Coconut Times - Ocean City's Entertainment Web Magazine

Coconut Times - Ocean City's Entertainment Web Magazine http://www.coconuttimes.com Coconut Times - Ocean City's Entertainment Web Magazine - Ports of Call en http://www.coconuttimes.com/ Coconut Times - Ocean City's Entertainment Web Magazine http://www.coconuttimes.com 17031550235635 GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/GRANDEUR-OF-THE-SEAS Welcome aboard Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas! The Grandeur primarily sails out of Baltimore and was quite convenient for our two-year-old daughter Moorea’s first cruise. The Grandeur has a crew of 760 and can host as many as 2400 passengers. It launched back in 1996 and is registered in the Bahamas. We opted for a spacious midship balcony on the 7th deck. The view was terrific and was nice to be able to step out and feel the weather each morning. A Starbucks coffee shop and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream parlor were a convenient two-minute walk from our cabin. The ship’s Windjammer buffet is available for all three meals on the Lido deck. Finer a la carte options are available at the Great Gatsby restaurant on the 4th deck. They also offer room service and four specialty restaurants (we quite enjoyed Sushi at Izumi!).
The ship offers daily music and entertainment in the lounges. Evenings feature dance and comedy shows in the palladium theatre. Adventure Ocean and the Royal Tots nursery offer activities and play time for the little ones. There is a nice gym and spa onboard. We sailed in December so the ship was all decked out for the holidays. A 30-foot tree, toy trains and gingerbread houses lined the atrium.
Our itinerary was a 12-night cruise featuring stops in St. Croix, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Kitt’s and St. Maarten. The voyage began with four nights at sea. The first two days were a bit chilly on the deck. The third sea day was nice and toasty as we sailed a few hundred miles off the coast of Cuba. Fun and games were offered on the Lido deck including a passengers vs. crew pool volleyball tournament.
In St. Croix we drove about 45 minutes to the coastal town of Christiansted. From there we took a short ferry ride to an island resort called Hotel on the Cay. We enjoyed a nice buffet lunch and savored local rum cocktails to the sounds of steel drum music. The water was clear and we saw hermit crabs in giant conch shells walking along the bottom of the bay. The beach was beautiful and we rented cabanas under a palm tree to keep us out of the sun.
Our next port was Antigua. We took a 25-minute drive from the port of St. John’s to Ffryes beach. This beautiful beach is known for the colorful butterflies that float along the sea. Dennis Restaurant is right on the beach and provided a BBQ buffet lunch and rum drinks. Cruzan Rum is produced right on the island and is particularly tasty with fresh pineapple juice. It’s a great spot for jet skiing as well as building sandcastles in the sun.
Stop number three was St. Lucia. St. Lucia is famous for a pair of volcanoes known as the Pitons. This Unesco World Heritage site is the most photographed attraction on the island. We boarded a catamaran for a three-hour round trip adventure. The music was festive and locally brewed Piton beer was available on board. The crew led the fun and showed everyone how to dance to Caribbean Soca music. It was a wonderful way to see the Pitons and we had plenty of opportunities for brilliant pictures.
The next day we arrived in St. Kitt’s. We had reserved seats on the Scenic Railway – the last remaining railway in the West Indies. The train was constructed in 1912 to deliver sugar from the plantations to the factory in Basseterre. The train takes a slow 30-mile loop through lush green mountains and around gorgeous seaside cliffs. Pina Coladas and fresh baked cookies are offered throughout the journey. You see goats and monkeys along the way. After our wonderful journey, there was plenty of shopping at the cruise port. We had an excellent lunch of Green Curried Conch and Shrimp Macaroni & Cheese at Lemongrass restaurant (you could see the ship from tables overlooking the harbor).
Our last stop was St. Maarten. We landed on the Dutch side (about half the island is French) where a shuttle took us to Maho beach. Maho beach is infamous for its proximity to the airport – the incoming planes literally fly right over your head! The Sunset Beach bar is an amazing place to watch the planes. They have a nice pool and a beach area with umbrella service. We had a blast watching the planes take off and land. You do need to be a bit careful in certain areas as the planes can create significant wind as they back up to the beach prior to takeoff. We weren’t sure at first if it would be child friendly, but Moorea loved it! It was one of the most unique beaches we’ve ever been to. On the way home we stopped at the Greenhouse for a nice lunch of local seafood before returning to the ship.
The ship experience had its ups and downs. It was certainly an old ship and catered to a bit older clientele. We had fun dressing up for the formal nights and our cabin steward, barista and dinner staff were all delightful. Moorea was excited to have her nails painted during first spa day. The convenience of sailing from Baltimore really helped the overall experience. We’re hoping to give Royal Caribbean another try – this time on one of their larger and newer ships. We had a wonderful time and Moorea loved her first voyage at sea. We look forward to setting sail again soon!

