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Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
#41148
02/21/2015 06:00 PM
02/21/2015 06:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
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The is a preface an appetizer, if you will, of a trip report I will write later this evening if I can stay awake long enough after Maho.
A couple of points:
First (and I say this with the greatest respect and deference) I cannot imagine why anybody would ever, ever, want to go to Philipsburg.
Ever.
I had been advised, or suggested perhaps, that my kids would like an afternoon on Great Bay Beach. We went, and I would not wish this experience on Osama Bin Laden. Every three feet someone is trying to sell you chairs, or jet skis, or Segways. I am not good at crowds, in fact I have murdered a great number of people in crowds like this (oh dear, did I say that out loud?) in the past. So you go to the back street, and hawkers are trying to get you to enter their stores. I have no patience for this whatsoever. Sit on bench, think, think, calm, calm, breathe, breathe, think happy thoughts, no(!) killing. <pause> Though I do buy my best pal a nice Heineken Regatta long sleeve t-shirt at the Shipwreck Store (that Kim had to find lest I kill several bystanders).
I am trying to figure out the whole Philipsburg dynamic without being a completely judgemental [censored]. You are on a cruise ship. You pull into St Martin. Instead of choosing some day trip from the catalogue you think it would be better to shop all day for crap that neither you, nor anybody else, really needs. Have you considered getting a $150,000 Breitling lately? Honestly, you can get it much more easily, unless you’re keen on impressing your newest belle femme by devil-may-carelessly whipping out the black Amex. "And throw in a bag of loose jewels for the lady," you say.
Second, the drive from the pit of hell er, excuse me, “Philipsburg” to Simpson Bay, while congested, is glorious. But you want to be on your game. Traffic alternates between petrified tourists in the largest minivans Toyota has ever conceived, to immortals from ancient mythology who have chosen 2 stroke scooters as their earthly mode of transport.
Third, Sunset Beach Bar. It’s probably illegal to print gold bars made from tourists, but this is precisely what this place is doing. The most expensive drinks on the island, the greatest chance of observing a self-satisfied young lady standing at the bar with her completely non-enhanced frontal units eating french fries and drinking Presidente from the bottle.
I have to lighten up.
A swim at the villa, then napping, Then going to Maho (for the sake of a restless teenager). Probably Mexican food. More later.
This, thanks to adrenaline and Stoli, longer than intended.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: WWII]
#41151
02/21/2015 06:15 PM
02/21/2015 06:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
OP
Traveler
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OP
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
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I mean no offense, WWII. Just my gut response.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41152
02/21/2015 06:17 PM
02/21/2015 06:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,761 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,761
Central Florida!
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<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Truthfully, I don't enjoy P'Burg any more either. Used to love shopping in general. These days, can't stand shopping. Guess that must be it..
Carol Hill
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41153
02/21/2015 06:30 PM
02/21/2015 06:30 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646 Brookfield, CT.
pat
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646
Brookfield, CT.
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Ritchard,
Methinks somebody needs a nap or a drink or both? It happens, and even more often when trying to host those youngsters..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Personally speaking, we always enjoy our shopping days in town even though I hate to 'shop' per se and really never buy very much of anything, but from years of experience and practical application, we know the P'berg ins and outs and do's and don'ts - we know to go very early before the shops open and have a pleasant and leisurely breakfast somewhere along the beach while we watch the town come alive.
We also know to check the cruise ship calendar before we head into town as anything over two ships is one too many for me. But we have friends of long standing who have businesses in town and it's always fun to catch up with them. We really don't consider Great Bay Beach to be a destination beach, but it is a place where you can eat, drink, beach it, shop, or even book and do the fabulous 12 Metre sailing excursion or any of a number of other great trips and activities that all originate out of P'berg.
And lastly, we know to beat feet out of town by noon at the latest so we can head back to our favorite beach or pool or bar or any combination of those three. P'berg isn't for the feint-hearted but we always enjoy our days in town so I'm sorry to hear it didn't work for you and your family. But I totally agree about the beach vendors across the island and the SSBAG - they just don't do it for us either.
Please keep the write ups coming as I think we're all enjoying your sense of humor, your ability to tell a story and your art of bringing us all along with you. Thank you..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: whammy]
#41155
02/21/2015 06:54 PM
02/21/2015 06:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
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Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
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I do apologize if that came off as overly grouchy. I am proud of being grouchy, but do not like to overdo anything.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41157
02/21/2015 06:58 PM
02/21/2015 06:58 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278 Maryland/DC Metro
BeachKitten
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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Pat makes great points (doesn't she always?). Avoid lots of cruise ship days, have a plan, go early, get in/get out!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Love P-Burg for jewels, spices, hot sauces, misc goodies. People watching from a restaurant along the boardwalk. Never for a beach experience.
Your boys might love the 12-meter excursion.
"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest"
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: whammy]
#41159
02/21/2015 07:15 PM
02/21/2015 07:15 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,761 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,761
Central Florida!
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Yeah, it's hot and crowded and there's no parking, etc., etc.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I used to love it though.
Carol Hill
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41162
02/21/2015 08:28 PM
02/21/2015 08:28 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 771
phillygirl7
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 771
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We have brought many a group to SXM, and on the list of all is always a trip to P-Burg, and I get bored with it so quickly. I have learned the trick of always stopping at Holland House for a quick beverage with the group, and before we leave, I tell everyone to meet back in 2.5 hours at this same Holland House for another after shopping cocktail. I am usually back at the Holland House within an hour. I used to love the ladybird cocktail there, but of late, no one knows what I mean by that anymore. The group tends to saunter in within the two to three hours of shopping. Jewelry, trinkets, and liquor purchases are what they are buying. And some expensive Robert Graham shirts by the one sharp dresser in our group.
