pieces of cookies laced with chocolate and ginger, accompanied with dulce de leche.

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Beautiful Belize is a Thing

Four Seasons Hotel Belize

Belize’s 2018 tourism boom is showing no signs of slowing down.

The destination is the fastest-growing in the Caribbean this year so far, with a total of 372,075 stayover tourist arrivals through the end of September — a 16.6 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

It’s an impressive performance for a destination, buoyed in large part by significant growth in new air routes, from both United States-based carriers like Southwest Airlines and a surge from Canada and airlines like WestJet.

And there is more new airlift on the way, from new routes from Sun Country Airlines and a new route from AeroMexico, among others.

“The most recent tourism statistics not only attest to this fact but they also show a consistent upward growth trend,” the Belize Tourism Board said in a statement. “The years ahead promise to bring exciting developments at a time when our dynamic tourism industry is poised for further growth.”A rendering of the Marriott Belize.

Belize is also seeing a jump in new hotel development, with new brands like Curio Collection by Hilton, which recently debuted in Belize with the Mahogany Bay property.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Samana for Adults


By the Caribbean Journal staff

It’s a whole new way to go all-inclusive in the Caribbean’s most popular destination.

Viva Wyndham is expanding its all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic destination of Samana.

The adults-only Viva Wyndham V Samana is planning to debut a expansion that includes 34 new-construction, thached-roof bungalows.

The new units, which are set on ground level, will include their own plunge pools, bathrooms with rain showers, upgraded mini bars and 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi.
Read more HERE

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Scenic Sosua

Pier Georgio in Sosua, D.R. is easily one of my favorite scenic places in the Caribbean!


Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Mainland Caribbean Haven

This island off the coast of Florida is the southernmost city in the continental United States. This tiny island sits just 100 miles north of Cuba, and is known for its fabulous turquoise waters, tropical foliage and welcoming culture.

For decades, Key West has been considered a place where one can be out, open and welcomed, and where gay visitors quickly embrace the motto, 'One Human Family.' Key West has had a number of openly gay elected officials, a gay chief of police and a rainbow flag flying over City Hall, helping gay locals and visitors alike feel comfortable anywhere on Key West.
Key West is an open-minded community that is safe, gay-friendly and relaxed. A longtime tropical playground for the LGBT community, Key West's warm, "come as you are" ambiance is one of the main reasons many gay and lesbian visitors feel more themselves in this subtropical island's gay scene than anyplace else.


In Key West, many guesthouses cater primarily to gay men, lesbians or a combination of the two. They're often private hideaways tucked underneath swaying palms, furnished with island wicker or rattan and museum-quality antiques. It's common to find private pools, private beaches as well as clothing-optional sunning decks. Many establishments offer suites or apartments, perfect for a group of friends.

On Key West, you can find drag shows, gay and lesbian fishing excursions, gay pool parties, and a number of award-winning gay-owned and managed cafes and restaurants. It's easy to understand why Key West locals adopted their whimsical motto: "Close to perfect, far from normal."
The Travel Channel provides insight on the tropical gay haven of Key West, Florida. Key West is the only Caribbean destination in the United States.

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

New DR Hotel Offerings


Headed  to the north coast and don't want to be overrun with screaming children during your romantic get away or friends weekend? The new adults-only TRS Cap Cana opens November 1st on the waterfront. It will have well over 100 suites, 39 with swim-up rooms, 2 pools, spa and personal butlers. Did we mention it's all-inclusive?

Also opening in the DR in the near future is the new Moxy brand by Marriott International. They obviously target millennials with smaller, lower priced rooms and shared public spaces. They will even have grab and go food and beverage stations. Find out more about this new hotel brand HERE.  

Tuesday, October 02, 2018

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Costa Rican Connection

Costa Rica is a surprising reprise for the gay traveler. There are gay and gay-friendly accommodations (including the spectacular Hotel Villa Roca in the video), gay bars and clubs and a host of tourist activities that will keep you occupied during your stay in this beautiful Central American destination on the Caribbean sea. Check out the list of things HERE you will find when you visit gay Costa Rica.


