2007-06-19 - Arrival in Belize

And awaaaaaayy we go!!

Guess who’s in Belize?

Well. me for instance. How did I get here. How did this happen.

For those of you who didn’t know, I recently “retired.”

“Retired” in the sense that my company (and I) which we sold last July, recently came to the conclusion, or “mutual agreement” that 1). They would stop paying me, and 2). I would stop showing up.

For that, I’m retired. It was a lifelong dream, and at 42 nonetheless.. Wow I’m going to enjoy it now! Living in my car, Traveling as far as the severance package allows. Freedom. The wind…

Awww Shit, I’ll be back at work in a couple of weeks. I can’t slow down that fast. I’m only on my 12th anniversary of my 30th birthday…

Besides, there’s that little voice in my head saying: “You want to eat dog food and live in a car the rest of your life?” BBaaaa HAAAA !!!

Ok, I’ll go back to work later. But for now, I’m in Belize.

Our adventure is but one day old, and already, we’ve met the Coutimundi people, the Dinosaur Hunters, and Drank rum while chomping Genips Poolside, overlooking the Guatemalan Border. All this and I have yet to be detained. Third world Police are no Match for JoslinsROCK!!!

There’s a lot of Rum here. I have done my best, but man! I need some help. Send reinforcements. It’s called One Barrel. It’s a deeply smoked Rum I have fallen in love with several times today. Like every time I pick up this glass.

But I guess I digress. I awoke at 3 AM, from a dream of love. The beach kind of love that only my wife can provide…. Ooops. Wrong blog. But true story. There’s no going back to sleep when you know you only have an additional hour to sleep.

If you didn’t know, the correct answer to the following question is 4:45 AM.

“honey, we’re 99% packed, and the dog is off to camp, having flipped us off with his little doggie paw, so, my question is… What time do we need to get up for a 9 AM flight?

And so it begins.

We’re light packers. Kinda… Like…… Moving van kinda vacationers…. “kitchen Sink” ring a bell to you? No shit. 44 pounds bags. Not just one or two, like you lightweights. But 10 Solid 40+ pound bags.

Do the math. 440 pounds, use 44 pounds of “stuff” a day, and throw the rest away. You go 14 days, and come home with a giant empty suitcase of Belizean Rum. That’s the goal. Get with the Program.

Yup, For two weeks, we managed to carry down 10 bags, all straining at 40+ pounds apiece. I thought my wife was crazy, until she answered the following question:

“Honey, What the FU$#%#$CK are you bringing bottles of WATER in the suitcase? I think if the country supports human life, you can reasonably expect there to be potable water.”

Response:

“We drink the water, fill the empties with Painkillers from our recipe”

Minda 1 Jon 0
Point!!!

And off we went.

Out limo driver arrived exactly at the pre-determined time of 6:45 AM. That s to say, the MUV (MOM Utility Vehicle) rolled out of the driveway at the pre-determined time, and our adventure began.

We were off to the airport, and dropped expertly at the curb, a mere 100 feet from our determined location. Not sure what was up with that, but I vaguely recall waving my arms to four porters, evidently not ready to work, as I carried said 440 pounds of “stuff” across the street from the “new” drop-off area.

Boarding passes in hand, and a quick wait at the airport, and we boarded the plane.

Young love… Young Love. Let’s get together and feel all right…

I sat next to a couple who got married the previous Saturday, and were on the way down to Ramons, on Ambergris Caye (That’s “KEY” to you and me).

I knew they were just married. Why? Here’s young love… She falls asleep. On him, leans over. He doesn’t do any of the following:

1). Thump her on the head
2). Invite others nearby to touch her nose
3). Pretend the plane is crashing
4). Paint, Shave, or color on her in any way.

I assured him he’d learn these and many many more, in the future.

My only regret was that I misspelled JoslinsROCK!!! on the side of her head. We’ll run into them on Ambergris later in the trip I am sure.

