T&T Tour Gromits version - Day 5
Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:20 am
Day 5: Honeymoon gathering with Forumites; Vies and the East End for lunch; Island Blues for carnivore night
iTunes Daily Soundtrack
Este Amor – Bermudez Triangle
No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley
De Camino A La Vereda – Buena Vista Social Club
Peace Train – Cat Stevens
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Truly, Madly Deeply – The Dualers
Tiny Dancer – Elton John
A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix) – Elvis Presley
Friend of the Devil – Grateful Dead
Hot n Cold – Katy Perry
And Be Loved – Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
So today, someone had somehow wrangled a bunch of forumites to get together and go to Honeymoon beach.
I suspect that this was mostly Pia and Ruth’s doing and I for one appreciate whoever did the work to get everyone on the same page for this repeat gathering.
In all the years we have being going to STJ I have rarely set foot on Caneel. I guess I figure that there are a gazillion other beaches on STJ so there’s really no need to visit their property. So when it was suggested that we all meet up at Honeymoon I was actually anxious to give it a shot.
Don’t let the recently erected fortress gates discourage you. Just tell the attendant you are headed to Honeymoon and they should waive you on through. Given the number of forumites that got together this day the poor attendant must have been a little freaked out.
Anyway you drive to the logical parking lot (there’s really only one way to go) and you start walking until you see signs to Honeymoon and the “Self Centre.”
I have been looking for my “Self” for quite some time so I figure that if could find it on the hike to Honeymoon, all the better!
Anyway we were joined by Bob and Anita on our trek to Honeymoon and they filled us in on the credit card fiasco/mix up at the Beach Bar a few nights before. I’ll let them tell the story. But suffice to say they were handling it WAY better than I would have. Bob & Anita are delightfully mellow people.
We arrive at honeymoon and set up shop on the far right hand side as you face out to the ocean. It seemed as good a spot as any since the other end of the beach was overrun with visitors from STT on the “Cattlemarans.”
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A3 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky82 ... 6.JPG"></a>
Picture the beach scene from Jaws but with people in yellow vests floundering, packed in like over-inflated yellow buoys bobbing about and occasionally screaming at te top of their lungs so that the populace on STT could no doubt hear them, “I see a fish!!”
A fish? Really? In the ocean? Seriously?
Like all good forumites we seemed to feel the magnetic pull of one another and before I knew it we had a veritable party going on. It was at this point I realized that I should have brought the Jell-O shots. Damn!!
Joining us were the McDomzals, Liamsaunt and John, JMQ and crew, Tracy in WI, the Gromit and Flip Flop Krewes, Bob & Anita, LMG, Ruth and Pia. I KNOW I am forgetting someone again so I am SO sorry if that is you!!
The McDomzals
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1U ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky83 ... 7.JPG"></a>
JMQ's butt... (his best side I think!)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M7 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky85 ... 8.JPG"></a>
More of JMQ's butt blocking Ruth - talking to LMG and my Aunt... that woman up on the sand mound behind them is my Mom prior to losing her mind but still working my nerves...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yu ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky87 ... 9.JPG"></a>
Here's nice shot of Liamsaunt's stuff (she probably had an eight course gourmet meal along with crystal in china in that little igloo cooler-- but did he share? Nooooooooo....)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ix ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky89 ... 0.JPG"></a>
We basically spent the day floating around and chatting about anything and everything. Perhaps it was Karma that we were all on island at the same time, who knows?
All I know is hanging with everyone was a highlight of my trip and I felt like we had known each other for years! Which I guess, in a way, we kind of have. Anyway, it was really nice.
Ryan and Amber did a repeat of being near one another and not speaking or even looking at each other even though they had been texting incessantly since their first meeting at the Beach Bar.
I suggested that they could sit next to each other on the beach and text one another to get the ball rolling again conversation-wise… seriously these kids are not shy but I guess it’s Gen Y thing. Again, after the usual 15 minutes or so they were chatting and hanging out and having a good time. Crazy kids!
Ruth still had a huge grin plastered on her face and told us all about her parasailing adventure which she pronounced as fabulous and highly recommended it.
Anyway, it was a blast. But like all good gatherings the sun was getting hotter and it was time to head off to get some lunch.
A little note of caution here: I hadn’t been keeping up with my fluids. So when I got ready to go I stood up and was pretty dizzy and didn’t feel so hot (which meant I was too hot). I proceeded to drink an entire large Nalgene bottle of water to try and catch up. But it wasn’t smart to get behind on staying hydrated especially when soaking up the sun like that. So kids… drink plenty of water and stay hydrated!!
