Arrived Saturday (2/25) from cold Chicago (6 inches of snow Thursday nite 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/Joy.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.!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! During dinner it poured and later Saturday nite.
Sunday 2/26: to Church at Pburg 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 familar faces.
Today when the lector asked if there were any couples celebrating their anniversaries, I embarassed my Wife by standing up. We celebrated 40 years last month. 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. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> Its 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 Pburg and back. Sunday was a beautiful day - slightly cloudy and breezy. Island does not appear to be that busy. Will update.
Monday, 2/27: Le Galion 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 Privilage 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: Wifi 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.SBRM pool in early afternoon. Dinner at Bon Appetit 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 Penney).
Wednesday, 2/29: Took neighbors on tour of island. Breakfast at Ernest and Fidel’s in Porto Cupocoy. Jim had Cuban Toast (French toast with fried banana and caramel sauce; Cindy had Latin Eggs Benedict with a strong cup of coffee; Penney 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 years 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 Penney had crab Caesar salads; Gregg had the duck Caesar Salad. All were good ,but pricey (no $ = Euro) Continued on past Orient to La Galion 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 nite accompanied by Jimmy Buffett Anguilla concert video. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> Went to Red Piano to cap off the day. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Thursday, 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. Jim had gnocci with vodka sauce with shrimp; Cindy had Beef & Parma ham stuffed capelinni; Susan had the meat lasagna; Bob had spaghetti bolongnese with meatballs; Penney,Gregg and Dan all had veal parm with gnocci special.Celebrated Susan and Penneys birthdays with flaming chocolate mousse and flashing lights. Excellent food. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Friday Gregg and Dan went to Pelican Beach to watch Regatta start; Penney 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!
Saturday: Everybody changed units, Gregg and Dan went on a Regatta chase boat. Penney joined Cindy and Jim for a shopping trip to Rima’s (SXM Privilage 5%)(they closed off the side section for wholesale only).Cindy. and Jim attended Mass Saturday nite. Gregg, Penney, and Dan went to Toppers by the Sea. Cindy and Jim had Tex-Mex at Jimbo’s (SXM Privilage 10%).
