How Many Of Us Have Thought To Get Away From It All,

on our own tropical island?

well it appears the time might be right if you have a bit of spare cash, there are now 600 islands up for sale around the world, according to experts, from the Caribbean to the chillier waters of northern Scotland, ranging in price from $50,000 to $100 million, the number of isles on the market has jumped three-fold since 2006, it appears that the rich and famous who stump up the millions required for their own Robinson Crusoe experience, haven't bargained for trouble in paradise - which often includes no electricity, bureaucratic red tape, endangered species and exorbitant maintenance costs,


island broker Farhad Vladi told The Sunday Times: 'some celebrities are getting out of the the market as quickly as they can,' so maybe now is the time to make the break with the mainland! pictured above (clockwise from top left) Little Hawkins, Georgia; Jonathan Island in Rhode Island; Little Bokeelia, Florida and Petra Island, New York, as a guide, Jonathan Island, a secluded getaway in Rhode Island, for $1.4million, it has a protected wildlife sanctuary along with a modern two-bedroom cottage, Little Hawkins Island, Georgia has been heavily developed with a spacious home featuring wraparound porches, swimming pool and dock - although it is reflected in the price tag of $20million,


lets go up a level or two, Florida's Little Bokeelia Island combines a picturesque property with blissful solitude - but there is nothing small about the price tag, the 104-acre island will set you back $29.5million, Petra Island, a 15-minute jaunt from New York City (if you have a helicopter that is), has been on the market for several years, the 11-acre island has two properties designed by the celebrated Frank Lloyd Wright incorporating mahogany, cement and stone into the striking structures, a cottage was finished in 1949 while the larger, 5,000 sq ft residence was completed in 2007 from drawings, the price of Petra Island is only available on request (but if you need to ask, you probably can't afford it),



but lets get back to basics, how about Pigeon Island, Nicaragua? 7.2 acres, just 15 miles south of Bluefields, pictured below,

 it looks a nice size,

 with some high spots for a view,

 already a walkway round part of the beach,

 with coconut trees,

the blurb says, 'this is a rare and affordable opportunity to purchase a mountainous island of rock surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean, agates, sea turtles, bird life, and world-class fishing on one of the Caribbean Coasts last frontiers; where on the mainland across from the island is undeveloped white sand beach and vacant land as far as the eye can see, as an offshore island and with the recorded wind measurement data, there exist excellent wind turbine/solar conditions for complete self sustainability and life without mosquitoes or white flies', in case you are wondering about ownership the site states, 'foreigners have the legal right to purchase property in Nicaragua (without Nicaraguan citizenship), next question, how much? last time I looked it was yours for US$65,000, now where do I get a boat, helicopter, desalination plant, generator and builders?