Gatorade on a Q-Tip and Art Masterpieces with Bugs

From Talkin Tourism Show Photos

Getting back together again after their travels, History Lady and Radio Man picked up like they had never been apart. Something that is bound to happen when you have close to 75 shows under your belt…or perhaps it is just talent!

With Ed Griffith in the studio, recounting his recent trip of Eleuthera with the Jensen Beach gang, it was interesting to hear the Talkin' Tourism Team actually talk about their experiences as tourists, each in a different country. So, who was the man who proposed to Robin and what do Marie Antoinette and Robin have in common? What were Ed’s reflections on his first visit to Eleuthera and is the Jensen Beach 'Sister City' relationship with Gregory Town alive and well? Are “Nature’s Little Secrets” (the British Virgin Islands) keeping any secrets about Gary and Misti’s trip to Tortola? All this and more when you download the show.

The main event was the return visit of Dr. Noble, Director of Public Exhibits at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Always a wealth of information, Dr. Noble carefully explained the uniqueness of the new exhibit entitled CSI: Crime Scene Insects. The discussion was fascinating. While this type of forensic analysis did not have legal credibility in the U.S. until the 1960’s, it has been practiced in China for over 1,200 years. How was a murder in China that long ago solved? Is it an exhibit that children will enjoy? Absolutely! Who would have ever thought that you could 'paint with maggots'! And what about our cold winter? The outdoor butterfly exhibit which houses 2,000 butterflies had to make adjustments, which they did. Believe it or not, they moved many of the butterflies into their indoor breeding areas and allowed the patrons to feed the butterflies. The butterflies food of choice? Gatorade on a Q-Tip!

It just gets better and better every week, so if you missed the show download and listen now. If you have not been to the blog in a while, check out the amazing photos of the two shows broadcast from the British Virgin Islands. You will want to travel to paradise and have a cheeseburger in paradise!

Until next week, Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast…signing off!

What do CSI Insects, French Men, Pineapples, and the Caribbean have in Common?

From Blogger Pictures

Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast will be talking to three experienced tourists who have recently completed three different international experiences at nearly the same time!

Getting their act together after time apart, show host Gary Guertin and co-host Robin Hicks-Connors are rejoined after a couple weeks away. Robin’s sojourn to Paris will lend some ”Je ne sais quoi” to the show. So who did propose marriage? How many croissants can you eat in a day? Is the French onion soup really that good?

Radio Man (aka Gary) and the rest of the Talkin' Tourism team headed to Tortola, British Virgin Islands for their semi-annual get-a-way. What adventures happened while they were visiting “Natures Little Secrets?” Do they have their own secrets? Was it a problem being held captive in the Caribbean due to the Spirit Airline Strike? What is the hottest bar in Road Town, Tortola? What is the magic of Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke? Added into the mix will be Talkin' Tourism special guest host Ed Griffith. Ed accompanied the Jensen Beach contingent that tripped down to Gregory Town, Eleuthera in the Bahamas to join its sister city for its annual Pineapple Festival. What was it like? This will be the first time that Radio Man, History Lady and Don “Edwardo” Gilbert will be in the studio at the same time!

Joining the crew for the main feature of the show will be Dr. Doug Noble, PH.D, Director of Exhibits, Public Programs and Assistant in Museum Administration for the Florida Museum of Natural History, which is located in Gator Town--Gainesville. This will be a second Talkin' Tourism guest appearance for Dr. Noble. "Wow’ed" by the hospitality of the Treasure Coast on his first visit, Dr. Noble wanted to come back to the Treasure Coast and share his excitement about a brand new exhibit opening at the museum--CSI: Crime Scene Insects. This exhibit delves into the mysterious world of crime solving insects! With many TV shows focusing on crime scene investigation, the CSI: Crime Scene Insects exhibit uses hands-on activities, educational panels, and mock investigations to show visitors how maggots, flies and beetles help solve crimes every day. You will want to travel to Gainesville to see this one!

Tune in tomorrow at 10 a.m. to hear the show live. If you're on the Treasure Coast, tune your radio dial to WPSL 1590 AM. If your outside of the radio broadcast area or if you prefer to listen in via the Internet, you'll be able to listen to the live audio stream by visiting http://www.wpsl.com/.

See you tomorrow!

Live from Nanny Cay Resort and Marina in the British Virgin Islands

With a show guest list that included names like Tubes, Muffy, a girl named Sam, and a celebrity co-host named ManPot, you had to know from the start this was going to be a fun show, where anything could happen or be said “on the air.”  And, that is exactly what happened! 