Sean Rox
410-289-7699
RoxBeachWeddings.com]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2019 00:00:00 -0500 17021538161277 MONTREAL http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/MONTREAL     Bonjour and welcome to Montreal! Montreal is located in the Quebec province of eastern Canada. It is a French speaking island of more than 4 million people, second only to Paris as the largest French speaking city in the world. We had heard that the city was full of parks and a wonderful destination for small children. A ninety-minute flight from Philadelphia brought us to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because that’s the father of current Prime Minister (and Montreal native) Justin Trudeau. We chose to stay in the Plateau district, about a half hour from the airport and 10 minutes north of the downtown waterfront. Nash from Mimo Limousine provided excellent service.
   We chose an award-winning three-star boutique hotel called the Auberge La Fontaine. The hotel was situated directly across from the street from La Fontaine Park. We chose their executive suite with a spacious private balcony overlooking the park and a jacuzzi bathtub.   The staff was wonderful and we were treated to a delicious breakfast of French pastry and quiche each morning. The hotel was quite charming and Jonathan and Tarik at the front desk were quite helpful.
   Our first day we explored LaFontaine Park. It featured a gorgeous lake with a fountain and waterfall. We enjoyed a delightful Sunday brunch at Espace La Fontaine. Crepes and champagne accompanied brilliant waterside views of the park. The mini express children’s train was running this weekend. We bought our Billets from the conductor and looped around the park. Squirrels and ducks put on a show that day and the park was brimming with mirth.   The park is home to several children’s playgrounds, a softball field and picturesque bike paths.
   The next morning we set off on a family-friendly bike tour arranged by the Fitz & Follwell company. Our guide Martin took us through some of the laneways that are protected from vehicular traffic. Our 3.5-hour tour took us through the north of the Plateau. We stopped at three parks (Laurier Park, Mount Royal and La Fontaine) and enjoyed Montreal’s most famous bagels at St. Viateur. Our daughter Moorea rode behind me in a child’s trailer cart.
   All that biking built up an appetite. Montreal’s go to comfort food is Poutine. Traditional poutine consists of fries and cheese curds covered in a brown sauce. The locals flock to la Banquise and there is a line out the door in the evening. They have twenty variations from which to choose - toppings of smoked meats, vegetables and sauces are all on the menu. We enjoyed this native treat on our balcony overlooking the park.
   The next day we visited the Montreal Tower. At a height of 165 meters and an angle of 45 degrees, it’s the highest inclined tower in the world. A funicular glides up the side of the tower and the ascent takes about two minutes to complete. From the top you can see sweeping panoramic views of the city. The Botanical Gardens are a 10-minute walk from the tower. The Gardens of Light were being featured this time of year. It is an amazing array of Asian themed décor set on the backdrop of a beautiful lake. Cassandra’s friend Jo lives in Montreal. They worked on ships together and this was their 20-year reunion. Jo showed us around and gave us the 411 on what Montreal life is really like (especially in the winter).
   Our last day we ventured into the city via taxi. Our first stop was a revolving restaurant called Portus 360. As the name suggests, it serves amazing Portuguese food. The restaurant takes an hour to go full circle. The view from up above was spectacular and the cuisine and ambience was superb. After lunch we took a pink horse and carriage ride on a tour of Old Montreal. After a bit of Maple Syrup shopping, we returned home for our last meal. We chose to return to Le Poisson Rouge. Our two meals there were wonderful. The hospitality was warm and welcoming and the French cuisine was top notch. We enjoyed a sumptuous feast of escargot, salmon and pan fried stingray. A bottle of delectable Pinot Noir started the evening and an amazing ice cream dish topped with fresh fruit was the grand finale. The owner came out to personally go over the French menu with us. She was absolutely wonderful and made our little one feel at home.
We definitely recommend Montreal; it’s a North American city with a European feel. We had amazing weather - record-setting 83-degree temperatures in mid September. The fall is the best time to go - especially if you want to see the fall foliage. It is a cosmopolitan and culturally diverse city with lots of green space. It’s also a popular cruise port. We certainly hope to make it back again one day!

]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2018 00:00:00 -0400 16971518829474 NORTHERN IRELAND http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/NORTHERN-IRELAND    Welcome to Northern Ireland! This year Cassandra and I visited the stunning Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. During our research we discovered that Ireland and Northern Ireland are two completely different countries - and they haven’t been on the friendliest of terms the past few decades. Northern Ireland is part of the UK, is mainly Protestant and is loyal to England. The Republic of Ireland is Catholic and rejected England’s influence and sovereignty. The Easter Rebellion of 1916 was the beginning of a long struggle for independence from England. In 1948 an Irish Republic was formed in the south. Northern Ireland remained under British control. 1968 marked the beginning of “the Troubles” - a religious conflict that claimed nearly 4,000 lives. A peace wall was built to divide the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods. Tourism opportunities finally brought stability. The Titanic interactive museum opened in Belfast in 2006 and has entertained more than 3 million visitors. When Game of Thrones began filming in 2009 the country reached new levels of fame and prosperity.
   We reached Belfast via a one-hour flight from London. We hired McCombs travel to take us on a three-day private tour. McCombs is the same company used by the cast of Game of Thrones. Our driver Steven fought in the Troubles and was a bastion of knowledge. We drove 75 minutes to the Giant’s Causeway, a Unesco World Heritage site on the north coast. Scientists will have you believe the amazing rock formations were caused by a volcanic eruption. The locals know the Causeway was created by dueling giants Finn McCool and his Scottish rival Benandonner. We stayed at the Causeway Hotel, the only hotel inside the park. It’s only a two-minute walk to the impressive visitors center. We hiked an hour round trip on a wintry afternoon and enjoyed the amazing views. The next morning we were blessed with sunshine and took a brilliant walk along the cliffs.
   That afternoon we drove along the coast and visited Game of Thrones filming locations. We explored the Dark Hedges (the Kings highway where Arya made her escape from King’s Landing), Ballintoy Harbour (locale for Pyke and the Iron Islands), the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge (where Balon Greyjoy was tossed off by his son Euron) and the Cushendun Caves (where Melisandre gave birth to the shadow baby that slew Renly). We also saw the Bushmills whiskey distillery. They love their whiskey in the north - some locals even put it on their porridge in the morning. We spent the night at the Ballygally Hotel overlooking the Irish Sea. Ballygally had an amazing courtyard with a stream running into the sea and is home to resident ghost Lady Isabella.
     The next morning we enjoyed a Bushmills infused Brekkie buffet before driving further south to Strangford Lough. We checked into the Cuan, a delightful family-run bed and breakfast used by the cast of Game of Thrones. We stayed in the Queen Cersei room (actually used by actress Lena Headey). A few minutes later we were greeted by Castle Ward’s Master at Arms Ser William. He was fully dressed in Game of Thrones attire and beckoned with his sword for us to follow him to the GOT bus. Castle Ward is the original filming site for Winterfell Castle. It was also used for the Twins (Walder Frey’s abode - site of the “Red Wedding”) and Robb Stark’s camp. Ser William was entertaining and informative.   His special talent is archery and he taught the Game of Thrones cast how to use a long bow. We dressed up in costume for swordplay and archery lessons that afternoon. We tried on White Walker masks and the original helmet donned by the Hound! The grounds were absolutely beautiful and looked out across the narrows. It was brutally cold that day, but like they say, “Winter is Coming”. We celebrated at the Cuan that evening with an authentic Game of Thrones inspired banquet in costumes provide by the hotel - we even had a locally brewed Winterfell Ale!
   We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Northern Ireland. It was a bit chilly in November, so bring warm clothes if you visit in the offseason. Hopefully we will make it back again someday!

