Paulette’s Posts – 244 Flamingo

A Spicy life in Granada

Grenada is known as “The Spice Island.” Locally grown spices include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, bay leaf, turmeric, nutmeg, and chocolate!

The Point at Petite Calivigny

Our first stop is The Point at Petite Calivigny. This development is focused on wellness, incorporating high European standards and Hyatt management tools. It sits above Woburn Bay, on the south side of Granada. The properties face west and enjoy spectacular water views.

The point at Calivgny is nearing completion of phase-I. The next project is the beach and waterfront cafe and bar.

Phase I consists of 12 condos, and four villas with private infinity pools. The condos are divided into two sets of six, each sharing a pool, patio, and grilling area.

The condos are 1450 sf two-bedroom, two-bathroom units. The villas offer a larger 3000 sf, and are three bedrooms. The facility has a fitness center with a wonderful view.

The asking price for the furnished condos is $750,000 plus $37,500 closing costs; $787,500. HOA is approx. $1550/month and includes utilities, tax, and insurance. The villas, with closing costs, are approx. $2.5 million. The owner/developer offers financing, 50% down and 5% interest. Payments are made in the USA.

The Point at Calivigny offers on-site rental management with a 60/40 split. Click here for more information about ownership and investment in Granada.

PS. Owning a condo here has made my top 5 list.

Villa Beach Cliff

The next tour is of the Villa Beach Cliff, a six-bedroom, six-bathroom vacation rental of the east shore of Prickly Bay.

This large villa enjoys a year-round vacation rental income. The current owners are Canadian and have rented out the property for many years. The views are spectacular, and the reviews are all positive.

Here’s what your guests will experience:

“Privacy & intimacy with family & friends is what you can enjoy throughout the 5,500 square foot retreat. Uniquely situated on an 11,500 sq. foot premium property at the very tip of Lance Aux Epines, Grenada’s most southerly, & desirable location. Delight your senses with refreshing ocean breezes, and spectacular panoramic views from our lookout, capturing the trade winds of both the Caribbean Sea & the Atlantic Ocean. Cool down in either of our 2 swimming pools, or on one of the terraces leading down to our private beach.”

Own a successful Caribbean vacation villa, offering 5+1 exquisite suites, and all of the amenities you would expect to ensure complete relaxation and rejuvenation for your guests. The asking price is $1,795,000.00 USD, includes FF&E.

Granada

After the property tour, we went for a walk and found yummy eats and cool cocktails on the shore of The Carenage, a beautiful working port in St. George’s. I also picked up a sampling of the local spices to take back home.

Everyone agrees we need a vacation in Granada!

Granada, January 18, 2018

We toured two Luxury resort properties while visiting the island. Both properties are located in a popular tourist area known as Grand Anse.

Silver Sands

The first development we visit is Silver Sands .

This is a view from one of the beachfront villas. This beach is absolutely beautiful, and farther to the right is a view of the port. The Silver Sands developers have tried to design the property so that it blends into the natural beauty that surrounds it.

The design and furnishings at Silver Sands is very all cool white stone, straight lines, and modern.

These beachfront villas are very expensive but do offer entire or proportional ownership. Silver Sands is also in the process of building the Hillside Villas which will be a bit less expensive. On-site management will rent the Villas as part of the Silver Sands Resort while the owners are away. This is a very high-end luxury property on a beautiful beach.

Mount Cinnamon

The next property we visited was Mount Cinnamon Residences. These residences are built on the property of the Mount Cinnamon resort and spa. USAToday Readers Survey ranked Mount Cinnamon as the #1 resort in the Caribbean in 2018.

Mount Cinnamon sits on the hillside with a short walking path to the beach club which is directly on the white sands of Grand Anse Beach.

The views from the properties are wonderful! On-site property management will rent your property as part of the resort when the owners are away. While owners are on the property, they can enjoy all the amenities available at the resort.

