Caribbean Connection

Now that we're all working remotely Wouldn't you REALLY rather work from the beach?

BEST BEACH BAR IN THE CARIBBEAN: Roxxy Beach, St Maarten

NAPLES FL TOPS THE LIST FOR BEST BEACHES IN USA

BEACHFRONT SEASONAL RENTAL AVAILABLE

Naples has again claimed the top spot by Travel and Leisure and several other groups for best beach town in the US. The jewel of SW Florida’s Paradise Coast has sugar sand beaches, turquoise clear waters and every amenity worthy of a world class resort town. Seasonal lease of well furnished 2BR 2BA condo in the very best beachfront location is available this winter (90 day minimum lease term). No ner view from inside and better beach access at any price and most rentals in area start at twice the price. Includes carport parking, heated pool, elevators and privacy; uncrowded beach and, onsite management. Photo is the view from inside! Call (no texts), email or visit our Facebook page @NaplesOceanfrontCondo. 540-364-9480 • hopespringsfarm@gmail.com

key west getawayAnn Street Gardens

Key West Getaway One Block from Sloppy Joe’s

2022 Travelers’ Choice Awards

They are the world’s foremost experts on Caribbean travel: Caribbean Journal readers. They travel to the Caribbean multiple times each year, scouring the region for the newest and the greatest, searching out hotels, beaches, restaurants and experiences.

And each year, they choose the best of the best: the winners of the Caribbean Journal Travelers’ Choice Awards.

“There’s no larger community in the world of frequent travelers to the Caribbean than our readers,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners! You have earned the ultimate seal of approval from those who know Caribbean travel better than anyone, the platinum standard of Caribbean tourism excellence.”

This year’s Travelers’ Choice Awards honor champions in 24 different categories of travel, from hotels and resorts to honeymoons and weddings to rum bars, with more than 125,000 votes cast.

“Participation for this year’s Awards was higher than ever before,” said Guy Britton, managing editor and EVP of Caribbean Journal. “It’s a good omen for what should be a banner 2023 for the whole Caribbean.”

Our “Best of the Best” – 2022

BEST LUXURY RESORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: Baoase Luxury Resort, Curacao

BEST FAMILY RESORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: The Verandah, Antigua

BEST PRIVATE ISLAND RESORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: Palm Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines

BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: Lopesan Costa Bavaro, Dominican Republic

BEST ADULTS-ONLY RESORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: The Fred, St Croix

BEST BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN THE CARIBBEAN: Secret Bay, Dominica

BEST BEACH IN THE CARIBBEAN: Valley Church Beach, Antigua

BEST CRUISE LINE IN THE CARIBBEAN: Celebrity Cruises

BEST CARIBBEAN VILLA DESTINATION: St. John

BEST CRUISE PORT IN THE CARIBBEAN: St Thomas, USVI

BEST CARIBBEAN HONEYMOON DESTINATION: Antigua and Barbuda

BEST CARIBBEAN WEDDING DESTINATION: US Virgin Islands

BEST CARIBBEAN MEETINGS DESTINATION: The Bahamas BEST RESTAURANT IN THE CARIBBEAN: Graycliff, The Bahamas BEST CARIBBEAN ADVENTURE DESTINATION: Dominica BEST CARIBBEAN CULTURAL DESTINATION: Martinique BEST CARIBBEAN AIRLINE: Tradewind Aviation BEST VILLA RENTAL COMPANY: WIMCO St Barth Properties BEST CARIBBEAN CULINARY DESTINATION: Cayman Islands BEST CARIBBEAN HIKING DESTINATION: St Kitts BEST CARIBBEAN DIVING DESTINATION: Cayman Islands BEST RUM BAR IN THE CARIBBEAN: Rhum Room, St Barth BEST CARIBBEAN RUM DISTILLERY: Foursquare, Barbados BEST CARIBBEAN ECO TOURISM DESTINATION: Statia BEST BEACH BAR IN THE CARIBBEAN: Roxxy Beach, St Maarten Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staff contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.