Sean Rox
410-289-7699
RoxBeachWeddings.com

]]> Fri, 16 Feb 2018 00:00:00 -0500 16951515133100 Dublin, Ireland http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/Dublin-Ireland      Slainte! Welcome to Dublin, Ireland. Cassandra and I took a mid November trip to Ireland’s capitol city. Upon our arrival, we checked into the Westbury Hotel overlooking Grafton St. Dublin’s premier shopping area, Grafton St. was bustling with a mix of early Christmas shoppers, street performers, pub enthusiasts and wide-eyed tourists taking in the sights.   Our room looked right across this car-free promenade and directly at the ornate façade of St. Ann’s Church. After check-in, our first stop was the infamous Temple Bar pub district along the River Liffey. The River Liffey flows through the heart of Dublin and exits into the Irish Sea. We took a few pictures of the famous Ha’penny bridge that spans the banks of the river before following the music to the pubs. Temple Bar is the liveliest neighborhood in all of Ireland. The most famous pub in Temple Bar is aptly named “The Temple Bar”. The iconic red building was packed to the brim that afternoon. We enjoyed pints of Galway Hooker IPA and oysters while enjoying the lively sounds of Irish music - it was just as we imagined it! The pub was particularly festive that day due to hundreds of Danish soccer fans in red jerseys who flew in to support their team. (Denmark beat Ireland 5-1, and the streets were a bit rowdy that evening.)    We opted for a quieter dinner at the nearby Quays restaurant. We had a wonderful second floor window overlooking the excitement of the street below. Irish seafood is spectacular and the mussels and seafood stew were delightful.
   The next day we headed out to the Guinness Storehouse. This is the birthplace of Guinness. In 1759 Arthur Guinness wisely locked his burgeoning business into a 9,000 year lease for only 45 Irish pounds per year. The 64-acre site was reopened for tourism in December of 2000. It has received more than four million visitors and is Ireland’s #1 tourist attraction.   The tour explains the brewing process and carefully selected ingredients. Visitors get an opportunity to pour the perfect pint of “the black stuff” and enjoy breathtaking views of the city from the Gravity Bar. The restaurant offers a unique menu of Guinness infused cuisine and desserts. After a lively day at the Storehouse we returned to the Westbury.
   After randomly passing actor Casey Affleck in the lobby, we decided to work off that Guinness with an afternoon stroll at the nearby St. Stephen’s Green. St. Stephen’s Green is a public park that provides an oasis of calm from the busy city streets. The park is home to flocks of ducks that live along the tranquil pond and nature trails. After an hour at this lush sanctuary, we made our way to nearby Trinity college and walked the grounds. Founded in 1592, this distinguished university is home to the Book of Kells.
   After a few nights at the Westbury in historic Dublin, we moved east to the Docklands. The Docklands recently underwent a major economic revival and gentrification. Not too long ago it was a run-down shipping port with a seedy nightlife. Now it is home to the European headquarters of Google, Facebook and Apple. Since the Brexit, banks are leaving the UK and flocking to this modern Dublin waterfront. Contemporary buildings and bridges adorn the skyline. The lights of the Bord Gais Energy Theatre and H2O concert arena light up the skyline. Dublin is the youngest city in western Europe and the Docklands is the epi center. The influx of big tech companies along the river banks has brought in waves of talented millennials to the city. We had tickets to see Miss Saigon that evening at the Bord Gais Theatre. Our room at the Marker Hotel overlooked the Grand Canal and the Theatre. We enjoyed a supberb dinner at the Brasserie before the 100-metre walk to the show. The production was brilliant and provided a nice cultural variation from the Old Dublin pub scene. The Marker has an incredible rooftop terrace bar, posh accommodations and a serene heated lap pool with steam room. The food and service were top notch!
   If you’re looking to make the trip, it’s a 7.5-hour flight from Baltimore to Dublin Airport (airport signs are in both Gaelic & English). It is also gaining popularity as a cruise ship destination. It averaged 8 degrees Celsius (48 F) during our late fall stay. The people were friendly and the streets are alive with youthful exuberance. We’ll miss you Dublin!
- Sean Rox
410-289-7699
RoxBeachWeddings.com