Friday, September 21, 2018

Simply Samana


USA Today has published a feature encouraging readers to include SamanĆ” in their travel plans. The reporter acknowledges it is easy to get to Punta Cana, but says the extra travel to get to SamanĆ” is well worth it. "Because on arrival, visitors will find a region that has its own remarkable history, superb eco-attractions, and non-cookie-cutter hotels and restaurants. All of this is set down in a jungle-lush natural setting of rainforests and coconut plantations. During my visit, my guide noted that SamanĆ” Peninsula had 110,000 residents and 6 million palm trees,” says the reporter.

The reporter enjoyed the visit to las Terrenas, describing "its many funky eco- and budget-friendly hotels” that are side by side with luxury hotels. The writer highlights: "SamanĆ”'s main appeal is its natural attractions. These range from "stunning white-sand beaches like Rincon and Coson, as well as what could be described as SamanĆ”'s iconic site, the trio of waterfalls that make up El Limon Falls. A favorite activity is riding on horseback to reach the falls. Those timing their visit between January and March can indulge in whale watching via boat excursions on SamanĆ” Bay. During these winter months, approximately 2,500 humpback whales migrate to the bay. Another eco excursion is hiking, caving and birdwatching in Los Haitises National Park, an expansive protected area covering an impressive 319 square miles.”

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave....ic/1293258002/





Friday, September 14, 2018

London Times Gives a Nod

egrets on Lake Enriquillo

dr1: Chaotic traffic keeps people away from Santo Domingo, the capital city of Santo Domingo. But now, there just may be too many reasons to brave the congestion to discover what the city has to offer, beyond the beaches, hotels and restaurants of sand and sun resort areas. A feature in The Times on Sunday, 9 September 2018, encourages tourists to come to visit the capital city and more of the Dominican Republic.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/d...ants-6fptx06w2

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Worth Noting


With hotels and other accommodations re-opening, expanding flight offerings and general excitement on the island, Tortola in the British Virgin Islands is a great choice for your next adventure!

This small island, like many others in the Caribbean, has had to rebound after last years storm season. And rebound they have!



Even the culinary scene has new offerings that appear to be set to become mainstays on this charming island. There is a new rooftop restaurant operated by the renowned chef, 
Regis Bourdon.


Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Dance Group Needs Votes!



Da´Republik dance group from the Dominican Republic received the vote of the jurors to hang in the quarterfinals of the competition for the 13th season of America's Got Talent reality show that aired on NBC on Tuesday, 21 August 2018. The hiphop dance group performed danced to "WTF (Where They From)" by Missy Elliot and "Hit The Floor" by Twista featuring Pitbull.

Another Dominican, Amanda Mena, is also competing in the quarter finals.

The performers, need the general public's vote to move ahead.
Da' Republic has shared how to vote:
In the United States and Puerto Rico:
1. By telephone (toll free line only on the evening of the show)
2. America's Got Talent app
3. XFinity remote control.
4. Online on the web site www.nbc.com/agtvote
From the Dominican Republic and the rest of the world:
1. Go to Google Play or Apple Store
2. Download and install "VPN Master”
4. Open the app, start and insert the optimal location
5. Choose "free” and United States
6. Go to the vote link
The vote for Da Republik is open through Wednesday, 22 August at 7pm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP0qaCpiHHo

https://www.listindiario.com/entrete...cas-got-talent

Thursday, August 02, 2018

Antigua Is Booming!


Looking for something new and exciting? Antigua is fast becoming the next big thing with new culinary offerings and added non-stop flights from the US. Read more about this great Caribbean destination HERE.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Favorite Old School Pornstar


Anybody else remember Kiko from back in the day? He was the greatest versatile actor. Now, who can tell me which studio he worked for? Ready, set, go!

