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Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 #174942
11/11/2018 08:38 PM
11/11/2018 08:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline OP
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BeachKitten  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
We began to get into Lazy Mode by Sunday. Hanging around the villa, swimming, napping. Grabbed some groceries at Market Garden after a late breakfast at Zee Best. Brought home a rotisserie chicken and salad fixings.

Monday 10/29 was breakfast at the yacht club. Drunken pancakes with rum sauce, and eggs benedict.
Along with the requisite mimosa’s!

[Linked Image]


[Linked Image]


Tried to go to Friar’s Bay Beach Café’ but they were not open on a Monday. And after that bumpy ride down the road to reach Friar’s Bay!

Stopped in Grand Case to check on Captain Frenchy’s, as we knew Rainbow would not be opening until the 10th. No luck. A couple of chairs were out, but dead, dead, dead. Limited bar service from a container, but no food.

So….we continued our trek and landed at Bikini on Orient Beach. Chairs were free and we ate a fabulous lunch there, along with a “blue bottle”. wink This was a good choice.

Seafood cassoulet, and a steak. Hubby raved about the "Bikini Fish Pot"..jumbo shrimp, mahi & red snapper in a lobster sauce.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


After a filling meal at lunchtime we just stopped for take-out at the Spaghetti House in Jordan Village. Two gnocchi Bolognese to go, and we ate at home, adding a small side salad.

[Linked Image]

Tuesday 10/30

Very lazy morning…we just walked down the beach sans shoes to have breakfast at El Zafiro. They are now brining in cruisers with the SST Company (St Maarten Sightseeing Tours). There were buses and 4 wheelers in the parking lot. They had a singer, a lunch, and unlimited rum punches for those with pink wristbands from the cruise. To say that it was noisy and chaotic would be an understatement. You haven’t seen anything until you see people attempting to drink their fill of free rum punches at 11:00 am while you are attempting to eat breakfast and stare at the beach. Thankfully we had a table before they descended upon the chairs near the bar for their lunch

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

The singer they had at El Zafiro cracked me up! He was from Venezuela, and when singing Coldplay’s song Yellow, it came out “It was all Jell-O”. I will never, ever hear that song again without smiling at this memory.

After breakfast we headed over to the Towers. I posted about that visit here:
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/173228/2.html


Found some more pictures since then, and here are samples of the new outdoor lounge furniture and the inside furnishings. Not a fan of the items for the living rooms chosen by management. (Towers people, if you are reading this, please do not copy or link my post to any other site. Thank you.)

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]


After this depressing visit we went to Zee Best Bakery on Airport Road and got Cubano paninis to-go. Back to the pool. Picture says it all!

[Linked Image]


As always, stay tuned for more! wink


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
SXM Sponsors
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174946
11/11/2018 09:04 PM
11/11/2018 09:04 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Another wonderful report - thank you! Hoping to make my own memories in FOUR days. smile

What is so great about the "drunken pancakes" at SMYC? They look pretty ordinary.

I can see what you mean about the inside furniture. Velvet doesn't exactly scream "beach." LOL


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174950
11/11/2018 09:43 PM
11/11/2018 09:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Agreed, so what is the deal with drunken pancakes? What's in them?? And the mimosa looked very short on OJ.. And Linda is right, velvet in the Caribbean??? Really?? Bikini looks great though!!! clapping


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174954
11/11/2018 10:07 PM
11/11/2018 10:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline OP
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BeachKitten  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
The pancakes themselves are pretty ordinary. It's that coconutty, rummy syrup! lol

Dang straight they are short on o.j....aren't they supposed to be? ha ha

Linda, only kitty I interacted with this trip was the ratter they have at Dinghy Dock and Seth feeds to keep around. We did however get a dog for the week. She will appear in a later report. wink I wonder if she's abandoned, cuz we were almost ready to bring her home.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: jazzgal] #174956
11/11/2018 10:09 PM
11/11/2018 10:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten Offline OP
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BeachKitten  Offline OP
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
Originally Posted by jazzgal
I can see what you mean about the inside furniture. Velvet doesn't exactly scream "beach." LOL


And Clarence thinks leather couches will be a good idea. WHAT?!