]]> Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0500 16531484929195 Washington DC http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/Welcome-to-Washington-DC      Welcome to Washington DC! This year Cassandra and I spent some time during the Holidays in the festive metropolis of our nation’s capitol. It would take weeks to see everything this dynamic city has to offer. We covered as much ground as possible during our two night stay. We wanted to make sure we had a great location so we could walk to many of the main attractions. We decided on the W Hotel on 15th St.   Known as the Washington Hotel since 1918, this iconic building was bought by Starwood Resorts in 2008.   The closest hotel to the White House, the Starwood is home to the iconic rooftop POV bar that offers amazing panoramic views of the U.S. Treasury, White House and Executive Building. We were overjoyed with our 9th floor suite that looked out over the National Mall and the Washington Monument.
   Our first stop was to get some lunch at Old Ebbit Grill. Established in 1856, Old Ebbit’s has been a beacon for politicians, diplomats and military elite. We enjoyed a traditional British tea with delectable local cheeses and jams as our starter. We followed that with their renowned Oysters Rockefeller and finished with a spectacular veggie frittata. After lunch we walked to the Washington Monument. Our plan was to go all the way to the top. That plan was quickly derailed. As soon as we reached the visitor’s center we discovered it was being renovated and would not reopen until 2018. No worries, there were plenty of monuments to discover. We headed east for the Lincoln Memorial. On the way we passed the World War Two Memorial. It was an amazing tribute to the U.S. soldiers who gave everything on the battle field. A tranquil reflecting pool connects the WWII Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial. We walked along a wooded trail and enjoyed the birds and squirrels on a beautiful 50-degree afternoon. On the Lincoln steps there appeared to be a military ceremony in progress. As we got closer, we realized a group of Marines were receiving their promotions. It was an amazing location for such an honor and the soldiers were cheered by friends, family and strangers alike.
   On the way back to the hotel we passed by the Executive Offices and then the White House. The Executive Offices are the backdrop for the HBO comedy Veep (one of our favorites). We got as close as we could to the White House. Unless you’re on an official White House tour (the hardest ticket to get in DC), that means pressing your nose against an iron gate about 500 feet away. We got a few decent pictures through the gate, but our most memorable view of the White House came that evening at our hotels’s POV rooftop terrace bar.   We had a spectacular champagne dinner and watched the lights of a scintillating pinkish orange play off the majestic façade of the Obama residence.
   The next day we were up early to explore the west side of the National Mall. First we stopped at the White House Visitor’s center. This was the first visitors center that required a security check and metal detector. It was worth the wait as it offered wonderful insight on the day to day lives of the historical figures who lived there. Then we walked through the corridor of the Smithsonian. There were so many museums to choose from and so little time. We entered a castle-like structure that resembled something from the Harry Potter films. It ended up being the visitors’s center. After that we went in the Air and Space Museum. We had some fun in the fighter plane and space rocket flight simulators and learned about the evolution of the airline industry.   Next we stopped in the American Indian museum. We were told this had the best and healthiest lunch options in the whole Smithsonian - it did not disappoint! They had a plethora of exciting Native American dishes to choose from in one of the world’s more exotic food courts.
   After lunch we strolled past the botanical gardens to the Capitol. Our cousin Mary Beth was gracious enough to help us secure a tour. Our guide was charismatic and informative. We learned the secrets of the awe inspiring rotunda and what it takes to get in the National Statuary Hall Collection (only two per state). There is an underground tunnel that connects the Capitol to the Library of Congress. Currently the largest library in the world, the structure was burned to the ground by the British in 1814. Thomas Jefferson donated his own personal collection to begin the restoration process. We took Pennsylvania Avenue on the way back to the hotel and passed the Newseum (an interactive history of news and journalism) as well as the Old Post Office (recently converted into a Trump hotel).
   That night we caught a ride to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Drawing in 2 million visitors a year, the Kennedy center hosts 2,000 shows annually and is the busiest theatre in the country. We scored tickets to Wicked, the acclaimed musical based on the book by Gregory Maguire. Prior to the show we savored a fantastic dinner at the Center’s Roof Terrace restaurant. This innovative restaurant overlooks the Potomac river and serves a medley of delightful dishes. The show was amazing. Jessica Vosk dazzled the crowd as Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west. Understudy Jillian Butler vaulted into the role of Good Witch Glynda and was magnificent. The show was absolutely magical and left us wanting more!
   On our last day we visited the Washington Harbour. The Harbour was alive with Holiday festivities that afternoon. The plaza had been converted into an ice skating rink overlooking the Potomac and the Kennedy Center. We walked to nearby Georgetown and indulged in the shops on Wisconsin and M streets. The streets were bustling with last minute Christmas shoppers and the ambience was bursting with cheer. Our last meal in DC was at Bangkok Joe’s Thai Restaurant & Dumpling Bar. The Mushroom ‘N Ginger dumplings brought back fond memories of our adventures in Thailand.
   We absolutely loved our stay in DC! We were blessed with nice weather and the W Hotel was the perfect home base for our stay (they have top notch steam showers at the spa and a priceless concierge service!) If only we had more time to see it all. No worries, it just means we’ll have to bring Moorea there one day for a family outing!

