Curacao's Treasure Hunt

CURAÇAO’S TREASURE HUNT SITE REGISTERS OVER 130,000 TRAVELERS IN 28 DAYS

The possibility of taking one of 70 free trips and a chance to win a half million dollars a hit with U.S. travelers

 

WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO – April 15, 2009 – In just four weeks, the island of Curaçao’s Treasure Hunt microsite,Curacaotreasure.com has registered an unprecedented 130,000-plus U.S. and Canadian travelers. The numbers exemplify the incredible excitement and enthusiasm that has engulfed this campaign that has already awarded 22 of 70 free trips to the island.

 

When launching the campaign, Curaçao promised to put vacations back into the reach of the ordinary consumer; consumers’ embrace of this awareness building campaign proves the time could not have been better for this promotion. With so much grim news in the headlines, Americans needed to take a break and the island of Curaçao has provided one.

 

The campaign launched on March 16^th via the dedicated website www.Curacaotreasure.com. U.S. consumers who visit the site through May, 23, 2009 will learn more about Curaçao and its “hidden treasures,” and have the opportunity to enter to win a free trip for two, awarded daily.  Plus, 10 finalists will be chosen at the end of the campaign to travel to Curaçao and participate in an actual treasure hunt for a grand prize of half a million dollars.

 

“In these tough economic times, the island of Curaçao is actually doing well,” says Brenda Benjamin, Director of Marketing, at the Curaçao Tourist Board. “The Hidden Treasure Campaign is our little island’s way of a providing a big bailout for U.S. travelers.  It is also our strategy to build awareness of Curaçao in the marketplace and make the island more accessible to Americans – we could not be hitting the market with this campaign at a better time.”

 

The Curaçao on-Island Treasure Hunt will be a comprehensive island-wide event that will allow Curaçao to showcase its many hidden treasures to the international community expected to be on-hand for the Hunt that will take place this summer.  Participating finalists will have the opportunity to experience the island’s many “treasures,” bringing them one step closer to the grand prize.

 

Curaçao tourism officials say the on-island Hunt will be an opportune way for American travelers to become more familiar with Curaçao, often referred to as the Caribbean’s hidden treasure because of its exquisite beaches, remarkable history and the capital Willemstad’s distinction as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

 

The Curaçao Treasure Hunt is being supported by a print, online and television ad campaign. To learn more, visitwww.Curacaotreasure.com.

 

ABOUT CURAÇAO

With its pristine dive sites, secluded beaches, championship golf course and rich local cuisine, Curaçao offers a little something for everyone – from the adventure traveler to those who simply want to unwind (and enjoy its perfect climate). Curaçao boasts an eclectic mix of history, culture and heritage welcoming visitors to this unique island paradise. 

 

For more information about Curaçao and to receive a free destination DVD, 
click here, call 1-800-3-CURAÇAO (1-800-328-7222), or visit www.Curacao.com .

 

Moonhole, Bequia

From Wikipedia :Moonhole is a community on the island of Bequia (Bek-way)) in the Grenadines started by Thomas Johnston. In the late 60's, Mr. Johnston had a lucrative advertising business on Madison Ave, NYC. He sold the business and bought the Northern tip of the island which contains a large aperture formed by the waves in the lava called Moonhole. He moved to the island with a book on construction with stressed reinforced concrete and began building bungalos/apartments/villas on the cliff side. Using the concrete to build these apartments into the cliffs led to large open rooms with magnificent views of the ocean. With no wells or electricity, all water is collected by the roofs into cisterns for bathing and washing. The master bath in one villa had a large tree that grew right up through a large hole in the roof. When it rained, rain dripped through the ceiling and into the roots in the bedroom. Windows were often very large and only those that faced the prevailing winds (west) had plexiglass panels that could be lowered into place. The various apartments surrounded a central social dining room, veranda and large bar made from a whale's jaw bone. People from the village below came in daily to bring in fresh fruit and freshly baked bread and to do any necessary cooking. Although there is a wet and a dry season, the weather is very temperate and lovely. The beaches are magnificent and white.

