The Happiest Plance on Earth


The Happy Planet Index (HPI), compiled by the New Economics Foundation (NEF, based in the UK), ranks countries across the globe in terms of sustainable well-being. The HPI attempts to measure the health and happiness that countries produce per unit of environmental input, using data on life expectancy, experienced well-being and sustainability (ecological footprint). The 2012 Index, published just ahead of the United Nations Earth Summit (Rio+20), is topped by Costa Rica with a score of 64.0. Of the Index’s top-ten countries, eight are in Latin America and the Caribbean, including Belize (fourth place, score: 59.3), Jamaica (sixth, 58.5) and Venezuela (ninth, 56.9). None of the top ten countries are among the world’s richest, as most rich countries are dragged down by their global footprint. Other Caribbean countries included in the HPI ranking are Cuba (twelfth, 56.2), Guyana (thirty-first, 51.2), the Dominican Republic (thirty-third, 50.7), Haiti (seventy-eighth, 41.3) and Trinidad & Tobago (one-hundred-thirty-sixth, 30.3).

Kate Fischer, an American doctoral candidate in Anthropology doing research in Costa Rica, provides her opinion for Pulsamerica.

Once again, the New Economics Foundation (NEF) has named Costa Rica the happiest country on the planet. The announcement has been met with skepticism and confusion, as well as what might be called pity for the rest of the world. “If Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth,” one man told me, “how bad must things be everywhere else?” Comments on the various blogs, newspapers, and Facebook pages that reported on the ranking were similar: “Is it really measuring stupidity?” “No thanks to the current government,” and “I’d rather be unhappy like the French, the North Americans, the Swedes…”

A few commenters and people with whom I have spoken have ventured that perhaps Costa Ricans should be more appreciative of what they have, and recognize that problems with politicians, bureaucracy, and the like are not limited to Costa Rica. And of course, to be named the happiest country on earth is marketing gold. Since the rankings were first released in 2009 this designation has been used for tourism, particularly the “Gift of Happiness” campaign, as well as a presidential report to the United Nations on Development and Wellbeing.

But is this really a way to measure happiness. As newspaper El Financiero points out, most of the top-ten HPI countries would also fall into another top-ten list: most violent. The article blasts the report for its “anti-consumption” and “anti-development” bias, resulting in “an image of happiness that consists in humble people who don’t consume a lot. This according to investigators who live in London, no less.”

El Financiero is not wrong: the New Economics Foundation is quite explicit that it thinks the world needs new models for ‘development’ and that money is not all that matters. What the Happy Planet Index measures in part is future happiness: what kind of world are current inhabitants leaving to their children? The trifold ranking criteria seems to argue that you can’t find this out simply by asking people how great their life is, because this ignores the cost of that life. Sorting the data by well-being figures makes Denmark the happiest on earth, and only Venezuela remains in the top ten (Costa Rica is tied for 14th, along with Austria, Panama, and Ireland). Yet Denmark’s ecological footprint is more than three times Costa Rica’s, and almost five times the world’s biocapacity. Complaints about politicians and corruption notwithstanding, maybe Costa Rica really is getting something right.

Source: repeatingislands.com

Kirstyn is a natural tourism worker

Five years have passed in a blink for Kirstyn Werner since she arrived in Cayman.

The naturalist is now manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment after first joining “for nine months” with a friend.

“I felt I hadn’t really lived here yet and I fell in love with the Blue Iguanas and the ocean. Cayman is unique and there are many treasures here. The way life happens you won’t find anywhere else. There is just so much to learn, explore and do that I feel I just started yesterday,” she said.

While her new role is necessarily more office-based, Ms Werner still finds time to get out and interact with the children and adults who come to the Ambassadors programmes, which cover a range of activities based around the natural treasures both in the water and on land. These programmes are open, she said, to locals and visitors alike.

“We are not a ‘kids club’,” she stressed.

“Our role is of environmental educators. All the naturalists here have degrees in the subject, science or education. Our main goal is ‘protect what you love’. We take people out into the environment to fall in love with it. Often kids who come here to visit they have never actually interacted with wild life. They’ve only seen it at zoos, museums or on TV but the first time a kid actually holds a hermit crab in their hands is simply awesome.”

Rewarding interactions 

The job does not come without its interesting moments as youngsters add to their awareness of the environment which surrounds them, added Ms. Werner.

“I remember one particular VIP came in upset and demanding what I’d taught their daughter because at a restaurant this person had ordered crab, and the youngster had said she would never speak to her mom again if she ate it.

“I explained that on that day we had been speaking about the importance of hermit crabs as decomposers in the environment. Of course, this person understood it was all for the good. It is really rewarding interacting with people who may not have had that experience. We make it entertaining enough that people forget they are learning and we see people come back year after year to learn more which is amazing to me,” she noted.

Ms Werner previously worked at a private zoo and spent six months on a research project in Belize in the fields of anthropology and biology, meeting some rather noisy howler monkeys along the way. As for Cayman, she sees some positive times ahead.

