Part Three – Trip report June23-July 13, 2010
Activities , Adventures, and Misc -
Get Together @ Dinghy Dock – Slightly less than three hours after arriving on the 23rd we sat down at Dinghy Dock for a get together with Nanci and Rick owners of the SXM Travel Board along with other TTOL people. At this time their Board is out of operation because of service provider failure.
It was an fun way to kick-off 19 days on SXM. We also got to have a quick visit with Phillipe and saw pics of his and Bill's new acquistion in Mexico.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0002.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0003.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0004.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0005.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0006.jpg Jazzgal's TTOL Party at Karakter's - Thursday, 24, 2010 After iffy weather all day, the beach gods smiled and gave us a pleasant afternoon on the beach with a large gathering. Thanks Linda for all your work.
Here's Luci(
www.SXMCooks.com ) flanked by the Captain and Crew of Celine II.(
www.sailstmaarten.com). Arianna is her name, his slips my mind. They'll be doing alternate Sunday free cruises for Neil and Celine I, plus their own water cruises.
Oyster Bay Beach Resort Related Pics -
Just a picture of St Barts from Oyster Bay Beach Resort on a nice day.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0040.jpg Guavaberry Tasting in courtyard of Oyster Bay.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0023.jpg Betty does her own “electric slide” in the corner at OBBR.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0024.jpg View of water at entrance to Oyster Pond.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0041.jpg Sea side of OBBR Pavillion Bldg.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0042.jpg OBBR new Beach Umbrellas
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0078.jpgOBBR from Dawn Beach estates
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0125.jpg Tour of Lighthouse Condo –
Thanks to Joyce(indi) for arranging a tour of The OBBR Lighthouse Condos. Both Joyce and I had won $1000. off a summer week at the condo, but finding a friend with the $2500. balance was a tougher challenge. The co-owner of the ground floor condo gave us a tour.
This is the living area and view onto Oyster Pond.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0126.jpg Here's the kitchen area.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0127.jpg The condo has two king bed Master bedrooms and one queen size bed bedroom. Here's one of the Master Baths.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0128.jpg .
Here's a view of the pool/deck area on top.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0130.jpg And a view of the lounge inside the Lighthouse dome.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0131.jpg Simpson Lagoon Docks - Off-SeasonIf you visit SXM in January/ February you've never seen the moorings like this, fact is, if you visit in J and F you never seen the docks at all because of all the mega yachts and sailing ships.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0140.jpg Visit with “Sea Urchin Man” Many of you I'm sure have driven past the look-out tower on Rue de Coralita between Baie Lucas and Coconut Grove/Baie de l'Embouchure. The water there is very shallow. Shallow enough to walk way out to the reef and rocks.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0106.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0107.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0108.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0109.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0111.jpgThis shallow water is where you'll find Calven, the Sea Urchin Man, as he likes to be called.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0116.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0119.jpg He knows all about the creatures that live in the water and will be glad to tell you about them. He'd probably also like to sell you some shells, if you're into those things. I gave him a tip for all his info.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0120.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0121.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0122.jpgCheck him out the next time you're in the area. If you plan to wade out make sure you have water shoes.
SXMCooks –
www.SXMCooks.com Luci has started a wonderful, totally entertaining, and informative class on Tropical Cooking . We joined friends Joyce and Matt
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0045.jpg for the class which starts with a Jamaican style fruit punch with rum. It's a hands on class.
Here's Betty and I grating coconut for a topping.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0046.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0047.jpg Some of the vegetables, seasonings, and spices come from Luci's garden, like these peppers.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0048.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0049.jpgHere's Pam, Luci's Jamaican assistant finishing up the shrimp dish.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0051.jpg Our Mango Bread Pudding rises in the oven.http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0050.jpg
Out of the oven.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0055.jpg Matt uncorks the wine .
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0052.jpg The Tamarind Shrimp with avocado.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0053.jpg Chicken grilled in banana leaves, Cashew Nut paste, Turnaround corn.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0054.jpg And the Mango Bread Pudding with passion fruit sauce and a little Etna ice cream .
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0056.jpg Power outages slowed progress a little and made it a little warmer than usual, but it was a great experience and certainly worth the time.
You get copies of all your creation. Most of the ingredients are available in The States at the right store.
Taste of St Maarten -
Attended Taste of St Maarten on 4th of July afternoon. Fifteen restaurants grouped together in Topper's Simpson Bay parking lot selling samples of their food. Games for the kids.
We sampled the Coconut Chicken on a stick from Kiwi Cafe. Also the Mini Burgers and Fruit Cup from 3 Palms.
Celine Lagoon Cruise –
Took advantage of my Jeff Berger's Membership and got tickets on Neil's free Sunday Lagoon Cruise. Probably 45-60 minuet cruise with drinks and snacks. Interesting seeing the Island from the Lagoon.
Fourth of July Parade As I stood at Andy and Cheryl's on Orient Beach around 11:00am(Island time) the “Infamous” Orient 4th of July parade.
Here's some select pics.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0067.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0068.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0069.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0070.jpg. Notice Andy getting close-ups.
Adrian posed for Cheryl. Don't ask why. I don't know.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0072.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0074.jpghttp://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0075.jpgYou never know who'll you'll see there.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0076.jpg Misc -
Flamboyant Trees and Bushes were in full bloom and beautiful.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0087.jpg Simpson Bay Beach on a party cloudy day.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/IMGP0150.jpg Gas on July 12 at Gess station in Orleans was .99 per liter. $1.=1E.
The new unofficial shortcut past the airport used by taxi, local buses and residents is to take the unloading/pickup road past the front of the terminal thereby missing the extended loop of the regular road. Comes out by the roundabout. Probably not good during heavy plane traffic, but mornings and evenings after the planes stop. Just what the “islanders” do.
Visited the Princess and Atlantis casinos. Norm had a couple win nights at Princess. Betty had a bad trip.
Luckily I bought an orange Karakter's tshirt at Linda's TTOL party so I was able to cheer for the Holland Soccer team. It was kind of like a Superbowl party all over the Island. Disappointing end though.
We met and enjoyed the company of a lot of great people on this trip. We did, I think, less than we usually do, but enjoyed doing it just as much. Had a great time and already planning for Jan. Over the years I've taken so much information from all the Boards I post on. I hope I've provided something useful and worthwhile in this report for the next guy.
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