Late trip report but not as late as KevinNYC <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Once upon a time, Sandy & Bill visited St. Maarten many moons ago; just before the big storm and fell in love with it and each other <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />. Sandy & Bill visited once again just after the big storm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> and found the island in pretty rough shape but vowed to go back.
Several years later, Sandy & Bill decided they might go back and Sandy decided to do a little research on the new fangled internet computer thing and found a site on St. Maarten. A dude called Bobcat told her to go to
www.traveltalkonline.com.Once on TTOL, Sandy found lots of good info on restaurants, casinos, etc and TTOL parties....specifically the CheapCaribbean.com party at Bucaneer Beach Bar.
We, so timid, shy and naive <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> TTOL newbies went to this gala <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> where we won a week's timeshare <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
So, Salute TTOL & Cheaparibbean.com
Friday: Broke a tooth, inner ear infection was still causing Vertgo and my arthritis was killing me but (otherise everything was great - shoot me now) we still flew out on an afternoon flight connecting thru San Juan. Got in about 10:30 pm, flew threw Immigration, Unity rep picked us up pronto and we were at RI La Terrasse by 11:00. The reservation clerk was on her way out, asked us our names and just gave us an envelope with our keys and told us to check in the morning to fill out the paperwork.
We threw the bags in the room and hit the casino. Played Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud til about 4:00 am; I won about $400; crashed and burned.
A bit about La Terrasse: we had a one bedroom which included full kitchen amenities, dish washer, microwave, toaster oven, full fridge, nice seating area, tvs in both seating area and bedroom.
They were still doing some very minor construction on this new location so occupancy was very low. We had the pool to ourselves almost the whole week. There's a number of nice fountains, hot tub and a viewing area of Julianna Airport. AirplaneNut would dig it.
Saturday - we hit P'Burg - checked out the new boardwalk which is very nice and had lunch at Tabugo something or other.
Sunday - we met up with the (Kevin & Jackie) Kevin/NYC-JameB (Jamie & Danny) gang..aka the NY Gang - these guys are TTOLers we met for the first time last year and now adore. Yes, you heard it, rabid Red Sox guy, Bill, and I had a ball with New YAWKERS.
This was an unusual week for us. We normally try out a number of different restaurants for dinner but wound up at the normal sure things, 'La Rosa', Peg Leg, Hot Tomatoes, and had some really quick meals at BBB.
As mentioned in my previous post, breakfast is a big deal for us and I got to enjoy some great eggs benedict, omelettes, mimosas, etc. at:
Palms Court - Maho
Rick's Place who has a great Grand Slam deal with pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc. at a great price
Royal Island Tabuga something or other
Mary Boons - where we were they only people there - really nice
Hot Tomatoes - we went there during a week day about 10:30 not knowing they didn't do breakfast during the week. The owner and chef, I'm sorry the names are failing me, I think Brad and evonne, were at the door when we asked if they were serving breakfast. They explained they normally don't serve breakfast during the week but would be happy to offer us their Sunday brunch menu. We had wonderful omelettes with my Mimosas (he only charged me for one by the way). We went back for a pizza on the way back from Contessa's party and the chef told us they were going to start offering week day breakfast.
The days kind of run into each other so I'll just offer a synopsis:
Contessa's party - had a ball - met lots of TTOL folks - 1st time at Bikini Beach Bar - service & drinks great and the beach is beautiful.
We were on our way to try out Los Gauchos but the traffic was so bad going into P'Burg we stopped at BBB and ran into Sandra & Ed for the first time. It was nice to meet you and I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip. Wound up at LaRosa. Great meal but the garlic was so strong I think I went thru a full box of Altoids at the BlackJack table to give my fellow card players a break <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Hangover.gif" alt="" />
Our TTOL Party: Started off very quiet but the gang came thru. Just about every body who said they were coming showed up plus a few extras. It was great to meet TTOlers i've been chatting with over the past year, Regarding the TTOL pictures, we ran out of film before everyone showed up so if you have a favorite picture you want to post, put it up there. We know we missed lots of you, Jeanne&Joe, etc. or those of you in big group shots.
Nightlife - Any of you who read my posts know we gamble; a lot; when on vacation. We gambled at several casinos but our favorites times were at the Princess where we played Caribbean stud with a number of the locals and Bill had to translate the rastaferian lingo for me for lack of a better term. They all busted their butts laughing at my translations (including Bill <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />). Best laughs at the Royale were with Gilbert (dealer) and Dave (Pitt Boss) who could have their own stand-up routine. All in all; won a nice chunk first nite out, lost our shirts Sunday thru Wednesday and hit some nice numbers on Thursday (I hit two full houses on Carribbean Stud and Bill hit four flushes in seven hands on Let it Ride). Nice to go home with a few bucks.
Anyway, this has gone waaaay longer than I thought. It was a great time, seeing our NY buddies, new buddies, etc and hope we get to party with you again next year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> If we survive this year...the jury is still out <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos/sandybillsxm2004.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=8811PS Big time thanks to Dave at MSN SXM photos who helped me get the pictures posted. Feel like I gave birth to a 13 pounder
