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Home / News Stories / Robeson County Tortilla Manufacturer Teams with UNC MBA Student through NCGrowth
Robeson County Tortilla Manufacturer Teams with UNC MBA Student through NCGrowth
Alyssa LaFaro
It's 3 a.m. on a Monday morning. Sweet-smelling steam wafts through a large warehouse in St. Pauls, North Carolina. A vat full of golden kernels bubbles while a nearby machine smashes two stones together, grinding the freshly cooked corn into putty. Across the warehouse, the sound of whirring machinery signals the start of a conveyer belt. Hundreds upon hundreds of nearly perfect circles shoot down a production line that transforms them into hot tortillas. Workers busy themselves with stacking and packing the disc-shaped delicacies into boxes, which will be loaded into trucks and shipped out in a few hours. By 9 a.m., patrons are already purchasing the tortillas at local Hispanic markets.
In the United States, tortillas — both corn and flour — outsold white sandwich bread in 2010, according to Tortilla Industry Association Executive Director Jim Kabbani. Two years prior to that, American households consumed more salsa than ketchup. In 2014, tortilla chips grossed $1.3 billion. Traditional Mexican fare has become a staple in U.S. households — a fact that, in part, stems from the country's growing Mexican-American population, which comprises 64.1 percent of the entire Hispanic populace, according to the Pew Research Center.
Enrique Elizondo recognized the start of these trends in the mid-2000s, so in 2007, he left his production manager job with Tyson Foods and founded Tortillas Carolina in Clinton, North Carolina. He began the business with a small, Mexican tortilla machine that produced approximately 1,500 pounds of tortillas per week. Another machine, a warehouse, and a decade later, he's producing 25,000 pounds of corn products each week.
"But we have the space, the machines, and the demand to produce 120,000 pounds," he tells me. "I want to be doing that this spring. I'm ready to grow." At present, Tortillas Carolina manufactures table tortillas, corn chips, and hot tortillas for restaurants, supermarket chains, and Hispanic grocers in North Carolina and South Carolina. Elizondo is ready to expand his reach throughout the entire Southeast.
A Helping Hand for Local Businesses
"I've been really impressed by Enrique and Tortillas Carolina," Ben Holmes, a second-year MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, says. "He's servicing a niche market — not only in North Carolina but the Southeast. There's a real demand for the products, one of their greatest competitive advantages being that they're made with local, North Carolina corn."
Since January, Holmes has traveled back and forth to Tortillas Carolina, now based in St. Pauls, as part of his work with NCGrowth — an affiliate of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise that helps businesses and communities create equitable and sustainable opportunities for their people. Created in 2012 with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration and the Kenan Institute, NCGrowth serves economically struggling counties within North Carolina.
Each spring, NCGrowth works with companies from across the state, providing technical assistance to help them grow their enterprise and hire more people from the local community. "Our bottom line is helping create jobs in communities," Elizabeth Basnight says. As manager of the Entrepreneur Technical Assistance Program (E-TAP), Basnight leads NCGrowth's business partnerships each year, connecting entrepreneurs with UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA students, as well as students from North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University, UNC Pembroke, and East Carolina University.
"We want to come into a business and take something off their plate that's critical for growth —something they don't have time to do," Basnight explains. Most of the companies she works with are already established with about 10 to 20 employees, but have the operating power and capability to bring in more people. "But we've also worked with businesses that have as few as two employees and as many as 2,000," she adds.
This spring, the organization has partnered with eight different businesses ranging from a day care to a dental product company to a boat manufacturer. Tortillas Carolina was a perfect candidate for the program from the start, according to Basnight. "To me, this project was especially important because of Enrique's immediate plans for expansion. It seemed critical that Ben started work on this early on — and he was ready to do so."
Peeking over the Hedge
For the last four months, Holmes and Elizondo have worked hard to develop a detailed business plan for the next five years. "Enrique is managing a lot of different aspects of the business," Holmes explains. "I'm providing a fresh set of eyes to make recommendations and provide solutions." Elizondo hopes to attract some financing in order to expand the capacity of the business — and Holmes wants to help him take the next step.
To do so, Holmes spent hours researching the state of the tortilla industry, examining the national trends in production, revenue, jobs, and demand. He also delved into the Mexican restaurant industry and the changing demographics in the United States that are affecting the market. "Other cultural trends such as the shift toward more health-conscious eating is also affecting tortilla consumption," Holmes adds. "It's been really interesting to learn about that, not only for the purpose of the project but my own, more general perspective."
Beyond expanding Elizondo's business plan, Holmes is helping him understand how the price of corn fluctuates every year. "In North Carolina, we harvest corn once a year, so usually prices are low during harvest season," Elizondo says. "But as time goes by and we get into the next year, prices start going up. There are a lot of companies and people dedicated to scouting corn — meaning they are looking at how good or how bad the corn crop is for the United States as a whole."
Through observing these trends, Elizondo hopes to start hedging the price of corn. In other words, he wants to reduce the risk of price fluctuations so he can offer his customers a steady price point throughout the year. "I was pretty excited when Ben began discussing this topic with me," Elizondo says. "He brings a lot to the table and really understands me when we talk about production. He's extremely knowledgeable and has been so helpful in putting a business plan together and understanding exactly the way I think in order to accomplish the results I want to see."
Taking Note from the Aztecs
Elizondo's corn products are not only unique because of the fact that most are made using North Carolina corn, but also because he's striving to use all-organic ingredients. "People are demanding a quality product using fresh corn," he says. "The shelf life is never more than three weeks. It's a tortilla with a clean label, meaning all the ingredients are, as much as possible, organic." To extend the longevity of his tortillas, for example, Elizondo implements organic vinegar — versus synthetic preservatives — in his recipe to lower pH levels.
"We're using the same process the Aztecs used," the Mexico City native adds. "We boil the corn, cook it in hydrated lime to remove the husks, and grind it using big stone plates" — a method that is, literally, thousands of years old. Elizondo uses yellow, white, and blue corn to produce his tortillas. In Mexico, different colored corn grows within different regions, all dependent on the altitude. White corn grows best at sea level, while the golden kernels we're accustomed to seeing thrive at 6,500 feet above sea level. Blue corn is often found at the highest altitudes, around 8,200 feet above sea level.
Currently, Elizondo purchases yellow corn from growers in Robeson County and white corn from farmers in Mocksville. The blue corn is currently grown in Illinois, but Elizondo has convinced local farmers to grow it here. The first crop is expected to yield later this year. To guarantee the corn's safety for human consumption, he collaborates with J-Ham Farms & Grain down the street, which stores the corn in its grain elevator and facilitates testing by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA). He is also a valued member of Got to Be NC — the official marketing program of the NCDA.
Sowing the Seeds
By next year, Elizondo hopes to increase his production to 165,000 pounds of corn products per week. "We think the market demands, probably, six or seven times the amount of corn products we're currently producing now," he says. Today, Tortillas Carolina delivers its products to stores and restaurants in both North Carolina and South Carolina, but Elizondo is in talks with potential clients in Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Elizondo and his wife have also opened a series of small, counter-service restaurants in Clinton and St. Pauls, and hope to see continued success in these outlets. "We started producing tortillas at the same time that customers started asking for something to eat with a tortilla," Elizondo says. "We created taquerias similar to those in Mexico, with a tortilla machine inside the restaurant that produces fresh tortillas every day." All four eateries (two in St. Pauls and two in Clinton) are already seeing an uptick in sales just from word-of-mouth marketing tactics.
"I am a true believer that working as a team you will accomplish more — especially when a university is involved," Elizondo says. "I like to work with young people and hear their ideas. I think being part of NCGrowth has given Tortillas Carolina the opportunity to open its doors to a lot of people, so they're aware of all that's going on in the tortilla industry in North Carolina and all the benefits of buying a local product produced with local corn."
"This guy is on his way," Basnight says. "I hope he feels like what we have contributed helps him get to where he's already going. He started this project saying he wanted to produce 80,000 pounds a week and now he's saying 165,000. I think our program has been validating for him — he knows he's going in a positive direction."
Enrique Elizondo is the CEO of Tortillas Carolina, a tortilla manufacturer based in St. Pauls, North Carolina.
Elizabeth Basnight is the manager of the Entrepreneur Technical Assistance Program within NCGrowth, an affiliate of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. She graduated from UNC in 2007 and is a native of Eastern North Carolina.
Ben Holmes is a second-year MBA student at UNC Kenan-Flagler, focusing on finance and entrepreneurship. After graduation in May, he'll work at Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee.
NCGrowth is part of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. Each year, it partners with businesses, communities, governments, and other organizations to tackle outcome-based economic development and entrepreneurship projects. Originally funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2012, it is now also supported by the Golden LEAF and Z. Smith Reynolds foundations.
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UU Ministry for Earth supports Unitarian Universalists in connecting with others to grow our faith grounding and organize for climate and environmental justice. Get connected with one or more of these communities of practice:
The Environmental Justice Practitioners Network (EJPN) is a community focused on learning about — and taking action at — the intersections of racial, class, and ecological justice. The EJPN hosts a webinar with a special guest speaker every month, and will soon be launching a new web portal for community organizing and small group ministries.
The UU Climate Action Network consists of Unitarian Universalist climate activists and Climate Action Teams (CATs) in communities and congregations all over North America. The network offers CATs and UU activists opportunities to share news, stories, resources, and calls to action.
For those who are 18 to 35 years of age. This is a diverse network of young adult UU activists at the cutting edge of climate justice, supporting each other in engaging in direct action campaigns, leading climate justice services in congregations, mobilizing fellow UUs, and more.