The furnishings in Mount Cinnamon varied from eclectic in the older villas to very sleek and modern in the newer units. I enjoyed the bold tropical colors and interesting architecture and furnishings in the older properties.

Granada

Grenada does have a citizen by investment option, but make sure you understand all the taxes and transfer fees first!

While on the tour bus, I saw a sign for new development in the same Grand Anse area called Kawana Bay. One more property to explore the next time I visit!

We stayed an extra few hours at the Mount Cinnamon beach club to have lunch and enjoy the Grand Anse beach. Grenada was the tour group’s favorite island. As we drove through town, we noticed the old-style architecture and narrow streets. We saw lots of businesses, commerce looked plentiful and interesting. We were told that Grenada is outside the Hurricane belt, which was a big bonus! A quick check to Wikipedia says that the island had been hit 3 times in the last 50 years, ..so not completely outside 😉

After a beach walk back to the Silver Sands Property, we were able to catch a water taxi back to the ship dock.

I really did like the look and feel of Grenada. I would really like to spend my next vacation exploring the local culture, properties, and opportunities.

Would you like to tour the property during your next vacation? Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments!

Bay Side Living in St. Lucia

St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. The vehicles drive on the left side of the road, there is no Uber, but taxis are plentiful. Here is a nice overview from a local Real Estate Professional: https://allluxury.properties/st-lucia/

Ashiana Villa

We visited a 5 bedroom vacation rental home overlooking Marigot Bay. The large home can be booked by the bedroom; 1 bedroom sleeps 2 up to 5 bedrooms sleeping 10. The home is lovely with high-end amenities and a wonderful view.

Google search Ashiana Villa to find reviews on several vacation rental sights. This may be the local rental management listing: https://isleblue.co/villas/vacation-rentals/caribbean/st-lucia/marigot-bay/villa-ashiana

I was unable to find a sales listing, but our local Real Estate Agent indicated an asking price of $1.95 million USD. Owning a second home that doubles as a vacation rental can be a lovely investment. The industry is so successful in St. Lucia that the local government is starting to regulate and tax vacation rentals.

Marigot Bay

We visited a buildable lot on Marigot Bay. There is really great investment potential here: https://allluxury.properties/property/marigot-bay-waterfront-property/

Marigot Resort and Marina

I finished the day poolside at the Marigot Bay Resort. The marina village is definitely worth the visit! I found real estate listings for both the Marina Village and the Resort. There is no MLS, so internet research is a must!

If you love St. Lucia, there are plenty of investment opportunities!

Saint Lucia, January 2018

As the cruise ship pulled into the St. Lucia Port, I got excited! The landscape, shoreline, mountains, and architecture; there is so much to see, and it is glorious! We toured three private re-sale homes on the island. Each property can be rented out as a vacation rental. Some have a rental history as well.

Villa Solimar

The first property is called Villa Solimar. I have some beautiful professional photos that the listing agent shared with us, but they are too large to post in this blog. If you would like to see pictures of the interior, I have included the link to the property listing.

I thought the best thing about this property is the views and the abundance of outdoor living space. The property is located on a hill, near the front entrance of the port. The ships, boats and some airplane traffic is entertaining to see, without any noise. There are water views from every side of the property.

Citizenship

We talked to a Real Estate Lawyer at the next property we visited. St. Lucia offers citizenship by investment. St. Lucia is looking for investment, so they try to keep the process easy, but it changes. Although the process of purchasing property and obtaining citizenship may be easy, there are transfer fees and taxes that need to be considered; and can add a significant cost.

Villa Atlantis

Villa Atlantis is a sprawling, single-story private home. With 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, the house would be great for a family reunion or corporate retreat. The Villa is located on a hill, at a golf course, with wonderful vista views.

Manderley

The third property is called Manderley. It is an older home that incorporates just about all of the traditional Caribbean and European charm. High ceilings, balconies with views of the ocean and lots of fretwork. If you enjoy antiques and have an appreciation tor classics, check out this YouTube video, Manderley Tour, which is hosted by the gracious owner. This house sits on a one-acre lot, with room for an additional home.

