Friday – Parade Rest!

We have a close friend that we vacation with who always needs a “Plan of the Day” - So here is our Plan of the Day!

Literally this has been our day.  We came to the realization that we have come to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world… Why should we run around looking at the other 32 beaches on the island? We are exactly 45 paces from the white sand (Janet counted them today) and have a beautiful unit.  Our refrigerator is full of beer and water – Paradise is not Lost… We just need to stay home to enjoy it.

So here is a quick tour of Carimar in pictures.  Welcome to our world... well at least for a few more days.  As my Uncle Bain, a USMC General who has left us, would say, “These are adequate quarters”

Looking at the grounds from the beach

Guided Tour of Carimar on Left

Side of the screen - Click to

Enlarge Photos



Our unit is on the first floor



Bed fit for a King



The morning started early for me.  I had a strong yearning for chicken babies and pig parts, so I arose and headed to Geraud's Patisserie  and had a breakfast sandwich that was top notch.  Ham, two types of cheese, two eggs, ham, 4 slices of bacon smashed between an English Muffin.  Damn Good!  If anyone sees Dr D, please do not tell him the address to the blog.

Lunch was a simple choice – Walk next door to Blanchard’s Beach Shack.  Melinda was working the kitchen and folks she was hustling.  The food was good, but the Mango Coloado was the best ever.  I am truly into mango smoothies, but this mango coloado takes a smoothie hands down.  

Blanchard's Beach Shack

  

Tour is Over Back to Chilln'

Radical Band Setting Up

The evening plans were to go see the Radical Band boys that we rode over on the boat with to Anguilla.  They were slated to play at 6 PM at a local park in the Valley.  We arrived just a few minutes before their start time and the bands were still assembling equipment.  The Jamaican boys were laughing and said everything is on island time.  Maybe they would start playing around 8 PM. 



So now we had lots of time to kill before our dinner reservations back in Sandy Ground.  We rode back to the harbor as the sun was setting and then pulled up to Elvis’ place on the beach.  To steal a phrase – Elvis was in the building!  WE had a couple rum punches and then we were off to Veya for dinner.

Veya is located on the hill going down to the Sandy Ground and has a rainforest like setting, which is absolutely beautiful.   A local band, British Dependency, has a wonderful sound and provided background music for our evening.  The service... I was honestly disappointed with.  Our primary waitress seemed slow and inattentive to her duties, while she chomped on gum. (Notice I did not say chew).  For our first course Janet had conch fritters in aioli, while I had a Local Leafy Greens Marinated Goat Cheese, Candied Papaya, Toasted Almonds with a Pumpkin Vinaigrette (on the side for me)   Janet’s conch fritters were out of this world, and while my salad was good it wasn’t what I expected.  It was not until I was about halfway through that I realized there was no goat cheese.  The head waiter came over to the table and asked how was our meal?  I said I thought on the menu the salad came with goat cheese.  She scurried off only to return and say she was sorry there was a mistake and the cheese was forgotten… and that was it… hmmm I thought.  For the main course Janet and I both order Snapper that was sitting on a bed of pesto mashed potatoes.  The great presentation was only exceeded by the taste of this dish.  For our wine we had a wine I have never had but always wanted to try - Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc.   We have had many CDPs in our day, but always red.   For dessert we split a trio of tropical Creme Brulees - Ginger, Vanilla, Coconut with coffee.

All in all the food was amazing, the music was great, and the service poor at best.  The bill was a little hefty, and in Anguilla a 15% service charge is added to all meals.  I was surprised to see the goat cheese salad with no goat cheese made the bill.   For some reason this really irritated me and cause me do something I rarely do…   The tip and the goat cheese had a lot in common this evening. 



It is now Saturday morning and it is another beautiful day in the island nation of Anguilla!