Sean Rox
410-289-7699
www.roxbeachweddings.com

]]> Fri, 20 Jan 2017 00:00:00 -0500 15951467966243 Kansas City http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/Kansas-City Welcome to Kansas City! This year’s annual father/son road trip was a visit to Kaufmann stadium to see how the Nationals stacked up against the 2015 World Series champs. After a three-hour flight from Philly, we arrived in KC. Kansas City straddles the states of Kansas & Missouri. The city center, airport, major attractions and stadiums are all on the Missouri side. We booked a suite at the Intercontinental hotel overlooking the Country Club Plaza. The Plaza is a trendy shopping & restaurant district that is decorated by beautiful fountain-lined piazzas. Kansas City has more than 200 public fountains which is second only to Rome. Picturesque Brush Creek winds around the Plaza and is passable by a series of pedestrian bridges.

Upon arrival we made our way to the stadium for the Nats Monday night match-up with the Royals. We sprung for tickets behind home plate that included access to the Crown Club. The Crown Club provided a tasty buffet and complimentary in-seat wait service for food and drinks. KC fans are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The stadium was full of energy, and the fans were curious and tolerant of our Washington Nationals gear. The Nats were victorious that night and we ubered our way back to the hotel.

The Intercontinental Hotel was spectacular! They had a delicious breakfast buffet overlooking the plaza. The gym and steam room were top notch and the staff was extremely courteous. An added bonus was that the Nats players were staying there as well. That morning we saw their strength coach in the weight room and All Star second baseman Daniel Murphy in the lobby.

We explored the Plaza for lunch. The locals recommended Jack Stack’s. KC is renowned for their BBQ and this was the spot that won the most awards. We had a combo of pork ribs and burnt ends that was brilliant! The local brewery is Boulevard, and they provide an excellent assortment of suds on tap. Our waitress told us that Nats outfielder Jason Werth had stopped in for lunch the day before.

We headed back to the stadium at 4 PM that afternoon for an All Access Tour. Morrie Carlson was our informative tour director. Before we began he asked us to remove our red Nationals hats and replaced them with blue Kansas City lids. He then took us behind the scenes to the VIP suites, locker rooms and inside the press box. Then we spent about an hour on the field during batting practice and got to meet Royals manager Ned Yost and Slugger the mascot. We stayed on the field through the National Anthem and then were escorted to our seats in the Craft Draft section. On the way we met Royals legend and Hall of Famer George Brett in the elevator - what a surreal surprise!

Anthony Rendon pounced on a fastball in the 1st inning to put the Nats ahead, but closer Jonathan Papelbon choked away the lead in the 9th to give the Royals a walk off win. Our consolation was another elevator meet and greet at the Intercontinental later that night. We ended up sharing a lift with Nats relief pitcher Blake Trienen. He is originally from Kansas City and this was his homecoming (he was actually on the front cover of the KC sports section the next day).

The next day we took a last stroll through the Plaza after brekkie. We enjoyed a Brazilian lunch at Fogo de Chao before heading to the airport and arriving back in OC later that night. Dad and I thoroughly enjoyed our short stay in Kansas City. The people were extremely friendly, the city was clean and inviting and we enjoyed excellent weather. The BBQ was the best I’d ever had! It was a great experience at the ballpark to take in a few games with such a passionate fanbase (the Royal’s DJ was the best I’ve heard at a sporting event). If you’re looking to go on a memorable baseball road trip, I highly recommend Kansas City, Missouri, the Country Club Plaza and the Intercontinental Hotel.

Sean Rox

410-289-7699

www.roxbeachweddings.com

]]> Fri, 08 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0400 15631464321340 Disney World http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/Ports-of-Call-2 Welcome to Disney World! Located in Orlando Florida, Disney World is known as the “Happiest place on Earth”. For Cassandra’s 40th birthday I knew I had to come up with something huge. Since she was a little girl in England she’s always wanted to meet Mickey Mouse. Cassandra took me to an amusement park in Australia on my 30th b-day so I could feel like a kid again and I wanted to return the favor. This March her dreams came true with a surprise trip to the Magic Kingdom!

We stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Hotel and enjoyed a room with a balcony overlooking the Magic Kingdom. The contemporary is one of three Disney resorts with access to the monorail. The monorail is the quickest and most convenient way to travel between the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, the Contemporary, the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian Village resort. It literally stops inside the 4th floor of the Contemporary. Staying in a Disney resort allows you an earlier entrance to the park plus give you access to extended hours in the evenings. You also gain access to the “fastpass” which enables you to bypass long lines at the major attractions.

Our first night we took a 5-minute stroll from the resort to the main gates of the Magic Kingdom. We started in Fantasyland and spent a little bit of time in Tomorrowland. We spun around on the Mad Hatter’s teacups, saw glowing ghosts dancing through the Haunted House, and cruised through “It’s a Small World After All” (that song stayed in our heads the entire trip: -). We rode in a Honeypot around Pooh’s Corner, sailed above the London skyline in the Peter Pan experience and journeyed through Ariel’s world in a Giant Clamshell during the “Under the Sea” experience. It brought back a whirlwind of childhood memories that culminated in a fireworks display and the Main Street Electrical Parade.

