Lunch with Robert DeNiro in In the Kingdom of Suzu

Ok, he was at the next table and he didn’t do pix because he was on Barbuda on business but we did have lunch at the same time and at the same beach bar. Yes indeedy, Robert DeNiro was on Barbuda with us today. He and a few investors are in negotiations to purchase one of the resorts here on Barbuda. I am not sure if it is all finalized yet or if it is and they are just working out final details. When we booked the cottages, the woman we are dealing with clued me in as to the deal. She has met him several times and she said that he is just a regular guy. Then she told us that he was having lunch at the beach bar next to the cottages so we planned to have lucnch there today also. We were all disappointed that he did not do pix, but we wanted to respect his wishes. He did shake my friend’s hand and thanked her for asking.

This is going to be a big deal for Barbuda as far as jobs go, if the people are smart and want to work. Half of the people are for the venture and half are not.

Barbuda is the forgotten sister island of Antigua from a past government and that recently changed political parties/hands (from what I can gather in a nutshell) and hopefully things will be better for the barbudians.

There are two resorts on the island that cater to the rich and famous. One is up for auction this month and the other is struggling.

There was another resort, the one that DeNiro is purchasing, the K-Club, has been for sale for years. Princess Diana used to vacation there. The owner of the beach bar next to the cottages, used to bartender there and met her several times. He showed us a pix that he had taken with her. When she passed away, they renamed the beach the “Princess Diana Beach”. The resort had been owned by an Italian woman and I think when the princess passed away, along with the downturn in the economy, everything fell apart, the owner wasn’t interested anymore and looked to sell. We nosed around last time and it was a real shame how they just left everything just fall apart, furnishings, etc. we’re just left there to rot away.

There was another resort, the beach house, same thing. Geared for the wealthy and when the economy went bad, they pulled out and just left everything there there to rot away. I googled it and let me tell you, it was magnificent in its day. Hmmm, maybe instead of all that glitz and glamour, they should aim to capture the “common man” maybe they would fare better. The cottages that we are staying in are nothing fancy, but they are comfortable and really the beach is what draws us. I don’t need someone pampering me, just give me beach, books and booze, in whatever order you choose and I am happy—oh yes, and no people on my part of the beach!☀️☀️☀️

Last updated May 12, 2015