Don't Forget Your Passport!

The first time i went down to Provo a few years back, I almost panicked because it was after 9/11 and the gov't had started tightening up its rules about passports to the Caribbean. My passport had recently expired and i started looking into passport emergency services. Apparently i wasn't the only one, as the gov't gave us a reprieve and chose to extend the policy (allowing Birth Certificates and other valid documentation) ... until now.

Per the US State Department website: "In January 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document."

The LA Times reports that this is going to be a crushing blow to tourism in the Caribbean with the notable exception of "high-end" islands like the Turks & Caicos where travelers tend to already have passports. Nevertheless, that will hardly be any consolation if you forget to renew your passport.

Conch Festival Set for Nov. 25

Everyone knows that conch is synonymous with the Turks & Caicos - it's even present on its flag. Where else is a visit to the Conch Farm considered an integral part of a vist? So it you're going to be down there at the end of this month you won't want to miss the 3rd annual Conch Festival featuring chefs from the island competing for the best recipe, live music, a mojito making contest and much more.

The festivities kick off at noon and run until 7 in the Blue Hills section. If anyone snaps photos, please send them to me!

Here's the full press release.

Guster, Barenaked Ladies & TCI

I've been a big fan of Guster since I heard them last summer in Central Park with Ben Folds - the singer I actually went to see. They are truly amazing live. And most people know who the Barenaked Ladies are although perhaps it conjures up different images in the context of the tropics. So this sounds like a pretty fun cruise combining one of my favorite bands with a stopover at one of my favorite places.

If you're interested in listening to some Guster songs, there are a bunch on You Tube.

Photos from Provo : Film Fest Edition

Well, odd as it may sound I've been taking a break from dreaming about TCI by um, working. I know, that sounds pathetic - who am i to argue but thanks to some prodding i'm back! As i mentioned in an earlier post, my sister was down last month and so i'm using her photos for this edition of "Photos from Provo." Ignore the several construction photos at the beginning - i asked her to take those for me to get an idea of what's going on down on the island :-) Check out the photos.

Here's a wrapup story about the fest.