I used to have a t-shirt in high school that said that, “Watch the skies!” I used to fly, and also searched for UFOs then, so I think it referred to a few things in my life at that time.

Here on Elbow Cay the skies are well worth watching, morning and evening especially.

I was awake for this sunrise one morning. I think this is the second or third sunrise I have seen of my own volition. Note the other decorations in the sky on this lovely morning!

This photo was taken one evening inside our house, looking out to the ocean. The black line is scaffolding, which will be there for a while.

One afternoon the sky darkened, the wind roared and still there was no rain. But there had to have been moisture in the sky because there was a rainbow.

And this is at sunset looking out toward the ocean. Hope you like these!

In case you are thinking of purchasing the new global version of Amazon’s Kindle for Christmas, be aware that there are still quite a few places that the global version will NOT work.  I was disappointed to find that the new version still will not work in my country.

Apparently the new global version will only work in SOME countries.   I thought it would be helpful to most expats to have a complete list of which countries it will, or will not work in (below).

It’s also interesting to note the PATTERN of groups of countries where the Kindle doesn’t work–some countries probably lack satellite coverage or delivery systems, while others probably don’t WANT readers to be able to download whatever they want by satellite.

STARRED (*) countries marked below indicate that Kindle needs to be ordered from a SPECIAL PAGE on the Amazon site.

The Global Kindle version DOES work in (as of Dec. 2009):

Aland Islands, Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia*, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Boznia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Liberia, Leichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldovia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozembique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Réunion, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka,  Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands – British, Virgin Islands – U.S.,  Wallis and Futuna, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The Global Kindle version does NOT work in (as of Dec. 2009) the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Antarctica, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, Chad, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, French Southern Territories, Gambia, Guinea, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea – Democratic People’s Republic of, Korea – Republic of, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco (including the Western Sahara), New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Pitcairn, Qatar, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tokelau, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uzbekistan,  Yemen.

Wang Zifei, a student at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, attended Obama’s town hall at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Zifei sat in a spot that resulted in her appearing in a number of photos from the event. She has become an Internet sensation, with people referring her to as the ‘beauty in black beside Obama.’

This “Obama girl in black” or the “woman in black behind Obama” also captured attention by wearing a bright red coat to the event, and she became the subject of a popular animation which shows the coat being taken off, which you can watch here.

The same overnight fame happened to Mayara Tavares when Obama  and France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy did some site-seeing at the G8 summit in L’Aquila, Italy. Obama, Looking at woman in Italy

Click On Links:
Mayara Tavares
Obama, Looking at woman in Italy
Obama Visits Great Wall In China
Obama Bowing To Japan’s Emperor Akihito
Obama Wants More Internet Freedom In China
The World’s Most Powerful People
Burning Man Obama
Obamamania Hits Japan
Obama Image in Tomb
Michelle Obama Chimp Image On Google
Nicolas Sarkozy et Carla Bruni dans les Simpson !

I’ve been on many cruises. I’ve seen the eastern Caribbean, southern Caribbean, and the west Caribbean. This was the first time I’ve been on a cruise ever since I have lived in Miami. So I took off on Friday at noon and jumped onto the Norwegian Sky, a cruise ship owned by the Norwegian Cruise Line company.

Surprisingly enough, according to a friend, the boat is an upgrade from Carnival or Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Unfortunately, as usual, everything was geared towards tourists and Middle America. The most unexpected thing was the food. Buffet food is usually random, but this ship had very decent buffet food. They also had a ‘eat whenever you want plan’, so unlike other cruise ships where you have a set time to have dinner; in this boat, you can head to eat whenever you wanted. They also had a French restaurant, an Italian restaurant, and a steakhouse as well for a “cover” charge. Lunch and dinner at the regular dining room was excellent. Unfortunately, we were on a 3 day cruise, so we did not think it was necessary to pay the “cover” charge for the other dining areas.

We spent a lot of time at their Martini bar, which had 2 for 1 special from 6-8 PM. It was a good way to pregame before dinner, a show, or the casino. We even ordered Alaskan king crabs from the steakhouse on one of the nights and sipped on Martinis to the point we did not know if it was the boat shaking or us drunk.

We stopped by at Nassau (in which I will write a separate post on) and was scheduled to stop by at the NCL’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay, however that was canceled due to enormous waves. We managed to stop by at one of the entertainment shows and it was nothing extraordinary. The host threw some cheap easy-to-laugh jokes and that was about it. Maybe, if I get a little fatter, I’ll understand it more.

The boat reached shore early Monday and we headed straight back to work.

The cruise was a good getaway, however it would have been nice, if it was longer, and if we brought friends our age.

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The Bahamas is a cluster of many big and small islands in the West Indies. Now an independent country, the Bahamas has breathtaking beaches and marine life to experience on an exotic holiday. From snorkelling, dolphin encounters, diving and sailing to simply sun bathing on the beaches, the Bahamas offers the one of the best holiday experiences. The Bahamian land is more than just beaches, as you can also visit the historical places, museums, take a safari, enjoy the old architectural rich forts as well as the beautiful green natural parks.

Listed below are some of the popular places you can visit when holidaying in Bahamas:

Lucayan National Park

This tourist spot in the Bahamas is home to many exciting activities such as swimming, caving and kayaking. This natural and beautiful park is known as a real treat for a great family time. You can take the cave tour, walk and trail down the mangrove lined stream, picnic with your loved ones at the Gold beach or enjoy swimming for relaxation. On a Bahamian holiday you must make it a point to visit this natural wonder on Grand Bahama Island.

Pirates of Nassau

The Nassau downtown displays a fascinating educational program that takes you through the life and tales of pirates. Tourist and visitors holidaying in Bahamas often visit this tourist spot to experience Bahamian culture.

Blue Lagoon Island

When on a holiday in Bahamas, you must not forget to visit the dolphins on the Blue Lagoon Island. This place is a famous tourist spot in the Bahamas due to its superb beaches and the experience it offers. It’s worth visiting the island, as you get to cherish the beauty of dolphins, take picture of them and even swim with them. Located in Nassau, this island is perfect way to unwind on your Bahamian holiday.

Bahamas Jeep Safari Tours

The best way to enjoy a Bahamian holiday is to take a jeep safari tour of the island. Tourist and visitors often get drawn towards the thrilling, exciting and instructive trip as it takes them to museums, beaches and other natural and historical tourist spots. The sight seeing offered in the safari adds to the scenic beauty of your holiday in Bahamas.

Fort Charlotte

This tourist spot is found to fascinate those tourist and visitors with interests in military sites and stories. Built in 18th century, the site is situated in Marcus Bethel Way and West Bay Street in Nassau. The place got its name after the name of George III’s wife. Things to experience in this fort include mysterious dungeons, a waterless moat, ramparts and a drawbridge.

