YNERGY TIMES · Determining Puerto Rico’s charm is a no-brainer. Puerto Rico has both 20-foot waves for surfers and calm, clear waters for families. It’s an exhilarating mix of

T H E T O P 5 B E S T A F F O R D A B L E

CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS

YNERGY TIMES JUNE | 2018

To help you find the right island for the right price, U.S. News ranked the best affordable Caribbean vacations based on top recommendations from industry experts and everyday travelers.

Many of these hot spots can be experienced on a budget thanks to perks like free beach access and frequent deals on airfare and hotels.

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

Original article from https://travel.usanews.com

TOP 5 CARIBBEAN DESTINATIONS

The “C” in the ABC islands, Curacao features historic settlements, rugged landscapes and plenty of fun in the sun. Curacao’s main port city, Willemstad, is what an Old World European city would look like if someone dropped it in the Caribbean. The brightly painted Dutch colonial buildings reflect pinks, yellows and blues into the cerulean St. Anna Bay. But Curacao’s real draw is the beach. Picture-perfect bays and coves flank the island. Curaçao’s reefs teem with marine life, providing excellent underwater playgrounds for scuba divers and snorkelers.

Determining Puerto Rico’s charm is a no-brainer. Puerto Rico has both 20-foot waves for surfers and calm, clear waters for families. It’s an exhilarating mix of landscapes, from the serpentine jungle of El Yunque to the corkscrew caves of Parque de las Cavernas del Río Camuy. And if you want to get away from civilization entirely, you can ferry over to the secluded — not to mention jaw-droppingly gorgeous — islands of Vieques and Culebra. Convinced? If not, we can drive a few further points home. While other regional spots like to advertise exciting nightlife, the capital city of San Juan actually delivers. Follow a pulsating beat to the dance clubs in the Santurce neighborhood, catch some live music in a Ponce lounge or grab a casual drink at a San Sebastián bar.

To many, Jamaica is the heart of the Caribbean. The birthplace of reggae music, the Rastafari movement and all-inclusive resorts, Jamaica symbolizes many of the things most loved and, perhaps, most misunderstood about the region. A simple remedy to clear the confusion? Come to the land of sugar cane, coffee and limestone, and form your own opinion. Your new ideas are bound to be swathed in cream-colored beaches, bordered by rugged Blue Mountains, anchored in foamy waterfalls and set to a dancehall soundtrack. Most who travel here don’t leave the comforts of their all-inclusive resort; those who do typically don’t venture too far outside their immediate area. As the third-largest island of the Caribbean, Jamaica is hard to cover in one trip. Rather, it’s best to choose your activities and vacation priorities, then make your hotel plans accordingly. Of the three main tourist pockets on the island, westernmost Negril is popular for its beaches and upscale accommodations; northwestern Montego Bay is well-liked by golfers; and Ocho Rios in the northeast appeals most to adventurous types. Some (but not many) visitors choose the eastern area of Port Antonio to try the top-notch surfing at Boston Bay Beach, the hiking along the Blue Mountains and the river rafting along the Rio Grande.

You can find a white-sand beach, a sprawling golf course or a duty-free shopping plaza just about anywhere in the Caribbean, but in Barbados, visitors can taste the bittersweet Mount Gay Rum, dance to the thrum of a calypso song or take in a polo or cricket match. And though you could spend all your time on the beaches, you’ll find plenty more to do when exploring this Caribbean paradise. This luxurious island is brimming with breathtaking architecture, a passionate sports culture and a party-loving attitude. Even after gaining its independence from Great Britain in 1966, this island still holds tight to British traditions like afternoon tea, cricket and horse races. Trademarks of the Caribbean and West Africa are still evident, however, in the island’s sugar cane fields, rum distilleries and lush landscapes. And then there are the many beaches. Some of the country’s must-visit beaches include Dover Beach, Bathsheba Beach and Carlisle Bay.

The sugary sand of a Punta Cana beach is so soft, so perfectly golden that you might think it was synthetic. And in fact, in this easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, it’s possible. By definition, Punta Cana is a manufactured Caribbean getaway, completely catering to the needs of sun-seeking vacationers who enjoy all-inclusive resorts but care little about venturing away from their hotel. Boasting more than 24,000 hotel rooms at affordable rates, Punta Cana beckons to jetsetters, especially the budget-minded kind. While this destination is better known for relaxation than adventure, visitors can get their fill of thrills hiking to Hoyo Azul or taking on challenging golf courses like Punta Espada or La Cana. Overall, this reasonably priced, Caribbean hideout is made for travelers of all ages seeking a relaxing turn from the norm.

