Trip Report (part 2)
Dinners-
Buccaneer Beach Bar – Kind of our unofficial kick-off meal when on SXM, a cheeseburger and BBC. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2779_zpsbmm7adky.jpg Together they're $19. plus tip. No service charge. No credit cards. Luckily we made there twice for this meal. Second trip we saw this couple eyeing each other. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2931_zps3aifiuff.jpg
SMYC(St Maarten Yacht Club Bar and Restaurant) – Another favorite of ours, especially for Happy Hour(4-6pm). From the Bar Menu Appetizers – http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2806_zpsiuhdljmc.jpg Grouper Fingers ($10.) and a small Caesar Salad($6.) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2808_zpsoprh5izd.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2807_zpsnhjdmtxb.jpg Love the views from this place, no matter which directions you look.
Skip Jack's – Pan Fried Grouper comes with a serving of salad and a baked potato. With a glass of tea and a free glass of wine, with service charge, $28. One nice sailing yacht in the docks. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2811_zpsccs9pgts.jpg Amazing the few number of yachts compared to our February visit.
Chesterfield's – While at Vista Royale, we invite friends, Larry and Carol to come enjoy our view. Larry writes a blog http://lifewithldub.blogspot.com/ sometime featuring stories about SXM. Unfortunately it was another hazy day and so our view, or at least the pictures, were not the best.
We then ventured down the hill to Chesterfield's. Got our favorite waitress, Patricia, who we've known since she worked at Peg Leg Pub when it was on Welfare Rd., and enjoyed our usual Grilled Grouper. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2825_zpsc6fbjzwa.jpg It's $28.70 with two teas and service charge.
12 Meter Bar and Restaurant - After a visit to our Vista Royale from Cyndi of Tijon, http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2832_zpscrwxnaqy.jpg , we drove down to 12 Meter Bar and Restaurant. Betty and I shared a Fish and Chips which is $15.00 No service charged.
Pizza Galley – Surprisingly, the only pizza we had on this trip. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2837_zpszh5s9tpx.jpg $13.00. No service charge.
Pineapple Pete's – The special of the night was 8oz Filet with special peppercorn sauce for 26.95. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2840_zpsvzpf0imc.jpg And as most of you who read my reports, you know that Betty and I never go to PP's with ordering a Creme Brulee , which we is our favorite on SXM. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2841_zpsqrpghxk7.jpg This is what the bowl looks like when we're finished.
Dinghy Dock – Fun place. Good food. Here's a look at Seth's menu. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2859_zpsgpafm9ed.jpg If you can read the menu, we had the “worst ever fish and chips”. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2860_zpstxciygd1.jpg They're $15. No service charge.
Fig - http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2872_zpsjhlqvvid.jpg A new place for us. After ordering, we were served a complimentary appetizer. Toast rounds with a little oil and a small dish of chopped eggplant, garlic, onion, and olive oil. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2868_zpsz3llifg9.jpg I had their Chicken Caesar Salad($9.), just so I could compare. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2870_zpsfqfiug7i.jpg Betty had their pan fried grouper($16.). http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2871_zpsiffkrmzz.jpg There is no service charge here.
Sukee Bar and Restaurant – Located in Orleans in the French Quarter, next to the Post Office. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2933_zpsuiv6sk0v.jpg (this picture was taken the next day before they opened). We went with friends John and Cyndi of Tijon. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2881_zpsaysuchwl.jpg John and Cyndi are well-connected with people on the SXM. The manager is Lily. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2884_zpsyi7iipoy.jpg She has a son and daughter in New York City. One is a doctor, the other a stock broker. After placing our order, a comp plate of crispy chips arrived . http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2885_zps2zhduqdf.jpg Cyndi had the Sweat Sour Chicken. ($9.00) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2889_zpskp2zgy1n.jpg John had Pineapple Chicken. ($9.) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2888_zps3usseml7.jpg
Betty had Cashew Chicken. ($9.) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2886_zpsvp8skdig.jpg And I had the Broccoli and Beef. ($9.) http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2887_zpsgbchhrsn.jpg Here's a couple pages from their menu.
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All meals came with a healthy serving of rice.
Rendez Vous Lounge – Located in the Plaza Porto Cupecoy complex. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2899_zpslhxrjywa.jpg Lovely setting. Great view. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2902_zpstfube7x3.jpg We went just before 6pm, in order to get the lunchtime prices.
The musical group featuring Christine Gordon started around 7. She has a great voice.
I had a BLT Panini, $10. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2901_zps9eqqroly.jpg Betty had a Chicken one., $9. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2900_zps7gccjbfh.jpg . Happy hour(5-7pm) has half price mixed drinks including Martini's, so my Chocolate Martini was only $4.00.
