T&T Tour -Day 2 (Gromit's Version)
Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 12:16 pm
DAY 2: Oh no, no Maho! Thou must be flexible!
iTunes Daily Soundtrack:
You Can Get it if You Really Want – Desmond Dekker
Move on Up – Curtis Mayfield
Hey Now Now – Michael Franti
Summer Sunshine- The Corrs
Say Hey – Michael Franti
Caban La Ka Kratchie – Geroges Fordant
The Week-End Song – Freestylers
Uncle John’s Band – Grateful Dead
Ganja Baby – Michael Franti
Up with the sun, I decided to get up early and make bacon egg and cheese sandwiches for anyone that wanted one. I was moving pretty slow and was determined not to be in a rush especially after the previous day.
After breakfast we got our stuff together, grabbed some snacks and our frozen bottles of water.
Gromit Tip #7: Walkie Talkies can be your friend. If you have them, bring them. Since cell service on island can be hit or miss depending on where you are staying a set of walkie talkies can come in pretty handy.
The FF’s headed out ahead of us and we were close behind when we heard that the North Shore Road was closed due to a bike race. Since we had no idea how long the race was going to be or how long the road would be closed we opted to avoid the area altogether and just head to Salt Pond. After providing some directions via the walkie talkies they were on their way.
LOVE Salt Pond. HATE the hill. Knowing that we had to walk back up that hill at some point we made an effort to stay at Salt Pond as long as possible. I love the snorkeling here and just generally hanging out.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/43 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuET ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bO ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEV ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ot ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEY ... 8.JPG"></a>
I even took some of my krewe on the Drunk Bay hike. They loved it. For some reason I really like Drunk Bay. Not sure why. Maybe it’s the quirkly little coral characters that folks create, or the crashing waves, or the teaming wildlife at the edge of the rocky shore.
This is an easy hike and the payoff is huge. If you find yourself at Salt Pond, make the trek.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LU ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEn ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b1 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEy ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oi ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEd ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VB ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEj ... 4.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9j ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEz ... 2.JPG"></a>
Playing tour guide I pointed out the Salt Pond on the way. For some reason my Mom didn’t believe that it was an actual Salt Pond. Seriously? So I said, “Taste it.” She did and was a believer. Very salty.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jG ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE2 ... 3.JPG"></a>
I also took some time to teach Cousin Gromit how to snorkel. The water is very calm in Salt Pond and this is a great place to teach a first timer.
Overall I have noticed that more and more people are going to Salt Pond. Evidently that hill is no longer a deterrent!
Gromit Tip #8: Bring Oreo’s and let them bake in the sun.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pW ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuFO ... 3.JPG"></a>
So we discovered a great little treat. Cousin Gromit had pulled the Oreo’s out of the cooler and let them sit in the hot sun for an hour or so.
After the hike we were hungry so we opened up the package. There was a whole lot of yummy goodness in there!
From that point on during the trip we called it “baking the oreo’s” and would often ask if there “were done yet.” The cookie part gets crispy and warm while the cream in the middle melts and takes on a whole new yummy flavor. Try it!!
After baking in the sun a bit more we decided it was time to head to lunch. My mom and Aunt weren’t interested in joining us for lunch (turned out to be a theme of the trip) and opted to stay at the beach a bit longer. So Mr. Gromit, Cousin Gromit and I headed to one of our favorite new spots: The Tourist Trap. If you haven’t been to the TT this is a MUST DO.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/82 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE5 ... 5.JPG"></a>
Ordered a couple of Drink Right Keep Lefts and Cousin Gromit and I had the Lobster Roll.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y0 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuFA ... 2.JPG"></a>
Mr. Gromit had the Meatball sandwich which he pronounced as awesome.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1A ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE- ... 9.JPG"></a>
Here's my cousin channeling BevM-- Too bad we didn't have a cherry for her to shove up her nose
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mk ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE6 ... 6.JPG"></a>
We also started the meal with some BBQ wings.
The TT IMHO is one of STJ’s newest little gems.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y8 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE3 ... 4.JPG"></a>
Larry must have magic wand in that little shack of his because what he produces from inside that shack is nothing short of yummy goodness.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE_ ... 1.JPG"></a>
Over the past two trips we have eaten there four times and tried the wings, tacos, nachos, lobster rolls, meatball sandwich, chicken parm sandwich and have never had a bad meal.
