Jumby Bay a exclusive private island resort is leading Anituga’s reimaging with the recent completion of a 28$ renovation.  In addition to the hotel, where rooms are furnished with mahogany four-poster beds and marble baths, there are 49 privately owned homes. Prices generally start at about $4.25 million but can be more than $30 million.

Accessible only by private ferry, the island is owned and operated by Jumby Bay Island Co., and individual homeowners are shareholders. The hotel is managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the luxury company that also runs The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas.

 In 2008 some 683,000 people visited the Maldives as tourists, which is nearly double the island native population.  It has been reported that revenues from this tax will go towards the islands efforts to make the nation the first carbon neutral nation on Earth, as well as efforts to allow the nation to move en masse to higher ground with higher sea levels later this century.

I think this tax is a great idea. Although a small carbon emitter, it seems like island nations such as the Maldives are bearing the brunt of climate change. Therefore this tax seems like a measured and reasonable response to the growing threat of rising sea levels. Of course your thoughts are always appreciated.

However, new delvelopment is bringing new life to the island, transforming it into an ideal urban oasis for New Yorkers.  The new island will draw on the manmade topography of lower Manhattan as a starting point. The southern tip of the island will be transformed into an artificial landscape with occupiable mountains constructed of reclaimed materials from existing Governors Island buildings. Complementary wood bicycles will be available to ply the winding paths between the hills as well as access the adjacent tidal basin, a 10,000 seat amphitheater, and the perimeter promenade with is unique views of New York City and surrounding landmarks.

It will be fantastic to see what this island looks like upon completion. New York is really in need of more recreational space and I think the island will do a great job in achieving this.

The growth appears to be due to a number of factors including a revamped tourism website, more flights to the island and upgraded infrastructure. A new loop road on the main island of Efate, funded by the US and New Zealand governments, is due for completion in June next year. It will improve access to attractions outside Vila and, it is hoped, encourage investment in tourism businesses such as resorts and restaurants.

The most significant development, however, is the rise in boutique luxury accommodation options, which are fast eclipsing large resorts such as Le Meridien and Le Lagon in Port Vila. New properties  include The Havannah, which is due to open eight designer bungalows this month; Eratap Beach Resort, which has 12 private beachfront villas; and Tamanu, which has five cottages on a secluded island.

This is an exciting time in Vanutu and no doubt I will be featuring more island resorts in the future.

Source: WA Today

Tuvalu a small island nation in the South Pacific recently announced their goal of generating 100% of the islands energy needs using renewable energy by 2020. Kick starting that effort is a new solar power system, which supplies 5% of Funafuti’s, (the nation’s capital) electricity. To reach the nation’s 100% renewable energy goal will require an estimated $20 million.

It is inspiring that the tiny nation of 12,000 people has adopted such an ambitious goal. It is particularly inspiring considering that since the nation lies just above sea level the islands will be among the first effected by global warming. For the sake of the people of Tuvalu, we would be wise to follow their lead.

The island has just come on the market for the first time in 30 years after the present owner made the decision to move on. The island covers 14.5 acres and is open to offers over £1.25m. But the opportunity to build your dream home with outstanding views over the Severn Estuary is not an option as no building is allowed on the island.

According to the news reports the island also has a colorful history.In the 13th century, Alfredo de Marisco, a Norman pirate known as the Nighthawk, established a base there and during the Middle Ages it was heavily used by the local smuggling trade.

Source: Wales Online

The island is located in the southeastern ocean. Although known as Eastern Island in much of the world its Polynesian name is Rapa Nui.  Easter Island is a volcanic high island, consisting of three extinct volcanoes which finished forming just 750,000 years ago.

There are many theories about the cultural composition and history of Easter Island. No two seem to agree. However, many experts agree that it was over exploitation of its one diverse environment that have resulted in its current state.

The large stone statues for which the island is most famous were carved during a relatively short but intense burst of creative and productive activity. A total of 887 monolithic stone statues have been inventoried on the island and in museum collections.

For more information on Easter island click here and Happy Easter

Beginning with the accepted model for Robinson Crusoe’s remote abode, Mas a Tierra in the Pacific, Clarke takes the reader on a tour of his favorite islands, exploring their geography, history and culture. Extending from Jura where George Orwell’s wrote ‘1984′, to the beautiful Maldives. The book takes the reader to some of the most curious, evocative and exotic places in the world.  

You can find the book on Amazon.com

In part’s one and two of this series we examined the not too distant future on Freedom Ship and the distant future with the Living Universe Project in this final part of the series we look at the Celestopea Project which is a broad attempt at colonizing the Earth’s oceans one settlement at a time.

The floating settlements would mine the oceans waters for essential minerals and use temperature differentials in the water to generate heat. The residences will be domed to make the habitat resistant to the forces of nature. Each floating city will be designed to house 5,000 to 10,000 people and will eventually dot all the Earth’s oceans.

Source: Celestopea

Over the last several months as the world economy began to shrink, little attention was paid to Dubai, which is surprising considering how much attention it was receiving at this time last year. However, this all changed when publications like The New York Time’s and Walletpop began publishing critical articles of the island loving nation.

It has been revealed that many of Dubai’s projects have been delayed if not stopped all together. It was just months ago that I discussed how famous Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner, was supposed to become a floating luxury hotel, but now it looks like she may end up on the scrap heap. In addition plans for Dubai versions of four American theme parks, including a Busch Gardens and a SeaWorld which were to be built on an artificial island shaped like Shamu, are now at risk for being cancelled.

It disapointing to see these man made islands suffering, but it does seem to prove that natural islands are a better investment. To read more about the economic crisis in Dubai visit Wallet Pop or watch the video above.