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Car Rental in DR

Enterprise Rent-A-Car is opening in the Dominican Republic, with new locations opening in the country's largest airports. As part of its ongoing expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean, the company has opened four new locations at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), Las AmĆ©ricas International Airport (SDQ) in Santo Domingo, Cibao International Airport (STI) in Santiago, and Gregorio LuperĆ³n International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata.

Although sister brand National Car Rental has been operating in the country since 1974, this move marks the establishment of the first locations for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Both brands are part of the Enterprise corporation.

http://www.travelweek.ca/news/enterp...ort-locations/


Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Dominica Tourism on Upswing



The tourism sector on the island of Dominica, long called the Caribbean's "nature island," is looking bright following efforts to restore much of the damage caused by hurricane Maria. Check the full story HERE.

Monday, July 09, 2018

Cuban Cruise Port to Expand


CarribeanNewsNow- Cuba’s recent announcement to triple its cruise ship berths at the port on the edge of Old Havana by 2024 may seem surprising coming just months after President Donald Trump moved to clamp down on Americans’ travel to Cuba. But it shouldn’t, says Kislaya Prasad, research professor and academic director of the Center for Global Business at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.
The port expansion actually reflects the flavor of the restrictions U.S. travelers face since the crackdown. US travelers are banned from visiting Cuba’s government-backed hotels and restaurants – and that makes cruise liners, with their built-in lodging, restaurants and educated tour guides, the perfect way to explore the long-off-limits island nation.
“The cruise ships have customized excursions that meet the criteria for ‘educational’ US travel to Cuba,” Prasad says.
“Somebody who is going on a cruise can just have the company organize the paperwork, and they can just go to Havana and feel secure about not flouting any laws about which hotels they are allowed to stay in or what restaurants they are allowed to eat in,” Prasad says. “Those kinds of risks are mitigated.”
The number of cruise ships making port calls in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba has surged in the past two years, now topping more than 650 sailings, much of them boarded by Americans. That’s poised to increase yet again, with Cuba recently signing a deal with the world’s largest independent cruise port operator to increase capacity at the terminal in Havana.
Even without US travelers in Cuba, there would still be potential for expansion, given the number of visitors each year who travel from Canada and Western Europe.
Nonetheless, small entrepreneurs in Cuba – owners and employees of the paladares and casa particulares – across the budding Cuban hospitality sector are feeling pinched by the revised US policies. And the loss of high-spending US customers may be a result of many of the US visitors coming off cruise ships and making a short visit restricted to Old Havana, Prasad says.
“Sadly, this trend is the opposite of what was hoped for when travel restrictions to Cuba were first lifted during the Obama administration,” he says. “The hope was that a rising middle class would be emboldened to demand greater freedoms, and this eventually lead to a more open society.”
Even when Trump rolled back some of the policies of the previous administration, Prasad says, the intention was to target establishments owned by the Cuban Army – not the private sector. The new policies, Prasad says, by many accounts are hitting the private sector hardest, while leaving the state sector largely insulated.

Friday, July 06, 2018

Tuesday, July 03, 2018

Urban Mural Makeover


10 artists have painted 14 murals on the streets that are north of the Colonial City. The murals stand out in areas plagued by transport chaos, ambulatory vendors and crowds of people. They can be seen at Avenida Duarte and Av. Paris in Villa Francisca, a short walk north from the Colonial City.

The urban art comes to us thanks to the Hoy Villa Francisca initiative that began in 2015 in the Santa BƔrbara area, also north of the Colonial City.

The artists painted facades of houses and apartments from 25 June to 1 July 2018, some 15 murals in total, with the backing of Modafoca in alliance with the city government of the National District (ADN), the Association of Stores of the Duarte Avenue (AsoDuarte) and private companies.

Mayor David Collado visited the area while the painters were at work. He highlighted that the city government will continue to back efforts such as this one that highlight culture, cleanliness and love for the barrio and serve to attract tourism to these populous sectors.

https://www.diariolibre.com/revista/...rte-KG10257269