<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" /> Awake from the Gateway Sheraton around 3 am and flew out of Toronto, Sky Service around 6:30 am on the 15th. Cold, cold, cold. This was 10th or 11th time on, for our money, the most fabulous island in the Carribean. Watch your luggage weight,, we all know about stuffed bags coming back, but the guy beside me at check in had to pay 56 bucks for overweight, probably not familiar with the price of spirits on the island or packing Irons <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Kudos to Sky Service, great flight, staff, service and we lucked out with the extra leg room seats. Peeled off Track Suits for shorts n' sandals. Mind boggling at the St. Maarten Airport, the luggage came along the belt as we walked up to it, definitely a first for us. I usually get the first bag 15 minutes or so after waiting while the second materializes, 15 minutes after that!
Met Lesley Bruce of Kenny's waiting with a nice clean, dent free Corolla. Ran well for the week, no problems except for starting the car 33 times with the locking mechanism still in place on the gear shift much to Patti's amusement. You know, shut the car off now and unlock etc. Start the car again etc.
Down to Divi to check in around 1 oclock, store the luggage and miss the lineup later. Over to the SSBB for hot dogs and watch a few planes coming in, never ceases to amaze us watching the aircraft or antics of the newbes panicking on the beach <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Back to Divi between 3-4 and um missed the lineup managing to get our room key and a lift up the hill. Out around 7 and headed to Peg Legs, taking Shawn his annual carton of Old Port Cigars and saying hey to Dwayne and Reeves two very entertaining and knowledgeable Bartenders. I think we are close to the record for closing Peg's most nights. Anyway the best filets from Chef Danny who I call the "professor". If you enjoy your meal, step back to the kitchen and let em know, they really appreciate it.
Jack and Linda arrived a short while later and Jack dropped by to say hi and flatter Pattias usual, smart guy, I'II have to learn to do that some year.
Not having paid as much attention to this board until December of last year I obviously missed the Dolphins move driving into the Cavansari after dinner to a new place still being built, so we headed up to the Atlantis past Mullet Bay for the first time in several years. Almost got held up at the Casino Royale by the Maho as the Dancers paraded into the street around 9:05 pm which they do every night that a show is on provided it's not raining. More about that later.
We were pleased with the improved lighting and security at the Atlantis in the parking areas. The Casino after dinner is a regular evening for us for her slots and my poker. Lots of 3 card poker this year in place of carribean stud and by the end of the week while I still had my shirt, must admit it was a little tattered <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Back to the resort only hiting my head once on the roof of the car, takes a day or too to get used to the speed bumps again.
Dragged Patti out of bed Sunday morning and over to Orient, you couldn't miss me, bald guy, no hat, lathered in white Sun Block, looking absolutely Gothic for a number of days. I reason if I wore a hat, my dome stays white and I have this line above my ebrows, circling my head like the equator, better to burn it all <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> least my colors consistent. I don't know how it happens, but I always manage to rub some block off and get weird streaks of red in the middle of my forehead above my eyes. Anyway Orient was a daily visit for us and this year we lay down at the Cool Corner just past Kon Tiki, 7 bucks each for a chair, umbrella, small table and free drink (no skimping on the alchol there either.+ private washroom. We had awesome service, great conversations and fun with John our island beachboy for the week. You can park directly
behind there. While we did hang out there and the food was okay, it was Andy and Cheryl down at Baywatch of course who fed us with great food and kibitzing as usual on most days that week. A little windy and overcast a few days, but still ok with us considering what we left in Toronto.
We had read about numerous Gendarmes being on and around the beach, but that must be a concentration conducted in the fall as we saw none the entire week. Lots of dogs this year and most were entertaining (I live with the second coming of St. Francis) You read here how people take zip lock bags, she takes dog treats <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> go figure.
Our favourite dog on the island would have to be Miss Dolly who hangs out at the Hill Top Gift Shops just past the Orient Beach entrance. Dam difficult getting out of there though without her after someone spoils the daylights out of her. If you buy liquor there it goes towards assisting the stray dogs etc.
The 3 am of the previous day now materializes somewhat stupefying you. Sooo, no restaurant this night but down to the Lido for some ribs and chicken, she made more furry friends there too! I see it often asked where that is and if you come down the hill from Phillipsburg turn left and go about half a block, its on the left you cannot miss it. Tonight its takeout back at Divi. Gee St. Maarten always gets knocked for being too expensive <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />3 bucks for a full rack and 2 for the chicken leg and thigh. Add a container of Potato Salad and a bottle of wine coupled with the day before =unconscious shortly. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />
Back to the beach again next day, more sun, sand, Cheryl's cheeseburgers and Onion Rings. We like the shops at the Hill top and stopped in to make some purchases, prices not out of order really and no crowds. Our other shopping tips would be to hit Phillipsburg around 4 pm regardless of how many ships might be in port, it is the least crowded part of the day.
Remember, park in the main lot by the police station and drive in the exit, park the car then go and get your ticket. Also, that lot closes at 7 p.m. there is still lots of local controversy about cars being towed even from government land. If you can't afford a buck an hour, you shouldn't be on the island <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Although the Marigot (french side) market (Wed & Sat) is colourful and interesting with fresh fruits and seafood, we find the prices better in Phillipsburg for the souvenirs etc. So now its Monday night and we slide into Halseys by the bridge at Simpson Bay having read some good things about it.
We met Eefje (pronounced aphia) a pretty "Dutchie" and Nisha and Jason, great wait staff. Eefje's left hand was bandaged and I wondered who took the left hook, but just a carpal problem. They were excellent, the food, stuffed chicken supreme for me and shrimps and scallops for Patti was also excellent as well as the entertainment from Dwayne the Peg Legs Bartender off duty that night enjoying Halseys.
We highly recommend it.
Please remember, it's Ed and Sandra who are this board's
connosseurs of dining (and they do know their stuff). My ratings are sort of a galloping lunch bucket's version comparatively but I do know what tastes good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Oink.gif" alt="" />
Getting too long now, so stay tuned for our further adventures starting in Grand Case for Harmony Nights on Tuesdays, coming soon.
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