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Valorant release date, trailer, beta, gameplay & more
Valorant is the new 5v5 competitive hardcore shooter from Riot Games (you know, the team behind that little known game League of Legends) that looks to combine the flair and style of Overwatch with the intense, precise gunplay of Counter Strike.
Like League of Legends, Valorant will be free-to-play when it arrives later this year, and the question will be whether Riot can differentiate the game to make it stand out, especially with Overwatch 2 on the way – though it's betting big on anti-cheating and network tech that could help push Valorant's competitive scene forward.
If you want to know what we think of the game, find out why we think it could be the best competitive shooter this year.
When does Valorant come out?
Riot hasn't announced a specific release date for the game, but says that it's due 'summer 2020'.
What platforms will it come out on?
For the moment Valorant is set for PC only, with no plans announced for PS4, Xbox One, or Switch. In all honesty we don't expect that to ever change, given the style of gameplay, but you never know.
Is there a Valorant beta?
Yup. Riot launched a closed beta for Valorant from 7 April for players in Europe, Canada, Russia, Turkey, and the United States – though it may roll out further in the future.
The closed beta is in partnership with Twitch, so you'll need an account with Twitch to stand a chance of getting a spot. Here's how to join, but check out our full guide to the Valorant beta for more info:
Register for a Riot account
Create a Twitch account
Link your Riot account and Twitch account
Watch Valorant streams with the Drops tag for the chance to join the beta
It's worth noting that any progress in the closed beta won't be carried over to the final game – so everyone will be on a level playing field at launch – though any Valorant Points (the in-game currency) that you spend during the beta will be returned to you at the end together with a 20% bonus, so there's still a decent argument for getting involved with the micro-transactions early.
Riot hasn't confirmed how long the beta will run for, but that the aim is "to keep closed beta as short as we can while getting additional regions online."
There's been one official clip from the game so far, though it isn't quite a trailer – it's more a few minutes of edited gameplay footage from the Alpha. Still, that makes it a great look at what to expect from the game:
What is Valorant about?
If you watch the video above you should get a decent idea. Valorant is a 5v5 team shooter in compact arenas, with colourful characters and special abilities reminiscent of Overwatch.
The core gameplay skews closer to Counter Strike though. You get the chance to buy weapons at the beginning of each round, so characters aren't tied to specific guns, and it only takes a couple of hits to take someone down, making gunplay much faster and more tactical.
There will be around 10 characters at launch, with more to come later. Once you pick a character you're locked into them until the end of the match, which consists of up to 24 rounds with sudden death in the event of a tie.
Each character has four special abilities, which you can buy two of for each round at the same time you pick weapons and armour, but ultimates are on long cooldowns so that they might only be accessible once every few rounds, another distinction from Overwatch.
There will only be one game mode at launch: bomb defusal. Similar to Counter Strike, it involves one team trying to place and defend a bomb, and the other attempting to defuse it before time runs out.
Beyond gameplay, Riot is emphasising the work it's putting into both reducing lag and blocking cheating.
From a lag perspective, Valorant will use the same server tech as League of Legends, including its Riot Direct infrastructure that has seen the company plant its own servers in ISP data centres around the world. Riot claims that 70 percent of players will access regional Valorant servers with a ping lower than 35ms.
As for cheating, there's a new kernel-level anti-cheat system that should make most existing common hacks impossible, while the company is also doing its best to predict future ways people might try to hack the game and blocking them – such as making sure the crosshair doesn't change colour when over targets, which could otherwise be used in a code to automatically fire a weapon when those pixels change.
Who are the characters?
At launch there will be ten characters. Here's a brief guide to what you can expect from each:
Sova – Can shoot wall-penetrating arrows and travel across the map.Phoenix – Able to curve flashbang grenades around corners.Cypher – A defensive character who can lay mines and wall-mounted cameras to watch for enemy attacks.Jett – Able to jump high and throw knives.Viper – Has access to poison clouds that blind enemies.Brimstone – Can call in orbital bombardments.Sage – The game's medic, able to heal or revive.Omen – A rogue who can get behind enemy lines or blind them.
What guns are there?
Unsurprisingly Valorant is set to feature plenty of weapon types, though bear in mind they look pretty standard so far, with the real odd stuff reserved for character abilities. Here's what you'll be able to shoot:
Sidearms – Classic, sawed-off shotgun, autopistol, luger, revolverSMGs – Vector, MP4Shotguns – Pump, autoRifles – Burst, DMR, AK, carbineSnipers – Leversniper, bolt sniperHeavies – LMG, HMGMelee – Knife
Does Valorant have micro-transactions?
Riot hasn't released many details about the monetisation for Valorant, but yes, it'll have micro-transactions, since the game itself is free-to-play, with a currency called Valorant Points to earn and spend.
Characters will be unlocked through play, so you won't have the full roster at first. Other things you can unlock through money include player cards, sprays, and a 'gunbuddy' cosmetic that hangs off your weapon.
Don't expect to be able to buy anything that gives you a tactical edge though – micro-transactions should be strictly cosmetic.
What are the PC spec requirements?
Minimum (30fps)
OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)RAM: 4GBCPU: Intel i3-370MGPU: Intel HD 3000 (1GB VRAM)
Recommended (60fps)
High-end (144+fps)
OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)RAM: 4GBCPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GhzGPU: Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti (1GB VRAM)
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This is a list of electoral results for the Electoral district of Kilsyth in Victorian state elections.

