1/24
ARRIVAL.....
Flight was uneventful until we met Arlene & Harris (sirrah) in SJU airport! Pahtytime!! We agreed to have a quick supper @ Tap5. Arlene & I shared an excellent 4 cheese pizza while the men had Tagliatelle Bolognese which they agreed was quite good! So far, life is good.....
ACCOMMODATIONS......
We stayed at Bruno's villa Pinel ( which was actually a very large, studio ). Our villa d'jaba sharing friends had to cancel due to pregnancy. ( hate when that happens
The studio was quite large with a full kitchen, a 1st level king-size and a loft bedroom. Very comfortable for a couple with children.
Excellent views of Orient. I will return.
Day one on the beach was like returning home.....
The reception from the beach guys, security, Willy, staff @ Pedros and Andy, Cheryl, Ross & Adrian are worth the price of the trip!!! We sure were home!
Meeting up with LeeLee & Tom, Clem & Paulette, Harris & Arlene, our old and dear friends, was making life much better!! As if that wasn't enough, we made some new friends.....Captain Bill, who is a very interesting fellow, an author & research sailor, who was living on his ' boat ' which was moored in Simpson Bay, and the gorgeous, Brigitte & her Prince, fascinating and beautiful people who owned a villa on Orient. We were invited to 'pahty' with them and other friends at the magnificent villa which is something out of Architectural Digest!! Fabulous doesn't fully describe. They were gracious hosts. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Each day on the beach brought laughs and wonderful exchanges with our friends, in spite of the windy conditions. Each day brought more friends.....
Mario & Surfergirl, the 'Little people'...Kathy, Duncan, Jan & Rick....Frank, Carolle & Suzanne.....Cinde, Dave, Paul & Dawn....then IndyAndy, Susan, Johnny Caribe & Toby! Our group sure was expanding!!
WEATHER......
Each day brought a less wind and more sun. Each day brought changes to the beach. The beach was narrowing near the Perch but widening towards Papagayos.
Each day brought more fun......life was improving by the minute!
RESTAURANTS.....
Tap 5
Peg Leg Pub
Mini Club
The Wharf
Bananas ( 2x )
Villa Pizza ( 2x )
Bistrot Caraibes ( saved the best for last!! )
(We dined alone a few times for some quiet time.
Also had a birthday dinner with friends staying @ Green Cay, not to mention, dining with Brigitte & her Prince, at their villa. Ah...only in SXM!)
Life sure is good.......
TAP 5.....w/Arlene & Harris.....excellent pizza & pasta Bolognese. $1/2
PEG LEG PUB.....Sean ......what can I say?? Always the charmer and always, the consummate gentleman! The service was actually good, in spite of our large group. LeeLee & Tom, Thierry, Mimi, Aaron and CLEM & Paulette. Our food was very good (garlic shrimp & mango chicken ), however, some people said the beef wasn't up to par. Can happen. Wonderful entertainment, David from the Perch & Papagayo fame, was actually, quite good. We really enjoyed them.
A fun night! $$
MINI CLUB.....w/LeeLee & Tom. What a wonderful buffet. The cost is $45. Euros which includes an extensive buffet and a bottle of wine per couple. While I'm not fond of buffets, this one was worth trying. Lots of salads, chicken, duck, lamb, suckling pig, lobster and prime rib. Plus, desserts.
The place was packed with local French. Reservations highly suggested. Ivan from the old Portofino is the buffet 'server' and is a welcome change from the grouchy owner (only negative)...that woman never smiled or acknowleged anyone....including the locals. But, Ivan more than made up for her attitude. We were more than pleased and certainly very full!! ( the Mini Club is located on the waterfront in Marigot on the 2nd level. Can be recognized by the lights around the palm trees. The Mini Club has been in operation for at approx. 25 yrs. ) $$1/2
THE WHARF....w/Arlene, Harris, Brigitte & her Prince, Kathy, Duncan, Frank, Carolle, Suzanne, Rick & Jan ( 1st timers ). Food was quite good....entertainment, very good....and the service was wonderful. Saw Bernard & Elvis. Also, saw Erich Krantz, gourmand and bon vivant, who took our picture for The Wharf website. Check out
www.the-wharf-restaurant.com Cool!!! Later, Elvis managed to corrupt some of our group with drinks. What a guy! $$1/4
BANANAS......excellent, both times! Brian LeBlanc (TTOL late ) is working there and is awesome! Excellent personality....going around to each table to check on people and their food. (Just like Bob...NOT!) A very refreshing change of pace for Bananas. LeeLee, Tom & I had the wonderful stuffed mushrooms and Sword had the fried bananas ( his favorite ), for app's. I had the Shrimp Blimps, LeeLee had Shrimp Scampi, Tom & Sword had the Prime rib which they thoroughly enjoyed. They were impressed with the portions....and the dessert of fried bananas & ice cream. Highly recommend.
When we told some other friends about our good experience they wanted us to join them for a return visit. Group was Cinde & Dave (Cinde_Dave), Paul & Dawn (their friends), Frank, Carolle & Suzanne, and Arlene & Harris. I had the Shrimp Scampi which was wonderful. Some of our group had the King Crab Legs.....the red snapper, prime rib, salmon and can't remember what else. All I can say is that no one was talking much and no complaints! A very good sign.
