Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page 10)

FROM THE EDITOR Just another rainy day SOME OF MY BEST TRAVEL MEMORIES HAVE BEEN IN THE RAIN. I CAN RECALL BEING IN PARIS, HAVING JUST STOCKED UP ON GROCERIES AT THE MONOPRIX on the ChampsElysées. I was heading back to my hotel room, clutching my bag of chocolate croissants, red wine and other sundries (original, I know) as it began to drizzle. I began to speed up my pace a bit, but then I realized I was across the street from the Hotel George V Paris. I got so excited, I nearly dropped my bag as I watched the chic guests move through its elegant doors. I no longer cared that it was raining, knowing that I was face to face with one of the most luxurious hotels in the world. I admit it, great hotels leave me breathless. On another occasion, I was touring Old San Juan with a fabulous guide. He knew everything about the city and was able to fill us in on all sorts of insider tips, so even though it had been steadily raining all day, he made the experience a total delight. Toward the end of the tour, he motioned to our group to walk down a hill to the rocky beach, which was rather deserted in the rain. He signaled for us to be silent, then pointed out toward the water where an army of well-camouflaged cats (they were a good mix of white, brown and gray calicos) were resting tranquilly on the rocks that jutted up from the water. To be in their empire for at least a few minutes, as the Caribbean Sea gracefully splashed up on the shore at our feet, was one of the most peaceful travel moments I’ve enjoyed. Getting the great shot Which brings me to my latest rainy day experience. A few weeks ago I flew down to Nassau in the Bahamas, where I met up with Brian King of Sun King Studio. We were headed down to Fowl Cay in the Exumas to interview and photograph Sandals’ Butch Stewart, his son Adam and his daughter Jaime. It was raining quite heavily, which meant Brian and I were stuck for some time as we waited to take off in the Stewarts’ private plane. It did let up a bit, and we finally took off; when we landed, we took a boat ride over to Fowl Cay where the Stewarts awaited our arrival. As we sped across the unbelievably crystal clear waters in the drizzling rain, the driver of the boat pointed out a beach where, he said, pigs and goats lived. The pigs could also swim, he said. Storing that one away, I enjoyed the rest of the ride, and nearly forgot about it all when I arrived at Fowl Cay, one of the most beautiful isles I’ve ever seen. What was even more enjoyable, however, was spending time with the Stewarts in their luxury cottage, as we talked about what it’s like for a family to run a hotel business. At the end of it all, I felt as if I’d spent the day with a true brain trust, for this tightly knit family is simply passionate about delivering a stellar guest experience. Throughout the entire day, Brian, the photographer, waited patiently, not quite certain of where we’d do the shoot for the cover of this issue, thanks to the rainy weather. Just as I was finishing up the interview, however, the sun started to show through the clouds, and it actually burned through until we had an incredibly brilliant day on our hands, as you can see above. As I was leaving, I mentioned to Butch Stewart that I wanted to see the swimming pigs, and so we sped off by boat to the beach where they lived. Despite all of our attempts to summon them with catcalls and frankfurter rolls, they never appeared, but I surely appreciated his effort to call them out. It just means I’ll have to make another trip down to the lovely Fowl Cay, I suppose! RUTHANNE TERRERO, CTC EDITORIAL DIRECTOR 10 | TravelAgent October 15, 2007 Editorial Director Ruthanne Terrero on location on Fowl Cay in the Exumas, where she visited with the Stewarts of Sandals Resorts CONNECTING YOU For a report on the opening of Sandals Grande Antigua’s Mediterranean Village, visit www.travelagent central.com/edletter http://www.travelagentcentral.com/edletter http://www.travelagentcentral.com/edletter

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Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

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