I Love Simpleology
I’m evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they’re letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.
It covers:
- The best blogging techniques.
- How to get traffic to your blog.
- How to turn your blog into money.
I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it’s still free.
Spicy Hot or Caribbean Cool, It All Tastes Great
Whether it is the fiery scotch bonnet peppers in Jamaican jerk sauce, or the the smooth cool flavors of papayas and mangoes, the Caribbean islands offer something for everyone’s pallet.
I have been thinking of adding a food/recipe section to theCaribbeanAmphibian.com for quite some time, so I wanted to get your opinions…
In the meantime, I wanted to share a couple of videos today, so that next time you were feeling a little tropical, you would know how to make some Caribbean food to tide you over!
First up, Jamaican Jerk Chicken:
And finally, Papaya and Mango Salsa (from the Hippy Gourmet, quite entertaining!)
Enjoy! And don’t forget to submit your answer to the poll above!
Details Emerge on JetBlue Routes to MoBay
A few weeks ago, we revealed that JetBlue had plans to expand service to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Well, now we have a little more information about what those routes are and what they might cost…
TransWorldNews.com reports…
The new flight route will link Boston and Orlando to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Beginning next year nonstop flights will begin. Fares to Jamaica will start at $149 for a one way trip. The flights from Orlando will start as low as $69 one way.
With many hubs offering service to Boston and Orlando, it is likely only a hop and skip (with maybe a jump) to get from where you are to this Jamaican paradise on JetBlue.
Couple that with a vacation at Beaches Jamaica, and you are well on your way to a relaxing, carefree vacation.
Goodbye Sweet Summer | Amphibious Recap
Today is the last day of Summer here in North America. September 22. Summer of 2009 is no more.
But it has been an eventful summer. There has been a lot going on with the Caribbean Amphibian.
I have published several new articles on everything from Jimmy Buffett to Caribbean Weddings to the location of Barbados at theCaribbeanAmphibian.com
I engaged in the Squidoo community with a couple of lenses that have both received great responses.
Finally, near the end of this summer, I created this blog and have posted quite frequently.
So it has been a fun and exciting summer for me to say the least. I hope you enjoy the direction “The Frog” is hopping.
Please let me know what you think so far, and suggestions for future articles, pages and posts in the comments…
And, of course, I look forward to continuing along our Caribbean journey for a long time to come!
Jimmy Buffett Charlottesville Tix On Sale Friday
For the first time ever, Jimmy Buffett will be playing the John Paul Jones Arena, moving his show indoors this fall.
The Charlottesville, VA show is Tuesday, November 17 at 8PM. Tickets, however, go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 25 for $36-$136. There is a six-ticket limit per person.
Tickets can be purchased at LiveNation.com.
If you would like to see recent set lists, check out our Jimmy Buffett Concert Dates page.
The Sun that Refuses to Set
As you may (or may not) know by now, Sunday is Sun Set day here at the Caribbean Amphibian blog. That is because, except for the occasional long weekend, the sun sets on the weekend when the sun goes down on Sunday night…
Well, our weekend is going to be a little longer than anticipated. I am sure there are worse things that can happen, especially since we are officially stranded at the Grand Strand…
We started off the day by going on a reprise visit to Margaritaville Myrtle Beach. We wanted to do our part and participate in the Great American Dine Out and contribute to a great cause while enjoying a Caribbean vibe and good food on our last day at the beach.
Being on vacation (as are a great, great many people here), we don’t have a printer, so we cannot print out the coupon. When we sat down, I did ask to participate, and actually showed the waiter the coupon on my Blackberry.
He said we couldn’t participate in the deal unless we had the paper printed version… that just seems like a lose-lose. We lose because we miss out on a great deal, and the charity (Share Our Strength) misses out on my contribution (which I intend to make up to them).
I am sure there is some semi-valid reason why you have to have the printed coupon… but, in a vacation town, I would like to think we are not the exception.
My suggestion: the waiters can carry around some pre-printed copies so that people like me who are (kinda) on the ball can participate. They don’t have to advertise it, but we were obviously not trying to take advantage…
After lunch, it was time to hit the road for the 3.5 hour trip back to Charlotte. About 45 minutes into it… flat tire.
Not fixable flat. Full blown out flat.
And a mini-spare. No way to get back.
