August 15, 2015 - Tanya's Trip to Puerto Rico and the Southern Caribbean - Day 8

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: ST. MAARTEN

AMAZING TIMES!!!

Holy smokes it Saturday! 
And this isn't any ordinary Saturday either...

Today is Dave and my anniversary and this year we are spending it in St. Maarten in the Caribbean! Yay us!!

Top 15 Facts about St. Maarten!

1. The official languages are Dutch, French and English but there are over 152 nationalities on the island.
2. St. Martin — or St. Maarten if you're on the Dutch side — easily breeds allegiance. The two sides have different governments, languages, cuisines, currencies and general dispositions. They have different electrical currents from different companies, which explains why blackouts are routine only on the Dutch side.
3. Saint Martin uses the euro as its currency, while Sint Maarten uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder.
4. Dutch side has 16 sq mi and 14 casinos
5. French side has 21 sq mi and no casinos
6. The smallest land mass in the World to be shared between two countries.
7. The island is lies east of Puerto Rico and a few miles south of Anguilla.
8. The island is 9.3 miles in length and 8 miles at its widest with its highest point on the island is Pic Paradis (Paradise Peak) on the French Side at 1,392 ft
9. Tap water on the island comes from desalinated seawater and is drinkable.
10. The island of St. Martin is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
11. There is no physical barrier between the two countries St. Martin and St. Maarten.
12. The island of St. Martin was known as 'Oualichi' Land of Women.
13. The island of St. Martin is also known as 'Soualiga' Land of Salt.
14. Capital Cities: St. Martin: Marigot / Sint Maarten: Philipsburg
15. Estimated Population (entire island) 52,000

Here's the scoop on yesterday in St. Kitts:

First off I'll tell you that the landscape looked nothing like any of the pictures that I had seen, where the island appeared to have rolling hills and almost a similar topography to that of St. Thomas - 

Well it doesn't and I don't know why there haven't been more pictures published showing off the high volcanic backdrop and rainforest that dramatically rise straight out of the Caribbean Sea. 

It was quite a lovely surprise and reminded me quite a bit of the Hawaiian islands (which are definite favorites of mine).

Once we had disembarked the ship we chose to stroll around the pier (Port Zante) for a bit and I'm so happy that we did...because I literally fell in love and got to meet the most handsome and adorable Jack Sparrow on earth - a cutie pie Green Monkey and his tiny little diaper wearing brother Junior. 

It was love at first sight! I do so wish that the kiddies were here with me to see these little guys! 

But just like in movie making - someone needs to do the location scouting and now I know exactly which locations/islands that I'd like to take the kids to come visit!

We toured a few sights on St. Kitts - the first being at the edge of the rainforest 
- A Botanical Gardens that was filled with beautiful and brightly colored flora that was a treat for the senses, as well as the soul. 

Located at Romney Manor - the Historical Ruins of former tobacco and sugar plantation (once owned by Sam Jefferson, great great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson). Caribelle Batik is also at Romney Manor, quite an enchanting Caribbean Hideaway. We got to watch an Authentic Batik demonstration & do a bit of shopping.

Then we were off to the beach! 

What a wonderful and relaxing time. 
There was the perfect ocean breeze and the sound of the lightly crashing waves, as I gazed from my shoreside lounge only feet from the water. 
This was pure paradise! 
And to top it off I even opted to get a wonderful Aloe Vera reflexology massage from 'the Doc' on the beach! 
It was like nothing I've ever experienced & I highly recommend it!

Ok I'm gonna bid you adieu, as I'm sure you can understand that I've got better things to do than stare at a screen (although you've gotta admit that this is the best office location EVER!)

I'll fill ya in on all of today's SCOOP in tomorrow's Daily from Puerto Rico!

-T

This is about all I can do for now...
Plenty of more pics to come!

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: SEPTEMBER

SHOPPIN' ON AMAZON!

Hello there!  So excited for the start of a beautiful weekend!

Since today is Saturday, I’m also going to be hooking you up with a few of my favorite shopping deals!

Before I jump into shopping mode, I want to first wish Tanya and Dave a Happy Anniversary!  I’m so happy for you guys and thrilled that you are enjoying yet another anniversary trip - this time in the Caribbean!!

