SXM Trip Part 3-2

We were enjoying a nice midday snack at Rosemary's when a horse with no rider casually walked right past our table. I asked our waitress if this was normal and she said "its master must be around somewhere!" After lunch we walked towards our car and I stopped and asked this fellow "what's with the long face?" heheee.....I guess its master finally found him!





We drove back to our villa at NBBC and quickly grabbed our swim suits and a few beers for the beach. I wasn't sure what to expect at Baie Rouge since it was our first time there. The beach is only a couple minutes from the villa. We lucked out and found a front row parking space and were immediately approached by a nice young gentleman who asked if we needed an umbrella and chairs. We told him we have never been to this beach and he took us down the steps for a brief tour. There's a couple nice bars side by side here with frozen drinks, food and $3 beers, nice! So much for lugging our bag-o-beers!





At first glance I thought this beach was a little more crowded than we prefer, but when the young man set our umbrella and chairs front and center on this beautiful beach my impressions quickly changed. This is an amazing beach! It's probably a mile and a half long and very wide. The sand was super soft and felt great on our bare feet. The surf was up a bit, but we enjoyed playing in the waves and once past the break it was comfortable to float around in the warm turquoise waters. Couple things that we really enjoyed on St Martin were the long beaches and the beach bars.




Of course we grabbed a couple ice cold Presidente's from the bar, then we chilled on our comfortable loungers for a while. Beer never tasted so good! It was truly great to be away from the snow and frigged temperatures back home in Virginia, I highly recommend a winter getaway, anywhere! We watched people of all ages frolic in the somewhat powerful surf, some would be seen getting slammed by the intermittent LARGE waves, great fun. Soon it would be our turn.











As I looked around I couldn't help but notice a wonderful rock outcropping to my right and it was calling my name. I left my wife to get her tan on contently lying on her water front lounger. I ventured over to the point where the rocks were and ascended some "private villa" stairs. Cautiously I navigated from the steps to the rocks around the point with the waves breaking beneath me. You really never know what's around the corner if you don't make the effort!



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We are never content to just sit in the same spot for very long, so after a while we grabbed the camera and started our walk. We never felt uneasy anywhere during this trip and we did leave our towels and small bag at our chairs figuring we could live without the stuff we left behind. Our goal was to walk the entire length of beach. Once past the first 200 yards we had the beach to ourselves, nice. The sand here really is nice and our feet sunk in as we walked. When we hit probably the mile mark we said "is it really necessary to walk the whole beach? Yes!", we trudged on. Wisely we took a bottle of water with us because it was a pretty decent workout in this sand. As we neared the magnificent towering cliff side supported by boulders at the far point we noticed that the tide must be coming in. We asked each other, "should we keep going, the waves are coming in?" Yes! we trudged on. There was a point where a lot of footprints stopped and turn around, but my wife continued on, must reach the end! This is perhaps my favorite photo from the trip because it shows her venturing on to see what's out there....

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So we accomplished our goal and proceeded back from whence we came. The sand had not firmed up and we were once again trudging along passing several beautiful villas along the way. The only person we saw along this stretch of amazing beach was a security guard diligently standing post near the tropical estates, nice job!

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Funny story, or not so funny for me! As we made it 2/3 back to our comfy loungers my right foot dove deep in the sand and my big toe hit squarely on a buried rock that was hidden deep below the surface. My big toe, nail specifically, hit with enough force that would make a lesser man cry out "Ffffffffffudge NOT AGAIN!" Ok....so I did cry out "Ffffffffudge NOT AGAIN!" My wife abruptly turned with a look of either deep concern or perhaps she was thinking "jeesh I'm married to a clutsy idiot!" If you get queazy now's the time to stop reading.... I looked down at my sand covered foot and could see the blood oozing from the top of my toe. I was certain it was a career ending blow, but I didn't want to look closely at it. If you read my BVI/BlueMoon trip reports you would know that I....time to stop reading again......hit the same big toe on a raised dock board and COMPLETELY dislodged my toenail. It took a year for that nail to grow back and it was a fine looking nail I might add! Once back at the loungers my wife asked "do you want to get something for your toe?" I shrugged and proceeded to the bar and grabbed a frozen colada and a Presidente! Yeah, whose crying now!!