With Malcolm Boyes co-hosting again (thanks Malcolm!), Radio Man got a run for his money. After the opening chit chat and catching up on what each other had done over the last week, including brilliant observations by Radio Man such as… “you know Malcolm, it’s so laid back here that the plants even grow slower than back in Florida" and Malcolm asking Gary "what is a pirate’s favorite vegetable?” (you will have to listen to the show to find out), the show really started to roll. 

As the hosting location for this week’s show, Nanny Cay Resort and Marina's Hospitality Manager Samantha “Sam” Lewis was up first.  Sam was excited to share with listeners all that the property has to offer, both the boating set and landlubbers looking for a great getaway. If you have children, this place is for you, with many activities for children and adults alike. 

Sam was particularly proud of the fact that occupancy this month is 70%, not bad by any standards for the low season. For more details about Nanny Cay check out the show and the photos of the guest rooms and public areas. Sam is truly a Hospitality Manager for there is truly nothing she or her staff will not do for their guests.

How about undersea adventures?  Michael “Muffy” Royle, co-owner of Blue Water Divers BVI, gave listeners a great overview of dive operations and shared information on his personal favorite dive sites.  From the wreck of the RMS Rhone, to The Caves and The Indians, Muffy explained that due to the configuration of the islands, there virtually is not one day where a trip would have to be canceled due to weather or sea condition. Amazing! There is always a sheltered/leeward spot to dive.  What was the Florida-BVI connection in this conversation? Muffy and Radio Man talk about it during the show.

Next, we went from under the sea to on the sea with Andrew “Tubes” Thompson, director of Horizon Yacht Charters.  Andrew was a riot (funny).  With his great British sense of humor, he talked about his company’s commitment to service and quality for his charter customers.  Horizon Yacht Charters now has locations in four areas of the Caribbean including Grenada/Grenadines, a place that is not foreign to Radio Man and PR Queen.  How many guests fit comfortably on a particular boat?  It depends.  Depends on “what” you may ask.  Well, believe it or not, it depends on nationality!  Andrew will describe the “math” in specific detail how this works and more. 

After a few Treasure Coast updates on things to do and places to go and fishing tournaments to participate in, the show drew to a close too quickly. Before we knew it, we were packing our gear and dismantling our “Caribbean Microphone Stands”.

If you missed the broadcast, download the Nanny Cay Tortola show here. And be sure to view the photo album below of Nanny Cay Resort, Marina and Boatyard, which also features photos of the show's guests! 


Talkin' Tourism WILL be back on the Treasure Coast this Friday (June 25), at least we think it will, that is if U.S. Airways doesn't strike!

Talkin' Tourism IN THE NEWS

Talkin' Tourism's second live remote this month on Tortola has made headlines in the BVI!

Check out the links below and join us for some Caribbean sun (??) and fun tomorrow at 10 a.m.! Sun might be a little iffy thanks to an approaching tropical system, but the fun is guaranteed!

Virgin Island News
BVI News

Sailing, Diving and Resorts of the Caribbean

Thanks to the “spirits” (no, not the rum or jumbee kind--the airline kind), the Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast crew is not back on the Treasure Coast this week.

Canceled flights, due to the Spirit Airlines strike, have held the crew captive in the British Virgin Islands until Saturday. So, why not make lemonade out of lemons and put together another show from the Caribbean? Cool man!

Since we are here in the beautiful Caribbean, let’s talk boating, water sports, diving and fly fishing. As you may surmise, in the islands it’s all about the water. The British Virgin Islands--“Nature’s Little Secrets”--are world famous for its beautiful waters, and with so many islands to visit, everyday is a new adventure. Water activities, such as diving, snorkeling, cruising, fishing, windsurfing, surfing, kite boarding, kayaking and more---the BVI has it all!

This week Talkin' Tourism will broadcast further west on Tortola, from Nanny Cay Resort, Marina and Boatyard. Show host Gary Guertin and the Talkin' Tourism team has assembled a great guest line up, and once again, this week Radio Man is joined by celebrity guest co-host Malcolm "Manpot" Boyes.

Here's the guest line-up.

Andrew Thompson, director of Horizon Yacht Charters. Andrew will share his passion for sailing the waters in and around the BVI. Horizon Yacht Charters, with additional locations in Antigua/Barbuda, Grenada, and St. Martin, can make your dreams of sailing the Caribbean come true. What is the difference between a bareboat charter and a crewed charter? What about a skippered charter? If you are not sure about the pros and cons of each, you will want to tune in.

