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Trip Report...sort of.... #242457
12/13/2020 04:55 PM
12/13/2020 04:55 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
I guess I should make a trip report, but this will not be like what I may have done in the past, as we've become pretty much creatures of habit.

We arrived on the afternoon of November 21, after a couple of testing authorization snafus.

We stay in the same unit at La Vista Beach for our entire three weeks; we're not into moving around. We're comfortable there, and the view is to die for.

Our day usually started with coffee around 6 AM, my second cup might have included a splash of Baileys. I might also have had a bloody Mary around 8 each morning. I don't eat breakfast, so I needed some sustenance to get me to the next phase of the day....

We spent pretty much every day at a different beach..some with friends we see every year, and some just for the two of us. Our beach choices are La Playa on Orient, Grand Case Beach Club, LTC in Grand Case, Friars Bay Beach Club, and Dany's Beach at Cupecoy. Thanksgiving at Dreams had become a tradition with our group, so we've moved that to La Playa since Irma. Also, the sushi chef from Dreams is now at La Playa, and we enjoyed some delicious sushi more than once. Dany's (Cupecoy Beach Bar) fresh grilled lobster is amazing, and I was so excited that we finally got to have that this trip. It's only available on Sunday, and you have to order in advance, but so worth it! We brought along some champagne and wine to make it even more of a celebration, and it was probably one of the best meals we had this trip. We did go to Karakter and Mary's Boon this year, but were sadly unimpressed with both this time.

We spent one wonderful day with friends at their villa, and another with friends at their penthouse at Royal Islander. Those days always remind me that the people we have met on this island are why we return each year. To be honest, were it not for them, we would not have been there this year.

Restaurants for dinner are the usuals for us: The Palms (Greg and Joelle are good friends, and the food is delicious as well. Jo makes the best margarita I've ever had, and I had a few of those this trip), Avantika for delicious Thai food, Lal's for excellent Indian and great conversation. A new stop for us this trip was Ma Ti, and we went there twice. Be sure to order something that includes pasta, as it's homemade. We also tried Astra, which has just opened where Snoopy's was. This is an excellent spot, with great food, service, and ambiance. Sale and Pepe is also an excellent choice, the food and the ambiance are both great. We tend to eat our main meal midday on the beach, so evening restaurants aren't as important to us. It's nice to find a spot where we feel comfortable ordering a cocktail and a couple of appetizers. and most places we went were open to that.

We went into Philipsburg one morning, and were shocked and dismayed at how completely dead the boardwalk was. Absolutely nothing was open when we were there. We visited Jeff at DK Gems to make a small purchase, and we were the only patrons in the store for an hour at least. Sad, to say the least.

We spent a day or two at the pools at La Vista; one at our pool at the beach resort, and another at the upper infinity pool. With the lack of crowds this year, both were quite enjoyable. We also spent a day with friends at their penthouse at RI, which now includes a "hot" tub on the deck. Lots of fun watching the planes land from probably the best vantage point on the island.

All in all, we had a great trip, but I have to say that the island is struggling. Having just started to recover from Irma, Covid has dealt them a vicious blow. I surely hope things improve soon. Looking forward to next year!

SXM Sponsors
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242458
12/13/2020 05:07 PM
12/13/2020 05:07 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,580
M
MotownTim Offline
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Very nice trip report. We enjoy the GCBC also. Seems very French. Is the restaurant open?

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: MotownTim] #242459
12/13/2020 05:11 PM
12/13/2020 05:11 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
It is. Koko and Marina are operating it. The food and service were both excellent. It may be our favorite beach/restaurant in Grand Case now.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242461
12/13/2020 05:14 PM
12/13/2020 05:14 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,580
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MotownTim Offline
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Good to know. And you can’t beat the view. If the food is good again then it covers all the bases.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: MotownTim] #242463
12/13/2020 05:16 PM
12/13/2020 05:16 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Exactly. We went there twice and it was great both days. I'm guessing the beaches might be more crowded after Covid eases up and the hotel is more occupied. The food was absolutely fabulous. Had duck confit one day that was amazing.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242467
12/13/2020 05:33 PM
12/13/2020 05:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Thanks for the report, sounds like a good time. It has been years since I have been to Mary's Boon but recent visits to Karakter have left a lot to be desired at times.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242470
12/13/2020 05:44 PM
12/13/2020 05:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Thanks for the report. Now that Koko and Marina are there at GCBC, we need to get there. I do not care for sushi at all. What else do they have at LaPlaya?


