More Love from the Island

Mustique is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I am convinced of that, even though I have seen very little of earth. The flora is so diverse and abundant, the fauna is strange and wonderful. Every morning at breakfast, little yellow birds come to visit us at the table. Today, we saw a frangipani caterpillar, and enormous fellow, crawling along the decking. Driving around the island is and adventure, because goats wander freely, grazing everywhere. And then there are the tortoises, who seem to prefer the road to any other place for walking, sunning, and just generally getting in the way. Lisa has gotten very good at shooing them out of the way. There are some strange long tailed marsupials that run around at night. The water is crystal clear, and you can see fish, sea urchin, and the occasional nasty stinging thing. (Suzanne found that for us.) We have private access to Macaroni Beach, considered the most best beach on the island, and one of the world's most beautiful. It is down a staircase/pathway that is impossibly steep, and has become our daily workout.

We are learning our way around the island by car. There are no street signs or other markings, because the villa owners and visitors are the type who enjoy their privacy, so we have done some loops and circles, but have enjoyed the adventure of it all. It's hard to really get lost on an island, especially one 3 miles around. We are on the windward (Atlantic) side, so have perpetual breezes, and a bit rougher surf. Today, we ventured to the leeward (Caribbean) side, and plopped down on Endeavour Beach, which is part of the Cotton House, the hotel on the island. They were gracious enough to allow us to use the beach chairs and avail ourselves of the bar, where we had fresh fruit smoothies. We spent about an hour and a half swimming and sunning there, then went back to Macaroni Beach, where Junior, our chef, met us with a picnic lunch. We were expecting sandwiches. We got BBQ ribs and chicken, rice salad, green salad, and coconut butter cake. So good.

But I am ahead of myself. Let's catch up on Sunday night and Monday, shall we? After our soufflé lunch Sunday, we got all dressed up and went to Firefly, considered the best restaurant on the island. We had some lovely cocktails in the bar area, then repaired to the dining room for dinner, where we were the only patrons. Did I mention it is rather off-season here? We all agreed that the food was nice, but rather unremarkable, and that Junior was a better chef. Typical tourist spot. Small portions, high prices..oh well, we have fun wherever we go.

 

Every breakfast begins with coffee. Now, I am a half-caff drinker, but for some reason this coffee is not giving me the jitters. It is strong, but smooth and not bitter at all. We have fresh squeezed orange juice, and then a platter of fresh fruit. All of the fruit comes from St. Vincent, and is at the peak of ripeness. Banana, pineapple, mango, papaya, and melons. I didn't think I liked papaya, but now I realize it is because I never had really ripe fruit. One morning, we had passionfruit. Bitter, but intensely flavored. Junior has made us eggs, bacon, banana pancakes, toast...all fantastic and simple.

 

Yesterday's lunch was a simple meal of pasta with homemade marinara and salad. Junior was saving the big bang for dinner. He made lamb chops, whipped potatoes, fresh peas and carrots, steamed local squash, and passionfruit cheesecakes for dessert. It was perfection. Oh yeah, and I forgot about the starter. Callalloo soup. It's a green with a flavor somewhere between spinach and sorrel. It was so good.

 

 

 

You may wonder if we are getting a little rotund at this point, but no, we are staying very active. We go on nature hikes, swim, and walk up and down that crazy beach path. I'm trying to run, and a few of the girls played tennis today. Tomorrow we are taking a snorkeling boat down to Tobago Key to swim and snorkel with the sea turtles. Right now, we're headed to the Cotton House for cocktails (by invitation only, woohoo!) Then back here for another Junior creation.

 

Be back tomorrow, my friends.