Only complaint......horribly uncomfortable chairs. But, then again, it's not Temptations! $$
VILLA PIZZA.......this is a new place on Cul d'Sac, just down the road from Au Grain d'Sel, which is where we were headed. The sign outside Au Grain said they had moved down the street, and we couldn't find them. However, we later found out that they were closed on Saturdays. So, we went to the next restaurant which was Villa Pizza. Very good. Sword had pizza ( he's an addict )$8.00 Euros and I had the lasagna w/small salad, $8.00 Euros, which was quite good. Only problem with the lasagna was it was quite meaty, which I don't eat, but the noodles & sauce were quite delicious. Hubby tried the meat and said it was super! Our dinner w/2 diet cokes & a glass of wine cost: $24. Euros....quite reasonable.
2nd time we dined there we were on our way to Au Grain d'Sel, yet again....this time on Sunday night.mmThey were closed, again! So, we figured out that they're closed on Sat. & Sundays so don't try them on those days! (However, we did drive by on Friday night to check if they were actually open and it was hopping!) It's a new, large restaurant, now....too bad that we missed them this time.....yet another reason to return! We met up with Dave & Cinde and Paul & Dawn. I had the Tagliatelle Alfredo au Poulet which was fantastic!! There were a few pizza on the table as well as a lasagna and everyone loved their dinner! Very good food and very reasonable. A new find, which I hesitate to share.....but be sure to send Natalie, our beautiful waitress, my regards!! $1/2
BISTROT CARAIBES......well, what can I say? We were 12 for dinner and everything was won fantastic. Of course, seeing Thibault & Amaury is always worth the trip, too!! I had the goat cheese/smoked duck salad.....ooooolala comes to mind. Also, the chicken with risotto....another ooooolala. Hubby, enjoyed the Shrimp w/pasta. A few ducks were being devoured by our group as well as some salmon. Not a complaint.
I think I caught someone in our group licking their plate. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> And of course, dessert......hubby thoroughly enjoyed the creme brulee, yet again and I had the Contessa special ( hot chocolate lava cake w/homemade ice cream which was shared ). Not to mention the flavored rum which was left on the table.....oh, those boys need a spanking!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> A fantastic evening was had by all!!! $$$
TTOL PAHTY......
A wonderful evening. Mario & Surfergirl did a great job!! Elisa provided many appetizers and happy hour drinks. Elisa is a very hard worker. Met so many TTOL family members, that I'm not mentioning any names for fear of forgetting someone. But, you all know who you are and it was wonderful putting faces to names. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and chatting with you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Saw many TTOL'rs on the beach daily, as well as people from back home!!<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Ahhh.....life sure is interesting in SXM!!
SUPERBOWL.....
Arlene & Harris graciously invited us to their villa @ Green Cay. Also, invited were Cinde, Dave, Paul & Dawn. Arlene outdid herself with preparations....we all provided some 'Superbowl' appetizers. Arlene made 2 types of pasta. A wonderful array of delights.
Happiness is.....watching the Superbowl with good friends as well as good food. Well....we're 'in the mood' and turned on the TV to ESPN which was the Superbowl station. Seems that there was Ladies Volleyball on. Ok....
Are we ready for some FOOTBALL?? More Ladies V.B. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> So where's the FOOTBALL??? Well,everyone was hoping that pretty soon the Superbowl will make an appearance. At 8PM, it was becoming apparant that there will not be a SUPERBOWL on our TV!!! More flipping....NO FOOTBALL!! HOWEVER, the pahty was still in full force!! With good friends and good food, who needs football??
Perhaps, WE will have a VOLLEYBALL PAHTY each year!! Anyone can have a Superbowl Pahty!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
OBSERVATIONS......
The roads are in worse condition and more crowded. Traffic was nearly moving in the Simpson Bay area, during the day.....evenings were fine. The high rises are autrocious, IMHO. Will someone please educate me as to where the owners/renters of the new high rises will be able to move around the island?? If the traffic is a problem now, it will only get much worse.
According to the size of the new terminal, more visitors are being anticipated. How will THEY get around the island? I can't imagine it getting any better in the near future. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />
Saw a couple of near crimes. One on Orient at Pedro's parking lot in broad daylight. A lookout, who started to ask me questions to distract me and another guy with a tool in his hand trying to pry open the window of a car. When I approached he moved away and walked quickly out of the parking lot. His lookout disappeared. Another, outside on the waterfront in Marigot. A young fellow sitting on the side of the road and another one trying to open trunks. Hubby walked near one of the cars and they both took off. Please be AWARE!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />
FUN STUFF......
Our friends, IndyAndy and Johnny Caribe arrived with spouses and Johnny Caribe brought his guitar, of course, and he jammed with the musicians @ Pedro's on Sun. afternoon. Well, 'jammed' isn't exactly the truth.....he took over and made the place ROCK!! He plays a lot of Jimmy Buffet tunes and gets everyone, including the staff, up and dancing and singing. So much fun!! Then the next day he brought the old geetar on the beach and we had a replay of ' Beach Blanket Bingo'.....only people missing were Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello!! Lots of people on the beach gathered around our area and sang and danced and had shakers in had to add to the entertainment. Even Security seemed to enjoy!!! A far cry from 2 yrs. ago when we got 'busted' by the beach 'fuzz'!!! So much fun. I even won a Johnny Caribe Tee Shirt for doing the Twist!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> Not easy to do with high-heel sandals in the sand!!
( only kidding! ) What a wonderful way to end a vacation.
Life certainly is a beach........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/newyears.gif" alt="" /> Contessa
PS.....hope I didn't leave anything or anyone out.....if so, I'll try to make amends! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/snore.gif" alt="" />
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