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: Carol_Hill] #242477
12/13/2020 06:08 PM
12/13/2020 06:08 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
They have some nice salads, and they've recently installed a pizza oven, although it wasn't yet working when we were there. They also have specials on weekends; one day I had grilled squid that was very good. I believe there's a burger on the menu (I'm not a burger fan, so haven't tried it). If you liked the Bo Bun salad at Dreams, they have a similar one at La Playa.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242480
12/13/2020 06:38 PM
12/13/2020 06:38 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 236
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MrWhiskerssammy Offline
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MrWhiskerssammy  Offline
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Could you please tell me where Ma Ti and Astra are?
Thank You in advance

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242489
12/13/2020 09:36 PM
12/13/2020 09:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Georgia--thanks


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242490
12/13/2020 10:02 PM
12/13/2020 10:02 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,308
RI
jomarc Offline
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jomarc  Offline
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RI
Excellent trip report, Georgia!

We will have to try GCBC on our next visit. Its been quite some time since we've dined there. Lal's was closed during our October trip and we surely missed that. So many favorite restaurants, so little time on island! We hope to remedy that in 145 days...


Jo-

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: MrWhiskerssammy] #242495
12/14/2020 07:00 AM
12/14/2020 07:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Astra is on Welfare Road, where Snoopy's was. Ma Ti is in Sandy Ground, in the Flamboyant Village.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242498
12/14/2020 08:22 AM
12/14/2020 08:22 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Brookfield, CT.
Georgia,

It was so nice to finally get to see you and ‘Richard’ again after what seems like ages.

I know your trip was a good one and I can’t thank you enough for sharing some of it with us. Mai Ti was lovely and will clearly be on our list of future must-do places so thank you for the intro because trust me, at this point we would never have found it on our own.

And mostly, thank you for sharing your island experiences with everyone. SXM needs people to return as they’re able and willing and your positive comments will help with the friendly persuasion, I’m sure.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242525
12/14/2020 01:34 PM
12/14/2020 01:34 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
I enjoyed reading your report.

I too can not eat a big meal at both lunch and dinner, and often passed up a great lunch
location and went out to dinner.

Lunch was always a shared sandwich or a couple of ribs on the beach.
We are always on the beach.

Hopefully this vaccine will help people to feel safe and return to SXM.
It sounds very sad...

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242546
12/14/2020 04:03 PM
12/14/2020 04:03 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
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jazzgal  Online Content
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Portland, OR
Thanks for your report. Glad the testing snafus worked out in time for your group to catch planes. Sounds like a lovely time.

I must be the only one, but where was Snoopy's? Clearly, I never made it there.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242549
12/14/2020 04:32 PM
12/14/2020 04:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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SammyM Offline
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SammyM  Offline
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Enjoyed your report. Glad you had the opportunity to go, and it sounds like you made the most out of it. Sounds like Astra's is a new place (as you mentioned) where Snoopy's used to be. For Mr. Whiskerssammy above it would be located right before Skip Jack's on the NE side of Welfare Road (right across the street from Roxxy Beach). I heard Topper's moved to a new location, but I was curious about a few other places such as the Buccaneer Beach Bar, The Greenhouse, and for that matter Skip Jack's. Are they all surviving?

Your report is giving us the 'SXM itch' to get back there, so we'll be locking that in as soon as we get vaccinated for COVID-19.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: SammyM] #242551
12/14/2020 04:38 PM
12/14/2020 04:38 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Sammy--Skipjacks is closed. Too bad. Buccanneer is currently closed, although I guess it is for sale? The Greenhouse is open.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: GaKaye] #242573
12/15/2020 12:35 AM
12/15/2020 12:35 AM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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SammyM Offline
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SammyM  Offline
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Skip Jack's is closed! As in closed for good? Total bummer. Always had a good experience there, especially when watching someone fishing in the lagoon from our table while we dined. Had a great seafood platter there earlier this year. What a shame.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: SammyM] #242574
12/15/2020 12:37 AM
12/15/2020 12:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Auburn, WA
Yes. Closed.

Re: Trip Report...sort of.... [Re: jazzgal] #242578
12/15/2020 07:39 AM
12/15/2020 07:39 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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GaKaye  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Linda, we never went to Snoopy's either, but since most folks seem to know where it was, that's the easiest way to describe its location. As Sammy mentioned, Astra is across the street from Roxxy. I know you would enjoy it there.


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