5 Places to Rediscover the Golden Age of Piracy
Posted November 10, 2009 , comments closed
That was the actor Robert Newton, in his portrayals of Long John Silver and Blackbeard in movies and television. Obviously, it caught on.Pirates didn’t make their victims walk the plank either.
Not when it was so much easier (though admittedly less dramatic) to simply throw captives overboard. Give credit to illustrator Howard Pyle for that romantic image, his painting of a blindfolded man edging out on a wooden plank captures all of the crippling fear that such a punishment would induce.
Nevertheless, pirates were very real. They did drink rum by the caseload. They were reckless and wild and daring. Some even owned parrots and monkeys as pets. Their real stories are so nightmarish that the fiction they inspired often seems tame by comparison.
It’s no wonder then, that pirates, buccaneers and freebooters still loom large, even in the twenty-first century. They are our most beloved outsiders, particularly among long-term travelers—roaming free, making their own rules, completely in the moment. So many novels, movies and songs honor their bold deeds and gruesome deaths that it’s easy to forget that these rogues actually existed. Any savvy jack-tar worth his salt can track down one of the many pirate festivals celebrated yearly, but even more fascinating is a visit to their real stomping grounds. Some of which haven’t changed as much as one might think.
Here are 5 places that any aspiring pirate historian ought to visit:
1 – Saint Mary’s Island, Madagascar
Pirate’s graveyard in Madagascar
Known these days by the French name Ile Sainte Marie, Saint Mary’s was once the central hub of piracy and nefarious dealings in the Indian Ocean. Notable scalawags Captain Kidd, Robert Culliford and Henry Avery all took refuge on the island at one time or another to buy supplies, drink homebrewed rum and savor the company of the notoriously beautiful Malagasy women.
Many pirates were so entranced with Saint Mary’s free love atmosphere that they decided to extend their furloughs or live there permanently. The rakish pirate Thomas Tew even had a child with a local queen; his bloodline is claimed by the Zafay-Malata people to this day.
Trader Adam Baldridge set up shop on Saint Mary’s and supplied his guests with everything they might need, at a healthy markup of course. Captain Kidd had a hard time getting his crew motivated again after his turn ashore on the island and many of them abandoned him there.
A 21st century traveler visiting Sainte Marie would be missing out if they didn’t take a stroll through the pirate graveyard that overlooks the “Bay of Rogues.” The bay is where some of history’s most notorious sea-devils weighed anchor. The site is shaded by trees and vines and can be reached along a short and often muddy path from the beach. The mossy headstones feature skulls & crossbones and the sentiments etched there show little remorse for the deeds of the men buried below.
If you want to be where the crème de le crème of pirate society went to revel—go to Saint Mary’s. Consider the perfect beaches, jumbo prawns and friendly modern residents to be a bonus.
2 – Port Royal, Jamaica
Thanks to Jack Sparrow’s ringing endorsements in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Port Royal may be the destination most commonly associated with piracy’s Golden Age. There is both truth and fiction in that assertion—Port Royal was once the world’s premier pirate haven but its heyday was before the Golden Age of Piracy (1690-1720).
In the 1660s however, Port Royal was the carousing capital of the world. Records indicate one alehouse for every ten permanent residents. Ships often came into port rich and left drunk, fat and happy—but drained of plenty of gold coins. Nicknamed “The Sodom of the New World,” Port Royal existed in a state of revolving revelry.
The Gentlemen of Fortune who made Port Royal famous are generally put into the category of Buccaneers and many of them had defended the city from the Spanish or plundered Spanish treasure ports in time of war. When the crown decided that Jamaica needed to change its image they hired one of these unsavory types to do it for them. His name was Captain Henry Morgan and though he was known for taking a bribe here and there and attacking Spanish ships even in times of peace, his work to fix the island’s bloody reputation met with success.
