Trip Report – Jan 29 – Feb16, 2010

Another great visit to SXM.

Flights – AA from St Louis to Miami to SXM. Originally I bought tickets on USAir last April for $565.pp/rt. A day before Christmas, received notice that they had changed schedule for my return flight and I now would have to spend a night in Charolette. Spending vacation money anywhere other than where I want to be is repugnant to me. By chance, caught a sale at AA for $525.pp/rt with only one stop in Miami, down and back. Planes were somewhat on time in all directions. Some early arrivals were lost with “penality time” on tarmac waiting for a gate.

Car Rental – Amazed by cost savings of our SXM friend, Belinda, I decided to get a few bids
for the 18 days we would spend in Paradise. Our usual renter, Tropical/Tropicana, even with the Jeff Berger discount, came back at $530.00/wo 8% tax, Panoramic offered a price of $500. w/8%tax, but Lucky's/Hibiscus (www.hicars.com) bid $399.60w/tax. I even double checked because they were quoting me off season prices for high season rental. I also checked for feedback. They are sponsors on TTOL and ELT, SXM web sites.
As we exited the airport, there was Lucky's rep, Guava, with our name on a sign. He helped us with our luggage to the parking lot where a delightful Maria filled out the paper work and we were off to Rambaud area to spend our first night with friends Paul and Carol at their affectionately known, JAPEC Hotel.

Phone – Once again we rented a phone for these 18 days from Sharon Harris (queenofsxm2000@yahoo.com). $30. plus $10. worth of time. Convient to pickup and dropoff at Royal Palm. Worked perfect.

Rooms - First two weeks at Oyster Bay Beach Resort (www.oysterbaybeachresort.com) in a room overlooking Dawn Beach. Rooms are scheduled for renewal starting in Spring sometime, as well as the pool, which will have to close for 10 days for refurbishing. First week we had a 1 bedroom unit, the second week, friends arrived, so we had the adjoining lock-out room for them. To avoid flying home on Saturdays and to prolong our trip, we stayed the last three nights at Turquoise Shell Inn (www.tshellinn.com). We love this little place. Within walking distance of many restuarants, 50 feet from Simpson Bay beach, which if you're walking easy feels as long as Orient, and the place is convient to the airport.

Food:

Breakfast – First morning with JAPEC Hotel Management, featuring Gooey Butter Cake flown in from St Louis.
Many breakfasts were in room. A couple mornings featuring bagels froms Grand Marche. A couple mornings Almond Croissants and Chocolate Twists from Orleans Bakery. Andy and Cheryl's (2)- Both times, 2 Eggs, hash browns and toast, coffee - $7.50, service charge 1.25, tip 1.25. Still favorite view in morning.
Bonita's Cantina(2) – (formerly Ric's) Stopped for lunch early in week and looked at breakfast menu. Caribbean Style French Toast caught our eye. French bread bagettes sliced, topped with banana slices sauteed with cinnamon and butter($7.00) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0148-1.jpg . Other items tried at the table were Mexican Burrito http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0149.jpg , regular French Toast, Fresh Bagel and Lox http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0150.jpg , and the Fruit Cup which was raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, a scoop of yogart with walnuts on top. There was some honey mixed in there too. It's $7.00. All were wonderful! Bryan, the owner is very interesting to talk to. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0151.jpg


Lunches:

Buccaneer Beach Bar – Becoming a first lunch tradition. BBC's even without real bananas are great as are the Cheeseburgers. 2BBC's and a Cheeseburger is $21.00. No service charge.

