Saborea Puerta Rico is THE annual culinary event of the Caribbean!

Did you know that Puerto Rico is considered the culinary headquarters of the Caribbean. OK, I know that each of the islands have their very specific pride in the food they present to the world, however, I would have to agree with the press releases that “Saborea Puerto Rico” which is being presented April 4^th - 6^th at the beach of Isla Verde is not to be missed. This incredible three day program includes demo kitchens, signature events, wine seminars, kid’s kitchen’s and, the very popular Tasting Pavilion. The events program that I have reviewed was over the TOP!

The event starts off at a coffee plantation and then moves to Isla Verde Beach the last two days. Many of the five-star hotels and restaurants will create venues for many of the food and wine presentations. Puerto Rico can’t wait to show off the islands best features - it’s amazing cuisine! It is also the main fund raising event of the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association benefiting the educational fund which provides training and certifications in a variety of specialties for candidates entering the hospitality industry.

The Puerto Rican culinary fusion of traditional African, Indian, and Spanish cuisines includes coriander, papay, cacoa, planains, and toro, as well as the entire variety of seafood that is available for the local Caribbean waters. The locals call their food “cocina criolla”. The mixture of ingredients and cooking techniques has evolved into the blend that is Puerto Rican cuisine. When you visit Old San Juan you must dine at La Mallorquina - which is the oldest continuous restaurant in all of the Americas. Dining in Puerto Rico is an amazing adventure that offers hundreds of choices of dining atmosphere and dining diversity as any majore metropolitan city in the world. If you are in the Caribbean during this event you would be well served to participate. I know you will enjoy every minute of it. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is searching out the BEST experiences available.

Each year we invite guests to join us for a crewed chartered yacht sailing adventure!

In just a few weeks we are boarding Double Feature - a Lagoon 57 catamaran for a seven day crewed sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. Double Feature is one of the Charter Yachts Of The Year in the Caribbean! This is one of our top five sailing waters in the Caribbean. There will be three other couples joining us and none of them have EVER been in the British Virgin Islands, let alone sailing.

Using my 30 + years of sailing experiences in the Caribbean as a guide, I have laid out a suggested itinerary for our voyage. Those of you that have sailed in the BVI know that each day is an unforgettable adventure. Here is what I am suggesting for our daily anchorages;

• Friday - Arrive in Road Town or St. Thomas at Village Cay Marina
• Saturday - Sail to Norman Island - anchor at The Bight
• Sunday - Norman Island to Cooper Island
• Monday - Cooper Island to Long Bay - Virgin Gorda
• Tuesday - Long Bay to the Bitter End Yacht Club- Virgin Gorda
• Wednesday - Bitter End to Monkey Point, Guana Island
• Thursday - Monkey Point to Marina Cay - Beef Island
• Friday - Marina Cay to Great Harbor - Jost Van Dyke - Foxy’s
• Saturday - Great Harbor to Road Town, Tortola - Fly out in the afternoon.

Our crew, Johnny and Kellie, are from Wales and are one of my favorite crews, even though they are a bit young. Kellie produces four or more 5-star meals a day. Each of the guests have sent me what they want for menus and beverages. The choice of our guests is a Mediterranian type menu with French wines as part of the meals. The cocktails will be rum drinks that Johnny and Kellie invent each day, plus the ever present vodka martinis at sunset each day. If you have never been on a crewed charter yacht vacation you have really missed out. It is one of my favorite vacations - EVER!

The activities during our voyage are really anything connected to being in a tropical paradise - 85 degree temperatures, 85 degree waters, 100 foot visibility in the water, swimming in an aquarium for hours a day, and deciding each morning what is next. We may even divert one night to Bamba’s Shack for the world famous full moon jump up. Who knows??? From beginning to end of our voyage I will do a daily blog keeping you posted as to what is unfolding each day for us in Paradise. I know you will really enjoy what you discover with us.

After we step off the yacht on Saturday we are flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico and staying in Old San Juan at the El Convento Hotel - a former convent built in the early 1600’s. We’ll spend a few days before we head back home. Again, if you have not explored Old San Juan, it is one of my favorite three day vacation in the world because it is as if you have just arrived in Spain of the 1600’s.

Stay tuned…the adventure begins February 16th! Do any of you have places we should consider besides the ones I have listed above? Please let me know…