My “baby” cuz has a wonderful man, who is so very romantic and thoughtful and doesn’t miss an opportunity to let his girl know how special she is to him.  Unfortunately, most men take their girls for granted, only to find out it’s too late when they finally wake up. 

Kudos to you Dave for valuing the amazing woman you have in Tanya!!

"A smart man always finds a way to "show" his girl how much he "says" he loves her before another man beats him to it"

Last night, I was soo incredibly tired and I fell out at around 10pm.  However, by midnight, I was wide awake, unable to sleep because I was so uncomfortable from back spasms.  

I think I twisted the wrong way the other day or perhaps it was carrying all the horse tack, and so yesterday I woke up with severe upper back pain. Don’t ya hate that!!

I decided to get a massage at my nail salon (which I usually do after a pampering mani-pedi, which I also had!)  But, in retrospect, since I had a bit of an injury and not simple back stiffness and tension, I’m afraid, the massage might have aggrevated it. I had ice on it most of the night, which didnt’ seem to help much.

Maybe the hot tub will help.  Ugh, nothing worse than back pain!!

Let me tell you about my afternoon yesterday... Since the kids had off from horseback riding camp, I thought I would do something “fun” and decided to take them to play miniature golf.  Unfortunately, it turned out to be a most un-enjoyable and annoying experiences!

I tend to be a bit competitive, but of course, it’s all in good fun. 

 Jokingly, at the very first hole, I told Gianna she “sucked” when she missed the shot.  She laughed and was completely good natured throughout the game (for which she maintained second place thoruhgout the course until the last two holes, at which point, Tedd beat her).  

When Kelsey got up to putt, I jokingly told her she sucked; and well, that was the beginning of the end.  I suppose I shouldn’t have said that, even jokingly, and maybe if i wasn’t determined to win from the outset (which I did), things might have been more enjoyable.  But, that, coupled with the fact that Kelsey was in last place the entire game, just put her over the edge.

The drama ensued from the first hole and continued straight through the 21st hole.  She put down her club many times in defiance and announced “I’m done!” after every shot.  

She blamed me that I am too competitive and that how could a mother tell her daughter she sucked and was the worst player — I never said she was the worst player.  My cute, little 8 year old was pissed off and enraged at me the entire time.  At one point, she told me she hated me.

KELSEY - LESS THAN HAPPY AT THE END OF OUR MINI GOLF GAME

Now, I tried to calm her and tell her I was just joking, because mind you, as I hit poorly, I announced to the family how I sucked. I wasn't singling anyone out! 

In any case, Kelsey was determined to have a pity party and carried on the entire game. As I said, it was a most unenjoyable game. And I’m sure my emphatic “YES!!!” when I came in first didn’t help matters.  Oh well, that’s life ya win some, ya lose some.
 

NOW FOR SOME SHOPPING...
Anyone who knows me, is well aware that I’m a shoe-a-holic!! I’ll admit, it’s a disesase, but there is no cure, so I’ve accepted my illness and have chosen to live with it.

One of my favorite shoe purchases are my Palladium canvas high-top boots.  

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PAIRS OF SHOES!! MY PALLADIUM BOOTS - SO COMFY AND VERSATILE (CLICK IMAGE TO SEE THE ARRAY OF STYLES AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM)

I initially bought them before my road trip to Yellowstone this past April.  Not only are they comfy, but they were so practical for the walking and hiking we did.  I happen to think they also look adorable with pants and shorts.  In fact, I’m wearing them today to go to the Quogue Wildlife Preserve!

ME & TANYA IN GRAND TETON, ON OUR YELLOWSTONE ROAD TRIP - ME WEARING MY PALLADIUM CANVAS BOOTS!

(incidentally, when Tanya saw my boots back in April - knowing they were vegan  she not only purchased a pair of high-top boots, but also a pair of the brand’s sneakers!)

What’s more! They are vegan!!! Made 100% of synthetic products including the bottom, which is made of rubber!

CLICK HERE for more information and see the full array of styles available on Amazon.com.

Well, I’m off to head back out east where I’ll be visiting the Quogue Wildlife Preserve a 300 acre non-profit nature preserve that houses permanently injured wildlife that require human care to survive.  I’ll tell you all about it and my visit in tomorrow’s Daily Scoop!!

Have a super Saturday!!
-E
xoxo