Archive for "Travel"
Caribbean Jack’s Restaurant & Bar
Posted on December 14, 2022 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.
Caribbean Jack’s was my favorite meal in Daytona. Kumar arrived at the restaurant first and had ordered nachos as a starter. These Caribbean nachos were a unique twist on nachos. They were sweet and different. And, they also had chunks of mangoes which I loved. I really enjoyed the flavor of it.
Also, the place is super cute and they even have a little gift shop of Caribbean Jack’s swag inside the restaurant. Look behind Ryan in the below pic.
These are the alligator bites which tasted like chicken. I feel like, since everything pretty much tastes like chicken, how do we even know we are eating the real thing? They could serve us chicken nuggets and call it just about any animal. LOL.
Here are pictures of the rest of the food…
Ryan and I got the same thing (seafood bake), except I got double rice instead of the broccoli (because I love rice — any kind of rice — and can’t get enough of it).
He’s a picture of our group (same group that at the Grind Gastropub the night before). Clockwise from middle: Kendra, Ryan, Ramon, Brian, me, and Kumar.
One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the dock out back and also the live music on the dock. We went out there briefly to check it out.
They were playing really fun music and at one point were playing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper (video linked below). Of course, the young ones in our group had no idea who she was.
While we are on the topic of Cyndi Lauper, I thought I would share my favorite song by her. I love this song and the message it conveys. The song was revived by the movie Trolls, which I also loved.
Anyway, I guess that’s all for now. Until next time, GNG.
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Java Junction Helped Brian Function
Posted on December 13, 2022 by Ching under Travel.
I rhymed! LOL. Our proximity to Java Junction was the one good thing about our rental in Florida. We had to stop here every morning because – Brian. He cannot function without coffee.
Our original rental was only a six minute walk to Pictona but would have been a drive to the coffee shop. It ended up getting damaged during the last hurricane that came through the area so we had to scramble and find another place. We ended up staying at this rental, further away from the tournament venue (about 15-20 minutes walk) but much closer to the coffee shop (about 8 minutes). In the long run, it worked out better for us because then it kept Brian from being in a murderous rage in the mornings.
Kendra and I had an 8 AM start on the first day so the guys just dropped us off and then went to the coffee shop on their own and then came back after so I didn’t get to see the place until the next day when all of us went before going to the tournament venue. That’s when I took all these photos, including the one below.
On the third day, we dropped Ramon off at the tournament. It was men’s doubles day and he was playing in 4.5 35+ division with our friend Jason Doll. After dropping Ramon off, we went to grab breakfast and coffee at Brian’s favorite place before dropping Kendra and Ryan off at the airport to pick up their rental car. They were spending the day at Disney in Orlando.
Ramon also took off for Orlando later that day because he was flying home the next morning. That meant, Brian and I didn’t have anyone to hitch a ride from anymore so we were back to our Ubering ways. Luckily, the coffee place is super close and an easy walk from our rental. I actually did a timelapse video of our walk that morning.
The coffee shop is in the opposite direction of the venue but I didn’t have to play until 2 PM that day so it actually worked great. We went for breakfast and then came back to the house to chill for a bit before going to the tournament in the afternoon. The walk to the tournament was about 15-20 minutes but the weather was beautiful and it kind of worked as a nice warmup for me. Our plan to just Uber back at the end of the day, when I was all pooped from playing singles.
That Sunday turned out to be weird. Ryan and Kendra missed their flight home and, after being on standby at the airport most of the day, the airport attendant finally told them they weren’t getting out and put them on a flight the next morning so they ended up coming back and hanging out at the tournament with us. My singles event lasted until almost 7 PM. I felt bad that they missed their flight but it was nice to have friends their to watch and cheer as I played (Brian isn’t really as enthused and is not a good cheerer; but he was super awesome get filming all my matches this time, though) and we ended up having a ride back to the house instead of having to Uber or walk. Kendra and Ryan crashed with us (our rental had a second bedroom which was convenient) that night and left early the next morning.
