MEN'S SHIRTS AT SOL CREATION

SOL CREATION is now carrying MEN'S SHIRTS!
Gorgeous Cotton and Linen Button Ups!
PERFECT FOR THE ISLANDS!!

When You Miss the Boat

A number of people have asked that I touch on the subject of traveling to Vieques.  In a few words, sometimes it isn't easy, but it is well worth it.

As you know, there are a few ways to get here.  You can fly from San Juan, fly from Ceiba or take the ferry.  From San Juan you have the choice of hopping a plan directly from San Juan International.  This option, while the most expensive, is also the most hassle free.  You can also grab a taxi and head over to the original San Juan airport, Isla Grande.  The flights are slightly more than half the cost of those coming out of International, and you can get a really, really cold Medalla for LESS THAN half the cost of one at the big airport.  (This can be an important factor when you have a long travel day.) 

You can also take a taxi to the Fajardo/Ceiba area.  The flights from Ceiba (formerly Roosevelt Roads) airport take about 10 minutes and cost around $30 one way.  And then there is the ferry for just $2 one way.  But, and there is always a but, you must remember that no matter how you have decided to get here, sometimes things happen and you won't make it.  Rough seas, high winds, thunderstorms all cause major transportation delays, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it.  So, what to do? If you are still in San Juan you have many, many choices of places to stay and eat, and a whole lot of Tourism Booths to help you.  If you are in Fajardo, things are a bit different. 

First, you call the Fajardo Inn (787-860-6000) and in your most polite voice ask if there is anything available and indicate that a closet will do just fine.  The people there are very, very helpful (and they already know that the boat/planes have been canceled). The Conquistador is also just down the street, for significantly more money.  Once settled, you can head off for something to eat.  There are all the standard fast food places if you want.  More fun, however, is to go to Lolita's Mexican Restaurant which has the absolute best Margaritas.  They are also dangerous.  You get a big plate of food for a reasonable price.  You can also go to Wing Brothers (in the West Marine Plaza) where they cook the food right in front of you and do all those knife tricks.  If you have a willing taxi driver you can head up to Loquillo and hit the beachfront kiosks.  My favorite is El Jefe Burger.  These folks also run a Tapas place right next door. 

If you are looking to dine, you can go to Pasion Por El Fogon.  The ladies there serve a" to die for" red snapper, either whole or a filet, stuffed with your choice of shrimp or lobster and topped with your choice of sauce. Really, really good.  Just over the hill from there is La Estacion, which is a converted gas station.  They cook everything on the grill.  There is a green papaya salad on the menu that is super and they have a daily whole fish special.  In the morning, there are two places right at the ferry dock for breakfast sandwiches, and a bakery about 5 minutes inland.  By the time you get to Vieques, Al's Mar Azul will be open, and all is well.

You now have the inside track on how to survive a delayed arrival in Vieques.  Memorize it.  I can guarantee that on at least one trip here you will need it. 

JC

"Come for dinner, stay for Breakfast!"

COCONUTS  VIEQUES

"Come for dinner, stay for Breakfast!"
as we put a fun breakfast-twist on our dinner offerings all weekend long!

Chilaquiles of Corn Tortillas & Pulled Chicken, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Scrambled Egg, Cheddar Cheese Sauce  $11

Oyster Po'Boy Trio, Lemon Basil Aioli, Frisee, Tomato  $12

Fruit & Cheese Plate- Multigrain Raisin Nut Toast & Datil Pepper, Green Papaya Marmalade, Manchego, Goat Brie, Farmhouse Cheddar, Grapes & Melons  $12

Frittata Flatbread, Goat Cheese, Roasted Peppers, Spinach  $10

Pancakes topped with Jamon Serrano-wrapped Duck Liver basted in Vieques Honey Butter  $12

OPEN for DINNER

Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays

RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED

787.741.9325

Think:  Sushi Pizza!