After our drink and a quick survey of the trauma we packed up and headed for the nearest pharmacy. Porto Cupecoy was the nearest "real" store that we knew of so drove there. A security guard safely guided our vehicle into a parking space upon arrival. As we exited the vehicle he asked how we were and I said good except for this! he winced when I held up my toe with enthusiasm. He said "come see me when you get your supplies". I returned to the parking lot with peroxide, neosporin and band aids. He handed me some clippers and said "you gotta cut that nail out of there" Nice man. Long story short, only a huge corner of the nail was amputated and the rest of the nail is blue today, a nice tropical blue.

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Dinner would simply be leftover pizza and snacks at the villa, oh and copious amounts of red wine to lessen my pain!

To be continued...<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Amazing pictures of Baie Rouge. Last time I was there (about 2 years ago), the rocks were 3-4 feet deep, to the point it was very slippery and dangerous to get into the water. I decided I didn't really need to go back to that beach again. So glad you had a better experience, and sorry to hear about your toe. Again.

That long beach walk is our favorite. Only problem with Baie Rouge is that it is typically a bit rougher getting in and out of the water than some others, some days not safe at all.

I appreciate the time and effort to post your great reports.

Scott

Beerman---Great report, great pix and very enjoyable reading. We are planning our 1st trip to SXM now for early June. How far is Baie Rouge from Royal Palm Beach Resort? Is there one main parking area or multiple locations along that area? Forgive my ignorance, just trying to get the lay of the land. Thx! Ken

You should be writing for travel mags. So much more interesting than the typical articles we usually see......

I feel your pain...my profile pic is me elevating my feet (at the Beach Bar, St. John) after an incident involving a rock while trying to navigate the hills of Point Pleasant Resort in St. Thomas! Did quite the number on my big toe (you can barely see the bandage).

Love your trip reports and looking forward to our first trip in less than a month!!!

Going to miss your trip reports when you leave SXM <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

He's already home, BW, but just posting the reports from home, but we will all be sad to see them come to an end, for sure!

Love the pictures with your report! They make the story come to life. Sorry about your toe. Baie Rouge is a little bit too rough for me, but I want to take my sister there because she likes rough waves! Can't wait to get back there.

I guess everyone has to leave paradise at some point and return to reality.

I saw your BVi toe, and feel your pain. A few days ago I walked into the living room table, toe first. Nina said, "are you practicing for the boat?" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Beerman,

Next time to Bay Rouge, try snorkling out to the archway you photographed. We have not been there in years, but we used to be able to swim right through the opening. There is another beach on the other side that is REALLY quiet!

BobandJeana

I just love reading your reports. They make me feel as though I'm right there. And being an avid horse lover (and owner), I really appreciated the photo of the 'lost' horse. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Your photos are fantastic! TFS! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

You should have a blog or something. Your trip reports are the highlight of my day. Hope there's more to come. Ouch on the toe. Hope it's healing.

Beerman
If you want some great photos try the Butterfly Farm near Orient beach. Get there early in the morning when they are coming out of their cocoons. It is a unique experience. Also the St. Maarten Zoo at the north side of the Great Salt Pond near Philipsburg if you want pictures of birds. It has a bunch.

Wow thanks for the nice comments!! Im on my cell and hate typing on this thing so i'll reply from home, but thanks again <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

nice..very nice...except for your toe..

ktziff - Baie Rouge is probably 15 minutes away from you? They have one main parking lot.

Pat - you are so nice!

Elisabeth - I recognize that tiled wall in your photo, spent many many hours/days/nights at the Beach Bar!!

Sail2wind - this toe is in great shape compared to when I almost bled out on your boat!

Irish1223 - next photo is for you!



Everyone else thanks for the nice comments and suggestions! Now I need to start selecting photo's for Part 4. Au revoir! (yes, I had to look up the spelling!)

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

and you said you didn't speak French

We were on Baie Rouge just about a month ago(Oh how quickly time passes). The same young man, Venus, I think, also set us up with chairs and umbrella. Great beach, lots of soft sand. Fun watching the people play at the ocean edge.

Love reading your stories and pics. Baie Rouge is my personal favorite of all the wonderful beaches. When we first started going, Gus was not there... only Chez Raymond. Every day (at least when we were there) around 3 he would blow some type of horn and announce "Happy Hour".... any way it remains my favorite. Bob makes the beach walk also.. The sinking in the sand means I don't!!!!! He has climbed up the stairs to the right (as you face the ocean) as well and peaked in. Such a lovely location yet it seems almost abandoned. I think last summer there were some folks working around the pool so I guess it is not abandoned....

Thanks again for the Baie Rouge reminders!!!!!!!!! Still 9 months away from our next trip and i'm feeling wistful

Liz