Regardless, the point was soon moot. In 1692, most of the port sunk under water during a devastating earthquake. Some were quick to attribute the quake to an act of God (who was either furious with the hedonism of the people or jealous of all the fun they were having, depending on who you asked). Attempts to rebuild the city went up in smoke (literally, two major fires in ten years) but it did later become a popular execution spot where pirates Calico Jack Rackham and Charles Vane went to meet the gallows.
These days, Port Royal is small and known mostly for fishing—but as a site for pirate lovers and those interested in underwater archeology, it is unparalleled in the Caribbean and certainly worth a visit.
3 – Nassau, Bahamas
At the turn of the 18th century, the island of New Providence in the Bahamas was a scarcely governed haven for gentlemen of fortune. Retired buccaneers and upstart pirates lived in squalor under tents made from pieces of old sail.
Governor Nicholas Trott was well known for taking bribes from men who were sought by the British Crown. When the aforementioned Henry Avery needed someplace to hide out he was sent straight to New Providence. Trott was only too happy to help for a share in Avery’s plunder. Soon even the puppet governments failed and New Providence became a no man’s land split between pirate chieftains.
Later, when England made the Bahamas a colony and decided to clean up Nassau, the Lords Proprietor took a page out of Jamaica’s playbook and called in a gentleman of fortune. This time it was Woodes Rodgers. Rodgers knew the men and knew their tactics—it wasn’t long before Nassau fell off the list of preferred pirate ports.
Today, Nassau has been scrubbed to a high shine. The spit of sand across the harbor from the port even had its name changed to Paradise Island (the pirates knew it as Hog Island). Nassau Town still clings to snippets of old world charm that reference its past, though they are often tough to focus on between cruise ships and modern resorts. Luckily, the Pirates of Nassau Museum does a great job of reminding us of the way things were.
4 – North Carolina, United States
The Carolina Coast has no shortage of pirate lore. There are stories of shipwrecks, battles and buried treasure—all of which pale in comparison to the deeds of one Edward Teach a.k.a. Blackbeard. Blackbeard was tough as coffin nails, at least half-crazy and would sometimes burn slow match in his beard to scare enemies. Not surprisingly, he was an effective pirate.
After leaving New Providence due to the arrival of Woodes Rodgers, he set up camp on Ocracoke Island. From there he and his crew set out pillaging throughout the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico. In 1718, after blockading the Port of Charles Towne and ransoming the entire city, he and his men returned victorious and rich to Ocracoke. Weeks of carousing followed until the governor of Virginia decided to send Lieutenant Maynard and his Royal Navy crew to do something about the pirate infestation.
The chase between Maynard’s crew and Blackbeard’s freebooters was brutal and bloody. But it was the final battle, in which Blackbeard took five bullets and more than “20 dismal cuts” before dying, that is the stuff of legends.
The best account we have of the battle, which describes Blackbeard fighting with three men at once, also attributes a quote to him AFTER receiving a death blow by broadsword to the neck. It wasn’t until his head was completely off of his shoulders that Maynard’s crew stopped fearing him, and even then just barely.
Today North Carolina’s coast has plenty in store for a visitor interested in pirate history. Blackbeard’s memory hangs over the island of Ocracoke and the towns of Beaufort and Bath. Many artifacts from the dreaded pirate’s ship, The Queen Anne’s Revenge, are on display in museums throughout the state including Beaufort’s Maritime Museum. The area also happens to one of the United States’ least appreciated stretches of beach—which any visitor should be able to enjoy heartily.
5 – Vailima, Samoa
Robert Louis Stevenon’s house in Samoa
Samoa wasn’t a hotbed of activity during the Golden Age of Piracy. But it’s notable for one very famous resident: Robert Louis Stevenson. Treasure Island is the definitive pirate novel, and the blood-thirsty crew that populated the schooner Hispanola is responsible for many of our most vivid notions about freebooters.
Most notably, as David Cordingly points out in his book Under the Blag Flag, Stevenson popularized parrots and peg legs, both of which were real parts of life at sea but not yet cemented in the public consciousness.
