There was so many people there, the pizza was amazing!! I don't remember if I saw you guys were there??? I have to find pictures from that party! Dennis was great at organizing those TTOL parties!!

My favorite memories are the TTOL parties, where we met wonderful people who contribute to this website...

We were eating dinner on the balcony at La Vie en Rose and the Carnival Parade was coming. In advance of the huge flat bed trucks with the booming bass, another flat bed truck came along the street and picked up the cars along the street that were blocking the parade route. We would have loved to see the look on the "illegal" parkers faces when they went to find their cars! We were treated to a front row seat from the balcony of parade in all of it's glory. And I got a rose when we left. I really miss that restaurant!

Proposing to my wife in the gazebo of the Sonesta Maho in 2008

WE met at one of those TTOL parties. We loved hosting them and always had large crowds in attendance. I remember your story of your trip to St. Barts which you revealed to me at one of those parties. You said you would never take the boat there again!

We also have enjoyed the last night before closing for the season.
Talk of the still has the party but I don't think the drinks are free anymore.
The locals especially the kids sure come out of the woodwork for this party.
It sure is fun to meet the locals and such a great mix of people.

While SXM has provided so many great memories ours is a bit different.
By the grace of God we were able to escape the island the day of Irma.
So many things lined up and we were able to secure 2 seats on one of the last flights out that were completely unavailable for the entire week.
First was the car that blocked the sidewalk and forced us to pass through the lobby of La Terasse where I noticed a sign declaring a flight change
Next our hotel employee who questioned why my wife was on the phone so long and crying (she couldn't get through to the airline) and then provided a direct international number where she got through.
Lastly the airline service who at first denied a flight change because we were more than 7 days out and then changed her mind once she knew a category five was going to hit the island.
Apparently 2 girls who did not speak good English never confirmed their seats and the airline opened up the seats. They were in front of us at the airport that day crying and didn't understand why they lost their seats
My wife would have been in a state of shock if we stayed and is claustrophobic and not sure she could have stayed in a bathroom for the time of the storm.
We had been to the airport for 5 straight days trying to get a flight to anywhere with 50 people in line at all times

Mahokid,

Yours is one heck of a memory!

I’m glad the travel Gods lined up in your favor and that Angel riding on your shoulder took good care of you but I have to tell you, I’ll take my memories/realities over yours any day.

Our first trip was 16 days for Christmas, 1989. We were young,, had Pan Am miles to burn, and looked for the most exotic place we could get to with those miles. SXM it was. We stayed in one of five rooms behind the (long mourned) restaurant, Hevea in Grand Case. Fodors had described it as perfect for "self-sufficient, art- loving types. The room was very rudimentary with no meals included, and no laundry. You could send out items to be laundered, it was $5 per tee shirt. We became expert at washing stuff out in the sink.

We had each brought a big bath sheet for the beach. They were big and cozy. Everyday we went to a different beach. Every day it rained for 30 seconds and soaked our towels, which we then tried to dry out by draping them over bushes. Repeat again the next day. We really couldn't afford to keep having them laundered.

One day we stopped by a tourist kiosk in Philipsburg and asked them what to do for one nice "fling." They suggested going on a boat trip to Anguilla on a gorgeous boat, The Gandalf. She was a beauty with a black concrete hull and terra cotta sails. She only took 12 couples. Cost was $75 per person if we listened to a timeshare presentation for Pelican Resort. No one ever worked harder for a timeshare sale. We spent the whole day there debating the pros and cons, and finally signed on the dotted line--a deluxe studio in January for $12K.

The Gandulf trip was fabulous. We laid out our soggy towels on the deck and they dried in no time. Had a blast, talking about how we would get to come back to that beautiful place every year. On the way back from Anguilla, wrapped in our cozy towels, a big wave came over the side and soaked us and our cozy towels.

The Gandalf sunk in Simpson Bay during hurricane Luis.

We finally bought cheap beach towels in Philipsburg which were so thin the dried in short order.

We never missed a year in SXM until Hurricane Irma.

First time in SXM was 1989 and then almost every year thereafter until 4 years ago. Stayed at the Summit many times and enjoyed the annual group at Cupecoy Beach and Club O. Sundays at Surf Club South in Gran Case was a must. First time at Orient there was nothing but Pedros and could walk the entire beach in the buff. Also loved the pina coladas at the Caravanseri at sunset and the restaurant upstairs at the old airport - especially the seafood lasagna. I could go on and on but the memories are some of the best of my life at age 74.

Yes, for sure, the restaurant upstairs at the old airport was da BOMB! I have less fond memories of hauling carry-on bags up those stairs! And I loved that little snack bar outside where you could get a drink and that last dose of sunshine before getting on the plane to head to the cold North!

Many wonderful moments but dinner at L'estaminet was always special.

Elizabeth, Oh yes, that memory is my worst ! The boat trip from hell ! Never again ! If I ever go the St. Barts again, I will fly !

Try a speed boat trip to Saba. 75% of the passengers had to use the barf bags provided when you got on board.