Beaches

While on a Bahamian holiday, you can not afford to miss the exotic and vivid beaches of the Bahamas. The place has two very famous and known beaches to offer, which are the Paradise and Cabbage beach. The beaches act as a perfect tourist spot for those on a holiday in the Bahamas. The scenic beauty, coconut trees, water side and the casuarinas add to the whole holiday mood for all. Other great beaches in the Bahamas are Lucaya beach, Xanadu beach and the Gold Rock beach.

Best time to holiday in Bahamas

Ideal time to enjoy a Bahamian holiday is during the summer time i.e. in the months from June to August, when it’s breezy and warm.

Every year, thousands of folks attend corporate events all across the world, whether they are conferences, conventions, or seminars. And every year, they spend a great deal of money on airfare to get to their event. What can these folks do to make the most of their visit to that location?

For example, if you’re flying from Japan into Seattle to attend a conference for 2-3 nights, what other activities could you do to take advantage of your time in this region? You could visit the Space Needle, the Pike Place Market, and do normal touristy activities, but if you really want to experience the beautiful Pacific Northwest, you would go on a cruise to Alaska for 7 nights.

So you might be wondering, what is the real attractiveness of a pre or post cruise and why should one consider it?

When folks come into a city for an event, whether it is Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, or New York, they are there for more than just one reason, or at least they would like to be. They don’t want to simply come into town, attend the event, and then head back home. Many folks want to experience more of the region they are in. A perfect opportunity to do this is by going on a pre or post cruise. You and your fellow event attendees can take a leisure cruise vacation and not have to worry about coming back again in the future to experience it and spending all that money again on airfare.

A pre or post cruise can last anywhere from 3-7+ nights, all based on your location and desire to cruise. The bottom line? You enhance your overall experience during your visit to the region. You might be thinking, “Going on a pre or post cruise can become really expensive and I don’t want to spend extra money.” Actually, it’s quite the contrary.

Cruising offers you the best value in vacationing out there as everything is included in the price of your cruise, such as meals, accommodations, and entertainment. Compare that to a land resort and you’ll see what I mean. And if you wait to come later, you’re going to have to spend money on that airfare again. So why not take advantage of a cruise while you’re already there?

With that being said, if your event is in Seattle, have an open mind and consider going to Alaska for 7 nights. If you’re in the Southern California area, think about doing a 3-4 day Baja Mexico cruise, or if you’re a true vacationer, a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise. If you’re in the Florida area, consider a Bahamas or even a Caribbean cruise from anywhere between 3-7+ nights. It’s up to you!

You can even have special events onboard the ship just for you and your colleagues as a continuation of your event. Whether that is a cocktail reception party or an actual portion of the event, the possibilities are endless. You can even take advantage of the meeting facilities onboard as they are absolutely free!

Everyone always talks about money well spent, and to get the most bang for their buck – a pre and post cruise offers you just that, and much more.

Your Friend in Cruising,

John Trivedi, Owner
World Travelers United
(425) 205-9911

john@worldtravelersunited.com
www.worldtravelersunited.com
“We make your Perfect Group Cruise experience a dream come true!”

Nassau, Bahamas – Organizers of the Miss Universe pageant are pleased with their partnership with The Bahamas. “Based on the comments that we’ve received, they are very pleased with the way that everything is going,” said Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Senator the Hon Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace. “In fact, the organizers said this has been the most organized event they have ever had and they are crediting it not only to the Ministry but also to the corporate partners involved in this venture.”

The Bahamas is hosting the 58th annual Miss Universe Competition featuring 84 of the world’s most beautiful women. It airs live from Atlantis, Paradise Island on August 23 on NBC and Telemundo. Paula Shugart, president of the Miss Universe Competition, said having the competition here epitomizes the qualities that are unique to The Bahamas. “Paradise,” she said. “There is no better name for the beauty of The Bahamas and this island.

“The worldwide telecast will highlight the warmth, beauty and hospitality of the islands of The Bahamas as well as the world renowned Atlantis Resort.” Her organization, she said, has had “a wonderful working relationship” with the Bahamas and Atlantis for many years. “I’m very excited that this global event will take this partnership to a whole new level,” she said.

Added Minister Vanderpool-Wallace: “The people of The Bahamas are proud and excited at the opportunity to host some of the most beautiful people in the universe in some of the most beautiful islands in the universe. “This feels like the perfect match. We look forward to showcasing the hospitality of our people, the clarity of our waters, the vibrancy of our music, dance, food and spirit.” The reigning Miss Universe, Venezuelan, Dayana Mendoza, has traveled the world as an advocate for HIV/AIDS education, research and legislation. Contestants will be judged in three categories swimsuit, evening gown and the interview.

The competition will be hosted by Billy Bush, co-anchor of ‘Access Hollywood’ and Claudia Jordan of ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ and ‘Deal or no Deal.” International artists, Flo Rida will perform his hits ‘Right Round’ and ‘Jump’ during the swimsuit segment. There will also be a performances by reality star Heidi Montag featuring her single ‘Turn ya head’. David Guetta and Kelly Rowland will sing their hit single ‘When love takes over’ during the evening gown segment. Donald Trump and Phil Gurin will serve as Executive producers.

from Bahamas News

U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Peter R. Orszag today released details of the final Fiscal Year 2009 budget results.  Budget Results for Fiscal Year 2009 A summary of the FY2009 data, released as part of the September 2009 Monthly Treasury Statement of Receipts and Outlays of the United States Government, shows that the federal deficit dropped by $162 billion from a projected $1,580 billion in the August Mid-Session Review (MSR) to the final figure of $1,417 billion.

Summary of Fiscal Year 2009 Final Data

Fiscal Year 2009 Receipts

Total receipts for FY2009 were $2,105 billion, $31 billion higher than the MSR estimate of $2,074 billion.  Higher-than-expected collections of individual income taxes and corporation income taxes accounted for most of the net increase in receipts relative to the MSR.  Table 2 displays actual receipts and estimates from the Budget and MSR by source.

Individual income taxes were $915 billion, $12 billion higher than the MSR estimate.  Higher-than-estimated non-withheld payments accounted for $5 billion of the increase in individual income taxes relative to the MSR.

Corporation income taxes were $138 billion, $17 billion higher than the MSR estimate. Inaction on the Administration’s proposal to expand net operating loss carrybacks increased corporation income tax payments $28 billion relative to the MSR.

Social insurance and retirement receipts were $891 billion, the same as the MSR estimate, although there were offsetting differences among the sources of this category of receipts. A $2 billion increase in employment and general retirement receipts relative to the MSR was attributable to the lower-than-expected reallocation of withheld tax payments from the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds to individual income taxes, as described above.

Excise taxes were $62 billion, $3 billion lower than the MSR estimate. This decline was attributable to lower-than-expected demand for taxed goods.