Stevenson originally travelled to the South Seas to ease his chronic health problems. It wasn’t long before he fell in love with the islands and their people. For their part, the natives of the South Pacific liked the frail writer just as much—he quickly developed an enduring friendship with King Kalakaua of Hawaii.
Known as a culturally sensitive traveler long before the phrase was common, Stevenson established a home on Vailima when he was forty. Four years later he died there and his old residence is now a museum honoring his memory.
Additional photo credits:
Port Royal by Christian y Sergio on Flickr, Bahamas by LinksmanJD on Flickr, North Carolina by greenkayak73 on Flickr, Samoa by anna t on Flickr
EIW,LLC Launches The Royal Hawaiian Chess Set
Posted November 9, 2009 , comments closed) Everett I. Whitney, President of EIW, LLC proudly launches, the Royal Hawaiian Chess Set.
Developed initially to offer as a souvenir alternative to tourists visiting Hawaii. The product was designed to be symbolic, yet achieve immediate recognition. The challenge was to create recognizable Hawaiian themed pieces without crossing cultural taboos. The cultural taboos are profiles and resemblances of royalty as well as likenesses of individuals of the Royal Court.
The next challenge was to determine the consumer types. Over these many years, the consumer has remained relatively unchanged. The common motivation of a Hawaiian vacation is its geographic and culturally diverse location. The Hawaii tourist expectation is to experience an adventure that is not to foreign though it feels foreign, yet safe and knowingly home grown in America. Nearing their departure tourist seek souvenirs and gifts to take home to family and friends. Vendors have been forced to sell Hawaiian souvenir goods with labels made in China, Taiwan etc. which is not new; this has been going on for years. These products have been generic, humdrum and mundane, simply trinkets to appease the masses of family and friends when they get home. The tourists that can afford a little authenticity find local art galleries and arts and craft shops for Hawaiian crafts made in Hawaii.
The Royal Hawaiian Chess Set was designed to give as gifts or buy for souvenirs and fits in most suit cases. The Royal Hawaiian Chess Set can be made anywhere in the world, because the name and the product are true to what they represent, “Hawaii and its royal past.”
Mr. Whitney thinks, “as more and more airlines offer bargain prices to Hawaii and AAA Travel offers increditable package plans and Disney opens their Hawaiian resort, we will be ready to accommodate demand. ” Whitney continues, ” it is especially exciting to see how our product will impact the souvenir
and gift markets of Hawaii.”
About EIW, LLC:
EIW, LLC holds the Trademark and Design Pending Patent of the Royal Hawaiian Chess Set
A unique, one-of-a-kind chess and checker set on this planet. With one consigned store in
Hawaii and more planned. EIW, LLC is currently web based, located in Buena Park, CA.
See our website: http://www.royalhawaiianchessset.com
Hawaii Vacations - Globus family of brands
Posted September 30, 2009 , comments closed) Hawaii entices millions of travelers each year with its promise of sun, beautiful landscapes and island culture. Offering a selection of Platinum and Regional Discovery tours and Cruise & Tour options with Globus, as well as independent travel packages through Monograms, the Globus family of brands has developed 2010 Hawaii getaways focused on fun in paradise.
“Our Hawaiian vacations including two new getaways offer exciting excursions and opportunities to enjoy all the Hawaiian Islands have to offer,” said Scott Nisbet, president and chief executive officer for the Globus family of brands. “On our vacations, travelers can choose to explore some of Hawaii’s most awe-inspiring national parks, enjoy lunch at a plantation, snorkel, watch the sun set on a cruise, learn about island history or simply take in the view and the sun from one of the destination’s breathtaking beaches year round.”
New in 2010, the award-winning company has unveiled an Enchanting Hawaii Platinum guided tour with Globus and seven-day independent travel package Maui & Kauai through Monograms. Perfect for honeymooners, girlfriends or families, on this vacation travelers will explore two beautiful islands on their own, equipped with a plethora of special discounts and offers as well as 24-hour on-call service to ensure the vacation is filled with fun and free of stress.
