Arrived Saturday (2/25) from cold Chicago (6 inches of snow Thursday night and Friday). Direct United flight was early. The Caribbean gods must have been smiling - only 10 people ahead of us thru immigration, then bags were on carousel when we walked down to it!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />Met Mickey from Tropical/Tropicana in the lot, got our car and completed paperwork at office. Went thru check-in at Simpson Bay Resort (SBRM) and was in unit before 5P.M.! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> Dinner at Pineapple Pete's. Wife had rack of lamb special, I had the crab stuffed shrimp, this after sharing conch fritters and lobster bisque soup--yum! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> During dinner it poured and later Saturday night.

Sunday 2/26: to Church at Philipsburg and buffet breakfast at Holland House. Mass at St Martin of Tours followed by breakfast at Holland House has been our traditional way to start our SXM visit. Coming back year after year we notice many familiar faces.
Today when the lector asked if there were any couples celebrating their anniversaries, I embarrassed my Wife by standing up. We celebrated 40 years last month. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />We were asked to approach the altar where we were given a special blessing by the priest and congregation and the congregation burst into applause when the priest announced 40 years. It’s a great way to start our 25th SXM visit. Then on to Grande Marche for food. Afternoon spent in C-pool - no one else around in C Buildings? Traffic not bad to Philipsburg and back. Sunday was a beautiful day - slightly cloudy and breezy. Island does not appear to be that busy. Will update.

Monday, 2/27: Galeon Beach in morning. More wind than usual. Para and wind surfers were having a great time! About 75 people on entire beach. Gendarme patrol though parking lot. Afternoon in SBRM pool relaxing. Dinner at L’Isola at SBRM (used SXM Privilege for 10% discount). Good Italian food. Jim had Risotto with sausage –. Cindy had Seared Tuna with capers and black olives – garnished with two stands of deep fried spaghetti – nice presentation.

Note: Wi-Fi at SBRM a bit disappointing. Internet is very slow, AOL is next to impossible for anything with graphics. Judging from info on other blogs and TTOL, SXM infrastructure appears not to be capable of handling all the laptop, iPad, and data phone traffic. Will therefore post photos on TTOL when we return to Chicagoland. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Tuesday, 2/28: Picked up Heineken Regatta Gear at Shipwreck Shop (10% Jeff Berger Supporter Coupon). SBRM pool in early afternoon. Dinner at Bon Appétit in SBRM. Jim had onion soup and a dozen escargot; Cindy had a margarita pizza. – food good, not great. Went to airport to pick up neighbors from home (Gregg and Penny). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

Wednesday, 2/29: Took neighbors on tour of island. Breakfast at Ernest and Fidel’s in Porto Cupecoy. Jim had Cuban Toast (French toast with fried banana and caramel sauce; Cindy had Latin Eggs Benedict with a strong cup of coffee; Penny had the Tutti Fruiti Pancake: Gregg had the Special Omelet – all were great. Backtracked to Royal Palm, so Gregg could pick up his cellphone from Queen of SXM. Gregg also stopped at Simpson Bay Yacht Club to inquire about crewing in the Regatta, and getting info for next year’s Regatta with intentions of campaigning a boat. On through Marigot to Grand Case. Stopped to check out Piazza Pascal for future dinner (closed on Wednesday). Stopped in L’Esplanade for Lunch. Great view of Grand Case bay. Jim had a great burger; Cindy and Penny had crab Caesar salads; Gregg had the duck Caesar Salad. All were good ,but pricey (no $ = Euro) Continued on past Orient to Galeon for a brief toes in sand and surf for Penny and Gregg. Back to SBRM through Orleans and backside of Philipsburg. Picked up their son Dan from Toronto and over to the Ocean Club for Ribs night accompanied by Jimmy Buffett Anguilla concert video. Went to Red Piano to cap off the day.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" />

Thursday 3/1, a day of relaxing at the pool, groceries at Market Fresh. Ice Creams at the Carousel. Met old friends Sue and Bob from Connecticut for dinner at IZI. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> Jim had gnocchi with vodka sauce and shrimp; Cindy had Beef & Parma ham stuffed capellini; Susan had the meat lasagna; Bob had spaghetti Bolognese with meatballs; Penny, Gregg and Dan all had veal parmesan with gnocchi special. Celebrated Susan and Penny’s birthdays with flaming chocolate mousse and flashing lights. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Excellent food.