Members for Kilsyth

Election results

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

References

Victoria (Australia) state electoral results by district

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Richard James Taylor/Courtesy Belmond Cap Juluca
The Best Resorts in the Caribbean: 2019 Readers' Choice Awards
by Deanne Revel
Proving once again we have the world's best traveled readers.
After hurricanes left the Caribbean struggling to get on its feet the past few years, the resort scene is back and better than ever with impressive rebuilds and renovations completed. For our 32nd annual Readers' Choice Awards survey—yes, more than three decades—a record 600,000 registered voters weighed in. The impressive number of 2019 results were especially exciting for us: we're ever curious about where you go, what you loved, and who you went with. As you continue to travel, we continue to listen: Here are the the resorts in the Caribbean you loved most this year.
Courtesy The St. Regis
50. The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
RCA 2019
Built on a former sugar cane and coconut plantation with a two-mile long beach, the luxurious St. Regis Bahia Beach originally opened in 2010. After Hurricane Maria, a $60 million renovation gave new life to the hotel, which reopened in December 2018. Celebrated local designer Nono Maldonadohe dreamt up the 139 dolphin gray and sand dollar white rooms. You could hold a convention in the giant bathrooms, which have rainfall showers and soaking tubs.
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Courtesy Rendezvous Resort
49. Rendezvous Resort, St. Lucia
As a resort for couples, St. Lucia's Rendezvous Resort values unplugged time above anything else. This beachfront all-inclusive feels less like a honeymoon resort and more like a place for not-so-newly weds to reconnect and practice a digital detox together with secluded pools, a lazy river with secret nooks to explore, and plenty of active wellness offerings. Yes, there's yoga and a newly renovated spa. But there are also harder to find classes like on-the-beach Tai Chi and Calypso dance lessons. If you've come to the Caribbean for water sports, Rendezvous offers complimentary SCUBA boat dives and Hobie Cat catamarans for sunset sailing.
Courtesy Renaissance Hotels
48. Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino
Located in downtown Oranjestad, the Renaissance Aruba is divided in two: one side for families and one side for adults. Hop aboard a water taxi for exclusive and complimentary access to the resort's own 40-acre private island. The beachfront day resort has thatched-roof cabanas with over-the-water hammocks and, just like the hotel, the private island is divided into a family fun beach and a tranquil, adults-only beach.
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Javier Ortiz/Courtesy Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa
47. Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa, Cuba
Located on the Hicacos Peninsula in the popular beach town of Varadero, Cuba, the all-inclusive, adults-only Royalton Hicacos Resort and Spa is perfect for BFF trips, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and spring break getaways. The resort has a strong nightlife scene with Cuban salsa performances, a nightclub on site, and foam parties in the main pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After a night of revelry, unwind at The Royal Spa, where you can book a bamboo-lined outdoor treatment room with a private plunge pool.
Issia Thelwell/Courtesy Round Hill Hotel and Villas
46. Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Jamaica
This Montego Bay resort is set on 110 acres right by the sea. With 36 Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront rooms and 27 private villas, discretion is the name of the game here. In the Pineapple House, the guest rooms are steps from the infinity pool and a snorkeling reef. The independently owned villas, meanwhile, range from two to six bedrooms and can sport amenities like private pools and guest houses. The resort is extensive but manageable. There's entertainment for every type of guest, including on-site shopping, a spa, tennis, and golf. Dining, too, is a point of interest: James Beard Award-winning executive chef Martin Maginley leads the resort's restaurants. Eating at Round Hill feels like dining out without leaving the premises. In all, it's a tasteful, self-contained getaway as appealing to families looking for something for all ages and couples, alike.
45. Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino
If your family vacations feel more like a conference, this Hyatt Regency is the resort for your big crew. There's something for everyone, from a casino with nightly entertainment to a three-level pool complex with a waterslide. And that waterslide isn't just for kiddos: It will ship you right to the swim-up pool bar. With 10 restaurants and bars ranging from casual Mexican and wood-fired pizza to upscale seafood and steak, there are plenty of choices on site. To elevate your stay, book a club-level room for ocean views and access to the club lounge with premiums like a concierge, complimentary breakfast, and house wine and beer.
Courtesy Montpelier Plantation & Beach
44. Montpelier Plantation & Beach, Nevis
Oh, for a whole summer in the pool at Montpelier Plantation. It's the perfect place to waste away on vacation, set on 60 acres of an 18th-century plantation, at 750 feet above sea level. Music plays gently. Birds flit around the breakfast terrace. Bougainvillea hides the tennis court. The open-plan buildings flow in and out of each other, with verandas overlooking the sea. In spite of the palm trees, there is an English feeling about the gardens, echoes of the original owners. In recent years an American family bought the hotel, ditched the chintz, kept the afternoon tea, and built a breezy poolside bar. They smartened up the 17 cottage rooms—high-ceilinged, wooden-beamed—and refurbished the restaurant, now probably the best on Nevis.
Courtesy Park Hyatt St. Kitts
43. Park Hyatt St. Kitts
Set on quiet Banana Bay overlooking the nearby island of Nevis, every detail of this Park Hyatt is thoughtfully considered. When you pull up to the hotel, you'll stop in front of a long, open-air entryway that leads right to the beach. It's a straight shot of electric blue sea and sky. As far as first impressions go, it's pretty spectacular. Rooms are luxe and lovely, and don't scream "You're in the Caribbean!" The spa is courtesy of Miraval, the yoga and meditation rooms are in a former sugar mill, and the kids' club comes with a rock-climbing wall.
Courtesy Secret Bay
42. Secret Bay, Dominica
The "secret" part of Secret Bay's name is no accident—the resort's six gorgeous villas give new meaning to the word hideaway. Touches vary from villa to villa, but all have interiors and floors made of Guyanese Greenheart, bedroom furniture made of Dominican red cedar, open decks, private pools, and 180-degree views over the mountain peaks of Dominica and the Caribbean Sea. Though we doubt you'll get tired of living your own castaway fantasies (albeit with much nicer accommodations), Secret Bay's concierge is available to help craft personalized itineraries: think rainforest hikes with a famed naturalist, or a sunset sail along the island's western coast.
Tina Thuell/Courtesy Nisbet Plantation Beach Club
41. Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, Nevis
Staff become like family at this resort whose centerpiece is a restored 1778 plantation housed on 30 acres of coconut palm-filled lawns and gardens. Lemon yellow stucco cottages with white pyramid roofs pop up amid the foliage, and balconies and patios face the windy Atlantic beach on the northern tip of this tiny island. The gourmet Caribbean food at the Great House includes dishes like grilled mahi-mahi with peas and rice. Thursday night's poolside barbecue comes with live music and attracts folk from all over. Fun fact: This is where English naval hero Horatio Nelson met his wife, Fanny Nisbet, in the 1780s.
Courtesy Hyatt Hotels
40. Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, Jamaica
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is the sister property to the Hyatt Zilara, but don't get them confused. While the neighboring Zilara is adults only (18+), the Ziva is as family-friendly as they come. It helps that the beachfront resort is all-inclusive, so those midday snacks, poolside cocktails for the parents, and visits to the kids club are already included in your stay. Plus, you can take advantage of the resort's compact catamarans, stand-up paddle boards, and sea kayaks during your stay. The room to book? One of the resort's swim-up suites that offer direct access to one of the two pools and come with two in-pool loungers.
Courtesy Couples Resorts
39. Couples Swept Away, Jamaica
Spread across 19 acres on Seven Mile Beach at the top end of Negril, this adults-only all-inclusive is as low key as it is low rise (all that nice stucco). With cedar furnishings and white linens, the 300-plus rooms are polished and fresh—and it doesn't hurt that each one has a private balcony. With three pools and a 10-acre sports complex that includes squash, basketball, and 10 tennis courts, the resort has something for everyone. Expect outstanding service and food at the restaurants, from formal dining at Feathers to juices and salads at Sea Grapes. Unwind in the spa's eucalyptus steam room.
Thomas Hart Shelby/Courtesy Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa
38. Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Jamaica
Family fun and luxury go hand-in-hand at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay. It's set on the historic Rose Hall Plantation, where you can still visit the Georgian-style Rose Hall mansion today. The 400 beachfront-acre resort nods to its past with replica aqueducts throughout its Sugar Mill Falls Water Park. Contemporary rooms with travertine tiles have private balconies, and the resort's suites include dining areas and panoramic ocean views. If you have little ones in tow, kids five or younger stay and eat free if you book a suite.
Courtesy Royalton Resorts/Photo by Adiseshan Shankar
37. Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino, Dominican Republic
There really is something for everyone in the family at the Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino, from a kids club sporting the TV characters Max and Ruby to an on-site Escape Room to a water park with mega slides and a wave pool. Adults can unwind at The Royal Spa, which has a hydrotherapy circuit that includes a private serenity pool. And if you're not traveling with the kiddos, book at the Diamond Club-level for a swim-out stay. These rooms and suites have pool access (as in literal steps into the pool) right off your room terrace.
Courtesy Playa Hotels & Resorts
36. Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
In the private beachfront reserve of Cap Cana, just 15 minutes from Punta Cana's airport, this sprawling, all-inclusive resort is a world of its own. Sanctuary Cap Cana looks like a seaside Spanish colonial town—and not just because it's been built into a castle. Its staggering 323 suites—a mix of waterfront bungalows and castle rooms—are tasteful with modern lines, natural wood, stone, and a smattering of rattan. It also boasts five restaurants (one of which sits on stilts over the water), six bars, five pools, and a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course. In the all-inclusive spirit, you can jam-pack your days with activities or just take advantage of the five-star amenities. For travelers who don't want to sit still, you can keep busy with ocean kayaking and cooking classes, but a seemingly infinite array of poolside cabanas and daybeds make the case for long-term lounging. Just leave the kids at home—Sanctuary Cap Cana is adults-only.
Courtesy Four Seasons
35. Four Seasons Resort Nevis
This serene hideaway on a lush slice of paradise was built along Pinney's Beach on the site of a former sugar and coconut plantation (some golf course tees sit atop an old sugar factory). The 189 guest rooms and 50-plus villas have a serene, seafoam green palette and are outfitted in botanical prints by a local artist. Even the desk chairs are inspired by the flora and fauna of Nevis. The open-air restaurant Mango sits a few feet above the waves and offers contemporary Caribbean food. Staff is known for its Nevisian friendliness.
34. The Landings Resort and Spa, St. Lucia
Located along the shores of Rodney Bay on St. Lucia's Northwest coast, The Landings Resort and Spa offers one, two, and three-bedroom villas that overlook the ocean or the resort's private yacht marina. The high-end, island-inspired decor includes dark wood, rattan, pops of coral, and not-so-beachy luxurious marble en-suite bathrooms. There's a pool for every personality and age group here, from the "Kids Wiggly Pool" to the marina-side pool, where you can watch sailboats and yachts come and go while you swim or lounge sipping a beach cocktail.