The next day was the big 40 for my lovely wife, so we packed in as many adventures as we could. We explored Adventureland by partaking in a Jungle Cruise and sailing the rogue seas on the infamous Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Next up was Frontierland where we rode a train around the entire Magic Kingdom. We learned that day that the best restaurants all require reservations. We did not have one for lunch, so we took a bus to Disney Springs. Disney Springs is a bustling hub of dining and shopping options. We opted for the Rainforest Café and walked that off with a walk around the scenic lake. Then we took a bus to the Polynesian resort. We explored the overwater bungalows that recreated the Bora Bora, Moorea & Tahiti experience (ironically, they were just as expensive as the real deal). From the Polynesian we caught the monorail back to the Contemporary. Six months earlier I’d booked a table at Cinderella’s Royal Table Dinner and tonight the Birthday girl was cashing in! We met Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Ariel & Jasmine as we enjoyed a sumptuous feast in the castle ballroom. After dinner we walked out into the Electric Parade once again - this time we used the distraction to find a short queue for a meet & greet with Mickey Mouse - that was the proverbial icing on the cake for our birthday girl!

The next morning we took a bus to an African restaurant called Boma inside the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Having just been in Africa a few months earlier, it was great to talk to the pleasant staff from countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Zambia & South Africa. The food was delicious and the resort itself was spectacular. Many of the rooms ringed around a game-viewing area where giraffes literally walked up to people’s balconies. After brekkie we bussed to Animal Kingdom and watched the Festival of the Lion King - what a brilliant theatrical performance! We also had the opportunity to meet Mickey & Minnie together and get some photos with them in their safari gear. Next we took a bus to the Wilderness Lodge and had lunch at the Whispering Canyon Café. After lunch we strolled the grounds and caught a complimentary water taxi from the lodge back to the Contemporary.

That evening we took the monorail to Epcot Center. After a trek through Spaceship Earth, we soaked in the ambience of the Flower & Garden festival that brought Disney favorites to life in various forms of fauna and greenery. Epcot has a lake surrounded by villages from multiple countries. Each country has distinct restaurants and shopping that pertain to their respective culture. We took a whimsical boat ride underneath a Mayan temple in Mexico. We made the rounds in Norway, England, China, Japan & France before settling in Morocco for dinner at Marrakesh. We savored tasty couscous and were entertained by a rhythmic belly dancing show. Hollywood studios was open for extended hours that evening for Disney hotel guests, so we took a ferry boat there after supper. We toured the Star Wars Launch Bay and were accosted by real Stormtroopers in the street (they were polite, but kept in character splendidly). We caught a bus back to the Contemporary and took the elevator all the way to the top for a visit to the California Grill. In addition to offering renowned cuisine, the California Grill is the best spot in Disney to view the daily fireworks.

On our final morning we had a wonderful buffet at the Contemporary’s Wave of American Flavors restaurant. After packing and taking advantage of a late checkout, we opted to have our final meal at the Grand Floridian Café. We’d been staring at this beautiful hotel from our balcony the past few days, so we had to give it a go. The Grand Floridian was modelled after the Del Coronado Hotel in San Diego. It was every bit as elegant and even had a better pool (a giant “Mad Hatter” Hat pours water over the kids). Lunch was excellent and we took the monorail back to the Contemporary for the final time. The Disney Express service was a convenient way to get us to and from the airport. If you’re planning on a meal at the Orlando airport, there is a convenient restaurant inside the Hyatt hotel that overlooks the runway so you can look out and see the planes (also has outstanding food and an impeccably clean bathroom).

Cassandra thoroughly enjoyed her birthday visit to Disney World and I had just as much fun taking her there. With a baby on the way this summer, we’re looking forward to another visit in a few years!

