The Perfect Man
by Sheila O'Flanagan
Book of the Month: June 2010
Reading Group
Author biography
Sheila O'Flanagan pursued a very successful career in banking and foreign exchange dealing before becoming a full-time writer. In her spare time she plays badminton at competition level and is currently a director of the Irish Sports Council.Sheila O'Flanagan on Caribbean Cruising
The cruise that Britt and Mia take on the MV Aphrodite mirrors one that I went on a few years ago. I chose it because the ship visited a number of destinations that I hadn’t been to before and which sounded very interesting. I especially wanted to do the Panama Canal transit as I love locks and canals. I used to work in a building on the banks of Grand Canal in Dublin. Obviously a very different type of canal but the mechanics are the same and I always enjoyed watching the barges passing through the locks.
At the time of the cruise I wasn’t specifically thinking about a novel set on board, but as the days passed by and I indulged my favourite habit of people watching (as well as island hopping), I knew that it could make an engaging setting for a book. And although I’m Irish and my main characters are always Irish, I enjoy bringing them to different parts of the world too.
There were two distinct parts to the cruise – before the canal transit and after. The first part, in the Caribbean, was relaxing and fun; the second, visiting Central America, was active and interesting. Unlike Britt and Mia, who travel for St Valentine’s Day, I went over Christmas. This meant that I spent Christmas Day at sea, stuffing myself, but the following day being very energetic and walking through a rainforest!
The lovely thing about the islands in the Caribbean is that they are all unique. When you see holiday pictures of white beaches and blue seas you automatically think that each island is just a copy of the same thing. But they are all very different, each with its own distinct culture and traditions and I love every one of them. Having visited Panama, Costa Rica and Guatemala, I’m very keen to return one day and spend more time exploring the region. Each country has a unique history and way of life and my trip fired up my interest in those countries.
Britt and Mia treat themselves to a number of different cocktails on board the Aphrodite. I have to admit to a fondness for cocktails myself, especially ones served in wide cocktail glasses! I know they’re terrible for calorie content and that they’re not something you should knock back, but as an alcoholic treat they’re unbeatable and there’s nothing that evokes the rhythm of the Caribbean quite like a Rum Punch! It’s a light, refreshing cocktail with a definite tropical taste. There are loads of recipes, so how you make it depends on your personal taste. I like the touch of cinnamon in this one.
2 measures white rum
2 measures dark rum
1 measure fresh lemon juice
1/2 measure fresh lime juice
2 measures fresh orange juice
2 measures fresh pineapple juice
1 teaspoon sugar syrup – you can buy or make this
Dash grenadine
Ice cubes
Ground cinnamon to garnish
You put all the ingredients except the cinnamon into a cocktail shaker. Then put some more ice in a glass, and strain the cocktail over the ice. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Enjoy!
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