Siddhia Hutchinson Gallery- Coming in February "WILD BY NATURE"

Siddhia Hutchinson Gallery Vieques Coming in February "WILD BY NATURE"
The best of new works inspired by the natural beauty of Vieques

OPENING RECEPTION, FEBRUARY 15, 6-8PM

Artists:
Birdie Britton, Siddhia Hutchinson, Barney Line, RA Moseley, Hattie Notman, Jeanne Peech, Mary Stratford, Caleb Stone, Glen Wielgus

Vieques' preeminent fine art gallery. Located in Isabel II

Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery features Caribbean inspired artwork including original paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photographs, prints, jewelry and more.

The Gallery is open Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Gallery Galleon announces

The opening of Contemporary Realist fine art oil painter, Rob Brooks: The
Vieques Portfolio. Friday, February 18th 5-7pm. The show runs through March
26th. Rob's abstract realism is not to be missed!
Marion Fischer, who purchased the property in May 2010, has been a dancer
her whole life (committed to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and others),
and hopes to bring dancing back to the Galleon! Bring your dancing shoes to
Rob's Brooks' show Friday, February 18th and we will kick it up to live
music by Mark Martin and Caribbean inspired cocktails by Buen Provecho!
The Gallery is OPEN Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
787-741-3078
jts
Find out What's going on at
www.Enchanted-Isle.Com

Important Ordinance Cleanup Report RE: Cayo La Chiva off Blue Beach!

Please read this advisory.
Sorry about the broken link.
http://tinyurl.com/6xxd76g

from NAVAC ATLANTIC Public Affairs Officer (757) 322-8005

jts

Lots of Stuff to Do

Seems like one week it's pretty quiet here, and then the next week there is so much to do you need a vacation from your vacation.  Here's the list.

The Historical Society has a Playa Grande walk scheduled for tomorrow, January 20 at 9am.  There is a also Lulu Atkin's art exhibit opening on Friday the 21st at 6pm.  There is a bird walk on Friday, January 28 at 7am and another Playa Grande Tour on Thursday, February 3 at 9am.

There are two benefits for the Vieques Kids Steel Drum Band headed up by Will Colon.  There is a pool tournament at Cayo Blanco this Friday, the 21st around 5:30pm.  Cayo Blanco is the bar directly across from the ferry dock.  It is a great place to grab a cold one after the boat ride.  The second fundraiser is on Friday the 28th at El Sombrero Viejo at 5pm.  There will be meatball subs for sale and all proceeds go to the band.

Up at the Museo Fuerte Conde de Mirasol, known at "the fort" there is a 3D exhibit running through February.  The fort is a great visit for historical information about Vieques.  It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 4:30pm.  My neighbor is the curator and he is always willing to talk about the island with you.

I had dinner the other night at Trade Winds and it was excellent.  They offer the best fish entrees.  I had flounder stuffed with spinach and goat cheese.  It was fabulous.  Reservations are a good idea.  Over in Isabel, Taverna is no longer offering lunches, but they are open for dinner featuring super Italian dishes and thin crust pizza.

A reader recently requested that I mention the $300,000 Shelter Challenge in which the Vieques Humane Society is currently in 8th place in the international division.  The challenge is sponsored by the animalrescuesite.com in partnership with Petfinder.com.  You go to the site and click on the shelter challenge.  The easiest way to find our shelter is to search by state (PR).  You click on the "vote" which brings you to a confirmation screen where you must identify the animal in the picture.  Usually this is easy.  There is one frog picture that looks like a snake, so don't feel like you have flunked first grade if you get it wrong.  This site is pretty cool in that there are other charities that you can donate to or buy things from.  They really push the concept that helping animals also helps people as well.    Anyway, you get to vote every day.  I still have not figured out why we are considered an international shelter since we have a zip code, but that's the way it is.  You can read about how the $300,000 is divided up.  The shelter will be submitting a New Beginnings Story to hopefully win a $3000 prize in March. 

We still do not have a bridge, either to Puerto Rico or La Mina (that is the barrio where Mikey Duffy's new restaurants are located).  Most of us have pretty much resigned ourselves to taking the long way around or using the real middle road, which did get a facelift recently.  You will have to visit to find out the location of the real middle road.  The only hint is that it is in the middle of the island.

JC

SOL CREATION

SOL CREATION OFFERS: Island Luxe
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Made with Organic Aloe, Lavender, and Citrus!!! DELICIOUS!