Samantha "Sam" Lewis, the hospitality manager for Nanny Cay Resort, Marina and Boatyard. She will enthusiastically describe all of the amenities to be found at this great Caribbean port of call, from the provisioning center to ships chandlery, to guest accommodations, restaurants and bars, to most importantly, commitment to guest services.

Want water toys while you in the British Virgin Islands? Radio Man will inform listeners where they can find everything from clear bottom kayaks and floating coolers, to windsurfers and blenders, to hammocks, hand-held VHF radios and fishing poles. Truly “one-stop-shopping."

Rather be under the sea than on the sea? Then Michael Royle, co-owner of Blue Water Divers BVI, will be your cup of rum. Since 1980, Blue Water Divers BVI has been providing unparalleled diving experiences for visitors from around the world. Is there a Florida connection? You bet there is, as well as a Bahama connection for all you FLAHAMIANS.

Of course, there will be Treasure Coast and Florida updates in the mix, including Police and Fire Games, the Stuart Sailfish Club’s Summer Slam and the 4th annual Reef Builders Tournament.

Are you ready for another island adventure semi-compliments of Spirit Airlines? If you’ll drink to that, so will we.

See you Friday morning at 10 a.m. from Nanny Cay Resort, Marina and Boatyard. On the Treasure Coast you'll find the show on WPSL 1590 AM. For the rest of the world, you can listen to the show live on your computer at www.wspl.com.

Culinary Tourism, Brandywine, a Bare Hut, and what's a ManPot?

Three, two, one ON THE AIR! …and the second LIVE remote was a happening from Brandywine Bay Restaurant, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Malcolm Boyes, sitting in for Robin Hicks-Connors (who's off on a European trip of her own), and Chef Davide Pugliese in the guest seat, the good times began to role.  At the top of the show, Radio Man, Talkin' Tourism host Gary Guertin gave shout outs to all the great folks that made the trip and the show possible, including Jerry from Jerry’s Car Rentals, our St. Thomas taxi driver, the Love Cab, and U.S. and BVI Customs and Immigration for a smooth entry.  What are the Treasure Coast connections to the show?  For one, Freddie “John” Wilson from Stuart, Florida, owner of Casa Allamanda, which has become Gary and Misti’s second home in the BVI. Thanks Freddie!

For listeners who may not have known exactly where in the world Tortola is, Malcolm provided a geography lesson and shared how easy it is to travel to this tropical paradise from the U.S. With geography lesson out of the way, the stories began to roll on when and how Malcolm, Chef Davide and Gary fell in love with the BVI.  Remarkably, three very different people had eerily similar tales to tell.  Each revolved around a woman and the love of the “Caribbean Way."  Fast-forwarding to the present, Gary and Malcolm headed for the topic of the day, Culinary Tourism in the Caribbean.  Chef Davide was certainly up to the task as he began to describe how he began his career, and what influenced him in the development of his style of combining classic Italian with the best of the Caribbean.  Availability of product, creative use of standard (and not so standard) ingredients and passionate creativity all combined to create the Chef Davide “signature” that has become so popular in his restaurants in Tortola and elsewhere.  A few questions listeners will hear answered when listening to the show include:  Is the current food media hype in broadcast, print and elsewhere creating higher expectations for the dining public?  Besides excellence in food quality and preparation, what is the second most important part of the dining experience?

Sprinkled in the mix of laughs and stories, was an assortment of more “Treasure Coast Connections," how Malcolm received his island name--Manpot--and from whom, and a discussion of the current state of affairs with the invasive Lionfish in the BVI.

Saving the best for last, Chef Davide explained his new creation for the ultimate culinary tourism experience, Wali Nikiti, located on private Scrub Island, BVI.

Before you listen to this part of the show, YOU HAVE TO VIEW THE PHOTOS!  Then, and only then, will it all make sense.  For example, how can a house have no walls, corners or windows?  And, what the heck does Wali Nikiti mean? (BVI).  With celebrity guest co-host

Thanks for listening! We know you'll have as much fun as we did doing it! And, for those of you with DIF (dreaded island fever)--you know who you are, fix yourself a rum drink, and get ready to escape to paradise, even if it's just for one hour. Here's the audio link to the show. And, below are several photo albums for your viewing pleasure.









See you for another fun-filled hour this coming Friday!

