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Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 #134159
07/01/2017 10:16 AM
07/01/2017 10:16 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline OP
Traveler
jazzgal  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
I’ve decided to limit my appointments/commitments this week and be more spontaneous as to where I beach and eat. Other than a couple of boat trips, I have no plans for the week and will decide what to do on a spur-of-the-moment basis.

Saturday, June 24

After taking Kathy and Dave to the airport, I stopped at Karakter for breakfast. It was a beautiful morning. Food was good, and service was acceptable.

[Linked Image]

During the afternoon, I met up at the Infinity Pool with another Divi owner who is a member of the Divi Timeshare Owners Facebook group. Social media has really made the world a smaller place.

Finally, it was time for my Passaat fix! Waiting for the dinghy at Skipjacks, I saw these adorable children looking for fish.

[Linked Image]

All my Passaat sailings have been terrific, but tonight was really a perfect sailing experience. Warm weather, good breezes, sunshine, nice people.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

After the sunset sail, I met up with a group at Boca Marina for dinner; the place was pretty busy. OK food, but nothing spectacular.

Sunday, June 25

Time for a French Beach and chose Friar’s Bay. As I passed the white gate to Happy Bay, I noticed a couple of guys taking money to open the gate. Is this normal? I’ve never been to Happy Bay by land so don’t know.

Upon opening my car door behind Friar’s Bay Beach Cafe, I encountered “the smell.” That should have been my clue, but I continued to the Café for lunch. There was a flavor in my sandwich that just didn’t appeal, and I ate only half of it. The place was very busy with a couple of large parties in addition to a regular crowd, and bar service on the beach was nonexistent. The beach and water were spectacular as usual, with only fleeting whiffs of “the smell,” and I didn’t leave until after 5:30.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

After cleaning up, I headed to Cole Bay in the hope of trying Little Bouddha; unfortunately they are closed on Sunday or at least were closed that night. So Sale & Pepe was a second choice, and I said hello to Lesley and Shirley Bruce, who were dining there. Service was good, and I enjoyed my pasta primavera.

[Linked Image]

Monday, June 26

It was a Divi Day by the Infinity pool, reading. The pool was a bit more crowded than I like it to be, but the weather was great and it’s so relaxing hanging over the edge of the pool.

Four restaurants in Grand Case (Bistrot Caraibes, Le Tastevin, Ocean 82, and L’Auberge Gourmande) are offering a “Passport” card, wherein you get your card stamped after you eat at any of the four. After three stamps, you are given a free bottle of rum; after the fourth, a surprise gift. I earned two stamps earlier this trip and decided on Bistrot Caraibes for my third. I didn’t have any reservations but headed out early enough that I hoped they wouldn’t be necessary; they weren’t, and I was seated immediately.

OMG, what a wonderful meal. One of the special appetizers was an endive/blue cheese salad; the blue cheese was out of this world. It will come as no surprise that I chose roasted breast of duck for my entrée; superb. Dessert was a trio of sorbets. In addition to everything tasting wonderful, the presentation was beautiful.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5023_zps5q0d9reo.jpg[/img]

I went home with a bottle of rum from L’Auberge Gourmande as a reward for my third stamp.

Tuesday, June 27

Spontaneity fell by the wayside today. I had a morning appointment to get a pedicure and acrylic nail fill at Georgina’s Nails. Unfortunately, there was a horrendous traffic backup on the hill. After sitting without moving for what seemed like an eternity, I turned around and got on the road over the hill by Kooyman’s. Unfortunately, it too was terribly backed up. I arrived at Georgina’s an hour late and was squeezed in between their other appointments. Lunch was roast chicken at The Palms across the street, and was good. After all that, it didn’t seem worth it to go to a French-side beach, which had been my original plan, so the Infinity Pool it was. Worked out and had dinner in with leftovers. An extremely uneventful day.

Wednesday, June 28

Headed out early for the French side. (There are days I wish I were staying on the French side since I prefer their beaches.) Stopped at Tijon; John was out, but I talked with Cyndi about their latest franchise idea. Seems as though there is good interest, but it will take awhile to get everything organized for start-up. I love their after-sun lotion and picked up a couple of tubes.

On to Petite Plage in front of Grand Case Beach Club. This is one of my favorite beaches; being June, it wasn’t too busy and I had a front-row chair. It was a beautiful beach afternoon albeit very windy.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5028_zpskasq0vld.jpg[/img]

I apologize for the slanted horizon. It’s so difficult to see what you are capturing in the sunlight with a point-and-shoot camera. Lunch was a salad nicoise. I was pleased to see fresh tuna in the salad, which was in stark contrast to a nicoise salad I had last fall at a Marigot Marina restaurant that featured canned tuna. Yuk!