Estate and gift taxes were $23 billion, $3 billion lower than the MSR estimate. This decline was in large part attributable to a decline in the value of taxable estates relative to the MSR estimate.

Customs duties were $22 billion, within $100 million of the MSR estimate.

Miscellaneous receipts were $52 billion, $8 billion higher than the MSR estimate. Higher-than-expected deposits of earnings by the Federal Reserve System, attributable to higher-than-expected returns on its investment portfolio and its foreign currency holdings, accounted for $7 billion of the increase in miscellaneous receipts relative to the MSR estimate.

Total Recovery Act outlays in FY2009 were $113 billion, with the largest components in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to cover increased Medicaid payments, the Department of Labor to provide higher unemployment benefits, and the Department of Education for payments to states from the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund and for increases in Pell grants.

Department of Agriculture — Outlays for the Department of Agriculture were $114 billion, $6.4 billion below the MSR estimate. Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) actual outlays were about $2 billion less than MSR estimates. This occurred because fewer producers than anticipated took out commodity loans and more paid them back before the end of the fiscal year; dairy prices increased late in the fiscal year.

Department of Commerce — Department of Commerce outlays were $11 billion in FY2009, $1.1 billion below the MSR estimate. Over half of this difference ($558 million) related to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, which administers the digital-to-analog converter box coupon program and public safety interoperable communications grants; both programs spent less in FY2009 than anticipated.

Department of Defense — Outlays for the Department of Defense (DOD) were $637 billion, $4.4 billion, or 0.7 percent, less than estimated in the MSR. There is no single explanation for the differences between projected and actual outlays, but several examples illustrate the types of variance seen in accounts. For example, DOD spent $1.5 billion less than projected for the Air Force to purchase.

Department of Education — Outlays for the Department of Education were $53 billion, $3.9 billion higher than the MSR estimate. Spending for the new State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, created by the Recovery Act, was $7.1 billion higher than expected, due to accelerated State drawdowns of this funding.

Department of Energy — Outlays for the Department of Energy were $24 billion, $3.5 billion lower than the MSR estimate. Outlays for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account were $1.34 billion below MSR estimates due to slower-than-expected disbursement of Recovery Act funds, particularly for the Weatherization Assistance Program.

Department of Health and Human Services — Outlays for the Department of Health and Human Services were $796 billion, $17.6 billion below the MSR estimate.  A little less than half of the total difference was in outlays for Medicaid, which were $7.6 billion (2.9 percent) lower than MSR estimates, due to slower-than-expected growth in State Medicaid spending.

Department of Homeland Security — Outlays for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were $52 billion in FY2009, $1.8 billion more than the MSR estimate. The difference was attributable primarily to a decrease in fee collections and higher-than-expected outlays from a number of agencies within the Department. DHS fees were below the MSR estimate by approximately $700 million.

Department of Housing and Urban Development — The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s total FY2009 outlays were $61 billion, $1.8 billion below the MSR estimate. Most of this difference ($0.9 billion) was due to receipts generated by Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single-family and Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) loan guarantee programs with negative subsidy rates. The loan volume of these programs surged as private mortgage insurance largely vacated the housing finance market.

Department of Justice — FY2009 outlays for the Department of Justice (DOJ) were $28 billion, $1.4 billion below the MSR estimate. DOJ’s actual outlays for State and local law enforcement assistance in the Office of Justice Programs were $1.0 billion lower due to slower-than-expected outlays of the Recovery Act grantee funds. The Recovery Act funds have been fully obligated to state and local law enforcement programs, but the grantees are not spending the funds as quickly as had been projected.

Department of Transportation — Outlays for the Department of Transportation were $73 billion, $7.5 billion lower than projected in the MSR. Actual outlays for DOT Recovery Act programs were $4.5 billion less than estimated, with the difference primarily in highway, transit, and rail programs. This was largely because of the time and steps required by project sponsors to start work on a new set of previously unplanned projects.

Department of the Treasury — Outlays for the Department of Treasury totaled $703 billion, $98.4 billion lower than the MSR estimate. Major differences from the MSR estimate include the following:

TARP had net outlays of $153.9 billion for debt, equity, guarantee, and housing programs, $82.3 billion lower than the MSR estimate, most of which was due to the timing of disbursements that were expected to occur in FY2009 but are now assumed to shift to FY2010.

Under the Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements program, the Department of the Treasury’s capital payments to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac totaled $95.6 billion in FY2009, $10.3 billion less than estimated in the MSR, due to better-than-expected financial results at the GSEs.

Net outlays for two Treasury accounts related to exchange stabilization were $2.6 billion below the MSR estimate – the Exchange Stabilization Fund, which Treasury uses at times to maintain a stable international financial system, and its child account, the Exchange Stabilization Fund Money Market Mutual Fund Guaranty Facility.

Outlays for refundable tax credits and related programs that are part of the Internal Revenue Code and administered by Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, such as the child tax credit, were $6.6 billion lower than estimated in the MSR. The largest difference was for a new Recovery Act program of cash assistance to States in lieu of low-income housing credits, which outlayed $3.1 billion less than estimated in the MSR. While these funds were obligated in FY2009, they are now expected to be drawn down and outlayed in FYs 2010 and 2011.

Interest on the public debt, which includes interest paid to government accounts as well as interest paid to the public, was $383.4 billion, $11.1 billion lower than the MSR estimate. Interest paid to government accounts was $14.0 billion lower than projected, due primarily to lower interest rates, including $4.9 billion in lower interest paid to trust funds and $8.0 billion in lower interest paid to the DOD Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund.

An additional $14.4 billion of the difference in Treasury outlays was due to intragovernmental interest transactions with credit financing accounts, including $30.1 billion lower-than-projected interest paid to credit financing accounts and $44.6 billion lower-than-anticipated offsetting receipts of interest from credit financing accounts.

Corps of Engineers — Outlays for the Army Corps of Engineers civil works program were $7 billion, $5.8 billion lower than the MSR estimate. Much of the difference was due to changes in construction project schedules made after the MSR and increases in offsetting collections for work that the Corps performed on behalf of other Federal agencies under its reimbursable program.

General Services Administration — GSA’s total outlays were $0.3 billion, $1.1 billion less than what was projected in the MSR. $890 million was associated with the Federal Buildings Fund (FBF) and the Acquisition Services Fund. For the Acquisition Services Fund, actual revenue was $251 million higher than anticipated. For the FBF, actual revenue was more than $200 million higher than anticipated.

Office of Personnel Management — Outlays for the Office of Personnel Management were $72 billion, $4.1 billion higher than the MSR estimate. OPM outlays were higher due to legislative relief provided to the US Postal Service in the 2010 Continuing Resolution, which allowed that agency to make only $1.4 billion of the expected $5.4 billion end-of-year payment for USPS retiree health.

