April 2019 - In the beginning.........

We arrived at SXM on the noonish flight via AA out of JFK. Perfect seats and a good flight down once we escaped the local north east area turbulence.

And we did NOT have a jetway but arrived the old-fashioned way, down the stairs and inhaling the aroma of all those aviation aromas. Airport arrival was easy - once down the stairs we had to take a bus to the arrival area, which we could have walked to faster but all’s well that ends well. We cleared immigration and luggage in no time and exited to take a cab to the Royal Islander, our home for the next two weeks and then it’s on to BSV.

First oddity was heading to the taxi stand since we always get our car from Kenny’s at the airport. We ran into a Lesley Bruce, and you just have to know - He is such a treasure. I know price is important to all of us but he is so much more than just that. Even though we weren’t getting our car until later, he ran over and greeted us and would you believe, he helped us to our taxi with our baggage - never ever have we brought so much stuff - and he loaded all into the cab for our driver.

Off to Royal Islander. You probably all know the sad story of that b itch Irma and the havoc she levied on our beloved Towers and then the mismanagement, putting it mildly, on the part of the owner Hushang Ansary and family, so for our second trip back post Irma we are forced to stay elsewhere. BSV would have been our first choice but it was booked for the dates we wanted so lucky for us, we found a two week rental in the same unit at Royal Islander Club La (Le?) Plage. It’s very nice and DH will certainly get his fill of airplane watching. It’s a two bedroom lock-out high up so the patio view is great.

The units at Royal Islander are very well equipped and nicely done inside with cool Caribbean colors and comfy furnishings and the staff have all been lovely. Only drawback - our room wasn’t ready so we had lunch at Tortuga while we awaited entry. By the time we got in and unpacked it was almost either nappy time or dinner time. We opted for dinner knowing if we tried napping we’d be gone for the night and probably wake up starving in the wee hours. Thanks to ShopandDrop and Jeannie we were able to make great hero sandwiches and call it a night.

April 14 - Palm Sunday

Did coffee and pastry in our room and eventually headed out for our annual island tour/drive. In November we ventured as far into St. Martin as Friars bay and as far into Sint Maarten as Front St. Today we covered the island and I have to say - much as we thought we had seen about the worse the island could throw at us, we were shocked and appalled by the absolute devastation across the French side of the island and equally amazed at how much more still needs to be done to restore Her to her former glory. This is just MY PERSONAL OPINION but for what it’s worth, the French government really needs to step up their game and help the people with more assistance than they’re currently providing. Either pitch in and help them or get out of their way. The Dutch side’s recovery seems to be light years ahead of what’s happening in French St. Martin and from the few I’ve spoken with, it’s not the people but as is so often the case, the government seems to be getting in the way more-so than helping. So very sad to see......

Okay, I’m down off my soapbox now and ready to share the rest of the drive. We ended up at Marks Place where we enjoyed a lovely late lunch experience, mussels with frites and a huge seafood salad plate. I will be the first to admit, if you’re looking for atmosphere this probably isn’t your best choice but if it’s quality well prepared food at reasonable prices you’re looking for, I just don’t think Mark’s Place can be beaten.

Oh, and the hat. John’s favorite “Air Mango” baseball cap of about age ten or twelve years by now, was once again left behind, this time at Marks Place, but a quick phone call and we found out they had it and would hold it for us. So far that hat has taken a swim in the deep waters off Grand Case, was abandoned once at Bar Code and reunited with its family and today, it’s resting peacefully at Marks. Well, at least it has good taste in venues.......

And we finished our day by stopping by and visiting dear friends. Our ‘quick stop’ ended up being at least an hour and a half visit. Time with good friends is always well spent.

Home again and before we knew it, it was cocktail hour. I think we’re too tired to head out for dinner tonight but plenty of time for that down the road.