As she awoke, and I blamed the nearest flight attendant for her new hairdo, and as they restrained her,

I thought that she really could use a vacation.

I was secretly loving the fact that Belize especially Rocks, as the distance of the flight involved was so short (2 hours direct flight.. WOW! And did I mention all on miles?).

Belize Customs, Immigration and Baggage claim took a total of 17 minutes, including picking up my Rental. The airport is especially easy, and you pass immigration before getting your bags, then get them (mine were off first!!), then pass customs. That’s when you realize the “free” carts that are everywhere, are only free to the end of the customs area. A porter took it from here, and took my bags the 50 feet to the rental place (Budget if you care).

A Mitsubishi Outlander later, and I was one my way!! PS, Don’t even dream of getting a car here, as aside from the main highways, we’re talking unpaved roads!

As researched as I thought I was, the first thing the rental car lady asked was why on earth I was going through Belize City to get to San Ignacio, did I not know about the shortcut. After indicating it was a secret, and I couldn’t tell her, She showed me the Burrell Boom shortcut.

Thought for the day? Any shortcut that starts In the opposite direction of your intended direction, is not a shortcut. But alas, I was wrong, as this one avoided the city, and joins up at about Mile 15 on the western highway. Don’t worry, I’ll show you. I’m going with you on your vacation. Again.

On the way up, we stopped at Cheers, about mile mark 30. This involved us passing our intended destination by a mile, and returning.. That’s always fun with the kids..

Nope, we missed the zoo. Sorry kids, Can’t turn back. Got a schedule, and we just saved two hours.. haha.

PS, we left everything except cameras, passports and GPS in the car as we spent three hours in the zoo.. It was all there on the way out!

Back to lunch. At Cheers, I walked in and Yelled “NORM.”

IT was only funny to me, my wife, and the 6 cruise ship people who, at that PRECISE moment, seemed to enjoy passing freshly squeezed Watermelon juice through their noses..

I thought it was a Belizean tradition, but was not very good at it.

Neither was Remy.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Bellikin beer.. Cheers carried all three kinds..

It’s the only beer you’ll find down here, I am told.

So, back to the zoo. In 1983 or so, a person or persons decided not to eat the stars of a documentary being filmed, and created the zoo. That the short story.

The long story.. You have to see it! Animals in regular pens, a mere inches away, with no separation (or safety ditches, etc.

There are signs indicating you may lose a finger.. They mean it, and remarkable, we respected it! We saw Howler Monkeys, Toucans, Jaguars, Ocelots, etc from REALLLY close up!

I highly enjoyed the zoo, and having lived and been to the San Diego zoo many times, this was a treat that equaled it.

We almost passed it up, but I highly recommend, due to the nature of the way the animals are held (hostage?), you see this..

It’s up close and personal.

We moved on toward the Guatemalan border, with brief stops along the way. Guanacaste national Park, where we started our birding expedition.

Belize rocks for birding, and thanks to our lovely Aunt Julie (who unfortunately didn’t get to join us after all), we were armed with the 300+ page BIRDS in BELIZE book. I think at last count, we got over 115 species spotted!

We arrived at Cathal Pech Village, after realizing Central American Rule #14. The Bridge is one way. and not the way you are thinking.. Man they can get awnry! Haha..

The view.. The pool with a Pterodactyl.. It was awesome..

In my 500 emails back and forth with BARB, of BARBSBELIZE.COM (shameless plug for which I receive nothing), We went from looking for a two bedroom, to forgetting that this unit would not have a kitchen..

OOPS!! I think I failed to realize we had switched.

Oh well.. See 440 Pounds of stuff get dragged to the third floor.

As I was muttering, and drinking my first bottle of One Barrel (If I was to make it a whole barrel, I had a lot of work to do), I met the Dinosaur Hunters. These guys were working.. OH MYYYYY That sucks. There were four employees in oil and gas exploration, and they could tell tales.. They had been working 10+ hours days for six months.