Someone at the tournament made a comment that it was super nice of our friends to stay and watch me play, like it was by choice. Had they not missed their flight, they wouldn’t have been there. LOL.
The two of them left super early the next morning because they didn’t want to risk missing their flight again. They flew out of Orlando so it’s a much busier airport. Brian and I slept in a little on Monday because we were flying out of Daytona Beach, a much smaller regional airport, and our flight wasn’t until after noon. We actually went to Java Junction one last time on departure day. Brian was literally there every single day of our stay. No joke!
I am grateful that the coffee shop was there and so close to our place too because Brian liked their coffee and he would not have survived the week otherwise. LOL. Until next time, GNG.
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Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar
Posted on December 13, 2022 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.
We ended up going to Grind Gastropub & Kona Tiki Bar at the recommendation of our server the previous night at Hull’s Seafood. Also, it had a fun name so I figured it must be good.
The restaurant is located off Granada in Ormond Beach, which is pretty much where all the good restaurants are located. Per our first Uber driver, there’s absolutely nothing good in Holly Hill (or Holy Hell as the locals call it).
The restaurant has a hip interior and cool vibe. Except I found the music too loud for my liking. I could barely hear the people across the table from me.
Kumar Krishnan joined us for dinner so it was (clockwise from left) Kumar, Ramon, Ryan, Kendra, me, and Brian at dinner that night.
Here are some pictures of our food, which was actually pretty good.
Brian and I split chicken skewers and a sandwich for our meal.
Kumar ordered the bread pudding to share (thus, all the spoons in this pic). It was really good. I feel like there are two kinds of people in this world — those who like bread pudding and those who hate moist bread and don’t like it. I am definitely #teambreadpudding. LOL.
Ramon had not had bread pudding before so we opened up his world to a whole new area of culinary delight. Kumar spoke of this place in Bartlesville that has great bread pudding. Ramon has never played in the Bartlesville tournament before so I think we might finally have him convinced. Play in the tournament and then enjoy some delicious bread pudding to celebrate your success after. We are hatching us a plan. Until next time, GNG!
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2022 Diamond Amateur Championships
Posted on December 12, 2022 by Ching under Pickleball, Travel.
Earlier this month Brian and I traveled to Florida so I could compete in the first ever Diamond Amateur Championships. I qualified to compete when I won triple gold earlier this year at the Middle States Diamond Regional tournament in St. Louis. This was our first time at Pictona in Holly Hill, FL. The facility is amazing! They have 49 dedicated pickleball courts in one location, with 13 of them covered, and one being a championship court with stadium seating.
My competition dates were December 1, 2, and 4 and so Brian and I traveled there on November 30 and traveled home on December 5. Brian originally found a cute one bedroom and one bath rental that was directly across the street from the venue and would only be a six-minute walk. However, a week before we were to arrive, we found out that the property incurred some hurricane damage and we could not stay there so we had to scramble and quickly find another place. The new place we found was about 15-20 minutes walk to Pictona. It’s close to the venue but quite a longer ways to walk. Thankfully, Ramon had a rental car. He stayed with Ryan and Kendra at a rental about 2 minutes car ride from our place so we all carpooled each morning while they were there.
Our rental check-in was originally 3:00 PM but we landed in Daytona around 11-ish. I reached out to the host and she said the earliest we could get in would be 1:30 PM so Brian and I decided to go straight to the venue from the airport. I dropped Brian off the Kitchen to have lunch and then went roaming around hoping to find some people I recognized.
As luck would have it, I ran into Jill Blessinger, Jill Thyr, and Kim Stevenson, and they didn’t have a fourth. I think their fourth player was on the way but, as she was there yet, I got to play with them in her place. I met Jill B earlier this year at Marco Island when I went to open play with Joe and Cindy Witte when we were all there for the US Open. It was my first time meeting the other Jill but I had seen Kim at other tournaments before. Anyway, I was so happy to be able to play a little. I mean, I love food just as much as the next person but pickleball > food. Actually, there’s not much in this world higher than pickleball on my list currently. In fact, pickleball > sex these days. And we all know how much I love sex.
