Trip Report 2/23 – 3/2, 2013

Flights:
ORD to SXM: Flew United nonstop from ORD. Arrived on-time, no issues except SXM Immigration cards were not available on this flight. We were met at gate by attendant with the cards. Since we had two pens were able to fill out cards and were the 2nd or 3rd thru the Immigration line. Of course our luggage was the last off the aircraft.
SXM to ORD: Flew United nonstop. Delay at SXM due to US Air stuck at our assigned jetway, after some confusion boarded from B gates downstairs. Departure was late due to gate change. However, arrived early at ORD. Immigration line at ORD was unimaginable – took one hour to clear customs and immigration. Border agent replied that overtime was cut back due to sequestration. (Thanks Obama!)

Car Rental:
Met Mickey from Tropicana/Tropical and got our Hyndai ATOS. Because of construction of their offices, paperwork completed at Airport – great timesaver. Returned car to airport. Note: spent $35 on gas this trip.
Accommodations: Our unit at Simpson Bay Resort & Marina (SBRM) was completely renovated (down to concrete block walls) last year. Did an excellent job. New GE appliances, dinnerware, furniture, air conditioners, tiled floors, silestone countertops, new cabinets, re-tiled bathroom, flat screen tvs and dvd players.

Dining: <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
2/23 Saturday night at Ocean Club bar – meatball and Philly steak sandwiches. Met old acquaintances from our stay at Ocean Club during Pelican lockout.
2/24 Sunday Brunch at Holland House after Church at St. Martin of Tours – ran out of scrambled eggs at buffet. Wife had delicious eggs benedict. Dinner with friends at Panlaan on Simpson Lagoon – Pad Thai excellent, appetizers and other entrees excellent. A great find!
2/25 Breakfast and lunch in room at SBRM, dinner at IZI – lasagna Emilata excellent, same too for cappaletti in white mushroom sauce. Dessert at Carousal – yum!
2/26. Breakfast and lunch in room at SBRM, dinner at Byblos, a Mediterranean Tapas restaurant between Jimbos and Valentinos. Shared their 7 of 10 appetizer special ($27) and Lamb entrée with my Wife.
2/27 Breakfast and lunch in room at SBRM, dinner at Greenhouse – burger and crab salad wrap (Crabapalozza night).
2/28 Breakfast and lunch in room at SBRM. Dinner at the St. Martin of Tours Rectory with the priests and parishioners who we invited to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner when they were in Chicagoland last November for a conference. Long time friendships were established. The menu was “pot luck” and somewhat eclectic. Island breaded and seasoned fish, curried chicken, ribs, island sweet potato, lasagna (prepared by a Sint Maartener – normally only at Christmas – rivaling anything coming out of an Italian kitchen), cucumber salad, green salad, homemade carrot cake, coconut cake, and guava pie. A great time was held by all. Dinner lasted from 7 pm appetizers and drinks until midnite. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
3/1 Our last full day. Breakfast and lunch in room at SBRM, finishing our groceries. Dinner at Le Pate de la Main in Marigot Marina – a Four Seasons pizza – yum.
3/2 After check-in at airport, our farewell breakfast at Ernest and Fidel's - eggs benedict and special omlet with cheese, ham, walnuts.

Beaches: <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
2/24 at SBRM pool (C pool).
2/25 at Le Galion in morning– with my hip and knees – “baby beach” suites me fine. SBRM pool in afternoon
2/26 SBRM pool
2/27 Le Galion in morning, SBRM pool in afternoon
2/28 Le Galion in morning, SBRM pool in afternoon
3/1 SBRM pool

Other:
2/28 Shopping at Rimas for some “thank you” gifts for the catsitter and our neighbor at home.
3/1 Spent the afternoon with our friends, Henri & Agnes – Sint Maarteners who we met seven years ago at the Talk of the Town lolo. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> Henri gave us a bottle of a Lime Rum Punch - a family recipe which he is intending to commercially produce and sell on SXM. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />