Well, the last time we were in St. Martin (Nov 2002) hubby, Paul wrote trip report for the 7 days we were there, so this time it's up to me to write about 10 days & he says I'm the "wanna-be writer" anyway. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" />
2/27 Left MSP (Minneapolis/St Paul) on US Airways to Charlotte NC (Cheap $515 RT <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> to CheapCaribbean.com) Sooo thankful to leave MSP without delay as it can be nasty up here in February. However, we spoke a little too soon, got to Charlotte on the tail of a nasty snow storm there. Delayed 3 hours. Got to SXM & there is a staff person from AAA Car Rental waiting for us. Used AAA last time & this time ... great service <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />
Stayed at Esmeralda on Orient Beach. Rooms are not fancy, but we love the pool for every 4 rooms. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
2/28 Breakfast at Baywatch, Andy remembered us from 15 months ago when we joined Sugarae & John for lobster! Oh, what memories. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" /> "Great beach day" is what I wrote in my diary for Saturday, 2/28. Little did we know that two days from that would be strong winds & a little storm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> to welcome us to the week. Winds cut down on our water time as surf was strong/high (is that the correct terminology?) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Dinner at L'Astrolaube (in Esmeralda Resort) & it was great. Same staff as 15 months ago (same desk staff also) that says something for Esmeralda. French Onion soup was a meal in itself. Presentation of the food was updated & verified by staff that said they went to Europe & got a lot of ideas & tableware. Our new neighbors (from our villa) Jim & Barbara came to bar & introduced me to a new drink, Cosmopolitan. Very sweet & potent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
2/29 Breakfast again at Baywatch. Gave Andy two license plates from our Georgia residency (from '96 Olympics & Paralympics) It was fun watching them being nailed to ceiling of new roof. Took a drive & explored Grand Case & Cul de Sac... Hate to admit it, but the last time we were in St Martin, we never even drove into Grand Case or experienced their cuisine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sorry.gif" alt="" /> That afternoon we walked to Boo Boo Jams for a late lunch (nothing spectacular) & music. Band started playing American "easy listening" tunes & then got into the Caribbean good stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> Barbara & Jim came up there with our other new neighbors, Leon & Helen, (JARHEAD) who we had met on TTOL prior to our vacations. We knew that Jarhead was at Esmeralda & it turned our that they were in room between us and Jim & Barbara. All of them are from Massachusetts. We had a very enjoyable evening dancing to the music <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Jarhead did a "mean" limbo!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
A nice LEAP DAY it was! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
3/1 Storm in morning as already mentioned. Went to Phillipsburg for TTOL party. First time there also. Stopped at DK Gems & got a ring & earrings, couldn't resist. After 15 years of marriage, my husband was very impressed with my spontaneous purchases. Usually it takes an act of God to get me to make a decision. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> It was fun meeting other people from TTOL <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> to StBarts for planning it. Pagano's curried shrimp was good. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> to Jarhead for driving us there & back!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/breakingnews.gif" alt="" /> SXM reunion planned for 7/10/04 at our NW Wisconsin lake home.
Early to bed that night, how can I be so tired? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />
3/2 Still very windy today but sunny! Breakfast at Coco Beach, lots of food. That afternoon we head to Grand Case to a LoLo for ribs. We bypassed Talk of the Town on the recommendation of a Esmeralda staff person & went to Rib Shack. Ribs & homemade french fries were best on menu (shrimp, potato salad, corn on cob were all non-descript). Met six crazy people from PA (Pennsylvania) there & ended up staying for several more drinks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> It is so much fun meeting people in SXM. We have only been to St. Thomas before our first trip to SXM & there is no comparison. Is it the further away from the States you get the more open and laid back you become & start talking to strangers?
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/breakingnews.gif" alt="" /> READ more about talking to strangers on my post to US TODAY on TTOL
We did not realize that Harmony Night did not start until 7 pm so back to the resort we went. Talked Jim & Barbara into going back into Grand Case with us. Paul had ribs again, drinking makes you forget that you just ate 3 hours before. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Great music but we were the only white dancers in front of the LoLo's, actually we were about the only dancers (?) Alot of people watching.