Damn they were working down here… Not to mention the company, but it rhymes with Pchlumberger. My son loved the fact that these guys were talking about finding and Hunting dinosaurs, and when they found them, they would rip them from the ground, process the hack out of them, and BURN THEM in their cars… He was left with:
a). Nightmares
b). a distict nagging directive that I too, should burn dinosaurs in my car!
c). a desire to drink with these guys every night. Which, by chance, we did.

Early expectations, thoughts and a closing note.
WADE UNGER, wherever you are, there ARE Coatimundi!! And people DO hunt them!!

Short story, for 20 years, I’d occasionally ask if the story my friend Wade in high school told me was true. Evidently, when they lived in Panama, they’d Coutimundi “hunt” which involved, kids, Flashlights, Paper Bags, and standing in the forest “chasing” these unknown creatures toward one person..

Sound Familiar? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snipe_hunt.

I always thought they were a figment…

But alas, after a conversation at the zoo, and seeing one, I am a believer!

PS, as I finish a couple plates of assorted spicy Pastas, the bartender tells me it’s last call, and pours a five finger rum for the first time tonight, I find myself dreaming of bed, and wondering… Where do the dishes go?

My Valium Salt Lick calls.. See you in the morning.

PS, Sleeping Policeman are speedbumps!

2007-06-14 - It’s Belize Suddenly!!! “Crush the Liver 2007” “With Onions!”

Photo Copyright (c) Lucy Wallingford and Slickrock Adventures, Inc
used with permision http://www.slickrock.com/belizemaps.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
President Bush Recalls Ambassador Joslin,
Declares Mayor for Life Graybiel Reign Officially Over

It’s Belize Suddenly!!! “Crush the Liver 2007”
“With Onions!” terror has ended

Washington, DC, June 29th, 2007/PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --



As the last helicopter leaves Belizean airspace, with the newly recalled ambassador Joslin, and “Mayor for Life” Graybiel” Belizean-American tensions have lessoned dramatically, and the army of this tiny Central American Nation, has finally stood down, ending the shortest war declared against the United States in our history.

President Bush today said:
“My critics are always pointing out my ‘alleged’ mistakes, but I think we can all agree that history will show that, this was one BIG FRICKIN’ mistake. I hereby declare that the reign of “mayor for life” Graybiel has ended, Ambassador Joslin has been recalled, and that the “Crush the Liver 2007” tour (oh with onions), has come to a very very dramatic end.

As we piss and moan about my mistakes, I think we can all agree this one ROCKS! Bush added, as he signed the pardon papers.
“Now we hope to restore the trust that we have always had in the Belizean people, and hope that doubling our foreign aid is but the first step to repairing these obviously damaged relations.”

When asked what was next for the Joslin’s and the Graybiel’s, Bush was non-committal, but added, “I bet they aren’t invited back to Belize any time soon” We’ll probably send them back to St Martin next time.

When further queried, an AP reporter asked: “So exactly WHAT happened? How did we get here anyway?”

Well, It all started when…..

Read on tomorrow as we make this journey come true.

ABOUT - JoslinsROCK!!! Is a Houston based idenpendant, not for prfit (by any stretch!) organization that writes about the insane dealings of living with the Joslins, and works to safeguard the freedom of drinking and partying worldwide.

For more information about the Joslin’s, please read our blog at: . Read more at http://joslinsrock.blogspot.com/

Contact: Jon Joslin, Director of Public Relations, JoslinsROCK!!!, +1-555-555-5555 or jonjoslin@joslinsrock.com

- END -

###

To read my next post, please refer to:

http://joslinsrock.blogspot.com/2007/07/2007-06-19-arrival-in-belize-and.html

July 14th

July 14th

Jon: “I think I broke my liver.”
Body: “Uh, you have a liver? “

Woke up early and ate the rest of the refrigerator. After two weeks, the omelet I made with “everything Left” was great! Let’s see if I have this right:

A six-egg, spaghetti sauce reduction, 4 cheese topped, rum drenched omelet with a side of Baby back ribs, Macaroni and cheese, with wilted Lebanese salad, and orange juice flambé. Served on a bed of day-old Chocolate Croissants and a Blue cheese side.

