Page 14 - Palm City Spotlight - January '23

Page 14, Palm City Spotlight

trAvEL

The Channel Islands: Geographically, the islands
spread over some 75 square
Location, Location, Location miles just off the Brittany and
Normandy coast of France.
Previously submitted by the Jersey is the closest, just eight
late Don Kiselewski, MCC, miles offshore. Likewise, it
D.S., of Palm Beach Gardens is the largest of the islands
Travel Leaders followed by Guernsey and
How many times have then Alderney. The coast of
we heard those three words? England from Guernsey is 90
In the case of the group of miles to the north, whereas
islands off the coast of France, Jersey is some 200 miles from
it couldn’t be truer. Because the mother country. Ferries run between the islands and
of their location, the Channel off the adjacent shores of England and France.
Islands have played a major Politically, the Channel Islands have a unique position
part in many endeavors. They form a stepping stone in the world makeup. They realize a great degree of
between England and France, and, needless to say, we autonomy, although they pledged their allegiance to
all know of the frictions that have existed between those the English Crown over 800 years ago. However, this
two nations. The islands are a secluded location to enjoy has not kept them from “doing their own thing.” As
a quiet life. And, probably the most interesting aspect of mentioned, there is a formal allegiance to the Crown
their location is their emergence in international offshore but they are not subject to the laws passed by the British
banking. They are, you could say, the “Cayman Islands” Parliament, except when acting upon their own consent.
of the English Channel. This relationship has far reaching consequences in a
The location gave Channel Island “privateers” first unified Europe. The islands are an “associate member”
pickings of the ships (which may or may not have been in of the European Union (EU), but not a full member and
trouble) that sailed through the English Channel. Today, do not abide by many of the EU’s laws promulgated in
the islands are dotted with large nine-window, multistory Brussels. Nevertheless, the EU’s free-trade advantage is
homes. This was the standard of the opulent bounty hunter recognized. Currently, two lieutenant governors, one per
of the sea. As with most government corruption, the bailiwick, represent the ties to the British Crown.
privateer was allowed to plunder because he had a license The Channel Islands print their own sterling currency
to do so. That is, as long as the government officials got and also trade with the euro, as well as the U.S. dollar
their share. and British pound sterling. Interestingly, the Channel
The islands have also been safe haven for those islanders will accept the British pound, but the British
escaping European strife over the centuries. Because islanders will not accept the Channel islanders’ pound.
William the Conqueror first captured the islands in The Channel islanders pay no taxes to Britain, and as a
1066, before going on to conquer England in the Battle result, many goods and services are less expensive in
of Hastings, the islanders boast that, “This means that the islands. The main islands are contemporary financial Seymour Tower
England was annexed to the Channel Islands, rather than hubs. Some 60 banks have offices in St. Peter Port alone.
the other way around.” In addition to the British banking facilities, American, products, it is hard to beat the products produced from
I’m not going to get in the middle of that one. Australian, Canadian and most European nations are the cow’s milk from Guernsey and Jersey. Although
The Channel Islands are a group of five major islands represented. Their popularity stems from the attractive similar, these are two distinct breeds and both produce
that have been divided into two “bailiwicks.” The name “offshore banking” tax-haven status. exceptionally rich milk. I can assure you that freshly
bailiwick was established to define portions of the Because the French Cotentin Peninsula is so close, baked scones with strawberry jam and Guernsey cream
islands for governing jurisdictions back in the days when the language has flown into the islands. The official can’t be beaten!
barons ruled the archipelago. The island of Jersey stands language is English, although it is not unusual to hear For total relaxation, again it’s the Channel Islands for
alone in the Bailiwick of Jersey, while the islands of Norman-French (patois) spoken in the streets of St. Peter location, with few people, no apparent poverty because
Alderney, Sark, Herm and Guernsey form the Bailiwick Port. Some of the government agencies, assemblies, law the hardworking islanders are surprisingly affluent, and
of Guernsey. St. Hellier serves as the capital of Jersey courts and churches use modern French, but English is a relatively mild climate surrounded by the English
Bailiwick, while St. Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey. still taught in school. Interestingly, Jersey’s patois is Channel. For those who really want to escape the outside
At one time before the bailiwicks were established in the different than Guernsey’s; however, but nearly everyone world, a visit to the three smaller islands in the Guernsey
Channel Islands, all of the islands were privately owned. speaks English. Bailiwick will send you back in time. No automobiles
There are still privately owned islands within the group The location placed the islands in jeopardy during or television are allowed on the islands. Those are the
(e.g., the tiny “rock” of Jethou), and they are not open WWII. In 1940, the Germans heavily bombed St. Peter rules for total relaxation, the old-fashioned way. Horse-
to the public. Port, later invading and capturing the island. During drawn vehicles and tractors make up the means of getting
the period of their occupation, they built a series around.
of emplacements around the island for defense and The Channel Islands are a haven for the fast contemporary
observation. Today, a number of these structures remain world in a relaxing atmosphere of yesteryear. Visit them
as a reminder of their occupation. The Germans forced and be pleasingly surprised at the “location.”
the local islanders to dig an underground facility, which The late Don Kiselewski wrote from his personal
served as a hospital for wounded German soldiers experiences, having traveled in 122 countries and cruised
relocated from Europe’s mainland. Many of the older the oceans, seas and rivers of the world. Palm Beach
population who still reside there today vividly recall the Gardens Travel Leaders, his family owned and operated
hardships they once endured. agency, is located at Mirasol Town Square, 11360 North
A major portion of the islands are barren, due to the Jog Road, Building A, Suite 102-6, Palm Beach Gardens.
strong winds. However, the earth is harvested for an The agency has been serving the travel needs of the South
abundance of table vegetables, particularly tomatoes. Florida area for over a quarter of a century. Contact
They even produce a tomato wine that they boast is not them at (561) 694-9696 or Aussie@PBGTravel.com.
made anywhere else. And, for those who enjoy milk Photos by Don Kiselewski

Daffodil field in spring

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