Let me first clarify that I am not a fan of burgers, it's simply not in my head when I am looking for something tasty and nutritious: fish is.

Today, actually for lunch, I had the best cheese burger I have ever had and to top that: on a beautiful beach. That was our first lunch break in this Island. Yes indeed: lunch break, the one that you do after a morning working, in our case in front of the computer (excellent internet connection by the way).

The little cottage bar that offers this succulent burger with awesome potato wedges (all local cows "walking" happily in the island pastures) is called La Playa.

Where? I can't say yet. Give me some weeks and I will reveal the location, anyway it is the Caribbean.

The cottage bar serves also Panini, fish when it's fished, of course, wines, cocktails etc with the ubiquitous Carib and Stag.

A dream. Open from 10 to 10 except on Thursdays, so maybe, who knows, we will be there for after hours looking at the sunset with a nice cold Sauvignon Blanc.

Cheers.

A wish of a prosperous 2012, first of all and second, you are still on time
to pop a bottle in a very classy place for me, in the Caribbean: http://couples.com/sans-souci/
If you can not make it for midnight, try it for the first weekend of the year.

It will be memorable.

All the best and new post in January from a "secret" place in the Caribbean.

What made this bucolic, secluded spot, CLASSY, was Piero's dinner and as in Babette's dinner (the movie): love, passion, sincerity and joie de vivre made everything a symphony.


A special role was played by the divine Italian Cheeses and Yoghurt made in the same place by the Master Cheese Maker: Massimo. Way to go Massimo.

All made with Cows' Milk of their farm: DOLCE VALLE DAIRY with milk and love, ABSOLUTELY nothing else. Check the site: www.dolcevalledairy.com (still to be completed).

Also check the hotel website: http://www.mtplaisir.com/ and book a room with the view, right on the beach. Ask also for their refined Italian cheeses.


Ahhhh, I almost forgot: Piero's dinner.
Appetizer: a plateau of Italian cheeses made by hand, by Massimo with their cows' milk. Absolutely perfection. Soon on the market but when you are at the hotel, ask for them. It's a must.
Entry: enormous fish, fabulous, cooked to perfection in the oven with only few local herbs, salt and a splash of white wine.
Side Dishes: rosted potatos, rosted slices of eggplants, string beans with herbs
All accompanied by Champagne.
To finish with a hand made, in location: coconut ice cream.
Grappa and Limoncello "per gradire".

BRAVO PIERO.

Classy seclusion.



A panorama


Great DOLCE VALLE YOGHURT

For that touch of Italian snobbery and extreme show off experience, Capri is the place.
Once upon a time it was a place to mingle with artists, real movie stars, undercover  Heirs and get a whiff of their fame.
Now only the show off part remains and the new money attitude, spread around like another Montecarlo, is a front without anything behind and if there is something behind those bling bling, well...it belongs to a shadowy world, you do not want to explore.

Still, Capri remains a dream of an island: difficult to explain it in words (probably for me), like Venice if you are not there you will not understand.
Few things I can describe from my experience there: the concentration in a very tiny place (most of the social life happens "in Piazzetta" and around it) of everything stereotypical of Italy or what the American movies project of Italy.
The thing is: it is true.

Well, in Capri actually, those stereotypes are true and also kept alive by the act, yes the act of being what the people from there, simply are: warm, loud, funny, great momentary friends, all experts in food and with a great joie de vivre.
Plus add the fashion components and all the top Fashion Brands you can imagine and: " Les jeux sont faits".

All the above on this charming little rock, really a rock, I think there are only 2 very very small sandy coves.
A little rock around one hour by ferry from Napoli which is another Italian real stereotype on its own.

The garbage story is actually another ugly reality of another jewel, Napoli, another jewel of that splendid Crown that is:  Italy.


So, beside these sentimentalisms, I have an address for you; I have not stayed in these charming apartments but a few days there in Anacapri will make you feel on top of the world. Really and truly: class + nature + great food and relaxation in style.

My recommendation: http://www.airbnb.com/rooms/122991

Also to have an idea of Capri, visit this succulent site: http://www.postcardsfromcapri.com/

Enjoy.

It was not a shining weekend regarding my level of Kitesurf but I learned few more fundamental things so I think I am very close to "fly".
Them going like crazy
Me watching and dying inside

I watched the good ones flying and looping, it was a mix feeling: envy and admiration and respect and "I will be there" soon.

All of that, wrapped in great hospitality by our friends Katrina, Mila and Andre, always super nice. Great hospitality, great location, profuse food and drinks and a relaxation as it should always be.



Ahhhhhh, the best Club Sandwich? Kariwak hotel, Tobago, also their menu is always fresh and so natural. Can't go wrong.



Wind and sea, here I am coming.

April folly

It is very difficult, especially when there are 5 mega cruise liners docked at the bay at the same time.

Unbelievable and easy to spot even if you are blind, you will hear their distinctive sounds.
Usually the Americans are the loudest and when you see them, generally, they just roam the street, in a daze, like lost in a desert, all sweat and usually with a beer bottle in their hands.

They, (all the cruise herds) are not really looking for anything and I think they do not know exactly where they are, in the Caribbean.
They are just regurgitated out of the belly of these mega floating motels and they will do exactly what they were doing in the vessels: eating, drinking, sweating.
The attire? Sneakers, some in bikini, others just showing their enormous stomachs like they are a piece of art:
"the art of dullness". Very "Jerseylicious"
 
We?
We found a restaurant in this hotel: Holland House Beach Hotel in Front Street, Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten.
Welcoming, acceptable food with a chic touch, nice design, enjoyable background music and the view on the bay, the beach, the cruise liners and the Herds walking on the beach walk.



OUR REFUGE (the pool with the view)))))))

For you Alberto! "Working for YOU".

Actually there are two perspectives: one Dutch and one French in one "rock" in the middle of the Caribbean.
Beautiful island as any Caribbean island but this one has been more developed as the "Las Vegas-Miami-Montecarlo" of the Caribbean.
Everything but everything food wise is imported and you can find anything from Europe and USA.
Bizarre.
I still have to go around but from my perspective there is:
1) a fantastic lap pool,
2) the" Yachts bay", I called it that because there are all the yachts you can see in St.Thropez in a busy day and much more.
3) Some hills and Caribbean vegetation.

All the above did not make me wonder around yet because between a swim and another I have work to do, on line and the cappuccino and a wonderful pastry is provided by the Boulangerie just 2 piers down from the villa  I am in.
I am sure you will understand.

For my cousin Alberto: I think I have found a place that you will love, it's perfect for what you like. I will keep you posted.

So more details coming in the next few days.

Actually it is raining now but it is Caribbean rain, so I still can swim.