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Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
#285107
06/24/2022 09:04 AM
06/24/2022 09:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882 Portland, OR
jazzgal
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882
Portland, OR
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Even though I have recovered from Covid, my attitude toward being on island seems to have changed. I’m not sure if it’s just that my energy level isn’t what it was pre-Covid or what’s different. At any rate, I haven’t done much. EXCURSIONS No1SXM – This is always a favorite sail. I had had to reschedule from the prior week due to Covid so was super grateful to be able to go. It was a wonderful day of sailing with gorgeous weather. A single stop for swimming and snorkeling was at Friar’s Bay with the rest of the time enjoying pure sailing. Bliss. BEACHES Coco Beach – Once I could get out again, my first beach day was at Coco Beach on Orient. This is really a high-quality beach bar with excellent food. It’s too bad the water is a little rough at that end of the beach and not really conducive to getting into; there was also a good bit of sargassum. I had a three-course prix fixe meal for 39 Euro that may be my best meal so far. Appetizer was marinated prawns with red snapper entrée and a chocolate cake dessert. Chair/umbrella rental includes a towel and bottle of water. Anse Marcel – I love the beach here as the water is usually so calm; it was divine the day I was there. Lunch was a shrimp noodle salad that was good but not great. FOOD While I was still having to mask, I did some takeout for dinners. The Palms – I ordered the ribs, the first time since their new pricing, which is based on weight. They have two prices: $35 and $65. I ordered the $35 version and was stunned when I returned to the room to find that got me five ribs. That said, they were very meaty and flavorful, and five ribs provided two dinners. Little Jerusalem – Having never ordered from them before, I wasn’t sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. The shawarma plate included delicious potatoes and a salad and was good for two meals. The second time I ordered from them, the shawarma was a little dry, but the potatoes were still good. Bar Code – Ribs were on the menu, and I hadn’t had them before. I might have thought they were good if I hadn’t recently had the ribs from The Palms. They just didn’t compare favorably, and I was disappointed. Not nearly as meaty or flavorful as ribs from The Palms. Balls and Wine – There are several new items on their menu since my last visit in November. One appetizer I especially enjoyed was Kanin Crunch, panko-breaded crab sticks with a spicy sauce. Yummy. I had the (meat)balls for the first time - a generous serving of six balls with four sauces. It was okay but I wasn’t overwhelmed. Service charge added. Cambuci – This is a relatively new restaurant in Porto Cupecoy I hadn’t been to before, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. I was greeted very pleasantly even though I didn’t have a reservation (which was not needed). Service was attentive and knowledgeable. My appetizer was grilled shrimp on toast points; excellent! Entrée was Duck Escondidinho; very good. Service charge was added to the bill. Astra – I was intending to have breakfast at Reveil Matin one day, but parking was a bit of a problem so I headed to Astra. Service was quite welcoming and friendly. The eggs benedict were okay, and the view was really pleasant. Service charge added. Cool Heure – This is a kind of a hole-in-the-wall place at the entrance to Happy Bay that I’ve heard great things about. I met some local friends for lunch and agree with what I’ve heard. The only negative is that there’s no menu in English and the server was difficult to understand so I wasn’t totally certain what I was ordering until it was served. It turned out to be a seafood cassoulet of white fish and prawns with bechamel sauce and was excellent. I will return. MISCELLANEOUS The night before the Strawberry Moon. Random from Horny Toad. Saba making a rare appearance. I am having problems with my laptop and am unable to transfer any more photos from my phone to laptop. Thus there won’t be any more reports until I can get home and transfer photos to my desktop.
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: jazzgal]
#285109
06/24/2022 09:17 AM
06/24/2022 09:17 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,725 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,725
Central Florida!
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Thanks for the report! I was wondering how you were doing.
I'm sorry, I have never been a favorite of the Palms and the pricing for their ribs is really ridiculous. I cannot see paying $35 for ribs, let alone $65!!! We were only at Orient once, but the seaweed was really bad when we were there. Only had seaweed two days at Beachside. Hopefully that has continued. We saw Saba the day we arrived and then briefly on the Monday we left and that was it. I have hay fever problems and was looking forward to not having to take my Clairitin on island, but the sahara dust took care of that. I hope it has calmed down.
How much longer do you have on island? I truly hope you are able to enjoy your remaining time.
Carol Hill
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: jazzgal]
#285111
06/24/2022 09:28 AM
06/24/2022 09:28 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,725 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,725
Central Florida!
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Different strokes, but I just don't see it.
Enjoy the rest of your time.
Carol Hill
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: jazzgal]
#285112
06/24/2022 09:30 AM
06/24/2022 09:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,526 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,526
Ohio
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Thanks for the report and pictures. I hope your energy returns. Enjoy the best you can.
J.D.
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: The_Lurker]
#285119
06/24/2022 10:35 AM
06/24/2022 10:35 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882 Portland, OR
jazzgal
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882
Portland, OR
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Well, I drove. Coming from Marigot, are you familiar with the "Paul Emmanuel School of Music" sign? It's on the corner at the second left after that sign. If you get to the basketball court, you've gone too far,
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: MotownTim]
#285232
06/26/2022 10:44 AM
06/26/2022 10:44 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575
St Maarten
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No, it's on the main road at the turnoff to Happy Bay closest to Grand Case
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: MotownTim]
#285237
06/26/2022 11:20 AM
06/26/2022 11:20 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,575
St Maarten
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The only thing posted from there is the menu.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: jazzgal]
#285238
06/26/2022 12:51 PM
06/26/2022 12:51 PM
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,966 Connecticut
The_Lurker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,966
Connecticut
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Well, I drove. Coming from Marigot, are you familiar with the "Paul Emmanuel School of Music" sign? It's on the corner at the second left after that sign. If you get to the basketball court, you've gone too far, I Was confused, I thought that Happy Bay was only accessible from Friars or a boat. I know there is a back road that we couldn't find to Friars.
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: jazzgal]
#285240
06/26/2022 02:02 PM
06/26/2022 02:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296 Lake Orion, MI
gomer36
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 296
Lake Orion, MI
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Really enjoyed your report, thank you! If you plan to return in late November/early December hopefully we'll run into you again. I hear you regarding post-Covid. I had a serious case of just general malaise long after I tested clear. I'm not going to say "recovered" because it was probably 4 or 5 months before I felt like myself again, and even though it was all the way back in October of 2020 when I had it, I only just recently finally got what I would consider some semblance of my old taste and smell back. Enjoy your vacation!
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." ~ John F. Kennedy
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022
[Re: gomer36]
#285251
06/26/2022 04:01 PM
06/26/2022 04:01 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882 Portland, OR
jazzgal
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,882
Portland, OR
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Thank you, Gomer. I am really sorry to hear about the lingering malaise; not something I am looking forward to, for sure. Fortunately, I did not lose taste or smell.
Yes, I will be back all of November until December 7 so hope to see you then!
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