Other Defense Civil Programs — Outlays for Other Defense Civil programs were $57 billion, $8.8 billion more than the MSR estimate. Most of this difference was due to lower-than-projected earnings on investments of the Medicare-Eligible Retiree Health Care Fund (MERHCF), which are offset against gross outlays to calculate net outlays. These lower-than-projected earnings were largely due to a less-than-expected return on the Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) investments in the MERHCF portfolio.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) had net actual outlays of $6.7 billion, $5.3 billion above the MSR estimate. The difference was almost entirely due to greater-than-expected payments related to the resolution of failed banks.

National Credit Union Administration — Outlays for the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) were $16 billion, $1.5 billion lower than the MSR estimate, predominantly due to one unanticipated transaction. The Credit Liquidity Facility transferred $1.75 billion from the U.S. Central Federal Credit Union to the U.S. Treasury, resulting in an unexpected net in-flow of cash in August 2009.

United States Postal Service — The United States Postal Service (USPS) had net actual outlays of $0.4 billion, $3.5 billion lower than the MSR estimate. This difference was almost entirely due to the recent legislated change in the statutorily mandated USPS payment to the Office of Personnel Management for retiree health benefits liabilities.

Undistributed Offsetting Receipts — Undistributed offsetting receipts were $274 billion in FY2009, $3.7 billion lower than the MSR estimate.  Interest received by trust funds was $181.6 billion, $4.9 billion lower than the MSR estimate, due primarily to lower-than-estimated interest earnings for the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

Click On Links:
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Obama Facing Debt Payments, $1.6 TRILLION Due By March
Millions To Repay Part Of Obama Tax Credit
Obama’s Approval Rating
Dollar Losing Value Under Obama
Obama Bank Overhaul
Obama’s 9 Trillion Dollar Deficit
Obama GM Bankruptcy
Obama Says ‘WE’RE OUT OF MONEY’
Obama $3.6 Trillion Budget Proposal
Where’s The Money !
U.S. Dollar Dropping Under Obama
Obama Promises One Year Later

Things are going pretty well in my life.  I mean, I can always find something to complain about, “I need more money” … “Oprah is leaving me next year.  WHY!!!!!”  Last week really put a lot in perspective for me.  I know 2 people who lost their lives.  One was a sorority sister of mine, only 26-years-old, who died after a 2-year battle with cancer.  The other person was  friend of a friend who tragically died on Tuesday in an auto accident on her way to work.  This really puts things in perspective, especially as we inch toward Thanksgiving.

I will never forget when my sister pulled me aside during our “you need to lose weight” talk.  We were in the Bahamas during Christmas of ‘06 – when I fell off that jet ski – and was the moment I realized I needed to lose weight.  (Read my blog entry about it here.)

Although I didn’t have major medical issues, I knew I was on my way to having something like diabetes if I didn’t lose weight.  I was still in denial.  I remember saying to my sister, “What if I try really hard to lose weight and I end up dying from something else, like a coconut falling on my head, or a car crash?” And she said, “Well, at least you know you tried everything you could.”  So it was kinda like one of those thoughts, “What if I tried really hard to not die from a bad heart or diabetes but something else ends up killing me anyways.”  I guess that’s a normal reaction.  But I knew I needed to do everything I COULD to be healthy.  We are out of control in so many ways in our lives.  So if I end up dying from a coconut falling on my head, I guess so be it.  At least loved ones, and my own Spirit, won’t be able to say, “If only she had done something about that weight.  She could have lived longer.”

This brings me some sort of peace.  Also a little anxiety when we realize how out of control we are.  Elizabeth didn’t ask for cancer.  Errin didn’t ask for that fateful Tuesday morning.  But perhaps there is some peace in something happening to you that’s outside of your control.  It brings up Spiritual/Religious/Existential questions.  But nobody can ever say, “If only they had done something different”  It was what it was.  So for me, I am trying to live a healthy life so that I can have as many years on this planet as possible … to travel the world … make a difference … have a family.  And if something, by fate’s chance, happens.  Then it is to be.  At least I can say that I am taking my own health in my hands.

I am proud to say that I have officially lost 93 pounds!!!  I can’t believe it!  I had a huge drop this week – I lost like 6 pounds.  I am not really sure why…I haven’t been overly trying, nor have I not been trying.  Plus, it’s the holidays, and even the healthiest of people are overcome with food temptations!  I am only 6 pounds away from losing 100 pounds!  I honestly can’t believe it!  The Lap Band has honestly saved me.  It’s been hard, lots of acid reflux, vomiting, saying “no” to cookies, waking up at 7am to train for my first 10K, etc.  It has not been easy.  But it’s surely been worthwhile.

Visit my blog at Live Life To The Fullest

One of the best parts about being in the group cruise business is that I get to share my passion and knowledge with folks just like you about the world of cruising. Being able to plan and organize group cruising events is what fills my day with joy and happiness, and now, I have the opportunity to take my happiness to another level due to all that I have accomplished.

I’ve been given the wonderful and unique opportunity to participate in Norwegian Cruise Line’s PhD@Sea program which is an industry first. This special program was designed only for cruise professionals who became Freestyle Certified (highest level of certification) at Norwegian Cruise Line’s University (NCL U), and being selected as one of the professionals to go, I have to admit that I am beyond excited and truly honored!

Norwegian Cruise Line will be whisking away 40 cruise professionals including myself aboard the magnificent Norwegian Jewel (pictured below) for a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise on December 6th. We will be visiting many beautiful ports including Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas – which is Norwegian’s very own private island (exclusive only to Norwegian passengers).

Norwegian Jewel

So what exactly is a PhD@Sea program and how is it different than any other cruise vacation? Well to start with, this program will give cruise professionals like myself an experience that is rare for anyone going onboard. Here are just some of the exciting activities we’ll be doing onboard in addition to having a week long of cruising fun:

• Welcome cocktail reception and sail-away party
• Behind-the-scene tours
• Panel discussions
• Meeting the shipboard leadership team
• Attending a group dinner
• Receiving a personalized PhD@Sea certificate, a group photo and a farewell gift
• A professional press release announcing my PhD@Sea status to distribute to my local newspaper, radio, and television stations
• Class credit for CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
• And much much more!

You can take a breath now. This special group cruise program is going to be jam-packed with so much fun I can’t wait until the day arrives! I’ll be taking my sister on this cruise since she has never experienced one before and has been extremely eager to finally have the opportunity. And let me tell you, she is getting one special first-time cruise experience!

I’ll be blogging about my day-to-day experiences on the special PhD@Sea program and will be posting these entries upon my return.

All the professionals and I have already established a relationship in the NCL U forum and we’ve also created a special name for our group, and that is the “Family Jewels” – very fitting! I’ve always been excited about going on a cruise, but with this program, I can already tell it’s going to be something extra special.