Sean Rox

410-289-7699

www.roxbeachweddings.com

]]> Fri, 27 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400 15481462506369 VICTORIA FALLS http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/VICTORIA-FALLS     Welcome to Victoria Falls! Known as Mosi - oa - Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) to the locals, Vic Falls forms the natural border between Zambia & Zimbabwe. It is the largest waterfall in the world based on its impressive width of 1708 metres and height of 108 metres. While neither the tallest (Venezuela’s Angel Falls) or widest (Iguassu), it is the most voluminous and is twice the height and width of Niagara’s horseshoe falls.
   Scottish explorer David Livingstone was the first European to see the falls and live to tell about it. He made his discovery from an island in the Zambezi (later named Livingstone Island) in 1855 and named it after his queen. The mighty Zambezi River feeds the falls which cascades into a series of gorges that provide the most intense white water rafting experience on the planet (the most intense rapids I’ve ever experienced - we had to get out and walk around the Class 6 rapids as they’re lethal). Adventure seekers have plenty of extreme options to view the falls. The Victoria Fall’s Bridge is an iconic launch point for bungee jumpers, micro gliders and canyon swingers.
   A visit to the Devil’s Pool gives you the chance to literally immerse yourself in the Falls and take in the view from the top. The Pool only exposes itself during the dry season and visits must be booked in advance.   The Pool is accessible only from Livingstone Island which is leased out by the Tongabezi Resort. This was a must do bucket list adventure for us! We took a boat from the Royal Livingstone Hotel to Livingstone Island. Once on the island, we walked as far as we could along a partially submerged rocky path until the Zambezi swallowed it up.   At that point we waded into the river and then had to swim the final 20 metres against a powerful current to reach the pool.
   There are roped buoys in place at the lip of the Falls to keep you from going over, but you still have to make the physically challenging swim to get there (there’s no shortcut…either fight through the current or you never get to get in the pool).   Once you’re in, there are rocks you can hold onto while you gaze across the stunning rainbow infused chasm of the falls. You have the option of going right to the edge of the Falls and looking over. There are no buoys here to save you, but there is a barely submerged lip that creates the planet’s ultimate infinite pool. As long as you stay low and stay braced to the wall you’re ok.
   The Guides are crazy awesome! You give them your camera and they walk along the lip of the falls and take pictures for you. We had one guide hold our feet while we dangled over the falls while the other guide snapped away with photos and video. After our “swim” we went back to Livingstone Island for a morning brekkie prepared by the wonderful staff.
   If you’re not an extreme sports enthusiast, the Falls still has plenty to offer. You can get brilliant pictures from the Victoria Falls National Park that only requires a short 20-minute walk to the best vantage points (bring a water resistant camera because you will get wet). The Royal Livingstone Express train makes daily departures around Livingstone and is a great way to gain insight into the region’s colonial heritage. There is a vibrant market outside of the national park that sells handmade crafts from local Zambians. We picked up amazing souvenirs from talented artists that we will always cherish (a hand woven tapestry of a Zambia Rhino is our favorite).
   Speaking of Rhinos, there is abundant wildlife near the Falls. The hippos and crocs that habitate the river usually stay upstream so they don’t risk sweeping over, but there are some exotic land rovers. We took a Rhino Walk at the nearby Mosi - oa - Tunya park. We were escorted by a guide and a ranger. The armed ranger carried an AK-47 rifle on the walk. We quickly discovered that in addition to the occasional arrest or shoot out with poachers, the noise from the rifle could save your life from a buffalo charge (Buffaloes are referred to as the “black death” due to their aggressiveness and propensity to charge without any warning). In the event of a buffalo attack, the ranger would shoot straight up in the air and hopefully scare the buffalo away (usually works with rhinos as well, but buffaloes are the most dangerous threat). There are only nine white Rhinos in all of Zambia and seven were at this park. We were extremely fortunate to spot five of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. We got as close as 10 metres away to a group of three sisters and almost as near to a dominant male (they named him Louis) and an adolescent that was following him around. There was a severe drought at the time and we felt for the poor Rhinos whose favorite watering holes had dried up. It was a surreal experience that we will never forget - it really makes you appreciate nature and question how anyone could hunt or kill these amazing animals.
      Getting to Victoria Falls was always a dream and we’re ecstatic we made the journey! Getting there from the states required a 16-hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg and then another two-hour flight from Jo-burg to Livingstone, Zambia. (We had to choose between Zambia & Zimbabwe, but heard Zambia was safer and we have no regrets.) The wet season (Jan-July ) is the best time to see the falls at its mightiest. The dry season is your only chance to get in the falls by rafting or attempting the Devil’s Pool. It was the trip of a lifetime and hopefully one day we’ll be able to share it with our little girl.

Sean Rox
Rox Beach Weddings
410-289-7699 Toll Free 866-472-3012
www.roxbeachweddings.com

]]> Fri, 06 May 2016 00:00:00 -0400 15371458872527 ZAMBEZI QUEEN http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/ZAMBEZI-QUEEN

    Dumela (Hello in Botswana), welcome aboard the Zambezi Queen! The Zambezi Queen is a luxury safari cruise boat that sails on the Chobe River between Botswana & Namibia. The Chobe is a tributary of the mighty Zambezi. The ZQ sails out of Kasane, Botswana. The vessel slowly glides through the Chobe National Park and passengers enjoy amazing unobstructed views of the world’s largest concentration of Elephants.
    There are ten cabins and four master suites onboard the vessel. Dining and cocktails are all inclusive and it’s easy to quickly make friends during your stay. I was the only American aboard the 2016 New Year’s Eve sailing. We enjoyed meeting guests from South Africa, Australia, Norway, Japan and France, including three couples on their Honeymoon. Once aboard we instantly fell in love with the panoramic views from our master suite. From our front deck we could see Elephants bathing in the Chobe. We could look out our side sliding glass door and see a hippo grazing along the riverfront.
    Our South African Cruise Director would post the excursion options. Each morning you had the option of either tiger fishing, bird watching or a game cruise from a smaller vessel. These vessels could sail the smaller channels and take you right to the water’s edge for amazing pictures of the animals - we were literally 20 metres away from hippos, buffalos and elephants! During the heat of the day we would take lunch and rest in our cabins or the top deck lounge. Evenings gave us a chance for sunset game watching from the smaller tender boats.
    One day we visited a Namibian village. The crew of the ZQ were mostly from the village and were happy to show us around. They were very talented craftsmen and we bought several wonderful wooden sculptures from the villagers.   Another day we took a game drive through the Chobe Park and spotted our first lion. Giraffes, warthogs, zebra, impala and crocodiles were also on display. Hippos and elephants were everywhere!
    We preferred the game cruises to the game drives. Animals gravitate to the river to drink and hunt so they were easier to locate by boat; plus, it’s not nearly as dusty or bumpy on the water. We were there in the African summer, so hats and sunscreen are a must. Mornings and evenings were about 75 degrees and would ramp up to 105 in the middle of the day. It was also important to wear light or khaki colored clothing and keep your feet and hands inside the boat (animals view boats and jeeps as a single large animal - if they spot brightly colored limbs hanging out they may realize food is inside and attack).   The crocodiles are no joke. Our guide said for every croc you see there are a dozen hiding underneath the water. The hippos were beautiful, but they are dangerous, so we kept a respectful distance and tried to stay as quiet as possible while we took up-close pictures.
    There were no TVs or radios in the room. Each night we would drift to sleep to the sounds of the river and the African stars. There were no phones or alarm clocks - the sun trickling around the edges of the curtains let us know each morning it was time to arise and explore. We did not miss the internet one bit - what a wonderful respite from reality. Our Namibian staff was fantastic! Each morning we’d have expresso from the top deck and scan the river banks for eagles and hippos. Dinners were top notch local cuisine - native fish, exotic vegetables & wildebeest fillet were some of our favorites. On New Year’s Eve they shared their heritage through a lively song and dance. Namibia was celebrating 25 years of independence from Germany that year and our crew broke out a Namibian Flag and sang their national anthem for us - it was quite a moving moment. After that we enjoyed a wonderful international New Year’s champagne toast and celebration!
       Our four-night stay aboard the Zambezi Queen was the most memorable cruise of our life. We took a 17-hour flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg and followed that with a two-hour flight from Jo-burg to Kasane. The cruise was worth every minute of it and we can’t imagine a better way to have an intimate experience with the best nature and wildlife that Africa has to offer. Go Siame (Farewell), Zambezi Queen, we’ll always remember you!
- Sean Rox
Rox Beach Weddings
410-289-7699 Toll Free 866-472-3012
www.roxbeachweddings.com

