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Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
#109702
10/12/2016 04:28 PM
10/12/2016 04:28 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 204 Wisconsin
wabid
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 204
Wisconsin
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Just a few days away before we arrive on the island. I recently made a post on how much I appreciated this forum and our upcoming SXM vacation. With that several member encouraged me to post a trip report. I told them "its going to be boring" and they responded with "we don't Care". Okay, okay. Challenge presented. Challenge met.
To start here is a pre-trip report. Some basic deets:
- Arriving: the week of October 16 for a two week stay
- Airline: Delta. We are very pleased that Delta now has several options in getting to the island. My wife and I travel very frequently for work and have racked up countless miles, so it is great to t0 use those miles for us and a relative to come the island, on one airline. (Last time we flew first class to PR then took LIAT for the last leg. Bad choice. 'Nuf said). Also, because we travel often, we both have Global Entry and the accompanying TSA-Pre. Both are great, I would recommend if you travel often take the time for GE, or if anything TSA Pre.
- Accommodation: Simpson Bay Resort. Our last visit was two years ago and we were offered the opportunity to stay in one of the few renovated units. We were very impressed with the new digs and impressed with the flurry of *positive* construction around the resort. Looking forward to seeing the results. We have held a timeshare with SBR (FKA Pelican) since 2000. At first it was pretty sketchy and we bought in at a very low cost via Royal resorts so our expectations were not high. However we did purchase on the expectation that RR would deliver on the promise to improve the property. So we are pleased that all issues have been resolved and they have been moving forward for the past 3-4 years. Great improvement, and we expect to see more. Finally, although I would never recommend a timeshare to anyone, we really enjoy their conversion to a "points" system that allows us much more flexibility.
- Car Rental: Kenny's. Lesley is great. 'Nuf said. Actually to elaborate... When we flew in last visit, and LIAT delivered us to the island 36 hours late. At 11:00pm at night. Lesley was able to find me, eventually, on the island and pick me up personally to work out the rental. Very happy with his service and advice.
Pre trip prep: - New camera. I have always been nervous about bringing our primary camera on the beach. SO this trip I scoured the interweb and found a great used/reconditioned waterproof digital camera (nikon Coolpix). Have had it for 3 weeks and just love the darn thing. Totally waterproof & idiot proof. Has multiple PHD modes (push here dummy) and great advanced features. - Shared notes. My wife and I use Microsoft One Note for everything. Work and personal. Its great when you have it on your PC, tablet or Smartphone. We can easily jot down last minute thoughts and ideas and add it to our pre-trip todo. (IE Pack coffee). - Arrival grocery list. We have learned over the years to create a list in advance to what you need immediately upon arrival, (Beer, Bread, Butter what have you). If you know what you need well in advance of heading to the grocery you won't spend money or be distracted by things that drive up your bill ("ooh honey look!!! Windmill cookies !!!) . Looking forward to checking out the new Carrefour on the island. If its anything like a full service CF , we will be very happy. - Football. Must watch my Packers. Does anyone know if Simpson Bay Resort gets the NFL network on the satellite service?
- That's it for now. Must get back to work….
Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: wabid]
#109703
10/12/2016 04:45 PM
10/12/2016 04:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,724 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,724
Central Florida!
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Great! Looking forward to the full trip report!
Regarding NFL network, really doubt it. You probably will have to find a casino or someplace like that.
Carol Hill
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: wabid]
#109705
10/12/2016 06:56 PM
10/12/2016 06:56 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913 N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
SXMSAMMY
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 913
N CENT COMMONWEALTH OF MA
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if you have a smart phone, you could log into your cable (if you have cable) providers website and watch the game on your phone, sans the game on tv on de island....
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: wabid]
#109707
10/13/2016 09:21 AM
10/13/2016 09:21 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,724 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,724
Central Florida!
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Harry--I'm sure I'm the odd person in the group--I love grocery shopping on SXM! That first trip to Grand Marche makes me feel like I have arrived on the island..
Carol Hill
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#109708
10/13/2016 10:25 AM
10/13/2016 10:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 261 CANADA
LINNY
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 261
CANADA
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: GaKaye]
#109710
10/13/2016 11:37 AM
10/13/2016 11:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 204 Wisconsin
wabid
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 204
Wisconsin
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I have considered shopping services... However, SBR has a nice little convenience/grocery store onsite called the PeliDeli (Name hold over from the Pelican days). They actually have a surprising amount of the necessities for such a small space, and a small liquor store as well. That will hold us over for day 1, and then off to the market.
We truly enjoy cooking so a trip to the market is fun, and if we can get local produce from the Rastafarm even more fun. (thanks for the tip!)
Actually we were prepacking spices and pre making/mixing dry ingredients for Jerk marinade last night. We will get, veg and peppers once on the island. Looking forward to Marigot as well. Fish selection last time was questionable last time hope for more this trip.
Never walk onto a job site with empty hands. - Source Unknown
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#109713
10/13/2016 12:34 PM
10/13/2016 12:34 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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Carol_Hill said: Harry--I'm sure I'm the odd person in the group--I love grocery shopping on SXM! That first trip to Grand Marche makes me feel like I have arrived on the island.. I'm with you Carol! I love feeling as if I'm "home" doing normal things like shopping. I have my Grand Marche card (though not sure what it even does! Lol). Hitting several different stores and enjoying the variety. Luckily Maho Market is well stocked and the most convenient for a 10 minute first day stop on our way "home". We are still checked in, bathing suit on, and my feet are in the pool with a rum punch within 45 minutes of landing!
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Pre Trip report - October 12, 2016
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#109715
10/13/2016 01:25 PM
10/13/2016 01:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 150 NH
DrDoug
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 150
NH
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