Until next time…

Your Friend in Cruising,

John Trivedi, Owner
World Travelers United
(425) 205-9911

john@worldtravelersunited.com
www.worldtravelersunited.com
“We make your Perfect Group Cruise experience a dream come true!”

Sei curioso? Vorresti conoscere le isole più esclusive per cominciare a sognare il tuo prossimo viaggio?

Ecco qui un assaggio .. un elenco delle destinazioni favorite dai più ricchi e famosi personaggi del mondo.

SEYCHELLES – Cousin Island Private
Una delle più paradisiache isole delle Seychelles dove sorge un resort di altissimo livello qualitativo e dove si può ritrovare il contatto ormai quasi del tutto perduto, con una natura “amica”. Una macchia verde intenso, circondata da una lunga striscia di bianco cangiante, così si presenta dall’alto la minuscola Cousine Island. L’esclusività in questo piccolo eden naturalistico, è all’ordine del giorno visto che si può essere ospitati al massimo in otto persone, più due bambini. Quattro Ville spaziose, di circa 175mq. che richiamano il classico stile coloniale francese e che compongono la struttura principale del resort.

ISOLE VERGINI BRITANNICHE – Isola Neker
Questa è l’isola privata di Sir Richard Branson, un piccolo paradiso con spiagge incastonate tra scogli coperti da bougainvillea fiorite, una morbida collina coperta da vegetazione, un spazio intimo in cui sentirsi a proprio agio. Un resort che può accogliere al massimo 24 ospiti, persone in cerca di fuga dai clamori, come Peter Gabriel o Steven Spielberg o David Beckham. Per 47.000 dollari al giorno potrete affittare l’isola, fare uso dell’enorme villa, dei suoi dieci alloggi e sentirsi, almeno per un po, re del mondo.

TANZANIA – Isola Mnemba
Una delle tre più romantiche destinazioni al mondo: Mnemba Island è una piccola isola-resort al largo delle coste di Zanzibar. Quest’isola è una tra le mete preferite di chi cerca una luna di miele estremamente romantica. Anche se molto piccola, le spiagge vergini, la fauna marina locale e i meravigliosi tramonti rendono quest’isola davvero paradisiaca. La principale attrazione dell’isola è la barriera corallina che ospita più di 300 specie di pesci, oltre a delfini e squali.

MALDIVE – One & Only Reethi Rah
Mare azzurro, spiagge bianche, un resort incredibile, un posto paradisiaco… Un esclusivo resort della prestigiosa catena One&Only Resorts: l’unico 6 stelle alle Maldive, situato nell’atollo di Malè Nord. Una forma insolita per un’isola dove il lusso raggiunge una delle sue più alte espressioni grazie alla bellezza del luogo, alla sontuosità delle dimore, alla cura dei dettagli.

OCEANO ATLANTICO – Bermuda
Oltre ai miti e le leggende che parlano di questa zona dell’Atlantico, Bermuda offre una combinazione ideale tra passato coloniale e paradiso naturale. Ovunque si posa lo sguardo, c’è un colore che riempie gli occhi: le tinte pastello dei cottage, il rosa delle spiagge che si perde nel blu dell’Oceano, il verde intenso della vegetazione tropicale. “Realizzate i vostri sogni!”, questo lo slogan del Cambridge Beaches. Si compone di eleganti cottages sparsi nel vasto giardino e arredati con gusto. Una vacanza al Cambridge Beaches è come immergersi in un piccolo paradiso in cui tranquillità e relax si coniugano a sport ed animazione, in un ambiente esclusivo e raffinato.

CARAIBI – Turcs & Caicos
Parrot Cay è una deliziosa isola privata e disabitata delle Turks & Caicos che, è un vero scrigno di gioielli: foresta vergine, mangrovie, cactus e lagune incontaminate. Lo scenario del Parrot Cay è valorizzato dall’elegante design del resort, opera di Keith Hobbs, autore di progetti internazionalmente conosciuti come capolavori architettonici, quali l’Armani Store sulla Fifth Avenue a New York o il Metropolitan Hotel di Londra. Molto amato da artisti e stilisti di fama internazionale, è il resort ideale per chi ama la quiete, necessita di pace spirituale e di contatto con una natura incontaminata

CARAIBI – Mustique Island
Una tra le isole preferite dai famosi, famiglie reali e ricchi di ogni parte del mondo. Vegetazione tropicale e acqua azzurro turchese; un vero centro paradisiaco. Sull’isola il Cotton House, con i suoi otto cottages che sembrano emergere direttamente dai giardini fioriti sovrastanti l’Ansecoy Bay, è il perfetto rifugio e luogo colmo di magia. Resort in stile coloniale che ha puntato sulla ricerca dei particolari e sulla scelta dell’arredamento. Dice il General Manager:“il giusto cuscino consente di eleggere la Cotton House a propria seconda casa”.

BAHAMAS – Musha Cay
Isola di proprietà del famoso mago David Coperfield che avrebbe trovato questo posto chiedendo agli astronauti quale fosse il posto più bello con l’acqua più limpida che si vedesse dalla galassia e tutti hanno indicato lo stesso punto dell’Oceano Atlantico. Uno dei resort più cari ed esclusivi al mondo, posto ideale per fare immersioni. Un Paradiso per pochi eletti,  soprattutto per il jet set americano, dove una notte costa 25.000$, un prezzo che comprende qualsiasi cosa voi vogliate avere. Massimo relax e privacy in questo angolo di paradiso.

Se sei interessato a ricevere maggiori informazioni su questi resort o su queste destinazioni, contattami:
Greta Amadori – Consulente Viaggi
greta.amadori@evolutiontravel.it

in search of decent internet.

This house has a connection so slow that we can hear patients, but they can’t hear us. And it disconnects when it feels like it. No one has ever rented it where the husband and wife both needed to be online and calling patients intensively. So for email – it is fine. And it is across from a gorgeous stretch of beach. http://www.elbowcayrentals.com/scripts/house.php3?file=coconutcottage

Country with two thousand cays and over seven hundred exotic islands form Bahamas and is the ultimate tourist destination. Bahamas is located in Atlantic Ocean, surrounded with United States in the southeast and Cuba in north.

While choosing for the best vacation for you with less to spend, Bahamas is the right choice. Choosing Cheap Bahamas vacation is the great way for saving money on your tour as well as taking benefit of all the things to do there and see the breathtaking beauty. Almost every Bahamas vacation offers include accommodation, travelling charges and even the tour and activity charges. You can also avail the cheap travel fairs and rental cars to take a tour of Bahamas.

