SXM Trip Report

Day Four – Tuesday, June 5, 2007 – Pinel Island & Westin Casino

This is a first – hubby and I wake up at the same time. Vague memories of how much we drank yesterday – a mad search for the Tylenol and we’re ready for breakfast on the balcony accompanied by the soothing sounds of Dawn Beach.

Pinel Island – We arrive a Cul de Sac at 11:00am and take the quick ferry ride to Pinel. $6 per person round trip – children under 8 ride free. The ferry leaves from Cul de Sac every ½ hour and returns every hour until 4:00pm.

We immediately notice the new section of orange umbrellas. Behind them is the not-yet-opened new building – two stories high – looks almost done. They are painting murals on the outside.

We paid $19 for two blue lounge chairs and one umbrella, but told the very serious unfriendly attendant that we thought it was $15. He snapped back “THAT WAS LAST YEAR – THE GOVERNMENT NOW ALLOWS US ONLY 20 CHAIRS"! Ok, just asking.

I love the water at Pinel – an aquamarine liquid gem, sounds of water gently lapping against the shoreline – so calm. Rays of sunlight filter through the leaves of the palm trees – different shades of green – different shades of paradise, softly swaying in the breeze against a blue sky.

I close my eyes and hear the tropical sounds of this paradise – birds are singing. French, Dutch, Spanish accents swirl quietly through the air – peaceful sounds…. UNTIL, I hear a different sound – a smacking sound. I open my eyes and see two fellow Americans smacking each other over the head with “noodles” and, in my native tongue, I hear one call the other “JERK”!

We tear ourselves away from the crystal clear water and break for lunch at Karibuni. The same guy that rented us our chairs and umbrella seats us. Smiling, we ask, “Can we sit over there?”. He looks down his nose at us and snaps “NO” in a loud voice. It was really funny in a way – we found it difficult to stifle a laugh.

Anyway, the lunch at Karibuni was delicious. Herbed chicken leg with rice and salad, and chicken breast creole with potatoes – a beer, a large bottle of water - $39 American plus tip. Cash only.

I bought a few little things at the boutique in the sand, and we took the 3:00pm ferry back to Cul de Sac and returned to home base to rest up and get ready for another night of fun.

Infinity Bar & Restaurant OBBR – We check out the Latin Show in the courtyard and have a drink at the Infinity Bar. The band is really good, so we decide to use our free coupon towards dinner. Motion Dance Company is back also, and put on another performance – really really good.

Westin Casino – After dinner we head over to the sparkling new casino at the Westin – just a few minutes away. We don’t discriminate at casinos – we lose at all of them.

Back to OBBR – time to rest up for tomorrow.


FOURTH DAY ON SXM = ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY IN PARADISE!

Day Five – Wednesday, June 6, 2007 – Marigot Market, Friar’s Beach, Baie Rogue, Sunset Beach, Rima’s

Is it really Wednesday already? Being a optimist I think, “We still have almost ½ week left”. Then panic sets in for just one brief moment and I think, “We ONLY have ½ week left”!

Sitting on the balcony having coffee, I mentally begin planning our return next year. Whatever we don’t get to do this year, we’ll do next year – and maybe next year, we’ll take two weeks instead of one.

Today’s plan is to visit the market in Marigot, check out the lowland beaches, get to Sunset Beach Bar by 2:00 and watch the big planes come in – and dinner at Tabba Khaddy if it’s open (can’t seem to get them on the phone).

Marigot - Found the same jewelry maker as last year at Marigot market and bought the earrings to match the necklace and bracelet my husband bought for me last year. Most of what is sold at Marigot can be purchased around the island. There are a few different vendors selling jewelry and spices that I haven’t seen yet anywhere else.

Rima’s is the cheapest place for baseball hats (3 for $10 - $5 each in Marigot). Same with beach bags that were $10 at Marigot – they were $4 at Rima’s. Marigot has a lot of little places to eat around the market.

Friar’s Bay – We continued our journey around the island and stopped here. The water looked beautiful, calm and turquoise. There was a cool looking Jamaican-style beach bar and restaurant where you can also rent chairs from (Kali’s). Friendly people – we were tempted to stay, but today was our day to check out several beaches.

Baie Rogue – We missed the turnoff for Baie Rogue! Another reason to come back next year.

Mullet Beach – Again, another beautiful beach – lots of people snorkeling. You can rent chairs. You can get lunch at Daleo’s – BBQ.
Sunset Beach Bar – Next, the famous Sunset Beach Bar. To park, you take that narrow road between the runway and the water, pass Sunset Beach Bar and there’s a large parking lot by Bamboo Bernie’s and Bliss.

The beach is narrow and backs up to the road – we didn’t think we were going to like it, but we really enjoyed it here. We rented chairs and an umbrella - $20. We brought a cooler with beer with us today – Pina Coladas were $6. Munchies cost from $7 to $10. They have ribs ($11), Hot Dogs($6), Steak Sandwich($11), Burgers($8) served with fries and baked beans.

It was so cool watching the plans take off and land, USAirways comes in at 3:15 (big plane). You feel like it almost touches the beach. A lot of smaller planes also come in, but the big jets are the ones to see. You’re on the beach and a narrow road separates you from the fence of the runway – a sign warns you of DANGER – don’t get too close. When the bigger planes take off, they start at the end of the runway, the back of the plane faces part of the beach. As the engines power up, they create a strong wind that kicks up the sand the blows towels off that part of the beach. It’s just a short distance from where the umbrellas are – EXCITING.

The water is beautiful – gently swelling. We spent all day here.

Rima’s – On the way back we stopped at Rima’s for a few souvenirs. Rima’s is a big yellow store with yellow flags on top – you can’t miss it on Pondfill road across from the Salt Pond. There’s parking right outside of the front door.

Tabby Khady – Since we couldn’t get in touch with Tabby Khady by phone, we stop by in person to see if we can make dinner reservations for tonight. We later found out that it’s closed on Wednesdays. Tabby Khady’s is just past the art gallery across the street from Frigate’s.

OBBR – We’re back at OBBR. Take a quick dip in the pool and back to our room where we were just about to collapse! Lots of sun today. We decide to have pasta and wine on our balcony tonight, listening to music from Beau-Beau’s. In the distance, something is going on at the Westin. We hear steel drums and what looks like fire dancers.

What a beautiful day we had again today. We’re so glad we rented a car – stayed as long as we liked at each place.

There was a cabaret show at the resort tonight and an all-you can eat BBQ at Beau Beau’s for $20 – but tonight was an early night for us.

Time to rest so we’ll be ready to see what tomorrow brings.

DAY SIX = EXHAUSTION FROM A DAY WELL-LIVED!


Part 3 to follow (June 7, 8 and 9)