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Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
#123219
03/07/2017 01:30 PM
03/07/2017 01:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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So many things we loved about SXM have changed and we often wish we could return to the happy memories of long ago. Roads that were more like paths; great restaurants hidden in places you couldn't imagine; and the freedom to wander the island without fear of anything worse than a flat tire in the outback......
So many places we loved and lost but for me, the biggest one has to be the Mullet Bay Resort which was my introduction to St. Maarten so many years ago and the restort we primarily visited for the first fifteen years we visited the island. Many an evening spent at the Sweet Tooth or the Grand Casino and the wonderful days lounging under a palapa on the beach at Mullet. Their sunday evening BBQs were great and the entertainment and dancing afterward was always fun. And the Frigate - my favorite island restaurant back in the day. So sad to see all the changes..........and all the wonderful things that today are but happy memories of days gone by.
Does anyone else have this type of memory? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: charlieh]
#123222
03/07/2017 04:10 PM
03/07/2017 04:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 464 Tellico Village, TN
jrr1148
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Ah yes I remember it well... no guardrails on the hill to Philipsburg, the old road to Dawn Beach, the dirt parking lot in Philipsburg in back of the Government Offices (entry gate and arm installed after it was paved), Great Bay before the boardwalk, the "no man's land" portion of the road on the hill near the current Blue Mall, Marigot before new wharf area, two way traffic through the main road in Grand Case, GEBE brown outs (oh yes that still occurs today, restaurants of years ago - Zachary's in Point Blanche, Sint Maarten Ribs in P'burg, Sebastiano's in Grand Case, Cha Cha Cha in Grand Case, Fish Pot in Grand Case, Ric's Place in P'burg - later Simpson Bay.....
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: jrr1148]
#123224
03/07/2017 04:45 PM
03/07/2017 04:45 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Our first visit to the island, the road 'over the hill' not only didn't have guard rails but it was actually under construction to expand it from the original dirt road to an actual paved two lane road. That first trip we were pretty content to stay at Mullet Resort and only rented a car for a half day tour of the island. We almost couldn't find Marigot and there was nothing BUT the original Club Orient and a lot of sea grape on all of Orient Beach. It was a spectacular site to see and experience. Nobody cared if you were naked or dressed because most times there was no one else there but you. In the very late 70s and early 80s we started to wander the island far more freely and widely and thus began our forty year plus love affair of SXM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123225
03/07/2017 04:56 PM
03/07/2017 04:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 141
Computerwise
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1981, beautiful Mullet Bay resort with open air lobby check in, a real golf course, lunch by the beach in a real restuarant, A frame houses on Simpson Bay, My friends father's house on Simpson bay where Characters is now, unpaved roads on Dutch side, beautiful Marigot especially by the lagoon. had to use francs on French side, unspoiled Orient Beach with only 6 people on the whole beach, the old airport, Mrs Busby's and the other beach bar, picking up hitchhikers, a full beach with sand by the nude beach in Cupecoy with that beautiful rock sticking out of the water, being nude at the cave in Cupecoy (below the Cliffs) with 5 other couples, no power in the middle of the night, no traffic, very few people speaking English on the French side, when half the tourists on the Dutch side were Dutch, more topless women, very few timeshares, when most of the people on the beach were not overweight, when Mullet bay resort was the most beautiful and sophisticated place I had ever been to, no drugs, guns and crime, no cruise ship passengers, wild dogs and goats everywhere, when every store in Maho was occupied. It still paradise but wow was it better than... I wish many of you could have experienced it. It was the beginning of a love affair that has lasted a life time..beautiful when we were young, older and not as pretty but still committed...
