How to become Ambassador in Belize

The advantage of living in 'the smallest capital in the world' is that we quickly got to know people connected to the inner circles of Belmopan. Sometimes we receive an official envelop with a pretty golden seal: an invitation to a diplomatic party. We are not diplomats (never aspired to be) but we do kind of represent the European Union.

That is how we got invited to a reception to welcome the new American ambassador to Belize: Mr Thummalapally. Surprising name? Not an Anglophone name in any case. Indeed, he is not like the usual Ambassador-type: white, Anglo-Saxon, middle-aged. The new US Ambassador in Belize is the first Indian-American ambassador ever! How did that happen? Vinai Thummalapally is a university friend and former room-mate of President Obama. He and his wife were major fund-raisers in Obama's campaign. And good friends get to be rewarded; with a nice job in a cute country like Belize. Although he has no diplomatic experience whatsoever, which he graciously acknowledge during his speech at the reception, he promised to learn quickly. Frankly, I don't think it is that difficult!

We spoke for a while to Barbara Thummalapally at the reception, and found her extremely friendly and showing a lot of interest. She told us she could hardly believe her ears when they received a phone call from the president in April this year. After a long process of vetting and checking whether there were perhaps any secret stock accounts or arrests warrants in India (or whatever the secret service is checking when you become ambassador) they were appointed. Mum and Dad flew to Belmopan from Hyderabad, they're very proud of course. Not everyone in India feels the same as some of the internet fora show, but that is mostly jealousy and tribal pettiness.

Personally, it got me thinking...how things can happen. Perhaps one of mine former school friends will one day be Prime Minister. Not likely but possible...who knows? Would I accept to become Dutch ambassador in some country? Why not?
What about you?

Susane in Belmopan - Belize
source: http://dutchinbelize.blogspot.com/


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How to Identify the Dubai Trophy Wife

Trophy Wife is a curious beast. Sometimes mistaken for that other eye-catching species of Dubai mummy, The Glamazon, she can generally be identified as a TW by the outrageous age gap between her and her husband, plus the fact that she makes other men's wives a little jittery.

TW is the ultimate high maintenance woman. Her daily beauty maintenance routine is complicated, lengthy and highly scientific but an essential to keep her part of the marriage contract; after all, hubby provides the dough and the status - she just has to look fabulous on his arm, soothe his ego and act interested at all times. If she is also required to provide children (not always the case if she is the second or third wife) then TW has to drop the baby weight in record time and hire a night nanny to ensure she always looks perky, not so exhausted she barely notices the sick on her shoulder or the leaky boobs.

TW is the sort of gal who claims to be unable to walk in flats due to having 'high arches'. She is also 'allergic' to chocolate, wheat and sugar which not only explains her washboard stomach but also her highly developed bitchy streak (extreme deprivation will do that to a woman). Diamonds really are her best friend, along with her hair technician, facialist, dietitian, personal trainer and cosmetic surgeon.

Sometimes TW wonders what her life would have been like if she hadn't married her husband. She wonders what would happen if she started eating refined carbohydrates again, let her roots grow out and callouses appear on her feet. Then she thinks about the marble floors of her executive villa, her walk-in wardrobe filled with designer labels, the mounds of jewellery in the safe, her son's private education and the azure swimming pool in the garden. And she thinks again.

source: http://www.mothersontheverge.blogspot.com/

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How to Find the Right Health Care Coverage for You and Your Family

Whether you’re taking a long break with your family overseas or you’re moving abroad to live and work, as an American citizen you’re going to need international health care coverage for you and your family because your US based insurer will not cover you adequately once you leave American shores.

The onus will be on you to find the best, most appropriate insurance policy based on where in the world you will be living or traveling to, and because all providers offering international policies want to win your business, the task of comparing policies can be quite difficult!

In this report we’ll guide you through the top tips you need to keep in mind when seeking out the very best international health insurance based product and provider to cover you and your family overseas. By following our advice you’ll find the task of getting insurance in place far easier, and will soon be on your journey to an exciting new life abroad with the peace of mind that a good insurance policy brings.

1) Make a detailed list of what you have to have from an international health insurance policy. This list may include the fact that you require the policy to cover you in multiple nations, and for any return trips that you make to the US. Your policy may need to cover you for pre-existing conditions – and if so, this could well restrict the number of providers who will even consider you in the first place.

