The fun and eat-fest continued....but thankfully we were staying active. Almost every morning we walked before breakfast, going over the causeway, then up the hill to the French side border monument (where it smelled heavenly....no, serious! Frangipani trees, and other flowers I wish I could name!) and then back across the causeway. In the middle of the causeway there is a heart where people are attaching locks. They write names and dates. Key to my heart? Lock on my love? Someone even wrote that they became engage on that spot.














On Tuesday of this week we arranged to meet Mirian and Pieter from the Passaat on the beach at KimSha. They have taken over the water sports of the former Coconut Reef operation, and renamed it Coconut Beach. Their booth rents stand-up paddle boards, snorkel gear, and all manner of water sport fun. We were there to try out their newly acquired laser sailboat, which they'd gotten just five days before, and they brought along a friend who is a regatta laser boat champion...who could ask for a better coach?!



(Yay, a shower too...wink, wink Pat!)








I had woken up a bit feeling a bit under the weather and with a sore throat, so I personally wanted to do nothing more than sit in a chair on the beach. While hubby sailed, I drank my Vitamin C (aka rum punch) and enjoyed the free chairs and umbrella at Buccaneer. I also indulged myself with an aloe vera foot massage from Paulette. When hubby was done capsizing (I mean sailing) we had great cheeseburgers up at the Buccaneer bar.

Dinner that evening was at Byblos. The special was kabobs of beef, chicken, and lamb served with spinach-rice and your choice of either hummus, tabouleh, or baba ganoush for only $20. It was delicious, and the conversation delightful. Jacob came out to say hello to us, and remembered us from the wine tasting with Jeannie, and also a correspondence where I had gotten one of his recipes to make last holiday season. Very fresh, delicious, authentic food.





If you are ever on island and don't feel well, Zee Best bakery on airport road has a good homemade chicken with veggie soup. The lady at the counter when we picked up some sandwiches was proud to say that she had made it. I couldn't find a single piece of chicken meat in the soup, so it must be just a chicken based broth....but it was good. Like your island mother would make.


On Thursday we ventured to Marigot once again to visit the gallery of Sir Roland Richardson. This had been planned, because if he is on island, then between 10:30 and 2:00 on a Thursday you have the opportunity to watch him creating art in the beautiful courtyard garden. He took a break from his subject and is such a joy to talk with! Oh, the discussion we had about sunflowers! While we were still in the gallery his wife Laura arrived, and we stayed even longer. She is from our area and had owned a gallery here before she met him. Such a gracious and interesting couple. Our visit was productive. Let's just say there's a certain something that is being shipped and will appear over our mantle.





The courtyard buildings date back to the 1700's and were built by the French soldiers at Ft Louis. Originally they housed the troops and horses.




A fifty-year-old Golden Chalice vine/plant in the gallery garden

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From Marigot it was on to spend the day at Rainbow Cafe in Grand Case. It was a day to avoid several ships in port, so we wished to find a less crowded location. Bingo. Private, free parking lot, and complimentary chairs if you are dining there. Jean the beach dude is a hoot. He likes his job A LOT....especially doing the rum shots with you at the end...ha ha. We had the prime rib for two, which basically translated into "side of beef". OMG! I think it was $50? Came with your choice of sides and four sauces....béarnaise, peppercorn, blue cheese, and a mushroom. Their beef is wonderful Argentine meat.
Service is excellent. The first bottle of Pinot noir we selected seemed "off" to me, first in its color, then the taste and smell. They agreed and it was taken away, dumped, and replaced with a different vintage and better bottle.

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It was a good day
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On our last full day we were determined to spend it at Kakao on Orient, despite knowing there were at least 3 ships expected in port. We were aware there would be a huge influx of bodies and activity, as they had been setting up a separate section of chairs on the beach and had helpers in the dining area adjacent to the "main" restaurant to deal with 200 more people. I'm glad they do somewhat keep the chaos of the excursion separate. We had skipped breakfast, driven to Orient, in order to get our front row with Karl....last 2 chairs! Yes! Settled in, put on our walking shoes and took off in search of breakfast. GP the bartender from Ko, Kakao's bar on the beach, suggested GoodMorning Cafe in Orient Village which is exactly where we ended up. Excellent choice.

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Very glad we had gone to the GoodMorning Cafe...the waitress wore a 'One Love' shirt which I had seen others wearing a few times but couldn't find in a store, so I asked her where she got it. She was so happy that I had asked and returned with a card and told me how to find the store. In Cul de Sac, in a green container....yes, a green shipping container....(more on that later)...

Back to the chairs at Kakao...lay around, drink, work up an appetite for lunch..

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Emperor fish stuffed with a shrimp mousse
Italian plate
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One Eyed Jack had to help finish mine, and then snooze a bit with me...

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Leaving Orient was sad. Hugs, kisses, rum. Holiday wishes, "till next year". (I'm thinking of our French friends this week.)

Driving away we knew the directions for the One Love store but went right by it. Around the rotary we went again. It was hilarious. Keystone cops. But we finally found it.

https://www.facebook.com/One-Love-Family-SXM-1647037842189493/


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This young lady is 14 weeks pregnant, misses home and the cold weather (French alps) ...if you visit, say "bonjour!"

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