NEWS FLASH---The Talkin' Tourism crew was among the thousands impacted by the Spirit Airlines strike. We're 'stranded' on Tortola and return flights are a little hard to get, so we'll be in the BVI a bit longer than expected. The good news? We'll be doing another LIVE show this Friday, June 18, from the BVI. If you're on Florida's Treasure Coast, you can catch the show on your radio dial at WPSL 1590 AM. If you're anywhere else in the world, catch the show on the Internet at www.wpsl.com. The fun begins at 10 a.m.!

Wali Nikiti--one of tomorrow's show's topics

Check out the photos of this fabulous retreat on Scrub Island in the British Virgin Islands. If you love culinary tourism, turn in to the show tomorrow, Friday, June 11 at 10 a.m., to learn more about this Caribbean enclave owned by Chef Davide and Cele Pugliese.

LIVE from the Caribbean--Culinary Tourism and All T'ings Caribbean

Even Radio Man (aka Gary Guertin) has to take a vacation from time to time…right?  Well, where does the Ambassador to FLAHAMA go on vacation?  To the Caribbean of course!  As they say in show business, “the show must go on,” so Talkin' Tourism on Florida’s Treasure Coast is pleased to be producing its second live remote from beautiful Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. What are the Treasure Coast connections? You’ll have to listen in this Friday at 10 a.m. to find out.

What surprises are in store? How about having a return guest co-host appearance by Malcolm Boyes, who is an award-winning journalist, Malcolm (aka Manpot) has worked for the likes of the National Inquirer and interviewed celebrities such as John Wayne, Cher, Clint Eastwood, and more. In addition, Malcolm’s illustrious career has included stints with The Star, People magazine, Cable News Network, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Inside Edition, A Current Affair and Hard Copy, to name a few. And, that’s just our the co-host!

So what’s the show theme?  Quite simply fabulous food and all things Caribbean. Talkin' Tourism is thrilled to have famed Chef Davide Pugliese, owner of Brandywine Bay Restaurant and Capriccio de Mare located in Tortola, as our special guest.  He and his wife Cele's restaurants are renowned for their fabulously creative cuisine.  Born in Italy and a former fashion photographer, you will hear the incredible story of pursing his passion for all things culinary. Davide has been a chef and team manager for the British Virgin Islands Culinary Team in the Taste of the Caribbean, was one of the celebrity chef's this year in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and has won many other awards and recognitions. Could you take culinary lessons under Chef Davide?  If you listen closely, you will hear Chef Davide talking about his exclusive enclave-Wali Nikiti-on Scrub Island, BVI built exclusively for this purpose.

What else?  If Malcolm and Chef Davide don’t fill the hour, there will certainly be Tortolian updates and adventures.  By the way, if you ever want a break from the heat of South Florida in the summer, come to Tortola.  It is cooler and less humid here than on the Treasure Coast!

Thanks for tuning in live on Friday at 10 a.m., either on your radio--WPSL 1590 AM--or for the live audio stream on your computer at--www.wpsl.com. If you can't listen to the show live, check out the Talkin' Tourism blog post-show for the audio file (posted a day or two after the show). The photos alone will be worth your visit!

Travel Insurance, Summer Slams, and Parrots Squawking

Live from the Ambassador’s House on Palmetto Parrot Cay, Flahama, this week's show provided some real important information for those travelers who are headed “across the pond,” as they say in the UK,  or simply going to the Bahamas for a long weekend. Once you are out of the U-S of A, your health insurance is not the lifesaver it is here in the states. Could you afford a $27,000 air ambulance evacuation from a Caribbean island? How about your ability to communicate in French to the attending physician in a Paris hospital, or dealing with a family member who suddenly became ill on an extended cruise? History Lady and Radio Man had the show's resident travel consultant John Burson, CTC, of Indian River Travel, in the studio to answer these question and more. Call-in guest Andrea Frederickson of Travel Guard was a wealth of information on this topic, in addition to other related travel issues that can and do arise when traveling abroad. This is a segment of the show you cannot miss!

Sticking with the tourism theme and educating our listeners about the history of tourism development on the Treasure Coast, guest Dick Roland, board member of the Stuart Sailfish Club was onboard sharing with listeners how this world recognized sportfishing and conservation group utilized the fantastic sailfishing off Treasure Coast waters in the winter season, to attract visitors from around the country to our great area. If you listen closely, you will understand the difference between “J” hooks and "circle” hooks that are now used for game fishing.

Looking for a fun fishing tournament coming up on Father’s Day that won’t bust your budget? The Stuart Sailfish Club’s first SUMMER SLAM will fill the bill. Listen in for details and a whole lot of information.

Thanks for listening. We're broadcasting live from Tortola next week. 'See' you then!