2) Make a detailed list of the services you require from a health insurer – for example, if you want an insurer who will help you find medical services abroad, find one with a 24/7 helpdesk offering such a service. Think also about how you want your insurer to handle payment for any services you use abroad. Ideally your insurer will make payment direct to the medics who look after you rather than you having to pay and then claim. If your insurer makes it their business to look after international citizens’ health care needs, their support services will be correctly aligned to give maximum and appropriate backup to their policyholders.

3) Will you need any specialist services such as repatriation or evacuation if you face a medical emergency and are living in a nation with rudimentary healthcare services? If so, add this as a requirement to your list. The best insurers will always make sure you’re never left stranded.

4) Finally, you need to think about the suitability of any insurer you consider – do they have long-standing experience assisting international citizens, are they geared up to give you the support you will need as an expatriate, and are their policies correctly aligned to the lifestyle you’ll be living abroad? Specialist insurers who make a living from supporting expatriates living, working and travelling abroad should be the first place to begin looking for the ideal policy.

Whilst there are many global and even local companies offering health insurance services to international citizens like you, few companies specialise in this area. Those that do, tend to have the most appropriate policies covering all eventualities that you could possibly think of and more! Look to these companies first to save yourself time, because chances are they will have the policy and the support services to suit you.

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Things to do in Dominica

This list outlines ten of the best day-trip options to experience Dominica’s unique attractions, landscapes and culture, according to the Dominica Tourist Board.

Take a scenic boat ride along the Indian River in Portsmouth and enjoy a refreshing rum punch at the Indian River bush bar, surrounded by tropical plants and wildlife. The Indian River was one of the locations used during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest.

Get a closer look at Dominica’s lush rainforest on The Rain Forest Aerial Tram in Laudat (just six miles north of the capital, Roseau). Passengers take a mile-long journey by gondola through the protected tropical montane rainforest, while knowledgeable guides explain more about the ecosystem.

Discover your inner thrill seeker with Wacky Rollers Adventure Park at the Layou River, where river tubing, jeep safaris, a 200-foot zip wire course and kayaking are all on offer.

Uncover the island’s heritage on the Touna Heritage Village Tour where visitors will learn more about Dominica’s indigenous population of Kalinago (Carib Indians) at a living community within the Carib Territory.

Cookery fans will enjoy one of the Creole cooking tours available. Learn more about local produce and Dominica’s agricultural history before a demonstration of Creole cookery and a delicious meal at the home of your hosts.

Dominica is renowned for its excellent coral reefs and divers and snorkellers can explore one of the island’s most famous marine sites at Champagne. Located in the Soufriere Scott’s Head Marine Reserve (SSMR), Champagne is a spot where warm bubbles rise to the surface of the water from an underground hot spring.

Nature lovers and hikers alike should take a walk on the Syndicate Nature Trail in the north of the island. This is an ideal opportunity to explore one of Dominica’s forests and possibly even spot the island’s two endemic parrot species. The well-maintained paths are suitable for walkers of any ability.

Dominica has over 300 rivers and many scenic waterfalls. At Trafalgar Falls, twin waterfalls known as the ‘Mamma’ and the ‘Papa’ flow side by side. The falls are accessible via a ten-minute walk within the Morne Trois Pitons National Park. Emerald Pool is another easy-to-reach waterfall and a popular swimming spot.

Dominica’s volcanic origins means it is home to a number of hot sulphur springs where visitors can relax surrounded by the natural sights and sounds of the rainforest. There are a number of hot springs in the Wotten Waven area of Morne Trois Pitons National Park.

Dominica is the only country in the world where sperm whales reside all year round. Whale watching excursions run several days a week during cruise ship season with excellent chances of spotting whales and dolphins.

Visitors are reminded only to take tours with certified taxi drivers and tour operators, who can be identified by the red circular discs on their vehicle’s windscreen. All of Dominica’s certified taxi drivers are trained tour guides and highly knowledgeable about the Nature Island.

For more information about Dominica’s attractions and further inspiration, visit www.discoverdominica.com/ or call 0800 012 1467.

Source: http://aecgray.blogspot.com/2009/07/ten-of-best-day-trip-options-in.html

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Rural Thai people know how to survive. Do you?

