Day 2   7/21/09

I woke up to a tropical wave blowing through, no sun to speak of and high surf. I also woke to a wonderful breakfast with Burr Vail, the owner of Hacienda Tamarindo, in the 2nd floor dining room. The great food was punctuated by the wonderful conversation with my old friend. Catching up is always fun on an island, because everything always happens in unexpected ways. If you want to get the flavor of living in the Caribbean, read “Don’t Stop The Carnival” by Hermann Wouk.

Then I was off to meet the Dawn. I know it must seem a bit strange that I was off to meet the Dawn after a late breakfast in the Caribbean, but believe me, this Dawn is every bit as bright and full of light as the Caribbean sun, and is sure to spread a lot of sunshine at every turn.

Dawn is the manager/bartender/waitress/bouncer at Roy’s Coffee House, my office away from home. They have the best coffee on the island, great breakfasts and now great lunches. I understand that at the end of July they are going to be closed weekends. More on that later. Dave, the owner is a great guy and he zips back and forth between here and Atlanta, but with Dawn carrying the load for him here, he’s grown a great business. Kudos.

Roy’s is a funky old house rebuilt about 15 years ago by an eccentric gentleman, and David and his partner bought it about 6 years ago and converted it to Roy’s Coffee Lounge and a guesthouse. It has high ceilings, and the bar and rooms are beautifully appointed. There is also a very private back patio you can just enjoy like an oasis in the middle of the hectic little mini-metropolis.

The beaches weren’t the place to be today, unless you’re a body surfer, and then expect to get slammed by the shore break with the large waves. Napping on my first day seemed just the thing to do, so I took an afternoon nap and readied myself for an evening out at Crow’s Nest with Burr. It is after all Tuesday night, and that means “Happy Hour at the Crow’s Nest.” That’s it.

Peter Burbula formerly of “Peter’s” in Isabel Segunda has reopened at the ‘Nest, as “Peter’s at the Crow’s Nest.” His food is the same always changing “Global Eclectic Cuisine” that he served at his former establishment.

Once Happy Hour ended we moved into the dining room for dinner. They serve hors’ d’ouvres at happy hour and they have been updated and upgraded under Peter’s Tutelage, so try not to eat too much or you won’t finish dinner. Our group thoroughly enjoyed all our dinners as was evidenced by the empty plates. No one even thought about des
Ert, except to say the 3 chocolate bread pudding would be the appetizer on their next visit. It’s funny how dessert takes the forefront when the main ingredient is chocolate!

NEXT DAY 3