Mount Hartman Bay Estate. An exclusive and luxurious Place on a Piece of Paradise where an overnight stay and feast of a dinner at The Cave, all played a paramount part of what would be the festivities relating to our 3rd Wedding Anniversary.

****

So when I came back from early morning Yoga class, Dave surprised me with, well, a surprise.

Now that we are back in Grenada and anchored right in Mount Hartman Bay Estate's back yard waters, so to speak, we have just been itching for an excuse to have dinner at The Cave, the restaurant in Mount Hartman Bay Estate.

We'd feasted here last year for my birthday and have been salivating about it since, wondering what kind of excuse we could come up with to justify heading back.

"So how long has it been since we've had a sleep-over off the boat" Dave asked as I clambered into the cockpit after an exhaustive and sweaty session of Yoga.

"Hmm, must be one year now..." I responded, as I rubbed my very stretched and now, very relaxed thighs.

"So how about we stay there overnight?" he asked "after dinner at The Cave?"

To which I used any remaining energy I had and jumped up and down with some very un-Zen-like moves. Then stopped and fretted about the dollars and cents. To which he gallantly responded "Don't Worry..."

So I clapped my hands with glee and gave him a hug and kiss and a hug. Of course.

We arrived in the late afternoon,



parked our dinghy at the dock, and started the long climb of stairs up and up and up.

The resort has recently fallen under new management, and Dave's correspondence with the new owner, Ms Beckett, had already left him quite impressed. We were disappointed to learn that she was unable to meet us personally as she had to fly home just that morning, but her son Charlie would be around, "should we need anything".

As we gazed around, the warm breezes already caressing us with hints of smiles of events to come, and our gaze could see the many improvements since we'd last visited.



The resort grounds here are absolutely enchanting.



About halfway up the hill we stopped for a moment or three at the infinity pool.



To catch our breath from the uphill climb, but also the first of many sighs of exclamation of relaxed wonderment, the knowledge that we were going to spoil ourselves here for a day AND a night, all slowly began to be absorbed, and feel like reality.

We continued up the stairs and entered the hotel where Glendalyn and Tim were waiting to welcome us with ear-to-ear smiles, where we immediately felt like family and not just guests, like we'd just come home. Tim had some cold, wet face-cloths on a platter for us to freshen up with, and then offered us some ice cold Grenadian, freshly grated nutmeg on top, rum punches. Honestly, is there anything better??

We were absolutely floored when we entered our suite,



the perfection of every single vista of view was... breathtaking. Luxurious. Grand. Comfortable.

From the beauteous and brightly coloured flower arrangement,



to the large canopied bed, shrouded by white drapes that were sprinkled with sparkles,



to the bottle of champagne that was left on the counter, chilling. With a personal note from Ms Beckett welcoming us, and wishing us Happy Anniversary. Wow.



And having lived the last 2 years of life in 40 feet of space, I was totally lost when faced with this large wall of closets, and only one bag of "stuff" to place in one of them.



My memory being what it is, you have no idea how many times I opened each and every door looking for that ONE bag of "stuff".

First order of business was a quick dip in the pool to refresh ourselves. Charlie appeared, just back from the airport, to introduce himself and personally welcome us to the resort.

"If there's anything you need..." he smiled our way as he wandered off to take care of... well, business.

Back in our room, we got ourselves settled, enjoyed our rum punches,



and allowed our bodies to smile in full body format as we settled into the chaises, on our private balcony,



With, and What, A View!

Life on a sailboat, our boat, does not include a luxurious bathroom... and so I couldn't quite wait to enjoy the amenities. A real bubble bath in a most large bath-tub? Yes, please! Heaven for a girlie-girl like me, and Dave made it doubly so by discreetly bringing over a glass of bubbly champagne. And Chocolate. Need I say more?

(The reality of life being what it is I do have to admit that there was quite a bit of extra time spent trying to remember the plugs and buttons and function of the hair-dryer, which I haven't used in over two years. My hands and my head weren't at all cooperating or co-ordinated in doing something that used to be an effortless and daily morning ritual. It was even funnier trying to get Dave hooked up with the iron.)

All dolled up, it was time to slip on that little black dress and then we mosied on over to The Cave's new terrace for pre-dinner drinks,



where Tim served us two very perfect and refreshing Mojito's as we watched the sun set over paradise. We had a chance to chat a bit more with Charlie, a most enjoyable conversation.

We chose to have dinner inside and enjoyed the Chef's Callalloo soup, still our favourite, as Tim brought some warm, freshly baked buns to mop up any excess with. (Good thing, as we couldn't use our fingers now could we?)

An amuse-bouche of passion-fruit to cleanse our palate, delicious. Fresh. Perfect.

Dinner for Dave was the Rack of Lamb,



and I had the Cornish Hen,



all accompanied with perfectly steamed vegetables, and we both licked our plates clean, with not much talk and plenty of yumm's going around. We shared dessert of Cherries Jubilee! The presentation grand, and every morsel and every bite, delicious.

The next morning had us waking up to the sound of chirping birds, the breezes billowing the curtains open to the day that nature was starting.

Tim brought us our morning coffee,



and we relished the abundance of wholesome fresh fruit that is Grenada.



A walk through the estate followed by a leisurely dip in the pool. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at The Cave and then it was time to, sadly, head back home.

A special thank you to Tim for his gentle manner, ever present smile and just quietly being there in case we needed for anything. To The Chef, for his incredible Culinary Talents. To Charlie, for helping make our stay feel so very much like "being at home" with just that added special touch of "allow us to spoil you" and good luck with your Physics degree! To Glendalyn for being so attentive and welcoming (thank you for that Grenadian Chocolate, my favourite!!), but most especially to Ms Beckett for her hand in making all of this happen, such a special touch to include the most thoughtful personal note and incredibly generous gift. It is this remarkable and kind attention to all the details that made our stay here memorable, enjoyable and beyond spectacular. That still has us, today, smiling from ear to ear as we fondly remember each and every moment, of how we felt like royalty, even if only for a Day and a Night.

A special thank you to all of our Facebook Readers, fans, followers, friends and family who sent us messages, emails, and pokes to wish us Happy Anniversary. Even though we are so far away geographically, we felt, as we read each and every one of your messages out loud to each other, that we were embraced and enveloped in the love you expressed to us that day.

And last but not least. A special Thank You to my husband Dave, without whom all of this would not have happened. The last 3 years have been extremely special. Words cannot express how much I love you more and more each and every passing day.

Here's to Living and Cherishing Each and Every Moment with you.