Around 1:15 PM, I went back to check on Brian who was feeling much better having eaten lunch. We checked in to our Airbnb and then took a nap (because we were up super early that morning for our 5:00 AM flight). It worked out because it actually rained in the afternoon so I couldn’t play anyway. Then, when Ramon arrived (he actually arrived a day earlier than I expected because I didn’t think he was going to come out until Thursday), the three of us went to dinner at Hull’s Seafood and hung out before Ramon had to drive to the airport to pick up Ryan and Kendra.
The next day was women’s doubles day. Kendra, though she isn’t particularly fond of pink, was a good sport and wore the neon pink Lucky in Love outfits that I picked out for us. I thought it was fitting because the color is perfect for Florida sunshine.
Thursday was fantastic. It was great having our friends there to watch and cheer. Kendra and I won our pool and advanced to the playoffs and then, eventually, to the championship. Brian got all of our matches on video and they’re posted here.
Photographer Toni Bocz got a ton of great pics and they’re posted here.
Kendra and I ended up taking finishing first overall and first in our age group, punching our ticket to 2023 USA Pickleball National Championships.
Friday was mixed doubles day. Ryan and Kendra had an 8:00 AM start so we all decided to carpool. Ramon and I didn’t have to play until later in the day but we wanted to be there to cheer them on.
Ramon and I played in 3.5 35+ but the teams had much higher DUPRs than that. We actually looked everyone up leading to the tournament just to see how we stood. Ramon and I had the third highest DUPR of our division so, while I liked our odds, I knew that it would be a competitive field because there were two other teams higher than us. To top it off, we had the three teams with the highest DUPRs in our pool. I was relieved to make it to the playoffs.
We ended up re-matching the one team that we lost to in our pool and, though we got really close this time around, they still beat us. So we finished in second place. No ticket to Nationals for us but there’s still plenty of chances throughout the coming year to earn a spot.
Saturday was men’s doubles day so I had a break but Brian and I spent most of the day at the tournament live streaming our friends’ matches. Ramon and Jason ended up in 4th place in 4.5 35+ and then Mike and Dave went completely undefeated in their division, 4.5 55+. Videos of all their matches are available here.
On Sunday, I fought off minor period cramps and ended third place overall in women’s singles 3.0 19+ 35+ and earned gold in my age group. That’s my second golden ticket so I already have a spot in two events at Nationals. I just need to earn my mixed doubles spot. You can see the full results of the Diamond Amateur Championships here.
This was one of the best, most organized, well-run tournaments I’d ever participated in. I had a ton of fun competing, meeting people, making new friends, and hanging out with my pickleball pals. I am so glad that I got to be there for the first one and that I brought back three medals. And, that I have Nationals to look forward to next year. I originally thought this would be my last pickleball event this year but I’ve got two more (a team event in Kansas City and a team event at the Pickle Club) local ones to cap off the year. I just love having these tournaments and events to look forward to. I’m already thinking of which ones (besides Nationals) to hit next year. Until then, GNG.
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Hull’s Seafood Restaurant and Market
Posted on December 11, 2022 by Ching under Food and Drink, Travel.
We picked Hull’s Seafood for our first dinner in Florida. Why? Because you gotta have seafood when you’re in the coast!
Unless, of course, you are Brian. Then you will probably get chicken.
Ramon was, at least, adventurous and got shark bites.
I had the shrimp dinner thing that was on special.
This was such a nice surprise because I didn’t think Ramon was arriving until Thursday. Since he arrived on Wednesday, we got to have dinner and hang out after. Brian and I taught him how to play 13 (the card game I learned this year while waiting around at the ICT tournament) and I promptly kicked both of their asses. JK. I think Brian won the first game and then he retired (so he could watch Wednesday, the Netflix series about Wednesday Addams that he had been binging) so Ramon and I played the second game with just the two of us and I won that one. This will probably be the only game (and the only time) I will beat Ramon because he is good at everything. Well, maybe except for that one time at Smash. LOL.
