TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Vacation coming to an end

Weather-wise our luck ran out today. Sun went in around 9 am and didn’t return much to not at all . Rain and clouds with heavier surf today. We bid two more friends adieu and then went to Sunset Bar & Grillmid- afternoon. What a disappointment that was. While the outdoor bar appeared open with shutters open and liquor bottles behind serving bar it was not. We had to get a drink at the Refuge bar and were told that they don’t open that bar if no cruise ships are in.



No fun vibe there anymore. After American flew in we left and went to the

Greenhouse – Simpson bay .

Bang Bang Calamari




Happy hour for drinks 2 for 1 when we arrived. From 4:30 – 7:00 pm drinks and several appetizers are half price until 7:00 pm.

We finally returned to Mark’s Place after 15 years. What the heck took us so long? There were so many items on the menu that you all had suggested so it was difficult choosing. We wished they had an appetizer/smaller portion of the mussels as they looked great but we both wanted fish. We shared a chalk board special – crab balls $6. They were a small fritter balls, very yummy.

I had the Grouper Fillet served with scalloped potatoes, sautéed vegetables, cole slaw and salad. The Grouper was lightly pan fried, moist and incredibly delicious. David had the Salmon steak with lemon sauce. It was a nice big piece of filet and equally as good as my dish. We were stuffed so brought a piece of chocolate cake home. Not sure if the cake is made on site but it was decadent. We met Ricardo the host who was very gracious.

Foreground Salmon, background Grouper

Tough to beat Mark's Place. Not gourmet but very good food, service and reasonable prices. Ricardo has been there a long time.

That's weird about the small bar not being open at Sunset. As JD said, hard to beat Mark's. Looks like the weather is going to be rough sailing again today.

Yes, Carol. Heavy rainfall advisory in effect until Sunday midday.
Daily Herald has a story on front page regarding a very unstable atmosphere.
Also good article on new openings in Orient Bay Village. Yellow Sub has opened and shortly Le Macaron soon to open all in original locations.

Thanks for the note about the story about Orient Bay in the paper. So far, it's not in the online version, not sure why. Good story. I guess that Bruno is NOT involved with Yellow Sub or Le Macaron any more??

They interviewed a manager for Yellow sub and it wasnt Bruno. He's working on La Playa when David last spoke with him

Ok, thanks.

Thanx for all your reports and photos...always loved the Greenhouse bang bang shrimp, calamari sounds great...hoping now for a return trip perhaps 2020! Safe travels home and thx again for sharing your fun!

Thank you so very much for sharing your trip and your photos. Safe travels home to you and all the other weekend departees.

Amen! Safe travels home AND to those heading down!!

Looks like you had a great time. Safe travels!

Thunder right now at 4:25/

Thank you all for taking the time to read my reports. In closing, I would like to mention we rented from SAX car rental located behind Bada Bing. They were very easy to work with, good price and nice new car, GM Spark. The car road very well, great a/c, radio. They meet you at the airport with the car and you drop off car at the airport. We are very happy with their service and will use them next year.

Kudos for Craig from Pack Light who brought our friends a beach umbrella while they were here at BSV. it's certainly a great deal $15 for a week and he drops it off and picks it up. Door to door. Sorry we didn't get to see him play guitar at a Whole in The Wall. Too little time, too much to see and do.

Once the road work was stopped and no longer crippled Airport & Welfare Rds we had no issues traveling around the island.

We missed dining at Dreams, LaPlaya, Lee's and SkipJacks. First time we hadn't seen Bruno at one of his establishments. Orient wasn't the same so after the first day we didn't return. Hoping for another two great weeks next year.

Thanks for all your reports and photos. Have a safe flight home!!

Nice seeing you both.

Maybe we can get together at home, like we
always planned.
Meet at a great Italian restaurant in White plains.

Have a great flight!

Thanks for all your great reports . Sounds like an enjoyable two weeks which always passes quickly. Safe travels home and sorry I missed you again.

Nice report and pictures. At first I thought you said you rented your car from Bada Bing.

Enjoyable play by play posts and pics. Thank you!