The prices are reasonable and I truly believe that Larry’s secret ingredient is a little bit of love. Even if you aren’t going to Salt Pond, it’s worth the drive out to Larry’s Tourist Trap. Hang out with some locals, talk to other visitors and enjoy a good meal at a very fair price.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0z ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE8 ... 8.JPG"></a>
After a fantastic lunch we headed back to the house for some pool time before dinner. Afternoon pool time is great way to cool off after a hot day at the beach.
After some rest, the boys headed off for their night dive with Low Key. Jimg20 and his wife Dianne joined them.
At the point the McDomzals had arrived on island and my cousin and their son started the on island texting frenzy. McDomzal and I had connected the two thru Facebook and they had spent several weeks chatting on line and getting to know each other.
While the boys went for their dive we got dressed and headed to Shipwreck Landing for dinner. We had all five ladies and the two kiddos with us.
Now normally I love to eat at Shipwreck at least one or two times per trip. Sometimes more, depending on how I feel and what’s available. But our experience this night was seriously lacking. We were a very easy table. Everyone ordered a full meal but we only drank iced tea or water. NONE of our drinks was refilled ONCE while we were there. The waitress never even asked. The only interaction we had with here was to order the food and drinks, she brought us our drinks and brought us our food. That was it. She never checked back with us, never asked how anything was, never bothered to refill our drinks.
She also refused to split our checks so it was a pain in the ass to figure out who owed what.
So imagine my surprise when she brought the bill and she had attached an 18% tip to it. I have eaten there several times with larger groups and NO ONE has ever added in the tip for me. Moreover we have ALWAYS taken care of the server with a 20% tip. Flip and I tip generously and in cash.
At this point I was annoyed for the following reasons:
1) she assumed that I was too cheap to leave a decent tip;
2) she didn’t do a good job; and
3) the meal itself was mediocre at best.
Overall it was the worst meal we had on the entire trip.
When I queried her about it, she never said that it was Shipwrecks policy to charge the standard tip for larger parties (most places have this). Instead she said, that she added it in because she had to make sure that she got a tip and that they share tips. The way she phrased it she was doing this for EVERY check regardless of party size.
I didn’t want to make a scene and it was our first night on island. But I can tell you that I didn’t go back and while I adore Pat I probably won’t be going back anytime soon based upon how we were treated that night by that waitress.
IMHO If you’re going to charge an automatic tip based on my parties size you better damn well earn it. EVERYWHERE else our servers were attentive and took really good care of us and we didn’t bat an eyelash when they added in the gratuity based on party size.
The whole experience was embarrassing to me. With so many other great choices for dinner in Coral Bay these days I am reluctant to return to Shipwreck in the future. I was very disappointed by the way were treated. I know Pat was off island and maybe the staff decided it was time to slack off and take advantage of folks while the boss wasn’t around. I don’t know. All I know is I was pretty pissed off and took my money elsewhere for the rest of the trip. I know this may seem a bit harsh but I was pretty upset. Nuff said.
Back at the villa it was time to make Jell-O shots and CHILL OUT!! I started by making some Virgin Cherry Jell-O for Mini FF. She was my little helper. She also helped lay out the cups on the tray for the Jell-O shots. I also cautioned her that as cute as the little cups were she was NOT to eat them! Which is why I made her some of her own.
A couple of days later I loaded some of her cherry Jell-O into some of the little cups and froze it as a treat. She loved this.
I made margarita and sex on the beach shots with some help from my cousin—hey it’s training for college!
For some background music I hooked up my iPhone to my cute little portable speakers.
One of my new fave artists is Michael Franti. “Hey Now Now” “Say Hey” and “Ganja Baby” are fabulous songs. He’s really diverse but these three songs have a great sound and are perfect for STJ.
I giggle everytime I think about us making Jell-O shots and listening to Ganja Baby. Belly Flop LOVED this song and was singing “Ganja Baby” while it played. Seriously, the image of that cracks me up!
After my night's work and a little dancing I whipped up some Tang-O’s (Tang and Orange Rum) for the ladies and we kicked back waiting for the boys to arrive home from their dive.
Turns out the guys had a great dive with Low Key but Mr. FF as not feeling well afterwards and ended up christening the Beach Bar bathroom afterwards. He sends his apologies to the Beach Bar staff.
Apparently he had either gotten motion sickness or picked up some little bug, but he was not a happy camper and was down for the count for at least a day after that.
Seriously? Is this only the first full day??
