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Hi everyone,

Well, I made it down to Vieques in September and it was wonderful. The island looked beautiful, green and lush and it just was so inviting! As soon as I landed in San Juan I felt as if I was home. One of my dearest friends met me at the airport (San Juan) for my homecoming. I ran into another friend who was traveling to Philadelphia to see family so luckily got to spend some time with her. Richard and I headed to the bar, even though I can not drink these days, and of course ran into 2 other friends there. What a reunion and I was not even in Vieques yet! Later it was a short flight over to Vieques and I was home! After being away for 2 months it was wonderful to see familiar faces, familiar vehicles and the island in general.

First stop was of course, the Mar Azul, where I got to catch up with Al and Val and many of my friends. Bless Becker for bringing Mira (my dog) to the bar for our reunion. Mira appeared very pleased to see me but was somewhat confused later in the evening as I think he expected that he would go home with Becker. Lucky for me, Mira loves whoever is feeding him so we worked it out with an extra meal. My sister Helen had done an amazing job stocking my fridge with organic foods and my Penta water that she managed to find on the big island. I had arranged with Johanna (Zee Store) to deliver some organic veggies the next morning for me so I really was able to stay on my regime while away. Tropical “Baby” was very helpful is telling me where I could send Helen to find certain foods on the main island. My regret was that “Baby” was not open the few days that I was there, it would have been a treat to have her cook for me. In reality only a few places were open for lunch and dinner while I was home. This month we recommend calling ahead to your favorite restaurants to make sure they are open, many will be reopening in October while a few others will be taking a short vacation. Tis the slow season so places do close because there just are not that many people to feed.

Martineau Bay is not longer being managed by Wyndham, they were sold months ago and the hotel is being run by Starwood. I could not see much change but then I only went out to the spa for a reflexology/energy work session. I did stop by to visit Chef Paul and say hello. For more information about the hotel download Vieques Events as it has much more information. I do know that in 2006 they will be operating as a “W” hotel. There will be renovations to the property and I did hear that plans for a golf course are awaiting approval. I know that many people are against a golf course, for environmental reasons (water consumption, pesticides, etc.) but I grew up in a family of golfers (although I don’t play yet) and so I was raised thinking that golf courses were a good thing. The fact that there may be a golf course in the next few years really will change the island and bring a different class of visitor. But then again, a W Hotel, will bring a different class of tourist as well. Our little island is growing and maturing and there are some that do not like the way it will be aging. Me, I am just going with the flow, there are lots of other voices out there that will tell you what is wonderful and what is terrible about our little island. Hey some of those people have hardly spent any time on the island but they think they are experts on what the island needs and how it should be run! Unfortunately many of them do not last a long time, they get too frustrated that change occurs too slowly for their liking. Oh well, if you really want to get an idea of what the island can be like, read “Don’t Stop The Carnival”(by Herman Wouk), it is the best reference for what life on a small island is like. And don’t think that a book written so many years ago can’t possibly be accurate, it is amazingly accurate even today!

M Bar will be closing in October, the building was sold, same owners as Martineau Bay, and M Bar will move to town in November. M Bar will reopen along side of Uva, right on the main corner of town. Chef Juan Camacho will offer Caribbean and Nuevo-Rican fine dining with an emphasis on local fresh fish and a “mar y tierra” (sea and land) theme. Watch for the reopening in November. Town really will be the place to hang out and have dinner. Not sure what Monica and Ricardo are planning to do, I don’t think they have sold Media Luna yet so hopefully they will be reopening soon. With Media Luna, Uva and now M Bar downtown this will be the place to dine, also if Tropical Baby opens for dinner some nights it really will make for great dining. And some of the best local restaurants are in town as well, Richard’s Café, Mucho Gusto and Taverna Espanol, all pretty close to each other. I sure am glad that I live within walking distance to all of these. Not sure who or what will happen where M Bar is leaving, hopefully something fabulous as I loved driving out there for dinner. Then we also have bbh at Bravo Beach Hotel, great tapas and great fun at the Palms Bar also on the property. I believe they will be reopening this month as well. In the middle of the island you have Island Steakhouse, one of the most popular spots for dinner and a must attend place on Tuesday night if you want to see where some of the locals hang out! In Esperanza you have Bili, great PR food and fun atmosphere. Bananas, the most popular spot for lunch and always the place to go for a casual dinner, plus they have a great staff. Oh and I see that it looks like they will be doing karaoke on Friday nights. Tradewinds is also one of the most popular restaurants and serves all 3 meals, just have to call ahead for their schedule. Harry and Janet, have a very loyal staff that has worked there for years, the food is consistently good and the prices very reasonable. As far as the former Blue Macaw, I have not heard what they are doing yet or if the owners of the Inn on the Blue Horizon are going to open the restaurant this season. Hopefully I will know more for next month.