Hikefest 09' - Dominica

During the month of May, Dominica will be hosting Hikefest 2009. A series of hikes that take you through sulfur springs, rain forests, national parks and more. The hikes will be held each Saturday during May. For more info check out http://www.dominica.dm/site/hikefest.cfm

A brief history of Trinidad & Tobago

Named for the tobacco cultivated by the original Carib population, Tobago existed separately from Trinidad for centuries. While the explorer Christopher Columbus sighted the island in 1498, he did not land and no attempts were made to colonize Tobago.

But long before European powers expressed interest in the island's strategic harbour and fertile soil, it was the centre of battles for control between the Carib population and other Amerindian tribes.

Later, in the 17th century, English, French, Dutch and even Courlanders (Latvians) fought to control the strategic island and it changed hands more than 30 times.

During British rule in the late 1600s, sugar, cotton and indigo plantations were established and thousands of Africans were brought to Tobago as slave labour. In 1781 the French invaded, but by 1814 the island was ceded to Britain.

In 1889, during a period of economic decline, Britain annexed the smaller Tobago to Trinidad as an administrative ward. The islands achieved independence from England in 1962 and became the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in 1976.

The base of Tobago's early economy was agriculture, but this was ravaged by severe hurricanes in 1847 and 1963.

Today the island is serene, yet the many forts and batteries that dot Tobago's landscape hint at a thrilling past.

Fierce slave revolts, bitter battles for control between European powers, attacks on European settlers by the Amerindian Indians who inhabited the island and pirates are all part of Tobago's rich history.

In 1629 an expedition of Dutchmen established a settlement which was annihilated by disease and the Amerindians. More settlers were sent in 1632 but an attack by the Spaniards four years later drove them out.

English Puritans also attempted to settle in Tobago, but many were killed by the Amerindians and the survivors driven out.

Excerpt from www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

To learn more about Tobago's vibrant history please see the following books:

History of the People of Trinidad & Tobago by Dr Eric Williams

Introduction to the History of Trinidad and Tobago by Dr Bridget Brereton

Cotillo, Canary Islands

Beach Wizard.com reviews Cotilla, in the Canary Islands... Home to beach break barrels and Spanish fort built in the 1790's to defend the island.

The only surf spot in Belize

Slick Rock Adventures offers a unique experience surfing possibly the only accessible surf spot in Belize...  The point break on Long Caye breaks consistently thanks to prevailing Caribbean trade winds. This is a private island however and you'll need to contact the people at Slick Rock to get onboard. They provide a wide range of activities including kayaking and snorkeling.

Eco Lodge in Bocas Del Toro, Panama

Bocas Del Toro is home to some of the best surf and nature in the Caribbean. Take a look at Tesoro Escondido Lodge and Cabinas.  It's an eco friendly lodge with a great wave breaking in their backyard.

Zed's Surfing Adventures in Barbados

Check out Zed's if your planning a trip to Barbados....
"Barbados is the surfer's paradise. The island's location far out in the Atlantic Ocean allows waves to travel thousands of kilometers from most directions before reaching our shores. Barbados' has spectacular coral reefs and a few sand breaks. Our beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Caribbean and possibly the world.

Barbados has unlimited surfing conditions all over, ranging from beginner to advance. Our surf tours cater to all types and we have the right surf equipment for all the conditions you could hope to surf. Surf tours are suited for the better beginner to intermediate surfer who is interested in learning where the surf spots are and possible dangers that they could encounter at these breaks."

Check out Casa Verde Guest House in P.R.

Are you planning on visiting Rincon Puerto Rico? Are you not sure if you should book a hotel, a bed and breakfast or a guest house? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should check out the pictures of our beautifully remodeled guest house. We just finished remodeling all of the guest rooms in August 2007 and completely rebuilt the Rock Bottom Grille and Bar while we were at it. Look through the pictures and see if our guest house is what you had in mind for your Puerto Rico Vacation in Rincon.

St Lucia Photography

We found these amazing shots of St Lucia on Flickr and wanted to share. 

St Lucia Photography 

USVI Carnival is here!

The Virgin Islands Carnival is held annually on the island of St Thomas, usually during the first week of April. 

Check out their homepage for show listings, events, ect.

vicarnival.com