Tag Archives: chips and salsa

Lunch Stop and Tarpon Feeding at Robbie’s in Islamorada

Hopping into our car, we leave the Caribbean Club with our windows rolled down taking in the salt air of the islands.  Over the course of our drive we will cross 42 bridges connecting more than 100 miles to our destination of Key West.

Miles of ocean surrounded us on both sides of the Overseas Highway as we drove southbound towards Islamorada.  Mesmerized by the never-ending shades of blue, I dreamt of a day of sailing through the Keys.

Within a few miles from Islamorada, my stomach was beginning to growl, thinking about the seafood selection on the menu at The Hungry Tarpon Restaurant.

We found an amazing table with  shade away from the 84 degree weather and our server arrived within minutes to take our drink order.  I couldn’t resist the Trailer Trash Bloody Mary, which is a top-seller at the restaurant.

I was surprised that there were not as many seafood selections on the menu, so I selected the Cuban Press, with ham seasoned pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, mayo & pickles on Cuban bread.  When my sandwich arrived, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to bite into it.

We all decided to order their chips and salsa because the table beside us had ordered them and they looked amazing.  Once we had finished, we decided to settle our bill and visit the pier to feed the tarpon.

Approaching the pier, I could hear the splashing of the tarpon and noticed a large crowd gathered around, looking down into the clear waters.  With bait in their hands, they waited in line to feed the tarpon, a tradition which began about thirty years ago.

One day, while Robbie was close to the water’s edge, he noticed a tarpon struggling to free itself from the shallow water of the bank.  Trying to save the Silver King, he lifted it up out of the water and noticed that its right jaw was injured.  Reaching out to Doc Roach, the doctor stitched up the injured tarpon and Robbie decided to name the fish, Scarface.  After six months of nursing him back to health, he released the tarpon back into the wild.  Scarface returned, eventually bringing several of his “friends” and Robbie would feed them when they would visit and the rest is history.  Schools of tarpon arrive to the dock each day while visitors pay a small fee to feed them bait and the tradition continues.

Sun-drenched and stuffed to the gills, we continued our drive towards Key West with about two-thirds of the drive to complete.  Soon we would be checking into our hotel with plenty of time to reach Mallory Square to watch the magnificent sunset.

Have you fed the tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada?  Or stopped by for lunch at the Hungry Tarpon?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the  comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to Robbie’s and wishing you many Happy Travels.

What to See and What to Do:

Robbie’s of Islamorada
77522 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL  33036
Telephone:  833 913 1842

Where to Stay:

Islander Resort
82100 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL  33036
Telephone:  833 913 1842

Where to Eat:

The Hungry Tarpon
82100 Overseas Highway
Islamorada, FL 33036
Telephone: 833 913 1842

What to Eat:

  • Ceviche
  • Conch Fritters
  • Crab Cakes
  • Grouper
  • Lobster
  • Mahi Mahi
  • Shrimp

What to Read:

  • Islamorada, by Howard Hunt

 

Our Port Day in Puerto Vallarta

It was our final day cruising along the Mexican Riviera as the Carnival Splendor brought us into the port of Puerto Vallarta.  This cruise ship stop on the Pacific Coast rests on the edge of Banderas Bay, protected by the tropical forests of the Sierra Madre Mountains.  My friend Dani and I were so excited for this day because we had booked the dolphin excursion from the ship.  We would have plenty of time after our tour to explore this popular port town and enjoy an authentic meal of tacos, nachos and quesadillas.

As soon as we disembarked the ship, we boarded the ferry that shipped us off to the Dolphin Rescue and Reserve.  It was a short ride but the scenery was beautiful as we took in the bay and watched the ship fade into the distance.  Our group size totaled twenty, which included not only adults but several children.  The kids were so happy to see the dolphins and their energy made us just as excited as well.

Once we arrived, we followed a path through dense brush where our tour guide pointed out several native birds.  The iguanas were difficult to find, camouflaged against the green foliage so we were thrilled to point them out to our fellow travelers the moment we spotted them.

It wasn’t long until we had arrived at the pool and distracted by wanting a glimpse of the dolphins, we strayed away for a minute or two in hopes of seeing these amazing creatures.   The research team led us to a covered space providing us with a safety briefing as well as instructions on how to interact with the dolphins.

We were asked to remove our jewelry so that we did not scratch the dolphins’ delicate skin.  It was also important that we allowed the dolphins to take their time to get comfortable with us once we entered the pool.  The trainers would be looking for any signs of distress by the dolphin(s) and our interaction could cease at any time should the caretakers feel the dolphins were not comfortable.  Cameras were not allowed in the pool area, but we could purchase our photos from the reserve.