Friday 3/2:Gregg and Dan went to Pelican Beach to watch Regatta start.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> Penny and Cindy went pool hopping at the SBRM pools. Jim stayed at the C pool. Went to Royale Marina in Marigot (SXM Privilage 10%). Shared pizzas at La Main A La Pate. Queen pizza with Parma ham and artichokes, Shrimp pizza, Mushroom, Four cheese, and a Calzone. – all thin crust YUM! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Saturday 3/3: Everybody changed units, Gregg and Dan went on a Regatta chase boat.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> Penny joined Cindy and Jim for a shopping trip to Rima’s (SXM Privilege 5%)(they closed off the side section for wholesale only).Cindy. and Jim attended Mass Saturday night. Gregg, Penny, and Dan went to Toppers by the Sea. Cindy and Jim had Tex-Mex at Jimbo’s (SXM Privilege 10%).

Sunday 3/4: Cindy and Jim went to Galeon Beach in the morning. Gregg, Penny, and Dan watched the finish of day 3 Regatta races at Pelican Beach.<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> They went to the Regatta Finale Party at Kim Sha Beach. Cindy & Jim joined long time friends Sue and Bob at Toppers by the Sea (SXM Privilege – one free cocktail to cardholder). Bob and Jim had the special filet mignon and shrimp kebob. Cindy had the seared tuna; Sue had the Brisket. I am composing this while listening to the entertainment at the Regatta Finale Party. It’s going to be a long night! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" />(Bands played until after 0100 hrs – lulled to sleep by live Caribbean music).

Monday:3/5 Lunch at Sunset Beach Bar (Burgers for the guys, salads for the gals) prior to dropping off Dan at airport for his flight back to Canada. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Dinner at Bon Appétit at SBRM as Penny and Gregg pack for their departure tomorrow to Chicagoland. Gregg had Escargot, Jim had Lobster Bisque, Penny and Cindy had salads. We split a pizza which had bacon, honey and nuts in addition to tomato sauce and goat cheese. Sounds strange but very good. Up at 0600 on Tuesday to get Gregg and Penny to airport.

Tuesday 3/6: Took Penny and Gregg to airport for flight back to Chicagoland. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Went briefly to Kim Sha Beach. Very windy and Jim noticed swimmers exiting surf having to step up about a foot. Jim thought better of entering water with his recent (December) hip replacement. Looks like Galeon beach for rest of trip. Met our island friends Henri and Agnes for dinner at IZI. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Jim had veal scaloppini; Cindy had Salmon with spinach on puff pastry. Jim and Henri finished a bottle of wine. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Wednesday 3/7: Attempted Marigot Market – couldn’t find parking. Spent rest of day at C pool. Dinner at Ernest and Fidel’s (Wednesday only dinner) –seared yellow fin tuna salad with poached apples and for Cindy; Ropa Vieja for Jim and Mohitos.

Thursday 3/8 – went to Galeon Beach, dinner at Fusion in Simpson Bay with Susan and Bob. Jim had duck breast in mango sauce, Bob had a Rossini Steak, Susan and Cindy had Red Snapper with Red Curry Sauce. A bit spicier than similar dishes in Thai restaurants at home. Food excellent.

Friday 3/9: Leaving today. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Had breakfast of various leftovers at SBRM. Leisurely checked out and dropped off rental car at airport. Flight to Newark (EWR) uneventful. Sailed through immigration and customs at EWR; had leisurely dinner and boarded flight to Chicago. Arrived at home (40 miles north of ORD )at 11:30 pm. Temperature in 40”s!
General notes: rain practically every day – at night or early morning (0500-0700). Also windier than in previous visits. Water temperature appeared cooler than in prior years.Traffic not that bad. Restaurant service slower than normal – want to give appearance of full house, rather than multiple service – also sell more drinks. Hard to tell tourist population on SXM, because of impact of Regatta. Beaches are not crowded. Units at SBRM appear to be vacant during these prime weeks.