Mai Thai Wanderings

New Year's Resolution for Year of the Dragon

2012-01-22T18:30:00.004-05:00

I apologize for my inconsistent and irregular blog postings. I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolution, but this year I decided that I needed to make one. I need some motivation to get back on track. It’ll be my first new year’s resolution ever, and these are my goals:

1. Write and blog more consistently.
2. Get organized
3. Keep in touch with family and friends
4. Exercise regularly
5. Take frequent breaks from my computer

Am I late to the new year’s resolution party? Not if you are celebrating the lunar new year. Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. Good fortune, success, favorable - these are words associated with the year of the dragon. Sounds like an auspicious beginning to me. I’ll drink to that. To health, happiness and prosperity!

Happy New Year!

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Happy Chinese New Year
Smelling the roses in Miami, Fl
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Holiday Decor and Lights in New Orleans

2011-12-20T00:26:00.019-05:00

We enjoyed New Orleans so much last year we decided to go again this holiday season. This time, for a week with family. We got the timeshare Hotel de l'Eau Vive on Tchoupitoulas Street, off of bustling Canal Street, and just around the corner from Harrahs Casino, and a short stroll to the French Quarter. While the location was perfect, the timeshare was a whole different story. I won't dwell on it. Just know that a 2 bedrooms unit that sleeps 6 has only 1 bath. With a huge round, old bathtub that is good for parties, no doubt. Marked by long alley ways with exposed brick, this old building certainly has character.

Unwilling to fork out over $25 for parking every night, we searched diligently for a parking spot. We lucked out the first three nights at a parking lot for $10/day. Turned out that was the weekend rate, because when Monday rolled around, the rate shot up to $31! We hastily looked for parking elsewhere, and finally succumbed to Harrah's draw. The casino validates your parking if you play for at least a half hour. Fortunately, there were plenty of nickel slot machines around. We splurged $5 to gamble for half an hour for three days! Not a bad deal if you are disciplined and know how to manage your risks:-)

French Quarter, Jackson Square, Bourbon, Royal, Canal and Magazine Streets - we covered them all. We walked, shopped, ate (Commanders Palace is still our favorite restaurant!) and listened to music. Truly, anything goes in N'awlins. One evening in different parts of the French Quarter, we ran into a Santa Convention and a New Orleans jazz wedding. The latter was escorted by police, followed by a brass band parading the guests into their hotel reception. Very beautiful and unique. On our last evening, we saw the Lafayette Marching Band (University of Louisiana) performing at various locations on Canal Street. Other highlights include a ferry ride on the Mississippi River and a side trip to Baton Rouge. We took the scenic route to Baton Rouge, stopping at Oak Alley Plantation to check out the gorgeous grounds. All in all, a fun, memorable trip.

Hotel MonteleoneSanta Convention at the Hotel Monteleone Quintessential New Orleans architectureA home in the Garden District. A boater, ya think?free ferry ride across the Mississippi River one foggy afternoonOak Alley Plantation A recap of our N'awlins trip from last year

How was your holiday season?

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College footbal rivalry: Georgia Tech vs Kansas

'Tis the season to be giving

2011-12-12T11:01:00.013-05:00

Every holiday season, our boater neighbor Janice gathers a group of her friends to visit Orange Grove, a residential facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she used to work. Janice and her friends buy lunch and gifts for the 8 patients in the Orange Grove facility in Tiftonia. What a joy to watch them open their gifts!

Before heading to Orange Grove, the group enjoyed a luncheon at Logan's
Santa's helpers - Milly, Janice, Glenda, Elizabeth and Cindy (Shelby and Sharon not in picture)

In the spirit of giving, I got my ESL class at Chattanooga State Community College to participate in a project to send Military Care Packages to Sgt Brad Rich, a TN Adult Education teacher who was recently deployed to the Middle East for a tour of duty. Thank you everyone for participating! Thank you Cindy for the gifts from the Chatt State Bookstore! We appreciate it.
Below are some pictures of our packages and our Christmas party.

As we celebrate with our friends and family this holiday season, let's count our blessings and be grateful for what we have. Merry Christmas and have a wonderful holiday!

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'Tis the season to be jolly

2011-11-26T21:13:00.008-05:00

A few days after Halloween, a friend and I made a trip to nearby Atlanta to do our Asian grocery shopping. We decided to take the backroads so we can enjoy the scenic fall foliage in NW Georgia. We stopped at Ellijay for lunch and shopped at the outlets in Dawsonville. By the way, William Sonoma has an outlet there, and the stuff and prices are outstanding.

We were starving when we got to the HMart Plaza in Duluth. We immediately headed for Chung Dam. It was my first time there. I had sashimi, and was quite disappointed. I couldn't recognize two of the fish on my platter. The banchan was alright. I still prefer Book Chang Dong, my favorite Tofu House directly across the parking lot from Chung Dam. I've never had a bad meal there.

Chung DamBanchan (a little skimpy, but then shashimi doesn't come with it)Sashimi (didn't see yellowtail or mackerel. Did you?)

Anyway, my biggest surprise was finding the restaurant all decked up with Christmas decorations. It was strange listening to Christmas music in early November. Call me old fashioned, but I can't get into the Christmas spirit until I'm done with Thanksgiving. Why take the wind away from the best holiday of the season?

Now fast forward three weeks. It's Thanksgiving week. We were invited to a boater friend's niece's home. It was so sweet of them to include us in their family gathering of over 30 members. I could not get over how efficient these people were. Everything was set up on the kitchen counter, ready to go. The garage was turned into a hall where tables were set up and festively decorated. The drinks and desserts were conveniently laid out there as well. Too bad we forgot to bring the camera:-(! We are thankful for the delicious Southern food and the great company. Thank you David and Janice for the invite!

The day after Thanksgiving, we rounded up the troops and had a hot pot dinner. With all the stuff we got from Atlanta - mix seafood, tofu, mung bean noodles - plus some fresh veggies like spinach and napa cabbage, and of course shrimp, sliced chicken, pork and beef.

Putting up lights and Christmas decorations, playing Christmas music. Now we're talking. 'Tis the season to be jolly.

How was your Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping?

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Christmas lights at Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville, TN

Fall Colors along the Tennessee River

2011-11-06T15:45:00.004-05:00

The word is out. Gary Kramer, contributing editor of Heartland Boating magazine got wind of the Color Cruise Festival, and came to our marina last October to do a story on the event. The result is "Glory of Autumn on Display," which appeared in the magazine's October issue. It touched on the history of the festival, the beautiful Tennessee River Gorge, and the boaters who cruised here for the party every year.

Tennessee River Gorge from atop Signal Mountain, early September Fall colors along the river near our marina last weekend

We had the Color Cruise party last weekend. It was a tad smaller. The weather wasn't exactly boater friendly. Most boaters had cruised in the rain on Friday to get to our marina. Some of these die-hard boaters have been making the trip here for the last 15 years, no matter the weather, and Color Cruise Festival or not. That Friday evening, the rain stopped, but it got windy, and the temperature went down to the 40s. We huddled around the stove top fire (from Steve's homemade burner) to keep warm while eating our potluck dinner.
The next day, the sun came out and the afternoon got warmer. The marina had continued the tradition of the Color Cruise Festival with a bluegrass band and a handful of vendors. There was chatter about fried Oreo cookies. This is one cookie even the French crave. Now we have to fry it? Give me a break.

Thanks to Ronnie and Sharon, we were treated to a cruise on their boat Killerbees, which incidentally is for sale (the 37-foot Sea Ray). This year's fall colors are prettier than years past. And this was the perfect weekend to see it.

The captains - Doug, Ronnie and SteveOur buddy boat, Hula Girl (Greg and Cindy)First mates Glenda and Shelby
First mates Elizabeth and SharonAnd their precious dogs - Skipper and Tippy

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Hiking at Fall Creek Falls

2011-10-21T11:45:00.002-04:00

Fall Creek Falls in the Spring

Fall Creek Falls State Park is a huge park, comprising over 20,000 acres of nature, complete with campground facilities, playgrounds, picnic and grilling facilites, creeks, cascades, waterfalls, suspension bridges, and a nature center. If that isn't enough, there is also a golf course, a lake and an inn. We first visited Fall Creek Falls State Park in the spring of this year. We were smitten with the park's beauty and planned to come back again in the fall.

Fall is a beautiful time of year in Chattanooga. From late September to mid October, we'd get cool mornings, sunny days followed by colder nights. This kind of weather is perfect for hiking the mountains around here. I offered my ESOL students and their families to hike with us at Falls Creek Falls. The park is an easy hour and a half's drive from downtown Chattanooga. After hiking a couple of trails, we had a picnic. The kids had a blast, as did the adults. Hoping to see more fall colors, we went again the following week. Unfortunately, the leaves that had turned were either blown away or were brown; they did not get a chance to reach its peak of brilliant reds, oranges or yellows, like the fall colors you see up north.

But our hikes down the cascades to Cane Falls and Fall Creek Falls, and our walks on the swaying suspension bridges were exhilarating and lots of fun.

Cane FallsFall Creek Falls
Hiking at Fall Creek Falls State Park
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Fall Colors at the Chattanooga Farmers Market

2011-10-11T22:22:00.001-04:00

At the spur of moment two Sundays ago, we rounded up the usual suspects at the marina to go for breakfast in downtown Chattanooga. Hoping to try a new restaurant this time, we shooted for Southern Star, only to find that it was closed. Our fall back plan was to go back to our favorite greasy spoon restaurant - City Cafe. A quintessential diner opened 24 hours, this is a place popular with locals and tourists alike, and it was packed as usual. Luckily, our group of 8 didn't have to wait too long; we got seated in about 15 minutes.

After feeding our growling stomachs, we drove several blocks over to the Chattanooga Market. Unbeknownst to us, we were showing some locals their hometown. Wanderers like us always seize the opportunity to explore, so there aren't too many local (as opposed to touristy) places we haven't visited in our 5 years of living in Chattanooga. The market was busier than we last visited. The theme was Culture Fest, and the festivities included cooking demonstration, Japanese tea ceremony, and many kinds of dances - from Indian to Mexican Aztec to Filipino bamboo dance. Fall harvest like mums, apples, pumpkins and many varieties of squash were on display at various vendors. It was a lovely fall day to be outside!

The Chattanooga Market

Belly dancers from Zanzibar Studio Lone Mountain Band playing bluegrass music

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College football rivalry - Georgia Tech vs Kansas

2011-09-30T06:40:00.002-04:00

Fall is for football. College football, that is. The rivalry between Georgia and Tennessee fans on our dock at the marina has given us many clues that football is a big part of the culture in the South. We got a taste of it a couple of weekends ago at the Bobby Dodd Stadium in Georgia Tech, Atlanta, our first football game ever. We had fantastic second row seats, right in front of the Georgia Tech team, so we could see everything that was going on with the team and its coach.

Our day started out meeting our friends at the MARTA Lenox Square station (a little more than two hours' drive for us) on the Gold Line, where we parked our cars. A short ride on the subway took us to North Avenue Station. From there, it was a short walk to the Georgia Tech campus. We stopped at the Barnes and Noble Starbucks for some much needed caffeine and donuts.

Recharged, we roamed around the campus. As we head towards the stadium, we passed by rows of tailgate parties that were clearly in full swing. Tailgate parties are as much a part of the football experience as the game itself. This part, I dig, very well. The game, we're still learning about it.

Revelers tailgating before the gameat Yellow Jacket Alley, outside the Bobby Dodd StadiumThe Georgia Tech Marching Band and Yellow JacketsCheerleadersThe cheering Yellow JacketsGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets won big

It is definitely more exciting watching the game at the stadium than on TV. Following the ball, and seeing a player score a touchdown is so much more exciting! The fans, the cheerleaders, the camaderie, the noise, the band and the music - these vibes in the stadium are unbelievably energetic, vibrant and fun. Will we go to a football, make that college football, game again? Definitely!

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Savoring the last days of summer

2011-09-09T12:25:00.019-04:00

Labor Day weekend is a busy holiday weekend in Boston, as college students descend upon the city to begin a new semester in their adopted home. The city pulsates as these people move in and out of apartments, and wandering around town to explore and discover what Boston has to offer. The Boston Harbor and the Charles River are no doubt packed with boaters taking advantage of the last few weekends of a glorious summer.

Boats on the Charles River, near MITHarvard SquareNewburyport, 45 minutes north of Boston

Out on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga (ok, 25 miles south of the city) last Saturday, there was nary a soul in sight. Not even the avid fisherman was out. Turns out that Labor Day weekend is the start of college football. Everyone was home, kicking back to watch the first game of the season.

We knew college football is big in the South, but didn't realize how big. Thanks to Jim and Beth, we'll be attending our first college football game at Georgia Tech in Atlanta next Saturday. We're looking forward to the camaraderie and excitement of a ballgame on campus. And to some finger-licking barbecue in Atlanta.

And how was your summer?

Kicking back at Lake Nickajack (Cedar Key anchorage) a year ago

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Cool restaurants accessible by boats

2011-08-24T13:35:00.003-04:00

Leland, aka Fishtown, courtesy of Captain Bill Crandell of C-Worthy Charter Fishing

This picture in the August issue of Bon Appetit magazine caught my attention and inspired me to write this post. Chef Mario Batali wrote about his visits to Leelanau Peninsula in Michigan, and how he and his wife loved it so much that they ended up buying a 1920s fish camp near Traverse City. The chef talked about the food scene and the tranquil life on the peninsula. Fishtown, a former commercial fishing port in the 50s, is now a cool lakeside dining spot.

Our fourteen years of boating, and cruising from New England to Florida and the South have taken us to numerous exciting and delicious dockside restaurants. These are some memorable ones:

Prescott Park Docks in Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Warren's Lobster House, Kittery, Maine
When we lived in Boston, we used to drive an hour north to Kittery to shop at the outlets, and before heading home, we would stop at Warren's. It has a humongous salad bar, and we adore the fried clams (with bellies), the chowder and the lobster. There is 75 feet of free docking space here, although we never came by boat.

We were tied up across the river at the Prescott Park Docks in Portsmouth, New Hampshire once, and only had to walk 15 minutes across the bridge to the restaurant. Portsmouth itself is an artsy New England seaside town with lots of great restaurants.

Phillips, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Md

The Chesapeake Bay is a wonderful cruising ground with many historic sites to visit and countless places to drop the anchor. If you are fan of blue crabs like we are, you would be delighted with the abundance of crabhouses in this region. We spent one fabulous August docked at Anchorage Marina, which is within walking distance to the Inner Harbor, and the quaint neighborhoods of Fells Point, Little Italy and Canton. Safeway supermarket, Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse are all conveniently located across the street from the marina.

Seeing the Mayor of Baltimore (now Governor of Maryland) performed a concert with his band The O’Malley March at nearby Patterson Park was impressive. At the vibrant Inner Harbor, retired jazz musicians entertained us as they jammed at Phillips. We love the fun, energetic vibe and the delicious crab cakes!

The dock at Outback Crab Shack, St Augustine, Florida

Remote, rustic and swampy are words that aptly describes the Outback Crab Shack. Located on Six Mile Creek off the St John’s River, Outback Crab Shack offers a dock that stretches for more than a quarter mile, inviting you to tie up here. Before and after your meal, you can let the birds, alligators and turtles mesmerize you for hours.

