Bed & Breakfast on a Boat - Privacy and Romance at Sea
by
Leigh Cort
With
the anticipation of Spring, there was only
one 'escape' that lured us out of our winter
nest for a weekend away. We wanted to experience
an outdoor adventure that friends hadn't yet
found, as well as keeping the stress of long-distance
travel reduced to strolling, sunning and sipping
beverages as others whizzed by.
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38' SeaClusion Docked at Sea |
The solution appeared as miraculously as the
whim to run away to St. Augustine...and it
had just docked at the threshold of our favorite
City. SeaClusion, a 38' Chien Hwa Flybridge
trawler motor yacht, presented a unique "Bed
and Boat" experience, an extraordinary
match for a private romantic getaway. It promised
comfortable accommodations overlooking the
famous Bridge of Lions with the 'Old City'
to the starboard; permanently moored at
the St. Augustine Marina in the scenic Matanzas
Bay.
We were glad to learn that the SeaClusion
was docked in the center of all of St. Augustine's
treasures, awaiting visitors that possess
a spirit of adventure. It seemed that our
names naturally belonged on the passenger
list and so the die was cast for a memorable,
romantic weekend.
Check-in began at the Casa de Solana Bed & Breakfast (circa 1803), an historic inn just
two short blocks from the Marina. We bid our
car adieu for two days of bliss, which, in
itself, was one of the most poignant examples
of 'carefree'. The joy of not driving was
a throwback to childhood beach vacations that
are indelibly sweet and innocent, which is
precisely what our sojourn became.
Packing light was our motto, knowing that
St. Augustine is a very casual city with a
myriad of outdoor restaurants, boutiques and
galleries. Staying on a boat limited my
love for high heels to only thinking about
them twice — dinner both evenings. What a
revelation that I could survive a weekend
wearing only sandals and bare feet while aboard!
The yacht was a very comfy home-away-from-home.
We walked along the dock to Slip #82 and the
SeaClusion glistened in the midday sun. The
top deck had enough chairs to accommodate
six and the view of the St. Augustine skyline
was breathtaking. I began to realize that
the water's gentle motion and lovely breezes
were lulling me into relaxation.
Combining
the breakfast and amenities of the fine bed & breakfast with the magic of the boat,
tossing in a postcard-perfect exotic setting
of the tropical bay front, I was a very happy
traveler.
Exploring the Chien Hwa was the first activity
of the day. Below deck, teak paneling and
built-ins dominate the marine decor. The main
cabin galley has sink, refrigerator, ice maker,
microwave and coffee maker. The
lounge area has upholstered seating, dining
area, cable TV and portable stereo CD player.
There was enough modernity
to feel comforted yet the intimate and charming
setting could accommodate up to five guests with
two full bathrooms without intruding on anyone's
space.
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Romantic Settings and Stunning Views |
We indulged in all of the exceptional bed
and breakfast amenities offered by the Inn
— a delicious Southern breakfast buffet, evening
social with homemade hors d'oeuvres by Chef
Gary, bicycles that took us around the
historic district the first morning, tickets
to the Lighthouse, late-night signature desserts and coffee, which were available just for the
asking. We knew we had the best seat in St.
Augustine — a seaworthy romantic setting,
a stunning view of the skyline and ultimate
pampering by innkeepers who know how to make
guests feel at home!
What set our accommodations apart from everyone
else in St. Augustine is that we felt secluded
while on the boat. Yet from the SeaClusion,
we could walk 60 paces to the heart of the
oldest part of the City. The narrow brick-paved
streets offer so many charming restaurants,
boutiques, a multitude of art galleries, real
museums and historic sites. A short drive
over the Bridge of Lions took us to Anastasia
Island (one of Florida's barrier islands along
the Atlantic coastline). Here we discovered
a quaint seaside community with miles of wide
sand and dunes of sea oats. The Island imparts
a mood of the 1950's which was a wonderful
complement to the feeling of 'ancient' downtown.
We dined well in St. Augustine. The most memorable
morsels were at Claude's Chocolate, fine European
bonbons created by French Chef Claude Franques.
Lunch at the Palm Café was excellent;
located on St. George Street, it reminded
me of a European promenade where everyone
nods hello and enjoys exchanging pleasantries.
The spring night lured us to dine outdoors
again at Harry's, very New Orleans and another
restaurant that's within walking distance
to everything.
Retiring early isn't usually something I enjoy,
but each of the two nights found us sitting
on the wide deck of the SeaClusion as the
Matanzas Bay sparkled in the moonlight and
the city unfolded at our feet. The midnight
church bells reminded me to turn out the lights,
make a wish on the vast galaxy of stars and
listen to the secrets of 400 years of history. |
