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July 2003 |
The weather has been gorgeous here! Much better than the east coast from what I hear, no rain every weekend here! The flamboyan trees dot the island with their reddish blooms, truly a magnificent sight. July is quite possibly the most beautiful month on the island, providing we have enough rain to keep the island green.
The island is gearing up for a big street festival this 4th of July weekend! With Patronales being canceled months ago,
Michael Martin decided to talk to the Mayor about having a street festival on the malecon
in Esperanza to encourage visitors to come to Vieques. Beginning around sunset the strip will be closed to cars and the music will begin. On both Friday and Saturday nights about
5 bands will perform. Will Colon and his steel drum band
will begin the festivities and will be followed by at least 4 other bands playing into the early hours of the morning. The municipality is supplying the stage and sound equipment and various businesses in Esperanza are covering the expenses for the event.
There will be reggae, rock steady, salsa and merengue as well as some bohemian folk music played.
If the event is a success, and I am sure it will be, Michael would like to organize about 3 of these a year. Michael is a member of the band
Rootsticks, and they have been a favorite here on Vieques for several years. If you are in Vieques be sure to hit the malecon one or both of these nights!
A friend came to visit last month which allowed me time at Martineau Bay and the beach. We had an excellent dinner at the hotel and of course sitting on the terrace enjoying sunset was incredible. Some people say that the service at the hotel is not quite up to par yet, however, I have no complaints about the meals I ate there. The restaurants are open to the public and they welcome visitors to them. I know that I keep repeating myself when I say that it is hard to get a bad meal on the island these days but it is true! I’ve been out to dinner quite a bit lately and all the meals have been terrific. I mentioned last month that I was on the Atkin’s diet (which is working according to the way my clothes fit!) and all the restaurants have “low carb” items. I had a great meal at
Chez Shack, Tony Casino is doing a wonderful job there. Duffy has no plans this summer to close, as a matter of fact they are thinking of opening a 5th night because they are having a better summer than they did winter! Joanne Hamilton is assisting in prepping and also doing the desserts there. She is keeping busy juggling her time between Duffy’s and Chef Michael’s. Also had a great meal at
Bayaonda, not unusual as I love Wanda’s food! Wanda and Gustavo are expecting their first child sometime around New Year’s! Wanda is busy training someone to take over the kitchen so that all will run smoothly during the holidays and “season.” The steaks at
Island Steak House are excellent, not only do I get to enjoy meals there while working but even go on nights off because I love the Churrasco that they offer. It is a marinated skirt steak served with a Chimichurie sauce (parsley, garlic and olive oil) and the creamed spinach is out of this world. I’ve had 2 great meals at
Posada Vista Mar, Barry and Diane have gone Italian with the menu and the food is generous and delicious. Both nights that I ate there were nights that others in the restaurant business were also dining there! That counts for something!
Trade Winds is always a great place to go for dinner as well, the food is always consistently good and I just love their dining room. The dining room overlooks the malecon in Esperanza and although not fancy, is really comfortable! The only thing that I really miss by dieting is the Shrimp Asapao, my comfort food, at
Taverna Espanola. It is a shrimp and rice soup, however, it could be Rosa’s excellent hot sauce that had made me addicted to it. Rarely did a Wednesday go by that I did not enjoy it! When the next few pounds come off you can be sure that will be the first thing that I treat myself to! A regular stop for lunch is
Mamasonga’s in Isabel. Ute is doing a great job there and just got her liquor license so you can enjoy a Mimosa or Bloody Mary with breakfast! It is only about 120 steps from home so I am there a lot! As always the food at both the
Blue Macaw and Café Media Luna is worth experiencing! The Blue Macaw is truly the most elegant spot in the island, a favorite for weddings this year!
Café Media Luna is always fabulous and if you get the chance to sit on one of the upper terraces overlooking the street it is delightful! The most beautiful bar on the island (my opinion!) is at
La Sirena, with the candles and the view to the ocean I just love sitting in there. The food is good, the staff friendly and with the low lighting at night it is seductive!
You will all just have to plan on spending at least a week here so that you get to experience all the fine dining that Vieques offers these days! Please make sure that you make reservations for dinner, all the restaurants really appreciate it and it can mean the difference between great service and just getting food. Many of the restaurants cut back on staff in the summer as we expect it to be slower. When the restaurant has no reservations for dinner not a lot of food is prepped and staff is cut back. When 25 people show up for dinner at the same time with no reservations it makes for a less than enjoyable meal for all involved. All the restaurants want to offer you the best food and service that they can so help them out by calling ahead. Remember too that most dining rooms close by 9:30 unless they know that you are coming for dinner.
Speaking of weddings, Michael Marchand and Melanie got married on Navio this past weekend! Michael lived here years ago and was “the bartender” at Banana’s back when I first started visiting and when I moved here over 6 years ago. He left to pursue his education and in the process found Melanie who is adorable! They have come back to visit for the past 2 years and we were all excited when the decided to get married here. It was a great wedding on the beach followed by a really great reception. The last time they visited they ended up buying some land so part of the honeymoon includes machetes and time spent clearing the land!
Congrats Michael and Mel!
