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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: Teresasxm]
#124219
03/15/2017 10:20 AM
03/15/2017 10:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,092 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,092
Ohio
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I always like to throw in a new restaurant or two and HOPE for the best. Seeing the island from a different perspective is always good. A lagoon cruise, a trip on The Passaat for a lunch or sunset sail, a trip around the island. Try a beach you have not been to for some time. We went to LeGalion last week and it had been 10 years or so since last there. A very enjoyable day, especially considering the wind. I have never been to Saba but most that go enjoy a day there.
J.D.
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: Teresasxm]
#124220
03/15/2017 10:30 AM
03/15/2017 10:30 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,427
Brookfield, CT.
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Teresa,
I don't know if you have time for this or interest, for that matter, but one of the best SXM times we've had in the last twenty years or so was our daytrip to Saba. It was so good that even given my DHes anxiety over the boat ride on the Edge, he agreed to return a year later for a stay-over. By the time the second trip took place, we actually flew and it was the experience of a lifetime.
I'm sure you know there are no beaches to speak of and we don't dive or hike but that first trip over was enough to make us know this was a place we wanted to return to. It's a photographers dream so bring a camera with an empty memory card.
That first trip we booked a packaged tour that included r/t transport on the Edge and a sight-seeing minibus tour on Saba with a full lunch at the Queens Garden Inn.
As we sat in their courtyard enjoying our lunch, we knew without a doubt, this was the perfect place to just plain chill, so the following year we booked an early flight over and a two night mini vacation in the middle of our timeshare stay and it was lovely.
If you have any interest at all, send me a pm and I'll share what we found regarding Saba. <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: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: RickandJulie]
#124223
03/15/2017 11:04 AM
03/15/2017 11:04 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,092 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,092
Ohio
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The Edge is the name of a ferry that goes out of Aqua Mania to other islands.
J.D.
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: RickandJulie]
#124224
03/15/2017 11:16 AM
03/15/2017 11:16 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,427
Brookfield, CT.
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Hi, Rick,
The Edge is a ferry that I believe can be booked through Aqua Mania or probably most of the hotel concierge/activity desks.
The ride over on the Edge is not for those who suffer from the dreaded mal de mer and we saw many holding their paper bags in hand on our trip over to Saba. Coming back it was much better and on our stay-over trip we flew r/t.
The taxi tour dropped off hikers and took us around the island allowing a restroom stop and then the tour itself with a stop at the lovely church out there, stops at the Saba Lace Shop where you could purchase beautiful handmade lace pieces and a ride through the hydroponic garden area and ultimately alovely lunch at Queens Garden. I don't know if you can specify where you want to eat lunch but that luncheon at QGI was incredible and I would find a way to eat there if at all possible.
We did have a brief stop for those wanting to purchase Saba Spice or souvenirs but there isn't (or wasn't when we were last there....) a lot of shopping ops though we did manage to find a tee shirt.
Last edited by pat; 03/15/2017 11:19 AM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: RickandJulie]
#124226
03/15/2017 11:46 AM
03/15/2017 11:46 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427
Brookfield, CT.
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Just a thought, Rick, but if you can't find a packaged trip such as we took, you could probably book the Edge all by itself and hire a cab driver once off the ferry at the landing. I don't know if you can rent your own car there, but even if you can, having been there twice myself, I definitely would not do it that way though I know there are those who do. You would miss all the knowledge and lore from a driver and many of the more beautiful sights and vistas as well.
The roads are interesting to say the least - I once read somewhere the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said neither a runway nor a highway could be built there. The Sabans basically said, "watch us...." and proceeded to do so. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: RickandJulie]
#124227
03/15/2017 11:50 AM
03/15/2017 11:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,854
Bahston
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Posts: 1,854
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The ferry trip to Saba, like the ferry trip to St Barth, can be a bit rough. AquaMania's website says "The ferry ride can be bouncy November to April when we have Christmas winds. Travel time is 90 minutes long. Ask about sea conditions if you have concerns." http://www.stmaarten-activities.com/en/edge-sabaThe alternative is to fly over on WinAir. The runway at Saba is very short, and both the approach and the takeoff are "interesting". http://www.sabatourism.com/
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: GaKaye]
#124231
03/15/2017 12:28 PM
03/15/2017 12:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,427
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Just wondering, Georgia, have you ever been over to Saba? It is so very beautiful and while I know the boat might not be your best choice, the flight is short and relatively painless and the arrival near the island and the landing itself are awesome experiences without even considering the rest of the island's many other features. <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: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: GaKaye]
#124235
03/15/2017 03:25 PM
03/15/2017 03:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427
Brookfield, CT.
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You will love it for the beautiful scenery but do yourself a favor jic and fly over. Literally, the Edge can, on very rare occasions, be smooth and lovely or NOT. And the NOT isn't a pretty thing to behold. <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: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: RonDon]
#124238
03/15/2017 06:31 PM
03/15/2017 06:31 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,427 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Posts: 14,427
Brookfield, CT.
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Rosemary,
Just want you to know there is no comparison of Pinel Islet to any of the other islands you've mentioned. It's another beach with very shallow and calm waters and if I'm not mistaken, two or three lunch spots and a snorkeling trail.
And if you want to experience clothing optional on Pinel you can (or at least you could....) hike around to the back side of the island.
We used to go to Pinel a gazillion years ago when the boat was only a few dollars but it got to be too commercialized out there for my tastes although many others enjoy it. I felt like sardines the last time we went.......too many chairs too close together. Hopefully it's gotten better ....?
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: GaKaye]
#124241
03/15/2017 09:13 PM
03/15/2017 09:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,453 United States of America
bdeeley
Traveler
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,453
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You are absolutely not a liar. You just had yourself a Senior Moment. I am sure it's not your first and I can assure you that it won't be your last.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
SXMSMISADB&POSMF L13SDD&ESAD
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: GaKaye]
#124243
03/16/2017 12:02 AM
03/16/2017 12:02 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,453 United States of America
bdeeley
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,453
United States of America
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I meant to mention, don't feel bad about the Senior Moment, 93.2% of the other members of the forum are also experiencing those Senior Moments.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
SXMSMISADB&POSMF L13SDD&ESAD
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: bdeeley]
#124244
03/16/2017 06:37 AM
03/16/2017 06:37 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,245 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,245
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
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bdeeley said: You are absolutely not a liar. You just had yourself a Senior Moment. I am sure it's not your first and I can assure you that it won't be your last.
I meant to mention, don't feel bad about the Senior Moment, 93.2% of the other members of the forum are also experiencing those Senior Moments. Thank you for your understanding. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
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Re: St. Maarten - What would YOU do?
[Re: Bahston]
#124245
03/16/2017 07:59 PM
03/16/2017 07:59 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460 Estes Park, CO
Yana
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460
Estes Park, CO
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We did both, air and the ferry. We didn't have a choice due to bad weather. Flights were cancelled and the trip on ferry still makes me shiver. We had great stay on Saba in private cottage during New Years holiday (four nights) few years back. Yes, we Are planing to return, we loved everything Saba can offer.
There is no place like SXM.
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