~*Friends in High Places*~

Welcome Back Nicole!

I LOve visitors:)

Day One

Nicole arrived by plane Friday morning and my plan was to meet her at the airport

But as the plane was 20min early. I didn't quiet make it.

But, Nicole stopped the taxi and we were reunited.

First stop JoBeans, Nicole settled in.

We spent the day chatting, relaxing in the sun, and eating lunch and dinner 

at Tropics and bbq at Swinging Doors.

{Nicole at JoBeans}

Day Two

Nicole got to spend some time in the shop making glass beads, fish, etc...

And she is still as talented as ever!!!

Lunch time we were supposed to go snorkeling

But in a series of 'it wasn't meant to be events'

We missed the boat {twice}

oops.

The sun, pool, beautiful view, and pina colodas 

at Shearwater

Recovered our spirits and our Day.

So far, as far as, Nicole can tell
 Not much has changed in the 4 years since she lived here.

{Nicole and Andy's house, as seen from Shearwater}

{Goats at Shearwater... I can resist them}

Day Three
Andy arrived.
We didn't give him much time to adjust to being back on Saba.
Before he knew it, we had him {along with a group of friends}
Hiking the Sandy Cruz trail.

{Andy, Nicole, Angela, Nathan}

{The boys: Vlad, Steve, Nathan, Andy}

After Hiking, we did a quick tour of the Medical School.
Andy {thank goodness} did not suffer any post traumatic stress while on campus

Later after all our hiking we rewarded ourself with a nice dinner out at
Eden Restaurant.
It was a 'cool' evening
 they offered us shawls
 the boys were even man enough to enjoy them.

It is so nice to have friends, family, and friends who are like family visit.

There is still lots of time to come visit  if you feel inspired.

~*Savvy Saban Segments: two: The Road*~

nothing is more 'Saba'

than The Road.

named 'The Road' because it is the only one

(although there are side streets, but they wont get you very far)

It is very steep, in most places, it is hard to find a turn that isn't a switch back.

The Road itself is an experience and a tourist attraction.

In fact. 

The Road is a great piece of Saban history.

It was considered 'The Road the Could Not be Built'.

A monument in Windwardside (a town) explains the history of the road.

they say Dutch officials

visited the island and declared it an impossibility.

However.
much like the little engine that could

Locals would not take no for an answer

one local {L. Hassell} took a correspondence civil engineering course 

And with a team of devoted locals

Road construction occurred from 1938-1963.

The Road is constructed with concrete and
volcanic rock
makes the very important, cliff side, retaining wall.

This would have been tremendously hard work.

the entire road was built without the use of machinery.

Only a Wheelbarrow.

Now that is Perseverance. 

As almost the only straight section we call this the 'Saba Highway'

The pictures do not do The Road justice 

But.

This YouTube video

appropriately called the Saba Roller Coaster

Really captures the essence of The Road.
Taking you from one end of the Road {the airport} to the other {Fort Bay docks}

If you pause at {1min28sec}

And.

If you could look to the right ----->

you'd see our cottage.

~*Savvy Saban Segments: Cashew Tree*~

Inspired by a conversation 

Nathan and I were having 

regarding all the interesting things we have

 learned and/ or experienced

since, moving to the Caribbean

For the next couple weeks

in Savvy Saban Segments

I have decided to Showcase some

 facts, tidbits, and fyi's

ALL about Saba, island life, and the Caribbean 

I am excited about this as it will force me to pay closer attention to the details of our experiences and it will hopefully paint a clearer picture of our island home!

as promised.

Cashew Trees.

Cashew Tree

I was and am Amazed and Fascinated with Cashew trees.
They are kinda strange looking.
My first instinct was: Cashew trees, I Love Cashews.
I imagined eating cashew nuts...
However.
Cashews nuts, themselves cannot be shelled and eaten right off the tree.
They MUST be Roasted.
The cashew nut, which is technically, a seed is found in a kidney shaped shell.

Cashew fruit just starting to bud.

Ripe and Ready Cashew fruit

Inside this shell, surrounding the nut is a poisonous liquid.
Wikipedia identifies this irritant as similar to the poison/ irritant found in poison ivy.

My next brilliant idea was that I could pick them and roast them in the oven.
Wrong again.
 A Brief Google search lead me to the Tropical Permaculture.
They describe the process and safety precautions necessary to roast cashews.
You need to wear protective gear, such as long sleeve, pants, gloves, mask, roast in a well ventilated area.
They warn you not to breath in the fumes...
No wonder cashews are so pricey!
Nathan's question about all this is:
 'who decided they wanted to eat that nut, that badly?'
We love cashews. But.
I agree and will be leaving the roasting of cashew nuts to the professionals.

ALL is NoT loSt...



As it turns out the cashew nut is not the only edible part of the cashew fruit.
The Cashew Apple, the round, yellow part, from which, the nut extends.
Is an edible, sweet, and juicy fruit!

Freshly picked cashew apples.

I think they are a novelty and delicious.

You just break the cashew seed/nut away and enjoy!

The cashew apple is very delicate and fragile and is the reason why they are not exported for sale.

The Goats like them too!

~*In Like a Lion, Out like a Lamb*~

Happy March 1st Everyone!

I CAN'T believe it is March already...

Time flies...when you are having fun...

I find, due to, endless sunshine 

I am very confused regarding the date and season.

If asked the date quickly, I may not mass a basic mental status exam...

But I have always enjoyed the old March saying

"In like a lion, out like a lamb" 

And thought I would share how our March 1st looks here on Saba Island

Hello Caribbean Sea

 As you can see...

It's Definitely "In like a lamb" 

Clear view of Mount. Scenery

Other views from our cottage

 However

I suspect it will also be "out like a lamb

Pretty flowers, outside our door, which remind me of Pointsettias...

not much new going on here

study and writing papers

And I had lots of (too much) fun last week with the island girls

hiking, going out for lunch, sewing

And the Countdown

until Our friends Andy and Nicole 

come to visit has started!!!