Manderley has been a romantic vacation rental for several years with rental history and positive reviews, this could be a really fun property to own.

The Island life

St. Lucia seemed to be a vibrant active place. Commerce is healthy and I really enjoyed seeing all the marinas and boats moored near the beaches.

I made a note to check out The Landings. We did not tour this property, but I would like to stay in the Resort and Spa and shop for property here. The property is located on the beach and surrounds a marina. Note to self: Boating is a must in St. Lucia!

Would you like to tour investment property during your next vacation? Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments!

Elegant Living in St. Kitts

You can’t help but notice how lush and beautiful St Kitts is. The island is also home to four Medical schools, one of which is a veterinary school. The car ride was scenic and very enjoyable. The roads were smooth and wide, although traffic moves on the left side of the road.

At the south end of the island is a new development with a naturally protected marina, Christophe Harbour. The Marina can accommodate superyachts. Christophe Marina offers freehold ownership of the berths; they can be purchased and held or rented out.

The development is fairly new and offers both existing villas as well as buildable lots. I enjoyed a cocktail at the Pavillion Beach Club. It is possible to dine at the beachside restaurant, but you will need reservations first because it is a members-only Cabana Bar. The views are stunning!!

Properties can be purchased in entirety or by equity share. The Developers are American, and have developments in the USA. Speak directly to their Real Estate Staff regarding financing and purchases.

January 2018

We visited Kittitian Hill, at the beautiful Belle Mont Farm. Belle Mont Farm is a hotel, while the Kittitian is an ownership development. The development is fairly new and there is a lot of opportunities to invest and build to your desire.

A quote from the Belle Mont Farm website: “From our farm-fresh cuisine and long treks through the forest, Belle Mont Farm invites you to experience an island escape unlike any you would encounter at typical Caribbean resorts, one where you can discover your best self while in harmony with the natural surroundings and the people who call this place home.”

People who purchase homes in Kittitian hill have the opportunity to obtain local citizenship. This could lead to possible tax and travel benefits for some investors. Ownership options include individual as well as shared options. When not in use by owners, the properties will be rented and managed by Belle Mont Farm.

The property is absolutely beautiful. The views, property layout, and amenities are all high end and well thought out. I felt healthier just being there. The open-air living and farm to table meals were so relaxing and yummy. Pineapples and other edibles dominated the landscaping.

The Kittitian is also in the process of developing and building individual villas and cottages. The properties we toured are located up on the hill with expansive ocean views. We were told that they are going to also have a beach club with a golf cart shuttle.

St. Kitts is investing in infrastructure and welcomes visitors and investors. The locals that we met were very friendly and proud of the development. I would really like to go back to St. Kitts and Nevis to explore more of the local culture.

Sipping Rum in Old San Juan

San Juan has Uber!

San Juan is on the north side of Puerto Rico, and it was business as usual with no issues while Earthquakes were rumbling on the southwest side of the island. Officials in San Juan had considered canceling the annual Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, but decided that the party must go on! The Festival is one of the biggest celebrations of the year.

Puerto Rico’s Act 20 and Act 22 offers really nice tax incentives to encourage the relocation of high net individuals and their businesses that export goods and services from PR. For more precise information, please do your internet research and check out this personal experience. These programs have driven the real estate prices up in highly desired, pocket areas.

Per my 2018 blog: “One of the tour participants stayed in Puerto Rico for a week after the cruise, shopping for a property. Last I checked, she had an offer on a home. I will enjoy watching her progress.” Lynn did purchase a home in Vieques. She has improved the home and uses it as a second vacation home as well as a vacation rental.

Vieques is a small island off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico. There is a ferry that travels between Ceiba PR and Vieques. We met with Lynn to discuss her experience. There is no MLS, so finding a property for sale is all about who you talk to, and getting business done is all about who you know. Every step of the process was slow, included long lines, and was very low tech. Knowing how to speak Spanish or having a translator with you is a must.