It was sad to say good-bye but I knew we’d be meeting up with some more folks later in the week for our day trip to Jost.
After saying our good-byes we decided that it was time to pay Miss Vie a visit and show cousin Gromit the East End. So off we went.
Here's Cousin Gromits "This Doesn't Suck" face...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IV ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky8- ... 1.JPG"></a>
Mr. Gromit's (aka Tony Stewart) "This Doesn't Suck" face...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hg ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky9A ... 2.JPG"></a>
The tree at Miss Vie's
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fW ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky9C ... 3.JPG"></a>
Miss Vies was actually kind of crowded and Miss Vies daughter was running out of Johnny Cakes (Miss Vie was off on STT for the day). We got the last ones, but when a crowd of like 8 people showed up hungry she whipped up some more. We ordered beans and rice, fried chicken, conch fritters, iced tea and coconut tart. YUMMY, YUMMY GOODNESS.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yz ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Skov4 ... 1.JPG"></a>
Miss Vies sister used to make the tarts until she passed a couple of years back. Fortunately she taught her niece (Miss Vie’s daughter) how to make them.
Now I know I am probably committing some sort of sacrilege here by saying this, but honestly the tarts have never been better. Miss Vie’s daughter is doing some justice to her aunt’s recipe and taking it to a whole new level.
Seriously, Miss Vie’s food is top notch. It’s not fancy. But if you want some good solid cooking, like those of us with southern grandmothers are used to, then this is the place for you.
I am pleased that the knowledge and the recipes are being passed down to the younger generation. If you haven’t taken a trek out to Miss Vie’s, I highly recommend doing so.
The tale of Mr. Gomit & the Little Man
Miss Vie’s grandson who is 5 going on 50 was there to keep everyone entertained while his aunt whipped up conch fritters and Johnny cake for the crowd.
When hubby started to reapply the bug spray, the wee one told him sternly in a thick West Indian accent, “No. No. No. Not near the table.”
Mr. Gromit figured the little man was worried about the chemicals and said “OK” and turned away and continued to spray.
The boy pleaded with him and shook his finger, “no no no, not on the table.”
Finally, he quit applying the bug spray and leaned forward on the table with his arms. The boy just shook his head at him as if to say, “Stupid man, I try to tell you…”
When Mr. Gromit leaned back he had green stains up and down his arms where he had applied the bug spray and had leaned on the plastic table cloth. Mr. Gromit is always one to man-up and admit when he is wrong.
Hubby, looks at the little man and says, “You know, you’re a pretty smart kid and I am a pretty stupid grown up. Thanks for trying to tell me.”
Little man just clucked at him and shaking his head in true West Indian style and said disapprovingly, “I try to tell you, but you no listen!”
Apologies were offered and accepted between little man and my hubby and hubby proceeded with showing little man a really cool card trick. We had lots of fun hanging out with Vie’s extended family. They are always great to us.
"Some of my favorite foods are vegetarians"
After a filling lunch we headed back to the villa for some down time and to get ready for dinner at Island Blues that night. We had originally intended to go to Sweet Plantains but they were closed… DENIED!
But when we pulled into Island Blues we saw the sign board out front: CARNIVORE NIGHT. Did someone say meat? Bring it!
Honestly this was a great value. They had some great cuts of meat and side dishes at a really good price and the food was fantastic. The service was also excellent.
It would have been a stellar evening if my Mom had not started to needle me about something completely unrelated to our trip and was not something I wanted to discuss in detail to the exclusion of the entire table of people when we could be talking about something more fun.
But Mom’s can push buttons like no other and after repeated efforts to change the subject were ignored, I snapped.
Needless to say that I was not a happy camper and neither was she. Grateful for a ride back to the villa with Flip so that I could vent, I let Mom & Co drive back in their vehicle.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
Trying to be the grown up I went to talk with her and try to sort things out.
Admittedly, since we had arrived on island I had been uncharacteristically uptight (at least for STJ) about making sure everyone was getting along and having a good time and it was stressing me out more than I should have allowed it to.
I apologized profusely for being short with her the first couple of days but she was on her own little warpath which was a toxic mixture of unrealistic expectations sprinkled with a dash of jealousy. It was like a painkiller but without the alcoholic payoff.
I think I was done when my Mom expressed that she was upset that I was spending any time with folks from the forum and that she thought it was weird.
DONE.
