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 to the British Virgin Islands several years ago (before I gave birth to our beautiful daughter), and we hope we will soon 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. In the end, she was very disappointed that the trip was over. The most amazing thing for my husband and me 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 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 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 who do not wear a life vest. The exhibitors were surprised to see a family taking all precautions for their child’s safety 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 at listening to our instructions to always hold on to 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 continuing, and it looks 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 that 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 binge eating and drinking before my first whole30?

The crab cakes at Pussers are some of the best I had. It was very delicate, full of crab meat and very light texture, served with steamed vegetables and rice (well, I did not have the rice). The fish and chips are really like the homemade with a golden crispy crust wrapping a very delicate, juicy, and cooked to perfection fish fillet. And the french fries are sprinkled with some spice that gives them the right kick to remind us that we are eating at a Caribbean restaurant. The crab cakes and the fish & chips are accompanied by a tartar sauce that was not overwhelming with the taste of the pickles used.

By early afternoon, the weather cleared, and we enjoyed the beautiful spring 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 this nice guy was playing his guitar and singing for tips. Konstantina, who had never seen this, got excited and started dancing while 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 start driving back to our home in northern 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 supermarket 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 codfish with a dip made with either potato or bread as the base, olive oil, lemon, and lots of garlic. More on this garlicky 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, 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 daily 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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