The Steinway Piano bar at The Cannon Club is Wonderful!!

Between the tax incentive Acts, and the cumbersome purchasing system, concierge realty services are filling the gap. Hiring a concierge to facilitate your property purchase is well worth the money. They know the language, the customs, the processes and procedures, and they know the people.

January 2018.

My Caribbean property tour began and ended in San Juan. This was 4 months after the devastating hurricanes. On the plane ride from Atlanta, I sat next to a roofing contractor who was going to spend a month in Puerto Rico helping with repairs. When I was waiting to board the plane back to Atlanta, I saw a planeload of linemen arrive in PR to also work on repairs. The island suffered much damage. One tour guide said there were only a few of the hotels that were back up and running. Some of the tour participants were staying at hotels with brown water. PR really let it’s infrastructure go. They had been having financial issues for some time before the hurricanes.

We met with some real estate professionals before boarding the cruise ship. They told us that there were a lot of foreclosure properties on the market. Many residents left the island just before and after the storm damage.

I spent the first night before the cruise at La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort. The resort was beautiful and full of people. We enjoyed the crashing waves on the beach and walked to dinner. Old San Juan was looking good, with some minor damage evident. There was a street festival starting the day I departed. Vendors were setting up and it looked great with blooming flowers everywhere.

San Juan is big city life while being in the Caribbean. As a plus, and different than several other places we toured, traffic drives on the right. PR has a very strong Mexican/Cuban feel; Spanish on the signs and spoken everywhere.

I finished my stay in San Juan with a tour of the Bacardi distillery. One of the tour participants stayed in Puerto Rico for a week after the cruise, shopping for a property. Last I checked, she had an offer on a home. I will enjoy watching her progress.

Hot Tub Control

The hot tub can be turned on and off with the touch of a button.

The button is located on the post, in the lanai. You can see the button panel from the hot tub.

The only button that controls the hot tub, or anything else, is the top button, the upsidedown number one.

The 2, 3 and 4 buttons are not connected to anything.

Firmly press the top button once.

The center of the panel is a red light. The light will come on when the tub is activated. The heater stays activated while the tub is on.

When the heater is working, heating the water, the red light will blink.

When the heater has reached temperature, it will stop blinking.

Hot tub temp is preset to 100”F.

The hot tub is preset to turn off after 90 minutes

To turn off the hot tub, press the top button.

The red light will remain on while the heater is cooling.

Ceiling Fan and Light Controls

Ceiling fan and light controls are located throughout 244 Flamingo.

The bottom on/off switch must be in the on position to operate the fan and light.

The “8” shaped button at the top of the switch operates the light. One press turns the light “on” or “off”.

Pressing and holding the button will cause the light to go through the dimming and brightening cycle. Release the button when you have reached your desired light level.

The circle shaped button controls the fan. One press to the center square turns the fan “on” or “off”.

One press to the single, double, or triple dots changes the speed from slow, medium or high.

If available on the particular fan, one press to the bottom arrows changes the direction of the spin.

Social Media@244Flamingo

Please visit 244 Flamingo and post your beautiful pictures

Facebook, 244 Flamingo (The FLouse)

Instagram, 244flamingo.

Local happenings and specials can also be found on: Facebook.

Details, amenities, availability calendar, and rates can be found on: TripAdvisor. Or email direct: Vacation@244Flamingo.com

If you loved your vacation, please consider leaving a review on TripAdvisor or Google.

If you did not love your stay, please let me know directly so that we may correct any issues. email: Vacation@244Flamingo.com

Distinctive Beach Rentals is the local property management company and they can address any immediate, or repair issues.

Beach toys, chairs, coolers, and fishing gear

There is usually a collection of beach toys, chairs, coolers and fishing gear in the garage. These are things that previous renters have brought to the house, used on their vacation, and left in the garage. I can not guarantee the condition or quantity of these things. Please enjoy them, add to them, and dispose of objects that are broken.