In addition to unveiling new getaways, also new in 2010, the Globus family of brands is promising travelers ocean views from their hotels as part of its standard accommodations
And, in the Aloha spirit, the company is giving travelers $250 off per person on the air-inclusive price on all Globus and Monograms Hawaii vacations when booked before October 13, 2009.* Visit www.globusjourneys.com or www.monogramstravel.com for more information.
2010 HAWAII VACATION HIGHLIGHTS:
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL (Monograms Hawaii Vacations)
NEW Maui & Kauai (7 days), priced from $829 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
Oahu & Maui (7 days), priced from $889 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
Oahu, Maui & Kauai (10 days), priced from $1189 land- and intra-vacation flights only.
TOURS (Globus Hawaii Escorted Tours)
NEW Enchanting Hawaii (8 days), priced from $2,469 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Best of the Hawaiian Islands (9 days), priced from $2,289 land- and intra-tour flights only.
Grand Hawaii Vacation (12 days), priced from $3,059 land- and intra-tour flights only.
CRUISE & TOUR (Globus Hawaii Cruises)
Cruising Hawaii’s Paradise (11 days), priced from $1,909 land and intra-tour flights only.
*Book a 2010 Globus or Monograms Hawaii air-inclusive vacation to receive the $250 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between August 12 and October 13, 2009 for travel commencing through December 31, 2010. Offers not valid with any other offer except Journeys Club and applies to new 2010 Hawaii bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.
ABOUT THE GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States. Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package, river and small ship cruise options. Considered the world’s largest tour operator, with more than 80 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.
How To Avoid Hotel Overbooking
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a comment
Dealing with Hotel Overbooking. Kind of.
guest post by Sherry Gray
You plan and save for your perfect vacation, pack, get on a plane and arrive at your destination…only to find there’s no room at the inn. The hotel room you booked months in advance is not waiting for you and now you’re in a strange city with your luggage at your feet and nowhere for your family to sleep. Sounds like a nightmare…and it happens more often than you might imagine.
The good news is that the hotel doesn’t want bad press, so the management will do everything it can to help you find a room elsewhere.
The bad news is that elsewhere might not meet your needs or desires. This is especially true if you had not planned to rent a car and no hotels have available rooms within walking distance of your intended destination. If special arrangements have to be made, ask the hotel to pick up the tab. You can also pressure them to upgrade your room for free. Don’t give up, just stand your ground until they cough up a solution. Hey, you never know. Maybe there are no rooms in the entire city, but the presidential suite is available. It could happen.
Hotels overbook because rooms are like a perishable commodity. If the day goes by and the guest doesn’t show, the sale opportunity is lost and they can’t get that revenue back. If they book two guests for the same room and only one shows, they get to keep the no-show reservation fee as a bonus, so they make extra money on that room for the night. If two guests show up for the same room, they still get the room money…and in most cases they just have to make a few phone calls to find a room at another hotel. Most of the time, overbooking is a winning situation for them. Occasionally, problems arise and they wind up paying a little compensation, but most guests who have to be moved are too confused, anxious and angry to press for inconvenience perks, so they break even.
Stuff happens, and in some cases you’ll be bumped from your room no matter what you do. But there are a few things you can do to ensure that you’re not one of the travelers who gets booted.
Tips To Avoid Hotel Overbooking:
- First and most importantly, book your room with a credit card. This does mean putting up a deposit in advance, but it also means that you have legal recourse. They promised you the room in writing and you have proof. Make sure they spell your name right.
- Make your reservations well in advance and confirm a few days before your vacation.
- Print out everything they send you - reservation confirmation, room details, etc. If you call the reservation in, ask for written confirmation by email, fax or letter. Check to make sure they actually spelled your name right. If not, correct it and ask for another written confirmation. Then take it with you. You’ll want to wave it in the manager’s face while you’re yelling. Preferably in the lobby of the hotel, in full view of other guests checking in. Professional embarrassment is powerful incentive.