We had the Low Country Boil with blue crabs. Low Country Boil is a one pot meal that is usually cooked with shrimp, sausage, potato, corn and seasoned with Old Bay. Our only complaint was that the blue crabs were not as meaty as their Chesapeake cousin.

Burdines Waterfront, Marathon, Florida
Manatee drinking water from our boat

Located in the middle Florida Keys, Marathon is a boater's paradise. Not only can you get up close and personal with nature (manatees, dolphins and birds), you also get the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Many cruisers stop here en route to Central America or the Bahamas, whether waiting for a good weather window or waiting for parts (there's always something to repair on the boat!).

Spending one February in Marathon gave us the chance to frequent Burdines Waterfront, which had the best fish sandwich and fries. And incredible sunsets.

The Marco Lodge, Goodland, Fl

A laid-back fishing village, Goodland is quintessential Old Florida. The historic Lodge dates back to 1869.

We were anchored in Goodland, which by the way, is very shallow. Boating friends turned RVers spending their winter in Marco Island, came over in their center console runabout to take us to the restaurant (excellent grouper fingers!) When we returned, Mai Thai was swarmed with gnats all over the window, curtains and lights. Fortunately, these tiny black bugs did not bite, and they weren't very active. We spent the night killing them with masking tape (literally taping them) so as to avoid making a mess!

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Macau - an unusual day trip from Hong Kong

2011-07-27T22:25:00.003-04:00

It is so nice to know that people care. A FB friend sent a message to ask if I was ok after she noticed that I haven't posted in a while. It was so sweet of her. Thanks Lynn!

It has been exactly a month since I last made a posting. Over this time, we lost a fairly young boating friend and an older cousin to cancer. I haven't had the mood to write, and once I stopped, it was difficult to get back on track.

Some writers are able to produce every day. Some carve out many articles on the same topic, and they can do all these in a half hour. I sometimes wonder if I’m cut out to be a writer. I struggled for days to write An unusual day trip from Hong Kong. It will get better, I tell myself. So while I was waiting for the article to be published on AssociatedContent.com from Yahoo!, guess who was on Travel Channel doing a show on Macau last night? Chef, author, and TV personality Anthony Bourdain on No Reservations! The daredevil made out like a bandit at the gambling table, ate his way around Macau and ended the show with a bungee jump from the 61st floor of the modern Macau Tower. Way to go, Anthony!

I enjoyed the show. If you missed it, here’s part one of the show.

Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations - Macau 1:3

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YouTube and Korea's Got Talent

2011-06-27T13:23:00.007-04:00

I love YouTube! I have been a fan ever since its early days. I hope Google is able to make it profitable so we can continue to enjoy the freebies the site provides. I use YouTube to share my videos, teach English pronounciation (there are some excellent video lessons) to my students, watch music videos, news, and foreign TV shows.

My latest craze is with the Korean TV shows. Thanks to their passionate fans, who must have spent countless hours editing these high definition videos with English subtitles, I can watch and understand the shows.

I am NOT a fan of reality shows. I did watch two seasons of American Idol, but when Simon Cowell left, I left with him. I do like the talent shows that showcase singing. Many countries have adopted their own versions of America's Got Talent. These shows give contestants the opportunity to tell their stories and show off their incredible voices and talents. Here's one that will astound and inspire you:

Korea's Got Talent: This video has gone viral. As of today, it has over 8 million views, so it may be a tad slow, but do watch it.

What's your favorite YouTube video?

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Best Beach in America: Siesta Beach, Sarasota

2011-06-18T00:01:00.004-04:00

Every Memorial Day weekend since 1991, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (aka Dr Beach,) Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, comes up with the list of the Top 10 beaches in America. The winner this year is Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida.

I was elated because Siesta Beach is one of my favorite beaches. Over the past several years, I have taken many friends and family to Siesta Beach, and all were impressed with the expansive beach, the tranquil Gulf waters and the incredible white sand. The sunsets are stunning as well.

What's your favorite beach?

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Favorite Destinations: Memphis, Tennessee

2011-05-25T18:12:00.011-04:00

As people were cleaning up and rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the terrifying tornadoes that crippled several towns around southeastern Tennessee on Apr 27th, another natural disaster was unfolding in western Tennessee. We had no power and cable for 8 days (thank God for generators!), so we were totally oblivious to yet another set of bad news.

Apparently, melting snow and heavy rains in March and April had the Mississippi River rising to a level not seen since 1937. On May 10th, the Mississippi River crested in Memphis at 47.8 feet, inundating much of the low lying areas.

The Mississippi River winds through 10 states

Luckily, iconic sites such as Graceland and Beale Street in the Memphis downtown were not affected by the flood. The Mud Island River Park, which is situated next to the mighty Mississippi River, was completely submerged.

One look at the Mississippi River and you will understand why most cruisers try to avoid it. Not only is the swift current daunting, the traffic is heavy with commercial barges. Their captains' Southern speak is equally daunting. And baffling.

The mighty Mississippi River at Memphis on a normal August day
A marina at Mud Island
Click on the map to see a bigger picture of the Mississippi River System

Mai Thai is on the Tennessee River, miles upstream from the Mississippi River, so we are safe from the flood. When we cruised up the inland waterway in 2006, we came in from Gulf of Mexico at Mobile, Alabama, then via the Tennessee-Tombigbee (Tenn-Tom) Waterway. That year, Mai Thai was docked at Midway Marina on the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Midway Marina is a mere 2 hours from Memphis, so we used to visit the city often. We loved the music scene (jazz and blues) and enjoyed the marvelous Memphis style BBQ ribs (dry-rubbed, and Blues City Cafe and Rendezvous are favorites).

Other than Beale Street, our other favorite place is the the 52-acres Mud Island River Park, which, ironically, is dedicated to life on the Mississipi River. The park has an amphitheatre, a museum and a River Walk, a 5-block long replica of the lower Mississippi River. The park is an excellent place to spend a hot summer day with the family.

Monorails take visitors to Mud Island River Park The Mississippi River, as seen from the parkThe Upper Mississippi River, originating in MinnesotaRiver Walk - the 5 block replica of the Lower Mississippi Riverthat winds through farmlands and cities,
and empties into the Gulf of Mexico at New Orleans, Louisiana

As the water recedes, clean up has begun. As a matter of fact, Mud Island River Park reopened yesterday. If you are in the Memphis area, stop by and learn more about the historic flooding.

Here are some links (videos, pictures) to stories about the great flood of 2011.
Great Flood of 2011
Videos and stories from ABC News

Video of Memphis - Mud Island River Park, Beale Street and Graceland

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Tornado ripped up dock at Hales Bar Marina

Deadly tornadoes around Chattanooga

2011-05-02T00:08:00.002-04:00

Tornado activities in Southeastern Tennessee (Hales Bar Marina is about 1 mile east of Haletown)

Wednesday (Apr 27) was rife with activity, tornado activity, that is. We haven't forgotten the last tornado that took out a dock at the marina last month. And barely a week ago, we read about the tornado that had ravaged N. Carolina.

So this time we had the TV on, heeded the tornado warnings and took precautions. People got off their boats and cabins, and hunkered down near the entrance of the tunnel that leads to the old Hales Bar Lock and Dam. High winds from the south was kicking up waves on the Tennessee River and we saw dense clouds moving rapidly around us. After an hour, we called it quits and returned to the boat, making dinner plans with several boaters.

Little did we know.

Hunkering down around the old building that are remnants of the old Hales Bar Lock and Dam

So around 6:30 pm, we were dining alfresco, laughing and toasting to our uneventful day when a loud snap caught our attention. We jumped out of our chairs to see a waterspout heading towards us. The top looked like dense grayish cloud with churning debris, and it was about 500 feet away.

Visions of the movie "Twister" danced before me. I felt adrenaline pumping into my veins and my heart racing. It was the first time I've been so scared. We were ready to duck somewhere safe or run for our lives. But where to hide? How far and fast can we run? Would we be safe if we jumped into the water?

The storm went up the hills
Down trees on the road leading to marina

Just as quickly as it came, it changed direction and went up the hill, destroying everything in its path. We were very lucky. Others were not so fortunate. Our friends in Trenton, Georgia found their town flattened, with two fatalities. We pass by Trenton every time we go hiking at the Cloudland Canyon State Park on Lookout Mountain. By the time it was all over, the vicious storm that swept across 6 southern states had claimed over 300 lives. It is now Monday. We still have no power, but we are grateful to be alive and well.

When the next tornado comes – and it will – we will pay more respect to Mother Nature and stay longer in the shelter.

About 17 miles south of us, Trenton, Georgia
Some storm pictures are courtesy of G. Bean

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Sesame Noodles recipe

2011-04-23T00:12:00.004-04:00

To our family and friends, we are known as the minimalist. The realization that we don't need all "that stuff" was when we moved from a 4-bedroom house with a huge basement to a 1-bedroom condo with a small storage in the basement. Since that time, we have lived with the rule that when we buy something new, we had to throw out something old. Sadly, no antiques in this household:-(! This KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle has helped to keep our house clutter free.

The KISS principle came in handy when we moved aboard Mai Thai, our 37-foot boat. We had no problem adjusting to the tight quarters. We apply this principle to our cooking as well. With a tiny refrigerator and minimal shelve space in the galley, we have to be selective with our choices of spices and sauces. This means using recipes that are simple, easy to make and doesn't call for a lot of ingredients. Here's a simple recipe for Sesame Noodles that you can whip up in half an hour or less. Enjoy!

Sesame Noodles
This is adapted from a recipe I found in Gourmet magazine years ago. It is an excellent side dish to go with rotiserrie chicken or grilled steak or pork chops. Great for potlucks!
Serves 8-12

1 lb Angel Hair pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp sesame oil
¼ cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
½ Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp chili sauce with garlic

1 red bell pepper, cut into matchstick-size strips
2 green onions, minced
½ cup cilantro, minced

In a mixing bowl, whisk olive oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sugar and chili sauce. Set aside.
In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain pasta and transfer to the mixing bowl. Toss the angel hair until it is well coated with the sauce. Add bell pepper, green onions and cilantro.
Note: You can find the chili garlic sauce in Chinese grocery stores.

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A walk down memory lane ... in Boston

2011-04-16T11:23:00.026-04:00

Spring may have sprung in Chattanooga, but in Boston, it was still winter. At least it was or felt like it when we visited almost three weeks ago. Boston is beautiful in the spring and I was looking forward to update my digital photo albums.

A 9 hours drive had taken us to Washington, D.C. We visited some friends and went to see the cherry blossoms. Another plus for my albums! A couple days later, we drove another 9 hours to Boston. It was March 28, and there was remnant of winter on the ground. And more of the wet white stuff was to come April 1st, and this was no April Fool's joke. We had a wedding to attend, and snow spelled trouble with a capital T. Thank God the day turned out nice, and most of snow melted away.

Here are some pictures of our old stomping grounds.

Park Street Church and subway (T) Station, where we get off for work Massachusetts State House atop Beacon HillDowntown Crossing - where we'd walk past on the way to our offices Boston's old City HallPaul Revere's grave at Granary Burying Ground. History buffs will remember the role he played in the American revolution, his famous Midnight Ride.

Harvard Square Harvard University Campus
Marina Bay, where we used to live and boat (UMass and JFK Library in the background)Congratulations Janeen and Bobby!The new coupleFather and daughter dance

Do we miss Boston? Surprisingly, no. We've had it with the weather! Much as we adore Boston and love cruising its waters, it may help to know that there is life after New England. There are plenty of places waiting to be explored - in the south and beyond. The world is calling, so who knows when and where we will head to next?

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Smelling the roses in Miami, Fl
A Ritzy Wedding in Laguna Beach, Ca
Fourth of July on the Charles River with the Boston Pops

Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C.

2011-03-31T17:13:00.000-04:00

After a brutal winter in most parts of the country, spring has arrived, finally! We were lucky to have our trip to Washington, D.C. coincide with the the first day of the Cherry Blossom Festival, which began March 26. Magnificent blooms from over 3,000 flowering cherry trees greeted us and the crowd as we braved the chilly and windy weather walking around the Tidal Basin.

We had parked in one of the Jefferson Memorial parking lots, all the way south at Haines Point. Unbeknownst to us, Haines Point looks out at James Creek Marina, where we had stayed one August when we cruised the Potomac River almost ten years ago. It brought back fond memories of our stay at this incredible city.

Have you been to the Cherry Blossom Festival or visit Washington, D.C.? If not, you need to make plans to visit one of these days.

Related posts:
Smelling the roses in Miami
Memorial Day weekend at Fort McRae Anchorage
Fourth of July on the Charles River with the Boston Pops

Tornado ripped up dock at Hales Bar Marina

2011-03-06T12:45:00.003-05:00

I know this is old news, but if you haven't heard, a tornado moved through the Chattanooga area on Monday, 2/28, flipping a standalone dock at our marina. Per the National Weather Service, 3 tornadoes touched down on southeastern Tennessee that afternoon. The twister that passed through the marina was an EF0 (scale and intensity of a tornado, 0 being the least severe), packed with winds of 85 mph. Businesses and thousands of residents were without power as the tornadoes brought down power lines and annihilated everything in its path.

Unbeknownst to us, a tornado watch was in effect for our area that morning. However, we knew something was up because around 10 a.m., high winds brought white caps and rolling waves into the marina. Mai Thai was rocking and rolling like she was out in the ocean. That a dock float had broken loose from the aforementioned dock and floated past us was an omen for that afternoon.

Dock float broke looseMinutes after the twister hitBoats starting to run away
The aftermath of a twister - dock destroyed at Hales Bar Marina

Around 1 p.m., I was in a different part of town, where I witnessed ominous dark clouds, torrential rain and hail. My husband and a boat neighbor watched the twister come across the river, lifted the dock out of the water and flipped it over and onto the street. The scene unfolded before their eyes in a slow motion fashion. Minutes later, it was all over. A dozen boats were suddenly let loose. What started out as a lazy afternoon for these folks turned into a hectic rescue mission as they called for help and tried to secure those runaway boats.

And who said retired life is boring?

short video and pictures before and after the storm

The #1 Arts Destination - St Petersburg, Florida

2011-02-11T23:21:00.006-05:00

Chihuly Collection

We were smitten with St Petersburg downtown when we pulled into the Vinoy Basin anchorage one March. Museums, parks, walkways and bicycle trails dot the lovely waterfront. Apparently, we aren’t the only ones who thought St Petersburg deserves recognition for its arts. In a poll ran by American Style magazine last summer, readers selected St Pete as the number one top arts destination in Mid-Size Cities.

With the opening of the Dali Museum last month, St Petersburg has been in the news. In case you missed it, this was in the travel section of the New York Times two weekends ago, and this was in Conde Nast Traveler’s concierge.com.

If you are looking for a sunny destination to get away from the winter blues, think no further. Come on down to St Petersburg!

Related posts:
The Salvador Dali Museum moves to its new home in St Pete, Florida
Blues Festival in St Pete, Fl
Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida

Smelling the roses in Miami

2011-01-28T23:41:00.012-05:00

Stiltsville with Miami skyline in the background

We are big on taking it slow. While many boaters run around trying to complete their Great Loop passage in one year, the 6300 miles trip that covers one third of the eastern United States, we have been tied up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. For the last three years! We have our reasons: the high cost of fuel, and recently a part time job. But it hasn’t always been that way.

