TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin April 21, 22, and 23 - no news here

Easter Sunday......

Breakfast at the Yacht Club, again. We got to chat a bit with both Monique and Chris and then the place started to fill up. We only saw 2 or 3 boats go through the bridge. Many of the big boys have departed now that the high season is pretty much behind us although we did notice that grey sailboat “A” return to the area, though at this point I don’t remember if that was Sunday or Monday we saw it. Yup! I still think it’s butt-ugly! But to each his own. I’m much more of a traditionalist when it comes to ships and boats and I prefer the lines of the older ‘Titanic’ or QE II style ships to the boxy lines of the newer ships built today - the ones big enough to transport whole cities.........

We didn’t do much of anything beyond hanging here at the RI pool but it’s a lovely island pool setting so between the fact it’s Easter Sunday and I wasn’t feeling a hundred percent, and I know only too well how crazy the beaches can get on the holidays, this was fine.

We did go out for a late lite dinner at Bar Code since every so often a burger is just the thing. One fish burger and one bacon blue cheese burger later we headed back home as my night-night was calling. The road through Mullet Bay golf course was crazy with cars parked everywhere and we remembered again why we usually spend the holidays at our pool, wherever that pool happens to be on any given Easter visit.

Easter Monday

We made a calculated choice to avoid the beach today as this is traditionally an island-wide party day for those who live here. Did breakfast in on pastries from Jules and spent the bulk of the day here at the pool. At noon my personal cabana boy made baguette sandwiches that we enjoyed poolside. And no, he’s not for hire - he only works for limited and selected people.

As the sun day drew to a close we decided to head to El Zafiro for dinner. We have always had very good luck with our meals here and this was no exception. John had a Sea scallop app served in a white herb sauce and I really enjoyed the coconut shrimp. Our entrees were grilled rack of lamb for me and steak for John. All was enjoyable but no room left for desserts. We enjoyed talking to a group of gentlemen, long time visitors here like us and who are from the same area of Cape Cod where my Granddaughter and her husband live, and we compared SXM notes on island escapades over the years. It was a very enjoyable evening and we should have left it at that and called it a night but sadly, so close to the Dunes, we stopped and made another small donation to the owners well- being. Enough fun for another day so home to bed.

Tuesday, April 23

We decided to change it up and do something different today so we had breakfast on our balcony instead of in the kitchen. How’s that for spicing things up!?

They always seem to have some small activity going on the pooldeck - yesterday there was an Easter Egg hunt for the kids and today it was poolside trivia for the adults - Thirty questions and I think we got thirteen right. We did great on island history and trivia but music and sports? Not so much! Another lunch on the pool deck catered by chef Johnny and then some serious bingo. Yeah, you guessed it. Didn’t do well there, either. But it was fun and Tortuga, the restaurant here at Royal Islander where the bingo was played makes a very good BBC.

All that activity and in one day, no less.

Dinner was at Bavaria - a longtime favorite of mine but Johnny not so much since he doesn’t really enjoy or crave German food. So I had the pork schnitzel with fried potatoes and J had the roast pork dinner which they very nicely Americanized for him by ditching the red cabbage and spaetzl and substituted mashed potatoes and green beans so we were both happy campers. And of course, a shared apple strudel to finish the evening along with a little discussion with Annette regarding her Irma experiences, which by Island standards were pretty good. Another island day maybe not so well spent by some people’s standards but truly enjoyed by ours.

Thanks for another great update. I missed Bar Code and Bavaria on my past trip so they are hopefully on the list if the November trip happens.

Good thing you posted, Pat! I was getting ready to send out a "Car 54, where are you??" Glad you're alive and well and keeping busy

John is the first person other than me that seems to not like German food! I do not care for Bavaria at all. They always seem to have plenty of business though, so guess they don't miss me. I doubt we will get there in June, but I do want to try out Bar Code, probably in October. There definitely is something to be said at times for a burger!!

Keep on with that hard work.

You seem to be enjoying your "sand gravity" even though you're not on sand. Haven't had dinner at el Zafiro yet. Many breakfasts and lunches though. Will have to stay around when we return in October and are staying there for a week. Thanks for the report.

Boy, the time is melting quickly. Enjoy! Bavaria sounded good. On my list for next year. Good to hear food was good at El Zafiro.

I remember our first time in St Maarten many years ago and driving past Bavaria. We occasionally dine at a German restaurant back home, but to see one in the Caribbean made us chuckle. It took years for us to finally pay a visit and had we known how good it was, we would have gone much sooner. Not all German food is sour, and there are many choices. It’s great that the waitress or waiter can make substitutes if you’re not sure of something. Bavaria also has good bottled beer and a very friendly staff. We were there last month and miss it already.

Add me to that not liking German food list too.

So happy that you're enjoying a lovely low-key vacation. Sounds a lot like ours. Only my cabana boy isn't quite as helpful!!

I walked or drove by Bavaria for years but once I tried it, I really did enjoy it. It is not for everyone and is not what one would expect on the island.

so many places to see, so many restaurants to eat at, such a tough life............

No news? It's always good news if you're enjoying yourself. And we're enjoying your updates. Bar Code & Bavaria are great spots.

Glad you are enjoying your very lazy days!

A perfect vacation doing exactly what you like to do!

Pat, I didn't realize that you were such a pool person.
I just thought that you decided to stay close to home, when we were there.

We are more beach people, so when BSV has a calm beach day, we have the best of both worlds.
Right now, I can just picture sitting there on the deck --beautiful!

We have never stayed at a resort, where they have activities and restaurants in SXM---
unless our plane got cancelled!! LOL You sound like you are having a great time.

We love Bavaria, I don't know why it took us so long to get there.
Even without the good food, there are some friends that we have met there---both working, Tanya--and
many customers.

Love Bar Code, but the food is too spicy for me --- the specials sound fantastic.
Did you try Spaghetti House yet?
A lot to do right there.

Enjoy the rest of your vacation!!!!

Must try Bar Code..do they have an outdoor area?....................I never turn right at Jordan Road when in Cupecoy.. I believe where the Starz Casino was(think that's right but not sure)....would it be further up on the left hand side and could anyone mention some other places I might have missed in this area...is that location called Jordan Village? Supermarkets, shops, restaurants, croissants etc......appreciated.

Bar Code does have outdoor tables. If coming from the other (French side) direction, make the half-left before the former Starz, and Bar Code will be on your left. There is a Carrefour Express with croissants. Other restaurants include Fat Tony's & Spaghetti House.

thx biturbo