]]> Fri, 25 Mar 2016 00:00:00 -0400 15331455308214 TONGABEZI, ZAMBIA http://www.coconuttimes.com/articles/Ports-of-Call/TONGABEZI-ZAMBIA     Mwapona (Tongan greeting), welcome to Tongabezi, Zambia! Tongabezi is a magical resort located on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, upstream from Victoria Falls. About eight years ago we found the Tongabezi website while doing a Google search for African tree house hotels. It took a while for Cassandra and I to finally make the journey, but it was everything we imagined and more! Getting there entailed a 17-hour non-stop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg, South Africa, followed by a 2-hour flight to Kasane, Botswana. After a 4-night Chobe River Cruise on the Zambezi Queen, we ferried around the Zimbabwe border and crossed into Zambia. An hour drive finally brought us to our destination.
    The resort is hidden from view, down a dirt road about 2 KM off the highway. There’s no parking lot - just a clearing where the jungle opens up and a flight of stairs descends through the greenery and down towards the mighty Zambezi River. Upon arrival, our personal Valet Japhet greeted us and showed us to our River Cottage. Words can’t describe how amazing the Cottages were; only pictures tell the true story - a spectacular tub overlooking the river, a four-post bed and exotic décor (may we recommend a couples reflexology session from the comfort of your bed overlooking the Zambezi). There are NO TVs or radios on the property; only the sweet lullaby of nature.
    After 60 countries on 6 continents, this was the most unique property at which we have ever stayed! Our cottage was hidden in the trees and a troop of monkeys lived up above us (we had to lock the door when we left so they wouldn’t try to steal our shiny objects). We could see and hear Hippos in the river below us. At night Japhet would escort us to dinner and keep an eye out for hippos that would occasionally wander on the property.
    Dining was completely customized - there were about 6 areas from which to choose. We ate lunch from swinging chairs in the Lookout, had breakfast at the river’s edge and enjoyed the ultimate room service on our River Cottage deck. Our most memorable meal was a Sampan candle light dinner on a floating table for two in the middle of the Zambezi river - the food was delivered to our table by canoe. The resort is all inclusive and featured a brilliant list of wines, Zambian beers and cocktails from which to choose. Water is precious in the region. Tongabezi is an eco-friendly resort that recycles and bottles their own water and sparking water on site. They grow their own vegetables in a garden a few hundred metres from the kitchen. Tongabezi gives back to the community, such as; having donated a state of the art school for children of the staff and the local community.
    We had our own personal excursions director to plan and drive us to our off-site activities.   We took a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river and stopped on their private island for a cocktail hour picnic. We visited Victoria Falls on three different occasions. First we hiked through the National Park. The next day I took a white water rafting expedition through the rapids. Our last day we took a swim in the Devil’s Pool that is literally at the top of the falls. We also booked a Rhino Walk to get up close and personal with the endangered White Rhino.
    The people of Zambia were warm and welcoming. We loved their clothes, their culture and their hospitality. We tried many new foods and learned so much during our visit. What an ideal spot for a romantic Honeymoon! The weather was sunny and about 100 degrees each day. It was dry heat, so it only felt like 80. If you ever had an urge to spend a few days in the jungle with all the amenities of a 5-star hotel and restaurant, this is the place for you - luxury Safari at its finest. We’re missing you already, Tongabezi (Keegan, Victor the Crocodile Man, Marc & Rudy) - Twalumba (Tongan thank you) Tongabezi!! http://www.tongabezi.com/
Sean Rox
Rox Beach Weddings
410-289-7699 Toll Free 866-472-3012
www.roxbeachweddings.com
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