We used to cruise full time, traveling up and down the east coast, the Bahamas, and the inland waterway. During these travels, we would spend weeks or months at destinations we discovered and liked. There were many memorable ports-of-call. One special place was Miami.

When we arrived at Rickenbacker Marina in Key Biscayne in December 2002, we thought we had made landfall in a foreign country. Nobody in the marina spoke English! People in the slips next to us were from Puerto Rico and Brazil. We met boaters from Argentina, Cuba, Panama, Venezuela and France. At the bus stop, supermarket and even the post office, Spanish was the first language in this part of the United States. It was definitely a culture shock.

Our slip had a beautiful view of the Miami skyline, but because the marina is situated pretty close to the waterway and the inlet, we rocked and roll much of the time, especially on the weekends. Latin music wafted into the night. We enjoyed long walks along the beach and watched some stunning sunsets. In the food department, we were pleasantly surprised to find good quality and authentic Chinese food at several N. Miami Chinese restaurants, which served up sumptuous dim sum and seafood buffet at very reasonable prices. We also got a good dose of Latin American food at Calle Ocho (Little Havana).

We lingered in Miami for three months, long enough to catch two of its biggest events. Every February, Miami plays host to the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (Feb 19-21) and the Miami International Boat Show (Feb 17-21). Whether or not you are into arts or boats, you will be awed by the designs and creativity. So, if you are in town, take the time to stop and smell the roses!

Interested in seeing Miami in action? Here are some videos on cruising Miami, and clubbing in Miami.

Related posts:
Gone Cruisin'
Hot, hot, hot in Miami
Where did the time go?

This post has been entered into the Grantourismo - HomeAway travel writing competition for January .

The Salvador Dali Museum moves to its new home in St Pete, Florida

2011-01-11T22:10:00.013-05:00

I was so excited to be in St Petersburg when it all happened. This morning (1.11.11), the public was invited to the grand opening festivities at the Dali museum. A surreal procession departed from the old Dali location to its new home 8 blocks north, and Her Royal Highness, The Infanta Cristina, Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, the youngest daughter of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain had the honors to cut the ribbon to officially open the new Dali museum in downtown St Petersburg.

The sleek building with a geodesic dome is designed by Yann Weymouth who was the chief design architect for I.M. Pei's glass pyramid addition to the Louvre museum in Paris. Twice the size of the old museum, it houses the largest collection of Dali's work outside of Spain.

The New Dali museum in St Pete, Florida
Salvador Dali look-alike
Try your creativity here
The museum faces the waterfront and is next to Mahaffey Theatre
Visitors outside the Dali museum

Read more about the grand opening here.

So, if you find yourself in in downtown St Petersburg , pay a visit to the Dali museum!

Related posts:
Port of Call: Sarasota, Fl
Blues Festival in St Pete, Fl
Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida

Christmas in New Orleans, Louisiana

2010-12-24T15:30:00.000-05:00

Eat, drink and be merry. Party Central, The Big Easy. New Orleans certainly lives up to its reputation. It is like Beale Street (Memphis), 42nd Street (New York City) and South Beach (Miami) all rolled into one. As you drive (or are stuck in traffic rather) from Bourbon St to Decatur St, music wafts from every corner. And the food, oh the food, from French to Cajun to Creole, they are to die for.

Visiting New Orleans without much cash on hand is a big problem. Many establishments, both small and large, DO NOT take credit cards, much to our surprise. So we didn't get to taste those yummy beignets at Cafe du Monde. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguse. Instead of being cramped into a tiny table with hordes of tourists, we found a much nicer alternative - Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street. Its signature is spacious outdoor seating in a cozy little courtyard with a band playing traditional New Orleans jazz and Christmas songs. We savored some delicious gumbo, followed by mouth watering beignets with cafe au lait. We toasted to our luck in discovering this lovely place.

Christmas time is definitely a wonderful time to visit New Orleans. The weather is pleasant, the city dazzles with festive Christmas lights and decorations. There are Christmas concerts and carols in various parts of the city. This trip will go down in our family history book as one of the best places to spend an unforgettable Christmas holiday season. Wish you were here too!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, y'all!

Bourbon St at night
At the Royal Sonesta Hotel

A home in the garden district

The bustling Jackson SquareA Christmas holiday concert in St Louis Cathedral

Holiday Boat Parades

2010-12-05T22:10:00.003-05:00

We have been very fortunate to have several opportunities to see some awesome boat parades and festivals over the years. From the magnificent Tall Ships that visit Boston every decade to the famous Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale, these boat parades and festivals are truly one of a kind. Hopefully, our videos here will impress you enough to attend or participate in one somewhere. Check out this link to see the upcoming boat parades in Florida.

One December Saturday in 2005, we found ourselves in the center of a boat parade. We were anchored at Bimini Basin in Cape Coral, off of the Caloosahatchee River. Overlooking a lovely park and gorgeous homes, Bimini Basin is one of our favorite anchorages. It has a free dinghy dock, and is a short walking distance to supermarkets, restaurants and a laundromat, all things cruisers love. On this particular day, we were expecting two sets of friends on their Endeavor catamarans to come in for the night. After they set their anchor, we dinghied over to socialize with them. We saw the crowd in the park growing bigger and the music wafting through the anchorage getting louder. Something was definitely up. As more and more illuminated vessels drifted in, we realized we were smack in the middle of some festive boat parade. How lucky were we? We had a blast!

Boat Parade in Bimini Basin, Cape Coral, Florida

Now, fast forward to last night. Our marina (Hales Bar) had a chili cookout, followed by a mini-boat parade. A small fleet of five boats went out, two of which were all decked out with impressive lights and holiday decorations. We went all the way to the U.S. Hwy 41 Bridge (and heard some honking on the bridge) before turning around. It got windy when we returned to our slip, but oh what fun!

The Awfiss (Steve and Glenda's boat)
Kevin and Connie's boat, which also participated at Chattanooga's Boat Parade on 11/26

Holiday Lights from Hales Bar Marina, near Chattanooga, TN

Wishing you warmth and cheer for a fun holiday season!

The Tall Ships return to Boston
Fourth of July on the Charles River in Boston
Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida

Black Eyed Peas Salsa

2010-11-22T15:46:00.004-05:00

In the spring of 2006, we crossed the Gulf of Mexico from Anclote Key (near Tarpon Springs) to Dog Island. We took our time cruising the Florida Panhandle, exploring the magnificent beaches of the Redneck Riviera, as this area is often called.

Shell Island, Panama CityBarge traffic on the Gulf ICW heading towards Mobile Bay
Lulu’s

On our way to Mobile, Alabama, we passed by Lulu’s, a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister Lucy, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We were trying to make time, so we did not stop. Friends who had visited, raved about it. One received Lulu’s cookbook for a mother's day gift one year, and she fixed us the delightful Black Eyed Pea Salsa. Thanks, Janice!

Black eyed peas are widely grown in the south, and hence a familiar ingredient in many Southern dishes. It is associated with luck, and is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day.

If you are looking for a unique appetizer that is not only healthy and but also delicious and easy to make, black eyed peas salsa is the perfect recipe. The flavor of the vinaigrette with the black eyed peas will tantalize your taste buds. This is a fabulous appetizer for your cocktail or holiday party.

The following black eyed peas salsa recipe is adapted from a dish served at Lulu’s. The recipe serves lots, which is great for the holidays when parties are in full swing, but you can also halve it. The black eyed peas salsa will be a big hit with your guests; I guarantee it. Enjoy!

Salsa
3 (15-oz) cans black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 cup green bell pepper, diced
1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup red onion, diced
1 cup cilantro, finely chopped

Dressing
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¾ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1. In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and black pepper. Set aside.
2. In large glass bowl, toss together the black eyed peas, all the bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onions and cilantro. Pour dressing over the black eyed peas mixture, and toss to combine. Transfer to plastic container, cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
3. Serve with tortilla chips.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea'

Related posts:
Cruising the gulf coast of Florida: Anclote Key to Dog Island
Memorial Day weekend at Fort McRae Anchorage
Chestnuts picking in the fall at Solomons Island, Maryland

Travel Deals of the week , Nov 3

2010-11-03T22:12:00.007-04:00

The Renaissance R1 anchored off Rhodes, Greece Carpet weaver at a carpet store in Kusadasi, Turkey

For over a dozen years, I have been getting newsletters on great travel deals from various sources via emails. We have booked on several of these travel deals ourselves over the years. One incredible deal was a 9-day Greek Isles vacation which included a 5-day cruise from Istanbul, Turkey to Athens, Greece over the Thanksgiving holiday. As a matter of fact, my my writeup on this trip just got published today on AssociatedContent.com, where I am a featured travel contributor.

Some of the top travel deals at TravelZoo this week includes the following:

$299 -- Oceanview Cabin on 7-Night Caribbean Cruise from Ft Lauderdale, Fl to Thomas, St. Maarten and the Bahamas

$699 -- Mediterranean 9-Night Spring Cruise plus $200 Credit*
Sail Roundtrip from Rome on Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas to Italy, Greece and Turkey. Sale ends Friday, Nov. 5.

$318 -- Las Vegas 4-Night Getaway from Tampa on Southwest, which allows you to check up to 2 bags per person free of charge!

$79 -- Savannah: Historic District Hotel (Inn at Ellis Square)incl. Breakfast

$79 -- Downtown Atlanta Hotel (Hyatt Regency) incl. Holidays, 50% Off
Check out what this Southern Belle has to offer!

Fall Foliage in Chattanooga, Tennessee

2010-10-28T10:38:00.003-04:00

Entrance to Raccoon Mountain

When we embarked on our cruise up America’s inland waterways from Florida, we had absolutely no idea what to expect from the deep south. We were pleasantly surprised to find elegant homes with beautiful gardens lining the rivers, friendly people, and fabulous food (love the barbecue and fried catfish!) We were thrilled to learn about civil war history and discover cities like Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta. But it is Chattanooga that charmed us the most.

The city that once upon a time was the dirtiest city in America has undergone a renaissance over the last decade. Anchored with a signature aquarium, Chattanooga has revitalized its downtown and waterfront, transforming it into a favorite tourist destination. In 2009, Money Magazine’s September issue named Chattanooga as one of the best places to retire. Since then, it has garnered more accolades.

Surrounded by mountains and lakes, Chattanooga has lots of activities to offer families and outdoor enthusiasts. The opportunities to climb, hike, bike, kayak and fish abound. Every which way you turn, you are greeted with stunning scenery. When the leaves change color in the fall, Chattanooga is a beautiful city to hike or drive around.

I especially like Raccoon Mountain, because it is practically in my backyard. Raccoon Mountain is a unique TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) hydroelectric facility where water is pumped from Lake Nickajack on the Tennessee River to a storage reservoir on top of the mountain. This water is later released to generate electricity during periods of high electric demand. You can stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about TVA and its facilities across the Tennessee Valley, and to see a jaw-dropping view of the Tennessee River Gorge. This intriguing facility is also popular recreation spot for mountain biking, hiking, fishing and bird watching. There is also a boat ramp for launching your boat.

Come and discover Chattanooga yourself!

Related posts:
Cruising the Tennessee River at Lake Nickajack
Where did the time go?
The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 1

This post has been entered into the Grantourismo - HomeAway travel writing competition for October.

Yes, you can. Build a boat yourself

2010-10-14T22:04:00.004-04:00

With a plan from Glen-L.

We learned about the company several weeks ago when a group of people descended on our marina with their oh so cute little miniature boats. Apparently they built these boats themselves with blueprints from Glen-L!

How do you like this boat name - FastIdiots?

Not only do these talented people know how to build cute little boats, but they also know how to party. We had fun chatting with some of them, and even met some boaters who used to cruise on bigger boats. We discovered that we were all docked on the St Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida around the same year. They were at the Ortega River Yacht Club while we were just around the corner, at Ortega River Boat Yard. We reminisced about our good old days on the Ortega River/St Johns River. These people were so nice (aren't most boaters?) as to offer us a ride on their beautiful boat Beaujolais. We had two friends with us, and it was their first time on a boat. We had a blast. Thank you Adam and Elaine!

The most beautiful college campus in the South

2010-09-19T11:50:00.007-04:00

Can you think of a top liberal arts college in the South?

Welcome to the University of the South. I first heard about the beautiful campus from a boater friend. The next time the name crossed my radar screen was when I saw it in the U.S. News and World Report liberal arts college ranking. The University of the South was built in 1857 by the bishops of the Episcopal Church. A stunning stained-glass Chapel with a 5,000-pipe organ and a majestic bell tower are among its unique buildings. Walking around the campus, you may get the feeling you are wandering around Oxford University. To this day, the professors and honor students still wear academic robes.

Sitting on 13,000 acres, atop the Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville, the University of the South has plenty of outdoor activities to offer its students, from hiking, biking to rock climbing. It is only half hour from our marina, and now that the weather is a tad cooler, we took the opportunity to explore the university yesterday. While researching for some hiking trails, I came across surveys and reports (Princeton Review, Sherman Travel) that listed University of the South as one of the top 10 most beautiful campus.

Take a look at the video and see if you agree...

Cruising the Tennessee River at Lake Nickajack

2010-09-12T21:21:00.002-04:00

The captain had such a good time swimming in the river last weekend he wanted to do it again. And why not? It's still hot during the day, with temperatures in the 90s, so we thought we'd get some swimming in before the summer’s over.

passing by the ubiquitous see Rock City sign

Embayment at the base of Little Cedar Mountain

Less than five miles away from our marina is a little cove at the base of Little Cedar Mountain (green daymarker 426.9), where we often anchor on weekends. This lovely cove is sheltered, with wind protection from every direction except the south. Water depth decreases to 16 feet, 12 if you venture in a little more. This anchorage is big enough to hold several boats. A mid-size powerboat was already at anchor when we pulled in around 7 Friday evening. After we set our anchor, we hung out on the flybridge to enjoy the scenery and the tranquility of the evening.

A Blue Heron broke the silence when it let out a hoarse cry as it flew inches above the river across the anchorage. I am reminded of the time I first fell in love with boating – waking up in the morning to complete solitude, surrounded by nature. Minutes later, it started to rain. A good thing because Chattanooga needed the rain bad. So does our bimini top (we are in a covered slip, and spiders thrive on the river).

Glenda and Steve joined us on their houseboat later that night. These are gung-ho boaters. They are known to boat even in the winter! This night, they got off to a late start. We called and warned them about a gigantic log that we almost hit as we were heading out here. Out there in the channel, they reported winds that kicked up a 2-foot wake. At our anchorage, it was totally calm. We helped them tie up to our portside. The water that night was so still we thought we never left the marina.

Morning scenery

Anchored at Little Cedar Mountain
A refreshing swim on the river

How was your weekend?

Related posts:
Port of call: Chattanooga, TN
Exploring Chattannoga, Tennessee
Cruising during the dog days of summer

Exploring Chattanooga, Tennessee

2010-09-08T00:45:00.001-04:00

It was unbearably hot all summer. Our boat A/C has been running non-stop since July. Coming into September, it finally cooled off. Some mornings and evenings were even a tad chilly. The afternoons still find temperatures in the high 80s. Such was the weather this past Labor Day weekend when a couple of friends came to visit. We showed them our favorite things to do in Chattanooga, many of which are free.

