Welcome.

Still bitter from bailing on Art Basel for work, I recently went on a last minute trip to Hawaii with an old friend… We spent the first night in Honolulu and the remainder of our trip at Turtle Bay on the North Shore. Turtle Bay is a gorgeous spot. I’d imagine it’s a great place to be when the weather isn’t hurricane-ish (which it was for most of our trip) and if you’re there on a honeymoon rather than with - let’s say - a friend whose former flame has stalked him to the only hotel within a 40 mile radius. On a more positive note, I can now fully appreciate the plot and location of Forgetting Sarah Marshall. All things considered, Hawaii was fun and I’m really glad I went but I’ll forever favor the convenience Caribbean.

The first time I stayed in Lyford Cay, it was with a friend from boarding school whose family was vacationing there. Since then, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in that gloriously-gated community throwing back rum dums, attempting not to crash golf carts and trying not to giggle when I see Sean Connery washing his car in little plaid shorts laughing until my stomach aches at the Little Club. The photo above was taken on New Year’s Eve last year. This year, in an attempt to be boring financially responsible, I decided not to go.

On Christmas day I called one of my best friends to wish him a Merry Christmas. Rumor has it that when he hung up his family asked when I arriving and he told them that I was sitting this year out. His father urged him to send me a ticket and when I checked my email several minutes later that’s exactly what I found. The note with the itinerary said “…because it wouldn’t be the same without you.” I was so happy when I saw it that I teared up - not only because I knew that I’d be ending the decade in the same gorgeous place where I had welcomed it, but because I’m lucky enough to have friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

Evidence, 2010

Important items that I have packed thus far… Now I’m no party expert, but I’m willing to bet that this trip (to the Caribbean) is going to be one for the books.