Gallery Galleon

Gallery Galleon is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
Please come in and say hola!
Next opening February 18th 5-7pm
Rob Brooks Contemporary Realist paintings: The Vieques Portfolio.
We are one mile from Esperanza on Route 201.
787-741-3078

What's Happening at VCHT

Mark Martin and Joel Melendez will present a talk on Lionfish at the VCHT

on Friday January 14th at 6 pm,.

Everyone welcome!

On Saturday, January 15th at 11 am there will be a workshop on building
traps and nets to capture Lionfish.

On Friday, January 20th Visit the Old Vieques Sugar Mill 9AM to Noon.

Don't forget the opening reception for Lulu Atkin's ceramic Sea Star
exhibition on Friday, January 21st 6-8 pm

Call VCHT for details 787-741-8850

-jts

Peace Movement Documentaries at Casa de Kathy

Film Documentaries on the Peace Movement and the history of Vieques
At Casa de Kathy, 367 Bromelias, Esperanza,
free; 8pm, 741-3352, call first
Documentales Fílmicos: Movimiento de la Paz e Historia de Vieques
En la Casa de Kathy, 367 Bromelias, Esperanza,
gratis; 8pm, 741 -3352, llamar con anticipación

Not a Lot of News

The island is pretty quiet right now.  We had a small gasoline issue today, but it did not seem to cause any sort of widespread panic.  In the wake of last weeks blustery weather, we have had some picture perfect Caribbean days.  The seas have laid down, albeit with some chop here and there, and the snorkeling has been just fantastic.  Playa Voltios was so calm you could almost snorkel without getting wet the other day.  Usually there is a quite a bit of surf on that beach.

For those of you who are Vieques old timers, remember the Galleon?  The Galleon was a dancing/disco place in La Hueca.  It was little more than a few concrete columns with a roof, but hosted some of the most fantastic dancing on the island.  It was purchased by two local artists who renovated the structure into a gallery and living quarters.  They subsequently moved off island and the gallery was closed.  The property was sold recently and is reopening this Saturday night.  The reception is 5-9pm.  Featured artists this month are Brooke Grant with his meta sculpture and Alba Hollister-Ruiz with photos.  The gallery will be open Tuesday thru Saturday 10am-4pm thru February 12.

Cantina La Reina is closed for the month, undergoing some reorganization.  The cantina will reopen in early February with a few changes.  Mikey is getting closer to opening day at the Tin Shack.  Unfortunately, the repair to the bridge on the middle road is not getting closer to being fixed.  Monday was a holiday, so perhaps Christmas is now truly over and things will start to move along. 

Beverly, at Orquideas in Esperanza has gotten underway.  The dining area is located on the front porch and is very cute.  Well worth a visit to dine in or grab something for the beach.  Something for the beach can be picked up at Buen Provecho Tuesday thru Saturday.  Chris and Beth have a huge selection of fine cheeses to choose from, among other things.   Just up the street from there, Ute has opened up her clothing shop.  It is located in the little commercial building that houses The Patio restaurant.  She features really cool cottons from India and has a flair with mixing and matching things.  She also has her mobile shop on the malecon on the weekends.

Back with more news when we have some. 

JC

New Art Exhibit at Fort Count de Mirasol Museum

SANDRA REYESNueva Exhibición: Sandra Reyes abre este sábado en el Fortín
Presents her newest exhibition of ceramic, glass and painting
SATURDAY, 15 JANUARY AT 7:00 PM AT THE FORT COUNT MIRASOL MUSEUM
NO ENTRANCE FEE
ALSO:  CONCERT BY THE YOUTH STEEL DRUM BAND, “ISLANDERS”

 


~from Kathy Gannett
for www.enchanted-isle.com

Islanders Steel Band encore performance

“The Islanders” will play again on January 21, 2011 at 5 PM by the ferry, across the street from
Cayo Blanco Bar and Restaurant.

FREE Chili Buffet, also at 5PM, followed by a pool tournament.

