Tobago, A-go-go

This past weekend BF and I had the pleasure of hosting his brother and sister-in-law in Trinidad. We played around Port of Spain for a day and then decided it was time to grab the ferry over to Tobago.

The TT Spirit is an amazing high-speed hydrofoil ferry that gets you from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Scarborough, Tobago in 2.5 hours. It is super comfortable and they play movies on the way. There is only one downfall to the Saturday morning ferry: it departs at 6:30 AM and you must be there 2 hours early to load your car!!! Getting up at 3:45 AM is a new one for this puppy.

Here is our view from the ferry leaving Port of Spain at the crack of dawn. I would show you the pictures of us on the ferry but it was so early. So scary.

When we arrived in Tobago we drove off of the ferry and made our way to the jaw dropping Plantation Beach Villa we rented. 3 bed, 3.5 bath, Caribbean views, and huge covered porches off of every room. Did I mention that we had a maid/cook that made us yummy fruit salads and cooked up some drool worthy bacon? Thank you, Nadine.

The style of this cottage is called "Gingerbread." You will find it all over both islands.

Who wouldn't want to wake up to this view every morning? Have I ever told ya'll that the sun starts to rise at 5:45 AM here? It does, and it's bold. And beautiful.

Sweet J & K. We miss them already!

While in Tobago we relaxed on the beach, played games late into the night on the porch, had some fabulous drinks (Brown Cows and Pina Coladas...) and snorkeled in the crystal blue water.

The last activity was a big deal because I'm deathly afraid of fish. Not in an aquarium setting though. I love the Baltimore Aquarium. For me, I just don't like to be swimming in the same area as sea critters. Remember my "Leatherback Turtle Incident" from a couple of weeks ago?

I'm so glad that we went. Tobago has one of the largest coral reefs in the world with some of the best snorkeling and diving. We chose to snorkel at Arnos Vale, known as the best diving on the island. It was like visiting another world.

If you're looking for fun and an unbelievable underwater world you better head to Tobago, West Indies. Don't worry the tiny island has an airport.

From the Heart

Laura Bush is an amazing woman. She is sharing her story in her first interview with Oprah right now as I'm typing this post. She is the epitome of class, charm, elegance and a true daughter of Texas. The former First Lady's new book is out I'm ordering it now. It is sure to be an inspirational read. You can find it here.

I Got the Blues...

No, I'm not depressed. On the contrary in fact, I'm extra happy. Played a rousing couple games of tennis this morning, followed by one-on-one help from my coach and then hit the fresh fruit/veggie market. But the whipped cream on this pie sits below.

A Life's Design posted this picture today and I fell in love. I'm a sucker for a navy sofa. Anything with piping can crawl right into bed with me. The sweet patterned ottoman is perfection. I'm pretty sure that I inherited my love for navy from my mama. There is just something classic and chic about navy. A Life's Design's photo gave me the urge to pull out some of my favorite navy living rooms.

Forgive me but I can't remember where these three other photos originated from. What color makes you happy?

Caddie Shack III

Every golfer (I think human) should know that Caddyshack was the best golf movie ever made. They should also know that eight years later the worst golf movie ever made was released, Caddyshack II. Sorry Rodney Dangerfield, there is a reason that comedic geniuses Bill Murray and Chevy Chase didn't sign on for the second installment. It sucked.

On that note, allow me to introduce you fine people with a real caddie shack. Emphasis on the "shack." This is out at a little muni course in Chaguaramas, Trinidad.

Walk the walk, while talking

My friend and I are determined to get back into shape with the goal of completing one strenuous physical activity per day. Most days we play golf (walking and carrying our own clubs), play two hours worth of hard-core tennis, or find something else active to do like swimming laps. Monday we decided to walk. Look how sunny my disposition was before we got rained on. Captain Lulu Walks Alot.

Here is Shannon walking. Notice the incline. We were walking up a road popular in Port of Spain for cycling, running and walking. At 2.2 steep miles to the top, Lady Chancellor Road is the perfect start to getting in shape. Or so we thought.


The start of our walk began at Queen's Park Savannah, the "Central Park" of Trinidad. That large grassy area in the picture below is the park. Yeah, that's where we started. Others like to stay in the park and play cricket and football (soccer) while we crazy ladies haul our cookies up some steep road using only our feet. Suckers.



And then we went even higher. Lady Chancellor Road dead ends at an area called, Lookout Point. More like make out point, right guys? Well, the only people up there Monday were a bunch of old ladies stretching there gloits and dloits. How romantic.

Below you see me trying to scare incoming rain clouds away with my huge guns. At least my dad tells me they're big. He even asks others to feel them while I flex. Jealous much?


Apparently the clouds were not impressed by my bulging biceps and soaked us anyway.

Cousins

BF's cousin, Cat, sweetly visited us last month and I just recently got my camera back (left it at a friend's) that had all of our adventures on it. If it is cold or rainy wherever you are, please enjoy these sunny scenes.

Fun on the golf course. I promise that while I am happy to see you that is just a golf ball in my pocket.

Cat totally got a Trini proposal from our caddie, Nigel.

Nigel loves the ladies. Look at him, just claimed his undying love to Cat and is already hanging on our friend, Shannon. Player.

Out on the town.

New friends.

Maracas Beach.

This is how they get coconuts down from the trees. One guy shimmies all the way to the top and puts a rope around the bunch. Then this guy down below pulls them all down. These trees are really tall and the skinny little guy climbs up without anything besides the rope and the pair of shorts he's wearing.

Cat was managing the situation to make sure that everything was up to code. She is good like that.

Thanks for visiting Trinidad, Cat! See you back in Dallas.

Common Ground

As some of you know, I worked for the Bush Administration during my time in Washington. I will let you interpret my political leanings from that bit of information. The current President and myself do not see eye-to-eye on, let's be honest, anything. Until now.

It would seem that POTUS loves him some pie. A senior White House adviser has reported that it is the President's weakness. I'm right there with you, buddy. I love pie so much that I dedicated an entire room to the delicious dessert at my wedding in November.


Pie unites us all in peace and harmony. Okay, maybe not. But at least it unites us in yummy noises and calories.


Maybe the world will be right again. All we need is pie. Preferably pie from The Pantry in McKinney, TX.

Whole songs have been written about pies. My mom reminded me of Andie McDowell's tribute from the movie Michael. My favorite is from the film, Waitress with Kerri Russell. I will sing my little ones to sleep with this song of "strawberry love" one day.