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123226
03/08/2017 10:14 AM
03/08/2017 10:14 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,399 Rhode Island
RonDon
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pat said: Our first visit to the island, the road 'over the hill' not only didn't have guard rails but it was actually under construction to expand it from the original dirt road to an actual paved two lane road. That first trip we were pretty content to stay at Mullet ,,, And didn't you feel like Mullet was the end of the world? Forgot to add our discovery of Orient. We were staying at hotel at LeGallion and walked down a path that opened up to a magnificent view. Because I was looking straight ahead I didn't notice a couple on the beach until the man asked if we'd be joining them. There was nothing there except three naked couples; no chairs, no buildings, no anything but pristine beauty.
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123231
03/08/2017 11:22 AM
03/08/2017 11:22 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Other things that come to mind:
The incredible ribs at Zachary's The oisseau at Bar de la Mer The crab races at Mullet Beach No Pelican timeshare - perhaps no timeshares at all...... Our first trip was a packaged trip and we didnt even have to claim luggage at the airport. It was delivered to our room at Mullet. Dressing in formal wear EVERY night for dinner and casino time Our first dinner at Antoine's and meeting the Captain and Madame The first year we brought our girls and they brought their friends and the van we rented Simpson Bay lagoon before it was built up - no Lee's or restaurant row like we have today And one of our favorite memories after 1983 - driving past the outskirts of Marigot and checking to see if the goats (sheep?) were still climbing on and all over the row of derelict cars parked on the right. The wonderful little restaurants you 'heard about' but had to struggle to find No TVs, no telephones to speak of And someone mentioned the open air front desk at Mullet - we were there the week it was built. We checked in at the inside office and checked out at the new open air reception desk all in the same trip We were on the island and got to see some of the drawbridge being floated in place and likewise, when the causeway span was brought through the same bridge
So many wonderful memories of island days. Over a lot of years we have vacationed throughout the Caribbean on Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Grenada, Saba, St. John, St. Kitts, Vieques and the Bahamas and we've visited a lot of the other near islands via daytrips and island hopping as well, but I have to say, to this day - none of them has ever satisfied our wishlist the way St. Maarten - St. Martin has. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123233
03/08/2017 12:18 PM
03/08/2017 12:18 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081 Clearwater, FL
Biturbo
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When the whole upper end of Orient, above Pedro's, was nothing but pristine beach. No need for umbrellas - one could just lie on a blanket under the sea grapes.
I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Biturbo]
#123234
03/08/2017 12:37 PM
03/08/2017 12:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Pedro's? When did they build that? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> I remember his barrel BBQ on the beach when you had to tell him you wanted lunch early or he might sell out and you'd go hungry. Oh, yes - I remember it well. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Computerwise]
#123236
03/08/2017 01:05 PM
03/08/2017 01:05 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Cw,
Isn't it wonderful to both have the dreams and the memories as well? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate in this. Just goes to show, there are definitely some benefits to getting just a little older!
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Computerwise]
#123238
03/08/2017 02:18 PM
03/08/2017 02:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,793 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,793
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My understanding is that area is in the nature preserve, so no building allowed there now, except whatever the government does.
Carol Hill
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#123239
03/08/2017 02:43 PM
03/08/2017 02:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Doesn't that have something to do with why, after all these many years he's been there, they're finally trying to drive Chez Pat off the beach? Now that's a real crime IMO. He's taken care of that beach for as many years as I can remember and deserves to be there. We first discovered that beach finally when Granddaughter Number One was an infant and she's all 'growed up' these days.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123240
03/08/2017 03:33 PM
03/08/2017 03:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,793 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Yes, that is all part of the Reserve Naturelle.
Carol Hill
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: RickandJulie]
#123241
03/11/2017 10:58 AM
03/11/2017 10:58 AM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 334 Pittsburgh, PA
jerber160
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Posts: 334
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RickandJulie said: The two things I will always remember. The first time I stepped off the plane onto the tarmac at the old airport and the first trip to Orient Beach Club beach. I was sure I had died and gone to heaven. Funny you should mention exiting the plane and the tarmac. It's one of my favorites too, that first blast of tropical air. I'd add the Princess Julianna airport bar.... I loved to kill time there before a return flight.