Off to bed to get ready for another exciting day!!
iTunes Daily Soundtrack:
You Can Get it if You Really Want – Desmond Dekker
Move on Up – Curtis Mayfield
Hey Now Now – Michael Franti
Summer Sunshine- The Corrs
Say Hey – Michael Franti
Caban La Ka Kratchie – Geroges Fordant
The Week-End Song – Freestylers
Uncle John’s Band – Grateful Dead
Ganja Baby – Michael Franti
Up with the sun, I decided to get up early and make bacon egg and cheese sandwiches for anyone that wanted one. I was moving pretty slow and was determined not to be in a rush especially after the previous day.
After breakfast we got our stuff together, grabbed some snacks and our frozen bottles of water.
Gromit Tip #7: Walkie Talkies can be your friend. If you have them, bring them. Since cell service on island can be hit or miss depending on where you are staying a set of walkie talkies can come in pretty handy.
The FF’s headed out ahead of us and we were close behind when we heard that the North Shore Road was closed due to a bike race. Since we had no idea how long the race was going to be or how long the road would be closed we opted to avoid the area altogether and just head to Salt Pond. After providing some directions via the walkie talkies they were on their way.
LOVE Salt Pond. HATE the hill. Knowing that we had to walk back up that hill at some point we made an effort to stay at Salt Pond as long as possible. I love the snorkeling here and just generally hanging out.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/43 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuET ... 5.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bO ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEV ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ot ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEY ... 8.JPG"></a>
I even took some of my krewe on the Drunk Bay hike. They loved it. For some reason I really like Drunk Bay. Not sure why. Maybe it’s the quirkly little coral characters that folks create, or the crashing waves, or the teaming wildlife at the edge of the rocky shore.
This is an easy hike and the payoff is huge. If you find yourself at Salt Pond, make the trek.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LU ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEn ... 6.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/b1 ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEy ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/oi ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEd ... 1.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VB ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEj ... 4.JPG"></a>
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9j ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuEz ... 2.JPG"></a>
Playing tour guide I pointed out the Salt Pond on the way. For some reason my Mom didn’t believe that it was an actual Salt Pond. Seriously? So I said, “Taste it.” She did and was a believer. Very salty.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jG ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE2 ... 3.JPG"></a>
I also took some time to teach Cousin Gromit how to snorkel. The water is very calm in Salt Pond and this is a great place to teach a first timer.
Overall I have noticed that more and more people are going to Salt Pond. Evidently that hill is no longer a deterrent!
Gromit Tip #8: Bring Oreo’s and let them bake in the sun.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pW ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuFO ... 3.JPG"></a>
So we discovered a great little treat. Cousin Gromit had pulled the Oreo’s out of the cooler and let them sit in the hot sun for an hour or so.
After the hike we were hungry so we opened up the package. There was a whole lot of yummy goodness in there!
From that point on during the trip we called it “baking the oreo’s” and would often ask if there “were done yet.” The cookie part gets crispy and warm while the cream in the middle melts and takes on a whole new yummy flavor. Try it!!
After baking in the sun a bit more we decided it was time to head to lunch. My mom and Aunt weren’t interested in joining us for lunch (turned out to be a theme of the trip) and opted to stay at the beach a bit longer. So Mr. Gromit, Cousin Gromit and I headed to one of our favorite new spots: The Tourist Trap. If you haven’t been to the TT this is a MUST DO.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/82 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE5 ... 5.JPG"></a>
Ordered a couple of Drink Right Keep Lefts and Cousin Gromit and I had the Lobster Roll.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y0 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuFA ... 2.JPG"></a>
Mr. Gromit had the Meatball sandwich which he pronounced as awesome.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1A ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE- ... 9.JPG"></a>
Here's my cousin channeling BevM-- Too bad we didn't have a cherry for her to shove up her nose
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mk ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE6 ... 6.JPG"></a>
We also started the meal with some BBQ wings.
The TT IMHO is one of STJ’s newest little gems.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/y8 ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE3 ... 4.JPG"></a>
Larry must have magic wand in that little shack of his because what he produces from inside that shack is nothing short of yummy goodness.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zg ... site"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE_ ... 1.JPG"></a>
Over the past two trips we have eaten there four times and tried the wings, tacos, nachos, lobster rolls, meatball sandwich, chicken parm sandwich and have never had a bad meal.
