Villa Fratelli Cresta

Last week at work, I received an invitation to attend an art fundraiser to support the victims of tropical storm Erika in Dominica. I haven’t attended many fundraisers, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I wanted to show my support for a fellow Caribbean island, but I was a little apprehensive.

First of all, the fundraiser was being held at a fancy gated villa. I was unsure of what to wear, because the invitation made no mention of what would be appropriate attire, and I didn’t want to be under-dressed. Also, I was worried that my girlfriend and I wouldn’t fit in with the crowd – not only are we gay – but I assumed that we would also be the youngest attendees. Another stress point was that I knew that we would be expected to donate (that was made very clear in the response to my RSVP). I didn’t want to be embarrassed if I couldn’t donate as much as what was expected, and I had no idea how much these art pieces would be selling for…$50…$100…$1,000? How was I supposed to know these types of things before I got there?

Despite these concerns, I really wanted to go. One of the main reasons I moved to the Virgin Islands was because I wanted to try things outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to challenge myself to participate in new experiences so I could feel more fulfilled, and awaken the sense of adventure in my life I so desperately craved. So, with checkbook in hand, my girlfriend and I decided to accept the invitation and wear our little black dresses.

As the villa security team escorted us to the entrance of the estate, I wondered if we had made a mistake. We were among the first ten people to arrive, so there was no hope of blending into a crowd. After we had signed our names in the guest book of visitors, the host of the event personally escorted us to the silent auction tables where donation sheets were paired with expensive paintings. The lowest bids for the smallest, least expensive pieces started at $150. The prices weren’t as high as I had feared, but I knew that the prices would only go up from there.

As a distraction from my impending financial panic attack, we decided to explore the villa. The main focal point of the entire event was the pool, as the auction portion was held outside on the expansive deck. There were high-top tables with gourmet hors d'oeuvres set out by a catering team, a fully stocked bar with cocktail waitresses, cabana seating around the pool, and photographers.

The villa itself was a massive 7-bedroom estate with exquisite finishes, fancy brickwork and granite tile. Despite our lavish surroundings, we felt surprisingly at ease (this may or may not have been due to the free wine and fried finger foods). As the evening progressed, we found ourselves having a great time.

Looking back on the event, I’m glad we attended even though we didn’t know what we’d be getting ourselves into. Putting ourselves out there wasn’t easy, but it was definitely worth it…not only do we have a cool experience to share with friends and family, but we also have a wider network and feel more connected to our community.

Check it out for yourself:

Villa Fratelli Cresta
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Website: www.fratellicresta.com

How To Choose The Best Camera For Travel Photography

Your packing list for an upcoming vacation, road trip, or study abroad program is probably long enough already - but one item that you can’t leave behind is a quality camera to capture the scenic views, exotic meals, and other Instagram-worthy moments. If your standard cell phone camera doesn’t quite cut it – what camera will?

If you’ve seriously been considering purchasing a new camera, I’m sure you’ve poked around a bit online, searching for what you might want to buy. But with so many options out there, the decision can be seriously overwhelming. Trust me, I’ve been there and I understand the stress – what if you make a bad choice and you never get those great shots you’ve been dreaming of?

Well, lucky for you, I just went through this process and I’m going to help you remember a few things to consider before making this investment. My amazing girlfriend and her family bought me a Nikon D3200 DSLR camera for my birthday (#TeamVirgo), and I couldn't be happier or more excited about my new toy.

Here are some important factors to take into consideration when buying a camera:

1. Photo Quality & Battery Life

For most people, photo quality and battery life will be the most important factors when choosing a camera. It is a common misconception that more megapixels = better quality…but this isn’t always the case. In fact, a high megapixel rating on a small camera is often a bad sign. When too many megapixels are packed into a camera, images can get grainy because so much information is being captured in a small space. This is why it is important to consider other camera features such as the sharpness of the lens and the size of the sensor.

When it comes to battery life on a camera, you’re going to want something that lasts. This is especially true if you’re going to be using your camera on full-day excursions, where you won’t have the opportunity to re-charge if your battery gets low. In my opinion, a long-lasting battery is a must-have…because no one wants to be caught in a position where you miss a prime photo opportunity!

2. Size/Weight & Durability

Size and weight are two huge factors for frequent travelers. Let’s be real - the more portable your camera is, the more likely you are to take it around with you and actually use it. If you enjoy being active and taking part in outdoor activities such as hiking, the weight of your camera will be a big concern… and if you’ve ever tried to hike up a mountain with a heavy DSLR camera hanging around your neck, you know exactly what I mean.

Depending on what you’ll be doing during your trips, durability is also an important factor to think about. A smaller camera might be able to handle being dropped on a carpet or beach, but if it falls on a tile floor, the camera will likely shatter (along with your heart). The bigger DSLR cameras are very fragile as well, while GoPros on the other hand could probably survive the zombie apocalypse.

3. Usability

Another way to choose the right camera for you is to consider how you are going to use it the most. If you’re planning to spend most of your time shooting action shots while mountain biking or scuba diving, a GoPro is an excellent choice. However, if you’re looking to take snapshots of landmarks, food, or family and friends that you want to keep for memories, a simple point and shoot camera or even a cell phone camera will do. But if you want to take spectacular photos of landscapes or professional-looking portraits, you may want to look into investing in either a mirrorless or DSLR camera.

4. Accessories

Some people might not care too much about camera accessories, but that certainly wasn’t the case for me. One of the main selling points that helped seal the deal on my decision to get the Nikon D3200 was the *bonus* option I added to my purchase. For only $50 more, I was able to add a camera bag, a tripod and a 16GB memory card to my purchase – definitely worth it. These little extras might not be deal-breakers, but they are certainly nice to have!

4. Price

Between flights, accommodations and food, travel expenses can add up quick. Not everyone can afford to drop a ton of cash on a camera. My suggestion is to try and get the most bang for your buck. Sure, you can find a simple point-and-shoot camera for a hundred bucks, but is it going to meet your needs? On the flip side, what’s the point in dropping a grand for a camera that’s just going to sit on your shelf at home and collect dust?

The truth is, purchasing a camera is an investment, and it’s about finding a balance between both quality and price. Don’t rush your purchase – take your time to research what types of cameras are out there, and only put down that hard-earned cash of yours for something that you’re truly excited about.

Testing Out My Camera:

Now that I've had my camera for a little over a week, I took a day trip on the car barge over to St. John to test it out - I still have some playing around to do to learn more of the features, but I'm looking forward to seeing what else I can do!

Check it out for yourself:

US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas, St. John & St. Croix
Instagram: @visitusvi

Nikon
Instagram: @nikonUSA