It’s really not as bad as it sounds. You should try it? Want the recipe?

Went down to the airport and checked luggage, and Returned Chairs and Cooler and a fan to Unity, who was going to hold it for Craig at Pack-LITE. He and I agreed that he’d be there at 1 PM, or I could leave them. Ehiel at Unity I asked my question directly about if I should pre-vacuum the car before returning it, and they assumed me, astonished, that noone spends a vacation vacuuming a car.

Since I didn’t have to be out of the room, we left our carry-ons there, and went to the beach. On Pelican beach, and finally met Kesemy, the beach guy Dan M recommended. Dan has known him for 20 years. When I introduced myself, and mentioned I knew Dan over the internet (I used two weeks of his on this trip), Kesemy instantly knew exactly who I was referring, mentioned his name, wife, and asked about their son. WOW great memory with one sentence. I updated Kesemy on the son’s college plans, as Dan suggested, and we had a great conversation. I only wished I had spent more time on property to get to know him better.

Hey Mistuh Papuh-man, it’s time to go home. Time to go home, time to go home.
(If you have never read don’t Stop the Carnival by Hermann woulk, while you are on vacation , you are missing out. Them go buy Buffett’s version of the paly the co-produced. It rocks!

We stopped on the balcony to say “Goodbye Paradise” (a family tradition) and talk of things we liked best. It always makes me cry. Coz, I’m a wuss.

We dressed, checked out in less than five minutes, after dropping the towel attendant a ten, and wished everyone onsite goodbye. The towel ladies were friendly, yet firm, and commented that my kids had the best manners they had seen in a long time. (Doesn’t hurt that I pre-warned them that if they weren’t nice and polite, the towel ladies would jump through the windows and chased you!).

I’d definitely never arrive or leave the Pelican on Saturday or Sunday. This was just too easy on Friday. Who knows, next time we’ll arrive Wednesday?

Ran into several people we “knew” in the airport, having met them on the island over the past 16 days. WOW small world. Kay and Bob are teachers, and we have run into them unplanned three times this trip.

Boarded, flew home with a stop through Miami, that took less than 30 minutes, including immigration, customs, rechecking our luggage AND going through security all over again. Still had 1 hour plus to eat at Chili’s express, and finish off the last four of our Carib, my wife stashed in her carry-on.

I declared everything, brought back 21 bottles of MADOUDOU, and paid Tariffs on nothing. I simply listed “Local French Rum” and $400 in the amount column, and was not even asked. My wife got a bag searched, as she did not realize we had dropped a lighter in there from BBB the night of the TTOL Party. We’re smokers so I didn’t even realize we had done it that night, (while smoking an infrequent cigar). They asked her for it, and she gave it up without incident.

Got home and our driver had 3 bottles of water cold for us. Mentioning he knew we’d need it..

Collapse..

Oddly enough, I don’t need a vacation form this vacation.

Cheers everyone, thanks for reading.

-Jon

_____________________________________________________________________________________
END OF DAY _____________________________________________________________________________________

July 13th

July 13th
Hangover cure? Don’t sober up.

Woke up and visited my new home, Le Sucherie. Wow it’s so boring here. Get up early, eat magnificent French pastries, etc.etc.etc. Our mission today was a hike up Pic Paradis. For purposes of security, I’m not going to comment on how, why or whether this is a good idea. I’ll focus this story only on what we did on Loterie Farms property.


Loterie Farm

I’ll say that we drove to Loterie Farms, parked right next to stairs that lead to the restaurant, and hiked their property and beyond.