33. Ladera Resort, St. Lucia
Anticipate the experience of a lifetime at this eco-lodge built with Caribbean timber, local stone, and terra-cotta tiles on the site of a former cocoa plantation. It's in a calm, beautiful garden setting on a forested ridge overlooking the Pitons and the sea far below. Rustic suites—very Swiss Family Robinson in look and feel—have private plunge pools and unobstructed views. At Ti Kai Posé Spa, indulge in a hot volcanic stone massage or take a dip in the mineral pools. A free shuttle goes to Sugar Beach, five minutes away. Note that there are no televisions or phones in guest rooms, but there is free Wi-Fi. It's only 17-plus here—befitting for one of the world's most romantic resorts.
Jose Ruiz/Courtesy La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort
32. La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, Puerto Rico
La Concha originally debuted in the late 1950s as Condado's premier hotel. Now, after many thoughtful renovations that retained much of its mid-century details, the resort is a welcome presence in busy San Juan. It has a bustling open-air lobby (often morphing into a lively nightclub), multiple dining options, direct beach access, a handful of spacious and quiet pools, and generously sized guest rooms. Don't miss an elegant, seafood-centric dinner in the upturned shell that is La Perla, hovering over an enormous infinity pool with views to the sea.
Laurent Benoit/Courtesy Hôtel Christopher
31. Hôtel Christopher, St. Barts
Hôtel Christopher feels more like a friend's hip beach house than a hotel. The luxury isn't fussy here. Set on a secluded bay on the northern shore of St. Bart's, there are sleek, photographic views at the resort's infinity pool, sweeping the Caribbean Sea and nearby islands. Each room has the personality of a Malibu loft. The hotel's three namesake villas are available to book, and boast four bedrooms and a private pool. But no matter where you stay, all accommodations are oceanfront.
Courtesy Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
30. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
Earn 6X points at Marriott Bonvoy™ hotels
Nestled along the powdery white shores of Palm Beach with nothing but crystal clear teal horizons ahead, Aruba Marriott Resort is an escape from the winter blues. The family-friendly pool has an adult swim-up bar, and the H2Oasis adults-only pool is lined with daybeds and private cabanas dedicated to complete relaxation.
29. Couples Sans Souci Resort, Jamaica
Jamaica is known for its outstanding all-inclusives, and Couples Sans Souci is one of the best. Water and its rejuvenating properties define the resort's personality–and it's not just the picture-perfect sparkling coastline. The resort has a natural spring water pool, a mineral grotto, and you can hear waves crash during a massage in the Oasis Spa's outdoor treatment room (it's inside an Old World turret). To connect with nature, visit the resort's private au naturel pool and beach. Rooms and suites are various shades of blue, cream, and sea glass green. The large patios and balconies are perfect for a lazy, carefree morning with a room service brunch.
28. Couples Negril, Jamaica
Smaller than other Couples resorts, this 234-room outpost at Negril's midpoint sits on 18 quiet acres. Two pools and an au naturel stretch of beach complement this adults-only all-inclusive. Stay in rooms and suites along the sand or tucked into the gardens. They're done up in vivid tropical hues, and some have their own jacuzzis. Dine at one of five restaurants or at a private table on the sand. Absolutely everything really is included here, from glass-bottom boat excursions to unlimited top-shelf spirits to PADI Certified Scuba diving classes. And you can dance the night away at the starlit beach party held every Thursday night.
Courtesy Anse Chastanet Resort
27. Anse Chastanet Resort, St. Lucia
This 600-acre beachfront resort has octagonal hillside cottages and waterfront rooms, each individually designed. There's special attention paid to keeping things local: The wood used in the rooms is St. Lucian, and cushions and bedspreads are a bright madras plaid, the island's cloth. Since rooms have no phones or TVs, this is the most romantic and wonderful place on the island, truly an experience to replenish the soul. After scuba diving, dine at the Treehouse Restaurant for Caribbean by candlelight or at Emerald's, which uses organic produce from the resort's farm in its all-vegetarian menu.
Courtesy Bucuti & Tara Beach
26. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
This adults-only boutique resort in Aruba's quieter low-rise Eagle Beach district offers sun seekers the island's best, least crowded beach. Signal for a piña colada by putting a red flag in the sand and let the accommodating staff take care of you. The Spanish colonial exterior is offset by more contemporary interiors. Suites in the Tara Wing, renovated during summer 2017, have oceanfront views, king-size beds, and separate living areas. Elements Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, though don't shy away from exploring the island for a more memorable dining experience. Try the coffee body scrub at the Purun Spa.
Thierry Dehove
25. Zemi Beach House Hotel & Spa, Anguilla
Zemi Beach House sits on a sprawling six acres by the ocean, with a luxe spa that includes Anguilla's only hammam—if you're craving a tropical escape, this is the place. Unwind on the yoga deck and enjoy holistic treatments at the 300-year-old Thai Rice Barn-turned-spa; or camp out on Shoal Bay Beach, watching the waves roll in. There are 65 rooms total, outfitted with perks like 24-hour room service, "personalized Caribbean mini bars," and Malin + Goetz bath products. You'll be hard-pressed to leave.
David Massey/Courtesy Jamaica Inn
24. Jamaica Inn
After opening in 1950, the Jamaica Inn quickly earned points for its discreet service and understated elegance, both of which made it a haven for mid-century movie stars like Marilyn Monroe and Katharine Hepburn. Today, with an easy island glamour done in white columns and blue arches, the hotel hasn't lost its air of romance, and its location on a private beach keeps celebrities cycling through. The British colonial-style inn has no TVs or radios but does promise sea views. Divine suites have private balconies overlooking the Caribbean, local antique furniture, and full-size dining tables. Cottages have Indonesian-style interiors, private plunge pools, and secluded outdoor showers. Staff make you feel at home and go out of their way to make sure you have the most enjoyable experience possible. At the open-air dining set under a canopy of palms, the menu focuses on Caribbean cuisine.
Courtesy GoldenEye/©Christaian Horan Photography
23. GoldenEye, Jamaica
Gold List 2020
It's the cachet that keeps GoldenEye in Jamaica a perpetual favorite—before it was a hotel, it was the home of Bond author Ian Fleming—as well as the wooden cottages opening onto a peaceful lagoon. There's no sign at the entrance, which is part of the low-key charm. It's easy to see why so many music and film stars make their way here: This is a sweet spot with a very independent flavor, a world away from the oversized all-inclusives. Couples hole up in the wooden beach huts; families and friends take over the massive villas; and industry bigwigs feel right at home in Fleming's former house, which has three bedrooms and a personable, clued-in staff.
Steve Simonsen/Courtesy The Buccaneer
22. The Buccaneer, St. Croix, USVI
Though the Buccaneer on the U.S. Virgin Island St. Croix is the longest-running resort in the Caribbean, its history dates even further back to the property's construction by a Knight of Malta in 1653. Since then, it's been a private home, a sugar mill, a cotton estate, then a cattle estate; and now, an incredibly warm, family-friendly resort that's more like a country club. You have access to an 18-hole golf course, eight tennis courts, three beaches (whether you prefer kayaking and snorkeling or lounging in peace and quiet), a full water sports center, and none of the pretense. Arrive for lunch at the Grotto in your bathing suit, and please don't sleep through the terrific breakfast buffet. The Buccanneer knows how to put out a spread. Once you're done moving about for the day, settle into the deluxe oceanfront room—the resort's most popular—and lie on your bed beneath the 16-foot-high wood ceilings, watching the waves lap the beach out your picture window.
21. Couples Tower Isle, Jamaica
Modern decor and brightly colored murals are the aesthetic at this 226-room, adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios. And when we say all-inclusive, we mean everything—spa treatments, a catamaran cruise, and short excursions to Dunn's River Falls. Couples even grants access to a small private island where guests can sunbathe in the buff. Rooms have ocean or garden views, furnished balconies, and yellow and green accents. At the end of the night, go for cocktails at the '50s-style piano bar—themed music parties are a big deal here. A packed daily schedule of activities could keep you busy all day, but take time out to languish in your private plunge pool if staying in one of the Spa Villas.
Mike Toy/Courtesy Cap Maison
20. Cap Maison, St. Lucia
At the northern tip of St. Lucia on what used to be a sugar plantation, Cap Maison sits like a small orderly village. This cluster of three-story white buildings has a Spanish colonial architectural motif with its characteristic Moorish inflections, painted tiles, and dark wood. The 49 rooms are kitted out with local paintings and richly upholstered furniture (including an oversized chaise longue at the foot of the bed), balconies, louvered shutters, ceiling fans, A/C, iPod docks, and speakers, as well as lovely bathrooms with painted ceramic sinks. Some suites come with a private plunge pool but, should you prefer company, there is a small cliff-edge cascading pool as well as a larger one surrounded by chaises. At the bottom of a long staircase down to the sea is a small protected beach for swimming and snorkeling.
Courtesy Petit St. Vincent Resort/Photo by Mike Toy
19. Petit St. Vincent Resort, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Petit St. Vincent is a private islet of just 135 acres in the Grenadines, the southernmost of the Lesser Antilles, an idyllic place of densely forested hills and coral-sand beaches. Within is this revamped late-1960s resort, with 22 one- and two-bedroom cottages and villas. You can be virtually assured of a stretch of beach to yourself. It's Robinson Crusoe with deep pockets—local stone and wood, an open-air beach bar with a thatched roof, and a view over the reef that's so breathtaking it could be a screen saver. The sense of privacy is PSV's selling point. Go from Easter to June, when the foliage is in bloom (and hotel rates tend to be less expensive than the popular winter season). The island exudes a powerful allure, a place where time really does seems to slow and where you live by the sun.
Courtesy Oetker Collection
18. Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
Reopened in October 2017 as an Oetker Collection member (formally a Rosewood resort), Jumby Bay Island is accessible only by boat, with not a car in sight—but plenty of bikes to navigate this 300-acre island off the northern coast of Antigua. With only 40 accommodations in total—rooms and villas—there's no need to worry about feeling the need to ever get off the all-inclusive island (although if curious, there's a complimentary ferry service that runs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) You'll be plenty busy on the resort's three tennis courts, in its three pools, at the family-friendly Veranda, on on its more than four miles of beach. Plus there's a kids' club for when you want to be anything but busy.
17. Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia
The majestic Pitons mountains, more than 100 acres of untouched rainforest, and the shimmering Caribbean Sea all frame this idyllic resort, which is set on a former 18th-century sugar plantation. It's the views that grab you first: lush, picture-perfect, and uninterrupted from the porches over the water. You can't really go wrong with which room you choose here, as all accommodations come with a plunge pool, walled garden, and private patio; but the Luxury Sugar Mill rooms, which are ideal for two, look out at Gros Piton, a lily pond, and the ruins of the original sugar mill. Don't miss the Rainforest Spa, with seven treehouse treatment rooms and a menu that takes inspiration from St. Lucia's volcanoes, beaches, hot springs, and cocoa plantations (look out for ingredients like raw coconut, sea salt, and organic cocoa).
Photo by Alice Gao
16. Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection, Anguilla
