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Re: First Timer questions
[Re: IslandBound9]
#31434
01/01/2015 10:16 PM
01/01/2015 10:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628 Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
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Enjoy your first trip to paradise!
To answer your questions before throwing in my personal observations:
- the Mount Vernon complex is at the FAR northwest end of Orient Beach...about as far away from everything else as you can get. We would recommend staying in Orient Village to be within walking distance of more of everything. Ideas include Cap Caribes, Townhouses Menorca, Alamanda, and many many others... I am sure other long time visitors will chime in with their favorites!
Your choice to get a rental car is very wise! Grand Case is the "gourmet capital of the Caribbean"' and you have to work very hard to find a bad meal amongst all that excellence. Park in the well-lighted free lot at the east end of town and stroll up the main drag reading the chaulk board menus outside each restaurant until something catches your eyes.
We have never gone over to St. Barth's but from years of posts here on TTOL it appears that the short flight out of Grand Case airport on a Twin Otter is much prefered to the VERY ROUGH boat ride.
A good St. Martin vacation is the exact opposite of an "If this is Tuesday, this must be Belgium" type frenzy. Relax, do not plan out a "must do this today" schedule, but just relax and enjoy each day as it unfolds....
If you would like to try out the nude beach at Club Orient you will be most welcomed. Just walk Southeast down Orient Beach past Pedro's, go past the Club O billboard sign, and into the sea of yellow umbrellas. Find a pair of lounge chairs with no personal items on them and no colored plastic "wrist bands" afixed to the chair frames. These are the ones available. Spread out your beach towels on the chairs (good nudist ettiquete is to always sit on your own piece of cloth) and relax. The Club O beach guys will eventually swing by and collect $20 for the use of those two chairs and one umbrella for the rest of the day...and put colored wrist bands signifying such on the frames of what are now YOUR chairs for that entire day.
When you are relaxed and comfortable, take off your suits and go skinny dipping in that crystal clear, 80*F water like carefree little kids.
Say hi to the people on the chairs around you. They will keep an eye on your "stuff" while you are in the water. Nudists are the friendliest...and most honest...people in the world we have found over the years we have stayed in Orient Beach.
Enjoy your vacation!
Bill
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Re: First Timer questions
[Re: harmonytravelers]
#31437
01/02/2015 09:54 AM
01/02/2015 09:54 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 215 Michigan
mprevo
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 215
Michigan
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My wife and I also stay at Mont Vernon each year. We actually stay in the Guadalupe Building also. The views are spectacular. The Mont Vernon Complex is a nice location but please keep in mind that it is very "Caribbean". The buildings (exteriors) are not perfect like a hotel but everything is still very nice. The last couple times we have been there they have been painting and fixing on things. Like I said we always enjoy our visit very much. The beach and pool have always been very quiet for us (even in high season). There is a 24 hour security so we have always felt very safe too. Here is a link for a map of the complex so you can see the Guadalupe Building location. I think that it is one best on the complex for location and views. http://www.st-martin-vacation.com/Maps/MontVernondrawn-map.htmlThere is a nice little store on the complex that you can pick up a few basic needs. There is also a small pizzeria that is open in the evenings. The store will have fresh Baggett’s that are prepared every morning available for your purchase (although don’t wait too long to go there or they may be gone depending on the crowds. If you decide not head into Grand Case for the evening there is a wonderful little restaurant called “Villa Pizza” not far from Mont Vernon (As you are exiting the road from Mont Vernon turn right (left would take you to Grand Case) and the restaurant will be on your right before you get to Cul de Sac. We usually eat at least a couple meals there every year. They have much more than just pizza too. Hope you enjoy your vacation. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask.
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Re: First Timer questions
[Re: IslandBound9]
#31441
01/03/2015 04:51 PM
01/03/2015 04:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US
candj
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
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I would try Shoal Bay West. We tried that about a year ago and enjoyed our visit. We left from Marigot and it took about 20 minutes to get there. Regardless of whether you go to St. Barts or Angilla, you will need your passport. You could also take a trip to Saba which is only about a 45 minute boat ride. Enjoy your trip.
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
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Re: First Timer questions
[Re: IslandBound9]
#31443
01/04/2015 07:09 AM
01/04/2015 07:09 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,011 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,011
Westchester /NYC
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Some "do's-don't's" Do have a great time!!! Don't over pack, most dinning is somewhat casual. Don't carry a lot of cash!! One CC and some euros when dinning on the French side. Best exchange IMHO is at the airport. DON'T leave anything in the car!! NEVER!! Have someone of you stay with it when running in "for a few things"!!! Do bring high number sunscreens!!! The breeze is really nice and the sun is a LOT hotter then you think!! If this is the first time that the privet parts are getting exposed more higher the number the better!!! Beach venders can be pushie, Take a ride one day for those things at http://www.rimasxm.com/default.asp in Philipsburg. We have stayed at Bruno's http://www.oparadis-sxm.com/gb/. It's located right behind Coco and http://www.waikikibeachsxm.com/.Chair rentals, Most beach front will offer free chairs and umbrella for the day when dining for lunch!!! Do go and have a great lunch NY-NJ style at Cheryl and Andy's. On Orient beach south end next to Club O. Although Andy has passed away his life will continue for ever in our hearts and in his food!! You'll love this place!!! Do book your next trip now for next year!!!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: First Timer questions
[Re: Colour1]
#31444
01/04/2015 09:50 AM
01/04/2015 09:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,781
Central Florida!
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David--unfortunately, Rima is closed. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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