September 22 -November 14, 2012
The Cafe Tropicana is centrally located in town, and while it is not as large as the Aquarium and does not have the view, it does have a pretty balcony/patio and is a real internet cafe (they have their own computers or you can bring in your own). It is also the other frequent hangout of cruisers. People will cart their laptops to the Aquarium, but because the Tropicana has a better internet connection, they will bring those same laptops there when they really want to get things done. Often you will see people at the Aquarium and the Tropicana the same afternoon!
The Tropicana is primarily an eatery, coffee bar, and internet cafe, but it is so much more than that. It is run by Lisa, and she is the number-one caretaker of the cruisers. Aside from serving coffee drinks and meals and presiding over the computers, she does laundry, sends faxes, makes shipping arrangements, receives shipments and mail, makes baked goods, can book you for events and special restaurants, and make travel arrangements. She also runs the local animal rescue and has several dogs she has rescued and cares for (plus at least one cat). She may be the busiest person I have ever seen, but she proves the old adage, “If you want something done, ask the busy person.” If the Aquarium can be called the heart of town, the Cafe Tropicana can be called the soul.–Cyndi