“We have been pushing hard for recycling. It is obvious that the community is ready. Locals come up and say that it is really just getting back to where we were – that growing up, the elder generation never wasted anything. It is only recently that this has happened. Dart’s glass crusher is a major move forward, as is allowing solar panel energy into the grid. My biggest goal is to get the Ritz-Carlton to really be a leader in recycling.

“If you take Cayman Become as an example it’s clear that wherever you are from or whoever you represent, all of us have a common goal. That is inspiring.”

Source: www.compasscayman.com

Cayman in Bloom

The Cayman Islands are home to lush, exotic greenery. Their beautiful blooms, leafy vegetation, tropical trees and striking multi-hued landscapes are second to none.

The three-island chain of Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac boasts a wide variety of flora, all supported by its various ecosystems. From hardy shrubs and flowering trees to swaying palms and luxuriant bromeliads, Cayman is home to an impressive array of extraordinary native and imported plant species. Some areas sport succulents and cacti; others bloom with lush, overhanging bougainvillea featuring an explosion of brilliant colours. Sea grape trees — with their bright green leaves — dot the coastline, and fruit trees bearing everything from mangos, limes and papayas to apple bananas and calabashes grow throughout. The islands burst with blooms, from the fragrant flowers of wild jasmine and oleander to the showy blossoms of the hibiscus tree and an assortment of rare and exquisite orchids.

While Cayman’s saline environment can present challenges, its gardens are beautifully kept and particularly impressive. The island has an active garden club and has exhibited at the internationally renowned Chelsea Flower Show in London.

Many private residences boast exceptional gardens and grounds, but there are plenty of public spaces to admire nature’s bounty while enjoying some tranquil island-time. Among Cayman’s luxurious green escapes are its botanic park, numerous community parks, the walking trails and gardens at Camana Bay, and the gardens of the new National Gallery.

Botanic Park
Cayman’s garden showpiece is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, a lush wilderness preserve nestled in the district of North Side. The 65-acre park is not only blooming with a collection of tropical flowers, trees and plants, but also offers a glimpse of Cayman’s heritage.

The botanic park is home to 700 species of plants, both native and exotic, that also attract an array of birds, butterflies and wildlife, including agoutis and endangered blue iguanas. Its peaceful surroundings, floral aromas and striking tropical beauty make it an ideal place to spend a leisurely morning or afternoon communing with nature.

There are four themed gardens to explore: floral colour garden, heritage garden, palm garden and orchid garden. The floral colour garden is a showcase of nature’s brilliant handiwork, where visitors can stroll through a series of landscaped displays. Pink, red, yellow, blue, orange, white and lavender hues can be found in shaded areas, open spaces and woodlands. It’s the most aromatic — and popular — spot in the park. Some parts of the garden have a humid, rainforest feel with lush, large-leafed plants, a natural waterfall and water lily ponds nestled amongst the blooms.

The floral colour garden offers a year-round explosion of exotic blooms ranging from water lilies sporting vibrant red blooms and striking orange shrimp plants to fragrant ylang-ylang trees and the pendulous flowers of angel’s trumpet, which produces large, pink blossoms. A gazebo overlooking the picturesque gardens is a favourite rest stop.

The heritage garden features a traditional Caymanian cottage surrounded by trees and plants that played an integral role in Cayman’s history and development, such as the silver thatch palm. The grounds are filled with ornamentals, traditional root crops and medicinal plants that were staples of years past. Sugar cane — which can be sampled on-site — yams and okra plants can be found along with mango, West Indian cherry and breadfruit trees.

The orchid garden is home to some 30 different varieties that can be spotted while strolling along the boardwalk. Ten of the 26 orchid species found in the Cayman Islands are housed in the park, including Cayman’s national flower, the wild banana orchid, and the rare ghost orchid. The optimal time to view blooming orchids is usually between April and June.

Throughout the mile-long Woodland Trail, visitors will encounter everything from mahogany trees, succulents and leafy bromeliads to logwood, cactus and a buttonwood swamp. One of the newest additions to the park is the palm garden, which includes a collection of 80 different palm trees from around the world.

Camana Bay
The flourishing town of Camana Bay, developed by Dart Realty, is home to inspirational gardens, courtyards and green gathering places, all meticulously planned and maintained. Some of the parks and gardens are purpose-driven, and each space offers a unique experience.

The town has four courtyards, named for the flowers found in their gardens: gardenia, jasmine, canella and cassia. Each has a distinct character and colour theme, and incorporates soothing water features. Gardenia Court is intended as a reading garden, given its proximity to the bookstore and coffee shop. Jasmine Court, located near the cinema complex, is highlighted by playful interactive fountains that are a big hit with the youngsters. There are lighted bubble benches, and awnings and palm trees provide plenty of shade in the daytime. In the evening, the wonderful aroma of the night-blooming jasmine infuses the air.

Dominated by red hues, Canella Court offers ample seating in a number of elevated areas, while the soothing sound of the fountains creates a restful, contemplative atmosphere. Cassia Court is designed as a lush, relaxing food court, with a vertical wall of greenery separating the courtyard from the asphalt.

