St Barts in English or Saint Barth in French is located in the French West Indies is considered by many to be Monte Carlo in the Caribbean islands. This little Caribbean gem measures just 21sq km or only 8 sq miles , and is a magnet for the European jet set as well as the American well heeled.

An international flavor combines with French chic, West Indian cool and stunning scenery to produce one of the most idyllic vacation destinations to be found not only in the Caribbean but and anywhere in the world. Stepping onto St Barts is to step out of normal existence; the island has an unmistakable feel of quality and affluence, which sets it apart from the over-developed, tourist over-run islands, found elsewhere in the Caribbean chain.

International flights from the US and beyond arrive at the neighboring French island of St Maarten , and then a quick hop of less than 20 minutes will find you in your cab heading for your luxury villa accommodations favored by many visitors to the island.

The island is home to some 20-odd beaches widely regarded as amongst the most perfect on the planet. Some are long expanses of snow white sand catering to every possible need of the fanatical beach dweller. There are restaurants, stunning beach bars; every conceivable kind of water sports, as well has the clearest water imaginable.

There is a distinct lack of monstrous condo developments and massive resort hotel construction; this is because of firm government controls that favor eco-friendly tourism development. The capital of the island was developed by 17th century Swedish colonialists who named the town Gustavia, after their King.

Scuba diving is an incredibly popular pastime around the island's shores, which is not surprising given the quality of the clear water. In addition , the large numbers of beautiful coral reef structures, as well as at least three ship wrecks, innumerable beautifully colored fish as well as other sea creatures such as turtles and dolphins.

If you prefer your enjoyment, back on the land St. Barts can offer a huge array of activities and sports to keep even the most athletic entertained for every day of their vacation. There are a huge number of diverse sports such as archery, tennis , horse riding, hiking, quad bike riding and many more.

Those who prefer more sedate activities can enjoy a variety of spa treatments including massage and many other therapies. Shopping is also a very popular indulgence especially in Gustavia due to its duty-free port status. Here you will find not only local crafts and gifts; you can also indulge yourself in the world's finest boutique designer goods and clothing.

St Barts offers the finest of everything from shopping, to villa accommodations, to the best beaches , and the clearest waters. This is why it has become one of the meeting points of the international jet set, who come to enjoy its many sights and wonders.
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Blue Ocea Villas offers an extraordinary selection of private villas on the islands of Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy and Saint Maartin. Search for vacation villas In St Barts and St Martin as well as vacation villas for rent in St Maarten.

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Carefully, silently he peers around the corner and when the air is clear he ducks and dashes from one safe place to the next. His habitual reaction is 'flight'. At the slightest unexpected movement or sound, he saves his hide - fast as a flash and silent as a mouse.... In the five years little Ben has been with us , there hasn't been a single incident that endangered his life or harmed him in any way. Yet he is always on the run and trusts only one person and sits only in one lap.

He was a rescue cat; a half starved, abused and sick little creature - saved from feline hell just in time to survive. Now, he's safe in a haven of gentle caring and still he scuttles, dashes and runs. It took me a while to understand that Ben doesn't run because he's afraid anymore, he runs because that's what he has always done. The fear he acquired has turned into a habit that defines everything he does.

Even when the house is quiet and no one else is around , this little black fur ball doesn't stride gracefully like any other cat, he moves like a flash and at best he trots. For the first 9 months of his life, that's what assured him survival and now, long after the causes have been forgotten, the behaviour continues - a habit acquired through fear.

Watching him makes me realise how the experiences from early childhood create habits that become deeply ingrained - how unconsciously they influence everything we do. It also gives me a profound sense of gratitude that unlike that driven little cat we humans have a choice of replacing acquired fear with learned happiness.

Whether our early childhood years were marked by happy memories , safe surroundings and confident comfort or whether we had to dash and dive, undoubtedly these experiences will influence our self-esteem as much as our perception of the world as a safe place. And until the moment we realise that we do have a choice on how we allow these early years to influence our lives, we are pretty much their prisoners.

But then, when we understand that it is within our power to let go of the fear and learn joyfulness instead, something incredible happens.

We stop running , scuttling and hiding and we let go of the need to blame. As the realisation of our own power increases, the force that once dragged us back into the past diminishes. That's when we begin to gracefully glide through life. But how do we 'learn' to be happy?

First, by making the simple decision to be joyful; and then by committing to follow this path 'no matter what'. The great times will be when we are distracted by happy experiences a.