Yes, even pirate speak has its own holiday thanks to two average guys named John “Ol’ ChumBucket” Bauer and Mark “Cap’n Slappy” Summers. The duo invented International Talk Like a Pirate Day back in 1995 on the racquetball court where they spoke in swaggering pirate speak to each other and randomly decided everyone should talk like a pirate. Now, this didn’t happen on Sept. 19 but on June 6 and that date wasn’t very memorable for Cap’n Slappy so Sept. 19 was chosen as an easy day for him to remember – it’s his ex-wife’s birthday.

Up until 2002, the goofy holiday was low-key until humor columnist Dave Barry highlighted International Talk Like a Pirate Day and encouraged readers to answer the phone with, “Ahoy, me hearty!” rather than the standard, “Hello.”

To help get ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day, we’ve listed the five key pirate words to remember:
Ahoy!    “Hello.”
Arrr! Not to be confused with “argh.” Think of it as a versatile phrase when needing to say something pirate-like.
Avast!  “Hey! Stop, pay attention.”
Aye!  “Yes, I agree.”
Aye! Aye!    “Yes, I’ll get right on it.”

Looking for more ways to gain some pirattitude? Check out the official International Talk Like a Pirate Day Web site  for more pirate speak, pirate party ideas and other pirate nonsense.

Now that pirate talk is mastered, how about a Caribbean vacation? We won’t guarantee you’ll find pirates (and that’s really a good thing because authentic pirates aren’t nice people) but chances are you’ll find a treasure of deals and activities in St. Maarten.

Ahoy, me hearty!

Material from this post was borrowed from the article, “September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day,” on Associated Content.

Aruba’s snow-white sand beaches make most other Caribbean islands cry with envy. They set the stage for a do-nothing vacation where the primary objective is forgetting responsibility and focusing on the important stuff in life, like remembering to reapply sunscreen and being the first to pony up to the bar at the beginning of happy hour.

Toss in the lull of aqua-marine water lapsing on the beach mixed with warm, dry temperatures and what we have here is the ideal setting for romantics. Whether for a honeymoon, anniversary or just-because romantic getaway, Aruba oozes with gushy love.

The 21-mile-long island of the Lesser Antilles is ruled by one classy lady, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. And any vacation destination fit for royalty is a magnet for celebrities too, and Aruba has played vacation spot to such A-listers as Timbaland, Jennifer Tilly, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. Oh! How can we forget Paris Hilton. Now that’s hot.

It’s not all about the beach in Aruba. A balance of Mother Nature-made and man-made activities entertain visitors. The most distinctive natural feature are the Divi Divi trees (watapana tree) found throughout the island. Think of them as Mother Nature’s compass, they always point in a southwesterly direction due to the north to east trade winds that blow across the island.  Arikok National Park, located on the north-eastern part of the Caribbean island is a geological paradise with rough hills from lava formations and fossilized coral rock and grottos and caves.

Natural Pool is an aquatic gem only accessible by foot, horseback or 4×4 vehicle. Visitors take a refreshing jump from the volcanic stone circles into a tranquil pool where water sprays over rocks in a most romantic way. Snorkeling and Scuba diving is another favorite and the crystal water can sometimes allow for visibility at wreck sites up to 100 feet.

Step inside one of the exhilarating casinos for a game or two of chance. Some casinos don’t stop ’til you get enough, a few are open 24 hours a day. Or, tee it up on a lush golf course.

Gosh, golly. Can’t forget the 90,000 Aruban friends you haven’t met waiting to say hello and introduce visitors to their island. This little island is a friendly one and making nice with the locals is easy. Just smile and show off those pearly whites (batting eyelashes is optional) and listen to what your new friend has to say about this Caribbean paradise.

There isn’t enough room to list ALL there is to do and see in Aruba (check out what the tourism office has to say) but there’s enough white space left to introduce Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort as one groovy place to stay especially since 140 brand-spanking new luxury suites are being dusted and vacuumed as we speak in preparation for visitors. This is in addition to the 101 units already at the resort which is located on the famed Palm Beach and backed by a private wildlife sanctuary.  In addition to the resort’s good nature, facilities include tennis court, free form pool with swim-up bar, open-air grill restaurant, lounge with entertainment, beachside water sports and fitness center.

Now’s the time to book that Aruba vacation because who knows when the next time these rate will be this attractive. What are you waiting for? I think a beachside hammock is calling your name. Listen. Hear it? Yeah, we know you did.

“Think of Canada as a foreign country,” wrote the Buffalo News on May 31, 2009, that’s because those Western New Yorkers who take weekend jaunts to Niagara-on-the-Lake, Toronto and Niagara Falls (because everyone knows the view is better on the Canadian side) now need a passport, passport card, enhanced driver’s license, trusted traveler program card or proof of being a member of a special group (i.e.: U.S. Military) to drive across the border.

It’s not just Western New Yorkers who need to think of Canada as a foreign country but it’s every American citizen looking to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. This is thanks to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which is a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004. The goal is to strengthen U.S. border security, expedite re-entry into the U.S.

The first phase of WHTI went into effect for air travelers in 2007. No longer is a driver’s license acceptable (unless it was issued in either Washington or New York and is used specifically for land or sea cross-border travel) nor is a birth certificate (in most cases) for those driving across borders or taking a cruise.

U.S. travelers using air travel are required to have a passport but for those traveling by car or sea, there are a myriad of options which are thoroughly explained on the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Web site run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (It’s also a great site for Americans traveling abroad, too.) In brief, the following documents are acceptable when crossing a border either by land or sea:

• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Passport Card (limited-use travel document that fits nicely in a wallet)
• Enhanced Driver’s License
• Trusted Traveler Program Cards (issued to pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite entry into the U.S.)
• Special Groups (includes groups of children, Native Americans, U.S. Military, etc.)

The safest bet when planning a vacation to Mexico, Caribbean (including the Dominican Republic), Canada or booking a cruise or driving across the borders, just smile pretty for the camera and apply for a passport to ensure a pleasant trip.