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Another Trip Report #121181
02/18/2017 01:28 AM
02/18/2017 01:28 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
Birdwatcher Offline OP
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Birdwatcher  Offline OP
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
Well this week has just flown by and it’s time to do another trip report.

11th and 12th - Decided to hang around the Maho area and not do too much of anything. I’d been saving bits of fruit and veggies so went off to feed the local iguanas, unfortunately we only found one lonely soul on the rocks, so he got to feed on a smorgasbord of stuff. The power blipped out twice Saturday morning, but not for long, which was a relief. I spoke to the lady over at SushiQ; they are not set up yet to serve sushi, they are still serving Chinese food for now. They left the premises at 6.50 p.m., nobody around. Took a stroll up the main drag on Sunday morning, one new addition is the SXM Cigar Lounge below Bamboo Bernie’s.

Ate at Moomba’s Saturday night; food was good and we enjoyed having a couple of items from the tapas menu together with a pizza. Sunday night we went to Toppers; I had a craving for fish and chips, wasn’t that great, hubby had the brisket.

Went out to get some night shots and to test out the remote I got for my camera, works like a charm.

13th - Took off for Orient Beach and stopped in at Parrot Ville on the way over. Our “go to” spot now at Orient is O’Last. Pedro’s was quiet, Aloha was closed. Went to a b-b-que in the evening that included karaoke, which was a lot of fun.

14th - Had a late breakfast at SBBG for hubby’s birthday. I asked our waitress about using the pool; it’s $5 per person. I guess the previously reported $10 was too much; we left without seeing anyone in the pool.

Hubby wanted to check out Pointe Blanche so we drove over there, then on the way back stopped in at Philipsburg to do a bit of shopping. I wanted to check out the market; all the ladies were selling the same stuff and all wanted to sell things to me, so I gave up. Met the first of the “time share” hawkers, yes, they are still handing out those scratch cards. Ended the day with a wonderful dinner at Le Moulin Fou.

15th - Went to Marigot in the morning, parked close to Marina Royale. I told hubby to get one of the disks for parking (talked about on TTOL) when we picked up our car. Well, they weren’t available. So we just parked the car and hoped for the best. We walked around Marina Royal and then down the main street and over to the market. It was very quiet and there was hardly anyone there. Went back to the car via Marina Royale and did some shopping before heading back via the scenic route. Drove to Simpson Bay, stopping by the lagoon to take some night shots, then it was on to dinner at Vesna Taverna.

16th - Was going to go to Mullet Bay but hung around the pool instead. We found The Dream Bar was open in the evening so we had a couple of beers there; we were the only 2 at the bar. People are just not going there, and that goes for the people staying at Alegria. We weren’t feeling very hungry so grabbed a pizza at Rialto Pizza in Maho and managed to eat the whole thing.

17th - Went to Philipsburg again, met more time share hawkers. We walked down Front Street and on to the boardwalk. It was sad to see Barefoot has been torn down, we used to go there for lunch and guavaberry coladas. We chose to eat at Bigwood today; hubby had a cheese burger and I had a fish wrap. Went out to get some sunset pictures tonight and found The Dream Bar open again, so stopped for a few beers and to chat with the bartender. Dinner was at The 3 Amigos; it was interrupted by music and cabaret dancers from Tantra over at Casino Royal performing in the street. I didn’t have my camera with me.

We have noticed on this trip that the island is much quieter, less people around. We have also been hearing that people aren’t spending much either. Walking down Front Street has become more of a challenge, as everyone is vying for your dollar and trying to get you into the stores, particularly those selling jewellery.

The SBBG/Refuge has been quiet most nights and The Refuge has been empty most nights we have walked past. We have yet to see it packed with diners. Tough times all around.



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Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121182
02/18/2017 06:41 AM
02/18/2017 06:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,477
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Thanks for the report.


J.D.
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121183
02/18/2017 07:44 AM
02/18/2017 07:44 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 769
Western MA
S
SandS Offline
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SandS  Offline
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S
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Posts: 769
Western MA
Enjoyed your report. We are in St. Maarten now and agree with you about the number of people. There are more people here week 6 than week 5. We have been to Jimbo's twice and it hasn't been packed as previous years. I don't think the tables even turned over. There is still a lot of traffic. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: SandS] #121184
02/18/2017 09:24 AM
02/18/2017 09:24 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Offline
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RonDon  Offline
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Rhode Island
Thanks for the report. And for directions to Parrot Ville. Can't wait until March to see those birds first hand.

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121185
02/18/2017 10:20 AM
02/18/2017 10:20 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Maybe you said and I missed it, are you staying at Alegria?

Regarding the blue parking discs for Marigot, my understanding is that you don't need the disc, except in the immediate downtown by the ferry dock and the areas you need it are marked by blue lines. Is that the case, as we haven't been to that area for a while. I wonder if any of the car guys have the discs? I haven't heard anything about them for a while.