Anguilla is a very Anglo island; and Malliouhana was, for decades, one of its most staunchly traditional hotels. So it was a surprise when quintessentially Californian Auberge Resorts took over the 30-year-old resort in 2014, but what a difference a fresh perspective makes. Lemon yellow and ice blue walls, striped dhurries on the floors, and ornate glass sconces breathe new life into this Caribbean classic. Set along Turtle Cove, there are ample activities on offer—such as kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, kite-surfing, horseback riding, and outdoor yoga classes. One of our favorite diversions is a rum tasting with an in-house "rummelier."
15. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
It's unlike any place in the world—you have to stay here to appreciate the brilliant design. You will come home changed from this hillside resort, named for the owners' extensive collection of antique carved jade mountains. Jaw-droppingly beautiful rooms all have 15-foot ceilings, unforgettable Piton Mountain views, and private infinity pools in different colored tiles (ruby, amber, plum). James Beard Award-winning chef Allen Susser mixes sweet and spicy at Jade Mountain Club, and above, the Celestial Terrace allows for some late-night star-gazing.
Courtesy Rockhouse
14. Rockhouse, Jamaica
This high-end boutique hotel on the West Cliffs, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, is the cliffside getaway of your dreams. With three restaurants that are some of Jamaica's most buzzing just outside your thatched-roof, hut-style guest room, you have everything from a fresh juice bar to fine dining at hand. Ready to relax? Those huts overlook the bright water, with open-air windows and doorways giving you expansive views. Don't miss the spa, which specializes in holistic treatments that take place in yet more cliff-edge cabanas. Swimming and snorkeling in Pristine Cove are the main activities on offer (equipment is on hand), as well as painting, yoga, music, dancing, and cooking classes. Rockhouse opened in 1972 and early guests included Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. It may be going on 50, but the good vibes are still as strong.
Robert Rausch/Courtesy Half Moon
13. Half Moon, Jamaica
Fresh off a $75 million renovation, Jamaica's storied, 400-acre Half Moon is back on the scene. The reopening coincides with the resort's 65th anniversary—with a guest list that has included Queen Elizabeth II and J.F.K. Newly constructed rooms are low-rise, set back from two miles of Montego Bay beachfront. With the Great House as its centerpiece, the Fern Tree Spa is one of the largest in the Caribbean, and sporty folk can engage with a Robert Trent Jones-designed 18-hole golf course, 11 tennis courts, and an equestrian center. Visiting families will appreciate a new marketplace and café for takeaway snacks and an all-day, casual dining room. The 57 new guest rooms contain an impressive number of cheerful artworks by Jamaican artists and lots of wood and natural fibers.
Courtesy Hôtel Le Toiny
12. Hôtel Le Toiny, St. Barts
One of the most exclusive resorts in St. Barts and the Caribbean, Hôtel Le Toiny comprises just 22 suites—making it a true getaway for those seeking total privacy. It would be understandable if you never even made it to the beach—each suite has a heated pool with ocean views. The resort's mega villa, Nureeyev, is a 1960s gem outfitted with modern amenities and a 3,000 square-foot outdoor space, complete with a tiered sun deck that appears to float over the ocean, a private Jacuzzi, and a steam bath.
Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
11. The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
This super-sized resort commandeers the island's narrowest east-west point, blanketing 114 acres. The residential towers, holding 69 apartments, front Seven Mile Beach. Beige-to-cream facades duplicate the multi-hued Caymanian sands. The 365 classic rooms and 11 suites have soft yellow walls, botanical prints, chaise lounges, and oversize beds in maize, periwinkle, or coral. And the reception area with chandeliers and masses of flowers opens into the Silver Palm Lounge, where delicious light snacks accompany evening drinks, with the promise of a glass Martini "luge."
Courtesy Viceroy Anguilla
10. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Set atop a lick of land between the beaches of Barnes and Meads bays, the rebranded 181-room resort (formerly the Viceroy) plays perfectly with its surroundings on 35 spacious acres. A modern, clean-lined exterior with large glass windows offers effortless views of both bay and beach, while the Kelly Wearstler–designed suites bring it back down to earth with organic elements like bleached blonde wood floors and tables carved from knotty, gnarled pieces of petrified wood. This is an extremely family-friendly place (especially when renting a five-bedroom villa). There are three pools—including one for kids and an infinity hideaway for adults only at sunset.
9. Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla
When Cap Juluca opened on a mile-long white crescent here in 1988, it was widely considered—to quote its American-born owners—"the best hotel on the best beach in the Caribbean." The domed villas, a few with then-scarce plunge pools, brought worldly glamour to a squiggle of an island that had only recently acquired roads. Families flew to Cap J year after year, while major handshake deals would go down on Maundays Bay and legendary parties would keep the drinks flowing at Pimms restaurant. Eventually, of course, the crowd moved on, and the beleaguered owners sold the property to Belmond in May 2017—just before Hurricane Irma barreled in. No matter: In a $130 million refurb, Rottet Studio (of the Surrey in New York) added five new villas and recast the interiors, replacing Moroccan carpets and lanterns with soft linens, rattan, and seagrass. While Pimms is still dishing out a neo-Caribbean tasting menu, the real star is Cip's, an offshoot of the Belmond Cipriani's Venetian lagoon-side restaurant, serving the best grilled lobster pasta in the Leewards. Approving regulars are back, though no sooner had they crossed into the new lobby than LVMH announced it had snapped up Belmond. Cap Juluca shows that classics can be reinvented, and be just as alluring as the original.
Courtesy Carlisle Bay
8. Carlisle Bay, Antigua
It's said there are 365 beaches in Antigua–one for every day of the year–and the beach at Carlisle Bay is one of the prettiest. Powdery white sand, bright teal water, and a lush rainforest as a backdrop make it a picture-perfect choice for destination weddings. On the island's southern shore, the resort houses 87 suites, all with open-plan sitting rooms and a plush daybed on a private terrace for the quintessential vacation nap. But if your idea of vacation is staying active, the resort provides complementary equipment for several water sports, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, sailing, and windsurfing.
Courtesy Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
7. Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic
Home to one of the Caribbean's top-rated golf courses, Teeth of the Dog, Casa de Campo lives up to its reputation as a millionaire's paradise. Just ten minutes from La Romana airport, this 7,000-acre resort includes picture-perfect Minitas Beach and its own private island, Catalina. To dine, head to the replica 16th-century Italian village Altos de Chavón or the Epicure Food Truck on Minitas (open for lunch only). Rooms run the gamut from classic to multi-bed villas. Casa de Campo even has its own nightclub and a movie theater at the marina with three screens.
Courtesy Le Sereno
6. Le Sereno, St. Barts
At the quiet end of an idyllic cove in Grand Cul-de-Sac, this cottage colony was utterly remade by master minimalist Christian Liaigre. The decor is elaborately sparse—bare white walls, dark wood floors, and nary a rounded edge or flourish in sight—but with no sacrifice to comfort. The suites and waterfront villas have buttery linens and walled gardens (Grand Suites add settees and bathtubs), and cushioned banquettes make up most of the restaurant's seating. The resort sustained some damage from Hurricane Irma in September 2017, but has been completely rebuilt with a new beachfront extension to the resort's namesake restaurant and an expanded spa facility with exclusively curated Valmont products for treatments.
Courtesy Curtain Bluff
5. Curtain Bluff, Antigua
This classic Caribbean legend is an all-inclusive on 20 acres of gardens, where beautiful birds flit in and out of the trees. Stuccoed accommodations are filled with wicker furniture and overlook the beach. Dinner is served al fresco four nights a week at the Sea Grape restaurant. A different band plays nightly at the Tamarind Tree, where French and Caribbean flavors intensify the fresh-caught grouper and wahoo. Kids can brush up on their drop volleys, top-spin lobs, and cross-court backhands at the complimentary kids' tennis clinic. With two private beaches—one for swimming, the other for water sports—there's ample space for all.
Courtesy Manapany
4. Manapany, St. Barts
Rare on an indulgent island, Parisian Anne Jousse, owner of a portfolio of small hotels in France, sought to introduce more than a modicum of eco-responsibility to St. Barts. The glamorous hotelier fell for Manapany, a chic spot on the sleepy north shore. She bought the place in 2016 and initiated a top-to-bottom reconstruction of its 4.2-acre beachfront on Anse des Cayes. Several years and one major hurricane later, it's been reborn. Solar panels heat the water, no chemicals are used in cleaning or maintenance, towels are woven bamboo, and only electric cars are permitted beyond reception. Yet Jousse's endeavor isn't lacking a lick of luxe. All 43 sea-view rooms and villas—eight right on the sand, others just 80 steps above and with enormous terraces—are gracefully decorated with peppery red, turmeric orange, mint green, or ultramarine blue walls. Staff serve artfully crafted rhum agricoles at barefoot dinners, and a beachside spa has raised St. Barts' wellness game.
Courtesy Kimpton Hotels
3. Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa, Cayman Islands
Grand Cayman may be famous for its scuba diving and offshore banking, but with several daily non-stops from New York and Boston, it's increasingly drawing families to its powdery, placid western Caribbean beaches. On the island's Seven Mile Beach—one of the loveliest stretches of sand in the world—you'll find the 266-room Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa, with a boutique atmosphere that manages to be both child-friendly (two pools, a kids' club) and hip (contemporary design and a lobby with a pool table, library, and daily happy hour). The food is also strong: Hit beachside Coccoloba for ceviches, Ave for house-made cronuts, and the sceney Avecita for white anchovy toast and a craft cocktail. You can always snorkel and parasail right off the hotel's beach, but you're also just a short ride from roadside jerk chicken, world-class gardens that endangered blue iguanas roam, and Stingray City, where you can stand on a sandbar and pet giant rays. Hit Rum Point to toast the sunset—although you may prefer doing that from your own private balcony.
Courtesy Le Barthélemy/Photo by Pierre Carreau
2. Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa, St. Barts
Fairly new to St. Barts' luxury hotel scene, and in keeping with the island's low-rise sensibility, Le Barthélemy is a sophisticated winner. Set between a lagoon and Grand Cul-de-Sac beach along the island's northeastern shore (with views of offshore islets and the distant St. Maarten), the hotel is an education in understated elegance. Rooms are spare and enormous, with lots of wood and one or two pops of bright color—some even have small, rectangular plunge pools. The food at Aux Amis is unabashedly modern French. Water sports enthusiasts have an expanse of calm shallow waters for kayaking, kite-surfing, and snorkeling. Fellow jetsetters aren't your only company here—a flotilla of a dozen sea turtles that survived the storms of 2017 remain in residence and are easily visible.
Courtesy Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
1. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The emphasis at this Ritz-Carlton Reserve—one of four in the world—is on setting. The hotel has undergone many transformations, including after Hurricane Maria in 2017, but ever since Laurance Rockefeller built a sanctuary here it has been all about sea, sand, and lush greenery. Beach-facing terraces and outdoor showers bookend rooms, and museum-grade artwork is scattered on tree branches. But it's the Spa Botánico, a tropical wonderland, that really fits Rockefeller's approach. After visiting, you'll remember the 95-year-old ficus at the entrance most clearly. That, or the treehouse in the canopy where you had the greatest massage of your life.
The Best Islands for Beaches: 2019 Readers' Choice Awards
The Best Hotels in Ireland: 2019 Readers' Choice Awards