Please be cautious around the fishing equipment. I have found fishing hooks and lures randomly scattered among the beach toys. I do not fish, and do not know anything about the equipment that is there. Please be tidy and careful returning the equipment to the garage.

Can’t find what you need? 7-11 has a limited selection. CVS and Publix have a very nice selection of beach accessories. Sun Hardware and the Store at Fish Tale marina include fishing equipment.

Where to go and what to do at the South end of Fort Myers Beach

Places to See, Things to Be!

In no particular order, here are just some of the many fun things you can do while visiting Fort Myers Beach.

Santini Marina Plaza

7205 Estero Blvd. FMB, FL 33931

Boutique shops, book store, liqueur store, restaurants, bars, etc. Santini plaza is approximately 1 mile away. You can walk on the beach and cut back to Estero Blvd at Pinchers. I like to ride my bike there.

Santini Fresh Market

Tuesday and Thursdays from 8:00 am-1:00 pm, mid October til April. Food and local artisan booths are set up in the Santini Market parking lot. Always fun, interesting and full of wonderful things.

Santini Fresh produce trailer

The trailer is located in the Santini parking lot. They have a lovely selection of fresh produce, break, juice, and more. Posted hours are 8:00 am – 3:00 pm daily, but if the weather is bad, they probably wont be open.

Play on the Beach!

For an elevated experience, you can rent a cabana from Outriggers to Pinchers at the Wyndham. Inquire about rentals at Outriggers beach hut and the Mid Island Water Sports beach booths. You can book waverunners, jet ski dolphin tours, parasailing, paddle boards and more.

Rent Bikes

Bike ride on the beach or in the bike lanes. Sometimes traffic can get crazy, but you will have no road rage as you glide by on a bike. If you like to have a bike for the entire week, I like Fun ‘N’ Sun. They will drop off the bikes off and pick them up from the house. the bikes come with a basket and a lock. If you are looking for just a few hours or a day, Dolphin Inn is a convenient place to rent a bike.

Rent a Boat

Fish Tale marina is our favorite place to rent a boat. The marina is the closest to the house, and the boat selection is great. For bigger parties we usually rent a pontoon. The pontoons can not go outside of the back bay, but most passengers prefer those calmer waters anyway. At the north end there are many restaurants you can tie up to, or check out the beach on the bay side of Bowditch Point. South of Fish Tale is Dog Beach, Pelican Park, the beach at Big Carlos Pass, and Flippers at Lovers Key has wonderful food. In between are mangroves, oyster beds, dolphins lot’s of birds, great fishing, and Bayfront Bistro, near Publix.

If you would like to get out onto the water, but would like someone else to captain, Fish Tale also has a dolphin tour, sunset tour and a few other charter options.

Go Fishing

There always seems to be some fishing equipment in the garage at the house. If you don’t like that selection, bring your own, or find the perfect gear at the local marina shops.

In quieter months, I have seen some fishing at the beach. If you choose to attempt this, please be cautions of swimmers and bikers.

I have been on a couple fishing charters in the back bay and one in the Gulf. All were on smaller center console fishing boats. We got sun burnt in the back bay and needed motion sickness pills for the Gulf, but we always came home with fish. The captains clean and filet the fish, (The pelicans love the spoils!), sending you home with ready to cook fresh catch. Most of the local restaurants will happily prepare your filet for you, or you can cook it yourself at the house.

Enjoy Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Restaurant Dinning on FMB

Fort Myers Beach Events

Enjoy Fresh Gulf Shrimp!

Where to purchase, and how to clean, cook, and enjoy!

Locally caught gulf shrimp are delicious, pink, and a real treat. There are several shrimping boats and stores located on the north side of the Mantanzas Pass Bridge. I usually end up purchasing from Trico Shrimp and Seafood Market.

The shrimp boats go out at all and various times of the night and day. Sometimes you can see the boats way off shore from the beach. When you are on the water in the Mantanzas Harbor, you will see several of them docked.