Same thing with the Sunset Bar, I would rather spend my money elsewhere, but that is what the group always wants to do. They do have good apple pancakes there at the Sunset Bar if you want breakfast there, preferably before all the cruise ship people come in. And maybe stop in later so they can take pictures of the bigger planes coming in.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41163
02/21/2015 08:52 PM
02/21/2015 08:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 334 Pittsburgh, PA
jerber160
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 334
Pittsburgh, PA
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first,I'm loving your trip reports. Philipsburg. all fond memories for me. just chilling on the beach before our first windjammer sailed and mom gave me money to splurge and I bought a gold chain-and guavaberry-what was I thinking? another trip-trying to track down a video store that would sell me a copy of The Lunatic- before there was an amazon. searching for cd's .. all good in a touristy kitschy kind of way. Now I'm thinking you could send the boys out to the 12 metre regatta- from pburg
Last edited by jerber160; 02/21/2015 08:54 PM.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41165
02/21/2015 11:02 PM
02/21/2015 11:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613 originally Long Island, NY/now...
irish1223
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,613
originally Long Island, NY/now...
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You didn't come across as grouchy to me. We also avoid Pburg like the plague. Went there once several years ago and haven't gone back. Hated the crowds, the insistence of shopkeepers to 'come in, come in', and never found anything there that I wanted that I couldn't buy at home. We must have had a dozen hawkers ask us if we're 'American'. We must be easy targets. LOL! My hubby started telling people he was from (fill in the blank with various countries). <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
We go for the beaches (not Great Bay), the food, and some relaxation. I personally don't find any of that in Pburg, but that's just me. Others seem to enjoy it. It's not our cup of tea.
Robin & Ed
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41167
02/21/2015 11:08 PM
02/21/2015 11:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,373 Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,373
Hershey, Pennsylvania
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Love your writing style. For what it's worth, we do Philipsburg for tee shirts that we usually leave behind when we go home, you know the cheap ones that are thin and dry quickly but shrink when washed. Used to buy cigars there at either Emporium or Casa de Habana but now bring my own from home, Still go to Belgium Chocolates but remember we live in Hershey.PA so we know a little bit about chocolate. Antoines, great dinner but that is not a shopping thing, but still in Philipsburg.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Tom]
#41168
02/22/2015 01:49 AM
02/22/2015 01:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254 Canada
Birdwatcher
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 254
Canada
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We always check the cruise ship schedule before heading into P'Burg, know where we want to shop, and just ignore the hawkers. Been there twice on this trip and found it rather quiet; the first time hubby announced he no longer likes the beach there so that cut our time down. The second time was even shorter than the first, due to the fact I couldn't get any money out of an ATM machine. Two attempts resulted in zilch being dispensed and the third attempt resulted in a message that I had exceeded my daily limit. I wasn't very happy and any thought of shopping went out the window. Got back and called my friendly bank, collect, and got things sorted out. That's P'Burg for this year!
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41177
02/22/2015 10:04 AM
02/22/2015 10:04 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 298 Ontario, Canada
SURICK
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 298
Ontario, Canada
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Perspective, perspective etc. I was going to pass on by and not comment on your view of Philipsburg because I do agree that we all have different tastes (which is why I do not like to pass on my likes and dislikes) What one loves, others do not share their perspective.
Now granted you went to Philipsburgh with a different agenda than most. Most visitors from cruise ships and TTOLer's go with the intention of buying jewelry or other souvenirs. I do agree that to get off a ship and walk around town all day and spend the day at Great Bay Beach is not my cup of tea. They truly are missing out many of the other fine qualities that the island has to offer. However, years ago I might have shared your view of this town, but for the past 6 years we stay in town and hang with the locals. In the a.m I get up and head to Salt Pond Rd to pick up fresh pastries and a newspaper from Carl & Sons, go for breakfast on Back St, get my haircut by Harvey on Back St., get my car washed at Sparkle, go to my Dentist on Front St., pick up a samosa near the gym and then head out of town to Orient Beach. At nights on occasion we head to Chesterfields for Happy Hour where Patricia and Claudette serve us and then it is off to anywhere we want to go. Sometimes it is The 12 Metre for a drink with Flo or the Greenhouse for fish tacos with Chrissie. We used to stay in Oyster Pond which was a long drive to Simpson Bay at night, but not so now from Philipsburg.
For us this location is one of the best as we do not feel like we are tourists. We love it when we are out walking around and locals always greet us with "Good Morning" which does not happen all that often back home. So for us we love Philipsburgh for many reasons ...most of them being the friends we know from here.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: moxie]
#41179
02/22/2015 11:40 AM
02/22/2015 11:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515 Eastern Caribbean
Ritchard
OP
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 515
Eastern Caribbean
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Moxie is sure right, over here in Orient it is raining like mad, and has been doing so for about three hours.
_______________________
Working hard to be the best yacht bum I can be.
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Re: Trip Report #5, amuse bouche
[Re: Ritchard]
#41180
02/22/2015 04:20 PM
02/22/2015 04:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 683 Albany, New York
WWII
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 683
Albany, New York
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Ritchard said: I mean no offense, WWII. Just my gut response. None taken, I 've been there in the heat on ahopping trip and couldn't wait to get out of there. It happens.
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