Chattanooga waterfront at dusk

Coolidge Park at night
The Battle for Chattooga during the Civil War on Lookout Mountain
The Tennessee River Gorge from Raccoon Mountain
Cruising the Tennessee River
Frolicking on the Tennessee River

How was your Labor Day weekend?

Related posts:
Port of call: Chattanooga, TN
Riverbend Music Festival in Chattannoga, Tennessee
Cruising during the dog days of summer

A new bakery opens in Gainesville, Florida

2010-08-20T15:36:00.004-04:00

First the sad news. Last month, I posted Small is Beautiful. I had mentioned a mango tree with fruits hanging so low even a child could pick them. Well, somebody picked them all right. And it wasn't the owners who did it.

That mango tree stood at the corner of my aunts' house, a corner that is unfortunately not visible from their windows. One evening, my aunts went out and proudly counted over 100 of them delicious mangoes. Lo and behold, those mangoes were all gone the very next day. Somebody had stolen them right under their nose! Incredible. This person was not only trespassing on someone's property, but she or he or they had the audactiy to pick over 100 mangoes off the tree! Granted, my 60 to 85-year-old aunts and uncles live in a little strip mall, next to a restaurant. But that's no reason to trespass on someone's property. The fruits of their labor, and the hopes and anticipation of tasting those sweet juicy mangoes ... all dashed, in one night. Just like that. How sad :-(

Now the good news. Dear friends of ours, Ling and Jackson, reached another milestone in their lives. Their dream of owning a bakery has come true! Ok, maybe just Jackson's. The grand opening of his new venture - High Spring Orchard and Bakery - is tomorrow, Saturday, August 21. If you are in the area, stop by to check out what they have to offer.

Jackson always had a passion for farming and cooking. He quit his office job in Hong Kong in the late 90s, and enrolled in cooking classes. Later, he tied the knot with Ling and moved to Boston, where he worked as a pastry chef at the Boston Marriot in Copley Square. We have been lucky to have the opportunity to sample many of Jackson's yummy creations, from Asian delicacies to Western desserts. You can read more about Jackson and his new venture on their website - High Spring Orchard and Bakery. Congratulations, Jackson and Ling!
Below are some pictures of Jackson's mouth watering creations.

Chocolate Birthday Cake Taro Cake decorated for Year of the Rat

Delicious Wonton Noodle Soup
Some recipes we shared
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Blueberry Banana Bread

Hot hot hot in Atlanta, Georgia

2010-07-30T10:35:00.001-04:00

Centennial Park, site of the 1996 Summer Olympics

I thought I'd better post this before the month of July is over!

Our friend Mark moved to Atlanta several years ago; he told us the nickname of Atlanta is Hotlanta. Whatever the connotations, it was hot, hot, hot, temperature-wise, over the fourth of July weekend.

Our relatives were in Atlanta for a few days. We had planned to take them to see the Fourth of July Fireworks somewhere. Having just arrived from Southern California, they wanted to relax and get acclimated to the heat and humidity so they declined. We immediately switched to Plan B, which was to attend a ballroom dancing party at Mark's friends' place in the suburbs. It was our first time at such an event. What fun! Great music, fabulous food, and enthusiastic and graceful dancers. It was enjoyable watching them dance. Check out the video and let us know what you think! Incidentally, Mark is a freelance dance teacher and host (on cruiseships). If you're in Atlanta and are looking for some dance lessons, look him up. He can be reached via email at marwan5678@yahoo.com

The dance party ended early. Guess where we saw the fourth of July fireworks? In the Home Depot parking lot at nearby Roswell. What a neat little town! We'll be back.

Related posts:
Fourth of July on the Charles River in Boston
Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida
The best day trip outside of Jacksonville, Florida

Small is Beautiful

2010-07-16T19:21:00.005-04:00

And oh so sweet. I am talking about wild blueberries. I will never forget the first time I tasted them. We were spending a weekend at a friend's beach house in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. One morning, we happened to drive through a quaint neighborhood when we spotted a couple of young kids (about 6 or 7 years old) selling something on their driveway. The kids were so cute we couldn't resist stopping to see what they have to offer. We bought some wild blueberries and they were deliciously sweet. Since then, I am a fan of freshly picked fruits or vegetables, wild or farmed. Whenever I get a chance to pick fruits off a tree or bush at a farm or someone's backyard, I do so with a passion. No matter the temperature or bugs.

Case in point. Yesterday, I foraged for the wild blackberries that were growing along the road, just off the entrance to the marina. I've been warned about rattlesnakes lurking underneath those thorny bushes, but that wasn't gonna stop me from picking some wild berries. There were bugs - yellow jackets, among others - competing with me, but no snakes. By the time I was done, I was sweating like a pig in the heat and humidity. It was 100 degrees F in Chattanooga. And we thought Florida was hot. During the day, it was actually 5 to 10 degrees hotter here. Chattanooga's weather has been strange this year - a frigid winter, a rainy spring, now a hot summer (85 -100 degrees F the last few weeks). As a result, the wild blackberries are small. But boy, are they sweet. I gave some to my neighbors, and froze some for smoothies. Maybe I'll make blackberry jam with the rest.

Wild blackberries

Before we move out of Florida, we had spent some time with relatives and friends. From St Pete to Marco Island and Ft Myers, we wandered into backyards and orchards filled with luscious lychees, mangoes and sugar apples.

With blueberries and bing cherries selling for $1.99 a lb, and sweet corn returning to its normal price ($1 for 5 ears) at the local farmer's market and major grocery stores, I'd say this year's crops are off to an excellent start.

Can't wait for these sugar apples to ripenMangoes hanging so low even a child can pick them
LycheesJuicy and sweet Lychees. Yum!

Is your area enjoying a good harvest so far?

Related posts:
The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 1
Port of call: Chattanooga, TN
A day in the life of a liveaboard

Happy Fourth of July!

2010-07-04T00:02:00.017-04:00

We are back on the boat at Hales Bar Marina. This is our fourth summer here. The marina is usually hopping over the fourth of July holiday. Sadly, not this year. The floating cabins look deserted, and many slips are empty. The marina usually puts out a good fireworks display every Fourth of July, and every time I have managed to miss it. Ditto again this year, as we are in Atlanta to meet up with family and friends.

I recently wrote an article on Celebrating the Fourth of July in Boston at AssociatedContent. Unforgettable memories indeed. Here are some pictures from those good old days.

Celebrating the fourth on the Charles River with the Boston Pops

Old Mai Thai on the right

How was your Fourth of July holiday?

Related posts:
Fourth of July on the Charles River in Boston
Art Festival and a picnic in Sarasota, Florida
Memorial Day weekend at Fort McRae Anchorage

The adventures of moving

2010-06-26T07:30:00.007-04:00

Moving, selecting a moving company ... I am pretty sure anyone who has used a mover would have a story to tell.

After two weeks of packing, moving and selling stuff, we are finally moved out of the house. Yeah! Family in Boston bought the bulk of our furniture, and we helped them find a moving company. If you have researched for a moving company, you'll know what excruciating pain you have to go through. All the horror stories you read on the internet are enough to scare you. And they are true. 'Cos it happened to us. We diligently did our homework, selected what we thought was a reputable moving company that got good reviews, only to find it did not honor its words. Not about money, but about pick up.

We should have known. A week before our scheduled pick up, some people called a couple of times to verify our number. It was very odd because they hung up before we had time to inquire about the calls. It was the mover's area code. The next day, some guy called and said they will be coming to pick up our furniture. It was a week early. We were not ready to be moved! All the guy was concerned about was if we could pay cash. After many arguments and calls to the office, it finally dawned on them that they had the wrong address. That did not give me a good feeling, but we stuck it out because we had done our research, and had already gave them a deposit.

Imagine you have to move out in a few days. The company (Victory Van Lines out of Maryland) you had carefully selected weeks before never even called. When we called them the morning of our scheduled move, they said they CANNOT come to pick up because their truck is FULL. And they cannot send another truck until 6 days later. What? Don't they understand that people have to move out by a certain time? Even if we can wait, how can we trust them now? How could a moving company be so poor with their planning and estimate? To add to our pain and frustration, they were rude. You bet we were furious. We scrambled to look for another mover.

Luckily, we had kept notes of the various moving companies from our research. Arpin Van Lines stepped up to the plate. They so happened to have a delivery to Connecticut the coming weekend, and we would be the second stop. It was several hundred dollars more, but we were relieved that we were dealing with a bigger and more professional company. Two guys came the next day (Wed) to pick up. They were very professional, and we were pleased.

Here's the bad part. The weekend came. No calls, no delivery. We tried calling them, to no avail. When we finally got a hold of someone on Monday, we discovered that they didn't even know where our stuff is! There was no communication between the office and their truck drivers. We suspect the company contracts out the job to smaller movers. Anyway, a few days later, we got a call to tell us that the delivery will be the following Monday, but will cost $300 more. The excuse is that the 18-wheeler cannot go on the side street, and they have to unload the furniture onto a smaller truck. Just yesterday, we got another call to ask if we could pay cash. This seems to be rampant in this industry. An industry that needs to be regulated, I might add. Well, Monday is just around the corner. We shall see whether our furniture makes it to Boston.

Florida Gulf Coast Beaches

2010-06-07T13:30:00.007-04:00

Sorry for the long absence. Have been busy packing and moving. Moving back to the boat full time, for the second time in ten years. This time we are really downsizing, that is, selling everything, giving stuff away and throwing things out. No more storage. We've learned our lesson. Anyone interested in a turntable and some vinyl LP Records?

Knowing that we are leaving Florida, and that perhaps the BP Oil Spill might (but hopefully NOT) spoil the lovely beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast, we made time to visit our favorites beaches - Clearwater, Ft DeSoto, Anna Maria, Longboat Key and Siesta Key. Caladesi is accessible by boat only, and since Mai Thai is in Tennessee, we didn't go there. People who come visit us always request to go to Clearwater, a beach we try to avoid. There are so many choices, so why should we hang out with the tourists, get stuck in traffic and have to pay for parking? This is laid back Florida after all. We gave in and went late one day. The water was so warm it felt like water in a hot tub! A few days earlier, we had gone to Siesta Key. The sun had hid behind the clouds, so instead of a sunset we got to see a wedding taking place on the beach. We lucked out at Clearwater. The sunset was absolutely spectacular, one that is comparable to Key West's, only without the fanfare.

a beautiful sunset at Clearwater Beacha wedding at Siesta Key

At Longboat Key, boats were out in full swing over Memorial Day weekend. We've never seen this quaint locale so busy with many anchored boats, as well as water police and Sea Tow. We had gotten a ticket ($75) here once, when we were exploring on our dinghy and had one less life jacket than we should. Still, we miss boating in Florida, the sparkling ocean blue water...Check out our Memorial Day Weekend boating fun at Fort McRae, near Pensacola Inlet.

While checking out our old stomping ground, we ran into peacocks that roam freely around the neighborhood. One even strutted and showed off his plumage.

Memorial Day Weekend at Longboat Key

Ft DeSoto, a Pinellas County State Park in St Pete - my favorite beach of all times. We had not been here for over a year. It is even more beautiful than we remember it. We got to the North Beach yesterday just before 10 am. A bunch of young, good-looking lifeguards were getting ready to man their stations. It was like a scene out of Baywatch. How cool is that?

Let's hope and pray the oil will not hit this part of Florida. The state has been the first to suffer from the economic downturn due to the housing bust. The last thing Florida needs is another blow, to its tourism business. Not to mention the impact on the wildlife and its ecosystem.

Ft DeSoto North Beach

Cruising the gulf coast of Florida: Anclote Key to Dog Island

2010-05-20T10:00:00.005-04:00

Siesta Key Beach

Of all the beaches in Florida, those along the gulf coast are the best. On any given year, one out of several - Caladesi, Fort De Soto Park's North Beach, Siesta Key - can be found on Dr Beach's top 10 list of the best beaches in the U.S. I really hope and pray that the BP Oil spill will not cause too much damage to the beautiful Florida coastlines. Not only Florida depends on it for its tourism, it's the home to many shore birds and a host of other sea creatures. Not to mention the fisherman's livelihood is now in jeopardy. What is going to happen to my favorite Appalachicola oysters, I wonder?

shelling at Caladesi

Around this time in 2006, we were cruising the gulf coast of Florida. We were heading up the inland waterway to somewhere in the deep south - Mississippi, Alabama or Tennessee - anywhere to hide from the hurricane.

After anchoring out in Clearwater and spending a couple of days at the lovely Caladesi State Park , we moved to Anclote Key (near Tarpon Springs). Here, we waited five days for a good weather window to do an overnight gulf crossing to Dog Island near Carrabelle.

View Larger Map

Here is our trip's log:

Gulf Crossing, May 15-20, 2006
The next five days found us at Anclote Keys, waiting for a good weather window to cross the big bend to Carrabelle. This is a good 140 miles of open waters in the Gulf of Mexico, so we planned on an overnight trip. It would take Mai Thai about 20 hours traveling at 7 knots. This would be our first experience traveling solo on an overnight passage. On Saturday, May 20, we made the leapt. Half hour into the gulf, forecast of 10 knots wind from the West and 2 foot waves felt more like 10-15 knots wind and 2-4 foot waves. It was uncomfortable, and after several hours, monotonous. Had it not been a pair of dolphins that came to play in our bow wake on two separate occasions, we would have been totally bored. We kept hoping when we get to the latitude of the Suwanee River (weather forecast for that area was better), the sea would be smoother. After the sun set, it actually got worse. Now Mai Thai is being tossed around rolling waves of 3-5 feet. with a bow spray every six or seven wave.

We could hardly move around, let alone cook. Nor did we have the appetite to eat. Apples, cheese and crackers was our dinner. By 9 pm, we were enveloped in complete darkness and utterly alone. All we could do, other then watching out for boat traffic, was to trust Mai Thai and the autopilot to take us safely to our destination. Since we had wanted to cross the bulk of the gulf during the daytime and get closer to land earlier, we had to negotiate the inlet in the dark as we got there at 3 in the morning. The East Pass inlet into St George Sound is wide and deep, but we wouldn't have done it without our trusty GPS and the chart plotter!

As we came in to the sound, we found we were not alone. A shrimp boat was already at work. By the time our anchor was set in protected Dog Island, it was 4 in the morning. We took showers to wash off the salt, ate chicken soup and hit the sack. We awoke to a beautiful morning, our anchorage facing a long narrow strip of beach with a few simple beach houses on stilts. What a view! We thank our lucky stars to have made the crossing without incident. After lunch, we pumped up our dinghy and went to the beach to see what treasures were in store for us.

Our morning scenery at Dog Island

Nashville under water

2010-05-05T21:00:00.013-04:00

Yesterday, our boating buddies Ed and Joyce called from their boat One Love, currently docked at Oriental, North Carolina. We had met One Love at Jekyll Island, Georgia, and in the spring of 2003, cruised to The Abacos, Bahamas together. What an adventure and what great memories! I had posted our trip's log and pictures on Yahoo Geocities, which unfortunately shut down last year. Someday, I will repost those stories, our awesome pictures and videos on this blog.