The Palm's - One of my favorites. Had dinner with Elaine and Bill. We were all pretty full from dinner, but someone suggested the home-made Carrot Cake with four spoons. Good idea! http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2920_zpsppsjkx6c.jpg Awesome.
Carousel – Great place for dessert. Think we visited three times. Only flavors I remember we had were Creme Brulee, and Rochet, although I know we didn't repeat any flavor.
Entertainment -
Red Piano was big on this trip. First Monday night we went to hear the Church band http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2809_zpspxs1nfoq.jpg with Ronnie Santana, another guitar, a bass, and a drummer. Betty felt the bass was too heavy, so we only stayed for one set. Sounded much better in the parking lot.
During the weeks of our trip a petite young lady from Boise, named Lacey Troutman. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2814_zpspe3wqpjb.jpg was playing. Great voice and pianist. Joined a couple nights by her husband, a drummer, also with a good voice. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2813_zpsfmqfrrm8.jpg We went five nights. During the week, several wedding parties showed up. Made for a real fun night. I had a chocolate martini each night. There's no cover or service charge, so $11. for the martini wasn't a bad price for an evening of entertainment. Of course there's also a tip for the waitress and the performer.
Starz and Princess Casinos – One of the reasons we like SXM . Starz casino is the old Atlantis in Cupecoy area. It has had a dramatic facelift and remodel. It still takes your money, but it makes you feel good.
Princess is still there. The restaurant that was going to open in place of Peg Leg Pub still has not.
Between the two casinos Betty was actually was ahead for the two weeks. I was down just a bit.
La Bamba – Always enjoy Bob and his Category 5 band on Sunday nights. A little quieter this year, but still a nice time.
Activities -
Bernadines – Always stop here. Located at Paradise View with a wonderful view of the Orient area. Bernadine runs a place to care for abandoned critters. She also feeds the birds. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2936_zpsn3r7b8cx.jpg It was nap time for her “guard cats”. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2938_zpszqjujuo0.jpg
I Love My Island Dog Association - With much computer help from Vicki Jerlinski of the Pirates of SXM Facebook Group to get the pattern I needed, I made three glass plates with their logo. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2851_zpsnr4ao0qk.jpg Presented to the Associations founder Ursala http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2877_zpsjwev8znm.jpg My hope is that she'll put at least one up for auction in their next fundraiser.
Visit With Deepti – By lucky chance Deepti, her husband Hiren, and her new baby, Reina were on Island. So Betty and I along with other SXM friends stopped by DK Gems for a gathering.
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It was also the 15th Anniversary of DK Gems. Grown a lot since those first years.
This was a wonderful trip, highlighted, as I said earlier by the week at Vista Royale. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2795_zpset8bvn9s.jpg In this picture from the Boardwalk, if you locate the two water tanks on the hill and the line of the road going upward, past the little white square, almost to the top is kind of a white dot. That's the Guard House. Our unit was just above that and slightly to the left. And the view looking down. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2816_zps9x7zhgj7.jpg Didn't get a chance to check whose yacht this was.
For my friend Linda and other Divi lovers. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2791_zpsacci9egh.jpg Looks like a little toy village.
My favorite sign for this trip, because only in SXM - A Salon and Car Wash! http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20May%202015/IMGP2834_zpsvtj8hqla.jpg
Hope you got some info out of this report. Feel free to send any questions. Think you can follow the picture links and see all the pics.
So good bye till January 29, 2016,........a very long time.
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Very nice, Norm and Betty. I always love to read and view your trip reports and pics. Pan Fried Grouper at Chesterfields is so very good. I tell myself I will learn how to make crème brulee and its various flavors at home, but then what would we have for dessert then? Profiteroles are another favorite of mine, though. Those should be fairly easy to make. You do have my #1 rule of marriage down, always have the next vacation planned. Congratulations for being the runner up that won the vacation.

Great trip report, both parts 1 and 2! Just to let you know, that BBB does take MC and Visa now....

Thanks for the update on BBB.

Great reports as always!

Thanks for the nice detailed reports and all the pictures, Norm, especially Divi! One week and I'll be there!

Thanks for taking the time to bring us along.

We enjoyed our visit with you and Betty. The place was fantastic and I can see how you can spend many hours in the pool watching the ships enter and exit the port. I'll bet your fused glass pieces were well received and appreciated. Nice of you to make them. Always fun to talk with someone who appreciates all the hand crafted pieces that are made for and by you. Hope to get together sometime in the future with the two of you again.

Great to see you and Carol again, Larry. A shame the haze was so bad on your visit day. Views were really spectacular. Could only imagine what a clear day would provide.

great report & pics as usual Norm-hope to see you next year.

Looking forward to it, Paula. A lot of days on the countdown clock.