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CARACAO

PUERTO RICO

JAMAICA

BARBADOS

PUNTA CANA

Recipe of the Month:Bruschetta Chicken

3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast

1 tbsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. garlic powder

kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3 c. chopped tomatoes

1/2 shallot, minced

3 cloves garlic, minced divided

1/4 c. Freshly Chopped Basil

Shaved Parmesan, for garnish

Balsamic glaze, for drizzling

1 pound raw shrimp (21-25 count), peeled and deveined, tails left on if desired

1-2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

INGREDIENTS:

PREPARATION:

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. On a plate, season chicken with oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook until golden and no longer pink, 8 minutes per side.

In a large bowl, make bruschetta topping: Stir together tomatoes, olive oil, shallot, garlic, and basil and season generously with salt and pepper.

Top chicken with bruschetta topping and shaved Parmesan. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

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Original recipe from www.delish.com

CONTRIBUTOR: JONATHAN “JJ” JEROTZ

Y I E L D S

CARACAO

PUERTO RICO

JAMAICA

BARBADOS

PUNTA CANA

Drink ofthe Month:Tequila-Watermelon

Aguas Frescas with

Prosecco

1/2 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS:

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1. In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring just to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Transfer the simple syrup to a heatproof bowl and let cool.

2. In a food processor or blender, puree the watermelon in batches until smooth. Strain the puree into a large bowl or pitcher. Stir in the simple syrup, tequila, lime slices, 3 mint sprigs and 1/2 cup of water.

3. To serve, pour the watermelon agua fresca into ice-filled glasses, leaving 1 inch at the top. Top off the drinks with Prosecco and garnish with mint leaves.

MIN

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

CONTRIBUTOR: STEVE EMMINGER

INGREDIENTS

Full recipe on http://foodandwine.com

1/2 cup sugar

Ice

1 bottle chilled Prosecco

1 chilled seedless watermelon

3/4 cup tequila blanco

6 limes, thinly sliced

3 mint sprigs, plus mint leaves for garnish

*Make Ahead: The strained watermelon juice can be refrigerated overnight.T

IP

Now that winter break is here, it’s time

to travel! Packing hacks can really help

make your travel plans a little less

stressful. Whether you’re traveling by

car or plane, here are 11 packing hacks

to help make your trip a bit easier!

1. USE PACKING CUBES

Packing cubes can literally be a life

saver if you’re one of those people

who has a hard time staying organized

(I know this from experience!) There

are so many styles and sizes to choose

from and these will help immensely

when opening a suit case and trying to

find something quickly! Amazon has a

great selection to choose from.

2. STORE Q-TIPS IN AN OLD PILL BOTTLE

Keep your Q-tips fresh by storing them

in an old pill bottle. You can even

decorate and personalize the bottle as

well.

3. USE BINDER CLIPS TO PROTECT

YOUR RAZOR.

Securing a binder clip over the head of

your razor will protect it from

scratching any other items in your

suitcase (and it will protect your

fingers, in case you’re digging around

your bag)!

4. PLACE PLASTIC WRAP UNDER

BOTTLE CAPS

Place some plastic wrap or a piece of

a plastic bag under the cap of a bottle.

Then screw the cap on and Voila! No

more spills.

5. PUT COTTON PADS IN

YOUR COMPACTS.

Put cotton pads in your makeup

compacts to provide cushioning that

will protect your makeup from

shattering in the pan.

6. STORE YOUR HOT TOOLS IN AN

OVEN MITT

Oven mitts are made to withstand

heat. If you’re in a rush and don’t have

time to cool down your curling iron

just place it in the oven mitt and you’re

out the door.

CONTRIBUTOR: MARKETING

Full article on http://society19.com

AUTHOR: BRITTANY COTE

1 1 PA C K I N G T R I C K S YO U D I D N ’ T K N O W A B O U T

HOW TO PACK

Full article on http://nytimes.com

AUTHOR: CHRISTOPHER MELE

7. ROLL YOUR CLOTHES

Rolling your clothes will not only save

space, but it will cause less wrinkles in

your clothing.

8. STORE HEADPHONES IN AN OLD

MINT CONTAINER

This can be a super cute DIY and will

keep your headphones from tangling.

9. BRING YOUR FAVORITE

CHUNKY SCARF

If you’re going somewhere cold, wear

your bulkiest items onto the plane.

Even if you’re not heading anywhere

cold, bring a scarf – it can double as a

blanket or pillow!

10. PACK VERSATILE PIECES

With a limited amount of space, it’s

important to pack versatile items that

you can mix-and-match, and layer

as well.

11. STRING NECKLACES

THROUGH STRAWS

Place one end of your necklace’s chain

through the straw and then hook it

together. This is a great way to

organize and keep your jewelry from

tangling!

CONTRIBUTOR: JAMES CARMODY

SERVICE ANIMALS ON PLANES

I S T H A T D O G ( O R P I G ) O N Y O U R F L I G H T

REALLY A SERVICE ANIMAL?