One Love, anchored at Tahiti Beach, Bahamas

While we were in the Abacos, Joyce had a schedule. Not a good thing for a cruiser when you are dependent on Mother Nature's whims. An avid country music fan, she had tickets to FanFair, the CMA music festival held in Nashville every June. That was the first time we've heard of Fan Fair. And now, we have to be back to the states in time for her to get to Nashville.

Even though we are not into country music, we met Joyce at FanFair two years ago. We enjoyed it so much we went again the year after that. With our upcoming move, we won't be back in time to make it to the CMA music festival . It was just as well, because Joyce said after all the flooding, who knows what's going to happen to the festival.

Flooding in our favorite city? Unbeknowst to us, Nashville was pounded with wicked storms that dumped 15 inches of rain over the weekend. The Cumberland River, which winds through the city overflowed its banks and flooded Nashville's historic downtown and other areas. We were so engrossed with BP's disastrous oil spill in the gulf of Mexico, the Times Square Bomb, the Greece debacle and the volcanic ash over the UK that we had no clue the flood, so close to our marina, was so severe. Fox News this evening reported a total of 18 deaths in Tennessee alone. Northeast of downtown, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel apparently evacuated their guests on Monday. The Grand Old Opry House and the Opry Mills Mall in the vicinity were all flooded as well. It is hard to imagine the damages done to this area.

Click on these links to see a video coverage and pictures of the flood.

Legends Corner, Nashville (Ryman's Auditorium in the background)

And to think that just ten days ago, I wrote Top 3 Bars in Nashville, TN. Second Ave is definitely flooded, not sure about Broadway. We pray that people affected are safe and sound, and that their situation will get better soon. I leave with you with our good memories of Nashville.

You might also like:
Favorite Destinations: Memphis, Tennessee
The Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festivals in TN
The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 2 (Nashville)

A Ritzy Wedding in Laguna Beach, Ca

2010-05-03T19:11:00.005-04:00

History repeats itself. Looking back at last year's posts, I published only 1 posting last April. Ditto this year. Here are my excuses. Last April, my mother passed away, and I was really down and depressed. A year later, I am back to my normal self, and in April, was thrilled to go to L.A. to attend our nephew's fancy wedding at the Ritz in Laguna Beach. The setting was absolutely gorgeous; however, the food was disappointing, much to our surprise. Not sure why I have such high expectations of great food in L.A., or of California, for that matter. Other than the wedding, the highlight of the trip was, of course, the chance to see all the relatives again. Thank you Howard and Catlina for an unforgettable memory. As you start this new chapter of your life as a married couple, we wish you a lifetime of happiness. Congratulations once again!

Meanwhile, back at the marina, our boat neighbors reported duck sighting at one of our flower pots. David had planted something in the pots. Next thing he knew, there was a duck egg! As of yesterday, there were a total of eleven eggs. This is the pot on the other side of the boat, and it is bigger than the one she used last year. I wish I were back on the boat to see all these happening. Thank you Glenda for the pictures!

Related posts:
Florida Gulf coast beaches
St Patrick's Day in Savannah, Georgia
A day in the life of a retiree

Yosemite National Park in the Spring

2010-04-09T21:00:00.002-04:00

Our wake-up scenery of Yosemite Fall
Two weeks ago, I wrote and published Waterfall Guide to Vernal Fall, Yosemite National Park to AssociatedContent, where I am a featured Travel Contributor. My husband and I had hiked Vernal Fall years ago. We had gone to Yosemite National Park the last week of April that year, and it had snowed two days prior to our arrival. Luckily, the warm temperature quickly melted the snow, resulting in a high volume of water gushing down the waterfalls. Without a doubt, Spring is the best time to see these magnificent waterfalls.
Vernal Fall
Ice floating down the river behind our cabin
Such was not the case for my sister-in-law and family when they visited Yosemite National Park last week. When they got to the park, it was snowing pretty heavily. They took buses around the park and enjoyed some jaw-dropping scenery. Here are some of the awesome pictures they took.
Yosemite Fall
Half DomeAhwahnee Hotel at Yosemite National Park
Of all the national parks I have visited, Yosemite National Park is my all-time favorite. No matter what season you go, you will be greeted with breathtaking scenery throughout the valley. It is truly a photographer's paradise.

St Patrick's Day in Savannah, Georgia

2010-03-18T09:00:00.025-04:00

Hope your St Patrick's Day was full of fun and good cheer!

We had no idea how big the St Patrick's Day celebration is until we cruised into Savannah, Georgia one lovely spring. We had stopped at Palmer Johnson Marina in Thunderbolt to get some work done on the boat. Upon checking out, the marina manager told us about Savannah's biggest annual celebration, and enticed us to stay by throwing in 2 free nights. If it weren't for him, we would never have known that St Patrick's Day is Savannah's largest celebration (it draws the second-largest crowd in the U.S., after New York City), with over 400,000 people attending.

Savannah is a beautiful city. Every few blocks is a square filled with palms, crape myrtle and stately live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. It was spring and azaleas were in full bloom. Savannah was saved from the ravages of the civil war, thanks to its residents who had the foresight to surrender the city. Most homes and buildings in the downtown area have been restored to their former glory; you can see their intriguing architecture as you walk along the parade route.

Thousands of revelers lined the streets and waited eagerly for the colorful floats, and marching and pipe bands to pass by. Irish music wafted in the air. City fountains were dyed green. Many people not only colored their hair, they colored their dogs too! After the parade, revelers flocked to City Market and River Street to continue the celebration. Great times indeed.

St Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia

This post has been entered into the Grantourismo and HomeAway travel blogging competition for July

Related posts:
Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida
The Tall Ships return to Boston
Blues Festival in St Pete, Fl

About blogging and Sandhill Cranes

2010-03-12T23:30:00.004-05:00

When I left my IT job to go cruising end of year 2000, the tech bubble was beginning to burst. That was the same year I learned about Google as the upcoming search engine. How times have changed in nine years! Today, we are faced with another bubble, the housing bubble, that has almost brought the US economy to a standstill. Google is now a household name, the new standard for search and advertising. The internet has taken a new life of its own. From email to chat and Skype and now blogging and social networking, the world continues to get smaller and smaller. The last couple of years have seen the blogging scene exploded. I had kept my cruising log on Yahoo Geocities, but when it closed last year, I too jumped on the blogging band wagon. I am very late to the game, and there is much to learn.

What I didn't know is that there are so many bloggers out there, blogging about everything from food, writing, photography to career coaching and leadership. What's even more amazing is that many of these bloggers excel in their crafts. One such blogger whose work I highly admire is Jen Yu of Use Real Butter. In her own words, she is "an engineer, scientist, programmer, web designer, photographer, cook, outdoor enthusiast, smartass, and proficient noodler." Wow! After reading her blog, you'd be uttering the same. Not only is she a prolific writer, she is a fabulous cook (her husband is one lucky dude) and an incredible photographer. And I always learn something from her postings.

Recently, Jen posted about a trip she took to the San Luis Valley in Mosca, Co to see the Sandhill Cranes migration and The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. I knew about the Sandhill cranes, but never heard about The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. It sounds like an awesome place to visit! Jen's photography of both locations are absolutely stunning. It inspired me to post about the Florida Sandhill cranes that frequent our yard. Yep, even in overdeveloped Tampa, these gentle birds are often seen grazing our land. I believe they are permanent residents here. You can read more about Sandhill Cranes on Wikipedia.

Related posts:
Greed is bad
We got ducklings!
Manatees dying from the cold in Florida

Things to do in the Florida Keys

2010-03-06T00:30:00.016-05:00

A couple of days ago, I published Vacation Guide 2010: The Florida Keys to AssociatedContent, an online writing website where I am a Featured Travel Contributor. Writing the article brought back sweet memories of our trips to the Florida Keys over the years.

Scenes of Key West

Looking at Mallory Square from our anchorage
The incredible Key West sunset

Especially memorable was our cruise from Key Largo to Key West in January 2002. It was a time when diesel fuel was cheap (about $1.30 a gallon), and the entrance to Boot Key Harbor in Marathon was littered with sunken or almost sunken boats (it has since been cleaned up).

Marathon remains to be a cruiser's paradise, with boatyards and marine stores galore and easy access to grocery stores, restaurants and library. You can find boaters from all over the world here as they stop over on their way to Cuba, the Caribbean or Central America. Over 300 boats are docked, anchored or moored in the protected Boot Key Harbor alone. To secure one of the 225 moorings managed by Boot Key Harbor City Marina, you will need to make your reservations months in advance, so plan ahead.

Arriving in Marathon by land, you will find that the city is nothing more than a laid back fishing village. Its beautiful azure waters, and the wonderful fishing are what attracts people to its pristine shores. Take a dinghy ride or kayak around to see an area teeming with an abundance of wildlife which include dolphins, sting rays, manatees, and a variety of birds (the ubiquitous pelicans, cormorants and anhingas, egrets, herons, woodstorks, and many more).

Key Deer at the National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key

Up close and personal with manatee in Marathon

Arts festival and a picnic in Sarasota, Florida

2010-02-24T23:09:00.012-05:00

Sarasota downtown
O'Leary Tiki Bar and dinghy dock
Notice the handle bar on the dinghy? How ingenious of the owner!

We discovered Sarasota when we cruised into Sarasota Harbor several years ago. We like the city so much we keep coming back to visit. Strolling around Bayfront Park, downtown and St Armands Circle are some of our favorite activities. Other fun and interesting places to visit include The Ringling Museum, Siesta Key and Myakka State Park .

We have always been impressed with the arts and culture in this classy town. The arts festival, held in downtown Sarasota every February, features some very unique and talented artists from around the country. This past weekend was its 22nd Annual Festival of the Arts, and once again, these artists shine through with their creative work and exhibits of glass, ceramics, sculptures, paintings, photography, etc.

We've had unusually cold weather since early January. This was the first nice weekend with sunny blue skies and temperatures in the low 70s, perfect for venturing outside. The crowd at the festival wasn't too bad, but when we left South Lido County Park after our picnic and walk on the beach, we were stuck in traffic for a whole hour just trying to get back to the main road:-(! A turn into the back road gave us the opportunity to ogle at some gorgeous homes in the area.

Check out the video to see the beautiful artworks at the arts festival!

Manatees dying from the cold in Florida

2010-02-12T23:20:00.017-05:00

If you're a snowbird, you typically go south for the winter. And that usually means Florida. Imagine sunny blue skies with temperatures hovering in the 70s. That would be typical, but nope, not this year. The deep freeze in January which lasted more than a week brought snow flurries to as far south as North Miami. It was so cold the last two days (in the 40s) that we decided to go to Walmart to buy a portable heater. Is it any surprise that all the heaters were sold out? And at Lowes too!

CNN caught my attention yesterday when it reported that 280 or more manatees have died this year due to the unusually cold weather we've had in Florida. On very cold days, these gentle creatures are normally found huddled in warm water refuges - water discharged from electric plants, with temperatures around 78 degrees. Hopefully, this week's cold spell is not as damaging as the last.

Manatees at Tampa Electric Plant

Further south in Marathon, manatees are known to drink water from boats

Top 5 things to do in Miami

2010-02-06T22:28:00.013-05:00

In the early 80s, I took a job in Fort Lauderdale and lived in Miami. I was a young professional, and hence, found life in Florida to be way too slow. After a six months stint, I quit and moved back north. Fort Lauderdale and Miami had undergone so much development that when I returned for a visit six years later, I couldn't even find the place I used to live! When I arrived in Miami by boat in 2002, I thought I had landed in a foreign country. Nobody at Rickenbacker Marina (dockhand and boat neighbors) spoke any English! Even the Asian girl who worked at the marina spoke Spanish. How could she not? She's from Panama!

Rickenbacker Marina has a stunning view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline. Because of the proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and the inlet, our boat rocked and rolled much of the time, especially on the weekends when the local boaters were out and about. Miami is very cosmopolitan. Its skyline reminded us of Boston, a small city with lots of energy, albeit with a Latin vibe. We loved it so much we stayed for three months.

View of Miami from Mai Thai's port side

If you are in Miami for the Super Bowl football championship tomorrow, or for the Valentine's holiday or to embark on your cruise, you'll be in for some fun times. Here's a guide for things to do in this electrifying city!

South Beach

This is probably the number one hot spot that is on everyone's list of things to do while in Miami. And rightly so. Where else can you see colorful art deco architecture, wild parties in full swing from early afternoon to the wee hours of the morning at cafes and bars like Mango's (see video below)? There are lots of beautiful people and fancy cars parading up and down Ocean Drive, just begging to be discovered. Need I mention the famous beach and the beauties who hang out there in search of some tan?

Lincoln Mall Road
Several blocks northwest of Ocean Drive between 16 and 17th Streets is an outdoor pedestrian mall. It is lined with retail stores, art galleries, outdoor cafes and restaurants. A great spot for people watching. On Sundays, there is a farmer's market. Just before the vendors close up shop, they offer their goods at a steep discount. I had the unforgettable experience of purchasing four dozens of gorgeous long stemmed roses for a mere $10 bucks!

Coconut Grove
A charming suburb of Miami, Coconut Grove is where the locals hang out. There are plenty of dining and shopping options here. The Coconut Grove Art Festival, one of the nation's premier fine arts festivals, is held here annually. This year's festival will take place Feb 13-15, which coincides with the Valentine and Chinese New Year weekend.

Little Havana
For a taste of Cuba, drive over to Little Havana, a short distance from downtown Miami. Try some classic Cuban food at Versailles (3555 Calle Ocho or SW 8th Street). My favorite is the Fried Snapper, served whole, complete with head and tail.

Fort Lauderdale
Dubbed as the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale is laced with canals and palatial homes. You can get from one end of the city to the other via the water taxi, and you can get off at various stops along the way. Check out the chic stores and artsy boutiques on Las Olas Boulevard. Nearby Riverfront is also a nice stop for dining, shopping and some free entertainment.

Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa, Florida

2010-01-30T00:04:00.023-05:00

Just as I finished editing a friend's article on "The freeze of 2010," which details her experience living aboard her boat in East Tennessee, another winter storm (snow, ice, freezing rain) is sweeping across that region. I feel for them. Boats are not insulated like houses, so it can get mighty cold. Friends who live on their houseboat in Spring City were iced in for more than a week. They reported that a 52-foot steel boat sunk in their marina!

In Tampa, our forecast is for a high of uppers 60s, a 70 percent chance of rain and Southwest winds of 10-15 mph. Not great weather conditions for the
Gasparilla Pirate Festival today, but the storms will not prevent the pirates from invading Tampa. The annual Gasparilla is one of Tampa's biggest party, not unlike Mardi Gras, complete with a parade, floats, entertainment, beads, and party-goers.

Here's a video clip of the festival from two years ago. Enjoy!

How to avoid gaining weight while on a cruise

2010-01-23T09:06:00.004-05:00

On my very first cruise back in the early 90s, the cruise director jokingly said "You get on the ship as passengers, you get off the ship as cargo." When you are pampered for a week with fabulous food such as these (pictures follow), how can you resist the temptation to stuff yourself?

