Band on the Run: Golf Carts = Wildlife at Resorts

by Ember Swift on
Ember Swift, Canadian musician and touring performer, will be keeping us up-to-date on what it’s like to tour a band throughout North America. Having just arrived back from Beijing where she spent three months (check out her “Canadian in Beijing” series), she offers a musician’s perspective on road life. Enjoy!

I wonder about resorts. Here I am in this perfect fantasyland and I am quietly contemplating it all with head slightly cocked to one side, brow furrowed. I wonder if resorts are about the illusion: the illusion of having enough money, of having a “staff,” of having food and drink plentiful and always available that has been prepared by others, of having a life of leisure.

I mentioned this to my close family members and the response was: “No, Ember. This is what normal people call a vacation.”

Uh-huh. Okay then. I’m clearly not normal. But, to be fair, that’s true. For me, a person who travels for work, my ultimate vacation takes place at home in my own bed with my own kitchen and the quiet of no strangers and no action. In fact, I could probably use some pointers on “vacationing” like a normal person.

I’m also clearly being told to relax and get into it. Live a little. Enjoy.

And, I’m working on it.

(Besides, I don’t play until tomorrow and there will be no sound check to be on time for and no band to assemble. I should be living it up! Don’t worry, it shouldn’t take me long…)

I went for a run this morning after a long sleep. Maui is six hours behind Toronto and so I slept until one p.m. in my body and found it was only seven a.m. here. Getting up and going for a run in the not-quite-killer heat was refreshing and a great way to start the day, (especially since I’m not really a morning person and it was great to feel rested before the day had really begun!)

Not to mention an excellent way to get the “lay of the land” here. I ran through the resort section, which is several resorts all squashed together here in Lahaina, Maui. In fact, it reminded me of Beijing and the university area (Wudaokou) where every corner seems to have a new gateway to yet another educational institution. So it is here with resorts. I can’t keep track of how many there are or where one stops and another begins. They are all beautifully coiffed, however, and each has beach access. We’re staying at the “Royal Lahaina Resort.“

Also, there is a large golf course that seems to weave around them all. This sign made me laugh since the last time I saw a sign for anything “crossing” it was for moose and elk in Northern BC. I guess golf carts are the wildlife in resorts! (This thought made me laugh out loud to myself while running. A passerby heard me laugh and looked up, smiled and said good morning. It was all a really great moment.)

I soon discovered that the golf course cart trails made a decent running path this morning as there weren’t any golfers out yet, and it led me to the edge of the water and an historic plaque:

It seems that this part of the island – Lahaina – was once an important shipping port for the sugar cane industry. The port is called “Keka’a Landing Pier.” There were railroad lines that led from the plantations to this port and vice versa for supplies. Now, there is just this plaque and the crumbling remains of a pier that is no longer functional. The resorts are all edged up around this once-bustling pier and I’d imagine that not many people actually even see this little jutting section that holds so much history.

I stopped running then, for just a moment, to both read the plaque and do a full 180 degree turn to check out my surroundings. Staring at the ocean, the golf course comes right up to the cliff, which then weaves down overtop of large volcanic rock boulders on the right towards sand and beach. The resort on my left also hugs the cliff and the resort we’re staying in farther down on the right has outbuildings and cabins and various pools right up against the golf course and stretching into the distance. Its far side is flanked by another resort yet again. The beach continues, of course, and the water was sparkling.

I started running again then down across the volcanic rock boulders to the beach where I took up the hardened sand just above the waving water line. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way this land must have looked a hundred years ago and more. I wondered about the liveliness of the shipping port, the commerce or businesses that must have sprung up around it, the general din of boat horns and railroad steam engines. I imagined the people then. Could I imagine the scene even remotely accurately?

I got my running shoes wet then, daydreaming rather than avoiding the surf. It’s alright, though, because they’ll dry in this heat. They’re fine.

I turned around and headed back to the resort after awhile. When I got to the edge of the walkway back up to the lobby that led to the elevator that lead to my room (!), I took one look at the ocean and knew that I had to go in there. I stripped unceremoniously to my sports bra and white y-fronts and ran in.

For the first time in my life (even after numerous trips to Hawaii and New Caledonia) I understand now why the inside of swimming pools are blue in colour. They’re actually trying to replicate the beautiful blue of the ocean in places like this! (duh!#@ — and that’s directed at me!) Swimming under water, you could see the reflection of sun through the ocean and hitting the sand below, the turquoise water shimmering like sequins above my head.

It was gorgeous and I came out wearing the same shimmering grin as the ocean.

I then put my running pants and shirt back on, and, carrying my sneakers and walking barefoot, I dripped sand and salt water all through the patio, lobby, elevator and hallways and up to my room. I got back looking like a soggy sea urchin.

No, I should say: A smiling soggy sea urchin.

The ocean at my fingertips? I could get used to that.

And, check out the view.

St. Lucia There & Back Part 1: Glencastle Resort

by Adrienne Wilson on


Each day of my stay on the relaxed tropical Caribbean island of St. Lucia began at the Glencastle Resort tucked away and up on a hill in Gros Islet. It is a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle from the string of resorts and small boutique hotels in Rodney Bay (a high tourist trafficked area) which was perfect for my vacation needs. I knew where the action was when I wanted to be in it and I knew where to hide when I needed that as well. Upon check-in I immediately felt at ease and welcomed by a family of front-desk staff at my new seven-night home away from home.