- Notify the hotel if you want late check-in or if you’re delayed for any reason. They will consider you a no-show and give away your room if you arrive late, and there’s little you can do about it because you broke the contract. They might even keep your reservation fee.
- To better assess your chances of getting booted, ask the hotel if they are hosting a convention or event at the same time, or if there is a huge citywide event going on. Unless you’re visiting to attend the event or convention, you might want to find lodging in another area.
For perspective, consider what happened to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 World Series against the Phillies. Game three in Philly was washed out by a huge storm and scheduled to be replayed the following night. But the Rays had already given up their rooms…they planned to leave right after the game to gear up for game four on their home turf. With the city stuffed to its limits with baseball fans, ironically there to see the game, there weren’t enough hotel rooms for the team in all of Philadelphia. In fact, they had to leave the state. They wound up at the Hotel DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware, 35 minutes away.
Just imagine the hotel overbooking nightmare in Philly, with a stadium full of fans plus the media, all extending their stay an extra day - extended stays are another reason you might get bumped.
Generally speaking, if you do get bumped, here’s what you’re entitled to:
- The hotel you booked should make new arrangements and provide transportation to the new hotel.
- If you paid in advance, they should pay for the room, and if the room is more expensive, they should pay the difference.
- They should offer free use of a phone to notify others of your change of plan. Personally, I’d use it call my aunt in Hawaii for a chat while I waited, but I may be just a tiny bit vengeful.
- Ask about additional perks if you are enrolled in a hotel loyalty program.
Other reasonable requests that might be offered or honored include room upgrades, complimentary stays at another time, free movies, and if finding a new room takes a long time, ask for a free dinner or drinks while you wait.
If the hotel staff is uncooperative or rude, the hotel they try to park you in is a fleabag in cracktown or so far away it costs you a small fortune to get where you need to go, make noise. Call the hotel management in the morning and if their answers leave you unsatisfied, go corporate with your complaints…and go online. Let them know you’ll spread the tale in the comment section of every hotel review site on the internet. Take that.
Photo Credit: russellsmith on Flickr.
The Whaler on Ka’anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii
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View from the top
When looking for a rental condominium on Ka’anapali Beach, you have several choices, including the Maui Eldorado, Ka’anapali Royal and Ka’anapali Ali’i, but my favorite by far is The Whaler on Ka’anapali Beach, located right at the water’s edge in Maui, Hawaii.
For our family of four, we find the Whaler to be the right mix of luxury and comfort. We opt to stay in a one-bedroom, two-bath unit. The kids take over the living room, with a fold out couch and roll away bed, while my husband and I can relax in the king bedroom suite.
The kitchen is nicely appointed, with full appliances and dishware. We manage to stock up the fridge on the way in from the airport and we don’t worry about breakfast or snacks the rest of the week. A washer and dryer is available on every floor, which is great when you spill your Mai Tai on your one good outfit .
Next door to the Whaler is Whaler’s Village, an outdoor shopping center, which includes restaurants (Hula Grill, Leilani’s) as well as several boutiques and shops. The center also has an ABC Store, the Hawaiian version of 7-Eleven.
The Whaler offers little extras to make your stay more comfortable – need a book? Check the lounge in the basement of Tower 2. Want to print out your boarding passes before heading for the airport? Visit the AOAO office in the basement of Tower 1. You will also find a full day-spa and small gym.
Whaler units are individually owned, owned in timeshares and/or administered by Aston Hotels. To check availability, visit VRBO.com or HomeAway.com for the individually owned units or timeshares, or book online with your favorite travel service.
The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach
2481 Kaanapali Parkway
Lahaina, HI 96761
Rates range from $235 for a garden view studio, to $630 for a 2 bedroom/2 bath ocean front apartment
Review by by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
