Tag Archives: food

Insider Interview: Destin, Florida

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Destin - Emerald Coast

One of Destin's Beaches

Destin is home to virtually every water sport and activity imaginable.  The water is consistently warm with temps reaching 86 degrees in October. Vacationers can go boating, parasailing, jet skiing, or snorkel with some of the local marine life including manatees, dolphins and sea turtles.  You don’t even have to take a charter out of the harbor to find a great snorkeling location.  Local’s tip: snorkel on the jettys off of Gulf Shore Drive on Holiday Isle, where you can park for free and walk down to the water. The snorkeling here is amazing!

For other activities, there are dozens of golf courses, the Big Kahuna waterpark, the Gulfarium (mom and pop type aquarium that is popular with kids and families) or the Harbor Docks in downtown Destin, offering free parking and a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors – a great place to rent boats and snorkeling equipment.

Destin is also known for its great dining and shopping.  On the East end of town there is the Silver Sands Outlet Mall, the largest designer outlet mall in the US, and in Mid-town Destin is the newly built Destin Commons, which is home to a Hard Rock Cafe as well as a 14 screen cinema and other retail shops.

The Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, a bustling sub-community of Destin, has lots of shops and it is a great place to take the family or head out to for a night on the town.   At Christmas they even bring in an ice skating rink and put up lights!

Taken off of Dewey Destins dock

Taken off of Dewey Destin's dock

For food, here are our picks:

  • The Back Porch – known for their fresh seafood and oysters
  • Dewey Destin’s (the town was named after his family!) – located on the harbor and serving up large portions of great downhome cooking
  • Pompano Joes Restaurant – its right on the beach on Scenic 98, and also has outside as well as inside dining, casual entertainment and a casual beach bar
  • Bonefish Grill – good service, consistently great food, and a nice, quiet ambiance – perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion
  • Donut Hole – a popular locals spot that has been a staple since the towns conception  - makes a great keylime pie
  • Broken Egg – fresh and nutritional food, over 130 menu items, great for breakfast, brunch or lunch
  • Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ – great southern food made from scratch

Destin’s peak season runs from the end of May through the first part of August but “the luckiest fishing village in the US” as Destin is also known, hosts one of its main annual events in October – the annual “Fishing Rodeo” where the person with the largest catch nets $100,000 in prize money!

Destin Beach Houses For Rent

White Sand Beaches of Destin

What keeps people returning to Destin year after year for a great vacation spot?

We think it is the beauty of the water – it’s turquoise, clear and breathtaking, as well as the clean white sandy beaches.  People can’t believe it when they first pull up to the water.

It’s still family oriented. A quaint town – no crowds or high-rises – and the people are down to earth…good ‘ol boy people.

Destin has managed to maintain this small-town feel, yet is only 55 miles from the Spring Break-type of vacation one can find in either Pensacola, Florida and Panama City, Florida.

And the sluggish economy hasn’t hit Destin as hard as other popular vacation destinations – perhaps due to its central location on the Florida panhandle, making it easy to get to on not too much gasoline from southern Florida, and the neighboring states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.  Destin is also more accessible thanks to the addition of an International Airport.

Book your dream vacation now in Destin! Check all of our options from private houses with pools to beachfront condos with many amenities, on BeachHouse.com.

Insider Interview: Florida’s North Captiva & Boca Grande

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3435492417_cd85059273_bIt’s no wonder Sarah Rapp loves what she does.  For the last 10 years she has worked as a Broker/Realtor and advertising agent for rental properties throughout Southwestern Florida.  As the owner of her own company, Sarah has worked for 8 years in North Captiva and 2 years in Boca Grande and owns a private residence in North Captiva…although she divides her time between Boca Grande and North Captiva.

And who wouldn’t love dividing their time between these gorgeous barrier islands?

Tropic Ten - Dunes Of Boca

Tropic Ten - Dunes Of Boca

Sarah recalls her first visit to North Captiva, “I loved the natural beauty – it’s still somewhat untouched and family oriented.”

And untouched they are – North Captiva is only accessible by boat and there are no cars on the island, vacationers instead opting to navigate around the island by golf cart, bicycle and boat.

Boca Grande has a land bridge making car travel an option, however many still choose to get around in golf carts or on bike.

“For some people, the fact that they have to be without their car in North Captiva is a bit too much,” says Sarah.  ”So Boca Grande is the next best fit.”

Peak season for both of these lush US islands runs from March through the first part of April.  However, both of these locals have great weather year-round, so go ahead and plan your trip for the off-season when you can enjoy warm weather and great rates on North Captiva vacation rentals!  And if you’re concerned about hurricanes, they are no reason to miss out on a great tropical escape.  Sarah recommends getting travel insurance if you’re planning your trip anytime between August and November.

