Today, Sunday, was moving day. We were transferring from La Playa to Royal Palm Beach Resort on Simpson Bay. Given that we had an 8:00 am flight tomorrow, Monday, morning, we were spending one night over on the Dutch side to make it easier to get up and get checked in for that early morning flight. Since we had to check out by 11:00 am from La Playa, and check-in at RPBR is at 4:00, we had five hours to kill. We called and got a lunch reservation at the beach restaurant at La Samanna. So off we were to take the long loop of the island through Marigot and Sandy Ground and out to the far eastern end of the island where Bay Rouge, Plum Bay, and Long Bay are located.

We have lain on all those beaches on previous trips. Quick story about an experience on Rouge back some years. We were hanging out on our towels to the back of the beach toward the left along the base of the hill up to some villas. That direction becomes more open to nudity. While I was in the water, a fellow approached Abby and asked if we would be interested in attending a “swingers” party that evening at one of those snazzy villas up behind us. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> I joined the conversation. He assured us that the party would be “swinging-optional,” so to speak. One could attend without joining in the partner switching. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/noevil.gif" alt="" /> We left our options open with the inviter even though we were not (and still aren’t, by the way) swingers. Now that was an intriguing offer. First, we couldn’t help but ponder, “Hey, who woulda thunk we were swinger material?” And, “I wonder what their standards are?” As a baseball fan, I also wondered if I could get two swingers plus one to be named later in the trade. That offer was topic of conversation for that day and has been for many years to come. We cannot pass Bay Rouge without recalling the offer. P.S. I’m still not trading my partner for anyone.

Back to our island loop. As we were riding along, we wondered why so many people seemed to be hanging out along the road.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" /> Is this a typical Sunday phenomenon? When we reached Sandy Ground, I saw in the rear-view mirror a phalanx of vehicles with flashing lights. I pulled off the road. To our surprise, the convoy was followed by a small group of bicycle racers. And they too were followed by more motorbikes and cars. By golly, we were in the middle of a serious bicycle race. After that cluster passed, we resumed our ride, only to be moved aside again by a second, smaller posse. No sooner did get back on the road again, and another bunch of riders approached. We pulled off again to watch the actual peloton speed by. Wow! This is the real deal! As avid fans of the Tour de France, we were thrilled to be witnessing this race. We followed along. The pace on the flat land was 40k an hour. Turns out we learned from the TODAY newspaper then next day that we were involved spectators of the Nagico 2 Nagico Grand Prix – a 120k event. I wonder how many laps of the island that is? What a great place to have a race with all the hills and the flats.

We drove all the way around the east loop to the airport, checking everything out. We were most impressed to see how the golf course looked. That whole area was a dump when we were in SXM in 2010. The course was nice and green with plenty of players. Looked in as good a shape as any public course in our San Antonio home city. There were also lots of people walking along and through the course to get to and from the beaches of Mullet Bay that line the fairways. Fore! We then doubled back to La Samanna. It was approaching lunchtime. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" />

With the help of a couple kind employees, we found our way down to their beach-side restaurant. As you might guess with La Samanna, the venue is just lovely. Interesting note: Instead of asking us for our room number, they asked about the amount of our net worth. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> Their threshold must be low; they seated us. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> I felt like a Cruiser interloper (see Day 3 – The Battle of the Beach). The lunch was delish. Two appetizers that were too huge to even finish: 1. Calamari and 2. Beignets of shrimp. After two Pêche Melba’s, I was ready dip into my paltry net worth and get a room for the night. The heck with RPBR. Let’s live large. We vowed to spend at least a couple nights here on our next trip.

After lunch, we continued our tour through a closed up Phillipsburg -- that place is never open when we are there – all the way to the cruise-ship docking area. No cruise ships. No Cruisers to be seen. Finally it was time to check in to RPBR. Nice place for a one-night stay.

We went to Sunset Beach Bar to watch the sunset. Boy, has SSBB changed! They obviously injected some serious capital into the place. Unfortunately, from our point of view, they ruined it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> Just not the same atmosphere. As if to sum up our SSBB experience, the sun disappeared behind clouds before reaching the horizon. Meh. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Doh.gif" alt="" /> That night we visited Cheri’s Café, where we had enjoyed a dinner on a previous trip. That too seemed to have changed for the worse. Maybe it is just us who have changed. After pouring $60 into a few slot machines next door, it was time to shut down for the night. An early wake-up alarm was awaiting us tomorrow. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />

We got to the airport the next morning way too early – before 6:00. The flight attendants had warned the passengers to allow three hours upon their return. The process is now super-efficient with their kiosk passport control and security check. Better than most US airports. It was time to bid SXM adieu. A prochaine fois. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for another update. I agree about Sunset.

Safe travels.

Thanks so much for some of the best and entertaining trip reports ever written!!!! Loved being on this journey with you.....Can't wait for your next return!

Thank you for your kind words. I can't wait either. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As another who likes to blog about my SXM trips, (but with no where near the literary skills you've displayed.....) I have to tell you, I have enjoyed every installment. My only hope is your next trip is SOON and longer.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Absolutely agree on that! We need to take up a collection so he can stay longer I think! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thank you, Pat. I had never tried to do this before. It was fun to do the writing each day, plus to be on the lookout for behaviors that were worth telling about in an amusing fashion. I hope a lot of people are reading them and getting a kick out of them. It has all been tongue in cheek with lots of exaggeration. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Thank you, Carol. Unfortunately, I am back home in Texas.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

All of your stories were great, entertaining reading....your attitude is great, thanks for sharing your fun <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Ditto to what everyone before me has said!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Loved following you along on your trip! Thanks so much for sharing in a most interesting and entertaining way! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your positive feedback, Shelby, LB, and Whammy. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

We too think SSBB has ruined their atmosphere with the expansion. Again, the cruisers had something to do with it! We have been visiting the island for almost 20 years now and this is the first year we didn't stop to eat and take photos of the planes. I too enjoyed your posts. I'll bet your wife wasn't too fond of the amount of time you spent on your prose and being away from her, being that you are in the post-swinger era. I guess I could also chip in something to bring you back sooner as long as you find someplace more like RPBR and less like La Samanna. After all, my cookie jar marked La Samanna is for MY next trip. Enjoyed your journey!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

Not to take anything away from Ken, as I LOVE your prose, but anyone remember Jonjoslin?? Wow, those were some fun reads!!

Thanks for taking us along. I enjoyed reading your reports.

Fabulous trip reports! Thank you for sharing with us! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I certainly do! He was awesome and had a great way of telling his stories. He has not posted for a long time. (so like many others that I miss) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

I was wondering where you were....
Enjoyed your reports so much....I noticed some photos---thanks for posting them also---very nice.
We will miss you---any plans for a future SXM trip? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I appreciate your comments. Future trip? Love to. Time will tell.