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Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 #164212
06/23/2018 12:24 AM
06/23/2018 12:24 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline OP
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jazzgal  Offline OP
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
This week's report will be broken down into several parts due to the number of photos.

Saturday, June 16

Saturday is a turnover day at Divi. In the past, I’ve enjoyed spending the day at the Infinity Pool as there are so few people there. But the Infinity Pool isn’t yet ready for prime time so the beach was second choice. As you can see, it’s wasn’t a bad choice.

[Linked Image]

I met some friends for dinner at Chesterfield’s. This will not be a popular statement, but I simply do not get the attraction of this place. Two of us had chicken entrees, and both were difficult to cut because the meat was so tough and overcooked. To their credit, they did ask if we wanted something else. As we were getting ready to leave, the manager came over to ask if one of us had a white rental as the lights were on. Eeeks! It was my car. Fortunately, it started right up. Crisis averted!

Sunday, June 17

A wonderful day of sailing on the new Random Wind! Really nice people, great crew, very nice boat, perfect weather. This cutie, Prince, belongs to crewmember Annie; he was just the sweetest dog ever!

[Linked Image]

We sailed to Baie Longue and dropped anchor in front of La Samanna. Estimates for their reopening run from two to five years, depending upon whom you talk to, as owners are concentrating on fixing Cap Juluca on Anguilla first.

[Linked Image]

A year ago I attended a marvelous dinner/wine pairing at La Samanna, and the cocktail party was on this terrace.

[Linked Image]

We had lunch on the boat while at Baie Longue and then headed to Mullet, where several used the trapeze to jump into the water. This is Jeff Jhangiani.

[Linked Image]

There was live music at Mullet, possibly a Father’s Day party.

[Linked Image]

Everyone was having such a good time that we extended our stay at Mullet by an hour. I highly recommend this trip – just a great day on the water. I stayed in for the evening, nursing a sunburn.

Monday, June 18

Today’s highlight was a three-course, fixed-price lunch at Sol e Luna, where I had not eaten before. What a lovely place!

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

There were four of us (one was camera-shy), and I had not met two of the women before. Simply a lovely experience. I had beef tartare, sea bass fillet, and a sort of chocolate mousse. Service was attentive, and food was excellent.

After lunch, I returned to Anse Marcel, hoping to see the beach this time. I ignored the “private property” sign in front of the Riu and walked through their deserted complex. Another heartbreak seeing the expanse of nothingness; there were two couples on the beach, and that was it.

[Linked Image]

Lobby of the Riu.
[Linked Image]

I attended the Divi managers’ party and ate on site for dinner. A new chef was introduced at the party, but I found the food unexceptional.

Tuesday, June 19

I spent a lazy day on the beach at Divi and then joined Cindi Frye of SXMCooks for dinner at Emilio’s. Its location on the Emilio Watson estate is controversial, but it’s a nice setting and interesting structure, located at the foot of the zip lines.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

I am a big fan of brussels sprouts and really enjoyed them as an appetizer.

[Linked Image]

The duck entrée was wonderful, and I continue to think the duck as done by Dino is the most tender on the island.

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
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Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164214
06/23/2018 01:33 AM
06/23/2018 01:33 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
That Duck looked great. Duck is one of my favorites when I go out and it's on the menu.

Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164216
06/23/2018 05:38 AM
06/23/2018 05:38 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Thanks for another exceptional report and pictures.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164222
06/23/2018 07:21 AM
06/23/2018 07:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Thanks for the next installment! We've never eaten at Sol e Luna. So many restaurants, so little time! It wasn't that Sunday, but the day we were at Mullet, Random Wind stayed there quite a while also...


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164225
06/23/2018 07:39 AM
06/23/2018 07:39 AM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
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PelicanPirate  Offline
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Posts: 2,288
Another nice report, thanks.

The RIU lobby picture is a stunner.

Its that kind of picture which send us to Dutch side for upcoming trip while we prefer the French side.

Sol E Luna, is great and very refined. And real close to our haunt Mont Vernon. Glad they were able to open.

Last year we actually had lunch at Sol e Luna and they had some loungers/plunge pool.

Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164238
06/23/2018 10:12 AM
06/23/2018 10:12 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
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SXMNorm  Offline
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St Louis, MO
Thanks for the report. I thought I read someplace that Riu was changing owners and of course, insurance payments on the French side are really slow.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164244
06/23/2018 10:25 AM
06/23/2018 10:25 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline OP
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jazzgal  Offline OP
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Portland, OR
That could be. I dunno.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164246
06/23/2018 10:29 AM
06/23/2018 10:29 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Brookfield, CT.
Judy wondering, Linda, when you get home do you need a vacation to recover from your vacation? I know I would if I even tried to keep half your pace.,

TY for your labors - they really are great.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164272
06/23/2018 02:15 PM
06/23/2018 02:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
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Biturbo  Offline
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Clearwater, FL
The duck looks delicious, and perfectly done. I've had Chef Dino's duck entrees at Temptation and agree with your assessment. Thanks.


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164275
06/23/2018 02:55 PM
06/23/2018 02:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Love your report and pictures Linda. Sol e Luna was always a favorite spot of ours and often celebrated anniversaries there . So many memories!




Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164357
06/24/2018 12:16 PM
06/24/2018 12:16 PM
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,880
B
Bahston Offline
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Belmond La Samanna has announced a re-opening date of December 10, 2018.

Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164366
06/24/2018 02:41 PM
06/24/2018 02:41 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
moxie Offline
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moxie  Offline
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Toronto Canada
Great reports asusual-thank-you.

Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164410
06/24/2018 08:38 PM
06/24/2018 08:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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CT
Nice tip report, thanks!
Just curious, why is the location of Emilio's on the Emilio Watson estate controversial?


[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164411
06/24/2018 08:38 PM
06/24/2018 08:38 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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pony600  Offline
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CT
Nice trip report, thanks!
Just curious, why is the location of Emilio's on the Emilio Watson estate controversial?


[Linked Image]



If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: jazzgal] #164412
06/24/2018 08:46 PM
06/24/2018 08:46 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Brookfield, CT.
My understanding, and I could easily have it wrong, is that property was left to ALL the people of the island and wasn’t intended for commercial for profit ventures, and to make matters worse, when they named the ride down the mountain they didn’t include the Emilio Wilson name. At least the restaurant used his first name........


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report, Week 2, June 16-23, 2018, #1 [Re: Bahston] #164413
06/24/2018 09:04 PM
06/24/2018 09:04 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline OP
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jazzgal  Offline OP
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Originally Posted by Bahston
Belmond La Samanna has announced a re-opening date of December 10, 2018.


Yes, I saw that this afternoon also. This report was written a couple of days ago.


[Linked Image]

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