Jon and Minda at Loterie Farm

I’d recommend anyone who wants to see the rain forest go and do the “Hidden Forest” hike on their property. There were no security concerns there at all. Hike was $5.00 each, kids free, and on a scale of 1-10, I’d rate it a 4 if you are a hiker, 6 if you are old and fat (I’m not commenting on which I am).



45 minutes of strenuous hiking, and 800’ elevation gain to the high point, and my 6 and 8 year old did it with two rest breaks. Go early, Rest overy 200 steps, take lots of water. We were done by 10:30, having started early, before the cruise ship “Zip line” people got there.


The zip lines looked moderately interesting, but 10-30 feet above ground, and after climbing as a sponsored professional for years in Boulder, jumping out of planes all over the world, I wasn’t interested. (PS, I don’t recommend D.B Cooper imitations on commercial aircraft.. they HATE IT!

Loterie property was incredible, and just about snuck in as the high point of the trip. The hike described above starts in a 300 year old Mango Patch, where the stench of rotting mangos overwhelms to senses.


Huge 300 Year old Mango Tree

Walking through the first 200-300 yards, was like skating on ice, as their were literally hundreds of mangos dropped.


Mango Fields

We had mango trees in Key West earlier in life, but nothing like this. Imagine 1000+ mangos lining the path! I made a complete idiot of myself when I took off my clothes, wallowed about screaming “YOU CAN BURY ME HERE!”. Anyway…


View form Loterie Farm

The hike was excellent, and the top of the Loterie farm piece takes you to 800’, with clear views across the valley, and back down below.


Minda at Chewbacca Rock

The “map” they have to show you where to go looks tough, but it was easy.


Subtle Signs Can actually lead you to where others have been before.. You have to look closely.

We finished and came off the mountain at 10:30, making this one of the earliest days we had so far.

We stopped by the Butterfly Famr to say goodbye.


Butterfly Farm

We also decided to make it our last trip to Orient Beach.


Club "O" Sign

It was a bit windy when we arrived, but turned to a breeze after a while. Mom and the kids set up around KON Tiki, and I “took a walk” to Club O. It was nice, and definitely something I could do again, as I proved on my third time there. Met the reggae singer Dread “I” before I left, and my son would not give up the CD player he was carrying, as he loved the music. When I told him he was standing with the Artist, he loved it and asked for a picture. I paid $15 for his CD, and didn’t try to negotiate. It’s great!.


Ryan and Reggae Superstar "DREAD I"

Left orient beach with the intention of getting an early dinner, but decided to stop by SSBB and switch the $25 t-shirt I bought earlier, as it was dye stained on one shoulder. (YES $25.00!). It’s totally the principal, and they exchanged it no problem.


Run.. Run like the Wind!

SSBB is like Crack, in that this was our fifth evening there. We had a great time, and a full day, and it was still only 4:45 PM by the time we got there. The only traffic we saw was at the RUM JUMBIE sign (which needs a traffic circle, by the way).


Evidence at Bamboo Bernie's

After 15 minutes or so, We watched our first plane of the week take off TOWARD the ocean, instead of the mountains. My son asked why, and a guy standing nearby gave an explanation of weights, and ground speed, etc. that made me think instantly he was a pilot.


Rainbow in Paradise

He was indeed, for Delta, and we ended up spending the next couple of hours with them at Bamboo Bernies, playing Beat the Clock (affectionately known as KILL THY LIVER, in 30 MINUTE INCREMENTS). We felt like we had know them our whole lives, I am pretty close to a million-miler on Delta, and he has flown for them for 24 years. Their daughter was 14, son 17, and they had a great time with our kids. Great times, and I know we’ll see them again, as they are from Atlanta.


