The night before we left for SXM from EWR, we stayed and parked at Best Western down the block from the Wyndham. The environment of the area is probably the worst place for a hotel, but the room was nice (recently renovated) and $159, a bit more than the Wyndham. The small café’s food was good for a small place and the Manhattan I had just about knocked my sox off. I usually have 2 but with this one I’d be under the table with 2. But it was good- No problem with the shuttle coming and going- The flight was uneventful and early. Immigration was quick (it was a Thursday). I used Travel-Rent-A-Car. Only a minor problem, we had to go to office to pick up the keys that were accidentally left at the agency (new building on the other side of runway near the Beachside villas.) I had a new Hyundai i-10 (made in India with 1.1 liter engine) a little tough going up hills; other than that it was fine. I paid $385 for 11days including liability insurance.
The first 2 days we stayed at the Azure Hotel in Simpson Bay. Mike had called us and said they double booked the room we reserved and prepaid. We would be move to smaller and less expensive room when we got there and he would reimburse us for the difference. True to his word he reimbursed us 33% of our prepaid. It was small long room maybe 8 foot wide and 20 ft long. But we were only staying for 2 days so no big deal. Azure is right on the Simpson Bay beach and has it own umbrellas, chairs, and table. The beach is nice in that area. While at the Azure, we ate at the Kiwi café for lunch - delicious soups; Café Atlantico for breakfast was good except one morning I ordered eggs and sausage (on their menu) and got eggs and a hot dog???, Mario’s Bodega for tapas and sangria both were good for a reasonable price, and Karacters’ for tapas and mojitos Friday night- delicious, despite a brief 20 minute shower.
Saturday we’re off to the Royal Palm. Checked in and found a new refrigerator, new Cusinart small appliances and a flat screen TV. Generally, the place is being maintained to my satisfaction. Went to Market Garden with are own shopping bag and back to the patio for cocktails (PFC) -A tradition every late afternoon.
Saturday night went to Patagonia- Probably the best meal we had during our stay-Elegant and sophisticated. My wife had a Beef Carpaccio as an appetizer and lamb trilogy sampler– Lamb three ways as an entrée- I had Empanadas Argentina and the Argentinean rib eye – excellent We had Saffron Pear for dessert.
Sunday – Phillipsburg for Mass and some souvenir shopping. Ate breakfast at the Pasanggrhan – Wife did not like her egg breakfast, but I enjoyed my Bavarian style pancakes – between a crepe and American pancake. Off to Kakao and our favorite salads (melon and proscuttio and Croustillant Brie for lunch and a day at Orient Beach. Karl at Kakoa is always accommodating to us with beach chairs. PFC then Sunday night Pizza Gallery and La Bamba – for a fun night.
Monday – Breakfast in room (BIR) – went to Karacters for the day – Great food and drinks. PFC – then to Toppers – My wife was looking forward to the lobster like she had last year but it was not to be – a dry lobster she did not like it. I had the brisket which was fine.
Tuesday – BIR – off to Orient Beach to Kakao. But alas they were out of my favorite had a Creole seafood salad –not that great. The beach was great. PFC then to Pizza Gallery.
Wednesday –BIR – off to Anguilla on the GB Express- a great ride, great crew and land staff. A very pleasant experience – the Captain got us car via radio – in 5 minutes we were off in a junker on the left side of the road – I was ok except for right turns – tend to go to right lane and the turn signals – on the right side of steering wheel – hit the windshield wipers a lot- did a brief tour of island then to Shoal Bay East – beautiful -almost pristine at the point, Ate at Uncle Ernie’s – cheap- good for the price. PFC – Then off to the Bavarian for the first time. It was delicious and reasonable. My wife had Schwein schnitzel with red cabbage and I had bratwurst and sauerkraut with a good German beer. I’ve been to Germany, a number of times, and it as good as most places to which I have been.
Thursday – BIR – off to Orient and Kakao –still didn’t have my favorite but got the duck salad, which was delicious. PFC – Went to Le Cottage that evening. Sat on porch – We shared 5 tasting bites, which was good. I had duck sampler-, which was excellent, and my wife had scallops, which she rated average at best. We had chocolate soufflé, which I rated good and she rated ok.
Friday – went to Zee Best for breakfast, had their consistently good breakfast and had a long talk with the owner since he remembered us from the past few years and met his wife and new son - A pleasant morning. Stayed on Royal Palm’s beach. PFC We ate at Royal Palm seafood buffet – it was good for the price. Then had a nightcap at the Upper View at the RP.
Saturday – Eat breakfast at RP – good for the price. Then checked out and headed for Oyster Pond, French side to stay at Blue Beach Studios. Had to wait for room went to Dingy dock for a drink. – then to local store of wine and cheese – then to pool at the studios (it was hot out!). Later sat on porch with a lovely view of Oyster Pond and the wine and cheese. Ate at Dingy dock that night – I had the fish and chips – very good, and my wife had the cheeseburger, which she said was very good. Met some nice folks at the studio complex and had a drink on their porch.
Sunday – Ate breakfast at little store in the abandoned Hotel Oyster Bay site called Aux Pains d'Epices. We had bought our wine there and the owner/baker was very nice to my wife allowing her to practice her French (my wife is fluent but does not have many opportunities to practice lately). Most French in St. Martin prefer English when speaking to Americans. The coffee was excellent and the pastries good. Went to Dawn beach and had a snack at Mr. Busby’s. Wine on the porch and dinner at Dingy Dock with the couple down stairs from us. My wife had the tuna which she said was good and I had the cheeseburger which was overcooked.
Monday – Had breakfast at Nina’s – which was less than good. Off to airport - dropped off car and prepared to leave Paradise. ALL in all a great trip!
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