TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Trip Report-odds and ends

So, I have been falling down on the job here, so thought I would post some odds and ends to try to get somewhat caught up. I think we have done LESS so far this trip than any other trip in recent memory. Just taking things as they come and doing only what we want to do. I am in the midst of book number 4, which I fully expect to finish this trip, along with no doubt a couple more..

Weather--Wow, is it HOT here! We have been coming to SXM this time of year for a long time and can't say that I have thought it was ever this hot. Most of the time there has been a fairly decent breeze, but this morning, there is almost none. So the doors are closed and the a/c is on. Our normal policy here is to leave the front and back doors wide open, and let the breeze flow right through. We come to SXM to experience the ocean, and that's why we love it here so much. We can be right here in our living room, with all the comforts of home, but the ocean is right HERE.



Unfortunately there is a fair amount of Sahara dust, so we have not seen Saba, and I kind of doubt that we will, which is disappointing. I don't know how many pictures I have taken of Saba over the years, but it's been a bunch. There have been a couple of brief rain showers, but nothing much. The island is very dry overall and could use some rain.

Seaweed--thank goodness, other than a skiff of seaweed each morning which the guys here rake up, almost before I roll out of bed, there has been no seaweed issue here. Sloths that we are, we've been to Orient, but otherwise, no other beaches so far, and don't expect that we will get somewhere else. Down toward the former El Zafiro, there is still quite a bit of seaweed down there, but that end of the beach always did accumulate more seaweed than down here.

Traffic--We haven't exactly gone a lot of places, but we we have hit your standard traffic jams in Marigot and Simpson Bay, but nothing exciting. The island seems pretty quiet and restaurants have not been busy. Can't think of anyplace we have been that was terribly busy.

Food
So, we often eat about half our meals in while staying here. It's more of function of just being comfortable here and hanging out and not wanting an elaborate meal all the time.

Breakfast is often a very simple affair, like

Ham and cheese quiche from Le Suciere--accompanied by a mimosa, of course!



Lunch is again something simple, like a burger and chips.



Dinner one evening was lamb chops, which we picked up at Super U, and cooked on the grill.





Ships--This time of year, there are not many cruise ships in. This week there were only 3, one on Monday, one Wednesday and one Thursday. They come in too early for me to catch them, but I do see them as they leave.







One day we had an interesting interlude, watching a rich man's toy, which, apparently, as sometimes happens with toys, was broken. We watched them mess around with it for a while out in Simpson Bay, and then eventually, they TOWED her off, apparently bound for Puerto Rico, according to the yacht locater.

Having a relaxing time the way it should be. Carry on.

It sounds like a perfect trip to me.

I love doing something or nothing as the spirit moves us and going or not going anywhere, again, as the spirit moved us. Glad you’re both feeling better and able to enjoy your vacation in your own way. Keep up the good work as vacation flies by way too fast. 👍👍

Sounds like a great trip to me! Almost Four books down. Good for you!!! We find ourselves doing less and less each trip. My sister and brother-in-law are joining us on our visit to SXM in September. While they’re happy to relax, I’m sure we’ll be busier than normal. So many things to show them in 12 days.

With no breeze, you’re lucky to have A/C in the living areas at BSV. On our first visit there, that wasn’t the case, and there wasn’t a breeze at all. We spent a lot of the time in the bedroom. Lol. It was tough to get Marc to stay there again, even after additional A/C was provided. Our next trip to BSV was much better, except there was TOO much of a breeze. We got sandblasted. Oh well!

Looks good so far. Glad you are both feeling better.

Sounds like a perfect trip. Have fun.

jomarc--for sure, we are feeling very lucky to have the a/c in the main room. We stayed here several times before the a/c in the living room, and it was really warm. I remember one year we had the a/c on in the bedroom and got a big fan from Emmanuel and blew the a/c into the living room. Not perfect, but better than nothing!

Pat--years ago, we would criss-cross the island, almost every day and these days, we often just hang out and do nothing.

Enjoy your reports and photos Carol. Glad to see Eric is feeling better. The food looks great and we understand the desire to do less at this stage of life. Less is more, right!? That’s why we decided to not rent a car and just stay in the village for our vacation. I think there have been a few years in the past we were on the island the same time as you guys.

Lancer-I do understand why you would want to stay in the village for sure, although I'm not sure I personally could go as far as to not rent a car. We are creatures of habit and are usually on island at the same time each year.

Less is usually more when on vacation! Relax and enjoy. The heat has been unbearable here in Florida as well so I think you are better off in Sxm.

crsxm--It's ALWAYS hot in Florida in the summer! We always get people who ask us why we go to the Caribbean in the summer, and I say that it's always cooler here!