Ever catch yourself daydreaming about living in the Caribbean? Or owning a second home, condo or rental property on an island in the sun? How about an investment property? A beachside restaurant, perhaps? Now may be the most opportune time in decades to "just say yes!" Or at least to investigate possibilities and give some earnest consideration to your dreams.

Interest rates are at historic lows, hovering around 4 percent for a 30-year mortgage. This, in turn, results in appreciably lower monthly payments than we've seen in a long time. Although properties on St. Croix may hold their value better than those in many areas, prices have dropped and there are bargains to be had. (That's where a professional real estate agency, like Coldwell Banker Land-de Wilde Realty, is essential.) What's more, sellers are more willing than ever to consider offers below the asking price. At present, sale prices average roughly 20 percent lower than the listing price. Not the case a few years back.

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by Carol Bareuther

Relax. Restore. Rejuvenate. The Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort Spa is a destination unto itself. Escape the stresses of the world and enter a universe where tranquility rules and a full-service menu of spa treatments await to pamper as well as transform you into a whole new healthier person in body, mind and soul.

"We offer a wide variety of treatments, services, customized packages and monthly themed specials - we're full service," says spa manager, Denise Lindsey. The 2,200-square-foot, nearly million dollar state-of-the-art spa is luxuriously appointed with artistically inlayed earthtone travertine tile, graceful bronze statuettes and island mahogany furniture. There are three treatment rooms, a couples room complete with five-head showers ideal for washing off after an exhilarating wrap or scrub, white leather pedicure chairs and even a hydraulic hair salon chair where vibrating rollers massage your upper and lower back while you get a shampoo. Five massage therapists, two nail technicians, two estheticians and a professional hairdresser are ready to serve you Mondays through Saturdays and Sundays by appointment.

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Part 18 in a series

Excerpts from Divers Information on "The Romantic History of St. Croix" by Florence Lewison, 1963, St. Croix Landmarks Society.

The picturesque wharf area of Christiansted is now a National Historic Site under the supervision of the U. S. Park Service, which offers daily walking tours of the area and buildings. Enquire at their office in the old Fort for the schedule.

FORT CHRISTIANSVAERN. A typical example of 17th and 18th century military architecture built by the Danes. Finished in 1749, it was a garrison for the army and later a police station. Many changes have been made: a Commandant's quarters, a powder magazine, a stable and other parts added.

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Spread Holiday Cheer with CASA

Christmas is thought of as the time of miracles and, in many ways, it takes a miracle each year for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a small non-profit, to produce it's "home grown" holiday cards. Art teachers encourage students to participate, local businesses donate shipping, volunteers help package the finished cards, and retailers generously take them in and sell them!

CASA Holiday cards are sent all over the world by people who buy a pack or two, as well as local businesses who use them as their "corporate" greeting to customers and clients. This year, they have ten new images and, as always, a few favorites from the past. If you plan to use holiday greeting cards, use CASA cards and give a child Hope while celebrating the true spirit of the season.

In its 12th year, this fundraiser is an integral part of the funding needed to operate the CASA program, serving children who have been abused and neglected, at Virgin Islands Volunteer Advocates for Children. Started in 1994, CASA is a 501(c)(3) non profit tax exempt organization that monitors the child's life while they are in foster care, and advocates to insure their basic needs are identified and addressed. For more information, call 340-718-2272.

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Captain Mike is from the small, but lively town of New Paltz, NY. His first boat was a leaky row boat he found abandoned on the Walkill River when he was 12 or 13. "My dogs were my faithful crew and it was amazing how much I learned about boating from that little boat!"

"There's no better way to build a good boating foundation than to start small and work your way up. I think a lot of people skip that but I know it helped me."

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"I grew up in Marin County, California with a passion for drawing. When I was just 5 years old, my Mom would have me look at something, close my eyes, visualize it, then draw from recall. I suppose this made me very detail oriented! My engineer Father taught me how to draw everything. My parents were supportive and encouraging. While I studied both flamenco guitar and opera, it was graphic art that I was most interested in and, in fact, studied it at the Art Institute of Houston.

I've done illustration, layout, design and airbrush professionally. I have worked with a prominent decorator on various projects such as restaurant murals, paintings and faux marquetry of the banquet floor of a major downtown San Francisco hotel.

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If you insist that Christmas is defined by a snowy landscape with Santa Claus, sled and reindeer, and warming yourself by a blazing fireplace, our tropical Christmas may disappoint you. Admittedly, local traditions have had to yield Santa a place in our tropical celebration of Christianity's major holiday. Tradition plays a large role in the Virgin Islands, and back in former days of slavery, Christmas and Easter were the only times the enslaved population were given time off. That called for celebration, which consisted of dressing up in costumes - masquerading - and making calls at other plantations, where dancing and merrymaking marked these gatherings. But with religious life playing a large role, churchgoing to celebrate the birth of Christ was and remains a major seasonal activity.

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Many of you may know George and Cynthia (Thia) Tyler as the original owner's of Schooner Bay Market Place...but the Tyler's, who sailed to the Virgin Islands in 1987 from Annapolis Md, first business on St. Croix was the little Alley Galley deli and liquor store below the Comanche Hotel. They sailed around for a couple of years, but lost their boat in hurricane Hugo (1989) but, because of their entrepreneurial spirits, they stayed to helped rebuild our island.

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This wonderful wine, crafted from 100% Brachetto grapes, is grown exclusively at the La Rosa Vineyard in the town of Acqui Terme located in the Piedmont region of Italy. Piedmonte literally means foot of the mountains. This northern Italian region, known mostly for truffles and big red wines, has had an increase in the popularity of their sweeter wines such as Moscato and Brachetto.

Rosa Regale has amazing aromas of rose petal and raspberries. Although perfect for chocolate you can also pair it with salty cheeses and it is a surprising compliment to Latin and spicy Asian dishes.

Continue reading "Wine in the VI: Banfi's Rosa Regale" »

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Monday, December 26, Mt. Victory Camp will host its annual Christmas Second Day Party - the traditional Boxing Day Pig Roast that's become a don't-miss on everyone's holiday calendar starting at 2 pm - until.

"It's a real Caribbean event, the music, the food and drinks, and the beautiful tropical forest all combine in a special way! For us it's a time to celebrate the holidays, and catch up with all our old friends," says Mt. Victory co-owner Mathilde Wilson. "There's truly nothing better than the good vibes at Mt. Victory - kids rolling on the hillside and visiting the tortoise colony, family groups picnicking together, the Jungle Bar with its unique island drinks, and great music with dancing in the dirt under the mango tree!"

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