Pjs Calzone

Saturday turned out to be a really long day for both of us, so we decided that it was the perfect night to enjoy some calzones at PJs. I've actually never been down that way when it's been open. It's a cute place.



We were really shocked when we got 2 breadsticks & spicy cheese dip - for free! We've never been to a place on this island that gave anything away. They were pretty good, kind of tasting like soft pretzels. Of course, once someone gives you something, you want more - don't be stingy - give 2 sticks per person!

Then Michael went to take a drink of his soda and couldn't figure out why his straw felt so weird - oops.



We were so tired, that put us in a giggle fit and we started doing all kinds of stupid things with our straws. This is me poking my eye out. I didn't take a picture of us sticking them up our noses. They're never going to ask us back again...


I got a spinach/cheese calzone; Michael got an eggplant/red pepper one. They were both good, but I think his was better. The wrapper is very pot-pie-like, very light. The calzones were $35EC/$13US. The whole dinner (no alcohol) - 2 sodas/2 salads (good dressings)/2 calzones (and 2 free breadsticks!) was about $60US with tip. It was a nice night out and much needed. There was some leftover for breakfast too. Can we get stombolis added to the menu? Yes, please! They have several veggie pizza choices (Mexican - yummy) and deliver, so that'll be next.

One thing that I noticed was that my Diet Coke cost $1.50EC/.56US more than Mike's Coke. When we went to the grocery store this morning, I checked to see what the source was doing. It's true that DC is more - a whole 26 cents/EC or .10US more. I got charged an extra $1.50EC? That's a bit extreme. Now I know to ask the question though and I'm going to start shaming anyone who tries to slip in this extra whammy. I mean I was charged $7.50EC/$2.80 for it; they paid no more than $3.25EC/$1.22US - eat the quarter/EC for Pete's sake.

This morning, we hit the grocery stores. We spent $285US and guess what they don't have again?



We are definitely going to buy an extra loaf the next time we get some and freeze it. Jeez. The bread was probably on the container that's been sitting off-island since last Sunday thanks to TS Otto, so I'm guessing it'll be on the shelves soon enough. Yes, I can make my own bread, but it won't last long enough for a week's worth of PB&J sandwiches. We need the preservatives. BTW, I did get oatmeal (almost $9US!).

I just went over the receipts and discovered we spent almost $8US on 4 sticks of Land-O-Lakes butter. Guess we'll be switching off of that brand while we're here. Ouch. Four rolls of Charmin TP at $13US (sorry, we keep trying to save $ and pay for it when we go to use it - scraaaape - TMI?) and $18US for a whole 17oz of olive oil didn't make my day either. I hate shopping...

I'm going to spend even more tomorrow when I go downtown and try to meet the produce boats. I just spent almost $2.50US for this handful of grapes, but at least they had them. I had an urge. We are definitely going to have to work on this grocery thing. If someone would just come out with a pill...

¡Felicitaciones! to Spain - World Cup

Yesterday, we decided to get into the spirit of the World Cup. Neither of us were really too interested in who won, although Michael decided to go for Spain and I chose the Netherlands. So starting with the pre-game, we headed for Ziggy's. They normally have pretty good French fries and we needed a fix. It was about 12:30, but the beach was completely empty. Boy, when it's off season; it's really off season.



Except for this very Caribbean scene with the horse running along the beach (and Mike talking work on his Blackberry).



I'm not normally one to dress up to represent a sports team, but as we were watching the pregame festivities, realized that I had appropriately dressed in my team color of orange. Go Dutch! After eating our not completely cooked fries (boo), we decided to head to Ackee's Cafe to see if there was any action to be found there. It was a bit subdued as the game had just started and folks were waiting on lunch, but had a pretty good crowd.



It was really hot there though, so there were a few more sports fans next door at the air conditioned but gloomy Fusion . We decided to head to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club where we knew a bunch of folks were going to have a Sangria vs. Heineken knock-down.



There were quite a few orange shirts in that group, but Spain was represented as well.



Mike could have worn this outfit and represented every team that had been in the football/soccer competition. It would totally be cheating if someone wore that golfing, as none of his partners would be able to concentrate on the game. You too can look like bozo on the golf course for just over $200!



Of course, someone had a South African horn. I can NOT imagine being surrounded by a sea of these things constantly blowing. Oy! An obvious Espana fan had a maraca to shake.



There were Spanish olives competing with Dutch gouda cheese.



And, of course, sausages.



A very happy Shannon scooping out her delicious sangria. Mike got hooked on the wine-soaked grapefruit in there. I liked the oranges (hmm, I see a theme here).



Look at how intense everyone looks.



Can you tell that the ball is about to go into the Netherlands net?



A sad fan. Sorry Selma, maybe next time.



Good job España! Hope you're happy Steve & Charlie!

Came home and ate a pizza Michael made from scratch. It came out pretty good, but we need to invest in a pizza stone for a crispier crust.



And another week begins...

Pools and Rain Forests (Ottley's) & Food (El Fredo's)

Haven't missed a day at the pool yet. It's come in pretty handy actually since we keep losing power. Yesterday it was out from 9am until 6pm and we were wondering if we'd have to put our visitors up at a hotel or something, but we got light (and ceiling fans) again just before it got dark. Whew!