CLIFFHANGER

SEE OUR HOMEAWAY LISTING #286295 AT HOMEAWAY.COM

As featured on HGTV and winner of “Bang For Your Buck” in St. Thomas. This recently renovated villa resides on the edge of a cliff 200 feet above the Atlantic Ocean crashing onto the rocks below. The best location on the island—a private, secure, gated community of luxury villas—the villa offers spectacular views of the Atlantic and various islands including St. John, Jost Van Dyke and Tortola. The main house has 3 bedrooms with a detached cottage with its’ own queen size bed. Large deck, pool and spa. Phone 703 628-9005 • Fax 703 765-5900

Aladdin, the Christmas Camel, is Back on the Farm

There is something about a 4 legged dromedary that has graced the grounds of Historic Mount Vernon during the holidays for the past 14 or so years that captured our hearts vicariously about 5 years ago. While visiting the Inn at Mount Vernon during the Christmas holidays, we met a few of the members of the team that take care of the livestock at Mount Vernon. During our conversation we found out that there was a camel named Aladdin in residence during the holiday season. My first thought was, “how fun is that”? And…as it turns out, Aladdin is quite the character. I thought it only fitting that we revisit him this year.

I met with Livestock Supervisor and camel handler extraordinaire Lisa Pregent at the farm on Mount Vernon the day after Aladdin arrived for the 2022 holiday season. The special enclosure that is home to Aladdin through January 7th had just been erected a few days before my visit. It was interesting to me that they do this every year as opposed to just leaving the shelter in place year round. This is a labor intensive project in that it also has to be deconstructed each year.

The intricacies of running the animal side of the operation at Mount Vernon would probably astound most of you. I was surprised to find that the sheep and pigs that reside here are descendants of the same rare heritage breeds that were residents on the farm when George Washington was manning it and they adhere as closely as possible to the same practices of animal husbandry that they did in the 18th Century. Lisa is a local gal who has been working at the farm since she was 17 years old. Having had an extensive background with horses (she started riding when she was 4 years old) but absolutely no experience with the sheep and pigs when she started, she certainly has found her niche some 27 years later.

Enough about Lisa, let’s get to the scoop on Aladdin and why he makes his annual trek – all the way from Berryville, Virginia – every year. It appears that in 1787, George Washington paid 18 shillings to bring a camel to Mount Vernon to entertain guests at Christmas time. According to historians, “By the man who brot. A Camel From Alexa. For a show….” Is the very limited entry in Washington’s expense ledger and is the only surviving mention of a camel’s visit to the farm for Christmas in 1787.

Wanting to keep in the spirit, the administration at Mount Vernon decided to procure their very own Christmas Camel 14 years ago and he has been a highlight of the season for young and old alike ever since. Aladdin came to them the first time when he was just 11 months old. He is a bottle-fed baby who has been raised solely by humans so appears to have some of the traits of a human adolescent. Lisa told us that he’s really like a goofy kid in a big “beast” body. His gangly legs, huge toes and crazy gallop bring lots of laughter to his visitors. He also likes to snatch hats and gloves from onlookers who get just a little too close and, on more than one occasion, the farm staff have had to “monitor his manure” to make sure he passes them – gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “Pass the Hat” doesn’t it? Because of this habit, there is a second barrier that keeps onlookers far enough away that their accessories are out of his reach. Being part of the “press” and not wearing a hat, I was allowed to get up close and personal. He definitely likes to be petted! Full disclosure…I really wanted to give Aladdin a big smooch but just petting him was satisfying enough. I did kiss a llama a couple of years ago so maybe I should have insisted. He is a magnificent animal for sure!

In addition to the occasional hat, we found out that he really likes to eat. Well, who doesn’t…weighing in at around 1500 plus pounds, on top of grazing in his enclosure, he is fed at 7:30 am and eats 4-6 pounds of a grain mixture during the day. He also has a bit of a sweet tooth that is satisfied with a special “sweet feed” that contains molasses that he gets every afternoon.

Aladdin has lived in Virginia his whole life. Jennifer Cossette, owner and operator at Pony to Go – an animal “entertainment” farm outside of Berryville – brought Aladdin home when he was 3 months old and basically took on the role of “Mom”. She told us when we talked to her in 2017 that he has the personality of a dog. He comes when you call him and he likes to give kisses-can you imagine a camel kiss? Being the Mount Vernon Christmas Camel isn’t the only gig this big guy has during the year. He entertains at birthday parties and weddings (yes, weddings) and has made special appearances at several Geico events. Remember the “Hump Day” ads? I was sad to find out that Aladdin won’t be returning to Jennifer’s animal farm after his Christmas gig but will head to his new home in Fairfax Station. I didn’t have any information other than that at the time of this writing. I am hoping he is headed to another location where he can have visitors.

Aladdin will be at the Farm from now until January 6th and we encourage you to put a visit to the beautiful Mount Vernon and Aladdin on your holiday bucket list! There is also a concession stand next to the camel enclosure where you can procure a beverage and a snack with a seating area just beyond it.

It's hump day at Mount Vernon when Aladdin takes time out for a holiday snack with Lisa..

And how about dem toes?