Make it a Double

As if this wasn’t enough, we stopped for our intended dinner, 4 hours later than expected, at Lee’s Roadside Grill. BIG BIG Thumbs up. I had a Mahi-Mahi and Shrimp Scampi special. The fish was “catch” and I believe it. It was simply put, the best fish I ever had. So good, that my wife, daughter and son all ate that dish too. Excellent stuff. It literally was grilled like a steak, and well worth the $20 price tag.

My son joined the singer on the stage. Yes, my 6 year old is a showboat, pumping up the crowd with a rendition of Twinkle Twinkle. When he was finished, he told the singer thank you and if he knew any “Harder” songs, he’d come back and sing again. That was priceless!



Ryan Sings at Lee's Roadside Grill

A late evening, and the packing begins.


Ryan Doing Shots of Tequila





_____________________________________________________________________________________
END OF DAY _____________________________________________________________________________________

July 12th

July 12th, 2006
Liver - Two gentlemen will be over shortly to remove it.

Woke up and for the third day in a row, hit Le Sucherie for pastries (get the idea they ROCK?). Somehow, after visiting them nearly every day, I have failed to visit the Fitness spa upstairs. See belly, large. Then it was off for Pinel island, off the French Cul-De-Sac side of the island.


Pinel Island

Note to anyone who cares. The boats run over to Pinel every ½ hour, and return on the hour. Each boat holds 12 people, or 40 if you are on St Martin, and there is no Coast Guard.


Pinel Island 3

Hopefully, the water depth keeps fatalities to a minimum, because we were frightfully overloaded. Now, anyone good at math problems should be able to figure out that if the boats go over fully loaded at ten AM, and every ½ hour, and BACK to St Martin at 1,2,3 and 4 PM, there’s a math issue here.

Found the greatest Babysitter for the kids on Pinel


Babysitter for Ryan


Babysitter for Remy

We noticed at 2 PM it was time to get on the boat. With two more boats there were about 100+ people left on Pinel Island.

Anyway, Pinel was supposed to be good snorkeling, but LEFT of the boat pier, all the way around to the restaurants, it was DEVOID of marine life. Lots of SEA grass, but no real fish to see. The big draw here is the fact that the beach starts about 2” deep, and stays less than knee deep for 100-200 yards offshore in some places. That was cool. Not sure fi the really good snorkeling is RIGHT of the boat pier, but saw a tacky tourist type boat go there with a whole group.


Mom and Dad, Relaxing

Rented 2 chairs and an umbrella. They were nice, even though we moved them to get away form some of the people nearby. They start you like 1 foot apart, and the topless girl next to me was to big a distraction. (I kept spilling my beer). Once we dragged the chairs down 50’ and reset the umbrella, We had that end of the beach to ourselves.


More Feet in Paradise

About 2 PM, having had almost 5 hours of Pinel, we decided to leave and see a couple of east-side beaches before we went home. We headed the warning that the 4 PM boat was the last (The driver indicated that “if you miss the 4 PM boat, don’t worry, I’ll bring the coffee the next morning at 10 AM!”).

Left Pinel Island and went down to Dawn’s Beach, after parking at, and hitting the marina grocery store across from Mr. Busby’s, and asking permission to leave our car there. We walked through Mr. Busby’s, and talked briefly to the Owner(?) who was informative, said the Westin should provide 800 jobs, most from local, and provide much more security, and safety in that people will not be hanging around not working.


Westin construction 2

I hope for the island’s sake he’s right. But having 1000 guests within walking distance won’t hurt his business. He was funny too, as when we were talking, a hawker came by and asked if I wanted Remy’s hair braided. He jumped in front of us, and started ranting to her, that HE was BALD, and had not hair to braid, and started “crying” that she was picking on him. It was pretty funny, as he didn’t let up yelling louder and louder until she was about 50 feet away. I asked him if he wanted to join us for the rest of the day.