Sharon L. Giovinazzo, President and Chief Executive of World Services for the Blind, was recently walking through an airport with her trained service dog Watson when a “pocket pooch” growled and then bit him, she said.

The owner apologized and said the dog was her service animal. Ms. Giovinazzo, an Army veteran who lost her sight to multiple sclerosis in 2001, was not having it.

“‘Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure, lady,’” she recalled telling the owner. “‘Then your animal should be secured and trained not to do that.’”

Ms. Giovinazzo said the dog was an untrained pet masquerading as a service animal in what advocates for people with disabilities said had become a growing problem in the last few years.

“It’s gotten to the point where it’s almost funny unless you are the one with the legitimate guide dog,” Ms. Giovinazzo said.

Confusion over service dogs, which are specially trained to help people with disabilities, and emotional support animals, which can be pets that provide comfort and companionship but require no training, cloud the issue.

Recent headlines about passengers trying unsuccessfully to board flights with what they said were support animals — a peacock in one case and a hamster in another — as well as federal regulations that are subject to misinterpretation or abuse have made matters worse, experts said.

Regulators and airlines have taken notice.

CRACKING DOWN ON FRAUD

Delta and Alaska Airlines have tightened their rules for transporting service and support animals, and the federal Department of Transportation is exploring new rules to reduce the likelihood that airplane passengers falsely claim their pets as service animals. The department plans to solicit public comment about the “appropriate definition” of service animals, a spokeswoman said.

Twenty-two states already have some kinds of laws addressing the issue and lawmakers in Arizona, Iowa and Minnesota are considering cracking down on service dog fraud.

The Americans With Disabilities Act defines service animals as either dogs or miniature horses that are specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities, such as guiding people who are blind. The Air Carrier Access Act separately governs airlines in the area of service and support animals — and that’s one of the places prone to abuse.

Passengers pass off their pets as support or service animals so they can remain in the cabin instead of the cargo hold, officials said. (While unusual pets, such as pigs, have been taken aboard as support animals, airlines are not required to accommodate others, like snakes, reptiles, ferrets, rodents and spiders.)

Senator Richard Burr, Republican of North Carolina, last week introduced legislation to have the definition of a service animal under the Air Carrier Access Act match the one in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposal would bar from flights animals whose sole function was to provide comfort or emotional support and require federal agencies to establish a standard of behavior training for animals that would be working on planes, according to a news release.

ABUSE TAKES A TOLL ON LEGITIMATE CASES

Gerry DeRoche, Chief Executive of the National Education for Assistance Dog Services, said fraudulent service or support animals could displace legitimate ones because most airlines limit the number allowed in a cabin.

Jeffrey N. Younggren, a clinical professor at the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of New Mexico, said studies about the benefits of emotional support animals were “spotty and inconsistent.”

“Before we start loading up airplanes with emotional support animals, we need the research,” he said.

Official-looking paperwork is available online to make pets look legitimate: Owners answer questions about their need for a support animal, and a doctor issues an assessment without ever evaluating the client, Mr. Younggren said.

“The whole thing is a mess,” he said, adding that such websites have become a “growth industry” over the last five years.

David Favre, a law professor at Michigan State University and editor in chief of its Animal Legal and Historical Center, said fraudulent cases eroded trust about service animals.

“There are many thoughtless, ignorant or arrogant people out there who only think of themselves,” he said. “Abuse is everywhere.”

Even for trained animals, maneuvering through crowds or traveling in confined places like planes can be stressful, but they are

conditioned not to act out. Untrained animals in those circumstances are prone to misbehave by growling, biting or having accidents. Chris Diefenthaler, Operations Administrator at Assistance Dogs International, said one of the worst outcomes could be when a pet posing as a service dog attacks a legitimate one, leaving it so traumatized or injured it has to be retired or put down.

“There are no standards for evaluating the need for an emotional support animal, whereas there are concrete rules to determine if someone is eligible for a service animal,” Cassie Boness, a graduate student in clinical psychology in the department of psychological sciences at the

University of Missouri, said in a post on the university’s website.

“But emotional support animals can be certified through an online process, and they can be someone’s pet,” she continued. “The growing use of emotional support animals tends to discredit the use of service animals, which is where much of the tension comes from since people do not understand the difference.”

Also, people can shop online for vests, patches or harnesses that identify their pets as service animals, leading to peculiar situations.

For instance, Ms. Giovinazzo, who flies frequently, said airline workers

sometimes ask for identification for Watson. A detailed one issued by his guide school will draw scrutiny, while one that reads “TSA approved” that she bought from Amazon “looks more official,” she said.

Cathy Zemaitis, Director of Development for National Education for Assistance Dog Services, shared a photo taken at Los Angeles International Airport of a dog wearing a vest labeled “service animal,” a muzzle and a diaper.

“A true service dog would never be muzzled nor would they be in a diaper,” she said.

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