Part Three – People, Activites, Thoughts, and Rumors

People we met included Dave Maloney as we boarded our plane in Miami. Had dinner with him at Pineapple Pete's and Toppers By the Sea. He had an interesting seat mate on his way down. The guy who is in charge of the St Maarten Harbor. Dave was told that in the next couple years a road will be built to connect the Airport with Union Road close to Port D'Plaisance, across Simpson Bay Lagoon.
Met Bobby and his wife Glenda, http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_102.jpg at Dinghy Dock for Happy Hour. Bobby is one of the administrators on the ELT Board, http://www.enjoylifetraveling.proboards.com/ I found this SXM related board about a week before this trip started.
Met Gayle(Rustysage) and her husband John,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_123.jpg
also at Dinghy Dock for Happy Hour and ribs. They are also owners at OBBR, so we had a nice discussion about the new sales tactics.
From the pictures, you can see that we met up with Elaine and Bill on numerous occasions. They are fun people and make it a point to get to know the people of SXM, especially those in the entertainment and drink and food industries. It was great fun to partake in their weekly entertainment schedule. Thanks Elaine and Bill.
The Blue Top round building close to the old PLP location on Wefare Road is about to open. I was told that it will be a real carousel and high ice cream factory and store. Built by the owner of Port D' Plaisance for his daughter to run.
Also at Port D'Plaisance a new, high end Japanese restaurant has opened. It includes the grills where people sit around as the chef cooks.
The new plaza at the corner of Billy Folly Rd(to Atrium and Pelican)
and Welfare Rd is about to open. A Lido market and Burger King, I was told, will be two tenets.
Traffic this year was very light. It is yet to really test the new Cole Bay Hill Round About.
Gas was 89c/liter at the Cadisco Station in Orient. They are still doing 1E=1$.
SXM now has Bumper Cars http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_021.jpg Almost across from Toppers, same side of street as Lee's.
We took part in the Inter Coastal Cleanup program this year. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_070.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_071.jpg
There were hundreds of people and school kids working on the project. Was glad to give a little help.
Had a very brief conversation with JoanVeerwood at the Clean-up. She says she has good news for me. There's only one good thing that she could tell me,.......that's that Ms B's will be cooking ribs again. Will keep my fingers crossed till I get the official word.
I also wanted to take part in the StMartin Blood drive sponsored by the Rotary Club on the French side, but found out that my blood is too old. They collected over 200 pints for a two day session. The French side Hospitals are rated pretty good. You might want to consider donating. Next blood drive is in February, 2010. I'll have the exact date and info if you you drop me a note.
Finally, I want to thank all who contribute to this Board and the other Boards I read to help keep SXM
information current and make our trip more enjoyable. I hope there's something in this report that helps someone else, (God knows it's long enough, there's got to be something!).