This trip report is a bit overdue but I will give it a go. - Being a newbie registered user on this site (lurker for about a year) and relative newbie in SXM – (3rd year) please be gentle.


March 20 –March 27, 2010

Day 1 – After staying the night before at the Wyndam Park and Fly in Newark, we left on 8:00 AM flight (left ground at 8:35AM) on Continental. Arrived at 12:08pm- good flight. Immigration took about 30 minutes. Met Mr. Stephan of Travel Rent-A-Car at airport– got into a well used Suzuki – no problem with it and Mr. Stephan was reasonable, reliable and true to price. – Last two years did Avis – but last year they “tricked “me into getting collision – (“initial here to get the car” - my fault -I know. but I did not have my glasses on)) –charged me $168 for insurance I didn’t need – never again. Got my sewing machine with wheels for $209 with liability insurance – Was in room at Royal Palm (RP) by 1:30pm – At RP, I was happy they have 2 new elevators, painted the exterior, made some changes to pool area and added more palapas to beach.

After settling in, we went to new Market Garden down the street on Welfare and Bill Foley corner – I liked it – got some essential gin, tonic, Gouda and prosciutto. we chilled until dinner at Halsey’s – Great lamb chops – My wife said scallops were also great – charged us service charge and 3% - 18% on bill – This is a shame Halsey’s must be hurting –It was only $3 bucks but you feel cheated –

Day 2 – Went to church early in Phillipsburg – Cruise ships were in and the boardwalk was busy – I guess it was 5 o’clock somewhere– ate a decent continental breakfast at a little French place – that sold smoothies – Chez Delphine (???) not sure of second part of name – near where all the cheesy little souvenir shops are – Went on Front street for some family souvenir shopping – at our favorites – Piranha Joe’s - Guvaberry store – back to RP then off to Orient Beach (OB) at Kakao another favorite – melon and prosciutto for the wife – brie croustillant with prosciutto and apples for me – de rigueur for our visits to Kakao- After beach, cocktails on our patio at RP then a light diner at Pizza Gallery another favorite- finished off with Sunday night at La Bamba , a great addition to Kim Sha beach night scene.

Day 3 – Breakfast at La Sucrerie on back deck – off to OB for Palm Beach – nice place mixed review- my wife did not like but I did – she had a salad – I had a goat cheeseburger –
Back to RP for cocktails - -it rained a little – we went to Skipjacks – mixed review again – I couldn’t remember what I had; the wife had lobster fettuccine also charged service and 3%. My wife liked her meal.

Day 4- croissants at RP convenience store – very good – counter person not happy, ever.
Off to St Bart’s via the Edge – had Dramamine the night before and in the early AM – rough ride over- 10 to 15 ft swells but we made it – Nice island – 6 hours is too long to stay for a day trip visit – after a taxi tour – lunch and walk around Gustavia had about 1.5 hours left; trip back was good. Cocktails on patio – pizza gallery and Latin night at La Bamba, all were great.

Day 5 –Breakfast at Zee Best – still like the place – a relaxing day at the RP beach – Cocktails on the patio – then to Topper’s – again mixed reviews, my wife loved the lobster which I tasted; it was good. I had prime rib – not so good. Lesson 1-I should know better about beef on islands.

Day 6 – Croissants at RP convenience store good again – off to OB and Kakao same as Day 2 – My wife went to Luis for a new swimsuit – a unique experience for her undressing in the open - got a four piece – $200 to be picked up next day- At night, went to Sol e Luna – a French restaurant with an Italian name in Mt Vernon area near Cul De Sac- Again mixed review – my wife got the only Italian dish on the menu – I had veal –mine was excellent – hers was too garlicky and pasta rubbery. A lesson 2- never get Italian dishes in a French restaurant- even with an Italian name.

Day 7 - Croissants at RP convenience store good again – off to OB and Kakao same as Day 2- Picked up and put on swim suit from Luis. Wife liked it; so did I. Last night went to BBB for burgers, my wife had a BBC which she said was good – I had a Mi Ti which sure tasted like a rum punch –Oh well, lesson 3, never get a Pacific island drink in a Caribbean bar.

Day 8 last day – ate breakfast in RP Cabana restaurant- it was pretty good for place which never has more then 3 tables with people in them. Checked out of RP -off to airport – to meet Mr. Stephan – he was there- dropped car off. All is well with Travel rent-a-car (TTOL sponsor). Continental had a big problem had two flights leaving within one half hour of each other – rumor was it added another flight because of passenger load – held second flight check-in until most of first flight checked in. We were waiting in line for 1.5 hours- went through immigration, passport control and security within a half hour. Second flight out was late because the plane was late arriving from Newark – left one hour late – gave everybody headphones for free because of the delay and hassles – which was ok – landed an hour late

A great trip – Love SXM

I wish SXM and St Martin get the service charge, tax thing fixed – I know they won’t but – it may cost me only $30 bucks per trip but I feel cheated since the restaurants/servers(French side) are considering us all as marks in a scam.




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