For those people who love to cruise but are concerned about weight gain, this is no joking matter. It is difficult to avoid gaining weight while on a cruise, but with a little discipline, you can do it. The key word is discipline. The discipline to exercise and to eat healthier. Here are my tips:

EXERCISE
There are many ways to incorporate exercise into your daily activities on a ship. They include:

Walking. Whenever possible, avoid the elevators (the wait is too long anyway) and walk up or down the steps to your cabin and other locations.
Swimming. With thousands of passengers on board, you may be turned off by the crowd at the pool. Go during the time when most people are at lunch or on shore excursions.
Going to the gym. Take advantage of all the equipment most cruise ships have in their gym.
Dancing. Every evening, before or after dinner, there is music playing somewhere, offering opportunities for some dancing. Join in and have some fun!
Excursions. Do something exciting on your shore excursions -go hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, anything that will keep your adrenaline pumping.
Other activities. There is always something going on that everyone can participate, from a fitness class to ping-pong tournaments to rock climbing.

EATING SMARTER

Meals. Instead of going to the buffet line, eat at the ship’s restaurants. Most are opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner. When you dine at the restaurant, you tend to relax and eat slow. The portion size is controlled, so you don't overeat (that is, as long as you don't order two of everything!)
Food selection. Make a conscious decision to choose healthier options like oatmeal, cereal, salad, fish, chicken, vegetables and fruits. Cut down on carbs like bread, pastries like croissant, danish and donuts.
Alcohol. Limit your alcohol intake

THINK POSITIVE
Don't feel guilty and get all stressed out if you indulge or miss a workout. Relax, you are on vacation after all! Think positive and get moving.

Exercising and eating healthier and in moderation are both good habits that will serve you well in the long run.

What are your tips for not gaining weight while on a cruise?

Hot, hot. hot in Miami

2010-01-12T23:53:00.002-05:00

Not!

Not this past week anyway. Since Jan 4, artic cold air blasted the eastern U.S., threatening the south with freezing temperatures that lasted almost a week. On Saturday, Jan 9, a strong cold front moved into Florida, bringing sleet and ice over east-central part of the state (Orlando and Daytona Beach included). Snow flurries were spotted as far south as Miami. The good news is that the cold spell is finally over, and by tomorrow, we should see a high of 62 degrees in Tampa, 67 in Miami. Yeah!

It is a good thing we had taken our cruise to the Western Carribean the week before Christmas. When our ship left the port of Miami, I found myself staring at the anchorage where we had dropped the hook the first time we cruised into this exciting city. There is no doubt Miami is an excellent cruising ground, and a fascinating port-of-call. I am sure you will agree.

A memorable Christmas

2009-12-26T00:58:00.006-05:00

Can you recall a Christmas holiday when things went awry?

Well, it happened to me this year. My family and I had just returned from a cruise, eating way too much, so the last thing on our mind was to have another big feast. However, two days before Christmas, my sister and I decided on an impromptu get-together. We planned our menu (the usual suspect - ham, turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy, pumpkin pie and something refreshing, Jello cheesecake, deviled eggs and blackeye pea salsa for hors d'ouvres) for 13 and went shopping. Oh my, what a zoo!

On Christmas eve, we made butter and gingerbread cookies. The cookie cutters were nowhere to be found. Two hours before the stores close, I went out hunting for them cutters, to no avail. So we improvised. Needless to say, the cookies were not photogenic.

Next day was Christmas Day. We got up bright and early to start cooking. Our 15-lb turkey was in the oven for almost 3 hours (with 45 mins more to go) when lo and behold, the power went out. This cannot be happening. It had rained during the night, and we could see dark clouds from the back of the house, but nothing ominous to warrant a blackout. Was every household cooking up a storm, draining the power grid? Hard to believe. So, we waited, and waited. And waited some more. Thirty minutes later, still no power. With guests arriving in two hours, we were in panic mode. We have a half-cooked turkey and a ham that has yet to be heated through. Many thoughts crossed our minds. We initiated plan B - cooking the turkey on the BBQ grill on the patio outside. It was a tad windy, but warm, in the high 60s. Fifteen minutes later, the power came back on. We turned around and moved everything back to the oven and the stovetop.

Meantime, I started peeling the hard-boiled eggs. Apparently, I had either boiled it too long or did not soak them in cold-enough water because the shells would not peel off without ripping the egg white. The solution? I saved the eggs for another meal. Thank goodness the blackeye pea salsa was a winner!

In spite of the panic attack, everything turned out delicious. We hope your Christmas holiday was memorable and exciting as well. To joy and peace!

Related posts:
A day in the life of a retiree
The Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festival in TN
Blues Festival in St Pete, Fl

Christmas lights at Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee

2009-12-04T22:35:00.004-05:00

Whenever people visit us in Tennessee, we almost always take them to Nashville, and one of our favorite stops is the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. The nine-acres of jaw-dropping indoor gardens with 50,000 tropical plants and trees, along with waterfalls and cascades, restaurants and retail stores, never fail to impress us or our visitors. If walking the nine-acre complex is too much, you can opt for a Mississippi-style flatboat ride on the river that meanders around the resort.

Having spent eight winters in sunny Florida, I was so ready for a magical Christmas experience, something akin to a Winter Wonderland, perhaps with some ice-skating, along with sensational Christmas lights. So when I heard about the Christmas lighting ceremony at the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Nashville on Nov 19, I persuaded my husband to stay in Chattanooga until then (we usually leave after Halloween), so we can drive over to Nashville to see the Christmas lights.

My expectations were raised even higher when I learned that Travel Channel's Extreme Christmas show had touted the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to be "the most Christmassy hotel in the U.S." So, here I was, thinking Christmas in New York City or Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, my two favorite Christmas destinations.

Well, I was disappointed. The ambience at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel was not as festive as I had envisioned it. I did not see carolers, Santa, or even a whiff of snow. The only Christmas music I heard was in the restrooms! We saw one beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the Delta atrium, with throngs of tourists all over it trying to capture its beauty on camera. There were some spectacular lights in the Cascades atrium (see above picture.)

The fountain show was disappointing too. For some unknown reason, the show was delayed some 45 minutes. This small section got very crowded with families. No one knew what was going on. You would think that a hotel in Nashville, the capital of country music, would have thought of hiring a musician to entertain its guests. With Christmas songs or Christmas music. I hope it was because they were swamped by all the shows and events happening the first weekend of the Christmas season. Anyway, enjoy the video, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

PC-centric traveling

2009-11-19T22:19:00.020-05:00

Savvy travelers are increasingly planning their trips online. Many often travel with their notebooks. Which is why I decided to add this category (computers) to my blog. We may not be early adopters (no iphone or Windows 7 yet), but we love our computers (a desktop and a notebook) and we continue to be amazed by the internet. As ex-IT professionals, we have, over the years, provided technical support to friends and family, and fixed many a PC (personal computer).

We use our PC for everything. We listen to music, display pictures, edit videos, watch movies on DVDs, and surf the internet (emailing, blogging, social networking), in addition to all the regular PC Windows applications. We also use our PC to watch TV. Hauppauge Computer Work's WinTV-HVR-950Q USB Stick transforms our 22-inch monitor into a high definition TV and a digital recorder system. Recording our favorite programs has never been easier. The key is to have plenty of hard disk space.

We keep an external hard disk drive as a back up for our personal data. Anyone taking videos and pictures with 10 megapixels will need plenty more hard disk space. Prices for storage have come down tremendously. Walmart is selling a 1 Terrabyte External Hard Drive anywhere from $90 (Western Digital) to $123 (Iomega). At Amazon, Seagate has the same for $99.99. With Black Friday approaching and retailers vying for your dollars, perhaps you can find an even better deal! Who knows?

Good luck, and happy Thanksgiving!

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Remnants of Hurricane Ida drench the Mid-Atlantic

2009-11-13T13:32:00.003-05:00

Hurricane Ida lost steam when it came ashore Alabama Tuesday this week. Still, it soaked the Deep South pretty good. There have been some reports of rock slides, and flooding along rivers and creeks. Boaters doing the Great Loop passage are starting to reach Mobile, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle area. While these boaters wait for a good weather window to cross the Gulf of Mexico either from Pensacola or Carrabelle to Tarpon Springs, the rest of the loopers are stuck further north. Until marina slips are freed up, they have no place to go. It's better to be stuck in an area that is safe and sound than to be caught out in the open seas with 10 to 15 foot waves!

View Larger Map

Meanwhile on the mid-Atlantic side, snowbirds on the IntraCoastalWaterway(ICW) are being hammered with the remnants of Hurricane Ida - rain, waves, and wind, which continue to gust in excess of 35 mph.

I feel for them. Around this time in 2004, we were one of those boaters on the ICW. Having spent that summer cruising the Chesapeake Bay, we were headed south in mid-September. If you recall, that was the year Florida was battered with four major hurricanes - Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. When Hurricane Ivan hit in October, we were in Annapolis, Maryland, hiding in a lovely anchorage called Weems Creek.

View Larger Map

By early November, we were exploring Ocracoke on the Outer Banks of N. Carolina. Following is our trip's log:

Oct 19-23, 2004
We split with "Colorado Cat" and headed east to Ocracoke on the Outer Banks. Entering unfamiliar territory can sometimes be a challenge, and this was no exception. You leave the red markers to port as you enter Big Foot Slough channel. To add to the confusion, there were a bunch of range markers sticking out there. We made it in ok and were the only boat at the Silver Lake anchorage. During our stay here, we would hear boaters over the radio asking questions on the approach, and to our surprise, boats and ferries come in and out, no matter what the weather.

Home to the 1823 Ocracoke Lighthouse, Ocracoke is a charming town that exudes Cape Cod ambience. It is dotted with restaurants, and hotels, inns and many private homes are all for rent. No doubt this is a busy place in the height of summer. And apparently, fishing IS the thing to do here. We saw 4-wheel drive vehicles on the beach carrying fishing rods up the ying yang.

High winds had us hunkered down inside the boat for two days. North winds blowing at 25-30 knots, and seas building to 9-12 feet made for boisterous conditions outside. We were stuck. It is no coincidence that the Outer Banks has been called the "graveyard of the Atlantic." Over the centuries, thousands of sailors and boats have met their fate here, as did the notorious pirate Blackbeard. When we had a good weather window, we got out of there as fast as we could!

Nov 11-15, 2004
As we entered Georgia, a nor'easter whipped up north wind of 25 knots with gust to 35. We sought protection at Cumberland Island. The wind was relentless for two days, causing "Mai Thai"to rock and roll much of the time. That was the toughest we've endured in our cruising life. By the time the ordeal was over, a couple of zippers in the bimini had been ripped. All things considered, we rather be here (temperature in the mid 60s) than be in Boston (temp 30s)...

Fall Colors and Color Cruise

2009-11-02T09:11:00.051-05:00

This past weekend was our marina's annual Color Cruise Festival. Grey skies and rain threaten to dampen the spirit. Saturday(Halloween) morning was windy and raining, but luckily died down and stopped, respectively, in the late afternoon. The festival this fall was much smaller in scale, with a handful of vendors and two bands. With pretty good singing, I might add.

Dockside, the vibe was more vibrant. The marina employees were running around helping to tie up boats when one after another started arriving Friday. Rumor has it that our dock had great parties in years past, and that was why these boaters kept coming back, each year with a bigger flotilla. This year saw about a dozen boats coming from Irwin Marina, Island Cove and Guntersville. Boaters, in general, are a fun and gregarious bunch. These folks were no exception, and boy, can they P A R T Y. We had one potluck after another. The array of food was incredible, enough to feed a whole village!

On Sunday, after the visiting boats departed, a few of us took our boats out in search of some fall colors. What we found were mostly shades of yellows and gold, not so much the brilliant reds and orange that are typical of fall in New England. Next week perhaps?

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-26T16:01:00.018-04:00

In my last post, I mentioned that I am a volunteer and substitute ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) teacher at the Chattanooga State Technical Community College. Mrs Nelson, the teacher I work with, was so gracious as to host a party for all her ESOL students and their families at her home yesterday. Located in the farm country of NW Georgia, her property is situated right next to cow pastures. Seeing the cows grazing the land was quite a sight for us city folks. The driveway to her house was a bumpy gravel road, about a quarter mile long.

As someone who has lived in the U.S. well over thirty years, you would think I know most, if not all, of the customs in this country. Well, I don't and I learned something new yesterday. It is about "bobbing for apples." Apparently this is a traditional game played on Halloween. A large tub is filled with water and apples, and the players, one at time, try to get an apple with their mouth. This game does not look too hygenic, and with swine (H1N1) flu fast becoming an epidemic, I do not recommend this game. Anyhow, watch the video below to see what "bobbing for apples" is all about.

A big thank you to Mrs Nelson and all the students who brought some delicious food!

A day in the life of a liveaboard

2009-10-12T13:15:00.054-04:00

Friends and family often ask us questions about our boating lifestyle. Our number one question is "What do you do all day since since you don't work?" And this is our number one answer ...

We normally get up around 10 am, make ourselves a bloody Mary, have breakfast, lounge around and read the paper. Before you know it, it's lunchtime. After we eat, we zip around in the dinghy, swim and snorkel around the reefs, walk on the beach and look for shells. In the evenings, we get together with other boaters for cocktails and watch the sun melt into the horizon.

Yeah right. What's missing in the picture is a captain, chef and maid! The last sentence of my answer is true of the Florida keys. Everyday, around 5 pm, boaters would walk around the docks with a drink in hand to watch the sun set, rain or shine.

We keep busy tending to all the mundane tasks of everyday life - laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, and cooking most of our meals. There's always projects on the boat - things that cannot wait to get repaired, such as a broken pump (water pump, bilge pump, sump pump, fuel pump, there are so many of them on the boat!), battery and electrical problems, engine problems, you name it. Incidentally, the captain has turned into a true mechanic. Which is a very good thing. Unlike a house, the boat takes more abuse not just from the elements, but also from the constant pounding on the water. The ocean is very unforgiving, as we all know; being stranded out in the open waters can lend to horror stories, if you live to tell them!

A big chunk of our time is spent poring over charts (paper and electronic), and reading about the ports-of-calls that we'd like to visit. We have to deal with the logistics of getting from point A to point B, not unlike planning a road trip. On the water however, there aren't many exits that you can just get off to top off your fuel tank, or check into a motel when you are tired. We would need to know these information in advance - a channel with deep enough water to get in (Mai Thai needs at least 4 feet), the tide (if near the ocean), a marina or anchorage that we can stop for the night. If stopping at a marina, we would have to call and make reservations first.

These days, we are now what they call liveaboards - people who live aboard a boat docked at a marina. What do I do these days? Since we are not moving all the time, I am able to volunteer my time at Chattanooga Technical Community College as an ESL (English as a second language) tutor two mornings a week; I substitute for the teacher whenever the need arises. This morning, I helped a neighbor boater color her hair. Then I email, blog, write articles, surf the net, read, etc, etc. Sometimes we walk up the hill, and sometimes we walk other neighbor's dog. I make salmon turnovers for a snack. Come 5 o'clock, some of our boater friends are back from work, and we hang out. Now, it's time for dinner. Gotta go. Catch you at the next posting!

