Today was island tour day for our newbie friend. We have a Hyundia Accent and had hopes of getting a bigger vehicle but since the change from 4 people to 5 people was on short notice, it didn't happen. The car is a little tight with all of us in it but we are making it work. We did the typical tourist stops, including Bikini Beach for a drink and restroom stop. I am not sure what was up with the service but we waited close to 20 minutes after ordering our drinks for them to be delivered. I actually asked another server about them as others who came in after us were waited on and served while we continued to sit there. Oh well. Back on the road for a stop at Sunset. There was what looked like a concrete truck on its side at the round-a-bout at the causeway bridge, which had traffic backed up but with the aid of police directing traffic, it moved pretty decently.
To get good seating near the water at Sunset, you have to agree to order food, 3 appetizers where split and a couple of drinks each. 15% service charge is added and they are now charging $1 for each time one needs to use the restroom. You pay as you go in and then are given a ticket good for $1 off anything at Sunset. It was fun to see several jets come in, especially for the newbie but the place just is not as fun for me as it is too much of a circus atmosphere and there was only 1 ship in yesterday.
Back to The Atrium to clean up as we had dinner reservations at Jax. I went to Lee's for HH again and ran into a couple of TTOL friends from Boston, Jack and Barbara. We talked for a bit and then it was off to dinner.
All of us had either salad (split between 2) or an appetizer and wine with our steaks. Most had filet mignon but I opted for the beef short rib, which was the best I have ever had. Some desserts were in order to end a really good meal with equally good service. No service charge was added and we tipped well for the service we had. Sheila, Sue and their father were dining there also.
Some went to the casino to make a donation while the others went to the Beer Garden to catch up with Kevin on his last night here. Sheila and Sue joined us also.
Overall, it was a good day once I got the troops moving.
Orange Fever is on the agenda today.
On another note, when we passed by the airport yesterday, I noticed multiple workers planting new flowers, shrubs, bushes etc. along the road in front of the airport. This is all well and good and I know they want the airport to look good but I would think maybe getting the interior finished to make arrivals and departures a little more efficient might be a priority over exterior landscaping. It would seem to me that the laborers doing the landscaping could have been put to better use under the current conditions and timeframe this has taken.
All and all sounds like your newbies had a good day!! We had a similar experience with the "new " bikini when they reopened after Irma. It seemed like we were intruding on them because we were American. When I asked, are you still doing free chairs with lunch and drinks. I got snubbed. Took that off the list!! IMHO, Laplaya has the best food and staff on the big beach bar and restaurants!! Everyone is so nice and price, I think it's in line with first class food and drinks!!! Sadly you are right, Sunset has become a tourist trap, what's this sh*t about a dollar for the bathroom??? I guess they cador to the ships now and many to cheap to buy a drink, but need the bathroom!!! You're doing a great job, Mr. Tour guild!!! We know, this will not be there last time on the island!! Check out the grilled lobster at Chez Leandra and the Royal rum punch!!! It's KILLER!!
We haven't been to Bikini since they were the only restaurant open on Orient after Irma. We had a large group coming there, and were pretty much ignored by the bartender when we sat down to get a drink before the rest of our group arrived. There are plenty of places that appreciate my business, and I choose to patronize those.
I am with you on Bikini Beach and your thoughts. A few years ago, we went to Bikini. 3 of the 4 wanted to eat there as well as enjoy the beach. We paid for the chairs and I was told I could NOT have a cooler and had to buy from them. I explained some were going to eat there, along with relaxing on the beach. All the while, a group of French guys behind us had a large cooler and nothing was said to them. We only stopped yesterday as I knew they had decent restroom facilities and I was able to park close. We enjoyed Orange Fever last year so will give it a try again. I will have to put LaPlaya on my list.
Yep, $1 to use the restroom at Sunset, unless the attendant is not there. I was hoping to get to Driftwood but it was packed up as well.
After our trip to Orient we have heard really good things about JOA which is next to Orange Fever. We went to Orange Fever and enjoyed it, JOA to be honest looked light on people and did not look that inviting but we didn't pay it that much attention. I mostly remember looking at the place because we couldn't remember what was there before. We have since been told their chef is top notch, we might give it a try this next trip to Orient. If at OF you might want to take a look at what they offer for a future trip and if you do it would be interesting to hear about it or from others that have been there.
I prefer the Isle seat
Re: Day 5 Thursday
[Re: Todd]
#315646 03/15/202408:23 AM03/15/202408:23 AM
Well, I guess the cruise ship people have officially ruined SSBB. I kind of understand why they have ended up charging for the bathroom, since so many people just go there and stand around or whatever, and then go to the bathroom. Speaking of bathrooms, I assume that Driftwood still has that kind of porta-potty? We rarely go there, because it is so hard to get someplace to park.
We haven't been to Bikini in a long time. Sounds like we don't need to break that record.
Hi Todd I saw that Joa was not busy as the others also. If you are referring to the Michelin chef he is now at Aloha other side of Joa. Last year we had dinner at his villa beside the pool it was fantastic but looking at the menu at Aloha its more in line with the other beach places. We didn'e eat there this trip. Chez Leandra is another place we liked and while very busy was consistently good. One thing we learned years ago is when dining an a French restaurant don't be in a hurry and we like that.
JOA was NOT busy but it was not really a good weather day, hence the reason we are back already. The one server at Orange Fever said it was a much different vibe, more $$ and louder "thumping" music.
Orange Fever was pretty busy and when the rain started, the inside filled up totally. I had gone in about 10 minutes before the rain started to get a table, very glad I did. The food and service were very good. A bottle of Pinot Noir that we paid $45 or so for at Jax last night was just $22, so we had two!
Kon Tiki was not at all busy either, just a few loungers in the first row taken and that was it.
I think the rain and overcast conditions kept a lot of people off the beach as Orient was not at all busy.
I am glad I am not the only one to feel as I do about Bikini Beach.
I had a mahi mahi burger and shared some pizza. Both were very good.
Also, I was at a loss for names when I wrote this. The TTOL friends from Boston are Jack and Barbara. I met them again tonight at Lee's for happy hour and their last meal as they leave tomorrow. Very nice people.
Put Chez Leandra on that list of yours on Orient beach!! It's a little family from the island and everything is so good!! Zee and his sisters are great! The grilled lobster according to my expert "Fabila" was one of the best on the island! Very reasonably priced!! Don't forget as I said , the Royal rum punch!!!
