After admitting defeat fairly early last night, Jim and I were up early to exercise. Because of his knee, he is restricted to the gym and I do my usual walking. I think I mentioned the Villas are built on the side of a mountain with a series of elevators and stairs to get between the levels. If your purpose is exercise, the elevators are certainly not an option so I chose stairs and roads.
Imagine a road that takes you up six stories and you may be able to sense the cardio impact! Wow!
At 9:30, (right on time I might add), Nora, our Activities Advisor, showed up and gave us the scoop on restaurants and things to do. We determined it would take a month to fit it all in so we have some tough choices to make. She came here from California to visit for two weeks and has been here three years now with no plans to leave. The temperature range is pretty modest this time of year, low of 80 high of 84, but the humidity must be somewhere in 150% range! (I know that can’t be but it makes the point). Before Nora left we had reservations for five of the best restaurants on the island with the most special being Saturday night so all you Foodies out there stay connected.
Our first day’s plan consisted of pool, ocean, more pool, relaxing and more relaxing. Not a bad plan sprinkled with food and reading. Faye and I had staked out four nice chairs in the shade on an elevated tier in full view of the pool and ocean.
While we were talking, out of the bushes pops this large green gecko (we think). By large I would guess he is 15 inches long, nose to end of tail, which is a lot bigger than those little lizards we have running around Florida.
Of course he became a source of much concern, but it wasn’t until we had lunch at the Sunset Grill that we saw a REALLY big Lizard.
It seems the Iguanas on the island are fed by the tourists so they show up whenever and wherever there is food. Just like something out of Jurassic Park in miniature.
After lunch the guys offered to go to the grocery store and we let them, while we worked on the crossword puzzle of the day still by the pool. By 4 pm it was time to get ready for the Vendor Fair of local wares, Beach BBQ, and fire dance. Oh, by the way, Jim and I made reservations to go paddle boarding on Wednesday so make sure you check to see how that turns out.
We went to the Vendor Fair and saw some beautiful things and some very unusual things as well.
One vendor in particular that caught my eye was a table of medallions made from underwater photos that were really unusual and pretty. I was so temped to buy one but the last thing I need is another piece of jewelry. There was also a table from “Room with a View” restaurant in Bluebeard’s Castle and we have a reservation there on Wednesday night for Faye’s Birthday. They were giving out sample appetizers and I was impressed. Dinner should be pretty good. Marriott always has a drawing at these functions and this time we won a free dessert from, (wait for it), Room with a View restaurant. Ta da!
The Beach BBQ was not as formal as on St Kitts but the food was every bit at good. This was more typical BBQ food like potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, hot dogs, ribs, chicken and the best skirt steak I have ever eaten with banana bread pudding for dessert.
After the BBQ, there was time to walk out on the pier and take some pictures and Jim’s new camera took a beautiful picture of the mountain and downtown area.
Then came the fire dancer. I have never seen anything like her performance. It started off slowly with what appeared to be an umbrella frame with fire at each end of the spokes and at the very top. She gradually increased the difficulty of her dancing with more dangerous fire getting closer to her skin and ended with a hula hoop whirling around her waist, upper body, and hand with eight spots ignited with 6 inch flames. You have to picture this performance on the dark beach with the ocean as a back drop and the whirling fire streaking around her head and body. She was good!!
Another full day and time to retreat. One thing is for sure, I don’t have any trouble sleeping while on vacation.