Seize the day - hiking at Lookout Mountain

2009-10-04T09:52:00.005-04:00

"Seize the day" is a phrase that resonates with boaters. In fact, Seas the day is a popular boat name. As the temperature dips and the hurricane season wanes, boaters start to head for warmer climes. You never know what mother nature has in store for you, so when the weatherman forecasts a good weather pattern, they seize the opportunity and go.

Speaking of weather, Chattanooga hasn't seen the sun in a while. All last week, severe weather pummeled the deep south, bringing torrential rain to the region. Sure, we needed the rain, but ten days of incessant downpours were a bit much. Some areas saw their first flash flood in 75 years. Fortunately for us, we only saw debris on this side of the Tennessee River (Lake Nickajack.)

When friends visited us last weekend, we had but one sunny day. We seized the opportunity to go outdoors - we went to Lookout Mountain on the Georgia side to watch the hangliders fly. It was exhilarating for us to watch them take off, so can you imagine how they must have felt. After the excitement, we had a little picnic at nearby Cloudland Canyon, then hiked the .8 mile (roundtrip) waterfall trail. Walking down the canyon on a trail with some 600 steps in between was not too bad. We were rewarded with spectacular views of 2 waterfalls that cascaded off from 60 and 90 feet. The beautiful scenery transported us back to New Hampshire; we reminisced about the fun times we had there. The climb back up was a bit strenous; we took it slow, and stopped every so often to catch our breath. There are benches throughout the trail for the much needed resting. We will definitely be back to see the fall colors.

Watch daredevils hang gliding on Lookout Mountain

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Thought of the day: Giving thanks and feeling grateful

2009-09-20T19:30:00.005-04:00

Since I quit the work force almost nine years ago, I told my husband that every day I don't have to work, I am happy. These days, it's hard to be happy when you see your finances dwindling before your eyes in these tough economic times. When your savings account is reaping almost next to nothing in interest and you have to change your lifestyle to accommodate the new fuel prices, life is not smooth sailing all the way. Still, I am grateful for the life I have.

Especially after hearing news like my favorite movie star Patrick Swayze succumbing to pancreatic cancer, and a friend recently diagnosed with alzheimers at the young age of 54! Then today, a friend of ours, working in the Middle East the last several months, called. He's very excited about coming home next week. When asked what he'd like to do when we get together, our friend said "anything we do will feel like heaven." Perspective is a good thing. It makes us appreciate what we have, and realize how fortunate we are. So, don't wait until Thanksgiving day to give thanks. Be happy and

"Live well - laugh often - love much"

"Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift
That's why we call it the Present "

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The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 2 (Nashville)

2009-09-12T08:28:00.002-04:00

The first time I visited Nashville, I was impressed. There is always something going on in Music City. The streets in downtown Nashville are dotted with clubs and bars with live entertainment. The city rocks when it hosts the annual CMA Music Festival in June. Four days of concerts and events for country music fans to mingle with their idols and rising stars. Stop by Legend's Corner to find out how some country stars got started. Check out the Wildhorse Saloon. An interesting place with a stage and a huge dance floor. Not only they serve delicious Southern food (fried pickles, anyone?), there's usually a band playing, and you are welcomed to participate in a line dancing class!

Another must-see place is the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel & Convention Center, about 15 minutes away. 50,000 (no kidding!) tropical plants in the beautifully landscaped indoor gardens will take your breath away. Catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry or shop at the Opry Mills outlet, all within walking distances from each other.

My family enjoyed Nashville very much, and I have a feeling they will be back...

Related posts:
The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 1
The Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festivals in TN

High Tea in Brandon, Florida

2009-08-23T07:11:00.015-04:00

I'd thought I would get off the beaten path and rant and rave for this posting. Part 2 of Tennessee Trip will have to wait.

For several months now, my husband has been complaining about his web widow status. What can I say? There is just so much to do! Blogs to read, forums to comment, articles to write, videos to edit, webs to surf, the list goes on and on. Since I quit work, I spend more time on the computer than I did working as a software developer! When one of the bones in my right elbow started hurting so much it affected my hand and fingers, I decided to spend less time on the PC. There's your reason why I haven't been posting regularly (aside from my writer's block problem.) We spent more time biking, swimming, exploring the beaches in the area, gardening in the yard, reading books (the stuff that you hold in your hand), and watching TV. And it felt good.

The pain in the elbow has lessen somewhat. I am slowly getting back to my video editing. The next big project is working with home videos taken some twenty years ago, most I haven't watch since the taping! I had to borrow an old video camera since two of mine quit working.

Meantime, I did a quick edit on the High Tea video. Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Lynn Kessel, a food blogger and columnist at Tampa Tribune, South Shore edition. She had invited a bunch of her facebook foodie friends to have lunch at the Tea Cup Room in Brandon. We all enjoyed a fun afternoon, meeting new friends, having a cuppa tea in a lovely cottage setting. The food was scrumptious - scones, cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad with cranberries on a croissant (my favorite), and a host of delectable desserts. Yum!

The best vacation destinations in Tennessee, part 1 (Chattanooga)

2009-08-10T11:03:00.071-04:00

This is our fourth year boating in the deep south. My family finally came to visit us in Tennessee. They decided to do a road trip. Seven adults, two cars, driving all the way from Philadelphia. In five days. Mind you, it's a twelve hours drive, not including rest stops. And they wanted to see everything. They cannot fathom coming to Tennessee and not visit Graceland. Oh no! Not knowing that Tennessee is a state so wide it borders seven other states. My sister offered to pay for all our admission tickets to Graceland. That's when I gave in. Because Memphis is also my favorite destination in Tennessee.

First stop was Chattanooga, where Mai Thai is docked. After my family got their bearings around the marina and after a fellow angler caught a largemouth Bass, they quickly looked for some fishing rods and spent two hours fishing on the docks. For lunch, we went to the Bluff View Arts District. Rembrandt's Coffeehouse, in a European setting, is surrounded by art galleries and a sculpture garden. Its delectable desserts, sandwiches and coffee are just fabulous. We walked off our lunch exploring the area - the sculpture garden, the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge - and admiring the waterfront and the scenic Tennessee River.

Next stop was the Chattanooga Choo-Choo, a renowned landmark of the South. The 1909 terminal station had been turned into the Holiday Inn, and you can sleep in an authentic railcar! How cool is that? In the late afternoon, we drove up to Lookout Mountain, widely known for its many unusual geological features, of which the most famous are Ruby Falls and Rock City. Unfortunately, we only had time for Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park, where the battle for Chattanooga was fought during the Civil War.

Did I mention that almost every boater here has a grill or a smoker? How can we not end the evening with a good southern barbecue? So while some were trying to catch a fish or two, the rest of us were grilling boudin (New Orleans-style sausage with rice), baby-back ribs (marinated in Lee Kum Kee's Korean BBQ sauce) and pork chops, marinated in Teriyaki sauce. We complemented our dinner with salad, sweet corn, and cool refreshing tapioca pearls with cantaloupe (recipe courtesy of food blog Steamy Kitchen. Thanks, Jaden!)

Stay tuned for part 2 - Nashville

Cruising during the dog days of summer

2009-08-02T09:38:00.025-04:00

It's August. Florida and its neighboring coastal states are no doubt gearing up for the dreaded hurricane season. Officially the season begins June 1st and lasts until November 30th, but generally activity starts to pick up this month. According to AccuWeather, the forecast is for a "major reduction in the number of overall storms compared to last year." Three storms of tropical-force winds are expected, two of which could be hurricanes, and perhaps one major hurricane.

This will be our nineth year owning our trawler Mai Thai. We had been lucky to dodge the hurricanes all these years. We spent two hurricane seasons in the lovely cruising grounds of the Chesapeake Bay, a season each at Jekyll Island, Georgia (Jekyll Harbor Marina), and in hurricane holes in Florida - Daytona Beach (Halifax Harbor Marina), Jacksonville (Ortega River Boat Yard), and St Pete (Tierra Verde Resort and Marina). The last three seasons found Mai Thai exploring the inland waterway sytem - Fulton, Mississippi (Midway Marina), and Chattanooga, Tennessee (Hales Bar Marina). After fuel prices skyrocketed last summer, we are now cruising less, and using the boat more like a cottage. Not a bad situation when you can avoid the hurricanes, pay one third less for insurance on the vessel, and get to explore some new places. By car, which is a LOT cheaper.

Yesterday, on the way to our favorite beach, Fort DeSoto Park, we drove past Tierra Verde Resort and Marina. Not sure what happened there as the docks were mostly empty. When we spent the summer of 2005 over there, the rumor was that the developers had bought the marina but could not convince the timeshare owners to sell out. Now, they are stuck, big time. With foreclosures and unemployment at an all time high, who has the money to buy condos and slips?

The good news is Fort DeSoto Park is still around, and as beautiful as ever. We have never seen the northside of the beach so crowded (granted it was a Saturday, and people are doing staycations?) Crowds in Florida are nowhere near the size of crowds in, say Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where my brother and his family are spending the day. Here on the gulf side, we have warm water, calm waves, fine white sand, and plenty of bathhouses, outdoor grills, pavilions and parking spaces.

Nothing restores the soul like a day on the beach.

The best day trips outside of Jacksonville, Florida

2009-07-18T04:47:00.017-04:00

Several days ago I wrote an article on the above title for a contest on Helium.com (click on title to read article). It brought back memories of the year (2003) we spent at the Ortega River Boat Yard in Jacksonville.

The marina was a hurricane hole and a favorite for many cruisers. Some had sailed around the world while others came from faraway places like the UK and Israel. There was a big liveaboard community. The boatyard, located on the edge of charming Avondale, is in a great location - near other boatyards including the prestigious boat builder Huckins, and thus very easy to get marine parts or get work done on the boat. It is also an easy walk to Roosevelt Square which has almost all your needs (our favorite supermarket Publix, Panera Bread, Belk department store, to name several).

After the tech bubble burst in 2000 and the Sept 11 terrorist attack in 2001, the only thing that kept going up was real estate prices. Nowhere was this more evident than the waterfront properties, and developers took notice. When they bought the Ortega River Boat Yard and marina, we boaters found ourselves on the verge of being kicked out. We and our land neighbors against new developments rallied and particpated in town hall meetings to get our voices heard. We left Jacksonville in April 2004. The last we heard was that the developers won. They drove all the boaters away and built upscale highrise condominiums with private docks. Another marina bit the dust.

Below is the video of our good old times at Ortega River Boat Yard (Potluck on the docks and the Jacksonville Sea and Sky Spectacular in 2003)

The Tall Ships return to Boston

2009-07-08T15:36:00.011-04:00

The first tall ship arrived in Boston yesterday amidst fog, rain and thunderstorms. Today's weather is not that much better. To add insult to injury, the traditional Grand Parade of Sail is not happening this year due to budget woes.

But don't worry. You can still enjoy the Grand Parade of Sail by watching the video clip below. That was when the tall ships last visited Boston. In July 2000. Enjoy...

Read about all the ships participating in this year's Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge which began in Vigo, Spain. After stopping in the port of Boston, the fleet will race to Halifax, Nova Scotia, after which they will head for their final destination in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Fourth of July on the Charles River with the Boston Pops

2009-06-29T07:00:00.012-04:00

Summer barely started, and already the heat wave has swept across the Tennessee Valley with up to 100 degrees Farenheit one day last week. Up north, it is a different story. New England was experiencing temperatures in the high 50s, with lots of rain. Hopefully, we will all get a break from mother nature when America celebrates its birthday on the fourth of July.

We love a good fireworks show, so July 4 usually find us among the crowd somewhere. Our marina actually puts out a very good fireworks display (fireworks are legal in TN), but each time we were not around. This year, we will miss it again as we opt to enjoy the festivities with Pops on the River in downtown Chattanooga.

Our favorite fourth of July celebration of all times is our beloved Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Charles River. The last time we celebrated July 4th in Boston was in 2000. Here's a clip taken from our old Mai Thai back then. Enjoy and Happy 4th of July!

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From eggs to ducklings in 24 days

2009-06-23T23:02:00.007-04:00

Here is the video of our duck and ducklings, as promised. With a close up view of the nest and having had the opportunity to monitor the mama duck for a month, we learned a lot about the mallard duck. She laid nine eggs, one a day. Only seven hatched. Sadly, we missed the part where the ducklings jumped from the nest to the water. Who would have known they leave their nest a day after hatching? The ducklings are so tiny, but boy, could they swim.

We got ducklings!

2009-06-22T23:39:00.012-04:00

Recently I got several comments on the posting "Fowling around the marina." Several readers were curious as to when the eggs will hatch. Folks, I got your answer today.

When I left the boat this morning, Marie the mother duck was nowhere to be seen. It was a tad unusual as she has been on her nest everyday for over three weeks. I returned around noon. She was back on her nest, and everything looked normal.

Several hours later, I peered out the window. Was I surprised to see several tiny duckling heads around the rim of the flower tub! My husband and I grabbed our camera and video camera and dashed out the door, all the while trying to contain our excitement for fear of scaring Marie and her ducklings. Of the nine eggs, seven have been hatched. Here are some pictures of Marie and her babies.

I had read in the USGS website that the incubation period for mallards typically lasts 25-29 days. They were pretty much on target. It has been 24 days.

Click on the pictures to see them in more detail. The video will be in the next posting.

The Bonnaroo and the CMA Music Festivals in TN

2009-06-18T00:04:00.031-04:00

As I mentioned in my last post, music, live music, is the vibe in Tennessee. Last weekend, as Chattanooga was bringing its nine day Riverbend Music Festival to a close, two others were starting up - the four-day CMA Music Festival in Nashville, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, 60 miles southeast of Nashville.

Like the famed Woodstock Festival, the Bonnaroo is staged on a 700-acre farm. You can bring your RV and camping gear here. Since it started in 2002, the Bonnaroo has grown from a festival featuring jam bands to a diverse array of genres that includes indie rock, hip hop, country, bluegrass, folk, gospel, reggae and other alternative music. This year, an impressive lineup of artists includes Bruce Springsteen, Jimmy Buffet and the Beastie Boys.

Nashville calls itself Music City. And no wonder. Everywhere you turn, music is in the air and in your ears. All over town, there are clubs after clubs with musicians playing darn good live music. Every June, country music's biggest stars perform day and night here at the CMA Music Festival. Fans can get up close and personal with their favorite artists. Great times, indeed.

Riverbend Music Festival in Chattanooga, TN

2009-06-05T23:15:00.017-04:00

The vibe in the state of Tennessee is definitely music. From the blues and rock n roll in Memphis, to blue grass and country in Nashville, music is in the air.

Chattanooga is no exception. Earlier this evening, it officially opened its largest annual festival - the Riverbend music festival. The nine-day festival takes place along the waterfront in downtown, with live performances from more than 100 artists on six stages.

This year, they include favorites like Wille Nelson, The B-52s, The Commodores and Little Richard.

In years past, Riverbend is associated with sweltering temperatures in the 90s. Today, the weather was nice and cool, with temperatures in the mid 60s! I'm sure Willie Nelson didn't mind as he took the stage tonight

Fowling around in the marina

2009-05-28T20:29:00.017-04:00

Several weeks ago, I put some flower and herb seeds in two tubs of soil on either side of the boat. I was very pleased when I noticed seedlings coming out. I do have a green thumb afterall.