Once in Boca Grande, vacationers have many options of activities – one of Sarah’s favorites is to head out on one of the many bike paths that wind through the city.  Sarah has also found that Boca Grande has some of the best shelling of anywhere Sarah has been, saying  ”They’re magnificent”

Gasparilla Inn

Gasparilla Inn

She also recommends stopping by the charming Gasparilla Inn & Club for dinner and drinks.  The club has a variety of dining options ranging from The Main Dining Room (open for breakfast and dinner daily), The Pink Elephant, or “The Pink” as many call it (a more casual option for lunch, dinner and drinks), or the popular BZ’s lounge where patrons can lounge on the sofas and chairs and sip one of the Inn’s signature drinks: Gaspartinis, Mojitos and Planter’s Punch.

North Captiva and Boca Grande are only about a 40 minute boat ride apart from eachother – close enough to plan a day trip from one to the other.

Sarah’s North Captiva Picks

A good catch on a North Captiva fishing charter!

A good catch on a North Captiva fishing charter!

Food:

Activities:

  • Island Girl Charters, is a water taxi service to North Captiva, docking at Safety Harbor Club and Barnacle Phil’s Restaurant. They offer daily trips to the Pink Elephant on Boca Grande and Cabbage Key, as well as nature, dolphin watching, shelling, manatee and birding trips.”
  • Visit Boats and Fun run by father, Alberto Barbero, and son, Matias Barbero, who Sarah refers to as “Mr. Fun,” for jet ski, kayak, wakeboard and boat rentals, banana boat and inter-tube rides, and scuba & dolphin excursions.  ”Matias is always smiling, always happy,” says Sarah.  Boats and Fun “has really created a great shop – you can go by and ask them when the tide is, what’s going on around town, anything.”

Vacationers who stay at one of our North Captiva beach house rentals also get to enjoy a guest membership (and all of the amenities that come with it!) to the North Captiva Island Club Resort.  The club offers 2 clay tennis courts, 2 swimming pools, kayaks, bikes, beach chairs, fitness equipment, day excursions, a pool bar that also serves up milkshakes for the kids and more.  The staff of the North Captiva Island Club will also help assist with groceries and luggage!

Manzanillo – Que Bonita!

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Manzanillo, Mexico is a wonderful destination located in the state of Colima. It is a coastal city on the Pacific side with the busiest port in Mexico. However, despite its commercial importance, it has retained its tranquil laid-back Mexican charm.

The port of Manzanillo is made up of two separate bays, divided by the Peninsula of Santiago. On the left is the Bay of Santiago, followed by a smaller notched-out area, known as Playa Audiencia and on the right-hand side, is the Bay of Manzanillo. Both bays are more than five miles long and offer a variety of water sports activities.

Manzanillo is replete with pristine, breathtaking beaches that are undeniably the most beautiful on the western coast of Mexico. Manzanillo is a perfect vacation spot for people that want to get-away-from-it-all and immerse themselves in the best of Mexican beauty and natural charms.  The best way to experience the local way of life in Mexico is to rent a beach house!

In the north side of Manzanillo, the tourist zone offers exclusive gift shops, cultural stores, travel agencies, tour operators, authentic restaurants and beautiful beaches including Playa de Oro, Playa L’Recif, and La Boquita. In addition, the renowned seafood in Manzanillo is scrumptious and fresh due to the vast fishing culture of the city. Start out your delicious seafood lunch with a shrimp cocktail or fresh oysters and clams caught that morning by the local fishermen. You can also choose from a varied menu of seafood for the main course, such as shrimp, filet of dorado, red snapper, or lobster. While enjoying the delicious food in the vibrant town of Manzanillo, you can have the strolling musicians play you a few Mariachi tunes.

There is a vast variety of activities for vacationers that include playing water sports, fishing, golfing, and enjoying the nightlife. Surfing, scuba diving, swimming, banana boat rides, and snorkeling are very popular in this town and Manzanillo also has two of the top golf courses in Mexico. The city is known as the “sailfish capital of the world” with year-round excursions available for sport fishing.

Tours are available of the city and of the historic state of Colima. It’s a great place to shop too—there are stores ranging from upscale to local vendors that you can bargain with for hammocks, toys and authentic jewelry.

Manzanillo is a cultural, relaxing and enjoyable place to visit for vacationers. It is undeniably a must-see for vacationers planning a trip to Mexico.

California’s Central Coast’s Beach Communities

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Cambria – Located just off of California’s Pacific Coast Hwy 1 is Cambria – a picturesque artists community set amidst the pine trees and foothills half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Head to Cambria’s “East Village” for a selection of small restaurants and cafe’s set between gardens and old historical buildings. There is a cute downtown village area with boutiques, antique shops, flower stores and art and jewelry galleries. Centrally located, Cambria is a great place to head out on day-trips from.   Vacationers can head a short distance to tour either Hearst Castle or to San Simeon, home to one of California’s largest populations of elephant seals. Moonstone Beach is also nearby, which is a great place to walk the beach before dining at one of the delicious restaurants while you take in some amazing ocean views.