Halloween in Vieques is celebrated at the Mar Azul each year with one of the best parties on the island. This year the party will be held on Saturday, October 29th (not sure if it will still be a karaoke night just because the bar is so busy) and judging will begin at 8pm. Costumes are judged on Sexiest, Tackiest and Most Original. I am guessing that at least 75% of the people that attend that party are in costume so please join in the fun and dress up! As costumes can be rather hot to wear we encourage everyone who wants to be judged to show up on time for the event. Nothing worse that having the time advertised as 8pm, then being hot and uncomfortable until others stroll in later in the evening. I have watched people show up after 9:30 and be upset because they missed the judging, they should wear a watch! Prizes are awarded to the winners and it really is a great evening. I am sorry that I am going to miss it this year, I think I have attended the past 8 Halloween Parties. And make sure you do show up because one of the scariest parts of the evening is watching how much tequila is consumed! Al really needs his own bartender to just dole out the shots. When it gets really crazy for the bartender, Al is handed the bottle and plastic shot glasses and he gets to do some of the pouring. I really wish the Mar Azul had a web cam for parties like this!
Other great events this month include music by Lauren Echo at Island Steakhouse and also at Bananas. Lauren has performed on the Island several times in the past and is a real favorite for those of us who like music. For more information on Lauren visit her website, www.laurenecho.com. Also there will be concerts performed by the Metropolitan Choir (San Juan) at the Fort. Since we do not get many cultural events on the island, nor live music, these should be fun to attend. Help support one of my favorite charities in Vieques, the Vieques Humane Society, by attending a fundraiser at Casa La Lanchita (one of my favorite guest houses!). The Humane Society does so much for the animals of Vieques and runs on such a tight budget that they often struggle this time of year. Learn more about what they do and help to feed and care for animals that are awaiting adoption by attending this great event. Not sure that the Mar Azul is the place you want to be for Halloween? Well then join the awesome staff of US Fish and Wildlife for their lecture and field tour of the Bats of Vieques. Learn just how much bats do for us, and why they need not be feared. This should be fun and a great thing to do with kids if you are visiting the island.

For anyone who is interested, my treatments continue to go as scheduled. I am feeling pretty good through the chemotherapy but it may be also because I am doing so many other things to support my treatment. I have been very fortunate to have a incredibly generous, loving family that encourages me to work with a nutritionist, a homeopathic doctor, an acupuncturist, a psychologist, and Reiki Master. When my niece is not chasing after her 18 month old son, she does some Reflexology on my feet as well! I also have been fortunate to work with Starr Fuentes, a healer that I met in Vieques a few years ago, I see her again this month. I am blessed to be able to have access to these things and the wonderful individuals who make up my team! I am also blessed because so many people have been praying for me and sending good energy my way, I literally feel wrapped up with positive energy and good wishes. It definitely is helping me through this healing time. I look forward to getting a clean bill of health and returning to Vieques full time and resuming a more active role in Vieques Events which I miss doing. Again thanks to all of you (many that I have never met) who have emailed, sent cards, prayed, affirmed, sent good wishes, etc., it really is amazing to experience the warmth and support it provides while I go through this.

The Calendar is below. Remember Hurricane Season ends at the end of the month. If any of you are even thinking about visiting Vieques in the coming months, do not wait to enquire about lodging and rental cars. Christmas through Easter are the busiest months of the year and rooms and cars are booked well in advance. There are still not enough rental cars to get through the busy months so better to have the car booked and cancel than be disappointed when one is not available. The island continues to be written up in Travel magazines and sections of newspapers so don’t be disappointed if you wait until it is to late and you can not get the hotel of your choice.
Have a wonderful time on your next visit to Isla Nena.  Update on Lyman!
 

While I was in Vieques I did get to see Lyman and he was healing nicely. I saw many of the 14 stab wounds that had healed. He is in good spirits, awaiting the trial and looking forward to putting all this behind him. I did hear that he would be reopening Coconuts soon and that Ali was going to be in the kitchen with her own recipes. Be sure to stop by and see Lyman, he is one of our new heros!

Thanks for reading,

Judy
 

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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