womantraveler

Sheer Gourmet Pleasure in Antigua

The Cocobay Resort's exclusive restaurant Sheer is a gem of a secret in Antigua. Tucked on a cliffside at the resort on the southwestern side of the island, Sheer is situated in six split-level open pavilions connected by wood deck walkways. Overlooking the Caribbean and softly lit rocks, the restaurant seats only two dozen guests in tables of two or four and is open for dinner five nights a week. Definitely plan and reserve ahead, as there are no resets any evening.

As you look out into the star-filled black sky, Sheer creates an experience that crystallizes the template for a perfect island evening. What's is all about here? "Shia," explains the chef, is an adjective for "completely, absolutely, unmitigated..." And there you have it.

Cocobay Resort: Island Time in the Caribbean

  The shaded breezeway of Cocobay Resort's welcome area is the entrance to paradise on the island of Antigua. While "paradise" is a frequent term from the Florida Keys to the southern Caribbean, Cocobay Resort can comfortably claim it. Easing into the Caribbean for a couple of days before a cruise, we're greeted with tropical punch, gracious hospitality, and a gentle transition into "island time."

Antigua lies in the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean and is known for the breezes that heat-tempering breezes, white beaches, villages with colorfully painted houses, a welcoming spirit, and 108 square miles of history and scenic variety. Not overdeveloped as an island, it's no wonder that celebrities have escaped to Antigua for their exclusive hideaways. Our bungalow on the sunset side was one of the choicest, close enough to the water to hear lapping ways and somewhat removed from the other cottages. But all 41 cottages are situated for privacy, with covered verandas and sea views from hammocks and Adirondack chairs. The local "no problem" attitude tamps down stress quickly.

Looking out through mosquito netting draped across the custom bed the first morning, I woke to turquoise and emerald water rimmed by bright green hills. In some places on the island, the hills rise to 1300 feet, then roll down to open plains with grazing goats, sheep, and cattle on a terrain mixed with rocky limestone, coral, and volcanic rock.

Cocobay was created in 2000 by two entrepreneur brothers who built the cottages, primarily for two people each, as an alternative to the large resorts, such as nearby Jolly Beach (casino, cricket stadium, and shopping center) or the very intentional upscale chic of the new Carlisle Bay a few miles to the east. Cocobay is intended to feel like home, with an all-inclusive plan (accommodations, three buffet meals a day, house wines, high tea, and water sports) that make it an effortless sanctuary.

Eat Breakfast and Stay Slimmer

In a major nutrition survey reported in the Journal for the American Dietetic Association, women who ate breakfast were 30 percent less likely to be overweight. The results indicate that the longtime adage advocating starting the day with a good breakfast not only gives us energy for the day but also has long-term benefits.

For womentravelers with tight schedules and access to a lot of quick but bad-for-you breakfast foods, this can be a challenge. The quality of the breakfast definitely matters -- thes breakfasts in the survey were cereal-focused, loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Women who ate other breakfast foods loaded with fats and cholesterol (pastries, meats and cheesy eggs, for example) were similar to their peers who skipped breakfast and grew their waistlines. Tip -- carry along dry cereal in a zippered plastic bag for breakfasts on airlines, in airports, at conventions, and before meetings.

High-Tech PDA Travel Guides in Asia

Asian cities are taking the lead in innovative uses of PDAs to assist foreign visitors. Offering free travel maps and brochures via PDAs versus traditional free print brochures is taking off in the part of the world that typically leads us headlong into the technology revolution. Macau, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan are among the leaders in experimentation and implementation of digital travel guides.

Use Miles for Holiday Travel -- Quickly!

Booking holiday 2005 travel using frequent flyer miles may be difficult at this late date -- but not impossible. There are several smart strategies that can work -- including using more miles and not giving up the first day you scope out the opportunities. Just as other instances of trying to use miles on relatively short notice, sometimes you just luck out.

Le Vendage S'Arrive

Le Vendage -- the fall wine harvest in France -- arrives in September, and if you're headed to Bordeaux, one traveler gives us wonderful tips on exploring the chateaux and sampling the premier cru of the Saint-Emilion region. Ways and means of getting there and getting around like an insider are detailed in this Washington Post travel article. You might even have the chance to do some grape-stomping like the locals.

For more information about this fall in France and the nation's wine harvests, check out the France Guide.

Death Near Athens: This Is Scary

Remember that airplane crash near Athens last month? Turns out the pilot and co-pilot didn't speak the same language fluently, let alone understanding each other's version of English, which is the worldwide default language of air traffic control....

Booking Travel From Your Email

Here's a great tip from the Blog for Business -- travel agents now have software they can give you to integrate your travel plans into your Outlook calendar. Direct connections and integrating travel web services into desktop applications will speed your travel planning -- and more is to come.

More Bad News About Global Warming

A sobering couple of weeks. Now comes the news that global warming is melting Himalayan glaciers -- threatening no drinking water for Southeast Asia and China in 50 years. We need to pay attention and get active, folks.

Crawfish Etouffee Disappears?

What happens to the distinctive creole and cajun food of New Orleans? Although the French Quarter and Uptown areas -- where many of the better-known restaurants reside -- survived heavy damage, they can't open now -- and, they wonder, will the descendants of the great African American and Creole chefs return? The New York Times says Nawlins' cuisine will go into exile for a while.

Fortunately, though, Nawlins' style restos around the US are doing their part to raise funds for their city and heritage and keep the tradition going. To wit -- in Hermosa Beach, California, in LA's South Bay area, the popular Rajin Cajun, with family in the Big Easy, is sponsoring a fund-raiser on Saturday Sept. 10, from 12 noon to 7 p.m. for flood relief.

Will the bon temps in New Orleans continue? Though imperiled, with all our support, they must!