I liked Dawn’s beach, and added it as a must do for more time next time. The Westin is coming along, seems to be 2 floors framed. Mr’s B’s is there, but we had eaten earlier, and passed, but did buy a beer, and tell her to keep up the good fight against “the man” (Hi Dale, your expression used here!). the corporate people have been trying to chase her off the beach.

Had a good visit to dawn’s, and the kids enjoyed the surf, which was second only to Guyana beach in size. We left and Minda got the idea that she wanted to go back to Philipsburg, and shop for more jewelry. Since she works hard at home, taking care of the house, kids dog, etc. and is the Thriftiest person I have ever met, I pulled off my dry bag wallet, handed her all my cash, and my platinum card and said, spend whatever you want.. Understand, Minda is not normal. I hesitate to say this, because it’ll sound bad, but dang it, if I gave anyone else say $600 in cash, and a Platinum card with a $100K limit, they’d do the right thing (You know, call me from Monaco 6 weeks later and ask for another card).

Minda spent the next hour or so in Philipsburg, alone, while I took the kids to the beach. I kept a $20 bill for beer and gave her the rest. In retrospect, I wasn’t really taking a chance, was I?

Went on to Guyana beach with the Kids. Met a really nice French lady and her three kids, who said I must live there, as I was out of the tourist path. She showed me where the kids could and couldn’t enter, and we talked for a while.


Remy at Guyana Beach

As I was leaving, I met Cleveland, the owner of the Bar that sometimes opens on Guyana Beach (Mr B’s Jazz Club?). he said he just sold his business, and he hated the Cruise ships, who charged passengers $80 for a daily excursion, then paid him $12.50 a head to provide a drink, lunch, and chairs for the day. Then he indicated he waits 6 weeks for his money from the cruise ships. Ouch.

He seemed happy to have sold, and I thanked him for his parking lot, as it got me much closer. Went back to Philipsburg, picked up Minda nad found out the damage. She’s worth every penny I might add.

She jumped in and indicated she had found a ring for 850 and another for 1700. I was flabbergasted, and amazed that she would actually do it.. Very proud as a matter of fact, and she was happy.

Sidebar: Anyone who knows Minda has already jumped to the punch line, which was she meant $8.50 and $17.00. Married 15 years, I sat in stone cold silence for 10 minutes before realizing there was no way in the world she could have spend $2500.00, even with permission.. PS, she loves her sterling silver rings…
Haha.

Got back and had pasta, and shrimp, at the Pelican, and swam while Minda took a turn cooking.


Simpson Bay

Goodnight, and sleeeppp.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
END OF DAY _____________________________________________________________________________________

July 11th

July 11th, 2006
Broken livers don’t taste as good with fava beans unless you marinate them in the chianti first.

Woke up early again today. For a vacation, I have been up before 7 AM every day.. Must be that I am up at 5:30 every day at home. Or maybe the copious amounts of Rum, Beer, etc. nahhhh.


Trolling While sailing

Went to Prickley Pear, and island off the western coast of Anguilla today. Chartered a trip on Lambata, with Aqua Mania Adventures.


Anchor Man

Everything went well, and Aqua Mania Adventures had previously taken us to Saba, on Edge II. They had convinced me to pay for the second Charter, plus the departure taxes, back on July 5th. Good idea.. EXCEPT… They could not find my ticket. I had my receipt, and they put me on the manifest (Good sign that I was actually going to get on the boat), but they kept saying they could not find my ticket.

Sounds like their problem, I kept whispering… Their problem. Finally they got bored of looking, and sent me to get on the boat. The sail was awesome, and much smoother across the open seas, the trip to Tintamarre of previous. I got my hands dirty hoisting sails, since I am a master sailor (meaning my dad was in the navy, and I have watched “Land of the Lost”). The reward was the first rum drink of the day, shared by a crewmate, who oddly enough, refused to drink, since it was 8 AM.