I am still not sure what happened in her head to get her to this point but it was the wrong.thing.to.say. to.me.
Normally she is very independent and does her own thing. She had been with us to STJ before with my Aunt (the same one that came with us on this trip) and they were happy doing their own thing.
I guess I expected them to be the same way on this trip and just to let me and Cousin Gromit do our own thing too.
But instead, she was completely up my ass the entire trip. She refused to do anything on her own and then complained because she felt she was having to do everything we were doing even though I repeatedly told her to do whatever she wanted.
That’s why we insist on separate vehicles so that no one feels tied down to anyone else’s schedule. We do have an itinerary but it’s only a guide and designed so people can pick and choose what they want to do and when.
No one is cracking the whip and saying you have to go to X beach at X time. But if you want to go where and when we go, well then you should be ready to go when we’re ready to go. Otherwise take some responsibility and initiative and go on your own. At the very least you shouldn't insist on going where I am going and then criticize who I am there with. Moreover I don't expect you to badmouth my friends who are staying in the house with us and make judgements about them that are completely out of line and then turn around and be nice to their face. LOST.HER.MIND.
Goes to show that no matter what you do you are never going to make everyone happy. And when people get something set in their head there is no changing their mind.
At that point I just disconnected and stopped engaging her at all. The last thing I wanted to do was to have the issue affect anyone else -- but of course the harder I tried the worse it got.
The more I tried to disconnect the more she was up my ass. Do Mom’s go to school for this? Or is just genetically transferred in the womb?
I just looked at her incredulously and decided that there was nothing I could do if she was hell bent on losing her mind. So I let her take that trip solo.
All I can say is that Flip and her Krewe and my Hubby were saints for dealing with it as well as they did. I love you Flip!
I think the lesson here is that no matter how much you try to manage people’s expectations it doesn’t always work out and you have to be prepared for that when traveling with friends and family.
I have had better ends to an evening on STJ to be sure but I was happy to have my head hit the pillow and to try and forget the previous 3 hours.
After all, tomorrow soon come…. (sigh!)
Tomorrow… Day 6 - Drift Away Spa review, Purple Toes, Lunch at Plancha Del Mar, picking up G-Mama Flip Flop, Dinner at the villa or Gromit plays Chef and tries to set herself on fire getting fancy with the flambé.
iTunes Daily Soundtrack
Este Amor – Bermudez Triangle
No Woman No Cry – Bob Marley
De Camino A La Vereda – Buena Vista Social Club
Peace Train – Cat Stevens
Sailing - Christopher Cross
Truly, Madly Deeply – The Dualers
Tiny Dancer – Elton John
A Little Less Conversation (JXL Remix) – Elvis Presley
Friend of the Devil – Grateful Dead
Hot n Cold – Katy Perry
And Be Loved – Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
So today, someone had somehow wrangled a bunch of forumites to get together and go to Honeymoon beach.
I suspect that this was mostly Pia and Ruth’s doing and I for one appreciate whoever did the work to get everyone on the same page for this repeat gathering.
In all the years we have being going to STJ I have rarely set foot on Caneel. I guess I figure that there are a gazillion other beaches on STJ so there’s really no need to visit their property. So when it was suggested that we all meet up at Honeymoon I was actually anxious to give it a shot.
Don’t let the recently erected fortress gates discourage you. Just tell the attendant you are headed to Honeymoon and they should waive you on through. Given the number of forumites that got together this day the poor attendant must have been a little freaked out.
Anyway you drive to the logical parking lot (there’s really only one way to go) and you start walking until you see signs to Honeymoon and the “Self Centre.”
I have been looking for my “Self” for quite some time so I figure that if could find it on the hike to Honeymoon, all the better!
Anyway we were joined by Bob and Anita on our trek to Honeymoon and they filled us in on the credit card fiasco/mix up at the Beach Bar a few nights before. I’ll let them tell the story. But suffice to say they were handling it WAY better than I would have. Bob & Anita are delightfully mellow people.
We arrive at honeymoon and set up shop on the far right hand side as you face out to the ocean. It seemed as good a spot as any since the other end of the beach was overrun with visitors from STT on the “Cattlemarans.”
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A3 ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky82 ... 6.JPG"></a>
Picture the beach scene from Jaws but with people in yellow vests floundering, packed in like over-inflated yellow buoys bobbing about and occasionally screaming at te top of their lungs so that the populace on STT could no doubt hear them, “I see a fish!!”
A fish? Really? In the ocean? Seriously?
