So carrying on, remember everyone always mentions the best shopping with no cruise ships in, no maddening hordes. This is correct but not on Sundays though, we had wandered downtown in Phillipsburg which was deserted with hardly any shops open. Having now transversed the island numerous times we would have to say that the best prices are still in Phillipsburg. The Weds/Sat Market in Marigot is colourful and if you get there earlier enough it's interesting looking at the live lobsters and fresh seafood. Beyond that, most of the souvenirs you see there can be as much as to 50% cheaper in downtown Phillipsburg. As for the main shops there are definitely some different items in Marigot versus Phillipsburg but pay as you go depending on how much you want it and your shopping budget for the trip. The other thing to remember is that the farther you get away from the cruise ship docks and for that matter even the centre of town, the often lower prices you will find, up the street from the town square towards Simpson Bay etc. At least this was our discovery on this trip. Monday we were out and about then in the evening went over to Mary's Boon Beach Plantation at the end of the Airport Runway in Simpson Bay for dinner.(www.marysboon.com) Met the one and only Dicky that evening who made Patti a drink at the famous honour bar and cracked he and I a Presedente. Also met Frank, Dickys faithful hound and for the uninvited, Mary's own Hound of the Baskervilles on the gounds late at night. Patti asked for a screwdriver and Dicky promptly picked up the corkscrew noting that was the closest they had[Linked Image] In Britain they just call them Vodka and Orange Juice but feel free to ask Dicky for the Screw Driver from now on. Unfortunately Dicky had to leave but we stayed and the honour bar soon was soon comparable to a mad hatter's tea party. Here we were at Mary's Boon and several of the girls at the bar were named Mary, the floor show (3 guys making drinks behind the bar) was very entertaining. Now on to Dinner, at Mary's, check their web site, you make a reservation in advance for a particular night on which there will be only 1 or 2 items served. You can check the menu for the week out and make your choice. Great food, fun and atmosphere in the Beach Plantation, p.s. dinner includes appt, main, dessert and second helpings[Linked Image] Keep track of what you drink at the bar before as Andreas from Sweden, your other host will do up the tally at the evenings end. Part 4 coming soon!

Allan

Hemingway Runaway