Restaurant Review - Baru, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

Restaurant Baru tops my list of all-time favorite Caribbean eateries. You dine at tiny white- clothed tables on delectable dishes such as shrimp pinchos on a bed of yucafungo dripping in orange liqueur sauce or fresh sea scallops served on a sea shell in a bath of creamy coconut curry while being attended to by servers with beautiful smiles. Baru is also a favorite of celebrities... we dined next to Patrick Swayze when he was in Puerto Rico filming "Dirty Dancing - Havana Nights". While the restaurant deserves accolades for food, ambiance, decor, service, and energy, it is not only this tiny establishment that thrills me but the entire feeling when in Old San Juan. I love the cobblestone streets, wrought iron balconies draped in flowering vines, the old men in the park playing dominoes in hushed concentration, the rich smells escaping the cigar bars, the sultry rhythms of salsa music and the hypnotic click of the dancer's heels, and the majestic site of El Morro with its verdant lawn and silent cannons. I love that Old San Juan transports me to a time long ago when grandeur was found not in skyscrapers and neon lights, but solid craftsmanship, fine cuisine, and most importantly good times. Wrap all of this into one great evening and enjoy Old San Juan and Restaurant Baru!

Have Baby Will Travel!

I just returned from my first Caribbean trip with my 5 month old son. Before telling you my story, I must first let you know that my 8 year old had logged over 20,000 miles by month 6, so traveling with an infant is not new to me. However, my 8 year old was an infant in 1999 and 2000 - when getting through security was a breeze and if I happened to be traveling alone a relative could accompany me from the curb all the way to the gate. Things have changed and airports, in general, are more stressful. (But hopefully safer.)

We hired a car for the transfer from our house to the airport as trying to navigate parking lot shuttles with an infant is not recommended. We arrived 2 hours before the flight and made it through the long security line with minimal hassle. They let the little man remain in his Baby Bjorn through the entire process which was nice. We paid $150/per person to upgrade to first class at the gate. Tip - sometimes paying to upgrade at the airport is less than booking first class in advance. The flight was uneventful, the little man slept and my daughter kept the flight attendants busy in conversation.

We arrived in Jamaica to find only 3 of our 4 bags had made the trip with us. I had mixed emotions when I realized it was the baby's bag. I was thrilled it wasn't mine as my suitcase had considerably more expensive goods and his belongings would be cheaper to replace. Yet, I was panicked because I wouldn't be able to replace his crucial supplies until we were home. (Crucial supplies for babies in the Caribbean = infant sunscreen and bug spray, mosquito nets fitted for the pack 'n play and stroller, baby size sun hats, and swim diapers...) After almost 2 hours tracking down the bag it was deemed lost and we reluctantly left the airport for the villa. We quickly sourced some diapers and formula and I thought I could make it a week with the 5 baby outfits we had in our carry on.

Luckily, I didn't have to wait a week. Air Jamaica located the bag, it didn't make our flight because it was stuck on the belt at the ticket counter. 48 hours later and we had the bag. Crisis averted!

The Caribbean is a great family destination, even for families with infants. The "island time" mentality makes most people you come in contact with extremely patient and understanding of baby's needs.

We were unable to upgrade to First Class on the return flight and thankful to see our bulkhead seats had not been switched. Tip - with babies, try to fly bulkhead, you will be so thankful for the extra space! Overall, it was a great trip even with the littlest one in tow!

Breaking Ground in the Turks & Caicos

While the Turks & Caicos have appraise worthy conservation programs in place, the island chain will see a few new hotels in the coming year. Grace Bay on Providenciales remains the most popular TC beach and will soon see an addition to the existing Grace Bay Club, The Estate at Grace Bay Club offering more amenities and luxury residences. Also coming to Grace Bay is the Seven Stars Resort , a great option for larger families because some of the suites have up to 4 bedrooms. Moving on to West Caicos, the Ritz Carlton plans to open Molasses Reef in the next 10 months. Following the trend, Molasses Reef will offer 125 hotel rooms and 60 villas, cottages, and town homes. These new resorts join the recently opened Amanyara, a fabulous minimalist chic resort with slight Asian details. And lastly, another Asian style resort set to open soon is the Angsana Resort & Spa on Grand Turk. Check with us often because it is highly likely that most of these resorts will offer introductory promotional rates at deep discounts!

Best of Barbados Extended for Fall!

The Best of Barbados Special for 2008 has been extended for the fall. Book by August 1, 2008 for travel between October 1 and November 30, 2008. Why do I love Barbados? For everything equal parts civilized and equal parts wild, for funky beach bars and pulsating rhythms, for afternoon tea and moonlit swims, and for all the reasons detailed in this video below!

Make a Difference - Issa Trust Foundation

The Issa Trust Foundation was founded in 2005 by Couples Resorts. (Couples Resorts are owned by Lee Issa.) The trust was established to make a difference in Jamaica. The trust operates by bringing medical teams to the island, accommodating them at Couples Resorts, and setting up clinics in more rural areas. The medical missions have saved lives and made medical care available to many who otherwise would not have access to any health care. The trust has also donated time and materials to refurbish and construct new buildings at local schools and orphanages. Get more info and make a difference!

Come Away With Me to Kamalame Cay

Kamalame Cay (pronounced "key") is a private island paradise just off shore of Andros Islands in the Bahamas. The Resort boasts private cottage accommodations, a mandatory all-inclusive meal plan, tropical spa, and all the water sports one could dream of for a clear water vacation. Visit between June 1 and September 30, 2008 and enjoy the "Best of Kamalame Cay" promotion including the following perks!

Stays of 5 nights will receive:
Complimentary spa treatment (one per person)
Private picnic on a remote cay
Snorkeling excursion
Discover Andros excursion with visits to the island’s mysterious Blue Holes.

Stays of 7 nights will receive the same package PLUS a scuba diving excursion.

Contact Us for Rates & Details...

Book Review - The Pirate's Daughter

The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson was a fabulous read! I love to read, and find that I have much more time to do so on vacation. So before any trip, I search for books related to my destination. For my recent trip to Port Antonio, Jamaica I got lucky and my mother sent me The Pirate's Daughter. Based on true facts, but essentially a work of fiction, the book is set in the time when Errol Flynn first came to Jamaica. It details his hunt for his own private piece of paradise, his purchase and development of Navy Island, his love affair with a local girl, and ends with their lovechild living during the restless 70's - a turbulent time in Jamaica. The story is certainly entertaining enough, but the poignant descriptions of the location (Which, having recently been, ring absolutely true!) of Port Antonio's lushness, pristine waters, sweltering heat, lovely flora,looming nearby mountains are entirely worth the read!

Recipe: The Hummingbird

I discovered the Hummingbird on my first trip to Jamaica 8 years ago. I fell fast for the creamy rich concoction and spent years trying to recreate it before returning to Jamaica. With a palate that longs for savory + sweet flavor combinations, this drink soon became my all time favorite in Jamaica. The slight nuttiness of the coffee liquor and the buttery rum cream combined with the sugary sweet strawberry syrup and smoothness of a real banana makes for perfect satisfaction ANY time of day. And by anytime, I do mean that it is the hummingbird I ask for when I stroll past the bar before noon and justify my longing with the cliche "Its 5 o'clock somewhere..." Enjoy!

1 fluid ounce rum cream liqueur
1 fluid ounce coffee flavored liqueur
1 fluid ounce milk
1/2 fluid ounce strawberry flavored syrup
1/2 fresh banana
1 cup crushed ice

Combine first 4 ingredients in blender then add banana and ice and blend until desired consistency.