Hello fellow TTOLer's.
I will give you an attempt at a mini trip report,,,seems time flew even faster than the last visit,,,we really do have to look into staying for a minimum of 10 days!!!

Flight was direct from Toronto,,,no lineups,,security not a problem,,,on time,,,all good.
Arrived at SXM at approx 4:30pm,,,and found Stephen from Travelrentacar. Was a bit confusing,,as we were short one car,,but after much discussion I realized that his website had been down for 3 days and his email,,so he had no idea we needed another vehicle. Then the Van my son rented had a dead battery or something,,,so right away they replaced the van,,and we were off and running,,,only to find out the bridge was up!! Oh well,,grab a beer and wait.On our return trip,,went to airport,,checked in with WestJet at 1pm,,went upstairs and had a bite to eat (just so,so,,would not eat there again) then outside to catch some more sun. Flight left at 4:30. No lineups with security or anything at all,,,it was very fast,,even back at T.O...we were amazed how fast we were in and out.

We had a group of 13. 7 stayed in Rm 101 at Royal Palm,,,they LOVED IT. Great views of ships going in and out of lagoon when bridge was up. 4 of us stayed in Rm 328 at Royal Palm. Again, we had no complaints at all,,,the staff,,security,,just everything was great. The location is awesome as some of you people advised. The younger crowd of course loved Lady C,,as did we. It is all right there!! Some had said the beach was not that great at Royal palm,,I agree there are nicer beaches ,,,but it was ok too. The pool bar is kinda small,,but it would not have been a problem if this family with small kids had not hogged the pool seats all day and even the steps so people could get in and out of the pool,,that was rather annoying,,but,,,ah well,,,you work around it.

First night, after getting checked in,,and all that stuff,,we were hungry. The younger ones took off to Rancho or ElRancho (cannot remember) Meal was Okay,,that is all.Ribs I found dry,,chicken was also dry.

Next night we ate at Pineapple Petes,,,,absolutely awesome,,I had the Palpoas Jerk Chicken and Shrimp on Linguine noodles ,,18.00....to die for. Everyone in the crowd really liked the food and the prices. Lobster Thermidore (which I did not have, but other did was apparently very good) Piere had a chat with us, as we are Canucks just like him.

Next night I think we got hung up at Sunset Bar and Grill,,having a few cold ones,,,and just ended up eating our evening meal there. I did not order Swordfish steak,,but everyone in the group raved about it. I do not consider Sunset Bar and Grill a place to eat,,but surprisingly enough,,the food all around was pretty good. I hope the manager of SSBG is reading this as he needs to get some better staff at the bar!! The girl working the bar was very rude to say the least. I am a pretty easy going person,,but when I am standing there politely waving my money,,,and she totally ignores me and continues to serve the next male,,then the next,,,etc.etc...it does get under your skin. I just decided to ask my good looking son to get me my drinks,,,AMAZING service then!! Was not impressed,,but again, we had fun.

Next night I believe it was Bamboo Bernies. I had not been since 2005,,so new location, etc. Beautiful atmosphere,,Lauren my daughter and one other couple eat sushi,,which I do not, and they are still raving about it.
I had lobster,,,35.00,,,good, but not enough and the garlic butter you usually dip lobster in was dark,,almost like a teryaki or something.By far the best house salad on the island that I experienced,,,,it was very very good.

SkipJacks one day for lunch,,,had grilled Snapper and I can still taste it,,,I think around 17.00 or so,,,it was very delicious.

Favourite meal by far was Uncle Harry's. We had eaten there before, but I guess when it was less busy,,and a smaller group. So,,the wait was a little longer than I expected,,but the waiter was very nice,,offered a couple of free drinks, etc. Salad was just that,,,plain,,,,BUT,,,the Lobster and Filet Mignon were superior. I guess you get what you wait for. My husband and myself had Surf and Turf,,,we shared a 21/2 lb lobster and had our own filet,,we had 2-3 mixed rum and cokes ,,and our bill was 118.00. For the quality of the lobster and steak , it was the steal of the entire week. Even the younger crowd that travelled with us,,,expressed how glad they were to try it.

We are not gamblers,,but stumbled into the casino in Maho one night after Bamboo Bernies. I never gamble,,but sat down beside a lady and asked her how to run this machine. She laughed and showed me,,,,end of story is I walked out with an extra 417.00,,,which was a nice way to end the night.

We did some travelling around,,,looking at different places we did not cover the last time. the day we went to Orient and met up with the kids,,,it started to rain, and I realize now was too late in the day,,but oh well....

When we decided we wanted to take a little sunset cruise or something,,we were told that for a group of 13,,there just were not too many options on a monday night....again,,we just were letting island time and sand gravity hit us,,and did not get things organized too well....but they came up with a little ride on the Calypso over to Petite Auberge in Marigot,,,just the 13 of us,,,free drinks,,meal, etc. 65.00 per person...not bad,,,,I preferred the tango cruise last time will full buffet dinner upon return and in 2005 it cost 60.00 pp....so yes,,,,things have gone up all the way around in SXM,,,or at least I noticed it a lot more this time.

Took the youngin's to Bliss,,,,they loved it of course, and to tell you the truth,,we all danced the night away,,,it was fun,,,drinks were a bit pricey,,but it is an after hours nightclub so to be expected.

Will I return to SXM??? Silly question, of course,,I love the place. Driving was an adventure as well,,but I like a challenge. Was kinda disappointed that someone backed into our rental car or hit the hood with their fist or whatever,,,but things like that happen.

As you can probably tell by my little report,,,we were much more laid back,,so we just didn't make it to as much as we wanted,,but I like to lay back and enjoy the day and not rush around.


We did do Phillipsburg on Monday,,I was looking for a ring...it was our 10th anniversary as well as my birthday on our return date. I found everything to be a lot more expensive. We went on Monday , as I was told a slower day, but it did seem kinda busy,,there was one cruise ship in.
Gold has really gone up,,,but hey,,what hasn't.

Can hardly wait to come back. Thanks again to all of you who help me out so much with all my questions.

I guess with the snow falling outside,,my next adventure will be snowmobiling trips.....see you all and take care. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />