Both my husband Nick and I love sailing and have visited many times in the past the Annapolis Boat Show and really enjoyed it. We are still going over the photos from our sailing trips in British Virgin Islands, several years ago (before I gave birth to our beautiful daughter) and we hope we will soon be start sailing again.
A couple of years ago, we went sailing for a day on a friend’s 28 foot boat and our daughter, 2 years old at that time, was really excited during the whole trip. At the end she was very disappointed that the trip was over. The most amazing thing thing, for my husband and I, was for our daughter still remembers all the details today. And now, she thought that we would go sailing and got very excited. I am grateful that she did not get very disappointed when we explained to her that we were not going sailing but to a boat show.
At 4 years old now, this was Konstantina’s first boat show. She really enjoyed getting aboard and exploring the different sailboats. We told her that wearing a life vest was a prerequisite for her to be able to come aboard the boats. We were worried that in a split second she could trip and fall overboard. It is sad to see so many parents walking on the crowded docks and visiting boats with their young children do not wear life vest. The exhibitors were surprised to see a family taking all precautions for the safety of their child near the water. After all, this is for safety and part of the basic seamanship taught in all boating certification classes. Our daughter was very good listening to our instructions to always hold on the boat so that she would not end up overboard. Very soon, she was able to maneuver herself around like a pro.
The day started with light rain which made it a bit more challenging visiting the boats with a 4 year old. So, we decided to go for breakfast at a small restaurant overlooking the harbor area where the boat show was taking place. However, the light rain was still continuing and it look that it would go on for a few more hours. Therefore, we decided to head to the boat show.
After we visited all the boats Konstantina was pointing out, we went over to Pussers Bar and Grill for some crab cakes, fish and chips and some Painkillers (cocktails made with Pussers rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and coconut milk). I had the 2 oz strength while my husband felt that he needed a stronger painkiller and chose the one made with 4 oz of rum. Well, not at all paleo or whole30 compliant; rather the opposite! Maybe a bing eating and drinking before my first whole30?
The crab cakes at Pussers are some of the best I had. Very delicate, full of grab meat and very light texture, served with steamed vegetables and rice (well, i did not have the rice). The fish and chips is really like homemade with a golden crispy crust wrapping a very delicate, juicy and cooked to perfection fish fillet. And the french fries, are sprinkled with a some spice that gives them the right kick to remind us that we are eating at a Caribbean restaurant. Both the crab cakes and the fish & chips are accompanied with a tartar sauce which was not overwhelming with the taste of the pickles used in it.
By early afternoon, the weather cleared and we enjoyed the beautiful spinkg sunshine and breeze. We walked around the docks a couple more times, visiting the rest of the boats – since Konstantina remembered which ones we did not visit during our first round. Later, we visited the booths where companies were showcasing equipment and accessories for the boats.
As the sun was starting to set, we decided it was time to head back to the hotel. We walked to the local trolley stop and there was this nice guy playing his guitar and singing for tips. Konstantina, who had never before seen this, got excited and started dancing while we were waiting for the trolley to take us back to the hotel.
When we arrived at the hotel, Konstantina started hugging the trees at the plaza in front of the hotel. We did not know that we have a tree hugger…
We had a day full of activity, sunshine, fun and laughter. Back to our room, it did not take us long to crush and sleep until the next morning, when we had to start packing and srtat driving back to our home in north New Jersey.
Today is our Palm Sunday (Orthodox Pascha (Easter) is on May 1), we visited the Greek Orthodox Church of SS Konstantine and Helen and attended the beautiful service before heading up to New Jersey.
After about four hours of driving, we stopped at the local super market to buy some fish to make for diner. Our tradition is to eat fish on Palm Sunday. Usually, in Greece that meal would be fried cod fish with a dip made with either potato, or bread as base, olive oil, lemon and lots of garlic. More on this garlicy dip, in a later post. As it was already past six o’clock when we arrived home, we decided to settle with just broiled fish, some boiled dandelion salad and my Mayonnaise Free Potato Salad.
Now, we are getting ready for a week ahead of us. This week is different than any other week of the year in that it is packed with church services on a daily basis and preparations for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ and Pascha.
For the Orthodox Christians, have a blessed Holy Week and Kali Anastasi!
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