After 9 days of wonderful sun and fun on Orient Beach, what can I say. It couldn't have been better! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" /> Our 10th year to SXM, 8th staying at CO. When we stayed elsewhere (Nettle Bay because we got a cheap deal), we always trekked over to Orient anyway, so determined that it's too convenient not to just stay there. It is the most beautiful beach, with calm waters and a good breeze most of the time. It is very low-keyed in September, but that's what we like. The same people seem to come back year after year and we have a great time renewing and growing friendships. The people that come to CO are always the best! We went "off campus" less this year than ever before. I guess we've explored most of what there is to explore and enjoyed really relaxing this time. Most of the Grand Case/Marigot restaurants were closed anyway. Kept wishing I had a digital camera to take pictures of the beach for you guys.
Our favorite watering hole has been the Dingy Dock at the marina in Oyster Pond. We were very disappointed that the previous owner Ryan sold and left the island last year, but it's still a great place for "mix-your-own-drinks" and 5-7 happy hour <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />. Good, cheap food. A real locals/boaters kind of place.
We met the infamous Contessa and her daughter Lauren when we stopped in at the Baywatch for lunch. After all these years at Orient, we had never ventured down to the shacks (didn't want to put our clothes back on), but after reading all the recommendations about Baywatch, knew we had to check it out. To our great surprise, we recognized owner Andy from our favorite pre-Luis hangout - Surf Club South under the big tree in Grand Case. We had fun reminiscing about the good old days.
Contessa and Lauren did a guest appearance on Bulldog's show Friday morning. Lauren got to do the weather. It was fun to listen to their antics.
The beach seemed pretty similar to what it was when we were there last September, which at that time was less than we were used to. I understand that it got really bad in March/April. The sand goes maybe 10 feet beyond the bottom corner of Papagayos, plenty to walk around, although the surf still washes up to the wall at times. Starting at the entrance to Papagayos, there is room for one row of chairs down to Chalet 52. The fence was washed out down to that point. You can see the exposed roots of the sea grapes that were behind the fence that prevented more of the beach from eroding away. The beach widens nicely from there. There is a nice slope down to the water, not any drop-off that we've seen before.
Down at Pedro's, you still have ankle-to-knee deep to wade through over the rocks right in front. However, once around Pedro's, there is good beach area the rest of the way with plenty of chair room. I remember last year many of the shacks seemed ready to collapse if they got one more wave.
Papagayo's has updated their menu for the first time in years. Of course prices are a little higher - $10 for a burger, $15 pasta, $18-25 for seafood or beef. Food was decent, not out of this world. Good French Onion Soup. Staff was very nice and friendly, but service was slow as usual, even with only a few tables. But then, we were on island time, so it didn't really bother us. (only when we needed another drink!)
Start counting down to next year! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
