MY UTILA LIFE: January 2011

Saturday, January 29, 2011

GOOD WORD OF MOUTH FOR THE PINEAPPLE HOUSE

We're really happy that The Pineapple House has seen some return guests and friends of previous guests recently. We've had a lovely group from Italy that returned after only a six month absence, return guests from Canada and another group from England who's friends were with us last September.

This is only the second year of renting out the house but it looks like we're going to be a lot busier than last year. We are almost completely booked in March and have confirmed bookings eight months out into August. With enquires already coming in for next Christmas, it would seem the word is out about the Pineapple House on Treasure Beach, good news!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MORE INTERNATIONAL PRESS FOR UTILA

A nice little mention in Britain's Telegraph Newspaper about where in the world to see whale sharks.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/8266633/Diving-Giants-of-the-deep-and-where-to-find-them.html

Saturday, January 8, 2011

WHY I CHOOSE UTILA AND NOT ROATAN

People often ask me why I chose Utila and not Roatan?
Roatan is easier to get to, Roatan has more restaurants etc. etc.
With carnival cruise lines new Mahogany Bay terminal completed, Roatan now has an addition two cruise ship berths and now can accommodate up to four cruise ships and their 15,000 passengers per day.

Sounds exactly like what I was trying to avoid when hunting for caribbean property. It's getting harder and harder to find beaches, let alone islands, that aren't over run with these hoards everyday.
Look at these pictures of Roatan.

Why did I choose Utila and not Roatan? Isn't it obvious.

Monday, January 3, 2011

GOOD MORNING 2011, YOU LOOK BRILLIANT.

FAREWELL 2010, YOU WERE A GREAT YEAR.

UTILA : MY TOP TEN PICKS FOR FOOD & DRINKS

DRIFTWOOD INN - great for a cool breezy lunch on the dock, bruce on the b.b.q. at night (his brisket is famous on the island but i like the beer battered snapper). a favorite amongst the expats, horse shoes on the sand & u.s. sports on t.v. sunday afternoons.
LUNCH AT THE CAYS- wether you choose beau's "fishburger" or mr. hermans "cay view", no trip to utila is complete without lunch on the cays. everyone goes for the fish burgers but i prefer the chicken or lobster (in season). great places to spend a surface interval, bring your camera.
MANGO INN-best pizza on the island, authentic thin crust italian style from the brick oven. beautiful gardens, watch the hummingbirds feed by day, bats at night.
THE INDIAN WOK- consistently good indian/asian cuisine, a welcome new addition to utila.
THE PURPLE PELICAN-my new favourite place for lunch. located at pine point one of utilas prettiest beaches. nice food, beach chairs and lovely water (i've never seen so many starfish). stay for a couple of hours, eat, drink, swim and relax.
THOMPSONS BAKERY- the place to stop on your way to that first dive of the day. great coconut bread and cinnamon rolls.
TRANQUILLA BAR- a favorite of backpackers and locals, great place to sit on the water and watch the sun go down. an eclectic music selection fuels the party as the evening progress', an institution on utila.
TREETANIC BAR- located in a treehouse on the grounds of the jade seahorse. atmospheric , hip bar thats a favorite of the divemasters and younger expats. things usually get going around 10pm,. nice crowd, good vibe.
ULTRA LIGHT - great falafel sandwiches and chicken schwarma . very reasonably priced, quality middle eastern food.
UTOPIA RESORT- for a special evening out of town, chef hugh prepares the best food on the island (probably honduras), his menu changes daily . try the blackfin tuna if its available, amazing ! accessible only by boat from town, contact the hotel to make reservations and transportation arrangements.