Morro Bay BeachMorro Bay – Surrounded with natural beauty, Morro Bay is a great place to spend the day or the weekend.  Whether you like shopping, hiking, boating or all of the above, this harbor town has it.  Morro Bay’s Natural Estuary has great hiking trails, and is home to the Museum of Natural History and a Heron Rookery Preserve.  Continue down Morro Bay’s Coast and you will find more bluff trails, the Elfin Forest and the Sweet Springs Preserve.  The entire bay is home to many different species of birds making it a bird-watcher’s dream.  Morro Bay also has a great beach, with certain parts that are dog-friendly.  Local surfers enjoy “the Rock” – not only does this break have a killer view of Morro Rock, but the water is a few degrees warmer than the surrounding water thanks to the

Avila Beach – For a funky little beach town that’s not much larger than a neighborhood, Avila Beach sure knows how to make headlines. In the late 90′s and into 2000 the community got an almost complete makeover after it was discovered that a Union Oil Co underground pipeline had been slowly seeping oil into the ground for decades. But now Avila is back and better than ever, with a re-vamped boardwalk that hosts a farmer’s market each Friday afternoon, delicious deli’s and an assortment of upscale eateries. Locals and visitors enjoy Avila for its unpretentious and friendly atmosphere where flip flops and sandy toes are practically a uniform. Looking for some great grub? Be sure to wander over to nearby Port San Luis to Fat Cat Cafe – it’s so good that Sunset Magazine wrote about it!

Shell Beach – Unlike the others on the list, Shell Beach doesn’t have a central downtown or main street, per se, and really is more of a neighborhood. If you turn down Silver Shoals Road off of Shell Beach Road, you will dead end into a grassy area on the bluffs of what the locals have dubbed “Silver Shoals Beach.” This park is a great place for picnics and people watching. There is a dirt trail that leads down to the beach where, even on a windy day, is perfect for sunbathing as the sand is protected from the elements by the sea wall behind you. Feel free to bring your furry friend – the crowd is usually mellow and on the younger side so nobody minds that you are voilating the “no dogs on the beach” policy that most California beaches seem to have.  

Pismo Beach – If you want some action, Pismo is the beach for you – there is more going on and much more to do here than at any of the other beaches on this list. Pismo Beach offers great shopping. Vacationers can find everything from surf stores, antique stores, candy shops, souvenir stores and more.  Pismo’s sandunes are a great place to camp, go off roading and ride horses.  The pier at Pismo Beach is a great place to fish, people watch and get tasty treats including hot dogs, ice cream, and snow cones to name a few. As you stroll the beach, look for the volleyball nets – there is often pickup games and the courts are also the location of tournaments during certain times of the year. You must allot time for a trip to Splash Cafe. Be prepared to wait, but I assure you that even a half hour wait is well worth it. There is a lot to choose from on the menu – and all of it is good – but this place is famous for their clam chowder.

The Heavenly Island of Provo

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The breathtakingly gorgeous Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory located in the West Indies.  The islands are widely known for their gorgeous beaches, natural beauty, and pristine coral reefs. 

Providenciales, or Provo, is the urban center of Turks and Caicos and it is also the most popular island.  Interestingly, only about forty years ago, Provo did not have a single wheeled vehicle and today it is one of the most popular vacation destinations among tourists.  The gorgeous beaches, beautiful landscape, and tranquilizing atmosphere of the city will make you fall in love.

Provo is a paradisiacal island that is ideal for families and couples trying to get away from it all.  Provo has gorgeous, white sandy beaches with dazzling turquoise waters, and miles of coral reefs making it the ultimate diving destination.  Flamingo Divers offers diving with small groups of eight people of any experience level and it provides an exciting and memorable diving experience!  The most popular 12 mile stretch of the beach is located on Grace Bay and is surrounded by a barrier reef. 

At the beach, you can indulge in a host of enjoyable activities including parasailing, scuba diving, surfing, sailing, kite-surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, and waterskiing. 

Provo is a haven for golfers as it has one of the top ten golf courses of the Caribbean. 

The island also has the world’s only Conch farm; the mollusks with their beautiful pink shells take five years to grow.  The Conch farm offers tours during the winter; it is most definitely a must-see, unique attraction of the island. 

Another popular place of interest in Provo is The Hole located on the way to Long Bay Beach.  It is a breathtaking, bottomless pit that has ultimate natural beauty.  According to some, the pit is connected to the sea via underground tunnels.  The Hole is usually admired from the topside; you have to see this fascinating location on your visit!  

