by Pia Saunders

Hi everyone,

The month of June brings many new beginnings: a hot summer, weekend tourism, continued growth in the community, and flowering flamboyans in reds, oranges, and yellows. The weather has been beautiful, averaging in the upper 80s, which is normal for the month of June. Let’s hope that the active hurricane season predicted for 2007 provides no more than gentle breezes for Vieques!

With school out and the culmination of graduation season in May, the first weekend of summer begins in June. This marks the summer-tourist season, greatly defined by main-islanders on a weekend get-away. Local guesthouses and restaurants look forward to the island population swell, with Puerto Rican families and groups of friends looking to enjoy a few days on the beach, lunch at a roadside kiosk, and a palo, or cocktail, in the late afternoon. If you’re in Esperanza, stop by the green store for a quick rum-and-coke on the go or Bananas for one of Lupita’s famous margaritas!

The big event of the month is the third annual Taste of the Islands! This event, which is a charity for the Vieques Historical and Conservation Trust and the Reach for Success Youth Program, will be June 29th and 30th at the Martineau Bay Resort & Spa. At the main event, each chef – there are about twenty participating, from both Vieques and the main island – will offer tasting portions of two of their signature dishes. Rumor has it that Chef Carlos Alzogary of Uva has themed his station “crudo.” There will be wine and beer tastings, a party on the beach, and the inauguration of the Kama nightclub in Isabel II. Last year the Taste of the Islands – which was held at bbh – was named as one of Puerto Rico’s top ten parties of 2006! For information, or to make a donation, contact Martineau Bay Resort & Spa (787-741-4100) or the VCHT (787-741-8850).

Under renovation in Isabel II is the Kama nightclub, and Kama boutique hotel. Located on the corner of Muñoz Rivera and José Suerio (between Restaurante Uva and Alicia’s Cafeteria on main street, up from the post office) the two-story building for the ‘Kama Korner’ (??? - the developer has yet to officially name the project) is under construction. Renovations to the first floor—which will be the nightclub, complete with a twenty-seat bar, performance stage, DJ station, and lounge seating—are nearing completion. The second floor will soon be transformed into a chic guesthouse for the sophisticated weekender.

In Vieques, an evening of music and entertainment at sunset is the perfect end to either a day’s work or a day at the beach. Kim Birchall has been putting guests of El Jardin in the mood for several months with his song and guitar on Saturday nights. He’s now also singing at Bananas on Fridays and Sundays. Karaoke Saturday nights at Al’s remain a staple on the weekend-circuit, as do Salsa Fridays at the Inn on the Blue Horizon. Be sure to get to the Blue

Love and commitment abound this spring in Vieques…especially at Bananas! Hope Curry, daughter of Wynne and Glenn Curry, owners of Bananas Resort and Restaurant in Esperanza, is to marry fiancée Martin Pitney on June 23rd in Vieques, PR. Since moving to Vieques four years ago, both bride and groom-to-be have worked at Bananas: Hope takes charge of the bar and floor, while Martin works in the kitchen. They will marry at the bride’s parents’ home in Vieques.

Congratulations to the newly-engaged couple Mark de Lucia and Erin Provost! Mark, manager of EvaMer Villas and Studios, surprised Erin, or Lupita, as she’s known by friends and adoring customers of Bananas, with a ring en route to her “birthday lunch in St. Thomas” with friends Jim and Amanda. To ensure that Mark’s romantic proposal unfolded as planned, Amanda encouraged Erin to look out the window by directing her attention on the beautiful south-coast of Vieques until they passed over Navio, where Mark had used Sargasso Sea Grass to spell out, “ERIN MARRY ME,” in giant letters on the white beach. When Erin turned to Mark, he was holding the ring. Mark and Erin plan to marry – in Vieques, of course! – over Memorial Day weekend, 2008.

 

A new photography exhibit, “Barrios y Revoluciones,” opened at the Fort on June 2nd. In these works, Puerto Rican photographer Ernesto Robles captures images of Cuba utilizing ‘painting with light.’ In this technique, the photographer illuminates the subject with a high-power light for several seconds, which allows the objects to absorb light, before taking the photo. For a preview of a photo using this technique, check out the one my photographer-friend Christopher took at Navio one night last week .

Vieques’ bioluminescent bay has been shining brightly! Last weekend I went to the bay with my friend Christopher, who was visiting from New York, and basked in the brilliance as if it was my first experience! Christopher was taken by the murky glowing water the moment we stepped into the water; he was blown away by the clarity of the phosphorescence when we swam away from shore into the bay! The dinoflagelites are like miniature stars falling through your fingers in the water, each speck of light discernable from the next. If you’re planning a trip to the Bio Bay, go in the middle of the month: the new moon is June 14th. There are several kayak-tour operators as well as a guided tour on Island Adventure’s electric boat. All tours are informative on the ecology of the bay; Island Adventure’s tour is extra special as guide Mark Martin gives an impressive mini-lecture on astronomy.

Don’t forget that The Blue Macaw will reopen it’s doors – hopefully on June 26th – in it’s new Isabel II location, next to Restaurante Uva. The corner of Antonio G. Mellado and Muñoz Rivera has had a makeover with new and renovated businesses: Café Media Luna re-opened it’s side window, Roy’s Coffee Shop in the pink house is always buzzing, The Blue Macaw is soon to land, Restaurante Uva is steadily open, and Kama Nightclub will finish off the scene!

In July is Vieques’ Fiesta Patronales, to be held July 13th, 14th, and 15th. Stay tuned for more news!
 

Thanks for stopping!
 
Pia

PS: If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter or have any feedback please email Ask Judy. Thanks.  askjudy@enchanted-isle.com 

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