Tasting the Land Life

Alas, sorry for the lack of blog, but
land life contributes to lack of time, less
awareness, and less consciousnness. Things are quite fabulous,
however, just different. And,
as expected, very very different. Having spent the last
year working as a chef on private motor yachts, and now,
awaking every day in my own bed living near the beach, but
not responsible for anyone's crepes or cafe americano or better
yet, morning yoga lessons....well, do I need to
say more?

I have debated some things, like well, do I write the book of all
books, where we expose the secrets of the lifestyles of the yacht folk rich and
famous? Or, do I just blog from episode to episode of my daily journal
of which I have at least one year of amazing stories of the most superfulous
people in the world?

Deon and I have contemplated both, and have decided to think on such things for a bit, but welcome your feedback. In the meantime, how about Napa for Cabernet harvest season the sixth through the eighth of October?
The itinerary will be fabulous, and if not, Africa will be blogged in the month of March and April of 2011.

PS. New pictures of Mexico a few weeks ago and the 5 ft Wahoo caught in Puerto Morellos...

Join me!
Gesondheid~
Holly

Saba, the Unspoiled Queen

If you have not been to Saba, the island known as the "unspoiled queen," it it something to appreciate and see, and an island so different than surrounding Nevis, Anguilla, St Barths, and Sint Maarten. The only issue is actually getting there......there are two options, or should I include, two safe options. You can take the ferry which is approximately two hours on what most refer to as the "vomit comet" or you can take a ten minute "white knuckle" flight which is something to be remembered. Lastly, you can go via private boat which is not the safest option considering it is a very rocky, mountainous island not truly accessible by boat.



You can probably guess as to how I decided to get there. The runway is the shortest I've experienced, with Florence's (Italy) a close second, and so weather is a huge variable as to the outcome of the experience.
Not only is the runway short short short, but the angle at which the pilot (Note: singular, ONE pilot) hits the runway is the most interesting flying experience.
If you are sitting on the right side of the aircraft, you'll see a cliff; on the left side, the water; and, those bravest to watch the runway can experience the thrilling rush of anticipation, contemplating the ability of the aircraft brakes, or the possibility of edging the cliff and pulling wheels back to pull back up....or lastly, to take a dive in the water. I was in a pool of sweat upon landing, and although a short flight, I can say one of the most engaging and thrilling!

The island's personality is nothing of its' neighbors and has this humility which is far different than glitzy St Barths or expensive Nevis. It is owned by the Dutch Antilles, and the people, primarily Dutch with a few French expats, plant their own gardens, renovate their own homes, and have an honest liking to tourists.

A few things about this island that really make it interesting:
There is no true water system, so water is frugally used and provided by a reservoir system. If the island is lacking in rain, bathing may be a bit tricky. The restaurants are what I most definitely did not expect, and are quite the culinary dream! The Gatehouse is my favorite run by a local couple who retired in Saba years ago and pretty much do "this" for fun. You absolutely need reservations as this is their home and they not only have the best and most appreciated wine list from Wine Spectator, but a quaint little table on their upstairs patio to oversee Saba.
Lastly, this is a "hiking" island, not a beach island.....yes, I went all prepared with swimsuit and flip-flops, but you're better off either renting a car or hoofing it with a good solid pair of tennis or hiking shoes.



The view posted here is the view off the eternity spa from the room, and the sunset amidst the rocky landscape is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Some think that the Queen's Garden Hotel where we stayed is rigged with music, but no, it is purely the sensational chorus at night of the tree frogs and birds on the mountain. Saba is genuinely beautiful and truly, the interesting, unspoiled queen.

Cuba to Dominican Republic to Saint Maarten

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I haven't been able to pull off a roasted turkey as of yet as we are on the water and it has been somewhat smooth to choppy, but no seasickness which is a blessing in which to give thanks! White truffle butter turkey (thanks, Cameron, for the recipe) alongside mashed sweet potatoes, haricots verts with tomatoes and bacon, sausage & apple stuffing, and plenty of pies will belatedly be devoured in St Maarten, on the French side. So, what is there to do for days on end while underway with no land in sight??? Well, cooking for the crew, journaling, watching movies, reading magazines from November, and catching some sun on the flybridge occasionally just listening to reggae wishing I could put a fishing rod in the water! We should be docking in St Maarten on Monday morning, weather permitting of course. I give thanks although after Thanksgiving for many things including my friends and family, health, and opportunity to embark on this priceless journey. Wishing all of you the happiest and healthiest every-day and Thanksgiving Day!!!