The prices are reasonable and I truly believe that Larry’s secret ingredient is a little bit of love. Even if you aren’t going to Salt Pond, it’s worth the drive out to Larry’s Tourist Trap. Hang out with some locals, talk to other visitors and enjoy a good meal at a very fair price.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0z ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/SkuE8 ... 8.JPG"></a>
After a fantastic lunch we headed back to the house for some pool time before dinner. Afternoon pool time is great way to cool off after a hot day at the beach.
After some rest, the boys headed off for their night dive with Low Key. Jimg20 and his wife Dianne joined them.
At the point the McDomzals had arrived on island and my cousin and their son started the on island texting frenzy. McDomzal and I had connected the two thru Facebook and they had spent several weeks chatting on line and getting to know each other.
While the boys went for their dive we got dressed and headed to Shipwreck Landing for dinner. We had all five ladies and the two kiddos with us.
Now normally I love to eat at Shipwreck at least one or two times per trip. Sometimes more, depending on how I feel and what’s available. But our experience this night was seriously lacking. We were a very easy table. Everyone ordered a full meal but we only drank iced tea or water. NONE of our drinks was refilled ONCE while we were there. The waitress never even asked. The only interaction we had with here was to order the food and drinks, she brought us our drinks and brought us our food. That was it. She never checked back with us, never asked how anything was, never bothered to refill our drinks.
She also refused to split our checks so it was a pain in the ass to figure out who owed what.
So imagine my surprise when she brought the bill and she had attached an 18% tip to it. I have eaten there several times with larger groups and NO ONE has ever added in the tip for me. Moreover we have ALWAYS taken care of the server with a 20% tip. Flip and I tip generously and in cash.
At this point I was annoyed for the following reasons:
1) she assumed that I was too cheap to leave a decent tip;
2) she didn’t do a good job; and
3) the meal itself was mediocre at best.
Overall it was the worst meal we had on the entire trip.
When I queried her about it, she never said that it was Shipwrecks policy to charge the standard tip for larger parties (most places have this). Instead she said, that she added it in because she had to make sure that she got a tip and that they share tips. The way she phrased it she was doing this for EVERY check regardless of party size.
I didn’t want to make a scene and it was our first night on island. But I can tell you that I didn’t go back and while I adore Pat I probably won’t be going back anytime soon based upon how we were treated that night by that waitress.
IMHO If you’re going to charge an automatic tip based on my parties size you better damn well earn it. EVERYWHERE else our servers were attentive and took really good care of us and we didn’t bat an eyelash when they added in the gratuity based on party size.
The whole experience was embarrassing to me. With so many other great choices for dinner in Coral Bay these days I am reluctant to return to Shipwreck in the future. I was very disappointed by the way were treated. I know Pat was off island and maybe the staff decided it was time to slack off and take advantage of folks while the boss wasn’t around. I don’t know. All I know is I was pretty pissed off and took my money elsewhere for the rest of the trip. I know this may seem a bit harsh but I was pretty upset. Nuff said.
Back at the villa it was time to make Jell-O shots and CHILL OUT!! I started by making some Virgin Cherry Jell-O for Mini FF. She was my little helper. She also helped lay out the cups on the tray for the Jell-O shots. I also cautioned her that as cute as the little cups were she was NOT to eat them! Which is why I made her some of her own.
A couple of days later I loaded some of her cherry Jell-O into some of the little cups and froze it as a treat. She loved this.
I made margarita and sex on the beach shots with some help from my cousin—hey it’s training for college!
For some background music I hooked up my iPhone to my cute little portable speakers.
One of my new fave artists is Michael Franti. “Hey Now Now” “Say Hey” and “Ganja Baby” are fabulous songs. He’s really diverse but these three songs have a great sound and are perfect for STJ.
I giggle everytime I think about us making Jell-O shots and listening to Ganja Baby. Belly Flop LOVED this song and was singing “Ganja Baby” while it played. Seriously, the image of that cracks me up!
After my night's work and a little dancing I whipped up some Tang-O’s (Tang and Orange Rum) for the ladies and we kicked back waiting for the boys to arrive home from their dive.
Turns out the guys had a great dive with Low Key but Mr. FF as not feeling well afterwards and ended up christening the Beach Bar bathroom afterwards. He sends his apologies to the Beach Bar staff.
Apparently he had either gotten motion sickness or picked up some little bug, but he was not a happy camper and was down for the count for at least a day after that.
Seriously? Is this only the first full day??
Off to bed to get ready for another exciting day!!
I love the daily playlists, too!
