Wednesday, November 28

Lunch was a repeat of a very nice experience in June: a girls’ lunch at Sol e Luna, which offers a three-course, fixed-price meal for 24 Euro.





My choices were beef tartare (fabulous!), tuna steak (very good), and chocolate fondue (absolutely yummy). We had a really nice time with each other and with the food; a lovely couple of hours.

A couple of the gals came back to my condo for a glass of wine on my expansive porch. On the way to/from Sol e Luna, we had passed the Christmas House in the Friar’s Bay area and wanted to check it out. So one of the gals and I headed back to take a tour. What an interesting place! There is something Christmasy in every nook and cranny, and the matriarch of the family, Bernadine, talked with us a bit and gave us some guavaberry punch. She starts decorating in late September and then takes everything down after the holidays; it must take all her time, there is so much.







On the way back, we stopped at Mezza Luna for dinner; it was just okay.

Thursday, November 29

I needed some down time and a “me” day so headed ”home” – to Divi. Before hitting the beach, I stopped to say hello to a couple of the sales folks I’m on Facebook with. Big mistake as it turned into another pitch to give up my nonmandatory contract in favor of points. The numbers and benefits just don’t pencil out for me.

There were lots more people on the beach than there are in June, but it’s still a beautiful beach with very calm water and no drop-off. It was heavenly lounging on a chair at my home resort, and I loved being back there.



I had a sandwich at the Seabreeze Café and walked up to my building. It appears to be occupied now, and workers were busy at the buildings at the top of the hill.

It looked like it was going to be a beautiful sunset so I went to Dany’s Beach Bar for a punch and photo opportunities. No green flash and clouds on the horizon, but pretty nonetheless.




Friday, November 30

Went to Pinel Island with IslandGem, and it was a very pleasant time. Although there were some black clouds threatening, it did not rain and the sun was out most of the time.



We hung out at Yellow Beach and had lunch there. My tuna tartare was very good.

After leaving Pinel, we drove to Anse Marcel. If you have read my previous posts, you know this is my favorite beach on the island. While the water is still as gorgeous as ever, the devastation is still heart-breaking. It does appear that rebuilding of Anse Marcel Beach Club has commenced as there are now some palapas, and there are frames for a couple of other buildings. Nothing at all is happening where the Riu used to be. Clearly, it’s going to be awhile before this area is back to what it used to be.





We then dropped by Tijon and said hello to John and Cyndi. John will be staying on island for awhile as he’s training a new manager; Cyndi will be going to the States for the holidays. Some of the items for sale in their boutique include glass pieces by SXMNorm.



Dinner was at 3 Amigos in Maho; I had heard they have a new chef. There was hardly anyone there, but the fajitas I had were very good. Spent a little time after dinner at The Hole in the Wall listening to Bobby Barron and Ronnie Santana.

++++++++++++++++++

Apparently I’m getting picture-happy so am going to break this last week down into a few separate reports.