[Something to think about on the 8th anniversary of 9/11]

Maybe we shouldn't feel so sorry for the horribly impoverished Thai folks. Who's going to survive if or when we're challenged for our very survival? It isn't going to be us softy westerners, brought up in world of privilege and plenty. We who live in a castle of cards, victims of financial meltdown because of worthless financial instruments and lax securities laws and co-operative regulators.

Yes, maybe all those companies employing millions of people around the world give everyone a way to earn money and a way to survive. You'll notice though it's a pretty rickety platform. So what happens when the platform collapses? What can you do to survive? Few people have any worthwhile life skills such as carpentry, farming or animal husbandry. The Thai people do though and maybe they're suffering a little bit more in the economic downturn but they will survive.

This post should tickles the fear centre of the brain but you probably you won't buy the message. But do you want to face the most basic difficulties, such as growing food and making a shelter, without any knowledge? I think some of those "crazies" in Canada who are growing their own vegetables and raising their own animals might not be quite so crazy and, if you pin them down, they might admit just a little bit of that fear of the possibility that things might get worse.

Up to you. And me.

Source: Behind the Noodle Curtain

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Easier Travel to the Philippines - New airport announced

The Philippine island of Boracay is to benefit from a new international airport, further boosting its tourist industry success and an increase the investment appeal of property in Philippines...

Just a 15-minute boat ride from the island, the airport will be built on Carabao Island, and is expected to be fully operational by 2012.

The airport, Carabao International Airport (CIA), will provide a modern international airport that will add to the island's existing neighbouring airports.

The new airport will be able to accommodate short haul and medium range Airbuses and similar aircraft, allowing direct international flights from destinations such as Seoul, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Kuala Lumpur. Previously, international Boracay bound tourists had to change at Manila for Philippines domestic flights.

John Scott, finance director at Asset Property Brokers, a hotel property investment specialist, said: "The new airport will ensure that Boracay will remain a top tourist destination in the Philippines, allowing the island to tap into the rapidly growing tourist market in China and other key Asian destinations.

"It will also underpin high hotel occupancy rates and yields."

Boracay, which was declared the Best Leisure Destination at the World Travel Fair in 2007, is the third most popular destination in the Philippines with 383,813 visitors for the first half of this year - an increase of six per cent compared with the equivalent period last year.

The island's tourism has also benefited from an influx of tourists from Taiwan, bought in by new charter flights to Kalibo - the island's current international gateway. China Airlines launched services earlier this year while Mandarin Airlines will launch new routes in October.

At Continent Fairways, a new apart-hotel golf development on Boracay, Asset Property Brokers is offering investors 56 units, comprising studio and two-bedroom apartments, at prices starting at £66,660 and guaranteed yields of up to 14.2per cent.

Source: www.homesoverseas.co.uk/news

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Hot Topic: Mail Order Brides – Exploitation or an Equal Partnership

Is a mail order bride a prostitute selling her body and her relative freedom for a ticket to a wealthier life in the West? Some seem to think so and go as far as claiming that a ‘mail order bride’ as a concept amounts to nothing more that people trafficking.

However, those who have availed themselves of the growing number of agencies and websites offering introductions between beautiful women from nations as diverse, culturally speaking as Russia and Thailand, would strongly disagree of course.

Many men cite their main reason for choosing a ‘wife’ in such a way as being because they find women from their own home nations such as the US and the UK unapproachable and too masculine in their drive, ambitions and general attitudes in life. So perhaps Western women are responsible for the increase in the numbers of men seeking their partners and their pleasures elsewhere?

But really, come on, isn’t the concept of a mail order bride all about exploitation: exploitation both of the women and perhaps even the men who ‘purchase’ a partner over the Internet too? After all the women just give themselves - body and soul - in return for a visa, a passport, cash and a one way ticket out of their old life…and the men must surely give up at least their pride and their status amongst friends and colleagues when they’re seen around town with an obviously bought bride on their arm. Or do you strongly disagree and feel that actually it really is more about a meeting of minds in an equal and open arena that no longer exists in the bars and nightclubs of the West?