We've been on a search for monkeys since everyone landed. Normally, this is not too difficult as they run through our apartment complex fighting all the time, but nOOooOOooo. Shipwreck always has monkeys as they put food out for them (and the mongoose), but nOOooOOoo. You usually see one or two on the road-side heading down the peninsula, but nOOooOOooo. No monkeys. Since the group wanted to see the rain forest (and maybe find Dora the Explorer), I took them to Ottley's Plantation where they have lots of easy trails and most always monkeys.

I didn't take a lot of pictures of the plantation, as I've got some on older posts, plus you can go to the link above and get your fix, but here are my favorite parts.



And what do we have here? It's a monkey!!! Actually, there were lots and lots of monkeys so we could scratch that off our list. Of course, Bella was more interested in the (very) old dog & cat on the property than the monkeys. She has a lab at home and our cats aren't being very friendly, so she needed a critter fix. By the way, Marty (the owner and manager of the place) has to be one of the friendliest people we've ever met. He helped us over 2 years ago when we first visited the island and had run out of fuel for our moped just as we cruised up to his property. He siphoned gas out of one of his lawn mowers and sent us on our way. He was just as personable this time.

The trails were nice and easy and took us into jungle, across ancient bridges, and to a huge, very old tree.



On to lunch. We usually try to take people to El Fredo's during their stay. The place is beloved by locals and visitors alike and is one of the few restaurants that offer a veggie roti (they're not on the menu; you have to ask for them). JD & Erin both tried chicken rotis and really liked them. Look at that presentation. Yummy.


Then we were off to - where else? - the pool! The perfect place for a nap.





Finally, some me-time for Mom...








and Dad...(can you see the haze in the background? - it's really hot and humid).

Once re-energized, Bella enjoyed the ledge behind the waterfall



and the smaller pool up above. The depth is exactly enough that she can stand on her tippy toes and bounce around, while keeping her head above water (barely).




Erin was hoping to eat some fresh fish while she was here, so Michael got a co-worker to give up a tuna catch from the weekend and had our pals at Shiggidy fillet it for us. Guess what's in the cooler?

Seems like the cats will even brave a 3-year-old for a sniff of fresh fish.




In the midst of this, Michael started getting worried about a swelling on his leg that seemed to be getting worse. It seems that while he was wrangling cows (yes, you read that right), he stumbled into a patch of acacia bushes and got stabbed by a thorn. With all the sweat and dirt, it was starting to get infected. When Erin (with some paramedic experience) expressed concern as well, we decided to see what a doctor had to say. So at 3:30, Michael called a doctor's office he knew of who recommended a nearby clinic (Medical Associates). We got there, and the doctor had just left. Hrmph. But the nurse called him and he said he'd come back. Yay! 10 minutes and $30US later, Michael had a prescription for an antibiotic and topical cream and we were on our way. Couldn't have done that in the States.



Oh yeah...I can't forget about the bread. That is, The Bread. We had got to talking about the fact that we couldn't get crunchy bread here and Erin & JD went crazy telling us about a recipe they had that couldn't fail. All we needed was a Dutch oven. What the heck is that (won't a Kittitian oven work?!)? So we went to our pal, Nat, who has every cooking gadget known to chefs, and had to actually choose between 2 Dutch ovens. The bread is called no-knead bread and takes 24 hours to make (letting it rise for 18+).



It came out absolutely delicious, despite the fact it rose for many more hours than suggested thanks to the last power outage. It really did seem to be fool-proof, which means even I can do it. Wonder if Nat'll notice if we don't give his pot back.

Today? We think it's water sports time. Of course, it all depends on the weather and everyone's mood, but that's the current PLAN.

Rituals & Shiggidy Visit

Mom's soaking in the warmth before her flight back this evening. Montserrat (about 60 miles away) is still spewing ash and disrupting flights here and there, but The Mom will likely be on her way to the frozen tundra that has become the U.S. before the night is out. For you volcano officiados, I ran across some great pictures of the Thursday explosion from someone living on Montserrat - check it out.

Yesterday, I was able to borrow a car from a friend and we decided to try the new Rituals Coffee House for lunch. It's kind of like a Starbucks, but was started in Trinidad and has spread across the Caribbean. Yep, it looks just like a mainland coffee house...



I was excited about the fact that they had bagels. Oddly, they don't seem to sell them uncut (and no salt bagels!), but the egg & cheese everything bagel was pretty good. Not quite New York, but not frozen either. Mom enjoyed her tuna salad wrap. Prices were a bit high, but I guess that's typical of these places too. It was a nice change at least.

Afterwards we headed back into Basseterre for some last minute shopping and then it was time for the pool. You know, a typical day in St. Kitts. It was a really hot day (look how calm the water is - both ocean and sea), so the pool water temp was actually perfect. Break out the noodles!



Then we went to the Shiggidy Shack for dinner. This time Mom tried the ribs, which seemed to be one over-the-top food too many for her poor stomach (she doesn't normally eat this way at home). The local KC-5 band had played a nice set of instrumental jazz music while we ate, but then ruined it when the backup singer started singing lead. Oy! Too loud...too off-key. Time to go.

We watched some of the Olympic opening ceremonies and then called it another perfect day in paradise.

Today, we'll probably drive around a bit, head to the beach, and then it'll be off to the airport. Boo.