You can easily find numerous cheap vacation offers for Bahamas during the peak holiday season. And, if you want to avail the maximum discount offers, it would be better to get your bookings done in off season as charges are comparatively lower at this time. December and April are the main Holiday seasons for Bahamas so getting discounts on traveling and accommodation would be a very difficult task then.Spring time is one of the best season and buzz with loads of tourist activity in the place.

Even if you have got delayed in the bookings of tickets and accommodations for Bahamas on time still you can have last time bookings done. There are many airlines and hotels that offer you last time bookings to fill the vacant seats and suites in affordable range. Bahamas has always been popular for its flexible and affordable holiday packages.

You can have lifetime enjoyment with your family and kids in Bahamas and indulge in various sports activities on the trip. Some of the most popular activities that tourists enjoy in Bahamas include scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, boating, swimming, kayaking, fishing, and golf as well. You can also get on board cruise which would be an amazing experience while enjoying the sea breeze wafting along. The holiday plans to Bahamas are also inclusive of cruise ships that greet you with drinks and meals from Bahamas culture. You can enjoy sun bathing on the beautiful and exotic beaches along with your favorite drinks.

You can instantly book your cheap Bahamas vacation online which saves your time and hassles of hunting for travel agents. There are many holiday packages available with desirable amnesties and discount offers. You can get bookings done for the holiday package that fits well into your budget. Right before holiday seasons you can avail the maximum discount offers so make sure that you get your booking done with that travel company which offers you maximum discount and facilities and you will find number of them.

The major attractions of Bahamas are its beautiful and exotic islands like Abaco Island, Nassau, Freeport or Paradise Island where one can enjoy the sea breeze and golden sunshine falling on the white sand. Cheap Bahamas vacation allows you to save money which can later be utilized in shopping and getting indulged in tourist activities in Bahamas.

Can you imagine yourself in an exotic place where cool sea breeze greets you every day and night? If after a hard days work, on your way back home a genie happens to meet you and asks you to wish for something, what would you wish for? Obviously, it would be ‘Money’ since this is the most essential need of present day expensive life. Now, the question is what would you do with that money? Will you go for shopping, buy cars, latest gizmos, jewelry or a destination where you can party whole day long and watch sunset while walking barefoot on cool sand of beaches?

Freeport Bahamas is a city located on the Grand Bahama Island and is a free trade zone and the hub of commercial activities on the island. Freeport, Grand Bahama Island is the ultimate tourist destination where you can spend some time far from the madding crowd of cities. It is one of those most enchanting tourist destinations where one feels rejuvenated and spends time relaxing on far stretched white beaches.

There are numerous fun and adventurous activities that you can enjoy doing in Freeport Bahamas:

• The reef and corals ( the island has third largest reef of the world)
• Bone fishing and saltwater fishing
• Sea diving
• Windsurfing
• Scuba diving
• Golfing
• Beach Combing
• Casino Gambling
• Snorkeling, hiking, biking

Besides sport activities you can also enjoy the flavor of Freeport night life. It seems as if whole world has come alive in the dark and you will be treated with live performances of the bands of Bahamian and reggae music. This is not yet the end of nightlife in Freeport Bahamas as you have many hotspots in the city that rock with music and are filled with aroma of native liquor. Whether you want to have a laid-back time sipping cocktails at a bar on the beach or you’re ready to dance all night, you’ll find this all in Freeport. For club-mongers some of the chic clubs are available including Amnesia, Club Rock & Roll, and Illusions.

Whole of the Bahamas is renowned for its scenic beauty, beaches and turquoise blue color sea. There is no difference in the day and nights of Freeport as city keeps buzzing with tourist activities every hour. Some of the most beautiful places that must not be missed at any cost are:
• Lucayan National Park
• Pinetree Stables
• Grand Bahama Brewing Company
• Xanadu Undersea Adventures
• UNEXSO Dive Shop
• Watersports at Pirates of Bahamas
• Rand Memorial Natural Center
• Peterson Cay
• Cooper’s castle

If you want to see the ethnic culture of the city, travel towards Freeport Bahamas downtown which embodies the essence of Bahamian culture and traditions. The downtown market has some strip malls, bunch of local shops and corners where you can get some utility and eatables. But this is interesting place to be in since here you can find native people who are warm hearted and welcoming in nature.

A perfect holiday spot, Grand Bahamas Island is a stunning amalgamation of 700 stunning islands. The breathtaking scenic beauty makes it an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate oneself away from hustle and bustle of the busy city life. Imagine yourself on beautiful white sandy beaches, taking a sunbath. The idea itself is very refreshing.

However, the Grand Bahamas Island doesn’t restrict the enjoyment to nature and beach lovers only. It has something to offer for all kinds of visitors. You may unleash your sportsmen spirit and indulge in adventurous water sports, trekking, snorkeling, and boating. Try out anything that you like from rafting to fishing. You can also have fun with your family and take part in several water sports and excursion trips. Excitement and thrill comes naturally to Bahamas visitors. Once you visit and witness the pristine beauty of this island you are sure to visit it again.

The capital of Bahamas is Nassau. This is also the untouched natural beauty that leaves its visitors mesmerized. Bimini, Abaco, Andros, Inagua, San Salvador and Eleuthera are some other places in Bahamas that you cannot afford to miss. Make sure you arrange for a long holiday when visiting Bahamas, otherwise you will always regret leaving from there without exploring the whole island.

The panoramic views of the island are worth a click that will soon become a part of your memories for lifetime. Grand Bahamas Island is also a very popular holiday destination among honeymooners. Spend quality time with your loved ones and have a gala time with your family. With a wide assortment of activities available for tourists of all age groups and with different preferences, Bahamas is an ideal holiday spot for all.

Moreover, if you are still unsatisfied, you may go ahead and explore the lush greenery of the place. Three national parks graciously cover the entire island. Stalagmites, pine trees and pigeon plum trees add onto the relaxing natural surroundings of the place. So, come over and take refuge in this paradise on Earth. Pamper yourself and have refreshing vacation amidst greenery and scenic beauty where you sea breeze greets you every morning.

Enticing natural beauty, romantic white sand beaches, adventurous sports and unending fun, what more can you ask for? Grand Bahamas Islands offer everything that visitors wish to have in their ideal holiday destination. Now, don’t get late and book your tickets to Bahamas today! Approach a travel agent for a convenient trip and to ensure that you do not miss out on the best things that Bahamas has on offer.

So, what all you need is a break away from the monotonous schedule of your everyday life and fly away to immerse yourself in the exotic Bahamas beauty. Search for a good travel package online to explore the Grand Bahamas islands within pocket-friendly budget.

The rejuvenation offered by Bahamas to its visitors is just unparallel to the spirit of any other vacation spot and this will surely last for a long time in their minds.

