Week one in Sint Maarten and we’re so very happy to be here!

Monday morning we headed to the Yacht Club for brunch and hopefully a bridge opening with lots of boats. Well, there was one.......nothing special and probably only a couple of million. But we did see so many of the really big boys, you know - the really fancy ones and the really expensive ones, tied up at the docks. I can’t imagine having something so beautiful and letting it just sit there idle but I guess that’s life. We enjoyed chatting with Chris at the Yacht Club about all things Island and agreed to come back on Tuesday to see Monique.

From there we headed to the big roundabout to retrieve DH’s Air Mango hat, left at Marks on Sunday. Got it! Traffic was very light every where we went which is always a good thing, but particularly so here on the island.

We stopped in at the Towers again and you guessed it - still no workers although the consensus among the staff is they started working again last Friday, or so they were told. They haven’t seen the workers either.

Back to Royal Islander for some pool time. They have such a nice pool here with lovely landscaping and sandy areas with lounges just off and over-looking the beach as well as on it.

We are so very lazy - didn’t feel like going anywhere for dinner so we ate here at Royal Islander at the Tortuga and enjoyed their karaoke night. Well, most of it and no criticism intended. All those would-be singers had the gumption to stand up there in the first place and several were really very good. I, on the other hand, did NOT stand up to sing - it would NOT have sounded lovely, and I think you ALL (those of you who were there, that is......) owe me a big thank you for not participating.

Tuesday April 16

Up and out early this morning - determined to catch the boats at the Yacht Club. Had a yummy Eggs Benedict breakfast while DH enjoyed his pancakes. I can never decide if the food is really as good as we think it is or if it’s the setting and the staff that make this such an enjoyable eatery. And we got to see and visit a bit with Monique, too.

On to P’berg and even at 9:15 the mid-town parking lot by Back Street was already full and closed so we ended up parking by Bobby’s Marina and hoofing it back to midtown. We were in hot pursuit of some misplaced island friends and also something shiny and bright and would you believe, we found all of the above.

Jean Pierre, the previous owner of Antoine’s by the Sea, has opened a lovely little sandwich shop on Old Street - The French Touch. We had drinks and visited for a bit and then headed on to other pursuits, namely Manu Budhrani, the owner of Caribbean Gems. We’ve frequented his shops ever since they opened on Front Street in 1983 and he has taken very good care of three generations of our family so far. Hard to believe he remembers my girls since they were in their very early teens and we remember his children from younger than that, and they are all now grown and chasing their own dreams.

Now it’s really time for lunch and we decided to go back and try The French Touch. So glad we did. I had an incredible fresh fruit plate and DH enjoyed a chicken salad sandwich plate and both were yummy. If you’re in town and looking for a great spot for a lite lunch, he is located on Old Street and you won’t be disappointed.

And btw, the old car on Old Street is now gone. It was battered and beaten but still there when we stopped by in November but the removal has helped the area regain some of its former charm. And another cute little addition to Front Street is New Amsterdam Street. Both are lovely additions to the Front Street venues if you can tear yourself away from the Boardwalk area..

We stopped back at Caribbean Gems and picked up some pieces they were cleaning for me and headed home by way of the causeway and then up to Cupecoy where we stopped and got some fresh baguette from Jules Bakery. If we’d wanted to wait or come back in an hour they’d have fresh bread still warm from the oven but we decided to save that fact for another day.

Home and would you believe, it’s already cocktail time! I’ve learned to make a mean piña colada over the years.

Too stuffed to go out for dinner but we did take a little walk on the Maho grand boulevard. So glad we did as we got to see more of the islands rich and/or famous enjoying their evening at The Hole in the Wall along with some VIP visitors. So nice to see you all and catch up a bit, and hopefully, there will be more of these meet-ups over the course of our trip.

Home and soon to bed. What a couple of very nice day’s so far........

Sounds great! Enjoy!

Pat, Wish we were there with you right now. We are arriving next Wednesday and staying at Orient Village. Hope to get to meet you and DH soon.

Larry

I will have to add The French Touch to my list for June. Continue enjoying your vaca!

Thanks for another update. Keep them coming and make sure you enjoy each day to the fullest.

Sounds like a wonderful few days Pat. I was lucky enough in timing to get the warm baguettes at Jules a few mornings a few weeks ago. Keep enjoying your trip.

In March we passed French Touch but it wasn't open. From your description of food I wish it had been. Well, on the list for next trip.

Please remember, The French Touch is a sandwich shop and offers lighter fare as opposed to full breakfasts or dinner type meals - coffee and pastries, lovely luncheon salad plates and sandwiches along with a full array of what my DH would call foo-foo drinks. I had a fruit salad plate that was ripe and juicy - delicious, and J had a baguette sandwich that was served with a small salad on the side. I think they offered multiple types of pastas, a quiche of the day and multiple salad plates. They are open for brunch through late lunch but I’ve forgotten the exact hours - I’m thinking 10:00 to 4 or 5:00.

Didn't you love the Tortuga menu and setting!? Tortuga has become a favorite of ours over the years especially when Millenium/Caravanserai/Alegria was alive and well....

Good to hear about French Touch. Thanks for sharing. Will give it a try in May when we go to town. We usually go to Burger madness but this sounds like we should give it a go.

Thanks Pat for sharing your time with us. It sounds like another lovely trip so far.

great trip report. many thx and continue to have a wonderful vacation.

Enjoyed your adventures. Thanks for the info.