Like all good forumites we seemed to feel the magnetic pull of one another and before I knew it we had a veritable party going on. It was at this point I realized that I should have brought the Jell-O shots. Damn!!
Joining us were the McDomzals, Liamsaunt and John, JMQ and crew, Tracy in WI, the Gromit and Flip Flop Krewes, Bob & Anita, LMG, Ruth and Pia. I KNOW I am forgetting someone again so I am SO sorry if that is you!!
The McDomzals
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1U ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky83 ... 7.JPG"></a>
JMQ's butt... (his best side I think!)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M7 ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky85 ... 8.JPG"></a>
More of JMQ's butt blocking Ruth - talking to LMG and my Aunt... that woman up on the sand mound behind them is my Mom prior to losing her mind but still working my nerves...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Yu ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky87 ... 9.JPG"></a>
Here's nice shot of Liamsaunt's stuff (she probably had an eight course gourmet meal along with crystal in china in that little igloo cooler-- but did he share? Nooooooooo....)
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ix ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky89 ... 0.JPG"></a>
We basically spent the day floating around and chatting about anything and everything. Perhaps it was Karma that we were all on island at the same time, who knows?
All I know is hanging with everyone was a highlight of my trip and I felt like we had known each other for years! Which I guess, in a way, we kind of have. Anyway, it was really nice.
Ryan and Amber did a repeat of being near one another and not speaking or even looking at each other even though they had been texting incessantly since their first meeting at the Beach Bar.
I suggested that they could sit next to each other on the beach and text one another to get the ball rolling again conversation-wise… seriously these kids are not shy but I guess it’s Gen Y thing. Again, after the usual 15 minutes or so they were chatting and hanging out and having a good time. Crazy kids!
Ruth still had a huge grin plastered on her face and told us all about her parasailing adventure which she pronounced as fabulous and highly recommended it.
Anyway, it was a blast. But like all good gatherings the sun was getting hotter and it was time to head off to get some lunch.
A little note of caution here: I hadn’t been keeping up with my fluids. So when I got ready to go I stood up and was pretty dizzy and didn’t feel so hot (which meant I was too hot). I proceeded to drink an entire large Nalgene bottle of water to try and catch up. But it wasn’t smart to get behind on staying hydrated especially when soaking up the sun like that. So kids… drink plenty of water and stay hydrated!!
It was sad to say good-bye but I knew we’d be meeting up with some more folks later in the week for our day trip to Jost.
After saying our good-byes we decided that it was time to pay Miss Vie a visit and show cousin Gromit the East End. So off we went.
Here's Cousin Gromits "This Doesn't Suck" face...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IV ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky8- ... 1.JPG"></a>
Mr. Gromit's (aka Tony Stewart) "This Doesn't Suck" face...
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hg ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky9A ... 2.JPG"></a>
The tree at Miss Vie's
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fW ... site"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Sky9C ... 3.JPG"></a>
Miss Vies was actually kind of crowded and Miss Vies daughter was running out of Johnny Cakes (Miss Vie was off on STT for the day). We got the last ones, but when a crowd of like 8 people showed up hungry she whipped up some more. We ordered beans and rice, fried chicken, conch fritters, iced tea and coconut tart. YUMMY, YUMMY GOODNESS.
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yz ... site"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4ypwZiy7vU8/Skov4 ... 1.JPG"></a>
Miss Vies sister used to make the tarts until she passed a couple of years back. Fortunately she taught her niece (Miss Vie’s daughter) how to make them.
Now I know I am probably committing some sort of sacrilege here by saying this, but honestly the tarts have never been better. Miss Vie’s daughter is doing some justice to her aunt’s recipe and taking it to a whole new level.
Seriously, Miss Vie’s food is top notch. It’s not fancy. But if you want some good solid cooking, like those of us with southern grandmothers are used to, then this is the place for you.
I am pleased that the knowledge and the recipes are being passed down to the younger generation. If you haven’t taken a trek out to Miss Vie’s, I highly recommend doing so.
The tale of Mr. Gomit & the Little Man
Miss Vie’s grandson who is 5 going on 50 was there to keep everyone entertained while his aunt whipped up conch fritters and Johnny cake for the crowd.
When hubby started to reapply the bug spray, the wee one told him sternly in a thick West Indian accent, “No. No. No. Not near the table.”
Mr. Gromit figured the little man was worried about the chemicals and said “OK” and turned away and continued to spray.
The boy pleaded with him and shook his finger, “no no no, not on the table.”