Prior to hearing the rules, Dani and I happened to take a photo of the dolphins as they were let out during our educational session.  I was happy that they allowed us to keep the photos, but of course, reminded us not to take any additional photographs.

Once we finished our dolphin swim, we followed our guide to an observational deck below where we could catch a better glimpse of the dolphins underwater.  A highlight of my trip was to watch a seven month calf swimming side by side with her mother.

I would have loved to have had more time watching the dolphins, but our group was preparing to leave as another tour began.  Dani and I had decided to stop by a local restaurant to enjoy a couple of margaritas before boarding the ship.

We selected a cozy, open-air café where we could people watch and place an order for an authentic Mexican meal.

We started by requesting a Pacifico, the local beer.

An order of chips and salsa….

and guacamole.

After finishing our snacks, we decided to return to the ship a little early and hang out by the pool.  The excitement of swimming with dolphins lasted throughout the evening and I wished I would have purchased the photo.  Removing “Swimming with Dolphins” from my bucket list, I was ready to relax for the rest of the evening.

Have you had the opportunity to explore Puerto Vallarta?  Or have you recently marked off one of your bucket list items?   I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for checking out my day at the Dolphin Reserve and Rescue and I wish you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Dolphin Discovery Vallarta
Tepic Km 155
63732, Nuevo Vallarta, Nay Mexico
Telephone:  866 393 5158

Where to Stay:

Fiesta Inn Puerto Vallarta Isla
Blvd. San Francisco Medina Ascencio 2477
Puerto Vallarta, JAL 48333, Mexico
Telephone:  888 734 8507

Ranked 9.2 out of 10

Where to Eat:  (our restaurant has closed, but the following comes highly recommended)

Azul Vallarta
Playa de Oro #126,
Zona Hotelera, Zona Hotelera Nte.,
48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
Telephone:  52 322 221 9606

What to Eat:

  • Birria is made of goat or lamb boiled in local spices and prepared spice. It is served with lime, onion and tortillas.
  • Fish roasted on a stick or “pescado embarazado”
  • Tamales are corn meal stuffed with meat, tomatoes, chilis, while some have pineapple without chiles. The corn meal is then wrapped by a corn husk and steamed.  A favorite during the Christmas holiday.
  • Tequila, mescal and raicilla are alcoholic drinks. While most are familiar with the tequila and mescal (with the worm), raicilla is much stronger and has a smoky taste.

What to Read:

  • Knock Until the Dog Barks, by D. E. Brobst
  • Getaway, by Lisa Brackmann
  • Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, by Robert James Walter
  • Boomers in Paradise: Boomers in Puerto Vallarta, by Robert Nelson
  • Tomorrow There will be Sun. by Dana Reinhardt

Photo Guide for Puerto Vallarta:

  • Bay of Banderas
    • Cultural sights
  • Beaches of Puerto Vallarta
  • Cuale River Island
    • Stairway to heaven
  • Local Hotels
    • Pool shots
  • Los Muertos Beach
    • Brightly colored architecture
  • Old Town
    • Angel Wings in Old Town Puerto Vallarta
    • Beautiful Murals
  • Sayulita
    • Charming alleys
    • Iguanas
    • Murals
    • Restaurants
    • Wall art and art vendors

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

 

My First Visit to San Diego, 2002

It’s hard to believe it has been fifteen years since I first visited San Diego.  I remember how much I fell in love with this city.  Its history, weather and scenic views were the reasons I returned so often each year and eventually moved to Southern California.

Attending a conference with several colleagues, I always welcomed their recommendations for an amazing hotel and fabulous restaurants.  We spent many a night at Old Town Mexican Café and Restaurant drinking margaritas and noshing on chips and salsa.

Although we spent the majority of our day at the San Diego Convention Center, we had some time to entertain our clients and plan dinners with potential customers.  Each time I visit San Diego on business, I extend my trip to catch up with friends, hike and explore new places.

My first weekend stay was at the Catamaran Resort Hotel on Pacific Beach, about twenty minutes from the trade show.  I loved the location because it was on the water, it offered privacy from the convention and I wanted to learn how to surf. Pacific Beach, known as PB to the locals, is the perfect getaway from business meetings and events.  While it is known as the “party beach” for the twenties crowd, I enjoyed its laid-back atmosphere and spectacular sunsets.

One of my favorite places to visit is Balboa Park, a short drive from downtown.  A mega-complex with seventeen museums and extraordinary gardens, it is also home to the city’s famous San Diego Zoo.  While I have not attend a cultural event here, I have strolled through its 1200 acres making a stop at The San Diego Museum of Art.