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: jerber160]
#123242
03/11/2017 01:10 PM
03/11/2017 01:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,793 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Which bar? The one upstairs at the old airport, or the one outside? I loved both of them, for different reasons. Upstairs had wonderful food and a lovely view of the planes. The one outside was, outside!! When you are minutes away from getting on a plane to the cold North, being able to be outside in the sun and have a drink was fabulous!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#123243
03/11/2017 01:18 PM
03/11/2017 01:18 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Agree with both of you. Dear John, however, says one if his fondest memories was the ice cream bar upstairs and outside in the sun at the old airport. There's nothing quite lapping up a melting icream cone in the hot sun knowing you will soon be locked in an airplane for the next four hours and NOT knowing where the nearest lavatory is..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123244
03/11/2017 01:58 PM
03/11/2017 01:58 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Aanother great find for us was LePavillion Restaurant in Simpson Bay back in the early 80's. Simpson Bay then was nothing like it is today and I think this was the only restaurant along the beach with the exception of Mary's Boon Guesthouse. There used to be some sort of construction plant, perhaps a cement plant? - and you turned in by it on the right just before the old bridge, and eventually as you snaked around back there you would come across the restaurant. The food was wonderful as was the service and it was definitely a favorite. We think it was destroyed in a hurricane but I'm not sure if that. So much of what we first knew on the island has been lost and so much new has taken its place.
The Food Center Portofinos on Front St. Pinocchio's also on Front St. The original restaurant at Mary's Boon The Frigate along with all the other Mullet Restaurants Marks in Cul de Sac Bobbys Marina in P'berg and the Seafood Galley Restaurant there All of Dawn Beach Resort and Mullet Bay Resort Midass Muffler at the foot of the hill heading to P'berg Risdons take out stand and Risdons Ice Cream Shop by the pier in P'berg The Parrott place Some of the earlier radio personalities The Philipsberg Rib Place - in P'berg and in Simpson Bay Bertines up in the French Hills of LaSavanne And the phone company in P'berg where you went to place a call home.... Lynettes in Simpson Bay
Along with so much more whose names and specifics I can't remember......
Those were the good old days on SXM that a few of us here were fortunate enough to have been a part of. And I can only imagine what my kids and Grands will recall as their "good old days" memories some day down the road...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: pat]
#123245
03/11/2017 02:21 PM
03/11/2017 02:21 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,793 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I do remember the Mideass Muffler, but I am happy to see that it is gone, as that roundabout there at the bottom of the hill has been SUCH an improvement!! I remember the first year we stayed on island was in 95, and we routinely spent 45 minutes going up and down the hill to get to Simpson Bay. THAT I don't miss at all!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#123246
03/11/2017 03:26 PM
03/11/2017 03:26 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,649 United States of America
bdeeley
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Oh, the good old days.
I fondly remember when my waist was 32 inches, and I weighed 80 pounds less than I do now.
I fondly remember when I had washboard abs.
I fondly remember when I had a full head of hair.
I fondly remember when my weekly pill dispenser wasn't taking up an inordinate amount of space in my suitcase.
I fondly remember when I could smile at a pretty young lady walking down the beach and she would smile back and now they just look at you like you are an "old pervert"
I fondly remember when I could "spring up" from sitting on the sand and now I have to roll over onto my hands and knees and look for a piece of furniture to hold onto as I raise myself up.
Oh, the good old days!!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
Be Happy! Simply because you deserve to be. 😁
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: bdeeley]
#123249
03/11/2017 04:37 PM
03/11/2017 04:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,647 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Enough Doom and Gloom - Remember the Good Old Days
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#123251
03/11/2017 05:35 PM
03/11/2017 05:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 658 Maine
SXMbeacher
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The good old days for us was way back in 2012 when we arrived by cruise ship for the day and went to Orient Beach not knowing much about it. We got a free rum punch and our chair rental from Pedro's, and then one from Perch, which was an eye opener! We returned for 7 days last April and will be back again this year! Seems like a lot changed just since 2012.
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