Anyway, after dinner and cards, Ramon went back to their rental, which was conveniently located just a two-minute drive from ours, before he had to go pick up Kendra and Ryan at the airport.
I’m going to write a bit more about Ramon in this post because he has appeared on the blog several times but I don’t think I’ve said much about him. I mean, I wrote an entire treatise on Steve Vetter at one point so Ramon deserves at least a few paragraphs, specially since he is one of my most favorite people (and for the longest time was my #1 most favorite pickleball partner).
Brian and I like Ramon so much he even has a permanent room at our house whenever he’s in town. Because of this, people assume we’ve know each other forever, but I’ve actually only known him maybe a year and a half (two years at best). Friendships are weird, pickleball friendships most specially. Well, maybe just for me. When I meet people I like, I just kind of latch on to them and am like, “You’re going to be my friend whether you like it or not.” LOL.
The first time I met Ramon was at open play at Nahola. I think this was sometime last year. I believe he was in town for a bowling tournament. I have no idea because we didn’t really speak. I just remember playing against this guy I had never seen before in open play. I played against him every time, which is pretty much my MO at open play (I always want to be across the net from the best person there because it helps me get better), and I lost every single time. Also, when I meet someone new, I always want to play against them because I’m trying to figure out how good they really are. I didn’t know this at the time because I wasn’t playing as many tournaments back then, but it was also a way for me to find potential tournament partners. I’m not playing in open play as much these days but the same thing is happening at the tournaments. I meet people across the net and the people who kick my ass as the likely to get an invitation to partner for the next one.
Anyway, I didn’t really see him again after that but he made an impression so whenever I saw him at the tournaments I always remembered him as that random guy I met at Nahola that one time. He was part of a close knit group and he had a set partner at the time so, even though I thought he would be super fun to team up with, I didn’t really ask him to play any tournaments with me. I remember being super excited the first time he asked me to play in a thing with him. It was the same feeling I had when Brooke Ayala first invited me to come play and when Debbie Fanning promoted me to permanent (instead of a sub) in the Friday night pickleball group and when Chris Wilson first asked me to play (even though I was half insulted that he thought I was old enough for the senior games).
Here was this really amazing pickleball player who I’d been dying to partner with and it was finally happening. I didn’t even have to think about it. I didn’t care what was going on that weekend. This was a “drop everything and rearrange your schedule” situation and I was perfectly fine with it because this was going to be my audition. I didn’t even care that we were going to play against a bunch of really tough teams with players far better than me. I was going to rise to the challenge and make him like me. I must have passed my audition because I got invited to play with him a few more times after that (Great Bend, Middle States, Newport Beach, and some other smaller events which I don’t even remember but I can dig all the details up if you really want to know).
I actually did so well at my “audition” that I picked up another future partner at that same tournament. I didn’t realize it at the time but not only was I auditioning to play in future tournaments with Ramon but I was pretty much auditioning for every single person I met or came into contact with that weekend.
Shortly after, Chris Wilson picked up Ramon’s previous mixed partner because they wanted to play 50+ events together, which freed Ramon up to play with me in 35+ in Middle States Regional. I’ve also traveled to Newport Beach to play with Ramon, even though I didn’t have a women’s doubles partner and had to pick up a blind date. For most of the past year, Ramon is probably the only partner that I would be willing to travel far and wide and rearrange my schedule for, so when I say he is one of my favorites, I really mean it. If he asked me to play in anything, I would find a way to make it work.
Over the last few months, I’ve also had the opportunity to play against him several times and it’s almost as much fun as playing with him — maybe even more so because of how much I respect and admire him as a player. I think he is so amazing that I relish the challenge of actually being across the net and coming out on top in battles. I mean, he’s going to win 99% of these but it is so much fun and so very satisfying whenever I get one over on him.
There are so many more stories I can share that I am regretting throwing all this in here with the Hull’s Seafood post. I feel like Ramon deserves his own entry. Come back next time for an entire post just dedicated to my friend Ramon.
Until then, GNG.
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