StiltsVille

Have you ever been or maybe drempt of going to the Maldives for some tropical R&R?? Maybe you've seen the rooms just above the crystal clear, turquoise water or had visions of snorkeling and swimming the water just off your room on stilts? Without the volumptuous cost or kazillion-hour flight, you can go just south of crowded South Beach to Key Biscayne whose homes rival those of Port Royal, Naples, (think: Scarface house or Miami Vice house). You must obviously be on the water via boat, and can head towards the Bahamas and see these homes just above the water on stilts, called Stiltsville.

Presently Stiltsville is comprised of seven remaining houses standing on pilings in shallow water in Biscayne National Park, that is located in between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Before hurricane Andrew in 1993, there were over 20 structures that dotted the seascape. With sustained winds in excess of 190 mph., and much higher gusts of wind, many of the structures simply did not stand a chance against the power of nature. Although many of the structures have been through a dozen hurricanes over the years, it became one of our finer laws that the owners of the properties (or the leases) could not make any repairs to the structures, so, they would simply fall into disrepair. Some of the structures are in fantastic shape and make a wonderful place to gather with friends and family to enjoy nature from an entirely different perspective. The laws that have allowed Stiltsville to become such as mess instead of being treated as the National treasure that it is. There is no other place on the face of the earth like stiltsville. There is a grassroots movement to save Stiltsville that has taken some traction and hopefully we will be able to pass this treasure and this history on to our children.

Originally Stiltsville was built or imagined during the days of prohibition and Al Capone and rampant gambling.The law was that gambling was allowed provided that it was located a mile offshore. [Stiltsville is located just over a mile offshore.] Many structures were built, in fact, a very large boat was purposefully run aground at high tide at full speed and then more permanently secured to the ocean floor during low tide when the ground was no longer under the water but was now exposed and above the water level. It was a fine and exquisite gambling establishment and clients were ferried to stiltsville. The law was soon changed to 3 miles offshore. The gambling boats located at Bayside in Miami will be very happy to take you 3 miles offshore so that you can gamble legally. During the 1980's when Miami was in the Miami Vice days, the stiltsville area was used for seaplane dropoffs of contraband where speedboats would take off with the cargo. Film shoots have been shot there and plenty of wild parties and photo shoots for minimal clothing magazines have featured the houses of stiltsville.

Check it out!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stiltsville

How long has it been since you have savored a moving tricolored sunset? Maybe yesterday? Last year on vacation? While viewing, did you enjoy your favorite Sancerre or Champagne, or just gaze as it occurs everyday as it does in Naples on the beach? What did you think about, meditate on, when you saw the colors, the movement, and the waves that surround this sensational experience--so un-man made, so Godly-created?
It has been known that the best sunsets occur not just in remote, fancy, expensive locales, but in sometimes the most unexpected pastures in Oklahoma or the extreme desert of Arizona. Where is your gazepoint or in yogic terms, your dristi at this occasion? Is there really an extreme sunset in your eye view or is it somewhere that yearns for your dristi? I ask myself occasionally how we can move through life without noting or being thankful for the most subtle blessing like a beautiful sunset.

While at Sea, it has often occurred to me at the most distinct but random times, how often I fail to acknowledge the beauty that sits outside of our windowsill, just like a summer day that is so inviting, so tempting, but is undervalued and taken maybe for granted? It is in our scope of dristi, but we humanely ignore the beauty.

So, alas, pictures of the sunset I viewed tonight just by chance after returning from Key Largo. These pictures were not clicked in Key Largo, however, but just steps from my pad in Naples.....go figure....Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero – "Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.", and the ode says that the future is unknowable, and that instead one should scale back one's hopes to a brief future, and drink one's wine....not a terrible idea!