What a nice surprise to be featured in Islands Magazine this month in their “Ten Best Islands to Live On” article. Almost exactly one year ago Terrie and I purchased the Palmetto Guesthouse after living overseas for many years.
We are both originally from Massachusetts and we had the dream of owning our own business for many years and finally saw that goal come to fruition with the purchase of the Palmetto here on Culebra.
Our travels have taken us to Europe, Central and South America, the South Pacific, and of course, the Caribbean.
Some background information
In 1997 we joined the U. S. Peace Corps and served in the remote Lakekamu Basin rainforest in Papua New Guinea. While there we worked on an alternative income generation project to try and help preserve the rainforest. Our primary project was to work with villagers to help start and run the Hinowattie Guesthouse and Research Camp.
Funnily enough, at the time, we had no idea that our travels would take us on further extended trips to both Samoa and the Caribbean (British Virgin Islands) and finally coming full circle owning and managing our own small guesthouse.
If you have any questions about our travels, Culebra, or living overseas please feel free to contact us! Should you be coming to Culebra (U.S. citizens no passport required) we would love to host you here at the Palmetto Guesthouse and check out Culebra Blog.
Bookmark at:StumbleUpon | Digg | Del.icio.us | Reddit
June 11th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Many Congratulations!
What a great happy lovely couple! This is my first time in my life too see your real photo! Love it!
You look more like an life style entrepreneur! Your story is very motivational to many people like me! I bet that best thing won’t just happening once. Your on the right track!
Good luck!
June 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hi Mark - Congratulations. That was a brilliant article. I hadn’t heard of Culebra until I started reading your blog but I’ve heard great things about it since and it’s definitely on my must visit list. I had no idea so few people lived there though.
Is the best way to get there via Puerto Rico? Do you need to take a boat or a plane from there?
July 27th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I will definitely come and visit one day. Seems like you must have picked the perfect spot if the area is being featured in magazines.
Very happy for you, keep it up mark.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Thanks again for a lovely stay and aiding my addiction to the island of Culebra. Ollie and I will post a nice review on Tripadvisor and greetings to Mango. Mi pero Munch was a bit of a crisis on return but he his fine. I think he just missed mommy and wanted to travel with me.
Enjoy your first vacation. It’s a tough one in the guesthouse business but you both deserve it.
I’ll be back! Going to a Yankee’s game with the gals I met at your place 2 visits ago. It’s the final year for the ‘House that Ruth built’… Yankees vs. Kansas City on August 16th.
Besitos, Anne
July 28th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Thanks again for a lovely stay and aiding my addiction to the island of Culebra. Ollie and I will post a nice review on Tripadvisor and greetings to Mango. Mi pero Munch was a bit of a crisis on return but he his fine. I think he just missed mommy and wanted to travel with me.
Enjoy your first vacation. The first break is always the hardest in the guesthouse business but you both deserve it.
I’ll be back! Going to a Yankee’s game with the gals I met at your place 2 visits ago. It’s the final year for the ‘House that Ruth built’… Yankees vs. Kansas City on August 16th.
Besitos, Anne
September 11th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Please contact me, my wife and I would like to come to your Island
March 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
I’ve visited a distant friend on Vieques twice recently, but never seemed to make it to Culebra because I could never figure out the ferry schedule. Reading about you, I know that my next trip will be a direct one to Culebra. I’d love to be an ex-pat alao…and hope you’re just further south enough that the waters are warmer. Very important since I’m used to Hawaiian waters. What kind of work/housing is there for medically trained people?
April 5th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Aloha, after a LONG study of ‘Where should I Live’ I found Culebra…after Paris, Hamburg, NYC LA San Francisco and Hawaii for 7 years, I never felt at home.
I am a French Trained Chef and know most every other cuisine. Do you have any idea if anyone hires for the summer. I also cooked for a Captain in the Waters off Puerto Rico so I am quite versed in the friendly fodder of the islands. I would love to visit you this summer!
April 16th, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Hi Mark,
I read about you and your wife in Island Magazine. Bravo to you and your wife for living your dream! How fantastic!
I currently live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (I’ve done two stints in the Boston area). I am looking at finding an apartment in the islands to rent for 6-9 months a year. I am forty years old and need to be in a warm climate for health reasons. I would like to live in a place where there are other Americans and a sense of community. Safety is also critical to me. Do you do long term rentals at your guesthoust? If not, can you recommend any properties? My budget would be between $700-$1000 per month for a 1-2 bedroom.
Please send info to my email if it is too much to post.
Thanks!