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Home / Wildcat journal (UK) / Wildcat UK #18 Summer 1996
The inhumanity of humanitarian aid - Wildcat (UK)
Article looking at the use of 'humanitarian' aid as a way of perpetuating war and reproducing capitalist social relations, as a means of social control, during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.
In Yugoslavia, as in Somalia and in every other war-torn region, humanitarian aid functions as a means of maintaining the war effort. Outside the affected region it provides a wonderful alibi for intervention by the armies of the most powerful states and makes these states appear caring. Inside the region it directly supports military operations through the large percentage of food aid which is used to feed front-line troops.
This reality is clearly expressed in an article from the Slovenian magazine Mladina (April 1993) entitled "The Battle of the Parcels". Here are some excerpts:
"On both sides of the front line the humanitarian parcels nourish the combatants. Serbs, Croats and Muslims eat the same canned food. Inspected, looted, the humanitarian convoys have become a means of political blackmail. A battle by itself. Up to the point where TV networks have become more interested in what is happening to them than to the war victims.
... Coming from the sea side near Mostar, the trucks belt along day and night. Trucks with multicolour stickers on them: Equilibre, Merhamet, ICRC, Médecins sans frontières, Pharmaciens sans frontières, Egyptian Agency for Humanitarian Aid, Nachbar in Not, Red Cross, UNHCR, Secours populaire français, Caritas, Agir pour réagir ...From a distance you would think it was an army of crusaders whose standard is children with outstretched arms, children protected by adult hands, children that look at the world ... On each parcel, on each box or bag the same labels have been stuck, mentioning its origin: donated by UNHCR, donated by the European Community, donated by the Government of the Netherlands, donated by the people of Germany. So that people won't mistakenly think that these parcels have just fallen down from heaven. The most incredible box of all has the form of a pyramid, a box of beef cooked in its juice, wrapped up in blue paper with the twelve stars of the EC printed on it in gold letters, but without any indication of its content. Just the thing itself, the "Twelve" cooked in their own juice! On some other trucks you can see the images of Jesus on his cross, of a crescent moon on a green background, or an incredible variety of logos of the UN.
... Those who are entitled to receive the humanitarian aid are claiming it. The others just take whatever they think they deserve. From the moment when the Croats and the Serbs of Bosnia-Hercegovina understood that the Muslims had definitely lost the war and that the international community was ready to ratify their defeat in official documents, they didn't see any reason to continue the war. Whatever could possibly be looted, already had been. The economy broken down, the shops empty: the only wealth left is the humanitarian convoys. They have a double function. On one hand, they are the basis of some additional profit, the basis of a new economy and they serve the logistics of several armies, because all army units that make war in Bosnia-Hercegovina eat the same cans from the same humanitarian convoys. On the other hand they are a means of political blackmail.
The convoys that arrive from Split are progressively relieved of the fuel they transport while the arms are transferred to Croatian garrisons and the most valuable freight simply disappears. At Kiseljak, on the border between the Serbian and Croatian territories, the convoys arrive much lighter. At Ilidža the Serbs prepare a humanitarian trap for them:
"Your convoy is humanitarian, isn't it?"
"Yes, completely. We want to help our fellow man."
"Fine. So the political differences don't interest you?"
"Not at all."
"So you will willingly leave 30% of your cargo to the Serbian Red Cross, won't you?"
What can the man in charge of the convoy do when he's got a machine gun pointed at him? He willingly leaves 30% of his cargo while slipping 1000 or 2000 DM in to the hands of the chief of police so that no additional problems arise. What this 30% means, only the Serbian police can say. What determines this, of course, is the quality of the contents. If it's coffee, then "30%" means "to the last bean". With some luck the convoy has been able to keep half of its cargo upon arriving in Sarajevo. The other half can be found either with the soldiers in the mountains or with the Serbs who sell it to the Croats of Kiseljak, who in turn sell it to the soldiers of UNPROFOR, to the drivers of the trucks and to the population who were entitled to receive the cargo in the first place. A convoy that does not respect these rules can wait for days or even weeks to get through."
More subtle is the use of aid as a means of social control. Food aid can be used to lure people to a refugee camp that they don't want to go to or to persuade them to stay in a besieged city that they would rather leave. It can be distributed selectively – as in Sarajevo where the authorities have prevented aid from reaching the families of draft dodgers.
Occasionally, starving proletarians have resisted the capitalist logic of aid in the most direct way: by plundering aid convoys. In January 1994, angry crowds from around Kakanj on the main road between Zenica and Sarajevo set up a barricade of logs to stop an aid convoy guarded by the Bosnian military police (Guardian, 29 January 1994). According to the UN, the crowd shot at the cops and threw a grenade, injuring six of them. They then looted several trucks. A senior official of UN High Commission for Refugees admitted that there was a "suspicion" that supplies were being used to feed the Bosnian Army at the expense of civilians and refugees. He added: "We've now got Bosnian shooting Bosnian to steal food. This is a dangerous escalation". Indeed it is "dangerous" – for those who would rather see a thousand proletarians slaughtered on the battle fields than see a single cop fall in the class war.
Even where it reaches people who are really starving, humanitarian aid is always a conservative enterprise because it aims to provide people with food so they can go about their capitalist daily lives, working for "their" bosses and fighting for "their" country. What appears to be a favour to starving proletarians is actually a subsidy to the local bourgeoisie. It reduces their bills for wages and military supplies, as well as enabling them to make fortunes by simply selling aid goods – across ex-Yugoslavia it's not at all unusual to find "humanitarian" medical supplies on sale in private pharmacies. This is particularly obvious in situations where the aid organisation simply hands over supplies to the local authorities to distribute as they see fit. This also has the advantage that the aid organisation can deny all responsibility for blatant cases of corruption and diversion of goods to the military, as UN spokespeople are fond of doing.
In the case of the humanitarian aid organised by the UN and the big charities all this should be clear to anyone with a grain of class consciousness, but it's equally true of leftist versions of humanitarian aid such as the Trotskyist-organised "Workers' Aid to Bosnia". Despite their workerist (usually trade unionist) rhetoric and their refusal to give part of their aid to the Croatian Army in return for safe passage, their aid was not going to workers in struggle but to citizens fighting to defend their state. This was particularly true because the heroic Tuzla miners that the Trots are so fond of were almost all in the army on a part-time basis. The aid was largely distributed by the miners' union, which is a good old-fashioned Stalinist state-run union which happens to have switched its allegiance from the Yugoslav state to the Bosnian one.
The only kind of "aid" which doesn't aid the capitalist war machine is that given selectively to proletarians in struggle – to draft dodgers and deserters and not to loyal troops; to strikers and not to cops and scabs.
Wildcat #18, Summer 1996. Taken from the No War But The Class War website.
‹ Yugoslavia: from wage cuts to war - Wildcat up The new bad guys - Wildcat (UK) ›
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New world order: rhetoric and reality - Wildcat (UK)