The manner in which I discovered the Gelncastle Resort is unlike hotel, hostel and accommodation searches from the past. For starters I called up the Ginger Lily hotel located in Rodney Bay one late night and confessed that I really liked their hotel and would love to crash there, but it was way out of my budget and if it would be possible to assist me in my complete 180 of travel plans – last minute. I needed something a bit cheaper and the gentleman on the other end promised to make some calls to help me out. The next day he informed me that the best place he could find in my price range was the Glencastle. I thanked him though I don’t know what it was he discussed or whether he passed along my poor sad sob story, but I couldn’t have scored a better place to rest my head and dream of handsome island men fanning me on an idyllic beach all while sipping on cool coconut water.

I was led to a room on the second floor and to the far left back corner of the hall. The woman from the front desk had walked me back to show me first where the room was, how to operate the AC (very important) and the television station featuring ideas on places to go while on the island. When she left I continued to inspect my new place. Here I was thinking I was going to receive a room with a garden view, but to my surprise my balcony door opened up to a view of the near by Rodney Bay among other pleasant things like the ocean and…

Looking down into Gros Islet and towards Rodney Bay.

…the young boys at the St. Lucia Boys Training Center. If I’m not mistaken it is some type of reform school and located directly across the street from the hotel. On my lazy afternoons I’d watch the sunset from the balcony and the boys play soccer and other games from below when breaking from a book or magazine. On my excursions outside of the hotel I’d hear an occasional kissy sound escape the mouths of one of the youngins, but aside from that the Boys Training Center was just another building across the way and didn’t take away any of the Glencastle’s charm.

Charming is exactly what it was all the way through. On my first day I befriended a girl working behind the hotel bar who gave me my first rum with honey and lime in less than two hours of being on the island to help cure my cold symptoms and later showed me around the streets of Gros Islet at the Friday night Jump Up (a weekly night party in Gros Islet). The bar was a warm place and I am not saying this because of the rum, vodka and other alcoholic beverages that can be found on the shelves. The staff at the Calabash Bar located inside the Glencastle adjacent to the La Pomme Canelle restaurant is super friendly and full of tips and pointers of navigating ones way around a strange place. I started each day with the exact same breakfast which tickled my fancy not to mention my taste-buds.The morning staff was very pleasant.

The evening chef was a soft-spoken guy who was equally accommodating if not more. It had been my plan in the beginning to get out and nosh on dishes found in various places of the island, but the chef’s cooking at Glencastle won my heart so I found myself inside the hotel restaurant on many occasions. The menu features a number of fresh seafood selections in addition to favorites like curried chicken and on Saturday’s they have a BBQ with an especially delicious island salad made of green banana accompanied by rice, potatoes, fish and grilled chicken and ribs of course. My favorite dish was a shrimp over rice in a tasty red sauce that had a tangy kick to it. Both the restaurant and bar are very cozy. The restaurant is spacious with several windows allowing the wind’s breeze to pass on through. The Calabash bar is completely open air and painted with bright yellows and lime green colors. In regards to atmosphere they each get high scores.

There are two pools on the property to splash around and cool off on extra hot days without gaining a sandy bottom in the process. The lower pool is located near the front reception and there is the rooftop pool which is quite nice and a little more secluded. Each time I ventured up top I found myself left alone from the rest of the hotel guests and overlooking almost all of Gros Islet. It is suggested one catch at least one sunset from the rooftop pool.

If yoga is on your planner while vacationing, keep the Glencastle in mind. As far as I can tell they are one of the few places on the island that even offer yoga on a daily basis. Yoga sessions run in the morning near the car park and more info can be provided by the front desk if needed. Other services offered include a daily shuttle running twice to popular beach areas (Rodney Bay & Pigeon Island), conference space and a banquet hall for meetings and other special occasions.

Overall the Glencastle Resort can accommodate anyone and provide all with an experience in St. Lucia that is one of its own.






The Glencastle Resort is located in Massade, Gros Islet in Saint Lucia. They can be reached by telephone at 1.758.450.0833 and by email at reservations@glencastlehotel.com. To view their website and get room rate info click
here.

New Caribbean Resorts

by Adrienne Wilson on

Now that the mild winter weather has vanished hanging around the northeastern end of the United States is no longer any fun for a non-skiing, boarding, or snowshoeing individual like me. As I sit here in a semi-decent hotel room in Burlington a.k.a Brrrrlington, Vermont , I’ve made up my mind that I will spend the weekend searching for refuge in warmer climes. To kick things off, I’ve discovered this short and sweet list of new Caribbean resorts from Daily Candy. The islands featured are Turks & Caicos, St. Lucia, Virgin Gorda, and the Bahamas. Of all of them I’m mainly digging the one in St. Lucia, Jade Mountain, which is said to have suites with one wall missing so you can look out at the private infinity pool or beachside mountains. I’ll gladly take the view of the mountains.

Nude Resorts Big in Western Florida

by Adrienne Wilson on

Many of you may not know where Pasco Country, FL is, but I know its location quite well. It’s about 20 miles away from my homes digs in Tampa, FL and to my surprise a booming spot for nude tourism. According to this USA Today piece popular nudie resorts like Paradise Lakes, Lake Como and Caliente Resort and Spa are doing all they can to bring in more tourists. Whether it’s family-style with activities like nude camping and karaoke or flashy medical spa facilities they want your business. And despite the older looking couple photographed on the side they are encouraging college-age kids to take it off. For the upscale Caliente resort they are looking to grab the attention of the Ybor City party crowd, while Paradise has teamed up with a USF public relations student to promote free admission, cheap brew and reverse strip poker. Hmm…

I’m not going to lie. I’ve done the whole nude thing a time or two in Ibiza, but my bare-skin activity went no further than basking on the warm beach in search of the perfect tan. Something about singing my karaoke favorites in a room full of naked people freaks me out. As if displaying the rather large birthmark on my bottom isn’t bad enough, now I have the opportunity to demonstrate my lack of singing skills in the nude. (Shudders.)

Whatever floats your boat.