| Ultimate Vacation | |
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| Paul Cronson - USA | |
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Dear Captain Glenn and Chef Mindy,
Well, it's a little over a month since I returned from what had to be one of the most magical 10 days I've ever spent. Unfortunately it's getting to the point where I'm considering professional help. Each day I turn on my computer and see a picture of the sunrise over Trellis Bay that I unfortunately chose to use for my desktop. My partners say that the wrenching sobs are both bad for business and are beginning to get on their nerves. Last night I was almost kicked out of one of New York's better-known restaurants for insisting that the chef could well spend some time in the Fat Cat galley in order to learn from the best. Meanwhile my family has only just begun to start talking to me. They still think the whole “coming home thing' is my fault. Personally I can't think of how I could have presented you with the more difficult group. On the one hand my wife and I had chartered bareboat and crewed yachts in the BVIs several times before. My mother and I had both been on some fairly fancy yachts around the world. I had a 12 year old who would rather be playing his electric guitar and eating pizza. Add to this my in-laws and their two children and a marine biologist/scuba instructor in a different boat which had to be coordinated as part of the trip and it's difficult to see why any self-respecting charter crew wouldn't choose to spend Christmas at home. And yet in the face of all this you succeeded in giving me and my family an experience that we will never forget that we will never be able to repeat (until we come back to Fat Cat). Let me say that Fat Cat was beautiful. I didn't really know what to expect. I think I told you that this was the first time I had sailed in a large cat. Fat Cat’s salon is expansive and easily accommodates diners and loungers. The deck areas abound with places to sun, rest and contemplate water The cabins are well appointed and have large comfortable beds, and there's plenty of fresh hot water for the ensuite bathrooms (they're too big to call 'heads'). I think that I might suggest that future guests who are bookworms might bring small reading lights, however most evenings I was too tired and relaxed even open up a book. One of the things I noticed about Fat Cat was how stable it was while cruising. Frankly 'cruising' may be a misnomer. Fat Cat slices through the water. I have never been so comfortable on a sailboat going 17 kn. (Actually I think it's the first time I've been on a sailboat going 17 kn- Maybe it should be called “Fast Cat”). The ability to move around the islands at that speed makes just about anything possible. The ability to do it pleasurably makes it all fun. I'm not sure what to say about the food. You may remember that my family has owned hotels. I've worked in hotel kitchens. My mother owned her own hotel and worked as the food and beverage consultant for the Carlyle. I know from food. In addition, having chartered so many times before, I know how difficult it is to cook in a ship's galley, and I know the strategic exercises in which one has to engage in order to provision properly. However, when Mindy cooks it's not a meal it's a creation. We had food on that trip that would earn stars in the Michelin Guide. My mother wants to adopt Mindy. My wife said she would understand if I left her for Mindy as long as she continued to dine with us. As for me, while I would never be that nice to my wife or that mean to Mindy, I think it's safe to say that I would be willing to give up a couple of minor body parts to dine on Fat Cat for the rest of my life. Further the professionalism was not limited to the galley. Glenn's quiet ease in the cockpit belies his competence, and he and the crew’s abilities made sailing a 75 foot catamaran look like child's play. For this particular trip you guys were kind enough to bring on the third crew member, Megan, who complemented you perfectly. What really made the vacation however was not just your professional but the way in which you made the trip fun for everyone in my family. Your ability to deal with all the members of my family will no doubt make you candidates for canonization. Your knowledge of the area and the types of activities in which we were interested were invaluable. For my part some of my best memories will be of diving with you in Annegada. (well, there was that desert with the spun sugar topping, and the individual chocolate mousse, and the New Years Eve at a restaurant at the end of nowhere………….) In short, it was as I said previously, a magical trip. We can't wait to come back . Best regards, Paul Cronson Managing Director Larkspur Capital Corporation Member NASD |
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| Posted at: Monday, July 17, 2006 | |