I actually got to the beach a few times last month, something unusual for me! With the eastern end of the island open I spent 2 long afternoons on
Orchid Beach, my favorite. It is just past
Blue Beach, turn left when you approach the first cabana. The water was perfect and except for some sand burrs, the beach is perfect too. The beaches are not groomed so sand burrs can be a problem on all of them out there so make sure to wear sandals. Mira, my chocolate lab, got to spend one afternoon with us, however, as he likes trying to rescue people in the water he ended up getting tied to the car so that I could enjoy a swim! The eastern end is now a US Fish and Wildlife Refuge so dogs are supposed to be kept on leashes. When the Navy still had those beaches it was a regular event to see lots of dogs getting their exercise at the beach, not so much anymore. One late afternoon was spent on
Sun Bay watching the sun set. I love late afternoons on the beach because few people are there and there is less chance of getting too much sun. The midday sun is just too much for my Irish skin, even with sunscreen on!
La Central is now open for business under the management of Joey Odell. Right now they have 2 spacious rooms available, with air conditioning. The place got a fresh coat of paint and looks very cool and inviting. For now they are serving mostly seafood and the hours are Thurs. – Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Different people have told me that the food is wonderful. It is one of the only spots on the island that serves local seafood and has the best selection of seafood on the menu. Be sure to check it out for lunch in Esperanza.
Tropico Restaurant, located in the Martineau section of the island, is adding a game room to the property. Morgan, the owner, told me that many of his customers complained that there was not a “nice” place to play pool and enjoy a good meal on the island. He decided to add that feature to the property and will also have a TV so that people can watch sporting events there as well. Mary and Keith Robb have sold
Tiki Hut. Vieques Events has old information, the deal mentioned in the July edition fell through at the last minute and we were not able to change it! It has been sold to a woman named Jack who will be moving here shortly. I imagine that she will keep it much the same as it is now, offering great sandwiches! Mary and Keith went back to the states for a son’s wedding and Mary decided that although she loves Vieques she missed home and wanted to be closer to her family. The house has sold quickly as well so they will be moving soon. We’ll miss both of you!
Here is the Calendar so that you know what’s going on this month:
Holidays in Blue!
What's
Happenin'
Calendar 
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| Thursday, July 3rd | Movie “At War With The Army” with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, 7pm at El Sombrero Viejo |
| Friday, July 4th | Independence Day |
| Friday/Saturday, July 4 & 5 | “Fiestas del Malecon”, live music all night, Begins about 6:30pm |
| Saturday, July 5th | Bike the East End (Free) Call 617-BIKE for details |
| Sunday, July 6th | All Star Baseball Game, for details and location call 741-2999 |
| Thursday, July 10th | Movie “The Man With The Golden Arm” with Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak. 7pm at El Sombrero Viejo |
| Thursday/Friday, July 10 & 11 | Verizon Wireless selling cellular phones at Centro Commercial |
| Friday, July 11th | Wine Tasting, presented by Cedrid Morales and Mendez & Co., hosted by Chef Michael at Water’s Edge. 7pm by reservation only. Vieques Businessmens Association members $5, non-members $10. Information and reservations call 741-6701 |
| Saturday/Sunday, July 12 &13 | Naguabo vs. Caribes. Florida Ballpark. 7pm Saturday, 10am Sunday |
| Sunday, July 13th | Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic at Vieques Humane Society. By appointment only, call 741-0209 |
| Thursday, July 17th | Luis Munoz Rivera Birthday Movie “The Jackals” with Vincent Price. 7pm at El Sombrero Viejo |
| Saturday, July 19th | Yard and Plant Sale at VCHT in Esperanza. 10am-2pm |
| Saturday/Sunday, July 19 & 20 | Daguao vs. Caribes, Florida Ballpark. 7pm Saturday, 10am Sunday |
| Thursday, July 24th | Movie “Dog Day” with Lee Marvin and Tina Louise |
| Friday, July 25th | Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Day |
| Saturday. July 26th | Health For Vieques Clinic at the Hospital. Free services available. Begins around 10am |
| Sunday, July 27th | Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa Birthday Caribes vs. Mendez on the main island. For information call 741-2999 |
| Thursday, July 31st | Movie “Guns of Diablo” with Charles Bronson |
| All month | Sharks, Myths and Realities Exhibit at the VCHT |
| Saturdays | “Wining” with Mary Alice at Blue Macaw Seafood Specailties at Tropico |
| Saturdays and Sundays | Breakfast Specials and Bloody Mary Bar at Banana’s from 8:30am Live Music at La Sirena |
| Sundays | Brunch at Tropical Baby Paella Special at Trade Winds |
| Mondays-Fridays | Ferry to Culebra, leaves Vieques around 6am, leaves Culebra at 5pm Live Music at La Sirena |
| Mondays | $1 Medalla Night plus taco salads and nachos at Banana’s |
| Tuesdays | Happy Hour at Island Steak House at the Crow’s Nest. Chance to win bar tab. 5-7pm Luck Card Draw at El Sombrero Viejo for free or discounted drinks |
| Wednesday | Ribs at Tropico Ladies Night at Amapola, happy hour prices all night for the ladies Sponge Bob Square Pants night at Amapola 10pm-midnight |
| Thursdays | Mexican Food at Tropico Old Movie Night at El Sombrero Viejo 7pm Oldies Night at Mar Azul when Capt. Martin shows up! |
| Thursday – Monday | Back From The Beach 2 for 1 drinks at La Sirena 5-6pm |
| Fridays | Shrimp Festival at Tropico Fiesta Langosta (Lobster) at Trade Winds |
Well unfortunately I will miss the street festival, I am heading to Miami to visit a friend for the weekend. It will be a nice break as I have not been off Vieques for several months. There was talk of possibly a “speed boat” trip to the Bahamas or down the keys, not quite sure what is in store for the weekend but I am looking forward to getting away even for a few days. As always thanks for reading and hope to see you in Vieques soon!
Judy
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