No matter who you ask about this topic, opinion is always as strong as it is heavily divided. For many of us the concept of buying a bride over the Internet is comical at best, seedy at worst and something we try not to really think too seriously about. After all, who wants to imagine a fat, old, balding and sad American man lusting after a tiny and pretty Filipino girl a third of his age? But having known men who have bought in to the concept – and indeed bought themselves a wife - it is fascinating to learn what they think about the entire process.

Many men see ordering a bride as finding an ideal partner without the risks associated with chatting up strangers and dating women who may turn out to be bunny boilers. They can pick a woman purely based on her looks and how demure and ‘willing to please’ she is, and all they have to do in return really is fork out cash. They will not be challenged financially speaking, they not be answered back to or argued with in their own home, and if they’re really lucky they’ll get an angel for their kitchen and errm – well, a whore for their bedroom.

But can such relationships work? What about the language barrier for a start? And in a marriage built from a contract of paying for and providing a service, can love blossom and can a harmonious partnership prevail? In answer to this question one has to look at the statistics of marriages that last longer than it takes for the woman to either get her passport or her first beating…and surprisingly, some partnerships do work and they do last. Those that survive on a relatively equal footing have the benefit of partners who make an effort on the language and the cultural front, who are interested in more than just the basics of the partnership contract, and who are truly looking to find a partner for life.

So perhaps mail order bride sites and agencies do have a place in the world after all, and they aren’t just about exploitation – it’s just the people who use them that you have to worry about!

You have an opinion on this, everyone does. Whatever you are bursting to say click here and say it.

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Real Estate Investment in St Lucia set to Boom

Demand for property in St Lucia is set to skyrocket following news that new direct flights from both the UK and the USA are set to take off from October this year - making access to the Caribbean island far quicker and easier - and when coupled with the country's tax holiday on rental income, St Lucia is looking a solid bet for investors and holidaymakers alike...

In a bid to attract more tourists to the island, the St Lucia Government has introduced a new rental income tax holiday which will help international investors who have purchased holiday properties which they let out.

The banana trade in St Lucia has declined rapidly of late, so the island has had to look for new ways to boost the economy - and this tax holiday looks set to boost interest in buying second homes and investment properties.

Any country that offers special tax rates or incentives at the moment will be especially popular with those in the higher tax bands here in the UK, as the rate of tax has risen to a whopping 50 per cent.

Alongside St Lucia's tax break, there is also no VAT on property on the island, no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax.

Improved access to a country will always boost its property market and increase the number of visitors holidaying there. St Lucia is about to benefit from new direct flights from the UK, as British Airways has announced that it is increasing its direct flights to the island from three to five times a week as of October this year.

There is also to be a new service from Frankfurt, operated by Condor from 1st November this year.

Across the pond in America, Jet Blue has announced a new service from New York to St Lucia with three weekly flights from 26th October this year.

And that's not all for St Lucia. International investors who inject more than £213,000 into a property on the island could become a resident under new immigration laws that are currently being decided upon. Being a resident will bring other tax benefits for foreigners.

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Costa Rica Tops The Polls

Costa Rica was ranked 5th in terms of global environmental performance in 2008 in the annual EPI (Environmental Performance Index) compiled by Yale and Columbia Universities but Costa Rica is on a path of constant improvement and has now been ranked number one by the Happy Planet Index in June 2009. This index measures the happiness of the nation’s people in comparison to their ecological footprint and Costa Rica was the clear winner.

Costa Rica’s plans to be carbon neutral as a nation by 2021 will ensure that that they will be hard to shift from this number one spot.

Meanwhile, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked Costa Rica as the 7th most politically and socially stable county in the world in March of 2009. A good safe place for foreign investment? IDF magazine (Financial Times Publishing Group) agrees and ranks Costa Rica as the second most attractive country in Latin America and the Caribbean for Foreign Investment (Costa Rica was just pipped at the post by Puerto Rica)

The Latin Business Chronicle ranks Costa Rica as the second most globalised nation in Latin America on the basis of six criteria - imports, exports, tourism receipts, foreign direct investment and remittances.

So Costa Rica is good for the environment and good for business.

An attractive place to retire to?

1% of the population is already North American and Canadian retirees and expatriates and retiring to Costa Rica is a straightforward process.

It is estimated that 100 million baby boomers will retire over the next two decades and some projections estimate that 10% of them will seek to live outside of North America.

With its low cost of living, excellent health care and safe beautiful environment Costa Rica looks likely to attract many of these retirees.