3/3 Moved to L'Hoste, wanted to try a different place... didn't want to put all our eggs in one basket. However we miss our neighbors Jim & Barbara & Leon & Helen already! They already seem like long-time friends! L'Hoste rooms are spacious (plus is microwave minus no facecloths) Had lunch at LePlaya, had a salad (I can't believe I was craving a salad when I've been a diet for two months!) Went to The Perch for happy hour. At Tap 5 we got beer, baguettes & brie for dinner in our room. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" /> At L'Hoste, we are closer to beach & can hear the surf. I almost forgot this till I just read in my notes "Bird [censored] on me by pool" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
3/4 Drove to Cupecoy and got some great pictures. I can see why that beach is listed as one of the most picturesque sites on SXM. Stopped at Sunset Beach Bar for a drink & couple of pictures of planes landing. That is quite an experience. On the way back we got stuck in traffic in Marigot, I guess Heineken regatta caused some of that. Started reading my fourth (out of five) book. The Fish Bar for dinner, Paul thought it good, I thought OK.
3/5 Woke up to wind & rain. Decided it was not a beach day, but a day for exploring, so we drove to Oyster Pond/Dawn Beach. Saw lots of sailboats for regatta & took some pics w/telephoto lens. The wind was blowing so hard at the top of hill by Oyster Pond that I didn't know if any pictures would turn out! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Went to Dawn beach, very nice & secluded on that little bay. Back to Orient Bay & we walked out beyond Club O on the peninsula to get closer pics of regatta. Rough walk over lava rocks (or whatever), but the surf crashing & sailboats in distance were awesome. LeCalifornia in Grand Case for dinner & watched sunset (no green flash). Food was good there.
3/6 Checked out Friar's Beach to see where Kalli's was for the Full Moon Party that night. Drove into Marigot the "back way" discovered the marina & the regatta in full swing in front of us. Got out of Dodge (Marigot) the same way we came in when we saw all the traffic! I moved out of Atlanta for less traffic jams than this. Get me back to Orient Bay! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> Lunch at Coco, had pizza <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> then joined Leon & Helen at their Esmeralda pool for drinks. We all went out for dinner to Sol e Luna. Very nice meal. It turned out that a couple of Leon's friends from MA has mentioned this place & suggested they eat there. Decided not to go to Full Moon Party, we were crashed
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" /> before the party even started. It's tough being old, lazy, relaxed, whatever!
3/7 Wind finally has died down so we can go into water again. Lots of people on beach. Went to Perch for happy hour again & had lunch at Baywatch. Cooled off at hotel pool & conversed with a couple from Thunder Bay, Ontario. The advertised evening music at LePlaya was not there, but a lot of the locals were there. Recognized several wait staff that we have met. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> Had a drink or two at Bikini Beach bar & got a pizza to go from Tap 5.
3/8 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> I was looking for a YAWN smilie cuz this is getting way too long, right? Last full day in Paradise... Sunny & Beautiful! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Laid on beach, went to Butterfly Farm (a skipper as far as we're concerned) Peg Leg Pub on Simpson Bay for early dinner, the Filet Mignon was great!
3/9 Went to Club O to lay on beach where yours truly felt OK with finally stripping down to nothing! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> We were laying on our towels and a wave caught us, every thing was wet! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> On the way to airport, we stopped in Grand Case for another plate of ribs & Caribs. Took the long way to airport with another stop at Sunset Beach bar. Got to airport & there was AAA staff ready for us to leave our car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> Do we have to leave already? Flight back was uneventful except they detained us on the plane in Charlotte as all the customs computers were down & there was already 800 people in line down there. Thankfully, we breezed through there & caught our connecting flight back home. Home to 40+ degrees. Not too bad considering it can be nasty up here. See ya soon SXM, miss ya & dream of ya often! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />
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