Obama officials now faces a mountain of new debt, a balloon of short-term borrowings that come due in the months ahead. With the national debt now topping $12 trillion, the White House estimates that the government’s tab for servicing the debt will exceed $700 billion a year in 2019, up from $202 billion this year. An additional $500 billion a year in interest expense would total more than the combined federal budgets this year for education, energy, homeland security and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The surge in borrowing is due to the financial crisis and the deep recession, and high deficits. The problem, many analysts say, is that record government deficits have arrived just as the long-feared explosion begins in spending on benefits under Medicare and Social Security. Baby Boomers are approaching 65, setting off what experts have warned for years will be a fiscal nightmare for the government.

MAJOR FOREIGN HOLDERS OF TREASURY SECURITIES (billions of dollars)
HOLDINGS 1/ AT END OF PERIOD
                       Sep     Aug     Jul     Jun
Country               2009    2009    2009    2009
China, Mainland       798.9   797.1   800.5   776.4
Japan                 751.5   731.2   724.5   711.8
United Kingdom 2/     249.3   226.9   219.9   214.0
Oil Exporters 3/      185.3   189.1   189.2   191.2
Carib Bnkng Ctrs 4/   171.7   179.9   193.2   189.7
Brazil                144.9   137.3   138.1   139.8
Hong Kong             132.2   124.7   115.3    99.8
Russia                121.8   121.6   118.0   119.9
Luxembourg             98.7    94.2    92.0   104.1
Taiwan                 78.1    75.9    77.4    77.0
Switzerland            68.9    68.2    68.1    71.5
Germany                53.7    55.0    56.1    53.8
Korea                  38.8    38.7    37.6    36.3
Singapore              38.3    42.0    42.3    40.8
Canada                 38.3    26.2    20.2    19.0
India                  35.9    38.5    38.9    39.3
Ireland                32.7    36.5    38.6    46.3
France                 32.1    35.0    24.6    26.0
Thailand               30.1    33.5    31.4    29.7
Turkey                 28.2    28.7    27.3    27.5
Norway                 25.2    24.7    28.9    28.7
Mexico                 22.1    27.5    27.7    29.5
Netherlands            21.3    21.3    21.5    18.9
Egypt                  20.8    20.4    18.6    17.3
Sweden                 18.3    16.7    16.5    16.5
Israel                 18.3    17.7    16.9    18.1
Italy                  17.6    16.9    17.3    16.7
Colombia               16.7    16.3    14.8    11.8
Belgium                15.0    15.6    15.7    15.7
Chile                  12.9    13.0    13.5    14.3
Philippines            11.8    12.4    11.4    11.6
Malaysia               11.0    11.2    11.9    11.7
All Other             156.8   158.7   159.5   157.5
Grand Total          3497.3  3452.9  3427.4  3382.1

For. Official       2369.5  2360.1  2346.2  2295.7
Treasury Bills      597.7   607.3   606.6   571.9
T-Bonds & Notes     1771.8  1752.8  1739.6  1723.8
 1/  Estimated foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury marketable and non
marketable bills, bonds, and notes reported under the Treasury
International Capital (TIC) reporting system are based on annual Surveys
of Foreign Holdings of U.S. Securities and on monthly data. 
2/  United Kingdom includes Channel Islands and Isle of Man. 

3/  Oil exporters include Ecuador, Venezuela, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iran,
Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates,
Algeria, Gabon, Libya, and Nigeria. 
4/  Caribbean Banking Centers include Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands,
Netherlands Antilles and Panama. Beginning with new series for June
2006, also includes British Virgin Islands.

Click On Links:
Millions To Repay Part Of Obama Tax Credit
Obama’s Approval Rating
Dollar Losing Value Under Obama
Obama Bank Overhaul
Obama’s 9 Trillion Dollar Deficit
Obama GM Bankruptcy
Obama Says ‘WE’RE OUT OF MONEY’
Obama $3.6 Trillion Budget Proposal
Where’s The Money !
U.S. Dollar Dropping Under Obama
Obama Promises One Year Later

Amazon's Global Kindle Reader

I heard that Amazon now has a global version of Kindle. I was disappointed to find this morning that the new version still will not work in my country.

Since I’ve wanted one for some time, but have been waiting until they got a version that would work in my country, I checked out their website this morning, only to be disappointed again. Apparently the new global version will only work in SOME countries.

In case you are thinking of purchasing the new Global Kindle for a Christmas gift this year, since the new version will only work in SOME countries, I thought it would be helpful to most expats to have a complete list of which countries it will, or will not work in.

STARRED (*) countries marked below indicate that Kindle needs to be ordered from a SPECIAL PAGE on the Amazon site.

The Global Kindle version DOES work in (as of Dec. 2009):

Aland Islands, Albania, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia*, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Boznia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Kenya, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Liberia, Leichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldovia, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozembique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Réunion, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Virgin Islands – British, Virgin Islands – U.S., Wallis and Futuna, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

The Global Kindle version does NOT work in (as of Dec. 2009):

Afghanistan, Algeria, Antarctica, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, Chad, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, French Southern Territories, Gambia, Guinea, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea – Democratic People’s Republic of, Korea – Republic of, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco (including the Western Sahara), New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Pitcairn, Qatar, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Helena, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Somalia, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands, Sudan, Svalbard and Jan Mayan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tokelau, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uzbekistan, Yemen.

I’d promised you the second half of the story of our getting here.

We left Toronto on the inaugural flight of WestJet from Toronto to Freeport, Grand Bahamas. This was an auspicious arrangement for the Bahamas, we later learned. There were two devastating hurricanes in X that kind of knocked Grand Bahamas for a loop, and they’ve had a tough time recovering. If WestJet can offload a planeful of Canadians every Monday and Friday, that would be the beginning of a great recovery.

So while we were on the plane heading south, drinking mimosas and playing games to win prizes, the Bahamians were gathering at the small Freeport Airport. We think the gathering took longer than was expected, because we landed later than scheduled. No one really cared – they were all getting off in Freeport and heading to its lovely resorts. Only the folks with the bird and the dog, and flying on to Marsh Harbour, were anxious to get on the ground.

And when we landed we saw the assembled guests – a red carpet and a line of about 30 Bahamian and Grand Bahama dignitaries there to welcome their guests. Even the ones flying on to Abaco. I think I told the Prime Minister that we were moving to Hope Town. I wish I could have shot the red carpet from the top of the plane, but there were people behind us and we had the animals and luggage. If that was The Right Honourable Hubert Ingraham. From there we shook the hands of everyone else – very welcoming (it’s better in the Bahamas!).