Costa Rica Invest specialises in environmentally friendly, ethically responsible, high yield investments, primarily in Costa Rica. Finca Di Pacifico Dos is Costa Rica Invest's current project which gives the security of a teak investment combined with the potentially spectacular returns of development land banking in the no. 1 emerging economy in Central America - Costa Rica. With land prices projected to soar as demand from Baby Boomer retirees increase – this is an excellent opportunity to benefit from the increasing land prices with the additional security of teak growing on your land.

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Is Ecuador The New Panama?

When I suggest Ecuador as a place for living and investing, most people give me the same blank stares I received when I suggested Panama for the same reasons back in 1999.

For those of you with foresight and a sense of adventure, blank stares from mainstream audiences are excellent indicators. Blank stares usually indicate great opportunities for unique experiences, eccentric lifestyles, and rewarding investments.

Most people know very little about Ecuador, and what they do know is very often a combination of misconceptions and half-truths. Ecuador is often associated with political instability, economic volatility, poverty, and partnerships with Hugo Chavez, Venezuela’s socialist dictator.

My intention was to investigate for myself and my readers what Ecuador is really like as a place to visit, live, retire or invest.

After two lengthy visits over the last two years, my initial impression of Ecuador is extremely positive and my visits have dispelled most of the negative myths associated with Ecuador as a nation. Many of the misconceptions about political instability and danger have worked to keep Ecuador’s cost of living and property prices very low.

I’ve found the people to be extraordinarily friendly, and the existing tourist infrastructure under utilized despite a wealth of diverse attractions. Ecuador has not been overdeveloped or over-infiltrated with foreign interests which, believe it or not, is usually the true source of crime and drug problems (take Mexican and Costa Rican resort areas as examples).

In terms of safety, I would not hesitate to claim Ecuador to be a safer place than Mexico or Costa Rica, certainly in terms of criminal activity against tourists. Of course, many Ecuadorians are extremely poor by Western standards, but for the most part, poverty does not translate into high crime levels except in the heavily populated urban barrios of Guayaquil and Quito.

Planes, taxis, and buses run safely and efficiently in Ecuador. In fact, when flying between the highlands and the coast, travelers will be pleasantly surprised at the high level of organization and efficiency. There are rarely line-ups to check in, security is a breeze (no frisking or long line-ups), and nearly all of the primary destinations within Ecuador are reached in under an hour and for under $80.

Ecuador and its people do not appear as impoverished as one might expect of a developing nation with a history of economic turbulence. On the contrary, Ecuador and the bulk of its citizens should be considered wealthy and prosperous. In my view, per capita GDP is not a measure of true wealth. A measure of true wealth is affordable access to healthy food and water that is locally produced, a sense of community spirit and respect for one’s neighbors, and a lack of unnecessary government regulation and taxes. By these measures, Ecuador stands out as one of the wealthiest nations on Earth.

With regard to political stability, Ecuador is in many ways more democratic than Western nations. Ecuadorian people are willing to get off their behinds and support grass roots movements to stem corruption, protect the environment, and ensure the voice of the people is heard. Political rallies are part of the culture and receive active participation from all ages from small children to grandparents. Communities genuinely care about what happens with the limited funds coming from government – a rather stark contrast to the indifference demonstrated by the majority of U.S. and Canadian populations.

Property rights are guaranteed in the constitution and apply equally to foreigners and Ecuadorians alike. Ecuador’s current government has decided to play hardball with the large mining and oil companies by imposing rigid environmental standards and ensuring that a healthy share of the profits return to the Ecuadorian treasury in the form of taxes. Many analysts point out that Ecuador simply refuses to “sell out” by accepting the bribes or “contributions” that are normally sufficient to allow large multinationals to rape and pillage in the name of capitalism, leaving the locals with very few of the benefits their land ought to endow. Ecuador is the first nation on Earth to endow Mother Nature with constitutional rights.

Editor’s Note: The beta version of Ecuador 101 – E-Book Guide To Living and Investing in Ecuador written by the author of this article, Michael Manville is now available for free to Members of Retire Worldwide. This version is uncut, unedited, but a lot of fun to read. An additional report also free for members is “Undiscovered Beachfront“, where you can find some of the most affordable beachfront property in the Western Hemisphere.

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