FULL MOON DRUM CIRCLE

FULL MOON DRUM CIRCLE

Weds Jan 19th
6pm Sun Bay
Bring a drum or percussion instrument/ a chair/and a stick of wood!
No experience necessary…All welcome!…including dancers!!
A community organic music event…
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CIRCULO DE TAMBORES DE LUNA LLENA
Miércoles enero 19
6 pm Sun Bay
¡Trae un tambor o instrumento de percusión/una silla/ y un palito!
No se necesita experiencia
¡Todos son bienvenidos… incluyendo los bailarines!!
Un evento musical orgánico comunitario…
Islanders Steel Band más...

http://www.enchanted-isle.com 

Just an FYI ~

Esperanza Yoga @ La Posada Vista Mar
(sometimes known as “Olga Yoga”)
is now OPEN!! Daily class @ 8 a.m.
www.EsperanzaYoga.com

jts

Children's Steel Band- Come for the Sunset and Music

Event: "The Islanders" will play steel drum music.
Place: Plaza next to Al's Mar Azul
Day: Saturday
Date: January 8, 2011
Time: Sunset - 6:00 PM
Dan will grill FREE pinchos
Come for the Sunset and Music

3 Kings Day

Those of you not familiar with the Christmas season here on the the island probably think that it is over.  Not.  Three Kings Day is the official last day of Christmas and it is tomorrow, January 6.  Now, since three Kings Day is always on a Thursday, Friday is a vacation day as well, since Saturday is right after that.  Got it now?  So no more wondering why all the decorations are still up.

After living here for so long, there are little things that you do automatically and you don't necessarily think to explain them to visitors.  One of those things is to never, ever, ever get off the 8pm boat from Fajardo and bypass the publico stand in favor of a beer.  Despite incredible progress over the past few years; we now have electric, water, gasoline (except the last 3 days) and vegetables most of the time; we are still a little sleepy hamlet kind of place.  People get up early for work, go to bed early and our nightlife consists of just a few bars and restaurants.  If you are on the late boat you must remember that your publico driver began working before 5am and thus will not be waiting around for you to have that beer, regardless of the fact that you do deserve that beer after a long travel day.  Also, many guesthouses will close the front desk after the late boats lands, so even if you manage to find a kind soul to give you a lift you may end up sleeping on the porch your first night.  Get thee to a publico and check in.  Then go have that beer.

The Vieques Conservation Society and Historical Trust is holding a few fundraisers this month.  The famous Playa Grande Walk is scheduled for the 6th and the 20th.  Both walks begin at 9am and are $30 for adults and $15 for children.  Tours begin at the Trust.  Wear good walking shoes.  The even more famous House Tour is on the 13th at 9am.  The cost is $50.  You hop in a publico and tour some of the most fabulous homes and gardens on the island.  This tour is a lot of fun and goes to a great cause. 

The Vieques Humane Society is looking for people traveling on American Airlines to Boston and Hartford, CT.  There are animals at the shelter that have found their forever homes and they just need a hand getting there.  All you do is meet the Humane Society volunteer at the American check in desk and the animals are attached to your ticket.  There is no cost and at the other end volunteers pick up the animals as they are off loaded, so you do not have to wait around, unless of course you want to. 

The new health food store in town, across from El Sombrero Viejo is open 9-5 every day except Sunday.  They have all kinds of organic grains and seeds.  They have a section with vitamins and supplements like pomegranate extract.  There is also a skin care section.  I found some blackstrap molasses there.

The Tin Box, the latest in the Duffy family restaurant empire is getting closer to opening day.  As with most things here, the winter winds have conspired to make things difficult.  The boats have been a bit erratic due to high surf and they look at you funny at the airport when your luggage is comprised of 35 chairs and a beer cooler.  Speaking of the airport, don't forget the Isla Nena Cafe.  They have really cold beer and great sandwiches that make for good beach eating. 

For something to do on the beach, visit the Emporium at the Lazy Jack shops in Esperanza.  Maggie has magazines, books and high quality sunscreen.  She also has Triscuits.  There is some to die for chocolates there as well.  This does not help you fit into the bikinis they sell next door at Tropical Treasures.

For those of you who are wondering, yes, Chez Shack is still open.

More later.

JC

Crow's Nest Happy Hour!!!

I just got the word that Happy Hour
at the Crow's Nest is back on.
This late breaking news from
Burr Vail, Captain of Maker's Mark.
Tuesday Nights
5:30PM to 7 PM
Be There or Be Square!

~jts