BZH Creperie (2) – Oyster Pond area http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0136-1.jpg . Enjoyed our favorite new salad, Campagnarde. A large bowl of romaine, with tomato slices, bacon, potatoes, and a fried egg on top http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0023.jpg . Vinegar/ oil dressing or creamy caesar. We also tried the buckwheat crepe, which is common in Brittany, France, with cheese, ham, and fried egg on top http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0022.jpg . For dessert, we had the a vanilla and coffee ice cream with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. 2 teas. Converted to $37. no service charge. As mentioned before, English is a second language here, although the menu is in both French and English. Elaine http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0021.jpg is the owner and tries very hard to please, even with her broken English. There are no charge cards and travelers checks only up to the cost of meal.
Our second trip we again had the Campagnarde Salad this time with crepe covered with hot fudge. A tea and a Ting. Converted to$27.00.
–
Beau Beau's (4) Probably one of best lunch values on SXM is 1/4# burger with thin fries, slaw, and a Carib for $6.00. Enjoyed that twice while enjoying the view of Dawn Beach.
Also tried their BLT, their Grilled Chicken wrap, and their new Grill Chicken wrap with a Mango sauce, although the sauce was a little too juicy and dissolved the wrap making holding it impossible. Our favorite server is Melicia http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0030.jpg is from Jamaica. 2 for 1 Carib. Works out to $1.25 a bottle.

Andy and Cheryl's – Fresh Fish and Chips w/ 2 Vodka Lemonades - $30. +$5. ser.charge, $2.tip. Delicious. They were considering opening for Friday night dinner, but cost of extra security postponed that for the present.

Bonita's Cantina – Norm tried the Cubana Sandwich which was Cheddar Cheese and Smoked Ham with Smoked Pulled Pork http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0076-1.jpg Comes with fries for $9.95. Betty had the ½ slab of Smoked Ribs also comes with fries http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0075-1.jpg . Also for $9.95. We used our Caribbean Card for Ric's which they are still honoring. So only paid for one meal. $4. for two sodas, no service charge= $13.95 bill. $4.00 tip.

Caribbean Blend – After a visit to our favorite Jeweler(DKGems) we took a stroll down some of the Boardwalk. At the end of the strawmarket between Front St and the Boardwalk is a growing restaurant called Caribbean Blend http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...0/IMGP0084.jpg We stopped there a few trips/years ago while staying at the Sea Palace. Suzette http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0082-1.jpg still tends bar and makes undoubtly the best Mango Coladas @$6./ea.. Think she puts REAL fruit in them, because they are so good. They have a “friends” sign up next to the bar. Betty and I signed it years ago. Name still there. We split a grilled chicken sandwich http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0083-1.jpg @$9.00. No service charge.

Sugar Cane Cafe(2) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0145-1.jpg Friends – Tom, Judy, Norm, and Betty – This is our eating place before an afternoon of “gaming” at the Atlantis Casino. Like the open air, the large menu, and the quality and taste of the food. Haven't had a bad meal there yet. First trip we tried the Dijon/Bacon/Swiss Chicken sandwich. Comes with thin fries. With a Ting and Tea - $18.00.
Second trip we sampled the “Fresh” made burger which is close to 1/2# and certainly not a premade patty. With Ting, tea and fries - $18.00.
No service charge at this restaurant.

Hilma's Winsor Castle – Walked from Turquoise Shell pool to “the Castle” and got the last three Johnny Cakes. Had two of them with Salt Fish, one with Chicken. I enjoyed the Salt Fish, although two is probably my limit on any one trip. Betty said the chicken was just ok. $6.00 Total.
Here's Wayne and Louise at “the Castle”
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0157.jpg

Goat Fish - Great name. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0153.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0152.jpg . Owned by Karin [url=http://i216....ucket.com/albums/cc2/s...0/IMGP0154.jpg from Talk of the Town. Restaurant next to Simpson Lagoon in Fish Market next to drawbridge. Great place to eat and enjoy the breeze off Simpson Bay Lagoon. Had the Chicken dinner with slaw and rice - $8.00 http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/...t%20Martin%20Jan-Feb%202010/IMGP0155.jpg
Johnny B's other restaurant is in this group and also Old Wife, Dr Fish.

Happy Island – As mentioned in September Trip Report we started going to Happy Island to pick up chinese on way to friends house(JAPEC Hotel). Happy Island is run by Sali(left) and Mei http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0110-1.jpg . Both speak broken English, but are fun to talk to while waiting. We did it again this trip. This time we got only one serving of Sweet/ Sour Sesame Chicken for lunch. It comes with enough rice to make two nice meals. Shrimp LoMein was the only other different item ordered and is a favorite of our friend, Carol. A very enjoyable afternoon with take-out chinese and a swim in the JAPEC pool http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0111-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0112-1.jpg .

Part 2 to follow