So this was Tuesday! Wasn't it?

We had no specific plans for the day beyond breakfast, and that was pretty easy to deal with - coffee and on our back porch. Freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries against a backdrop of sand, sea and clouds and accompanied by a chorus of waves breaking on the beach. A gourmet meal in a fine French restaurant wouldn't have been any more enjoyable.

And things just seem to happen - a brief phone call later and we're meeting Sharon Harris to spend a day at ElZafiro Beach. Lunch was okay - burgers for the ladies and pulled pork sandwich for John. I have to say, this is the first time I was under-whelmed by the food there but we felt $17.00 for a bacon cheeseburger was a bit much and Sharon's plate of onion rings (all six of them and yes, I actually counted) at $7.00 was over the top. John's sandwich was delicious so I think in the future I'll just stick to salad plates which have all been excellent each time we've been there and had them.

Headed home - a couple hundred feet down the beach - and took a quick dip in the pool at BSV to cool off after the long walk home. Cocktail time and before you know it, it's time to shower and dress for dinner.

Had dinner with Barbara Cannegieter and Lynn and Bob Cass at Le Moulin Fou. The food was delicious and the company was excellent. I can't begin to tell you just how much we enjoyed the evening, and the whole day for that matter. I'd share the dinner details but we ate and drank like little piglets - a couple bottles of wine, escargot around the table and a baked Camembert to share, a rack of lamb, another lamb dish in filo dough with goat cheese, a couple of boef bourginon (sp?) plates and a tacky something plate and yes, I do know it's another misspelled word. Add a few aperitifs and some of their flavored rum (with the bottle left on the table....) and what do you get? One table full of very happy and borderline silly diners - and we were!!

But it has to be said - the food was excellent and the service was, too and when you add that to the ease and enjoyment of good friends, there's just no room for complaints from this group, for sure.

And then comes the moment of realization - It really sucks when reality sets in and you realize you're down to your last couple of days, or it does for me anyhow. Friday soon come and as much as I'd love to stay longer, this is one trip I'm anxious to get home from. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Your evening sounds lovely. I think the food at Le Moulin Fou is excellent and have always enjoyed my meals there. Sorry about your countdown, but I'm very appreciative of your daily postings.

Another good day and night in the books. Thanks.

Sounds like a lovely day with good friends! So sorry for all of us that are following along, that your time on island is short. Enjoy your remaining time!

Thanks for the report. Although food is more expensive, don't forget, your beach chairs are no cost at El Zafiro.

Norm,

We did take that into consideration but they don't charge for chairs at Dreams either and though I've never had one there, I was told the burgers are better and less expensive there, too.

Believe me, I love El Zafiro but in the future I will stick to their salads which I know are quite lovely and reasonably priced. My comment was NOT meant to be a criticism of a place I've thoroughly enjoyed almost since it's earliest opening. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

According to their online menu, the burger with camembert cheese at Dreams is 16E. I've never had it there, but a local friend pronounced it amazing.. It certainly looked amazing, as does anything Bruno serves! I did steal one of his fries and it was wonderful.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

We decided last year that Dreams was a better value than El Zafiro. I do love the beach there, but we spend at least as much or more on drinks and food at EZ, and it's just nowhere near the level of Bruno's food.

We didn't stop in at El Zafiro this year, just walked through. Last year we went for BBCs but they only had enough bananas to make 2 drinks instead of the 4 we needed. Guys ended up with warm beer. Hubby was not impressed so hesitant to make a stop this year. Maybe we will give it a shot again next year if we are staying closer. We'll see. Our best burger was one in Philipsburg from a vender. Seriously delicious and only $3. No frills (fries/chips) but enough for me.

Pat...sounds like a fun day.

We have NEVER had anything but a fantastic meal at Le Moulin Fou. I have said for years, it is the BEST restaurant on the Dutch side. Every meal is always prepared excellently....their service is top notch...and the flavored rum at the end is just the cherry at the top of the sundae. One thing you didn't mention though....that we love about Le Moulen Fou...is dining their on Tuesday evenings.....the day that Cheri's is closed!!!! Nothing better than a quiet romantic dinner under the stars...without all the noise coming from next door!!!!!

What day is Cheri's closed. Since Fig is close I want to avoid a day when Cheri's is blaring.

Has always been Tuesday for the day Cheri's is closed, at least from what I recall.

Closed Tuesday

Thanks. Since Fig is closed on Wednesday I know where I'll be the week after next.

Scuba,

Tuesday night is always our preference at Le Moulin Fou just because of the Cheri's closure that night, and last night, of all Tuesday's, was perfection. A few other diners outside, a gentle breeze, a smathering of stars across a seemingly cloudless night sky, and NOT A MOSKIE TO BE FOUND!

With reference to FIG, I don't remember any noise from Cheri's that was bothersome beyond the faint background music of their band. It wasn't a problem at FIG at all as it can DEFINITELY be ar LMF.

We were at EZ on Monday. They said they have a new chef that just started. Went to Bikini beach today. With the exception of Club Orient, the seaweed was terrible.

Hi, Lyn and Chic,

We seem to be like one day or one beach or one meal ahead of or behind you this entire trip. I hope it's been as lovely for you as it's been for us. I know GCBC was good and hoping Sapphire is, too.

The biggest problem we've had this week is we almost hate to leave here (BSV) to go anywhere else. Why leave when we've done the island at least sixty times and probably more - and we have all it takes to make us happy right here! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yup, you got it, my dear!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Having seen some of them, I know the renos are going to be gorgeous and will only add to the feel of this property but I hope the costs involved don't price the units out of sight for the average guest. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

For the April to December rates, I have said that I think they are low, compared to the winter rates. My personal feeling is that the winter rates will not go up that much, but the summer rates may go up pretty significantly. That is just my personal opinion.