Finally, he quit applying the bug spray and leaned forward on the table with his arms. The boy just shook his head at him as if to say, “Stupid man, I try to tell you…”
When Mr. Gromit leaned back he had green stains up and down his arms where he had applied the bug spray and had leaned on the plastic table cloth. Mr. Gromit is always one to man-up and admit when he is wrong.
Hubby, looks at the little man and says, “You know, you’re a pretty smart kid and I am a pretty stupid grown up. Thanks for trying to tell me.”
Little man just clucked at him and shaking his head in true West Indian style and said disapprovingly, “I try to tell you, but you no listen!”
Apologies were offered and accepted between little man and my hubby and hubby proceeded with showing little man a really cool card trick. We had lots of fun hanging out with Vie’s extended family. They are always great to us.
"Some of my favorite foods are vegetarians"
After a filling lunch we headed back to the villa for some down time and to get ready for dinner at Island Blues that night. We had originally intended to go to Sweet Plantains but they were closed… DENIED!
But when we pulled into Island Blues we saw the sign board out front: CARNIVORE NIGHT. Did someone say meat? Bring it!
Honestly this was a great value. They had some great cuts of meat and side dishes at a really good price and the food was fantastic. The service was also excellent.
It would have been a stellar evening if my Mom had not started to needle me about something completely unrelated to our trip and was not something I wanted to discuss in detail to the exclusion of the entire table of people when we could be talking about something more fun.
But Mom’s can push buttons like no other and after repeated efforts to change the subject were ignored, I snapped.
Needless to say that I was not a happy camper and neither was she. Grateful for a ride back to the villa with Flip so that I could vent, I let Mom & Co drive back in their vehicle.
Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies.
Trying to be the grown up I went to talk with her and try to sort things out.
Admittedly, since we had arrived on island I had been uncharacteristically uptight (at least for STJ) about making sure everyone was getting along and having a good time and it was stressing me out more than I should have allowed it to.
I apologized profusely for being short with her the first couple of days but she was on her own little warpath which was a toxic mixture of unrealistic expectations sprinkled with a dash of jealousy. It was like a painkiller but without the alcoholic payoff.
I think I was done when my Mom expressed that she was upset that I was spending any time with folks from the forum and that she thought it was weird.
DONE.
I am still not sure what happened in her head to get her to this point but it was the wrong.thing.to.say. to.me.
Normally she is very independent and does her own thing. She had been with us to STJ before with my Aunt (the same one that came with us on this trip) and they were happy doing their own thing.
I guess I expected them to be the same way on this trip and just to let me and Cousin Gromit do our own thing too.
But instead, she was completely up my ass the entire trip. She refused to do anything on her own and then complained because she felt she was having to do everything we were doing even though I repeatedly told her to do whatever she wanted.
That’s why we insist on separate vehicles so that no one feels tied down to anyone else’s schedule. We do have an itinerary but it’s only a guide and designed so people can pick and choose what they want to do and when.
No one is cracking the whip and saying you have to go to X beach at X time. But if you want to go where and when we go, well then you should be ready to go when we’re ready to go. Otherwise take some responsibility and initiative and go on your own. At the very least you shouldn't insist on going where I am going and then criticize who I am there with. Moreover I don't expect you to badmouth my friends who are staying in the house with us and make judgements about them that are completely out of line and then turn around and be nice to their face. LOST.HER.MIND.
Goes to show that no matter what you do you are never going to make everyone happy. And when people get something set in their head there is no changing their mind.
At that point I just disconnected and stopped engaging her at all. The last thing I wanted to do was to have the issue affect anyone else -- but of course the harder I tried the worse it got.
The more I tried to disconnect the more she was up my ass. Do Mom’s go to school for this? Or is just genetically transferred in the womb?
I just looked at her incredulously and decided that there was nothing I could do if she was hell bent on losing her mind. So I let her take that trip solo.
All I can say is that Flip and her Krewe and my Hubby were saints for dealing with it as well as they did. I love you Flip!
I think the lesson here is that no matter how much you try to manage people’s expectations it doesn’t always work out and you have to be prepared for that when traveling with friends and family.
I have had better ends to an evening on STJ to be sure but I was happy to have my head hit the pillow and to try and forget the previous 3 hours.
After all, tomorrow soon come…. (sigh!)
Tomorrow… Day 6 - Drift Away Spa review, Purple Toes, Lunch at Plancha Del Mar, picking up G-Mama Flip Flop, Dinner at the villa or Gromit plays Chef and tries to set herself on fire getting fancy with the flambé.
