We warmed up for our Regatta Trip to St. Martin by spending a preliminary week in St Kitts with good friends. Beautiful island --, construction everywhere, incredibly cheap lobster, wonderful beaches. St, Kitts and neighboring Nevis have converted many of their old sugar plantations to luxury resorts . So we indulged in some “plantation hopping” which is kinda like visiting wineries in California, except with rum punch………and predictable results. .

Getting to St. Martin was a breeze – literally We sailed 52’ “Kiva” at dawn from the St. Kitts marina on Tuesday of Regatta week. Fair winds, schools of flying fish, dolphin encounters, picnic lunch, and naps got us to Simpson Bay in plenty of time for the p.m bridge opening. It was exciting to see that many of the racing boats had arrived, and we joined the parade past the Yacht Club to welcoming waves and shouts.

Once the boat was secure in the Simpson Bay Marina, we headed straight to Jimbo’s for margaritas and platters of sizzling fajitas. Even better than I remembered it!

Next morning, Lesley Bruce arranged to meet us at Zee Best with rent car. Right after breakfast we set out for the Marigot market to stock up on banana vanilla rhum. It was broiling hot, so did not browse the stalls too long, just headed for the shade of the cafes ringing Port Royal Marina. By Happy Hour we were waiting at the Yacht Club for the bridge opening. Very gala, with much cheering for the racing boats entering the lagoon. Tried out Ranchero for dinner, which was billed as Argentinean fare, but found it to be a pretty ordinary steak, salad and baked potato. Rancho could use some ceiling fans too, it was stifling. Next stop was the steaming wall of noise that was the Mount Gay Red Hat Party, For 25 bucks you got 5 drink tix, a t-shirt, and a hat. We had one drink, gave the rest of the tix to kids our kids age. Yep, it was too loud, and I’m too old!

Thursday we had late breakfast and Bloody Mary’s at Zee Best , then off to Orient Beach. Got chairs and umbrellas at Kon Tiki, but abandoned them for the bar and Mojitos till lunch. The coconut shrimp salad was a work of art - too pretty to eat. I gobbled it down anyhow. Hubby and friends snoozed in the chairs after lunch, while I searched out Luiz for bathing suits. The fitting was amazing, with many choices of fabric When Luiz promised to have my suits ready the next day I was in disbelief. That night we made the Regatta Party at Port Plaisance; but opted for the sushi bar and air conditioning as the evening was quite warm and sticky.

Hit Phillipsburg Friday morning to shop for jewelry with BFF and respective spouses in tow. Hubby surprised me with early anniversary gift – beautiful diamond necklace. Then back to Orient for more Mojitos. BFF also accompanied me to pick up my bathing suits and Luiz fitted her for some of her own. Heat, humidity and sun really getting to me by now, so chose Valentinos for another dinner with air conditioning. Vodka penne pasta was to die for.

Early start on Saturday to board chase boat “Tango” for incredible close ups of the Regatta. Amazing. Saw several TTOL folks, too. Lunch at Karacters was good, but not enough chairs or umbrellas Then a tour of the stunning new Port Cupecoy complex and model units. Can’t wait to book here when some of these units come on line in the rental market. Dinner again at Jimbos—we Texans just love our fajitas sizzlin’.

Sunday dawned dismal and drizzly. Pretty much hung out on the boat and watched as the race boats, many with international crews, began to fill up the marina. A Russian team docked right alongside us, other boats rafted up 2 and 3 deep at the dock. The final night party began under barely clearing skies, and continued with a steady downpour that sent us scurrying for a table at the Greenhouse. After a couple rounds of drinks, Bang Bang Shrimp, and cheeseburgers, determined it was not going to dry up and went back to our bunk early since we had a.m. flight home. .

As usual this was “the best trip ever” -- only till next time, of course