June 23- July13, 2010 Trip ReportLove the Island. Love my time there. Would love to spend more time, but Mastercard calls. More fortunate than most because I do get two trips a year.
Air Had to wait till late April to buy tickets from
AA for this trip. $612.50pp/rt. Not bad, certainly not a great price. Trip down was in prime time STL to MIA to SXM(6:05am to 2:00pm). Of course with only 1 ½ hours layover in Miami, AA was unable to get my luggage on our flight to SXM. Luggage came on the 5pm flight, but at 10am the next morning I drove over to airport and picked it.
Just before they were going to put it in a taxi to send it to us at Turquoise Shell. We, as most SXM travelers, always pack a next days clothes and swim suit in our carry-on. Unfortunately we forgot to pack our toothbrushes. Don't think we offened anyone.
The return trip to St Louis was interesting. In order to get that wonderful(?) ticket price from AA, we had to be on American Eagle 7:20am flight to San Juan. One thing, at that hour, there are very few people in line at check-in counters, immigration, or security. A quick one hour flight to San Juan, a long walk to customs, and we were the
only people in the US Citizens Customs line. Luggage retrival was very easy. An hour+ wait for the 10am flight to Chicago. The Chicago to St Louis was quick and we were home with luggage by 7pm.
Car Rental - For the second time this year we used
Lucky Car Rental(
www.hlcars.com). The bubbly Maria meeting us at the airport with a silver, Hyundia L10. Slightly dented. Costs for three weeks - $437.40 with taxes. We did have a dead battery during our second week. They came out and gave us a jump, but after sitting for a couple hours, the charge was gone. Another call and they brought out a new battery. No problem after that.
Phone - Sharon's
Queen of SXM (queenofsxm2000@yahoo.com) again provided phone service for us.
For three weeks, $40. plus $10. in time. Phone worked on all parts of SXM that we visited.
Room To get to non prime time flights(just another excuse to extend our visit), we stayed the first and last three days of trip at
Turquoise Shell Inn (
www.tshellinn.com ). Conviently located just behind Hilma's Winsor Castle Trailer on Airport Rd,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Trip%20Sept%2009/SXMSept09_113.jpg this ten unit hotel is very well kept by Carter and Marcus and their staff. It's just steps across the Simpson Bay Rd to Simpson Bay Beach and within walking distance to many eating places along Airport/Welfare Rd. It has it's own pool and the place is lushly landscaped. Off Season rates are $115 a night for July 2010.
Our other two weeks were spent at our time share,
Oyster Bay Beach Resort (
www.obbr.com ).
Week one in a first floor studio unit in the new Pavillion Building. Week two in a one bedroom first floor unit in the same, Pavillion Building. This was our first stay in the Pavillion 1 bedroom units.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0062.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0063.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0064.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0065.jpg The pool was located right outside our unit which was very convient.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0077.jpg Weather - Deboarding from plane upon arrival was delayed by a heavy, 5 minute downpour since we were not hookup to a jet way. The first couple days were gray with occasional showers. After that it was mostly sunny. The weather forecast each night was duplicated, High 87-88, Low 81-82 Party Cloudy/Sunny, Winds 10-20mph, 30% chance of showers. Humidity was high every day. Thank goodness for the breeze.
Groceries Most groceries were from
Grand Marche on the road down Cole Bay Hill.
Breakfast Most breakfasts were in our room with cheese, crackers, orange juice. We did eat a couple breakfasts out. We did bring in bakery items.
Bagel House - French Toast, 2 eggs w/toast & potatoes, coffee, tea - $15.50 before tip. No service charge
Bonita's Cantina - 2 eggs w/toast & potatoes, smoked sausage, Diet Coke, coffee - $20.00 without tip. No service charge.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0011.jpg Atlantis Bakery 4 crossiants taken back to Turquoise Shell. - $8.00
Orleans Bakery 4 butter loaded bakery items 4.00E= $5.50. Taken back to OBBR.
Bonita's Cantina Two - 2 eggs w/bacon/potatoes, toast, coffee, Diet Coke. $20.00 before tip. No service charge.
Lunch -
Buccaneer Beach Bar -Simpson Bay - 2 - BBC's w/real bananas( our self-proclaimed arrival drink) and a cheeseburger w/fries. $21.00 before tip. No service charge.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0007.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0008.jpg La Crosanterie Royale Marina, Marigot.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0013.jpg Wonderful, peaceful view.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0014.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0015.jpg Thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful salad with lettuce, tomato, onion, browned potates, bacon, and egg with fresh bread and butter and two ham and cheese crossisants.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0016.jpg . Along with two cokes. $25.00 before tip. No service charge.
Andy and Cheryl's Orient Beach - Fish and Chips. 2 vodka lemonades, 1 coke. $33.00 before service charge and tip.
On the 4th I tried Andy's Pasta Figoli(sp?) Soup.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0071.jpg Can't remember exactly what's in it. Know it has a chicken stock with cheese, tomato, Italian bacon, onion, noodles with spinach on top sprinkled with parmesan cheese. Very good. Very filling. - Soup is $8.00 a bowl not including service charge or tip.
Get Wet Bar Boardwalk, Phillipsburg
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0029.jpg Spicy Chicken sandwich, two sliders, 2 frozen drinks, 2 cokes - $24.00. No service charge, before tip. Canadian Neil is owner.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0030.jpg http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0032.jpg Mooi We've enjoyed breakfast at Mooi several times in the past. This year we decided to try lunch there.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0059.jpg Betty had the Ham and Cheese on Baguet
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0061.jpg that came with a small salad. Norm had Catalan Grilled Chicken with spinach and slivered almonds.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0060.jpg It came with fried potatoes.With 2 cokes and service charge - $28.80 before tip.
Bonita's Cantina Simpson Bay(old Ric's) Smoked Chicken Quesidellas,
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0135.jpg The smoked chicken gave them a great taste.
Death by Chocolate
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0136.jpg with vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate an ice tea and a soda. - $15.45. No service charge, before tip.
Taco Macho Airport rd -
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0155.jpg New place for us.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0156.jpg 4 beef tacos in soft shells,
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0157.jpg 2 sodas. $10.00. No service charge. Before tip.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0159.jpg Beau Beau's Oyster Bay, Dawn Beach Geat view.
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0124.jpg We ate here several times. First because it's close to room, you can charge to room, and great meal deals.
We had their 1/3# burger that comes with fries and slaw and a Carib for $6.00. This is an everyday special. On Friday they add the 1/2# burger with fries and slaw and Carib for $8.00. Carib's are 2 for one everyday.
We also had their Tuna Salad on bun with Gouda Cheese.
Their Chicken Caesar Salad $14.00 before service charge and tip.
The Ham/Turkey/Cheese/Bacon Club w/fries - $15.00 including service charge.
The Chicken Wrap with Mango Salsa - $9.00
Infinity - Oyster Bay Resort on site restaurant Offering pool side service.
Ham, Cheese, and Tomato on Baguet w/fries
http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/sxmnorm10/SXM%20July%204%202010%20Trip/IMGP0027.jpg - $11.45 w/service charge.
end of part 1
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