An Island State-of-Mind, Travel Disaster Planning and Stuart's First Tourism Campaign

Smuggler's Cove, Tortola, BVI

In preparation for Radio Man’s semi-annual escape to Tortola, British Virgin Islands, this week Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast will be brought to you from the FLAHAMA-TM Ambassador House, located on Palmetto Parrot Cay, Flahama. This paradise is a good place to meld into an island state-of-mind. With lush tropical surroundings, parrots squawking in the trees, and an umbrella towering overhead, the location will be a real treat for this week's distinguished guests.

Not surprisingly, Stuart, Florida, the self-proclaimed “Sailfish Capital of the World,” had its early tourism promotion efforts coordinated by the Stuart Sailfish Club, which was founded in 1935. Dick Roland, a Stuart Sailfish board member for over 20 years, will join History Lady (Robin Hicks-Connors) and Radio Man (Gary Guertin) to share what impact the club had on early tourism promotional efforts. Additionally, Dick will talk about what the club is up to these days with their ongoing billfish conservation efforts, approaching tournaments, dock-tail parties, and more.

Next up—Travel Disaster Planning 101. So, you have a good health insurance plan and you are going overseas for a little vacation. Are you covered while in the Caribbean, Bahamas, on a cruise ship? Think about it. Are you taking your U.S. based health plan for granted? With Radio Man planning a trip to Tortola next week, and Robin headed for Paris, both need to know what they can do to ensure their heath insurance will take care of matters while abroad. Are you prepared? Appearing this week to educate our listeners will be our resident travel expert John Burson, CTC, principal of Indian River Travel, a 25 year veteran of the travel industry. His agency arranges travel for clients all over the world and works on their behalf to ensure that possible health care emergencies are not problematic.

So, tune in tomorrow at 10 a.m. on WPSL 1590 AM or on the Web at http://www.wpsl.com/ and take another hour-long trip with Talkin' Tourism and FLAHAMA-TM Free Radio, the pirate radio station of the Treasure Coast and beyond.

What's Life-Saving Rum Punches, Police and Fire Departments, and the Caribbean Have in Common? Talkin' Tourism!

When you're the host of a radio show like Talkin' Tourism on Florida's Treasure Coast, you get to do a lot of cool stuff! This week Radio Man, and special guest host Ed Griffith (manager of the Courtyard Hutchinson Island Oceanside/Jensen Beach), did the show from the east porch of the oldest building in Martin County, Florida—the House of Refuge. It was a gorgeous morning, as the photos will attest. For the surfer dudes and dudettes, a nice  little 2’-3’ swell was running. Next time Gary plans to bring along (and use) his long board!

Amy Christensen, the development manager for the Historical Society of Martin County, was full of great information about the history of the building and the purposes a House of Refuge served in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s along Florida’s east coast. The life-saving station keepers were a special breed and were isolated for long periods of time—not your typical type of job. And, what about the lady of the life-saving 'casa'? What was her role in the scheme of things? Did you know that the Historical Society has a special cocktail in honor of the House of Refuge? Indeed they do, but you’ll have to listen to this past week’s show to get the recipe. According to Amy, it is really, really good, and yes it is a rum grog, hearty and tasty enough for infamous pirates like Don Pedro Gilbert!

In the second half of the show, Tom Colucci, executive director of the Treasure Coast Sports Commission, gave listeners a wrap up of the recently completed FHSSA Baseball Tournament that took place at Digital Domain Park in Port St. Lucie, Florida. According to Tom the event was a great success contributing significantly to the tourism business on the Treasure Coast. So, what other sports activities and events does the Sports Commission have lined up? Besides the upcoming Florida Police and Fire Games returning again this year the list is pretty big. If you love sports, there are some you just may want to attend.

The time flew but Gary had a chance to do a Bahamas update, which included information on the upcoming change in hotel tax in July, a new cruise to the Bahamas sailing out of South Carolina and changes in customs duties (many being lowered) on materials being brought into the Islands.

Don’t miss out! Listen to last week’s show, enjoy the conversation and the signature rum drink of the House of Refuge!

Thanks for tuning in and keep those cards and e-mails coming. To stay up on breaking news, become one of the show's Facebook fans, and be sure to recommend your friends and family do the same.

See you on Friday!

P.S. Don't miss our June 11 show, coming LIVE from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Guests? One of the best chef's in the Caribbean---Davide Pugliese, the proprietor of the world renown Brandywine Bay Restaurant and South Beach Wine & Food Festival celebrity chef.