Within minutes from Balboa Park is the Bazaar del Mundo, a shopping plaza in the heart of Old Town.  When in search of Mexican-inspired gifts, I visited Artes de Mexico and the Guatemala Shop with their colorful, hand-crafted souvenirs.  For colorful, hand-painted ceramics and authentic Mexican salsas and sauces, Home Accents offers a variety of kitchen and home décor products.

After shopping for an hour or two, I looked forward to stopping by Old Town Mexican Café to watch them prepare the tortillas in the window.  For lunch or dinner, I always start with a margarita and an order of their traditional Molcajete or chicken tamale.

My final weekend visit was a trip to Torrey Pines State Park located north of San Diego in the upscale town of La Jolla.  Sitting on 2000 acres along the coast, this amazing oasis of hiking trails is perfect for watching the whale migration from December to April.  I spent the afternoon exploring the park and packed a picnic lunch for the afternoon before returning back to PB for dinner.

San Diego is one of my favorite places to visit and with beautiful weather all year long, there are plenty amazing outdoor adventures and excursions to experience.

What are some of your favorite places to visit in San Diego?  I would love to hear from you if you will kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my visit to San Diego and wishing you many Happy Travels!

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

What to See and What to Do:

Balboa Park:  There is no fee for visiting the park, but there are additional fees for visiting the museums.

San Diego Museum of Art
1450 El Prado
San Diego, CA  92101
Telephone:  619 232 7931

  • Admission Fee:  Adults:  $15, Seniors (65+) and Military: $10, Students: $8
  • Hours:  Open from 10AM to 5PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; Open from 12PM to 5PM on Sunday and closed Wednesday.
  • Amenities:  Daily docent tours, Museum store, restaurant, mobile app, parking
  • Length of Visit:  Over 3 hours
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Check for discounts. San Diego city and county residents enter for free on the third Tuesday of each month. February is Macy’s Museum Month and all participating museums are half price entrance with coupon. Check the website for rotating and visiting exhibitions prior to visiting. During the summer, visit Balboa Park for Food Truck Friday.  Bags can be checked at the front door of the museum.

Bazaar del Mundo
4133 Taylor Street
San Diego, CA  92110
Telephone:  619 296 3161

  • Admission Fee:  There is no charge for visiting Bazaar del Mumdo
  • Hours:  Open Sunday and Monday from 10AM to 5:30PM and Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 9PM
  • Amenities:  Shopping, restaurants, events
  • Length of Visit:  1-2 hours

Torrey Pines Natural Preserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road
San Diego, CA  92307
Telephone:  858 755 2063

  • Admission Fee:  The facility use fee depends on which parking lot you use.  South Beach parking during high season (starting at Spring Break until the end of September) costs $15 from Monday – Thursday and $20 from Friday – Saturday.  Low season begins in October until Spring Break where fees are $12 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday to Sunday.  Note that high season prices may be charged during holidays, so be prepared.  For parking on the North Beach, high season (from Spring Break to end of September_ are $10 from Monday – Thursday and $15 from Friday – Sunday.  Payment is accepted at the Automated Pay Machine if no staff is available at the kiosk.  Low season rates are $3 from Monday – Thursday and $10 from Friday – Saturday.  Annual passes are available for $195.
  • Hours:  Open all year from 7:15AM to sunset
  • Amenities:  Visitor center, museum shop, guided nature walks, fishing, parking
  • Scenic View:   Gorgeous views of the coast from the hiking trails and this is the perfect place for watching the sunset.
  • Length of Visit:  3 – 4 hours, but there are hikes that will take under 1 hour
  • Tips for Your Visit:  This is a popular location for sunset and holidays can be extremely busy.  Bring water especially if you are hiking.  Food and drink (with the exception of water) is not permitted on the Reserve, but are permitted on the beach. No alcohol on the Reserve and the beach.  Dogs are not permitted and there is no smoking allowed.  Drones are also banned from the Reserve and beach.

Where to Stay:

Catamaran Resort Hotel
3999 Mission Boulevard
San Diego, CA  92109
Telephone:  858 488 1081

Where to Eat:

Old Town Mexican Restaurant and Café
2489 San Diego Avenue
San Diego, CA  92110
Telephone:  619  297 4330

What to Eat:

  • Mexican cuisine, especially tamales
  • California wood-fired pizza
  • Southeast Asian foods
  • Sushi
  • Seafood
  • Local Wines

What to Read:

  • The Dawn Patrol, by Don Winslow
  • San Diego Noir, by Maryelizabeth Hart
  • I So Don’t Do Mysteries, by Barrie Summy
  • Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See, by Mike Davis

Photo Guide for San Diego:

  • The Botanical Building and Lily Pond at Balboa Park
  • Greetings from San Diego mural on the sidewall of Belching Beaver Brewery
  • Sunset Cliffs
  • Old Town San Diego