Saturday, June 20

It was a very lazy Divi Day. Up relatively early and was able to post last week’s trip report relatively easily. Had breakfast at Toucans (mediocre), did a load of laundry, and spent the day at the Infinity Pool. Since this was transfer day, I had it to myself much of the time.

I met some friends for dinner at Topper’s by the Sea as one of the party is leaving the island the next morning. You could actually see the sun moving behind the horizon.



Sunday, June 21

With rain anticipated in another day or so, I wanted to grab another beach day. I should have known better than to go to a nice beach bar on Father’s Day. All the front-row loungers were reserved at Anse Marcel. However, they place their chairs so that you don’t have another chair in front of you and can see right to the ocean.



They were very busy serving all the customers so service slipped just a little. However, food was as delicious as ever, and they had to chase me off the beach when they were closing.

Took a long way back to Divi, stopping for gas at the Marigot/Sandy Ground (not sure which it is) Cadisco. It started raining but didn’t last nearly as long as the island needs.

After getting cleaned up, I didn’t feel like driving anywhere so tried Toucans for dinner again. Amazingly, it wasn’t half bad!

Monday, June 22

The skies opened up this morning, and it rained very hard at Divi. I attended the orientation “party” at Seabreeze Pool, which was a very wet event! Indulgence by the Sea was distributing flyers offering discounts on several procedures so I booked a massage and pedicure for Tuesday morning.

I then headed to Tijon to stock up on their after-sun cream. John came out from the class that was in process to say hello. They have hired a full-time employee, which gives them more free time; as a result, they are no longer actively looking to sell the perfumerie. Then their new employee, Mili, came over to say hello. I had originally planned to go to Dreams for lunch, but John recommended Rainbow Café down the street. I opted for that as I’d not been there yet and was very pleased with the recommendation.

I sat overlooking the beach and noticed chairs with “visors” that I’d never seen before. I can see how these would be handy on a sunny day, which this definitely wasn’t.


Lunch started with a French onion soup that was very good.



After lunch, I sat in one of the loungers for a while reading. Eventually the rain got to be too much so I left the beach and Rainbow. Loungers and umbrellas are free if you eat there. I hope I can make it back before I have to leave for home.



Then it was off to catch up with Bernadine. I’ve never seen so many cats there before; she thinks she is feeding about thirty, plus two dogs.




Bernadine says she is going to have surgery in September to remove her thyroid. I thought she looked pretty tired, and she says that may be due to her thyroid. I left feeling a bit sad at her hard life and wishing I could do more for her.

Back to Divi for the managers’ party and catching up with more timeshare owners. Leftovers for dinner. Not every day has to be a beach day to be a good day in SXM.

Tuesday, June 23

The day began with a marvelous massage at Indulgence by the Sea. They were running a 20% off special for neck, back, shoulders, and it felt great. I also had a pedicure; it wasn’t as good as last year’s but was still very nice.

Then it was time to pick up my ring at DK Gems. Over the years, I’ve read all the glowing reports many of you have posted and wondered how one store could generate so much positivity. I’m now a believer and understand completely. I wasn’t sure how a marquis-cut stone would look in a setting that formerly had a round stone, but it is absolutely stunning. The picture doesn’t do the piece justice, but thanks to Gretchen for the photo. I’m very grateful to Sam for asking if he could show me the stone and am absolutely thrilled with the result. This just became an expensive vacation!



Lunch was at Antoine overlooking Great Bay. Two ships were in port so there were lots of cruisers walking the boardwalk as well as lounging in chairs. I was surprised the restaurant wasn’t busier.

Back to Divi for a few hours by the Infinity Pool, followed by dinner at Moulin Fou (Cheri’s is thankfully closed on Tuesdays so it was a nice quiet dinner outside). First course was a lovely lobster bisque



followed by a beautifully presented crab/avocado salad. Also very good. The downside to eating outdoors is that nonsmokers are exposed to smoke from other tables, which somewhat dampens my dining enjoyment. Only three more days . . . .

Wednesday, June 24

The forecast was for a lot of wind at Orient today so some friends wanted to try Anse Marcel again; I was only too happy to join them. I’m sure I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but all three of us said more than once that this is just a great beach.



Lunch was delicious. I had some stir-fried vegetables with a prosciutto tray. Excellent.

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The beach boys told us they would be closing at 5:30 so we had to leave; I think all of us would have been happy to stay longer. Farewell until next year.

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We decided to see if Ti Bouchon was open. Either they are closed for the season or weren’t going to be opening for a while yet so we ended out at Al Dente by the Cul de Sac roundabout. This was a very nice “new find.” They have been open only since November and say it’s slow for them now, but we all enjoyed it very much. The décor is warm and nicely done, with a tree growing up through the roof.