Historic points of interest in Provo include Cheshire Hill and Sapodilla Bay.  Cheshire Hall is a 200 year old building that consists of ruins of a prosperous cotton plantation.  The building ruins have been conserved and they offer beautiful views of the island providing a captivating contrast of the old Provo and the modern Provo. 

"The Hole" in ProvidencialesSapodilla Bay is a heavenly spot with white sand beaches and clear blue waters; there is a hill that overlooks Sapodilla Bay where you can observe historic stones engraved by shipwrecked sailors. 

Provo offers a luxurious and diverse dining experience.  The island has a wide variety of restaurants with distinct ambiances and cuisines.  A lot of restaurants have mouthwatering specials every day of the week!

During your stay at Provo, you must visit the island’s only live casino called Casablanca Casino.  The Casino is an exciting place with live gaming tables, a lounge, and a bar. 

At Provo Island, you are bound to have a magical vacation. Provo is a heavenly island that will leave you with memories of a lifetime!

St. Martin – the perfect blend of 2 countries!

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St. Martin is a magical island that is shared by the French and the Dutch; the two countries share an almost indiscernible and friendly border.  However, each side maintains its distinctiveness and represents its own culture. 

The island has a very calm and secluded environment that makes it a perfect spot for vacationers.  The fact that the island has two distinct cultures makes it an exciting place to visit.  The beautiful island is warm and sunny throughout the year, the average temperature is about 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

Marigot, the capital city of St. Martin, has a vibrant French culture – it has colonial houses, bistros, pastry shops, luxurious boutiques, and European fashions.  The best part is that the entire city is very accessible and vacationer-friendly because it only has four wide streets. 

The figure of Fort St. Louis is a huge historical monument that is located on the side of the island and it overlooks the Marigot Bay.  While you’re looking at this monument, you can get a great panoramic view of the island.  At the South of Marigot, there is a museum that preserves the island’s history and culture as it has an abundance of pre-Colombian treasures and extensive displays that manifest the plantation and slavery period. 

Paradise Peak is the highest point on the island, after climbing 1,400 feet to the top, you can get a magnificent view of the landscape and tropical forest.  On the east of the island, there is a small village called Orleans, or French Quarter, which still preserves some of the seventeenth-century structures.  Spending a day in this beautiful village is a great learning experience that you will thoroughly enjoy. 

There are a ton of fun-filled activities that the great island offers.  St. Martin has thirty seven stunning and unique beaches.  The beach at Grand Case and the Anse Marcel beaches have vibrant local cultures and are great beaches to visit with families.  Orient Bay beach is unique because it has white sand and it offers a great variety of water-sports. 

Dining in St. Martin is world famous- the cuisine there ranges from French delicacies to Asian and Indian cuisine.  There are plenty of renowned restaurants on this island; many of them play music for dancing as well. 

Given the rich culture of St. Martin, the gorgeous beaches, the historical sites, the enjoyable activities, and the romantic and peaceful atmosphere, a trip to this beautiful island will be a magical one that you will cherish for the rest of your life!

Guest Blog – Stacy & Jeff do Southeast Asia (6 of 40)

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local thai market - meow!

local thai market - meow!

conglomerate of stories…
“favorite food in phuket:  in our last few days in phuket, we found this little locals place hidden back off the road and tried their papaya salad for lunch, it was delicious.  we were so turned on by the spot we tried it for dinner that night.  the setting was something of an outdoor living room, the only other diners being what seemed family members and close friends.  the food was great and cheap! our first dinner there we sat and watched some thai tv drama while i sipped on so-co and coke…. it was great.  we ended up eating all of our meals there over the next two days and all were fantastic!  it was run by pretty much the sweetest lady with the best smile.  her daughter was a mini-me, looking to be 10 or so and seemed to be in training for a future running the restaurant.  dad looked like samuel l jackson if he were thai – by far the biggest/thickest guy we’d seen yet.  on our last night the woman was so sad to learn we were leaving for bangkok and, before we knew it, she ran off and then returned minutes later with this little plush blue bear.  she handed it to us and said it was for good luck on our travels and to make sure we come back when we return later in the trip.  it was great!  hugs and all and a firm handshake from the husband….great departure.