That fiber board crap will not stand up....feet kicking it, suitcases against the edge, mops, vacuums. It will be nicked in a month.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: Carol_Hill] #174963
11/11/2018 10:40 PM
11/11/2018 10:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
When I had those drunken pancakes they were very heavy and reminded me of a giant coconut macaroon with syrup. Would never order them again. Very heavy, chewy and overpowered with coconut.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174965
11/11/2018 10:51 PM
11/11/2018 10:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
L
LBI2SXM Offline
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LBI2SXM  Offline
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L
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,668
Great reports, enjoying them and trying to imagine just being there and getting hungry looking at the photos! We also have been bombarded while on a nice quiet beach and suddenly invaded by cruisers. It's unreal to watch them trying to get their monies worth with the so called "free drinks". Then they throw their garbage all over, use the rest room and take off back to the ship. I have seen this happen many times in the BVI. They seem to have no respect for the islands they visit. After all, they are on vacation.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174967
11/11/2018 11:16 PM
11/11/2018 11:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Seen that happen at Rainbow in Grand Case. Some of those excursions are just a big drunk fest.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174976
11/12/2018 08:14 AM
11/12/2018 08:14 AM
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 34
New Smyrna Beach
OrientBeach_jimbeach Offline
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OrientBeach_jimbeach  Offline
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New Smyrna Beach
Probably the best trip report I have ever read. Thank you for the pictures and detail.
Jim

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #174988
11/12/2018 10:42 AM
11/12/2018 10:42 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,477
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Thanks for a very nice report.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175004
11/12/2018 12:43 PM
11/12/2018 12:43 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
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SXMNorm  Offline
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Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
Thanks for the pics. We ate breakfast at elZafiro everyday, but usual finished by 9, BEFORE the "boat" people came. In our beach front chairs when they arrived and never looked back.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: SXMNorm] #175007
11/12/2018 12:55 PM
11/12/2018 12:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Norm--just realized that you just got back from SXM! Hope it was a great trip. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175010
11/12/2018 01:00 PM
11/12/2018 01:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 287
Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
P
PrairieGirl Offline
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Posts: 287
Edam, Saskatchewan - Canada
Great report! About the singer....I have a friend from Argentina and there the “ll” is also pronounced with a “ja” sound. Think “tortijas” for “tortillas”. It does take some getting used to!


LeAnn

url=https://www.tickerfactory.com][Linked Image][/url]
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175044
11/12/2018 03:34 PM
11/12/2018 03:34 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223 Offline
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irish1223  Offline
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originally Long Island, NY/now...
QUOTE: "The singer they had at El Zafiro cracked me up! He was from Venezuela, and when singing Coldplay’s song Yellow, it came out “It was all Jell-O”. I will never, ever hear that song again without smiling at this memory." jester jester jester jester

Great trip report and pictures! TFS.

I personally loved the coconut pancakes when we were there. But then I love anything coconut.

And agree that furniture at the Towers is dang ugly! yikes


Robin & Ed

One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175048
11/12/2018 03:58 PM
11/12/2018 03:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
"And agree that furniture at the Towers is dang ugly! "
Yes they are and I'm praying that when Diamond finishes Royal Palm and Flamingo they don't use the same interior decorator Towers did.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: SXMScubaman] #175058
11/12/2018 05:25 PM
11/12/2018 05:25 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
I never cared for the last re-do that Diamond did anyway. It was kind of ugly and plain and could have been anywhere in the world.. No indication that it was anywhere in the Caribbean.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: Carol_Hill] #175068
11/12/2018 06:11 PM
11/12/2018 06:11 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Yes. Hopefully it will be a lot better.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175094
11/12/2018 09:27 PM
11/12/2018 09:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
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fabila  Offline
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Yonkers, NY
I think the quality of breakfast food has slipped a bit at SMYC. Don't get me wrong still love the location but eggs Benedict haven't been the same. They were good this trip and trip before but they use to be excellent. I ate the drunken pancakes and they were ok, rum sauce was very thick and sausage were very average supermarket type links. Bloody Mary's elevated the breakfast experience.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: fabila] #175096
11/12/2018 09:41 PM
11/12/2018 09:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Yep. Those bloody mary's are in a class all their own.

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175140
11/13/2018 10:42 AM
11/13/2018 10:42 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Originally Posted by BeachKitten

Dang straight they are short on o.j....aren't they supposed to be? ha ha



Absolutely! A mimosa only needs enough oj to give the champagne a light tinge of orange. Any more is too much!

Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: GaKaye] #175141
11/13/2018 10:50 AM
11/13/2018 10:50 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,485
Central Florida!
Huh, OK. I like mine heavy on OJ. I usually do 1 to 1 when I'm making them at home--or more likely, in SXM! grin I am so happy I discovered those mini prosecco bottles on SXM, as they are GREAT for mimosas! Of course most bars use disgusting STUFF instead of real OJ anyway.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report 10.26-11.6.18 Part 2 [Re: BeachKitten] #175201
11/13/2018 03:22 PM
11/13/2018 03:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Connecticut
I love your photos!!!!

We are busy packing for our trip home tomorrow and
The sun is shining again! Oh no, the bathing suits are on the bottom
of the suitcase. 😂


We have had a wonderful 15 days here, even with the downpours.
Now we need a vacation to recover from all the fun.

Now we get to see our grandchildren and hope we have no
surprises from all the rain at home.


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