Other green spaces abound. The Crescent —  located by the harbour —  is the largest, designed to accommodate gatherings for special events. Its focal point, a spectacular fountain with sprays reaching 30 feet high, fronts a rambling grassy lawn dotted with towering date palms. Tables, chairs and other seating areas invite visitors to relax and enjoy cooling breezes.

A man-made island by the town’s marina features shady palms — each handpicked to lean at a different angle — and a beach. This casual spot is an ideal place to picnic or soak up the sun. At night, lighting baskets are suspended and set aglow. The Paseo is the main pedestrian street, accented by a row of royal palm trees along with colourful planters featuring an array of exotics and greenery.

These tropical green spaces are set amongst Camana Bay’s variety of shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as residences and office buildings. There are unique touches throughout. A long, low fountain set next to an office complex is designed to reflect the sky, and climbing vines envelop the exterior walls of the parking garage, offering a green view from office windows.

Connecting the town from sea to sea is Camana Way, which leads to Seven Mile Beach. The landscaped boulevard features more than 100 different indigenous plant species, all of which are labelled.

The walkway is a botanical tour of five distinct ecosystems found on the islands: coastal strand, sandy woodland, dry rocky limestone woodland, moist woodland and seasonally-flooded brackish woodland. Stone-paved “garden rooms” are included along the way for relaxation.

National Gallery
When it came to the design of the new $2-million National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, its gardens were a prime consideration. A key goal of the gallery is to serve as a community space.

The three-acre site incorporates small gardens for quiet reflection, a nature heritage trail featuring native plants, trees and shrubs, and a larger grassy area that can accommodate gatherings and special events. The Deutsche Bank Sculpture Garden serves as the facility’s outdoor gallery. Essentially an art museum within a park, it houses permanent displays as well as rotating exhibits by local artists.

The gallery’s gardens, grounds and trails feature native plants, many of which have cultural significance. In Cayman’s early history, plants and trees were used for everything from food, shelter and clothing to medicines, boatbuilding and export. They were also a vital part of the islands’ heritage and identity.

Located off the Esterley Tibbetts Highway near the Harquail Theatre, the National Gallery gardens are a collaborative effort by the former landscape architect for Camana Bay, Sandy Urquhart, and Margaret Barwick, a renowned plant expert, writer and landscaper.

Green Retreats
Dart, in partnership with the government, has also built community parks in each of Grand Cayman’s five districts. The parks feature manicured gardens, playgrounds, shaded cabanas and barbecue grills. A popular spot is Dart Family Park in South Sound, which is close to the sea and has a man-made beach and outdoor amphitheatre.

Of course, beautiful greenery can be found across the island in the gardens of private residences, at tourist attractions, and hotels, resorts and guest houses. Among those sporting impressive gardens is Grand Old House in South Sound, an historic plantation home converted into a fine-dining restaurant; Pedro St. James, a national historic site in Savannah that features a restored 18th-century great house set on seven acres of manicured grounds; Roland’s Garden, a unique “pay-what-you-like” restaurant and beer garden on Lawrence Boulevard off West Bay Road that features a jungle-like, rustic atmosphere; and the Cayman Turtle Farm in West Bay that includes a bird aviary and butterfly garden.

Vast, varied and always inspiring, Cayman’s tropical landscape is truly a garden of delights.

Source:  caymanairwaysmagazine.com

A jubilee brunch fit for a queen at the Ritz-Carlton

 

There was certainly lots of jubilation to be found at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Jubilee Brunch on Monday, 4 June.

 

A capacity crowd came out to toast Her Majesty and many wore fascinators or hats, with certain members of the audience taking it one step further by donning full costumes.

 

7 Restaurant had large television screens strategically placed around the room to show a recording of the previous day’s programmes featuring the flotilla down the Thames, followed by a live broadcast of the Buckingham Palace Jubilee Concert.

 

Hostess Vicki Wheaton tested everyone’s royal knowledge by asking trivia questions throughout the brunch and a particularly impressive attendee correctly answered that the Queen’s first corgi, given to her on her 18th birthday, was called “Susan.” After the toasts and singalongs to such classic hits as “Downtown,” came the competitions. First was the fascinator pageant, where seven competitors vied for the prize of a Silver Rain Spa gift certificate. Next was the display of hats, and much applause greeted the ladies that had designed and made their own. It was a difficult call, but in the end the contestant who had created a very impressive crown from scratch took the prize.

 

Finally it was time for the costume competition, and two members of The Beatles were up against Geri Halliwell, a decorated prince complete with homemade medals and epaulets that once graced a set of curtains, a lady covered in the Union Jack from head to toe, and a regal royal with a sash and homemade pin featuring a picture of Queen Elizabeth. Everyone was on their feet as each competitor twirled before them, and although the applause was deafening every time, in the end the regal royal lady with her dark blue gown and impressive glue gun efforts won the day and Ritz brunch for two.

Source: www.compasscayman.com