fresh orchids for sale

fresh orchids for sale

chinatown, bangkok:  it was like the stockroom of a dollar store or a walmart with all the hair things and fashion jewelry you could ask for.  swarming with ladies and girls.  crazy.  it then unfolded into the food market, which as the photos show, are not for the faint of heart.  it had anything and everything - most we didnt’ know what it was.  You can only imagine the smells that went with it…

teddy ska, brick bar, koh san road:  in search for the bathroom (cause I always have to go at the wrong time) we came accross a back-ally bar with live music coming out!  we decided to enter this dark brick-walled bar and check it out.  we walk in to a crazy rad bar filled with local 20-somethings rocking out to this really amazing ska band.  we were the only ‘farongs’ in there by far. it was great.  we met this drunk kid who proceeded to buy us beers and show usa good time.  sooooooo much whiskey there it was unbelievable.  for 1000 baht (a little short of 30 bucks) you buy a bottle and go to town.  nobody was drinking beer but us, so we too went to whiskey eventually.  but it was just so cool to see all these kids loving life and rocking out.  great tunes too, kinda like a mix between save ferris and no doubt…. we learned they’re a pretty famous thai band so we really lucked out in finding it…so cool can’t tell ya enough!!!!

monks waiting for the boat taxi

monks waiting for the boat taxi

with that we were on a music search and got a list of some top reggae and ska bands.  we bought our first cds today, “kaijai brothers”, famous for their song tuk tuk brokedown… the only bummer is now we can’t listen to them unless we find a usb cord for the ipod.  but we also, learned of “job 2 do” which is known for their song ‘do do do do…’ we had never heard it until today, but everybody refers to it everywhere…. and then “t-bone” which is  more ska…. we tried to get our friends from last night at the bar to write down their favorite bands for us, but too much whiskey and too loud….

stacy’s hair:  we were bored in phuket and i was frustrated with my hair being constantly wet and in knots… so jeff cut it.  he did a pretty damn good job too, but thanks to some remaining layers from my last cut, it wasn’t too hard.  i haven’t had my hair this short since highschool!  and it feels oh so fresh and so clean….

now we’re off to chang mai on an overnight bus……

cheers, peace and love!”

A Recipe From Each Continent of the World (3 of 7)

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North America:  America’s Best Burger Ever

(Recipe excerpted from ABC’s Good Morning America, host of Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Best Burger Ever Challenge – the winner was Allison Koplan’s Stuffed Bacon-Cheddar BBQ Burger)

Burger Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground chuck
  • 1 lb. ground round
  • 2 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp. garlic salt
  • 8 oz. block of sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
  • 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 medium Vidalia onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1 bottle of sweet barbecue sauce (of your choice)
  • Hamburger buns
  • Lettuce (optional)
  • Tomato (optional)
  • 1/2 cup Onions
  • 1/4 cup Barbecue sauce for basting

Winner Allison Koplan and Chef Emeril Lasasse

  • Combine ground round, ground chuck, salt and pepper in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the coarsely shredded sharp cheddar and cooked bacon pieces. Let bacon and cheese mixture sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to get soft. Then, shape mixture into balls (for however many burgers you would like to make)
  • Form 2 patties of meat and place one cheese/bacon ball in between them. Pinch the sides together to seal in cheese ball. Gently press formed patty, to spread out cheese ball. Continue until all patties are formed
  • Cook burgers on grill over medium flame for about 7 minutes on each side. While burgers are grilling, slice sweet Vidalia onions and saute them in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter. Once onions become translucent (about 4 minutes), add some sweet barbecue sauce
  • Flip burgers, and baste the cooked side of the patties with the same sweet barbecue sauce used in the onions. After about 7 minutes longer, the burger should be done (these are big thick burgers and may take longer to grill to your liking). Baste again with sweet barbecue sauce before removing from grill. Butter hamburger buns and place on top rack of grill for several minutes, until toasted
  • To build burger, take toasted bun, add patty, and top with smothered barbecue onions. You can add tomato or lettuce, if you’d like, but the flavors are great without them

A Recipe From Each Continent of the World (2 of 7)

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Africa:  African Potato Stew & Ugali – native to Kenya

Stew Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 cups onions, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 2 cups cauliflower cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 medium sweet potato cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 4 cups collard greens, sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup dark raisins
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup shelled peas (for garnish)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper (to taste)

Now What?

  • In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat – a add onions and garlic and cook them for 5 minutes (or until onions become transparent and soften).  Stirr occasionally
  • Add ginger, seeds, coriander and cloves – cook (stirring frequently) for 2 minutes
  • Next add the potatoes and gradually stir in the 4 cups of water.  Then turn the heat up to high
  • Once the mixture comes to a boil, stir in 1 teaspoon of salt and reduce the heat to low.  Simmer the stew (uncovered) for 5 minutes and stir occasionally
  • Stir in the cauliflower, sweet potato, collard greens & raisins and continue to cook for 10 minutes (or until the potatoes & sweet potatoes are tender)
  • Last, season the stew with the vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and add in more water if the stew is too dry – garnish with peas

Serve hot and Enjoy!