So we had to change the tire to the mini-spare and hobble back to Myrtle Beach… every cloud has a silver lining! :0)
Turns out that my tires are a size that is not commonly stocked, so they had to be ordered. Luckily they will be in tomorrow, and hopefully we can be on our way.
And then we can say that the sun has set on our eventful (and overall fun) weekend.
And, if you get a change, participate in the Great American Dine Out. Just be sure to print the coupon before you go!
You can see participating restaurants by entering your zip code here.
What be you doin’ today?
Good morning, fellow Amphibians. I wanted to drop you a quick line on this beautiful, sunny, clear morning here in Myrtle Beach to wish you all a happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
What?
Huh?
Yes! Every September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Why? There is no why. As the boys over at TalkLikeAPirate.com say,
The point is, there is no point.
So, in the interest of talk like a pirate day, I will repeat this entire post below… in “pirate.”
Good mornin’, fellow Amphibians. I wanted t’ drop you a quick line on this beautiful, sunny, clear mornin’ here in Myrtle Beach t’ wish you all a happy International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
What?
Huh?
Aye! Every September 19th be Talk Like a Pirate Day. Why? There be no why. As t’ lads over at TalkLikeAPirate.com say, T’ point is, thar be no point.
Have fun this day and spread t’ good word about Talk Like a Pirate Day!
That’s it for now… if you feel like it, follow @thecapnslappy on twitter… the inventor of this fine “holiday!”
When You Can’t Get There, Go Here
Today I spend a good bit of time at Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach (did I mention that I wandered over to the east coast of SC?)
For a couple of friends, it was a first trip to a Margaritaville anywhere, for me, it was one of many to several.
So I asked them what they thought of their first trip… they both said “it was an entertaining and unique experience. It’s a playground for drunkin’ adults.”
In any case, I always leave with a smile on my face. Jimmy Buffett in the background, pictures of the islands on the ceiling.
As for me, I had the Hamburger in Paradise (not a big cheese eater). If you look closely, you will notice all of the accouterments…
- lettuce – check
- tomato – check
- Heinz 57 – check
- french fried potato – check
- BIG Kosher pickle – check
- cold draft beer (keep reading)…
The cold draft beer (pictured 2 or ummmm, several), was my first draft Landshark, and it was tasty. I loved that they come with a lime “floating” like a shark fin.
I have been thinking of trying it with a lime – Corona is also a lager, and I replaced Corona with Landshark at launch (what can I say, I am brand loyal) – and was happy to get my first from the home of the “shark.” It was good, and will be a regular garnishment to my future Landsharks…
So, being only about 185 miles or so from Myrtle Beach makes it an easy escape from the hustle and bustle, and it is the closest Margaritaville…
I left with a vibe and and a smile, so my recommendation is simply, go here (Margaritaville) when you can’t get there (the Caribbean)…
Even better… go to Margaritaville next time you are in the Caribbean islands!
A State of Mind…
Being from Charlotte, NC, I obviously cannot get to the Caribbean as often as I would like. So I am often left with a state of mind.
Most days, that is through music, or through the decor of my self-styled “Tiki Lounge”, or the clothes I choose to wear…
This weekend, though, we (the family and me) are nestled up next to the Atlantic in Myrtle Beach, SC.
We are at the Island Vista resort, and though the sand is not as white, nor the water not as clear as the beaches of the Caribbean islands, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore puts you in a Caribbean state of mind. Not to mention, this sign at right greeted us when we arrived at our room!
Couple all of that with a nice bottle of Tortuga Rum from the Caymans, a little RadioMargaritaville in the background, and you can see…
Well, how limes become Margaritas! 
Cruise Line “Environmental” Scorecard
The environmental group, Friends of Earth, recently came out with a report card for the environmental friendliness of the various cruise lines.
Why do we care?
I don’t know about you, but the beautiful environment in the Caribbean islands is the big draw for me, whether it be the sun, surf, and the sand, or the rich flora and fauna.
So, keeping paradise pristine is important to me (it always saddens me a little to drive through a little town on some of the islands and see garbage floating in the bay).
The cruise lines were scored in 3 areas: sewage treatment, air pollution reduction, and water quality compliance.
So who are the best (and worst), according to Friends of Earth? Holland America came in at the top with a grade of B. Disney and Royal Caribbean were the only two that were give F’s.
See the entire report card here: http://www.foe.org/cruisereportcard
