At the end of our boat-based adventure with good friends, we transferred to a small villa for an additional 5 days. Once again Lesley Bruce at Kenny’s came thru, meeting us at the Marina and providing our car. I booked the Villa thru Marilyn at Villas in Paradise and she did a great job facilitating our key pick up at Jennifer’s Villas, and even arranged an early check in for us.
Superlatives do not do justice to Villa Belle Maison. Located on the very tip of Point Pirouette, it boasts a waterscape view from every window of every room. Two full walls of sliding glass panels make the wrap around terrace feel like an extended living space. Blooming tropical flowers and pots of palms surround the fountain fed swimming pool, which is tucked behind high walls and very private. It is beautifully decorated in crisp white and cool beige, lots of colorful Caribbean prints and whimsy on the walls. No expense has been spared in outfitting the gourmet kitchen, including poured concrete countertops. Beautiful china, glassware and table appointments are provided for in-suite dining. Couples only – it only sleeps two in the romantic four-poster bed draped with gauzy curtains and snowy linens.
From this fabulous base in Maho, we enjoyed day trips to all parts of the island. Spent a Saturday shopping at the Marigot Market, - the highlight being personal instructions and ingredients provided by the Spice Lady for preparing a special dinner party of Jerk Chicken, yams, plantains, and saffron rice. This was to honor our cruising friends who had treated us so royally as their on board guests. They loved the dinner – and especially the yummy dessert of rhum raisin ice cream topped with more vanilla rhum. I used all the cool stuff in Villa Belle Maison’s kitchen, including the candles and real napkins. Did I mention they provide maid and laundry service……..?
Spent one full day cocooned in the Villa – brewing Costa Rican coffee and nibbling stroopwaffles all morning. Suntanning punctuated with dips in the pool all afternoon and a brief trip to the market to pick up steaks and fixins for another gourmet adventure in the fab kitchen.
One full day devoted to chairs and umbrellas at Orient. That day we ate grilled mahi mahi on the beach at Pirates Bar. After a two-hour nap we ventured out to Temptation. – Oh how I loved that place -- from the minute we walked in and were graciously acknowledged by the pianist at the baby grand piano to the last morsel of Coconut Sea Bass and Diver Scallops.
One outing - to Pinel Island – was less than anticipated. Although the ferryboat and especially the boat captain were amusing, the island seemed to be the destination for some Very Large People. The beach chairs are all lined up close together so you sit right on top of each other and two of the largest guys were smoking really stinky cigars. The water is quite shallow, knee deep at best, so it is not very refreshing when you get hot. Since this was our last day we actually left Pinel after a couple hours and went back to Orient for another Mahi Mahi lunch and the cooler, deeper waters for a swim. Needed another nap before a finale evening at Bajatsu – fantastic steaks and reasonable prices.
A wonderful visit to an island paradise made more wonderful by the friendly and helpful people we encountered at every turn.
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