Gulf shrimp is a real treat, and can get expensive if you like to eat it as frequently as I do. So, take a short ride over to the shrimp docks for the freshest selection. Better yet, plan to have lunch at one of the numerous channel side restaurants first, the boat traffic can be very entertaining. Dock Fords, Bonita Bills and Parrot Key never disappoint. *These restaurants are also a great destination if you rent a boat. *

Trico Shrimp Co. is always busy and has a wonderful selection of fresh shrimp, and other yummy seafood.

The store carries shrimp in several sizes. The shrimp will be labeled with their size, approximately pieces in a pound, and the price per pound. These shrimp come in the shell, with the heads removed. The store also has another option where the shrimp are not sorted by size and include the head intact. This is usually the cheapest per pound price.

Make your selection! Add cocktail sauce and de-shelling tools (see below) if you like. Get those shrimp home cold! The shrimp you are purchasing here were harvested hours ago, and have not been frozen, but they must stay cold. Shrimp loose their freshness very quickly if allowed to get warm. You can store the bagged shrimp in the fridge at the house with the ice for a few hours, but seriously, quit your dawdling, and lets get these babies cleaned.

Clean Shrimp = Yummy Eats!

I purchased some unsorted shrimp with the heads on
($9.95/pound) and some Jumbo headless ($14.95/pound). I also purchased a container of cocktail sauce ($2.99) and a shrimp deveiner tool ($2.99). I have always used a fork to devein shrimp, but the girl in the store demonstrated the new tool and said it has saved them tons of time.

Trico packages the shrimp in a plastic bag and asks if you would like ice. It is very important to keep the shrimp chilled, so yes to the ice.

I have never minded cleaning shrimp, I find it kind of relaxing. Maybe it is because it is the one thing I remember doing with my Grandmother. Standing at the sink in her Key West home, her showing me how to clean the shrimp and what spices to cook them in…

Anyway, Don’t be scared of shrimp with heads; they are easy to remove. I Googled “What to do with shrimp heads and shells” The number one answer is, make Shrimp Stock, of course. I don’t usually do that kind of cooking while I am staying at the FLouse, but I bet it is yummy!

For me, not saving the heads is going to produce much more garbage !stinky garbage!

Just pull with a little twist to remove the heads, and then set aside or discard.

Once you have removed the heads, cleaning these shrimp is the same as as the jumbo shrimp.

Since I am in controll, all of the shell, including the tail shell, is removed. Who wants to get their fingers full of food if they dont have to.

The old school method of cleaning and de-veining is with a fork tine. Insert the tine into the mud vein, then push towards the tail and rip through the top. Pull off all the shell and rinse off the mud vein and any other debris.

The last time I was at Trico, they introduced me to the shrimper, by Morty the Knife Man. The sales lady demonstrated how easy the too made cleaning the shrimp and said it is saving them time. They are able to clean pounds of shrimp much quicker than before.

Marinate the shrimp

Once the shrimp is cleaned and the shells removed, it’s time to marinate. The quickest easiest and yummiest is to put the shrimp in a bag or bowl and toss them with Italian dressing.

Ken’s Steak House dressing was in the fridge; so that is what I used. Through all of the cleaning, it is important to keep the shrimp chilled. Get the marinating shrimp into the fridge as soon as you can. Then find a cool drink and something fun to do until it is time to cook!

As a point of information, this is a visual of the difference between the garbage generated by shrimp shells alone, and garbage generated by shrimp heads and shells. Unless I’m making stock, I’m skipping the heads next time.

Cook the shrimp

Saute the shrimp in a pan on the stove, or toss them into a grill pan and enjoy shrimp on the barbi (barbecue grill). It doesn’t take long to cook the shrimp. As soon as the color goes to an opaque white, they are done!

Drizzle with butter and a little lemon if you like. Cocktail sauce can also be served on the side. They are fresh and delicious, and best enjoyed al- fresco in the Gulf salt air.