A few days afterwards, one tub was completely messed up, like someone had rummaged through it, making a big hole in the middle. I was baffled, but thought nothing of it. Something in the tub caught my eye the next time I walked by. I decided to investigate. Poking around the soil with a stick, I was surprised to discover two eggs! They are huge. Our boat neighbors and we believe they belong to the pair of mallard ducks that were wandering around our docks recently. Apparently, they were seeking a safe place to lay their eggs. Now we know.

Since that discovery, I have been monitoring the tub closely. Our duck (we named her Marie) came every morning to lay an egg. She would sit on her nest all morning long. The more eggs she laid, the longer she stayed. On the eighth egg, she stayed from seven in the morning to four in the afternoon. Poor Marie had to endure the hot sun and had nothing to eat during that time. We felt bad for her and tried to feed her without scaring her away.

Anyone knows how many eggs will she lay before she starts the incubation process?

Memorial Day weekend at Fort McRae Anchorage

2009-05-21T23:47:00.006-04:00

Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is a federal holiday to honor the men and women who lost their lives serving their country. The long weekend also traditionally marks the beginng of summer vacations. One of our most memorable Memorial Day weekends is in 2006, when we stumbled upon a lovely anchorage - Fort McRae at Pensacola, Florida.

When we sighted the number of boats in the anchorage, and people busy setting up tents on the beach, you get the feeling that this is party central in this neck of the woods. It reminded us of World's End and Hadley Harbor, two anchorages we used to hang out in the Boston area. At Fort McRae, you can set up campfires and party all night long. Next morning, while the whole gang is still sleeping, you can walk the vast deserted beaches. Unforgettable memories indeed.

Port of Call: Chattanooga, Tennessee

2009-04-01T23:25:00.007-04:00

Before cruising up the inland waterway, I had no idea what to expect of the deep south - specifically Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee. I had heard of Memphis, where the King (of Rock 'n' Roll) lived, and Nashville, where country music rocks. Chattanooga? Where the heck is that? I'm not alone. Most people I know have no clue either.

In May of 2006, we made the trip from Tarpon Springs (north of St Pete) to Dog Island (near Carrabelle, Fl), then up Mobile Bay to Fulton, Mississippi. We stayed at Midway Marina and left the boat there for the winter. Then in 2007, we moved Mai Thai to Hales Bar Marina in Guild, Tennessee, about 25 miles west of Chattanooga. She has been docked there since.

We have had some fun times here in the deep south. We learned so much about the Civil War, having visited several national military park, of which Shiloh on the MS/TN border is the most famous. We love Memphis, Nashville and Chattanooga. And Atlanta, which is just two hours south of the marina. Atlanta has a huge Korean population; we go there to provision for Asian groceries and to get a fix on Asian food. For us, it's the best, south of Washington, D.C.

For this posting, I will share with you an article I wrote on Memphis, and a video clip of life at Hales Bar Marina.

Blues Festival in St Pete, Fl

2009-03-20T17:45:00.014-04:00

When we cruised into St Petersburg downtown one weekend in March 2005, we were thrilled to find a charming waterfront city hopping with activities. The waterfront is lined with marinas, galleries, shops and restaurants. If you are looking for arts and culture, you came to the right place. Several museums including the famed Salvador Dali, a couple of theatres and a university (University of South Florida) are all located in and around the downtown area.

We dropped anchor at the Vinoy Basin anchorage. With friends and relatives living in the vicinity, we made arrangements to see them and re-provisioned. We had so much fun we stayed a whole week. By the following weekend, our trusty generator died! Right in the middle of the Blues Festival and with friends on board. Talk about great timing. The fun stops when you cannot charge the batteries to run the computer, TV, refrigerator, A/C, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. We can go to a marina to plug in every night, but that gets to be prohibitively expensive (think of paying hotel prices every day).

We discussed our options and reluctantly kissed New Orleans goodbye. Our cruising plan was to spend the winter in SW Florida, spring in the Florida Panhandle and New Orleans, Louisiana. For the summer, we would cruise back to Mobile Bay and head up the inland waterway to Mississippi or Tennessee. So much for planning.

Guess all good things must come to an end some time. We searched frantically for a marina. There weren't many to choose from, as most had been bought out by developers and they had them turned into dockaminiums. We were lucky to find a space at Tierra Verde Resort and Marina, a hurricane hole, we were told. We totally agreed, having survived Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma that year!

As it turned out, St Pete was an excellent place to spend the hurricane season. We had a car to get around as it was stored at a relative's place. The marina is a mere ten minutes from Fort DeSoto Park, which by the way, was voted to be America's number 1 beach in 2005.

As for the generator, we got a Northern Light 6KW installed after the hurricane season was over. It runs great, and is pretty quiet compared the 16 year-old Westerbeke we had.

It's March madness again, and St Pete is hosting the annual Tampa Bay's Blues Festival this weekend. If you are in this neck of the woods, come and discover St Pete for yourself!

Related posts:
The Salvador Dali Museum moves to its new home in St Pete, Florida
Christmas in New Orleans, Louisiana
Memorial Day weekend at Fort McRae Anchorage

Greed is bad

2009-03-17T16:04:00.012-04:00

The economic downturn is taking a toll on America. People are losing their jobs and homes. The last time I remember it to be this bad was in 1981, when Reagan first took office. I was oblivious to the economic woes at the time as I was barely out of college, and didn't have any savings to begin with. This time around, I'm in the thick of it. Anybody who owns a house or 401K will know exactly what I mean.

Florida has the highest foreclosure rate after California. How did all this happen? We can lay the blame on Bush, Greenspan, the banks, the mortgage companies, the home builders, and ourselves. The bottom line is we were all greedy, and most people bought more house than they can afford. In the 80s, people had to put 10 to 20 percent down on their homes. Before the housing bust, you could have bought a house with no money down. So, is it any surprise then that when the going gets tough, the owners just walk away from their homes? What have they got to lose? What were the bankers thinking? Especially the banks that own the second mortgage or the equity line?

I could go on and on and get depressed about the whole situation. Instead, I will focus on the nice weather that recently descended on Florida. After months of cold front blowing through, the weather finally got warm enough for some beach time. This past Sunday, we went to the lovely Anna Maria Island. We got there early for some peace and quiet before the crowd of families came. It felt good to have the sun on my back, listen to the soothing ocean waves lapping against the shore, and just let my cares melt away...

That same evening, around 7:45pm, we happened to be looking out our window across the street when suddenly a bright orange ray of light shot up above the roof of our neighbor's house. We ran out the door to stare in awe at NASA's shuttle Discovery. It had lifted off a mere two minutes ago from the Kennedy Space Center, on the Atlantic side of Florida. Boaters go to that area in the hope of seeing a launch. Here, we just happened to look out the window. How lucky are we? We later learned that the seven-member crew is delivering the final set of power-generating solar array wings and a new crew member to the International Space Station.

All things considered, we are grateful to be alive and well, with family and friends, and to be living in this great country. All this pain we are feeling now will soon pass. We will be strong once again.

Best Beach in America: Caladesi Island State Park

2009-03-01T22:25:00.021-05:00

Florida is blessed with miles of coastlines. The Gulf coast is lined with many beautiful beaches. In any given year, you can find two in the Clearwater/St Petersburg/Sarasota area ranking in the top ten. Last year, Dr Beach named Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin/Clearwater to be the number one beach in America. Dr Beach is Dr Stephen Leatherman, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research.

Caladesi Island State Park can only be reached by boat. You can take a ferry from Honeymoon Island or you can take your own boat. The state park has a marina with electric and water hookups, and you can stay overnight for a small fee.

We visited Caladesi Island one May weekend in 2006. We found boats of all sizes come to hang out here on the weekends. It reminded us of our boating days in Boston. One boater told us that on July 4th, there are so many people that the aluminum dock is practically under water! Watching the boaters dock their boats was our entertainment of the day. The beach is also very popular, as evidenced by a ferry that comes here every half hour, bringing throngs of sunseekers. The beach was packed all afternoon, but by 6 pm everything came to a halt. All the tourists were gone. Except for a few boaters, the beach and park were pretty much deserted. It was low tide; we took a walk on the beach and found lots of beautiful shells - mostly Florida fighting conchs and turret shells. On the way back to the marina, we even saw a turtle.

If you love the beach and nature, come and explore the well-kept secret of Caladesi. You won't be disappointed.

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Port of Call: Sarasota

2009-02-25T23:56:00.008-05:00

Sarasota had its annual arts festival this past weekend. I had planned to go, but unfortunately, my siblings who visited recently left me this wicked cough/cold/flu, that took me out for days. A week later still find me with this cough that just refuse to go away.

The first time I ever heard of Sarasota was in the early eighties when a colleague mentioned it. His grandmother lived there. Immediately, I associated Sarasota with retirees. Years later, I passed by the town many times, but never did I stop. Until one Februray in 2005, when my husband and I arrived by boat.

We anchored at the expansive Sarasota Harbor, near Marina Jack. You can tie up your dinghy at O'Leary Tiki Bar and Grill for a small fee. Once on land, you are on Island Park (or Bayfront Park) with lots of amenities to offer the public - walkways for rollerblading, walking or running, huge playgrounds and water fountains for kids to play in, benches for picnics, all with the lovely view of Sarasota Bay. For those seeking watersports activities, there are plenty of affordable rentals and charters (sunset or dinner cruises, deep-sea fishing, you name it) at the park.

Across the street from the park is the charming downtown, lined with art galleries, cafes, bookstores, and restaurants. There is a theater, an excellent library and bus system. On Saturdays, there is a farmer's market; it is pretty big with many vendors offering fresh vegetables, plants, herbs, flowers, etc.

Ah, the Arts Festival. We were lucky to stumble upon it one weekend. It has got to be the finest one we've seen, one with real art. And we've been to some highly acclaimed ones in Key West and Coconut Grove (Miami).

We love Sarasota so much we stayed on anchor there for almost three weeks! When the birds start eating their catch on your deck and bimini top, it is time to leave. Did I mention that there were quite a few liveaboards at the anchorage? Back in those days, you could anchor as long as you liked. Now, the city limits anchoring to 72 hours. There's talk about putting in a mooring field that will be run by Marina Jack. Check out The Waterway Guide or Skipper Bob's publication for more information.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp, anyone?

2009-02-15T06:37:00.013-05:00

I could not bring myself to do a posting yesterday. It was Valentine's Day, and I got rejected! Via email regarding my "audition" for a guest chef at a local William Sonoma-like store.

The "audition" was on Friday the 13th. I had joined a Travel Writing Group and we had a meeting that same morning. Everyone was encouraged to write an article about a romantic trip or a trip that had gone wrong, or to combine both into one story. I did the latter, and the article can be found in Helium.com - Travel Destinations: Florida by E. Thai. Anyway, the people I met were very professional and of high caliber. I am already looking forward to our next meeting.

I left early to make my next appointment. A week earlier, when I was asked to do an "audition," I simply laughed at the word, not realizing what it all meant. I had never cooked in front of an unknown audience before. Here, I thought I'd just show people how to cook good, fast and simple Asian food. Apparently, that was not enough. What they wanted was a show! The chef/owner said my food was wonderful, but my presentation skills were not a good fit for them. Ouch, that hurts! Then again, if I have that kind of presentation skills, I may have persued a different profession entirely.

I'm just a computer geek with a passion for writing, traveling and cooking. I have many years of experience in the restaurant business, from being a waitstaff, a certified bartender to part-ownership. Although I was never a chef, when push comes to shove, I'd cooked many a dish. Alas, this means nothing. America is obsessed with celebrities and reality shows. Even my favorite chef Ming Tsai is no longer on the Food Network Channel:-(!! And who watches Hell's Kitchen anyway?

When we moved to the boat and traveled up and down the east coast, I had to streamline my cooking big time. The boat galley is a U-shaped one-butt kitchen. We learned to conserve and live with less (water, cooking equipment, refrigerator space, even refrigeration for that matter). We had a space for either a microwave or a convection oven. I chose the latter. Forget appliances like dishwasher and washing machine! South of Virginia, you cannot even get decent Chinese food, let alone Chinese groceries! I learned to provision more efficiently and to substitute.

So after all these years, I have collected and refined recipes for good, fast and simple cooking with an Asian twist. It's all in a document that is waiting to be published. Some day ... I close this posting with the Salt and Pepper Shrimp that I demonstrated at my "audition." Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera, but I assure you it is pretty and tastes very good. Best of all, simple, fast, and dare I say, healthy? Bon Appetit!

Salt and Pepper Shrimp
Serves 2
14 large shrimp (21/25 count), deveined, and with shells on
5 lettuce leaves
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
½ of a jalapeno pepper, sliced thin (optional)
2 Tbsp olive oil

Wash and brine shrimp in ½ teaspoon salt for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
Wash and dry lettuce leaves. Cut crosswise into ½” slices and place in a serving dish.

In a large saucepan or wok, under medium high heat, dry fry shrimp (yes, no oil!) for about 2 minutes. When the color of the shrimp turns pink, turn it and sear the other side for 1-2 minutes.

Sprinkle in the pepper and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt (and jalapeno, if using). Stir until shrimp is well coated. Add olive oil and shake the pan or wok so that the shrimp is well coated with the spice and oil. Pour over lettuce in serving dish. Serve immediately with cooked rice.

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A Day in the Life of a Retiree ...

2009-02-06T22:25:00.005-05:00

A department store about two miles away from my home is having a grand opening this morning. It was giving away ten bucks in store dollars to the first 200 customers, so around 8:45am I sped over to partake in the event. When I arrived, the parking lot was already three-quarters full, and it was a zoo. A line had formed, and it snaked around the parking lot. I was thinking that even if I did not make the 200 count, the store should reward me and others behind me for just showing up. Retirees like me were freezing our butts out there. Artic air from the north had blown into Tampa Bay a couple of days ago, dropping our temperatures to the low 30s at night, to the 40s during the day, the coldest it's been in six years.

The guy behind me said he actually enjoys the cold weather. No wonder - he's from Pittsburgh, Pa. I congratulated him on the Pittsburgh Steelers winning the Super Bowl. He said he screamed so hard he lost his voice the next day!

After my shopping, I stopped by the local library to borrow some DVDs. I'm on a mission to re-watch all my favorite movies. I checked out "The Big Chill", Elvis' "Jailhouse Rock", and "Pride and Prejudice."

Later in the afternoon, it warmed up to the 60s. I peeled off my winter clothing and went to work in the yard/garden. The two bougainvilleas I had planted just after the new years lost quite a bit of flowers, but seemed fine. I moved all my potted plants (impatients, geraniums, blue daze) and herbs (cilantro, rosemary) from the garage to the outside, and did some weeding. It felt good to have the sun on my back.

Tampa is lucky. We had rotten weather several days before Super Bowl Sunday. On the day of the game, it was cool, but sunny. Next day, it went downhill, culminating in the aforementioned artic blast. This weekend is gonna be nice again. Just in time for Gasparilla, when the pirates invade the city. A tradition that dates back over 100 years, the Gasparilla invasion will be led by the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla, booming with canons as it enters Hillsborough Bay. After she docks at the Convention Center, the pirates will force the mayor to surrender the city. This is then followed by a parade of pirates plundering around the city with floats, beads, and other goodies, New Orleans style. A day of good times, for sure.