A continuing saga of bareboating (or not) in SXM
After an endless night at anchor in the heaving harbor of Gustavia, we awoke to a brilliant morning. Skipper Jim’s first duty was to clear us in through Immigration , so Andy and I spoke up quickly for the opportunity to dinghy in to the dock. I stuffed my passport, travelers checks and as many clothes as I could quickly manage into a beach bag, and clutching this precious cargo I boarded the dinghy. Right next to the Immigration office was the extremely helpful Tourist Bureau. Fifteen minutes later I had procured a room at the charmingly quaint Sunset Hotel overlooking beautiful Gustavia Harbor. This tiny gem of a hotel had cozy AIR CONDITIONED rooms , spotless baths, and totally motionless beds with snowy white , if somewhat threadbare, sheets. I was in heaven – and all for only 60 euros per night.
Meanwhile the crew maneuvered KuDu dockside. They were protected now, but it was boiling hot. To cool them off I called Nancy at Maurice Car Rentals and asked her to bring our pre-booked , air conditioned Terios ($60.00 US per day) to the hotel. We were off to the beach, and St Jeans was the closest. We were absolutely flabbergasted by the tiny planes dipping so low over the beach that we ducked every time – certain that their landing gear would graze our heads. The water was so gorgeous, and my friends only slightly raised their eyebrows when I “lost” the top half of my swimsuit. It felt divine and Andy and I still had the prospect of that adorable little hotel awaiting us.
After a couple hours of refreshment (somewhat pricey beverages – it was $18.00 for a beer and a strawberry daquiri) we headed back to the dock. Our friends opted to grill on board, but Andy announced to all that he was taking me out “someplace special”. We wandered the streets of Gustavia and spied a candlelit balcony high above the harbor. Climbing up a narrow rocky alley we found las Alamandas (spelling may be a bit off).
The view of the harbor lights from our balcony table shimmering with candlelight was unforgettable. We shared appetizers of escargot and salad dressed with white truffle oil, then split an entree of shrimp with fettucinne all complimented an excellent white wine for me and a fine martini for Andy. Dinner for two – $130.00 U.S. – falling in love with Paradise – priceless.
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