Ugali Ingredients:

  • 4 cups water
  • 3 or 4 cups maize meal (a bit more coarse that American corn meal, however, corn meal will work fine too)

Now What?

  • In large pot, bring your water to a boil
  • Add the maize meal, stirring to prevent lumps
  • Gradually add more maize meal to make a thick mixture (it will resemble grits until it cooks down a bit more)
  • Continue to stir until the maize meal is well cooked and mixture is about the consistency of Play Dough
  • Remove the ball of dough from the pot and place onto a serving plate – the ugali should hold its shape
  • Traditionally, diners pinch off pieces of the ball and use it to “sop up” soups, stews or sauces

A Recipe from Each Continent of the World (1 of 7)

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Asia:  Tom Ka Gai Soup – native to Thailand

Ingredients:

  • Good quality Chinese chicken stock – 1 cup
  • Coconut milk – 1 cup
  • Fresh or frozen lemongrass – 1/2 a  stalk
  • Galangal – fresh – 6 slices (If you don’t have any at home, you can order some online)
  • Kaffir Lime Leaves – 2 (hand-torn)
  • Thai bird’s eye chillies (or Serrano chillies) – 2-3 (big slices so you can avoid them easily)
  • (If you don’t have any of the above, Amazon ships a package of all the fresh ingredients you need for the soup.)
  • Fish sauce – 1 tbsp (The saltiness can vary a lot across brands, so start with less always.)
  • Lime juice – 2 tbsp
  • Sugar – 1/2 tsp
  • Coriander (cilantro for the Americans) leaves – 2 tbsp
  • Boneless chicken breast (or Tofu) – 2 breasts or 1 package
  • Straw mushrooms (or regular button mushrooms) – 4 (sliced)

Now What?

  • With lemongrass, recipes generally only call for the bottom 6 inches or so (the white part).  The rest is woody and can be trashed. Using the flat side of a cleaver or a heavy object, pound and bruise the lemongrass to releases the flavor before cutting into 2 inch segments. Easy with the cleaver or you can do way more than bruise the lemongrass – we don’t want any missing fingers!
  • Pour the stock into a pot and bring to a boil.   Then toss the galangal, lemongrass, sugar, and lime leaves in and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Add the coconut milk, chillies and fish sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • Lastly, add the chicken (or tofu) and mushrooms and cook till the protein is just cooked. (Chicken will be done shortly after you first see it turning all white on the outside – tofu can be cooked until you get the desired texture – 20 minutes for more meaty tofu and shorter if you like it tender).
  • For the grand finale, turn off the heat and add your lime juice and garnish with coriander leaves (wait till the end to add the lime juice in order to maintain that citrusy goodness – the longer you cook it the more it will mellow). Test for saltiness and sourness. The galangal should give you some good earthy flavor, there will be some tasty salty/sweetness from the coconut milk, and a fair bit of lime and chili flavor.  (If you need to kick up the salt factor, throw in some extra fish sauce – lemon juice will kick up the sour factor.

Enjoy!  (Or as they say in Thailand, kin-khao-hai-a-roi-na   กินข้าวให้อร่อยนะ)

Dana Point – Harboring the Good Life!

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Dana Point is a beautiful city located in southern Orange County, California.  The motto of the city is “Harboring the Good Life,” which is manifested in the life of residents of the city.

This city is a popular vacation destination because of its serene natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, shopping, beautiful parks, and host of activities that it has to offer.  A prominent point of interest in the city is Dana Point Harbor which offers boat rentals, fishing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, boat charters, shops, and restaurants.  Vacationers thoroughly enjoy the lively atmosphere and activities at the Harbor.

Dana Point has 23 beautiful parks, including Chloe Luke Overlook, Creekside Park, Crystal Cove Park, and Salt Creek Park.  The renowned parks are free of charge for visitors and are perfect for picnics, barbeques, relaxing, walking, biking, and playing sports.  You can reserve the parks for large parties and you can also have a memorable wedding at one of the parks.

Dana Point has world-famous beaches and a number of beach-related activities and facilities, such as boat rentals and surf shops.  Some of the beaches include Capistrano Beach, Doheny State Beach, and Salt Creek Beach.

Capistrano Beach is a beautiful beach that offers sports, cycling, fishing gear and beach supplies.

Doheny State Beach has an impressive picnic area and is famous in the state of California for its swimming and surfing.

Salt Creek Beach is also popular for surfing and is located in Salt Creek Park.

Dana Point is referred to as the “Whale Capital of the West” because a variety of whales use the city as a navigational landmark on their migrations. Thus, whale-watching is a popular activity that proves to be a majestic experience particularly in the months of January and February.  Moreover, Dana Point is a well-known fishing area and Dana Point Harbor offers fishing trips for everyone.