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Lex Talionis – pierwsza długogrająca płyta zespołu Sol Invictus. Pierwotnie wydana w 1990 roku (zob. 1990 w muzyce) tylko w winylowym komplecie z dwoma albumami innych zespołów – Horse Current 93 i Lumbs Sister Nurse With Wound – wydanie to zawierało jeden utwór, który został później odrzucony z wszelkich reedycji. Niedługo potem lider zespołu, Tony Wakeford, zdecydował się wydać album ponownie, tym razem również na CD – zmiksował wszystko jeszcze raz, dorzucił dwa utwory, odrzucił jeden i wydał we własnej firmie (Tursa) jeszcze raz album w tym samym, 1990 roku.

W nagraniach Tony'ego wspomagali Ian Read (wokal), Karl Blake (gitara basowa) i Leithana (pianino).

Nazwa płyty Lex Talionis po łacinie znaczy prawo odwetu.

Lista utworów
Blood & Wine (tylko na reedycjach)
Lex Talionis
Black Easter
Kneel to the Cross
The Ruins
Tooth and Claw
Blood Against Gold
Fields
Reynardine (tylko na pierwotnej wersji z dwiema innymi płytami Current 93 i Nurse With Wound)
Abbatoirs of Love
Heroes Day
Rex Talionis
Wine and Blood (tylko na reedycjach)

Albumy folkowe
Albumy muzyczne wydane w roku 1990
Albumy Sol Invictus


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Q: array to string conversion error during consuming a web service using php,soap,wsdl I am trying a simple web service in php,soap and wsdl using Nusoap toolkit . The sum function is correctly registered at server.php and the web service is already created however, to consume the service  using client.php it shows the following error message:

Notice: Array to string conversion in C:\wamp\www\my\client.php on line 6. Thank you for sharing your experience.

service.php
<?php

function sum($number1,$number2)
{
   $result= $number1+$number2;
    return $result;
}

?>

client.php
<?php

require('lib/nusoap.php');

        $client=new nusoap_client("http://localhost/my/server.php?wsdl");

$value1=200;

$value2=300;
  $result=$client->call('sum',array('number1'=>"$value1",'number2'=>"$value2"));

echo $result;

?>

A: First, its a notice, and therefore does not "hinder" the execution, so it probably works, but if outputting the notice is a problem you can turn that off
error_reporting(E_ERROR);

Second, the source of the notice might come from $result being an array, and echo expects a string, or maybe your "call" expects a string as second parameter. Is it line 6 you have shown us?
EDIT: if you want to echo just the result, you need to take a look at the result array:
print_r($result);

and from that determine where in the array the result is, for example;
echo $result['sum'];

or just look at whatever is creating the array to see how its structured

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Storage is the enemy of clutter - create a place for everything and keep everything in its place!
There's no doubt about it: the world is currently consumed by the notion of de cluttering, thanks, in part, to Japanese organisational guru Marie Kondo and her 'KonMari' method.
And take it from us – it's uncomplicated fodder: the clean queen poses the same question to help each of the subjects of 'Tidying Up With Marie Kondo' (her wildly successful Netflix series) part with their 'stuff'.
Item by item, she asks: "Does it spark joy?" And in response, her TV subjects (and millions of viewers across the globe) seem immediately hypnotised.
Cue epic purging and effusive paring back of domestic detritus in an attempt to concoct a more beautiful (and certainly more efficient) world. Joy? And then some.
Double D Storage – Display or Discrete?
Storage is the enemy of clutter, but only if used properly. 'Display' storage – such as open shelves and sideboard surfaces – is for showcasing accessories and beautiful items, whereas 'Discrete' storage (behind doors or in boxes) makes sense for practical items which your home needs (toilet roll and shampoo bottles, etc) but no one – let's be honest – needs to see.
Rather than occupy each drawer as a single space, fit each one with 'organizers' to keep small items grouped and contained. Sources? Try Muji or Walmart, both of whom merchant various options. Alternatively, create your own setup by attiring drawers with small containers, trays and boxes to make item retrieval easier.
If you buy a new pair of shoes, a new suit or even new socks, weed out older, worn items to provide the necessary space for new additions. This practise deters 'closet congestion', encourages order and promotes better awareness of sartorial inventory. The same rules apply for kitchen gadgets (come on: do you really need three toasters?), food stuffs (time to say au revoir to those 'antique' seasoning packs from 2010) and bathroom toiletries. Face it: it's unlikely you'll ever use those awful dusty baths salts (gifted by Auntie Ann in the year dot) so shove 'em in the bin and move on.
Fact: it stands to reason clutter occurs because people have too much stuff. So if you have less stuff, you'll have less clutter in future, right? Before shopping, ask yourself this: "Where is this item going and why do I need it?" Sticking to a design plan helps avoid costly mistakes and will ensure each purchase 'counts'.
So! Ready to purge and bring some Kondo-esque joy to your life? Come on: de cluttering doesn't mean doing without – it simply means creating a home that's populated with things you need and items that personify beauty and practicality. All things considered, Kondo's counsel is a sure fire way to free up space, bring out the best in you and your family and provide a backdrop for good times. And let's face it – good times are the one thing of which you simply can't have enough. The tidy up starts here!


Residents of villages along the A436 have formed an action group to pressurize the Highways Department and police. They want measures actioned urgently to combat the unacceptable speed of traffic along the stretch of road from the Air Balloon Roundabout to Bourton on the Water.
The action group, to be called the North Cotswolds Rural area Against Speeding Harm (No Crash), will provide a focus and co-ordinated approach to the authorities. The A436 is a major thoroughfare for traffic from Oxford, Cheltenham and Gloucester and is used by tourists visiting our area. Running past Andoversford and Shipton and through a series of hamlets it currently has large stretches which are derestricted and the lowest speed limit is 50mph.
The group also consists of residents Peter Hellyar, Peter Ellis, Amanda Kitson, Robert Buck, Peter Davies and Frank Hemming along with Hugh Piggott from the National Star College and supported by Simon Redmond, Andoversford Parish Council Chairman and Shipton Parish Council Chairman Robin Finch.
The group has put together a list of demands which they say are 'easily done and sensible solutions'. They will be presenting these to local councillors and police to launch their campaign.
The Group will be meeting again shortly to share its solutions with the authorities.


I'm sure most people see things in our world that are in need of a major overhaul. I know I see lots of them. In my youth, I wasted a lot of energy trying to convince other people that my plan had long term benefits that would outweigh the short term costs. I eventually learned that my life was the only one over which I held significant sway, and so I had to lead by example. I conserve energy, pick up trash, and treat others the way I think we should treat one-another. I just hope the people around me see that doing the right thing can have significant, long term benefits.
I still wish I had a megaphone that would let me shout at the world and say, "What are you thinking?!", but I know even that would have a very limited effect. The reality is that this world is one of our own making. It is a product of who we are as a collective. Sadly, it is a reflection on our entire species and our biological roots. It reflects our incredible abilities, and our limitations. As we evolve, so will our world. Unfortunately, I don't think we will be ready to make the big changes that need to happen to avoid calamity.
We face so many hazards, it's difficult to even speculate on what sort of cataclysmic event is going to strike first. It could be war, crop failures/famine, pandemic, sea level rise, economic collapse, a meteor strike, or something I haven't even considered. I just hope people get their priorities straight and learn to care about one-another before we go off a cliff.
In the mean time, I don't have the time or resources to change the world. I can only live my life the best way I know how and advocate for a cleaner, more peaceful world with less waste and more people who take the time to think about what they are doing and how it will impact our future.
We all need to deeply consider our choices. Someone will have to live in the mess we leave behind, and that someone will be just like us. My goal is to leave my little corner of the world a little better than I found it. I hope that is my legacy.