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5029_zpsm5uziayv.jpg[/img]

Made it to Little Bouddha for dinner with friends. It’s located in Three Palms Plaza and had been recommended by a couple of in-the-know island residents.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5041_zps6xrpkhg1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5038_zpsxfopdfy4.jpg[/img]

The restaurant that used to be in this space (before Panlaan) was one I really liked but am unsure of the name; perhaps Three Palms? Anyway, I’ll get out of my food rut when I return home, but I ordered what was termed “lacquered duck” on the menu. The server said that really wasn’t an accurate description as the skin was not crispy. I can’t remember the sauce choices offered, but I chose ginger. I wasn’t expecting green peppers, which I don’t care for, but the rest of the flavors were wonderful.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5037_zpsq5nsr3em.jpg[/img]

Thursday, June 29

Woke up to rain and wind so emailed Capt. Neil to see if the scheduled Tintamarre trip was still on. He replied that it was as the rain was supposed to subside by 8:30 a.m. Had a lovely breakfast on board, but twenty minutes into the trip, Neil told us that while the rain was now supposed to stop by 10 a.m., he didn’t think that was going to happen; he was concerned about getting us out onto the sea and being unable to get us back so the trip was aborted.

Back at Divi, rain was very heavy, and thunder was frequent. This is what it looked like from my deck.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5045_zpsh6pg3whe.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5046_zpstvucqvsp.jpg[/img]

Since I move on Saturday, I decided to devote some time to packing and to getting this trip report caught up. Also did a load of laundry. A productive day but certainly not a beach day.

Dinner was at Escape in Cupecoy and consisted of carrot/coconut soup, asparagus/squash risotto, and a chocolate decadence. Atmosphere is upscale here and French, even though it’s on the Dutch side. Service was pleasant and attentive.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/SXM%202017%20Week%203/IMG_5048_zpss3wrousj.jpg[/img]

Friday, June 30

My last full day at Divi was spent packing in the morning and Infinity pooling in the afternoon. Jeff Jhangiani picked me up for dinner along with another friend of his at Flamingo, and then we headed to Le Piment. This was my first time at Le Piment, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.

Jeff and I shared an excellent goat cheese salad with berries, duck, and amazing flavors

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/IMG_5055_zpsrdw3gfe8.jpg[/img]

and we both had duck in an Asian ginger sauce.

[img]http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc498/lrlehmann/IMG_5056_zpstp6ij1pa.jpg[/img]

We were way too full to have dessert. It was an extremely pleasant evening, and I’m grateful to Jeff for introducing me to so many wonderful restaurants. I still have a few more of his recommendations to check off the list before I leave the island.

Tomorrow I move to Horny Toad Guesthouse for five nights before returning to Oregon.


[Linked Image]
SXM Sponsors
Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: jazzgal] #134160
07/01/2017 10:47 AM
07/01/2017 10:47 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 367
CT
MamaB Offline
Traveler
MamaB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 367
CT
Wonderful report!! I'm drooling!!
Thanks for taking us along on your trip. Was it difficult to park at Grand Case Beach Club?

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: MamaB] #134161
07/01/2017 11:30 AM
07/01/2017 11:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399
Detroit
bluejacket Offline
Traveler
bluejacket  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 399
Detroit
Wow. Thanks for the photos. Duck looks amazing. Where was it the best?

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: bluejacket] #134162
07/01/2017 12:17 PM
07/01/2017 12:17 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 332
CT
islandlove Offline
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islandlove  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 332
CT
awesome report. im enjoying all your post. Thank you!!!!

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: jazzgal] #134163
07/01/2017 12:41 PM
07/01/2017 12:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report and the pictures! Bistrot Cariabes does a lovely job, as always!! Looks like we need to check out Escape next time and Le Piment!!


Carol Hill
Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: Carol_Hill] #134164
07/01/2017 02:14 PM
07/01/2017 02:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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islandgem  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Thanks Linda. Everything sounds lovely except of course the rain. Hope the sun shines on you for the remainder of your trip.




Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: jazzgal] #134165
07/01/2017 03:21 PM
07/01/2017 03:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
Traveler
Biturbo  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
All the food looks wonderful, but there's nothing like an expertly prepared duck breast. Really enjoyed the pics. Our dilemma is that we have so many favs that we rarely get to visit new places. But, Bistrot Caraibes is now on "the list".


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: Biturbo] #134166
07/01/2017 11:07 PM
07/01/2017 11:07 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 334
S
StMartinFan Offline
Traveler
StMartinFan  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 334
Another wonderful trip report!

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: jazzgal] #134167
07/02/2017 05:42 AM
07/02/2017 05:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for another great report and pictures.


J.D.
Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: ruralcarrier] #134168
07/02/2017 06:38 AM
07/02/2017 06:38 AM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
wendyk Offline
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wendyk  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,040
falmouth,MA
Glad to see you slowed down a bit last week!The last time I went to Friar's there was "that smell". I haven't been back, although I love the restaurant there. Guess you love duck, huh?

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: wendyk] #134169
07/02/2017 06:50 AM
07/02/2017 06:50 AM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
B
Bahston Offline
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Bahston  Offline
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B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,881
I'm with you on fresh vs. canned tuna in the Salade Niçoise. I prefer fresh too, but the traditional recipe calls for canned tuna packed in oil. I've learned to ask about the tuna, and I move on to something else if it is made with canned.

Re: Week 3 Trip Report: June 24-30 [Re: jazzgal] #134170
07/02/2017 09:00 AM
07/02/2017 09:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
Traveler
SXMNorm  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
Enjoyed your report Linda. Hope this last week goes real slow for you.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.

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