DECEMBER 2013 “CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS EDITION” PRICELESS

I know I will be without empathizers when I tell you that our weather has cooled off considerably as well as you northerners. Yes, Karen had to pull up a light blanket the other night for the first time since we have been here. The winds were gusting , and even the temperature in the pools has dropped to 82 degrees! Isn’t that extreme?

With the economy hurting, and money tight, there aren’t many physical signs of Christmas here in Grenada. Very few Christmas lights, trees, or decorations, just some of the

grocery stores playing Christmas music (beginning in early October). So here are a few images I found of Christmas on the Isle of Spice.

Of course, my favorite Christmas icon has to be the Roadside Scuba Santa. You see, the discovery of “Mrs. Scuba Santa” has unlocked a great mystery for me. I always questioned how Santa alone could cover the entire globe in one night. Well, the reality is, it wasn’t without the help of “Mrs. Scuba Santa Clause” (You didn’t really believe she was

home baking cookies?) She’s the one that covers the tropical climates! He’s the one with the sleigh, reindeer and winter coat, and she’s the one with the scuba gear. Makes sense now doesn’t it!

Thanks Santa, and Mrs. Scuba Santa!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all our friends & family, both near & far.

Love,

Rick & Karen

“So this is Christmas?” (Christmas Mystery Revealed!)

BAR AT THE ST. GEORGE’S MARKET

CHRISTMAS DINNER AT VASTRA BANKEN, RESTAURANT SHIP

4-6’ SURF IN FRONT OF VILLA BEACHCLIFF AT CHRISTMAS

“ ISLAND TIMES”

“MASHED” BEER & POP CAN CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS IN PORT LOUISE.

It must be something innate that causes us to reflect on the past year, and reach for something better in the new.

What are the top 10 highlights of 2013 for Karen & I? Well, it would go something like this (not in any particular order).

1. Our daughter Amy, and new son in law, Randy’s wedding on Salt Spring Island, B.C.

2. Celebrating life with family & friends in Grenada.

3. Surviving & succeeding in our first

year of business at Villa Beachcliff.

4. Good friendships we’ve developed in Grenada.

5. Our health!

6. Our marriage - celebrating 31 years!

7. Getting our business license, and

hotel certification through the Grenadian Board of Standards (a 1 year process).

8. Visiting family & friends in Canada,

twice! (and getting a shopping fix).

9. Developing our new logo, signage, and website for Villa Beachcliff.

10. Watching my parents kick off their shoes, and dance the polka, at Amy & Randy’s wedding.

So what’s in store for 2014? I guess as I reflect, we would consider ourselves truly blessed if we could simply celebrate our relationships & health.

The rest is icing on the cake!

Wishing you and your loved ones all the cake & icing for 2014!

Love,

Rick & Karen

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." Henry David Thoreau

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2013

THE POLKA KING & QUEEN

THE NEWLYWEDS

THE OTHER NEWLYWEDS

NEW LOGO & SIGN AT VILLA BEACHCLIFF

“BEGINNINGS ARE USUALLY SCARY, AND ENDINGS ARE USUALLY SAD, BUT IT’S EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN THAT MAKES IT WORTH LIVING.” UNKNOWN

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from our new expanded family !

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"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travels sake. The great affair is to move ." Robert Louis Stevenson, Travels with a Donkey

Other than the novel signs that I see traveling around Grenada, there are many other “positive” signs of growth, and

confidence in the future of the economy. Here are a few:

*Sandals Resorts opened a new 6 star resort in Grenada.

*Radisson Hotels has purchased and rebranded the Grenada Grand Beach Resort.

*Laluna Resort is scheduled to build up to 27 luxury villas at Morne Rouge ($3-5 Million U.S.)

*New Grenada Tourism Association with new branding focus.

*New majority government under Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell (won all seats)

*Best of all, Villa Beachcliff completes it’s first year in business, & earned it’s Hotel Certification through the Grenada Board

of Standards!

The island is ripe for investment, and primed for growth. Why not see for yourself what all the buzz is about in

Grenada; the Caribbean’s best kept secret.

Give us a call. Send us an email. Check us

out on FaceBook, TripAdvisor, FlipKey, or on our website. We’d love to show you “our island”.

www.grenadavillabeachcliff.com

1-473-456-4323 Cell

1-747-200-9072 Magic Jack

The Other “Positive” Signs.“GRENADIAN-ISMS”

1. MASH UP = CAR CRASH

2. HIM BOUNCE ME = HE BUMPED INTO

ME.

3. ME MUDA = MY MOTHER

4. PENACOOL = A FREEZEE

5. SEA CAT = SQUID

6. SEA EGG = SEA URCHIN

5. ME BABY MAMMA = MY CHILD’S

MOTHER

6. YOU GOOD MUN = HOW YOU DOING.

7. EVERYTING IS EVERYTING = RASTA

GREETING.

8. LANCE AUX EPINES = PRICKLY BAY

(WHERE WE LIVE)

Sign in Men’s Room above toilet.