Just finished up the first week of our two week stay. Weather is what it is, but Saturday and yesterday (Wednesday) were spectacular, at Orient for both. Otherwise did some cloudy, rainy day activities. One of which was a fun (as always) visit to Juggies Smallest Bar In the World. Juggies nugget of wisdom for the day was, "Arguing with your wife is like eating soup with a fork"

Great food and fun at Bavaria's Friday night barbeque, then off to Tanya and Michaels new "The Pub" across the street. Met some new and old friends from the island. The Pub is very nice with reasonable prices.

Chicken Parm at Sale & Pepe was great in the new location with the yachts out back.
Mahi, ribs, mac & cheese at the LoLo's was great as well with leftovers for lunch.
Excellent pizza at BZH in Oyster Pond.
Yummy sausage sandwiches at Annette & Johnny's Bavaria Friday night BBQ
Great lunches and good prices at the Perch lite.
Mahi at Lee's new place was very good but the view is obviously not as good as before Irma.
Breakfasts at Sint Maarten Yacht Club and Sunset Beach bar were good but the Yacht Club was better.

Sunday Funday we tried to go to Rainbow in GC but parking was nonexistent. Worked out well though, went to Karakter where they had a loud techno DJ, which was OK for a while. Then a short walk to a mellower party at Mary's Boon where we ran into some old friends, Cheryl (Surf Club S, Baywatch), JP (Pizza Galley) and Tamara (Rick's Place). Great seeing everyone.

Had not planned on driving through Sandy Ground due to the recent blockages but ended up taking a chance to save some distance between Baie Rouge and Orient. It was fine except for a somewhat circus atmosphere with the usual motorcycle, scooter and bicycle wheelies going around us. I was waiting to see a 5 year old on a bike with training wheels blast around us on one wheel. Haaaaa...

Lots of cruise ships in, except for Sunday when there were none. The weather must be keeping the cruisers from exploring the island. We would have expected more crowds with 5 ships here at a time.

On nice days, Club O beach runs out of chairs by mid morning so we rented from pack lite for $35 week. Still supporting Cedrick and Co. by frequenting the Perch Lite bar.

Hey, the sun just came out, have to run......................

Cheers,
Jim & Laraine

Thanks for the report and pictures. The cycles/scooters are a real problem when doing as you described. I ran into JP back in Nov.

Thanks for the concise, yet informative, report. Friends were cruising last week, and they say the weather all over the Caribbean was pretty bad the entire week. They stayed on board in St. Maarten.

Thanks for your report. I think it's great supporting Cedrick and the Perch Bar & Grille as you mentioned. With Club O. gone, can you imagine what the beach there would be like without his efforts and chair/umbrella rentals. Even when my wife and I (and sometimes friends) would rent chairs at Bikini or Kontiki, we would still venture over to the Perch for lunch to give him some business. For those who appreciate his efforts it's the right thing to do.

thanks for the report. Is Cheryl living back on island or just visiting? I didn't know if Karakter was still doing that techno crap, but will keep that in mind, to NOT go there on Sundays.

Very true Sammy. Cedrick and the guys and girls that work for him have great attitudes. Always friendly. It's amazing how reasonable prices are at the Perch Lite. $3 for a beer, 2 for $5 at happy hour. All other drinks are still 2 for the price on one at happy hour. The food is good and reasonable as well.

Cheryl and Roger spend the winter at their place in Cole Bay and go to the UK for summers. Not sure about JP and his wife, I think they are living on another island and just visiting SXM this week. She is the one that baked the yummy berry pies for the Pizza Galley. Tamara and her mother bought Ricks place from Rick and ran it for a number of years.

We also ran into Gus of Baie Rouge on Orient. He is in good health but in forced retirement. He seems happy but feels about being banned from operating on Baie Rouge. He has not been back to see the painted walls. After leaving we remembered he was friend with Anthony Bourdain. Bourdain featured Gus on one of his shows. About 16 minutes in to the video. The ending is a little chilling all things considered.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x53pw3e

Sounds like a great 1st week - here's hoping for better weather for your 2nd week. I share your opinion of the food at The Perch - my fav was the shrimp Caesar salad. Thanks.

Is Juggies in Philipsburgh? And is the Pub in the former "Little Italy"?

Yes, Juggies is in Philipsburg on a short side walk in off of Front Street.

Yes Juggies is in an alley next to the church near the courthouse in Philipsburg.

The Pub is in the little shopping mall across from the turn to the Pelican. Right next to Jimbos.

the Pub i s in the space most recently occupied by Byblos.