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Good food; good service. I will go back but it will have to wait until next year. Two days. . . .

Thursday, June 25

It was a very quiet Divi Day. Started to get organized for packing up, and the afternoon was spent at the Infinity Pool.

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Attended the Divi “farewell cocktail party” at Seabreeze Pool. I had planned to go to Boca Marina for dinner as I’ve been hearing good things about it. On the way, however, I passed the turnoff for Mary’s Boon and recalled the fantastic dinner I’d had there a couple of years ago so Plan B went into effect. Service was pretty slow. Food was good but not fantastic, and I found myself wishing I’d stuck with Plan A. But the view was lovely.

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Friday, June 26

It was a great last day. Went to Dreams for lunch and, oh my, is their food ever terrific! I had the Bo-Bun Nem salad, and it was just fabulous.

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After lunch I read on the beach for a couple of hours. It was extremely windy, and those who went into the water looked as though they were struggling a bit.

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I left around 4 p.m. and filled the car with gas on the way to Skipjack’s to board the Passaat. This was my third sail this trip and every bit as lovely as the other two sails. No green flash but a nice sunset just the same.

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Back to Divi for leftovers and finishing up packing. I will be turning my car in to Leisure at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning, and they will take me to the airport for my American flights: MIA, DFW, arriving PDX around 7:30 p.m. Unless there’s something eventful to report about the return flights, this is my last report for my 2015 visit to SXM.

This has been an enjoyable trip although I didn’t nearly get everywhere that was on my list. The island is extremely dry and desperately needs a lot of rain. I didn’t experience any major traffic hassles nor did I witness any crime. The weather was really wonderful: only one rainy/no-beach day. A few showers here and there on other days, but they didn’t disrupt any plans. New discoveries for me this trip included Anse Marcel Beach Restaurant; Rainbow Café in Grand Case; Jam Rock and Al Dente in the Cul de Sac area; DK Gems; and the resorts of Anguilla.

Until next year . . . .

Thanks Linda for taking us along on your vacation. Your reports are always interesting and enjoyable! Three weeks surely does go fast in SXM! The salads at Dreams are amazing and that picture has really stimulated my taste buds!! Can't wait until November.

I highly suggest staying there, it is going to be hot here this weekend and we remain dry as can be. Glad you had a nice trip, see you in about a week!
Cheers,
Todd

Thank you for your wonderful (as usual) reports! I always enjoy reports with photos interspersed in them. Safe travels home, and I'm looking forward to seeing you on your own turf next week!

I really enjoyed your reports and pictures. You sure manage to squeeze a lot of different activities into a day!
Safe travels home.

Thank you for all the reports. They were wonderful as usual. We also visit St Maarten for three weeks and don't do half of the things you do. You gave me directions to Anse Marcel last year but we never made it in Feb. I'm determined to get there next year. Safe trip.

thanks so much for the reports! I can't believe you posted three weeks worth of reports before you even left the island!! The pictures truly make the report!

Sometimes I wish that I had never had the Bo Bun Nem salad at Dreams, as now I can't order anything else! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> It truly is wonderful!

Thanks again for bringing us along!

As always, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />. TY

Another wonderful report Linda. Feel sorry that you had to go home and not continue more reports. Never saw that many cats at Bernadine's, but then I usually don't get there at feeding time. It's good news that one of the SXM groups on Facebook is donating some money to her and her "critters". Thanks for trying Rainbow, will put it on our February list. And glad you got to experience DK Gems.

Another terrific report and pics. We've enjoyed - thanks.

Thanks for the informative reports and pics-have added several things to do to my list-especially Bernadettes-can't believe I've never been there-the pics gave me the push I needed.

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

Great job!!!

Thank you so much so taking time out of your vacation to share your adventures with all of us who wish we were there with you. <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/Clapping.gif" alt="" />The pictures help us through the long months until we're there again on our favorite rock!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Resizing the photos is worth the time and effort. Thanks for your friendship and contribution. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I enjoyed reading your wonderful trip reports! Thanks so much for sharing. Loved everything!

Thank you for your wonderful trip reports. I enjoyed all three installments tremendously. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for sharing your trip and many valuable insights with us! It certainly takes effort, and it is much appreciated.
I like the way you vacation! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the trip reports. Always great to see the Island from your eyes. It was great catching up with you while we were on the Island. Only been home a little over 2 weeks but feel like it has been forever since I could swim in the clear blue carribean waters. Next year....booked already.

Great reports and photos, makes me want to go back a second time! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Linda for posting. Enjoyed your reports as always.

Thanks for another great update and taking us along.

I have a soft spot for calico cats like the one in your picture.