TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Sunday Roundup

I made a few individual posts from Sunday so not a lot else to report. Breakfast was pastries from La Sucriere and lunch for Ronalee was leftovers from the previous two nights. Dinner was at Bar Code again with a burger and chili (again) the choices.

A walk from Horny Toad to El Zafiro with the same rough surf on Simpson Bay as it continues the same this morning. Waves washing almost up to the seawalls in may places and a lot of beach erosion at Karakter to the point the stairs from the restaurant going to the beach had 4' or so from the last step to the sand. It was taped off as it is an accident waiting to happen. They had some loungers on either side of the restaurant but none directly in front due to a big gully that had washed out. Only about 5 lounges occupied but it was early. Just a personal observation but the loungers were looking very worn and a lot of junk and trash made the place look unappealing.

Mary's Boon had lounges out but very few occupied and the same at BSV and El Zafirio Just really tough surf along Simpson Bay Beach.

I tried to get in the water here in front of Horny Toad but it was too rough for me and a very strong undertow so I gave up on that idea.

We then took an island drive and that is reported elsewhere.

Other observations are there are almost NO yachts here and many places are not busy. I guess the yachts are somewhat behind the usual schedule but having been here around this time of year before, I expected to see more. Las Arenas, which is next door to Horny Toad, only has about 6 pf their units occupied and Horny Toad is not full either.

Mullet Bay had to be packed yesterday as cars were parked out to the road from the parking lot and also along the golf course. St. Maarten Day is today so many stores are closed and I am sure there will be lots of parties around the island.

And, as I type this, the daily ritual of a "Man and his Cat" is happening again.

John found a boogie board and seemed to think he could ride the surf here on it!

Wrong, Johnny! That surf is meant for younger and stronger swimmers, if for anyone at all.

It’s been wild and way too rough for the average swimmer. He’s in pretty good shape but he still managed to get tossed and tumbled and slightly beaten up by it. Not gonna’ try that stunt again, for sure! Or at least until things calm down drastically.

Hopefully the surf will calm down soon. The island was really quiet when we were there, but that was October.

How is Ronalee enjoying her trip? I know it's been a long time since she was on island.

Pat--I guess that will teach Mr. Johnny, that he's not as young as he thinks he is!

Oh, trust me - it did. He really got tossed.

She is enjoying but pretty disappointed in the French side. Lots of shopping for her and it costs her $$ but she seems to be enjoying the trip.

Trust me pat, I am younger than John and the way I got beat around yesterday, NO WAY would I try a boogie board!

Glad she is enjoying the trip overall.

Waves pounding all last week during our stay at el Zafiro. Couldn't put umbrellas up a few days because of wind. Sand blowing several days also. I expect a breeze in SXM, but this was way more than a breeze.........but it beats being in St Louis or most of the other States..

Have the Christmas Winds come early?

It is Tuesday morning and we actually had people in the water yesterday afternoon and it appears to be less rough now also. As I looked out this morning it is also my first time being able to see Saba. Hopefully it remains a little calmer as the wave action here in Simpson Bay has been pretty intense.

Isn’t it generally more windy your side than some? Remember having breakfast at El Zafiro, views lovely but it was windy there, but sure it can’t be all the time. Normally stay in Terres Basses and breezes sure but generally ok and then going to Nettles Bay the beach there and where Dreams used to be was always windy and sea rough. Suppose it depends where you are based. It’s all lovely regardless.

I always found the beaches on the east side of island were more windy.