text:
Rape Conception Stories
Conceived in Rape – Birth Mother Stories
Conceived In Rape Children
Conceived In Rape Adoption
Conceived in Rape – Babies Lost
Minky4Life
One Choice Saves 4 Lives
By admin / December 6, 2019 December 6, 2019
Tiffany was sitting outside an abortion clinic. She had used almost all of her money to travel by bus to get to this clinic that was open on Sunday. Her little 2 year old was with her. Tiffany was texting in a group. She told them that she had been raped and she was now pregnant. Already responsible for herself and a 2 year old she felt there was no other choice but to abort. No money, no home, no hope.
Kay (not her real name) one of Choices4Life's clients, happened to be in that chat group and saw Tiffany's posts. Kay knows what it's like to be raped and pregnant …at 13. She also knows the joys of having a 6 year old. No regrets.
Tiffany and Kay talked back and forth. Finally Tiffany agreed to let Choices4Life help her. Housing for victims and their babies was available at no charge to Tiffany. Choices4Life paid for a bus ticket to the town. Waiting at the bus station was a woman who runs the apartments. Sally (not her real name) saw how sick Tiffany and her son looked so she immediately drove them to the hospital.
That's when a series of amazing events happened. Mom and child were both examined. Mom went immediately to the Intensive Care Unit. Multiple infections were overtaking her body. A sonogram showed Tiffany was carrying twins. Meanwhile her 2 year old was found to have a ruptured appendix and a leaking gall bladder. Emergency surgery was needed for him to live. Doctors also discovered adenoids to be blocking most of the child's airway making it difficult to breathe. Along with all of that the poor baby had cysts on his kidney. But he was going to be ok now.
Upon closer examination doctors learned that Tiffany was in renal failure. Her chances of living past 5 days was probably impossible. She needed a kidney transplant immediately.
Tiffany at this point was homeless and without funds for anything. She seemed to have no hope when a nurse stepped up and offered to see if she was a match for a kidney. She was! The nurse was a perfect match.Within in 24 hours from the time she arrived at the hospital Tiffany was in surgery! Not sure about you but I've never heard of anyone getting a kidney or any other organ in less than 24 hours! A specialist who was experienced in doing surgery on mothers who were carrying multiples was flown in to operate on Tiffany. Truly this was miraculous.
Sally contacted me. She knew I made Minky blankets. Shannon Fabrics are so very soft and are used to help in traumatic situations. Sally told me the boy told her, "Some ladies hurt mommy and took my blankie." That just broke my heart. I told her I'd get to making a special blanket asap. It was sewn that evening and ready for mail in the morning. I described the blanket to her. What she told me brought me to tears.
When they arrived at the hospital an animal coloring book was given to the boy. He immediately looked through it and found the deer. With his hands he made the shape of a heart. Tiffany said, "Deer are his favorite."
I had no idea he loved deer. But the feeling to do the deer was pretty intense. I cried knowing that there was something very special happening.
The doctor was willing to discount the surgery by 50%. Another miracle! But the deadline was the next day. $65,000 was needed. In less than 24 hours? A wonderful woman donated $60,000, someone at the hospital donated $3000 and Choices4Life gave all we had – $800, but we just couldn't come up with the rest of the $1200 by the end of the next day. The doctor agreed to extend the deadline 2 more days. Sally called me and we began the fundraiser.
Appeals went out on Facebook. There would be a live fundraiser on our Minky4Life page on FB. With a wonderful volunteer named Sandee we worked long hours that one day and night to make scarves. The live would take place on Thursday at 5pm. That was cutting it close but we wanted to have as many scarves as possible.
People started giving immediately. Before the live show even started we had raised $970. By the end of the evening on Thursday we had made our goal plus $60.
It's just amazing that if Tiffany had not chosen life for her twins not only would they have died but her 2 year old would have died from the ruptured appendix and Tiffany would have died from renal failure.
This is the most amazing example of "choosing life" I've seen. It also is the fastest most miraculous surgeries I've seen. I wish I could give the name of the hospital and everyone who made this possible. But sadly not everyone sees this as a good thing. So many of our clients are living secretly because there are many people who want to hurt them. Those who are trafficked and pregnant or pregnant after rape and abandoned are the ones we help. 158 girls with 168 children conceived after rape are being cared for. Choices4Life helps on a continuous basis.
We strive to keep mothers and their children safe and together. We can't do it without the support of our wonderful donors literally helping us save lives. If you'd like to be a life saving supporter please go to our donation page. All donations are tax deductible. All visit our products page or contact us for custom minky products.
Maybe one day there will be a documentary.
Juda Myers
Founder Choices4Life
Conceived in gang rape living with purpose!
Mother, Grandmother, singer/songwriter, artist
4 thoughts on "One Choice Saves 4 Lives"
William Legg
I do Ministry outside of two and sometimes 3 abortion clinics in the Va Beach area. Do have any brochures that I could possibly get into the hands of those who might use your services.
I also want to approach my church about support for your organization, do you have some kind of promotional video that I could share with the elders.
Thank you so very much. YES we have brochures and we have some videos on Youtube. Click here.
Sonia Fournier
This made me cry, again. Truly a miracle. God is so good. His blessings continue to amaze me.
Yes I stand in awe! I cried too to be a part of the chain in this miracle of events.
We'd love to know your story. You are not alone. It will help you as well as others in your situation.
CHOICES4LIFE was established February 2011 by Juda Myers as a way to promote and restore honor and dignity to women and children of rape conception through assault and/or incest. We offer hands-on help both financially and emotionally for those who are affected in this way. A goal is to educate the world about the value of every human life conceived. We seek to raise awareness of the multitudes living in shame that isn't their own from sexual abuse, while aiding those affected. God has a greater plan than shame.
Rape, Abortion & Regret
Mother's with Rape Conceived Children
Raped Conceived Children
Adoptive Parents of Raped Conceived Children
Conceived in Incest
Abortion used to protect rapists
Married to a rapist
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2018© All rights reserved choices4life.org


I, Carla Harren, vow before the ANCIENT ANCESTORS and the SPIRITS OF THE SKY together with the Spirit Animal Buffalo and Humming Bird allowing and surrendering to the spiral movement of balance within the Divine Inner Guidance of Truth for the Higher Good for All.
I, Carla Harren, vow before the ANCIENT ANCESTORS and the SPIRITS OF THE EARTH together with Spirit Animal Coyote and Jaguar allowing and surrendering to the spiral movement of balance to birth being in the nurturing nourishment of Presence for the Higher Good for All.
I, Carla Harren, vow before the ANCIENT ANCESTORS and the SPIRITS OF THE FIRE together with Spirit Animal Eagle and Condor allowing and surrendering to the spiral movement of balance to be in Harmony for the Higher Good for All.
I, Carla Harren, pledge before the ANCIENT ANCESTORS and All the SPIRITS OF WATER together with the Spirit Animal Bear and Dolphins/Whales allowing and surrendering to the spiral movement of attunement and alignment with Abundance for the Higher Good for All.
May the theme of new beginnings support the flow as All allow and surrender to the Free Will of Choice.
May the Full Moon support the flow of service to Be Heart Loyalty in All relationships as Universal Beings.
May the supportive Goal transcendence of Universal Unconditional Love Consciousness flow for All.
May the theme of Divine Inner Guidance initiate the step by step accomplishment.
May the Full Moon of Divine Inner Guidance be the possibility flow of service in its exploration and discovery Being the passageway for All.
May the goal of Divine Inner Guidance of the Silent Sanctuary Be Abundant for All in its celebration.
May the theme of challenges, strengthening and opportunity flow to navigate and synchronize the passageway of creation for All.
May the Full Moon with its challenges, strengthening and opportunity flow for All to Be within transformation and catalyzing self generative energy for solutions.
May the goal of challenges, strengthening and opportunity flow within Universal Water to assist the self remembrance of purity for All in its Presence.
May the theme of coming home to communicate with Spirit Be the hidden power revealed and flourishing for All.
May the Full Moon with its balance Be in the flow of liberation to open the unconsciousness into the consciousness of Divine Wisdom for All.
May the goal of new creations flow within the breath of the spiral movement circulation for All.
Note: Gratitude to Leslie J. Hart for gifting the Lapis Lazuli Sphere in the Center.
May the theme Be centered, grounded and anchored of this rainbow spiral movement within the knowing of empowered creativity and Universal mastery for All.
May the Full Moon Be centered, grounded and anchored within the rainbow spiral movement flow of renewing the Oneness.
May the goal Be centered, grounded and anchored within the rainbow spiral movement flow of initiating or accelerating a process or event without being affected or consumed by it for All.


I love that I'm able to spend my days thinking about how people learn! I find joy connecting with others to share this knowledge through my work of teaching, designing and facilitating great learning experiences. Here's a little of my story of how I got here.
I started my career in higher education, coordinating international executive training and summer abroad programs. Working at a university fed into my zest for learning and jump-started me on an education-based career.
Later I spent several years in the non-profit sector, coordinating and leading workshops at Volunteer Victoria. At the same time I worked for the Canadian Red Cross developing courses online. My instructional design skills took leaps and bounds when I started working for Royal Roads University in their teaching and learning centre, where I still work on a casual part-time basis as an instructional designer. I created my own company in 2011 because I knew it would give me the ability to work on a variety of interesting projects and craft my own work life as an entrepreneur.
Over the years I've designed and facilitated hundreds of courses, workshops and sessions, both face-to-face and online. I've worked with educational institutions, large and small nonprofits, and municipal and provincial government departments. I love working with anyone who is doing meaningful work – and I like variety. My clients are all across Canada.
My work is built on a strong educational foundation. I have a graduate degree in adult education, have attended a variety of professional development courses and go to conferences in my field on a regular basis. I am constantly studying how to create effective, outcomes-based learning opportunities.
You'll often find me hanging out with my family, reading a good book, singing with my local choir (alto section), shopping at farmers' markets, convening an event for Victoria Facilitators Group, or emailing introductions to people who I think need to know each other! I am a member of the Educational Technology Users Group (ETUG), the Sooke Women in Business and the Sooke Chamber of Commerce.