{"id":7860,"date":"2024-12-27T02:35:36","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T02:35:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bilyreid.com\/?p=7860"},"modified":"2025-01-12T16:41:49","modified_gmt":"2025-01-12T16:41:49","slug":"cheeseburgers-in-paradise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bilyreid.com\/?p=7860","title":{"rendered":"CHEESEBURGERS ……..IN PARADISE??!!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the problems in the Heroic Age of polar adventure was fresh food…or indeed, any food at all. Many an expedition ended in starvation if not outright cannabalism. Take the american Greely expedition to Ellesmere Island in 1883. Twenty men went in and two years later only three half-humans made it out. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was lucky. Never had that problem on the island. Food was always plentiful.<\/strong> But then I was taught the skills of fishing from about the age of five.<\/strong> Just ask my brother!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Years later in the Canadian arctic, a fresh catch of Arctic Char always did nicely.<\/strong> Never could have imagined how my upbringing in Canada’s Deep South would be so useful in the Far North!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Char fishing. Lake Hazen (world’s most northern!), Ellesmere Island.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

( Hope you recognize the touque from the image of my first footing on the continent of Antarctica. My constant companion during 3 years of Arctic service in Canada’s far north. No way was I going to leave old faithful behind). <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Char steaks tonight boys!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Click twice for enlargement and tell old squinty to put on his sunglasses!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course for many other polar travellers, hunger pains might lead you to delirious dreams of more mundane menu items than Arctic Char. It all depends on state of mind and the severity of the deprivation. <\/strong> Got me thinking of the memorable northern meals I’ve experienced in my life.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like dining in style at the old Sourdough cafe in Fairbanks, Alaska after striking it rich in the gold fields.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Or living on boiled oatmeal and raisins in a weather beaten tent in Auyuittuq, Baffin Island.<\/strong> Yummy!<\/em><\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Or the officers’ mess in the old USAF SAC base, Ultima Thule<\/em>, Greenland<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our diminutive “Hercules” C-130 comes out warm and toasty after a night in hangars built for the B-52<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thinking constantly of the “old-time” sailor men to brave the waters of Antarctica in the days of yore. Nothing, absolutely nothing, in my or their gustatory experience would have prepared us for what was about to follow. In a bay the first whalers called…….. Paradise!!<\/em> What the hell would they have thought of this!! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PARADISE BAY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OPEN DECK BBQ NIGHT, OCEAN ENDEAVOUR, PARADISE BAY, ANTARCTICA <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Waiter!! I’d like a table with a view please.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tasteful Table Decorations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Looks like libations will be offered to the polar gods!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Don’t let the ever present danger of avalanche put you off your appetite!<\/strong> Kind of adds to the ambiance don’t you think? No five star Michelin restaurant could possibly compete<\/strong>!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Plenty of choice in side dishes to accompany our sacrifical burnt offerings!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any French fries??<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our Indonesian master chef surveys the preparations!<\/strong> (More than just a little bemused by the mundanity of my eventual meal choice)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Diners enjoy both the food and the 360 degree stunning views of Paradise Bay!!<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Une vue imprenable, quoi??<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what was my order in a plethora of exotic BBQ choice?? Since I’m a long time fan of the irrepressible Jimmy Buffet, <\/strong> a true “Parrothead”<\/em> so to speak<\/strong>, there could only be one!!<\/strong> Yep, you got it!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CHEESEBURGERS IN PARADISE!!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jimmy Buffet 1946-2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Heard about the old-time sailor men
They’d eat the same thing again and again
Warm beer and bread, they say, could raise the dead
Well, it reminds me of the menu at a Holiday Inn<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

LAMB SHANK AND ARGENTINIAN MALBEC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holiday Inn, Buenos Aires<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(simply delish!)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


But times have changed for sailors these days
When I’m in port, I get what I need
Not just Havanas or bananas or daiquiris
But that American creation on which I feed<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cheeseburgers in Paradise!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cheeseburger in paradise
Medium rare with Muenster’d be nice
Heaven on earth with an onion slice
I’m just a cheeseburger in paradise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


I like mine with lettuce and tomato
Heinz 57 and french-fried potatoes
Big kosher pickle and a cold draft beer
Well, good god Almighty, which way do I steer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


For my cheeseburger in paradise
Makin’ the best of every virtue and vice
Worth every damn bit of sacrifice
To get a cheeseburger in paradise<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, cheeseburgers in Paradise. Never thought I’d get the chance this side of heaven!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take it away Jimmy!!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n