Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Shellona Restaurant

St. Barth

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

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We are spending time on St. Barth, a luxury island destination.

It's a place for the rich, the super rich, the legendary and the illustrious.

On this day, we took the short walk from downtown Gustavia to have a little beach time and to check out a favored and fashionable restaurant called Shellona.

Located directly on Shell Beach, Shellona is this chic beachfront eatery offering Greek-Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean influences. 

With its excellent location and the gentle, easy waves on the shell-covered beach, Shellona is a popular choice for gourmet dining.

On weekends there is live music, and the atmosphere is vibrant. You can become one of the Beautiful People with your feet in the sand and enjoy cocktails or meals while taking in the sea views.

C'mon!

Let's take a look.

A streamlined map of St. Barth

Being a little bit "directionally challenged," a map like this makes sense to me.

"Yeah, over there is the beach, over there is... um...an island. We're close to a restaurant somewhere..."

(Oh Gawd. I hope someone finds me soon and tells me where I am... )

That's why, wherever we go around the world, I get a business card from our hotel so I know where I live. That way I can always take a taxi or Uber to get home.

Thank God for Google Maps!

View of Shellona from the sea

This is a great shot from the sea looking directly at Shellona.

Sun beds and umbrellas are for rent for the day at $80USD for a single, and $180 for a double.

Also, Shellona has restrooms available for changing,

Notice the bed of seashells in the foreground of this picture.

Chalkboard explaining pricing for sun beds

Shellona is casual elegance.

Class is understated but the pricing lets you know!

Hey, I was always told: " If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it."

Still... it's good to know what you'll be "shelling out" (pun intended) before plopping down on one of these babies.

Two beers in crystal glasses

Seriously, this is a nice place.

The first time we beached here, we stopped and had a beer and looked at the menu to figure out what we might have for lunch the next day.

The menu genuinely looked interesting, offering unique items that we looked forward to enjoying.

Here you see our Italian beers served in crystal glasses with a fine view of the sea.

Postage stamp size, post card perfect

A gentle tropical breeze wafting by, the soft lapping of the ocean on the shore...

No screaming or yelling, no jet skis, just a mesmerizing, hypnotic scene to calm and strengthen mind and body.

It's a big YES.

Stylish Mother and Daughter

When skin, hair, teeth and clothing are flawless, it's a grace-filled way to walk through the world.

Mother is stunning.

Menu showing many intriguing options

Taking a look here at this menu, there were so many appealing options... surely we could find something to nibble on?

I understand that the mahi-mahi is coconut milk infused.

Hmmmm....

What to do, what to do,...

Another delightful menu

These menu items were sized to share.

The Mediterranean Sea Bass must be flown in daily, and they offer yummy Truffle French Fries!

Billy with his Italian Blond Lager

We had never had these Blond Lagers before, and they were delicious.

It's a classic style lager using Apine water, barley malt, corn and a special bottom-fermenting hops.

The recipe has basically been unchanged since 1846 and it gives us great satisfaction knowing that these beers have "matured peacefully in underground cellars for 6 weeks."

Getting to the islands, however, could have shook them up a bit. What do you think?

Sint Eustatius

On a clear day you can see Sint Eustatius, locally known as Statia.

First settled by Europeans in the 17th century, Statia changed hands 21 times between the Dutch, British, and French.

Yikes!

 It was a key trading hub in the 18th century, especially for the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and played a significant role in supplying American rebels during the American Revolutionary War.

The majority of the population is of African descent, with minorities of European and Asian descent. While the official language is Dutch, English is the primary language of daily life and education. As with all the islands we have ever known in the Caribbean, a local English-based creole is also spoken.

It has pristine marine parks and over 100 sunken ships, making it a diving Mecca.

You can get there by taking a short 20 minute flight or a ferry from St. Maarten.

The daily specials listed on the chalkboard

Five seafood listings and 2 beef entrees are on this Specials Menu.

Purchased by the gram, these items are very high-end choices.

Billy and Akaisha

Shellona is an indoor - outdoor restaurant done in airy Caribbean decor. Lovely cane chairs and neutral toned pillows with a jungle splash wallpaper against the back wall.

Attractive, distinctive and comfortable.

A closer look

With this kind of wallpaper and furnishings, one knows right away where they are.

It's not the Midwest, nor Asia, it's not European, Russian or Arabian.

We are in the tropics, Baby!!

Lush flora, wild toucans, and soft sea breezes coming in to the shore.

It's a real, happy, easy-going kind of feeling.

Grilled octopus

When we came back for lunch, we casually walked in and were seated.

Within moments, the restaurant just got PACKED!

It surprised me, as we saw no reservation signs on tables, so it seemed first come, first serve.

There was a flurry of activity, but it wasn't hectic. I would call it vibrant.

We began our meal with this grilled octopus with capers... and it had something slightly spicy in the sauce. It was most certainly the best food we had tasted yet on the island and it made an impression.

Salad Nicoise

The Salad Nicoise was classic.

It was everything one would expect, with fresh grilled tuna, green beans, kalamata olives, anchovy, and fresh tiny tomatoes which just popped with the flavor of the  sun.

The Caesar dressing clung to each plated item and melded all the flavors together.

Not overdone and very satisfying. 

Jake and his girlfriend

I forget how or why Jake came to our table to sit with us for a while.

He was engaging, conversational, inquisitive, friendly... and very, very rich.

Somehow our visit turned to the discussion of finance, early retirement, and what one does with their focus and time - once they are freed from a conventional job.

He and his lady friend were staying at Eden Rock - a place where Paul McCarthy and other celebrities also stay. The rich rubbing shoulders with the stars. All of this yet I saw Jacob wistfully imagining a life of freedom where he could just do what he wanted on his own timeclock.

I got the impression that, even though he was wealthy beyond typical standards, there were "obligations, expectations and a certain level of lifestyle" that needed to be upheld. Those choices were already made for him.

I'm sure there was a family name to be guarded, a category of woman he was to marry, an address where he must purchase his home, and perhaps even a client list he inherited from his Father.

He couldn't help himself, and had to come to our table to chat with us. He wanted a peek into our world, and we glimpsed into his.

On the other hand, his girlfriend (who just had her lips plumped) never looked up from her phone, never turned around to give a smile, and epitomized the embodiment of "aloof."

For me, it was like watching a live movie, and I was riveted by the narrative that was going on in my head.

Our dessert plate

Our dessert plate was a coup de maître.

We had miniature servings of  mango ice cream in a glass, a tiny but powerful square of brownie with nuts and white chocolate, a lemon whipped tart, and a mini cream puff.

Served on a board with drizzles of intertwining chocolate and raspberry sauces, this was truly outstanding.

Seriously, we were giddy with how delicious this plate was.

We received "just enough" of each flavor which had us wanting more, and each item was made to perfection.

Someone obviously knew what they were doing.

Our bill for 2 before tip

Ok, so our meal was a bit overpriced ($12 for a bottle of water?)

But we had already been disappointed in our 2 meals previously.

And this was - without question - THE best meal we had on the island.

And the scenery, service and environment were outstanding.

Busy, busy chefs

A clean, stainless steel kitchen, professional chefs preparing food, and the whole engine was running smoothly.

Just another meal at Shellona on St. Barth.

Would we recommend that you go?

Absolutely, without question!

__________

Shellona

St Barth Shell Beach, Gustavia 97133

Open every day from 11h to 18h

Tele: +590 590 29 06 66 M.

Email:  info@shellonabeach.com

Website:  https://shellona.com/accueil-st-barth/

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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