Couples Tower Isle

Wow! I can’t believe that I actually agreed to visit a nude beach. (To be fair, I did not know I was coming here when I agreed to board the boat.)




When I arrived, I was angry. I could not believe that the most beautiful part of the resort was the nude beach. I so wanted to run out on the boat to the island that looked so beautiful, but I had NO intention of losing my clothes to see the great view.



After much talking, I convinced my companion that I needed to visit that island for my blog. I entered the island with much reservation and worry. I spent about an hour slathering myself in sunscreen wearing a two pieced suit, but soon, I needed a drink.



I saw a swim up bar at the pool and reaized I needed to disrobe to get attention. I was terrified, and embarrassed, but I decided that naked was not that bad.



When I walked into the pool, I was red with embarrassment, but I decide to have some fun. I sidled up to the bar and ordered a martini. Within minutes, I had new friends who wanted to chat. They introduced me to all the people on the island and then suggested I visit the next day as a “real islander.”



I went back and realized that the nude beach has nothing to do with nudity and everything to do with relaxation. We just hang out (literally) and did whatever made us happy.



I miss my island now. Wish I could be there relaxing>>> More to come>>>

Free French Food

Who knew that onion rings can pass as fancy French food? I was at a great French restaurant this evening having cocktails in their bar for happy hour and they included a stack of tempura onion rings with thai chii sauce drizzled over them. It was served on a plate with the most delicious toasted bread I've ever eaten. It was covered in olive oil and mozzarella with fresh sauteed mushrooms, and was simply divine.

The best part about C'est Tout is not the appetizers, though. It's the great cocktails! The bartender knows his vodkas well enough to recommend a great new choice when they run out of a favorite of mine for martinis. The chef routinely visitsd the bar early in the evening and chats with patrons who often know each other in this small town bar. I love the food in the restaurant, but highy recommend C'est Tout for happy hour.

The value of a great bartender

One of the best things about being a part of a neighborhood is that you get to know your local bartenders almost as well as you know your friends. I spend a lot of time in one such neighborhood, and it proved incrediby useful this weekend.

I found myself just three blocks from my favorite neighborhood watering hole, but unable to leave my location. After a flurry of texts and chats with a friend at the bar, I was told to come to the door. To my surprise, my friend had a gift from the greatest bartender ever. Packed neatly into a paper coffee cup was my favorite cocktail! He'd decided if I couldn't get to him, he would come to me.

As I sipped my "coffee," I began to think about what it means to be a part of something. For many of us, that group of friends from the local bar becomes our pseudo family. When my real family was out of town this year, our bar famiy had Thanksgiving dinner together, and when someone celebrates a birthday or a promotion, they are the first to know.

Do you have a bar that has become the place where "everybody knows your name?"