A Trip to the Beach

Rating:
Summary: Paradise Found
Review: My husband and I have been lucky visitors to the gorgeous island of Anguilla and we have eaten at Blanchard's. The restaurant is gorgeous and the food was wonderful. After reading the book and visiting Anguilla 3 times in the past year, it was interesting to meet the people in the book. Anguilla is a very close knit island of approximately 9000 people. When I read the book and talked to the "belongers" in Anguilla they told me a different story about the Blanchards. The book leads the reader to believe that the Blanchards were walking on these gorgeous beaches and just decided to start a restaurant. The truth is that the Blanchards owned a restaurant called Mangos on the island and sold it!! They made a lot of money and then came back to open Blanchards. Shabby Davis is a wonderful Anguillan who was kind enough to do several things for the Blanchards. In fact, the whole Davis family is remarkably kind and sweet. Many of the people in the book were never asked first if they opposed their names being used in the book. Unfortunately, this was not good PR for the Blanchards. They should have been honest about what really happened on the island and understood the cultural and language differences between Americans and Anguillans. I was disheartened after I found out several things about what really occurred during the Blanchards opening and running their 2 restaurants in Anguilla. Anguilla is a terrific island with wonderful people. We need to be considerate of them and not spoil their island. I found that I was viewing the Blanchards in a totally different way.... as true capitalists!!! They seem to be only out for money and themselves.

Rating:
Summary: A Mind Trip to the Beach
Review: Reading this book was like taking a trip to Anguilla in my mind, each sitting bringing lovely images of the sun, beach, food, local life. On the same level as Under the Tuscan Sun or the Provence books (complete with recipes scattered throughout), this book is a great account of the experiences of a foreigner adapting to a new culture/setting. Those who have travelled to the Caribbean will surely laugh out loud at some of the more typical experiences (both good and bad) that the Blanchards have in moving to and opening their restaurant. Ultimately, the story is a love letter to the island of Anguilla and its residents. I hope to travel there soon and dine at Blanchard's too!

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Trip to the Beach
Review: This book was well written and gave a fantastic depiction of life in the caribbean. I am a beach lover and enjoyed this book immensely while vacationing in the carribbean. I purchased this book as a "beach book" and was not disappointed. I have recommended this book to numerous family members and friends. Even if you are not able to travel this book will definitely be a great "Trip to the Beach".

Rating:
Summary: Entreprenuerial spirit alive & well in Anguilla, (man)
Review: Although the authours of the book are listed as Melinda and Bob Blanchard, it appears the entire piece is written by Melinda, speaking for her husband as applicable (although I'm sure he approved). I read this book after having read Solomon Time by Will Randall, and I probably should have read them the other way around because while the Blanchard's book is all about creating their own successful business on an island paradise (kudos to them), Solomon Time is about a man who travels to the Solomon Islands to help the islanders start their own business and become self sufficient. The whole tone of the latter seems a bit more noble and more palatable. Mr Randall does not evoke any sense of 'me' and is not on the island to meet his own personal ends. It's much more selfless. Depending on who you are, you may prefer his book. Because in the Blanchard's, there is a persistant air of, well, American-ness (you may like that, or you may not). It's also interesting to note that, as informative and telling as the book is with regard to opening a restaurant on a tiny island (as well as a genuinely warm account and in-depth profile of the islanders - by far the best part of the book), there is constant reference by Melinda to rather silly trivialities, eg reports on everything she's eaten every day (which is usually some form of meat) and apparently growing increasingly fatter, or as the locals say, "coming nice", and it just reads a touch like a spoiled, wealthy and shielded housewife who doesn't want the real version of the island but who craves the five star hotel existence (she runs back into the car during a business negotiation because some little bugs are biting her ankles). You also get the faint impression that everything they do, every action they take, every involvement and favour to the islanders is rooted in the end goal of making their business a success rather than a genuine interest in helping out for helping's sake. It is also a touch ironic that Melinda considers herself a 'belonger' to Anguilla and to bemoan the loss of innocence on the island, and when she speaks in local talk (eg bad english), sorry, but I couldn't help but feel a bit queasy. What was also a bit unnerving was not once, but twice a reference by Melinda to making a business out of the local elections (eg selling campaign buttons and other unnecessary junk to the islanders). Makes you wonder when Bob will run for office. Money makes money, no matter where you are or what you do. And when you have a quarter million plus at your disposal, is it that surprising to make a success of anything? Just, erm, food for thought.
bwhiskey

Rating:
Summary: Blundering into success
Review: This book is a journal of the first year in the lives of a couple who decide to cash in their chips, sell their house in Vermont, and start a restaurant in Anguilla. Although they've had some experience in the food service industry before, having started a reasonably successful company that makes bottled sauces, they had no idea about the challenges that might face them when trying to run a business in a foreign country and culture.

Their first task upon arrival in Anguilla was to find a suitable location for their restaurant. They soon discovered that the way to find a property in Anguilla is not through a real estate office, but through connections and backroom deals, sealed with a handshake. As they moved on to the renovations and supply stage of their business, they were shocked to find out that they couldn't just run down to the local Home Depot to get construction materials. Slowly, they became aware that things are done differently in Anguilla, and one reason why prices for tourists are so high is that most everything must be shipped in from Miami and pass customs at great expense.

It's very fortunate for them that Melinda is a great cook and Robert is handy and knowledgeable in so many areas, and most important of all, that they have a healthy relationship based on trust and wanting to keep each other happy. Many people would never have the courage to even attempt what the Blanchards have done- -they would sit down first, make some calculations on the back of a napkin, check with the local business people to find out about tax laws and suppliers, and give up before they ever got started, realizing that the venture would be hopeless. But the Blanchards aren't planners, they don't agonize over what disasters the future may bring, and as a result, with fortune smiling upon them, their little business venture seems to fit in fine in Anguilla.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: The Blanchards did a wonderful job relating their experiences (both the good and the not-so-good) as new residents/business owners in Anguilla. Though I have never been to this particular island, I was captivated by their story and the delightful descriptions of the land and people. I had a hard time putting it down and was sad when it ended. I actually found myself entertaining thoughts of picking up and moving to the Caribbean! A great read all around.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Trip to the Beach
Review: This book was well written and gave a fantastic depiction of life in the caribbean. I am a beach lover and enjoyed this book immensely while vacationing in the carribbean. I purchased this book as a "beach book" and was not disappointed. I have recommended this book to numerous family members and friends. Even if you are not able to travel this book will definitely be a great "Trip to the Beach".

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!!!!!
Review: A Trip to the Beach is a fantastic book that you can't put down. Usually I want a book to end, but not this one - I was sad to finish it. I was awed by their ability to open the restaurant with all the trials and tribulations they had to overcome. I highly recommend this book - the food descriptions were fabulous. I am awaiting their new cookbook and can't wait to try the recipes.

Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: I am 14 years old and this is the best book i have ever read. I absolutely love it! It's an easy read but is very entertaining and it documents Bob and Melinda's fascinating life. I highly recomend it to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: A Refreshing, Easy Read
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have never been to these islands but through Melinda's words, I felt as though I was right there with them . . . meeting all of their new friends and employees, sharing their joys and sorrows, experiencing their challenges and achievements. I can't wait to read the new Blanchard's Table. Melanie Blanchard definitely knows how to write an extremely enjoyable book!