Besides the dignitaries there was a junkanoo! Now, if you are from New Jersey and grew up watching the Philadelphia television stations, you’ve seen the Mummer’s Parade. And that’s pretty much what a junkanoo looks, and sounds, like. It would have been great fun if we weren’t:
1. trying to carry an animal in a carrier with carry-on luggage too
2. we weren’t sweltering in jeans, when we began immediately to sweat when we hit the heat, so the jeans felt like they had just been pulled out of the washer
3. we hadn’t gotten paged by the plane’s PA system on landing, telling us there was an emergency message for us (which could have meant 100 different scary things, and they rushed through our heads)
4. we weren’t sorta in a hurry to get Maggie out to pee somewhere

There was a patio entrance to customs, and the entire space was filled with our fellow passengers (who’d gotten off first, since animals and people with babies are stuck in the back of the plane) enjoying Bahama Mamas and Rum Punch, courtesy of Bacardi. We were kind of anxious to:

1. find out what the scary emergency was that we had to be paged on an international flight
2. get in line to get through customs quickly – Freeport has a wonderful, smaller, comfortable airport and customs area, and a plane had landed at the exact same time as ours. We went to the far right – a suggestion of someone on the Abaco Forum whose husband is a pilot. It was a very short line.

(It turned out that we went in the very farthest right line – which was for Bahamians. Brian, a nice guy who used to work at the Hope Town Harbour Lodge and who works in the hospitality industry, and who is technically Bahamian, asked the nice woman at customs if we could go after him, and she graciously accepted us.)

That’s when Rudi lit up like a lightbulb, like a prisoner who’d just been set free after 100 years in the hole. He talked to the customs woman, told her how he was born in Indonesia and how the decor of the airport looked a lot like that larger island, and how happy he was to be here, and how it was fun to see the welcoming committee and the junkanoo, and… on and on and on! He was happy, relieved, to finally be here.

Anyway, we got through customs, all the worried about the animals was for naught, and we went with a nice man who helped with luggage (four HUGE suitcases, HEAVY!) in search of the message that was so worrisome. Turned out we’d left a piece of paper at the airport in Toronto. No biggie!

>

We went to the Regional Air office, a $6 taxi ride (with those four huge suitcases) and enjoyed the air conditioning as they added up how much we owed them for the extra weight. We were starving, and shared a few granola bars and warm water while Maggie cooled her tummy on the tile floor, and Timou had a bit of granola bar. One more 20-minute flight and we were home. Or almost! At least in Marsh Harbour.

We flew into a storm, under the thunderheads and we told the Bahamians that we brought them some rain. (It rained off and on for the next few days – so much so that we wanted to hide on the ferry since they knew we were the Canadians.)

And we got a taxi at the airport for the ferry dock. See Rudi and our taxi lady escaping the rain.

We got on the 5:45 ferry at 5:30. Finally. We were elated. And we chatted with the ferry guys. Bruce kindly offered to marry Kelsey so we can get her into the Bahamas to cook. He’s 23, and in a band too, called Fire and the Goat Peppers. But that’s another story!

Francois picked us up in the caretaker’s truck, and got us into our cottage. In torrential rain. I was blown away – this definitely is a cottage. It didn’t have the feel of a house. Still doesn’t because the internet doesn’t work here! Not for our needs.

Anyway, our own golf cart was supposed to be here, so we didn’t bother ordering in food to fill the fridge. We were beyond famished. No golf cart, though. And torrential rain.

Abaco Inn was closed for renovations. I called Sea Spray since they’d deliver too – their van was in the shop. Called Hope Town Harbour Lodge and no one answered (they’d deliver too). We called back Francois, and he took Rudi to a nearby grocery store (which we later realized was about a block away). I think we had cereal and milk, many bowls, for dinner. Maggie just had the cereal, and Timou had some peanuts and cereal. We fell into bed and SLEPT. And slept and slept.

The Wired article about islands seen from space reminded me of another article I stumbled on. About what sounds like the reverse of what an island is. It took me a while of mucking around the Internet and my bookmarks but I finally found it, it was on my friend’s tumblr site: Blue Holes.

A Blue Hole is a submarine sinkhole or cave. They are steep-walled depressions, roughly circular, under sea level and get their names from the dark blue depths compared to the light blue shallows around them. Also called vertical caves, they are similar to cenotes, but underwater. (They are formed the same way, in limestone-rich terrain where chemical weather cause a cave roof to collapse in.)

One of the most breathtaking Blue Holes is the exquisitely circular Great Blue Hole in Belize, discovered and made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top ten best dive sites in the world.

It is also believed to be the world’s largest Blue Hole and is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve, a World Heritage Site. It’s a popular dive spot and a typical trip would take a full day with one dive in the Blue Hole, where you could see giant groupers, nurse sharks, reef sharks and maybe even the rare hammerhead, as well as the amazing stalactites and stalagmites that this spot is famous for.

Yes, Blue Holes are a thrill for divers, especially since many lead into caves or have spectacular cave formations. However, they are also incredibly dangerous, as many of them exceed permissible diving depths; the average diver is qualified to go to a depth around 30m, PADI recreational diving limit is 40m, and nitrogen narcosis begins to set in.

The most deadly of them is the Blue Hole located in the Red Sea. Because of the number of diving fatalities that have occurred there, this spot has earned the title “World’s Most Dangerous Dive Site”, as well as the nickname “Diver’s Cemetery”.

Accidents happen so frequently here because many divers try to find a tunnel through the reef wall  known as “The Arch” that connects the Blue Hole to open water. However, this tunnel is hard to detect because of its odd angle, causing divers to descent too deep searching for it. The tunnel’s dept is at 52m, already a depth where divers could become narced.

Blue Holes are also dangerous because they are anoxic. Their water circulation is poor and beyond a certain depth, these conditions are unfavorable for marine life, but can support large numbers of bacteria.

The deepest Blue Hole is Dean’s Blue Hole, located in a bay on Long Island, Bahamas. It’s depth is an exceptional 202m; the next deepest Blue Hole is 110m.

Anyway, the article lists the Top 5 Amazing Blue Holes in the world. Read the whole thing here.

I have been preparing the last few things tonight and started packing for my trip to Bahamas, which is now only a few days away.
I can feel that I am getting very exited about going and I have posted a few videos from Dean’s Blue Hole to show why. If this doesn’t explain why I am looking forward to the trip, I am not sure what will. Enjoy…

Guillaume Néry at Dean’s Blue Hole last week

William Trubridge -world record in Unassisted Freediving

And I thought I’d share the two, or two types, that we ran into (figuratively speaking) today!

First, I’d promised you a curly tail lizard. They are fun to shoot because they stop in their tracks if you stop, and sometimes look the other way to make sure you can’t see them. If I can’t see you, you aren’t there!

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I like how his curl is in the shadow. And this guy’s got one heck of a lovely curl.

While walking along the harbour I was amazed to see something black in the grass alongside one of the little rental houses. He also stood still – and let me approach a bit before he began to quietly walk away. So I stopped too, since I didn’t want to upset him. Rudi says he is a heron, or in the heron family. A baby heron? Maybe one of you know? Let us know!