Where is Rialto Pizza in Maho? Name doesn't sound familiar.


Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121186
02/18/2017 10:28 AM
02/18/2017 10:28 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
There was one in the glove compartment of the car we rented from Triple A in November. We never used it, but it was there.

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121187
02/18/2017 10:32 AM
02/18/2017 10:32 AM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,157
Cobourg Ontario Canada
J
jeepers Offline
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jeepers  Offline
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J
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Posts: 1,157
Cobourg Ontario Canada
The cars where we stay have the discs. The spaces have blue lines. You set your arrival time yourself & you have 1 1\2 hrs <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> we used it once. But all the big open parking areas around there don't need them. We had no problem finding spots to park.

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: GaKaye] #121188
02/18/2017 12:53 PM
02/18/2017 12:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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OK.


Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121189
02/18/2017 01:22 PM
02/18/2017 01:22 PM
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 663
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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JohnandBev Offline
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JohnandBev  Offline
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Posts: 663
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Thanks for the report, tell us more about O'Last please

Carol - Rialto is a pizza / ice cream place in Maho on the Casino side of the street - west of the Casino, opened in 2015? I think.

J&B

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: JohnandBev] #121190
02/18/2017 03:52 PM
02/18/2017 03:52 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
I'm directionally challenged--west of the casino? Where is it in relation to Fig? I know we ate at Fig in June 2016 and at Le Moulin Fou, but I don't remember seeing Rialto. Doesn't mean it wasn't there though!!


Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121191
02/18/2017 04:15 PM
02/18/2017 04:15 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Portland, OR
I think it's the first building next to Cheri's - the strip that starts right after Cheri's.


[Linked Image]
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: jazzgal] #121192
02/18/2017 04:20 PM
02/18/2017 04:20 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
OK, thanks.


Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121193
02/18/2017 05:32 PM
02/18/2017 05:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Birdwatcher  Offline OP
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Canada
It's not a big place and easy to miss if you didn't know it was there.

Going to try and eat at Fig tonight, although it's now Fig and Bananas. Will ask about the name change for enquiring minds <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />



Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121194
02/18/2017 05:39 PM
02/18/2017 05:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Canada
No, staying at the Royal Islander. Previously stayed at Caravanserai (never owned there), and don't support the current management. Always supported Marty's Bar and have met a lot of good people there. This year people are just staying away for whatever reason. It's sad.



Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121195
02/18/2017 06:32 PM
02/18/2017 06:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
OK, sorry, I was just trying to figure out why you would go to an empty bar, if you weren't staying at Alegria, but that's none of my business, I know.

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 02/18/2017 06:51 PM.

Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121196
02/18/2017 11:57 PM
02/18/2017 11:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Canada
We never know if the bar if empty until we get there. However, tonight was a good night, there were people there and we also met up with fellow Canucks we have been trying to locate, so it worked out well. Getting together for dinner next week <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Also the bartender is a hoot and it's good to sit and chat with him.

Dinner at Fig and Bananas was great as usual; I asked about the name change - it was changed when they moved into their new location, they just never got around to changing the sign. Have to take a picture of it one night. I guess everyone will still think of it as Fig.



Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121197
02/19/2017 09:55 AM
02/19/2017 09:55 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
OK, sorry, as I said, none of my business. Glad you were able to meet up with your friends.

Regarding the name on Fig, I'm sure you're right there. How many years has Sunset been called Sunset Bar and Grill and most of us still think of it as Sunset Beach Bar.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


Carol Hill
Re: Another Trip Report [Re: JohnandBev] #121198
02/19/2017 05:26 PM
02/19/2017 05:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Posts: 254
Canada
O'Last is the first of the new buildings by Pedro's. I like it because it's painted in sunny colours with a Caribbean flair to the pictures. They have the neatest artwork in their washroom. It's not finished inside yet, however, outside there is a boat/bar and they had a neat dog - "Free".



Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Carol_Hill] #121199
02/20/2017 10:04 AM
02/20/2017 10:04 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Canada
No problem, I guess everyone has their favourite "go to" spot. Funny thing is, now our trip is winding down we are meeting friends there more frequently.

Had dinner at Marty's in Simpson Bay last night, he has made a lot of improvements to it and it's looking good. Food was very reasonably priced and good. I finally had my lamb gyro <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />



Re: Another Trip Report [Re: Birdwatcher] #121200
02/20/2017 12:11 PM
02/20/2017 12:11 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline
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CaribLee  Offline
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Glad to hear you enjoyed the barbeque and karaoke with Bob. Brings back pleasant memories and is always one of the nights we look forward to.

Re: Another Trip Report [Re: CaribLee] #121201
02/20/2017 04:38 PM
02/20/2017 04:38 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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Birdwatcher  Offline OP
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Posts: 254
Canada
Going back again tonight. Hubby is threatening to sing <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />




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