Cincinnati_Kid,

Our first few trips to STB were probably thirty years ago and were made in the sail cat day trips that used to go back and forth. We always found the trip to STB rough but the trip back was usually lovely. The last cat we went over on was the Swaliga - a larger cat than most we had done to that time. And then we flew for the first time and decided it was the best and only way to go.

One suggestion for you, should you ever decide to go to SABA - fly! Even on the power boat it makes the trip to St. Barts look calm. I don’t personally have problems with either of these sails but everyone else in our family did. And the plane approaches and landings in both places are truly worth a memory all their own.

I have not been to the island for a few years now, life has gotten in the way; ailing parents, in laws, Irma and covid.
I exist on my memories. When I think of our time spent on the island it feeds my soul, days of pure bliss.

Last month I was diagnosed with cancer and my prognosis is devastating. For little over a year and a half now I have been feeling unwell; constipation, headaches, night sweats, generally unwell. Last month when I went back to my doctor complaining of having lost ten pounds in less than two months and feeling faint after one flight of stairs it caused alarm which led to a diagnosis. Till then I had passed all blood work on my various checkups. (I also started to forget short term stuff but my doctor believed that I was suffering from debilitating anxiety because of stress of deterioration in my parents health.)

Our plan is to head to the island next month and I hope to ring in the New Year. I am no longer mentally capable of caring for my ailing family. I find myself angry most days. I try to understand that God has a plan but forty years seems unfair.

My most precious memories with my husband are of our times on SXM.

We also loved Dreams for champagne lunches.

I loved sitting at Tropical Wave watching kids splash in the water while having lunch.

Swimming at Cupecoy beach at before 7:00 am ; the shock of the cold water and the privilege of being the first one walk on the sand in the morning.

I loved getting drunk on cheap champagne while jewelry shopping in Philipsburg.
I loved breakfast drinking in general.

Returning to Tacho Macho each visit to wait too long for food and vow never to return again.

Drinking at Toppers always made me sick but loved their cocktails tasted soo good but always led to me puking and promising myself never again. Something about the rum doesn't sit well like Bacardi in my stomach.

Lunch at Rainbow in Grand Case.

Happy hour at the perch.

Every minute in st maarten felt special even cheese sandwiches and coffee for breakfast overlooking the ocean.

All our dinners at Palapa.
Breakfast at the yatch club.

Day trips to Anguilla and fun on GB Express.
Lunch at Straw Hat:


All our nights hanging out in Simpson Bay/Maho area.

Annoying the table security at Tropicana Casiono by using my husband's roulette chips when mine were lost.



I can't choose a best memory.

Thanks to TTOL for being my special place ; soul food.

We should all read and reread your post.

I don’t know what to say beyond sending you good thoughts snd prayers along with the hope you’re able to amass lots more of those good memories on your up-coming trip.

And lastly, a personal promise to self to appreciate and be grateful for all our good fortunes.

God bless

That is a tough read, and I read it three times and can only state what Pat already has. I wish the best for you and your family.

Todd--times 3.

We haven't experienced all of these, but they sound like wonderful memories. Best wishes for your upcoming trip(s), and may more great memories be made.

That was definitely a tough read and I also agree with Pat. Positive thoughts and prayers for you. Enjoy your upcoming time on the island. God Bless!

Tammy I can truthfully say that you are in my prayers. Sugarae and I had a very special trip to the island in March of 2013. we dedicated that trip to " WE ' time. I'll ALLWAYS have my memories. God bless.

John--has sugarae been gone since 2013? Wow.

Yes Carol but it seems like yesterday. I've been back to the island many time and love it but it can be hard at times. I'll be back for ST. Patrick's day again in 2022.

Wow, time flies, John. Take care..

Thank you Carol.

Tammy, sorry to learn of your diagnosis/prognosis. Best wishes for your return to your happy place.

While we have enjoyed great meals all over the island and especially in Grand Case, two memorable meals in Marigot stand out. On our first visit more than twenty years ago, eating a grilled lobster dinner on the plaza outside Bar de la Mer. It was as delicious as it was inexpensive. On a rainy evening maybe ten years later, we were with Club O friends in La Vie en Rose and the only patrons in the restaurant when the power went out. They were limited in what they could prepare, but we all enjoyed the most delicious champagne sauce sea bass dinners in their candle lit dining room.

Many great memories spent at the Club O beach, but especially remember happy hour at the Perch bar. Willie introduced us to "Cadillacs", a margarita topped with Grand Marnier. Somehow it tastes best au naturale looking out at the beautiful waters of Baie Orientale.

Eating at the original Johnny B's Under The Tree. Local radio station announcing the obituaries as we ate!

Thank You all for prayers and kind words of support.
I had an awful night and morning.

Happy to remember everything seems to taste great in my 'birthday suit'. Loved Willie's mudslides and strawberry daiquiris and French fries from the Perch.
She once made me a '? cochon'. She called it cleaning of the little piggy - supposedly the best hang over cure.

How is the new bartender?

May God grant you the strength to visit and enjoy your next planned trip to SXM. My thoughts and prayers are with you on your journey.