The Ocean Institute is a valuable resource that provides an authentic ocean experience by means of children’s day camps, boat excursions, and wildlife cruises.

Dana Point has a prominent shopping culture; the city offers shops that sell a broad range of items including Indian artifacts, custom-designed jewelry, designer sunglasses, well-known art galleries, and high-end clothing.  The city has something exciting for every shopper.

Dana Point Harbor also has seventeen, well-known and diverse restaurants to choose from.

Dana Point has annual events every season including boat rides with Santa Claus, Festival of the Whales, Doheny Blues Festival which is a vibrant event that celebrates the coming of the summer, Fourth of July fireworks, and Shakespeare by the Sea which is a free Shakespeare production.

Dana Point also has a great location as it is close to a number of attractions.  Disneyland and other theme parks are about forty-five minutes away and the gorgeous Newport Beach is nearby as well.  San Diego is an hour away and Hollywood is about an hour and a half away.

Dana Point is a magnificent city that promises a memorable vacation for everyone!

Unwind at Redington Shores!

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Redington Shores is a beautiful beach town in Pinellas County, Florida.  It is a lovely town that promises a soothing and enjoyable vacation experience.

You can unwind by soaking in the natural beauty, relaxing at the wide sandy beaches, and going to the pleasant parks.  The more active people can enjoy fishing, boating, water-sports, golfing, shopping, and the arts and culture.  There is something for everyone in Redington Shores!

Redington Shores has beautiful, white sand beaches along the Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  The beaches have spectacular sunrises and sunsets—you can watch the first ray of light from the Tampa Bay and sun set in the Gulf of Mexico.

Redington Shores is a lively beach that has concession stands, a fishing pier, and showers.  Incidentally, Redington Long Pier is the ideal place for fishing.  Various fishing charters are available catered to any fishing enthusiast.  Charters can offer short fishing trips in Tampa Bay while others offer hour-long or day-long trips in the Gulf of Mexico.  You are bound to have an enjoyable and successful fishing trip in these waters!

Dinner cruises or gambling cruises are very popular in Redington Shores.  You can go on an elegant dinner cruise and view breathtaking scenery and the beautiful sunset.  It is no surprise that sunset cruise boat weddings are exceedingly common in this area.  Redington Shores is a perfect golf destination primarily because of the pleasant weather year round.  There are a variety of beautiful golf courses that golfers can enjoy.

There is a wide selection of things to do in and around Redington Shores.  Unique and enthralling theme parks are very prevalent close to Redington Shores.  You can go to Busch Gardens, one of the largest zoological parks in the nation, that has rides and an African theme.  The Sea World of Florida features 20 shows and exhibits of whales, dolphins, and sharks, and it is also the world’s most popular marine park.

Tampa Bay has educational museums that are worth checking out.  The Great Explorations is a hands-on children’s museum and learning center.  The Museum of Science and Industry is the Southeast’s largest science center that features Florida’s only IMAX Dome Theater, traveling shows and demonstrations.

Redington Shores has a variety of restaurants that have outstanding seafood items.  You can also relax and meet locals at the bars and pubs of this beautiful town.

Redington Shores is a wonderful town where you can enjoy the stunning surroundings for an unforgettable vacation experience!

The Best Thing to do in Cat Island is to do Nothing at All!

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Cat Island is a beautiful and historic island located in central Bahamas.  Cat Island’s exceptional beauty, peaceful atmosphere, superb climate, and pristine beaches contribute to making it a spectacular vacation destination.  Cat Island has the one of the best climates in the Bahamas – the temperatures average 80 degrees in the summers and 70 degrees in the short winters.  You can escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life to this lush island for a romantic getaway for an intimate family vacation.  Everyone is bound to have a marvelous time in this beautiful island.  Beach vacation homes are a popular mode of accommodation in Cat Island, as they provide a luxurious home away from home.

There is pleny to do in this beautiful Bahamian island.  Cat Island has serene, beautiful beaches that offer enjoyable activities.  The expansive beaches are so secluded that you will feel as if the beach is your own private beach; this feeling is intensified if you stay at a luxurious beach house!

Some of the beaches include the Greenwood Beach that has pink sand, Old Bight Beach with its pure white sand (ideal for walking, beach combing, picnicking, and relaxing), New Bight Beach, which hosts weekend dances and holiday picnics, and Fountain Bay Beach.  You can enjoy fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, and scuba-diving at the beaches.

Mount Alvernia, which is 206 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the Bahamas and it is located in Cat Island.  Even though the island offers enjoyable activities, you can choose to do nothing at all and, instead, appreciate the distinct serenity of the island.

Cat Island was once one of the thriving Loyalist colonies of the Out Islands.  The island prospered by means of numerous cotton plantations that were established in the 1700s.  Now, you can view the vine-covered, semi-ruined mansions in which the cattle was penned and the pineapples were grown centuries ago.

