Okay, so 7 AM became 8AM - weary travelers all, but that's okay. I get it.

I awoke at five and couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to go out on the porch and await the dawn. Brrrr..... it was actually chilly out there and after all that, there was no daybreak here to speak of - it just got light. No beautiful palette of colors painting the sky but after yesterday, it would be tough to top that. I did see about a 16th (the size is just a guesstimate....) of a crescent moon disappearing into the clouds and what may have been some kind of an orbiting satellite in the distant sky. Don't know for sure what the latter was though I'm pretty darned sure it wasn't a star or a plane, and absolutely for sure, it wasn't super man either but I'm just not certain what it was.

It's was very cloudy this morning but since the weather stations have all called for rain - we'll deal with cloudy and hope for better yet. It's been funky weather this entire trip - not BAD weather at all but just different. Today it looked like it was going to pour one minute and the sun was out in its full glory the next - just strange by comparison to our usual norms.

After coffee and, we ultimately headed out to Mullet - three walkers, two riders. We found Rudy, our chair man, and had him set us up for the day - five chairs and three umbrellas. For an extra $15 or $20.00 we could have just rented chairs from Rosie but we didn't want to be packed in like sardines in her area.

Mullet was an excellent choice - every so often a roller would come in but no powerful big waves and the water was totally accessible even for the 'short legs' member of our group. (That would be me.....) I don't think there's much more enjoyment to be found anywhere than being able to bob around in the waters of this beach on a good day. And today was certainly that. And top that off with a yummy lunch of ribs and/or burgers at Rosie's - I don't think it could get any better.

Dinner tonight was at Melange with our girls and Barbara and Dee Cannegieter and what a great time we had. The dining concept is quite different but it was all very, very good and the service for our group was excellent. We chose to eat from the grilling menu which included shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, fish, ribs and mushrooms all finished on our own little braziers and accompanied by a choice of one of three appetizers, one of two salads and one of five or six accompaniments. It's a fixed price all you can eat menu at $39.95 and if that doesn't work for you,there is also a full a la carte menu. We all agreed it was very, very good. We have spent almost no time at Port de Plaisance over the years and after tonight, that may just change. And it also doesn't hurt that DH dropped into the casino and walked out with enough winnings to have covered our dinner and then some.

Thanks for the update. Sounds like a great day an evening. Congrats on the winnings!

Sounds like a really nice day! Nothing can beat a good Mullet day! And Melange does sound interesting, especially with a large group.

Funky weather again today.

We too enjoyed Melange- but also the oriental/sushi restaurant next door to it. Believe it or not, 2 in our party had the most delicious steak there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Also- it's an easy ride across the causeway,there's plentiful parking, and the casino isn't as crowded or smoky as most of the others. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Agreed, great parking!

pat......reading your post i had a deja vu moment. we also loved melange...thought the food was real good....and after the dinner, went to the casino, and also walked out with dinner paid for...and then some In all the years of going to sxm, we went last year to princess for the first time in at least twenty years....ate at the japanese restaurant, which was also delicious...but didn't make it back to eat there this time around. Enjoy