Hoisting the Mainsail

The sail was less than an hour, and we arrived at what had been promised as the best snorkeling around. I’d add the beach rocked too! We snorkeled and saw much more than on St Martin (on either side). After swimming several times with about 6 sting rays, I went in and had lunch. Prickley Pear Breach restaurant (they need a marketing department!). Lunch was baby-back ribs, Mahi, and chicken, all of which were notable, and recommended. This is the only restaurant on the island, and they actually had a drink cabana out on the beach, complete with MY blender. (For those who don’t know, me I own a $600 blender. For those who know me, this is a perfectly normal thing).


The World's Best Blender

At lunch, I met a couple of nice girls, and then their parents. We played a nice game of “Thank God Jon is married because he sucks at guessing ages!” The girls I assumed were late college age turned out to be 19… and 14….. I assured her dad I was just chatting, and my wife got a kick out of it. (I’ll be in the dog house, level three if anyone needs me, haha).


Lambata and Swaglia II in Prickley Pear

Later, I returned to the water for several more hours of snorkeling, both with and without the kids. They are fish, and had a lot of fun, and Ryan even dove time and time again to swim with the Sting Rays.


Seen this Fish?

I saw small barracuda, Tons of species of fish, and even a sea turtle. He was elusive..


Big Mouth Baracuda

The sail home took us back past Le Samana, on Bay Longue, the $1500 a night resort (funny to hear how the locals describe how much this place costs.


Heave, HO!

It got more and more expensive as the weeks went by…. We stopped off the cost there, and dove in the water a bunch, off the side of the 15’ deck.


Remy 15' Jump off the CAT

Ryan and Remy both loved it, and we were in about 14’ of water. The crew popped Champagne, and we floated around on noodles, and drank champagne. Looks like the 22 gallon container of rum punch was getting low, haha.


OOPS, Heaved... When we should have Ho'd


That's Better....


The Ladies have hoisted the Mailsail

Finished at Bay Longue, and sailed back to Kim Sha Beach, or more accurately, the Pelican Resort Marina.


My new Boat

A couple of notes for those who care.
1). The marina building will be done in November 2007. (Island time).
2). The Sample UNIT is not done, except for the outside, and will be within the month. We sat next to this about 4 times, and never noticed it. I’m not sure which views the sample unit blocks, but I didn’t see any. The marina building itself is another story, but I’m staying out of that argument.
3). The units will be 1/12 ownership for $74,000 each. (I am not sure if 1/12 is 30.4166 days, or 4 weeks?) Time-share owners may be able to explain this one.
4). I think I’m the proud owner of three of these. I may be retired.

Walked back to the room, and decided to hang at the pool and the room for a while, since I was blowing .11 and Minda .139 from the Rum.. WOW. No driving for us for a couple of hours. The kids had some more homemade Mac and Cheese, French style. 4 kinds of cheeses, and a box of Kraft. It was excellent, and I highly recommend Kraft plus $10.00 or so of assorted French cheeses..


Feet in Paradise

Later that evening (read when I was at .025), I went out and picked up some of the best Lebanese food we have even had (remembering of course I spent a year in a Lebanese prison camp). Aldywyn just before the bridge, across from Ric’s Place. We had heard this was good, but WOW. $17.00 later, I had double the food we could finish in one takeout meal. Had a grilled Chicken breast on a salad, Lebanese Beef Shaved from the rotis, and an order of Garlic Hummus, complete with grilled pita bread. All of it was cheap, excellent, and the Lebanese “hottie” (her word not mine) made the takeout the best!

Sidebar: more on the Lebanese “hottie.” She kept asking me to go to the club later, the entire time I was ordering she said she’d “meet me there later”, and handed me a card that was to a topless bar nearby. Something deep inside me told me that she wasn’t going to show, even though she showed a particular liking to me, being that I’m double her age.

When I got back, my wife mentioned I was not allowed out anymore.

Rest, sleep slumber…

_____________________________________________________________________________________
END OF DAY _____________________________________________________________________________________