The island has many other intriguing historical sites.  Columbus Point, which is also a momument to Christopher Columbus, is one of the  many Indian caves located in Cat Island.  Hawk’s Nest is a beautiful and fascinating area where a wonderful hawk awed all the locals by making her nest for several years.

The Hermitage, a minature monastry, is an tremendous imitation of the larger hermitages in Europe.  The Hermitage is built on Mt. Alvernia and you can enjoy exceptionally beautiful, panoramic views of the island from there.  The historic sites are a must-see for tourists!

Cat Island has variety of diverse restaurants that will ensure a wonderful dining experience.  Delicious, authentic Bahamian cuisine and seafood is a specialty of the island!  Some of the great restaurants include Bachelor’s Restaurant, Pass Me Not Bar Restaurant, and Blue Bird Restaurant.

Cat Island is serene place that provides a superb vacation experience for everyone!  You are warmly welcome to say at a luxurious beach house and enjoy the serenity of this exotic island.  You will undoubtedly have an unforgettable vacation experience!

Homeowner Brings New Meaning to “Pet Friendly” Vacation Rentals

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BBBlabel3Beachhouse.com homeowner and owner of Mermaid Cottages, Diane Kaufman, has combined 2 of her loves – property management and dogs – in her latest “pet” project, Beach Bum Biscuits.  These delectable all-natural bakery-made dog biscuits are currently on sale in Tybee Island, Georgia at Seaside Sisters, and will soon be available in a beach town near you.  As if you needed any more reason to spoil your furry friend, proceeds from the sale of Beach Bum Biscuits also go to support service and guide dogs!IMG00114-20100605-1443

Also,  by staying at any Mermaid Cottage vacation rental property, you help to support 2 great guide dog foundations:  the Southeastern Guide Dogs’ Puppy Sponsorship Program, and The Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind.

Stay up to date on the latest Beach Bum Biscuit news by following their blog!

Beach Bum Biscuits are also a great Holiday gift for your pet or that special pup in your life!  To order in time for the Holiday’s, contact Diane at:  Diane@MermaidCottages.com or call her at:  912-313-0784.

Mermaid Cottages has always sponsored Guide Dogs.  Read below for bio’s and information about a few of the dogs they have sponsored:

Clarke2

Clark

Clarke is one of the first dogs we sponsored who trained at Southeastern Guide Dogs’ School in Palmetto, FL. Clarke has proven to be easy going, extremely comfortable with people of all ages and very quick to learn new tasks. We are all hoping for a great career for her as a guide dog for a deserving blind individual. Clarke is also from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program.

(Update)  It is with great joy we tell you that Clarke was matched in June 2009 with her blind partner, Joyce. They both are quite laid back and easy going and from all appearances will be great companions for a very long time. Clarkes’s truest challenge might be living with Joyce’s six birds!! No doubt, she’ll do just fine.

Erik

Erik

Erik was given a career change in 2007 due to medical issue. We are happy to report that Erik is currently embarking on a new career as a Hearing Dog for 5 year old Jay Lommel. Jay, born deaf, recently received a cochlear implant, and with his new pal Erik will hopefully be on his way to speaking as well as hearing. Erik is receiving his new training at Polite Paws in Bluffton, SC, courtesy of owner, trainer Robin Walter.  Erik is also from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program.

Tony

Tony

Tony is one of our newest guide dog sponsees for spring 2009 from the Southeastern Guide Dogs Program. Our update on Tony is that he is a great pup! He will be a year old in November. He is sweet and has a great work ethic. He lives with his new owner’s other dog, Sherlock, who is 8 years old. They go to work together, play and enjoy each other’s company.  Tony is a beautiful black lab, who loves to please.

Berkeley

Berkeley

Berkeley is our newest Service Dog from the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc since Fall of 2009.  Here is a great pic of him at Diane’s cottage.

Photo Journey through SE Asia

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Beachhouse.com Guest Bloggers, Stacy & Jeff, traveled across 6 countries in Southeast Asia and were nice enough to check in with us all along the way.  This is their journey by the numbers:

  • 21 – different airplanes they took
  • 6 – bus rides (varying from 7 hours to 27 hour trips)
  • 2 – train trips (overnight)
  • 11 – boat/ferry rides
  • 46 – different hotels (not including Cynthia and Fernando’s homes)
  • 12 – the # of languages they came across (at least!) throughout their trip
  • 0 – sicknesses
  • 0 – injuries
  • 1 – root canal
  • 0 – danger/trouble they encountered
  • 22 – # of books they read – each!
  • and we both want more!

    • This is their journey in photos (each photo links to the corresponding blog entry):

    We hope you enjoyed this as much as we did!