Day 9, mardi, 12 août
Happy Anniversary to us! Tammy & I have spent the last three wedding anniversaries in St Martin – it is a joy to celebrate in such a paradise! We all went down to the dock at GCBC and waited for Holger & Britta to arrive with the new Stargazer. They now have a beautiful 42 ft Lagoon Hybrid catamaran with a enormous saloon and giant canopy. Quite a bit bigger in the beam as well. Met two new sailing partners, a delightful couple from NY, Gideon and Susie, and we were off. Because of the wind direction, we were disappointed to find out we would not make the north side, but, not to worry, as both sides are beautiful, we sailed first for South Shoal Bay in Anguilla. It was an invigorating sailing day – though with the motion, Emilie had to fight off initial queasiness <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" />(surprise!) – and we got to catch up island happenings with the Captain.
We anchored in the bay for some snorkeling. Saw the place Brad Pitt used to rent – last unit on the very end – and saw where the ex-Mrs. Chuck Norris was having some work done on Mr. Chuck Norris’ ex-house. After a refreshing swim, we motored over to Cove Bay for some more swimming. Rich was very excited as he snorkeled upon a large barracuda, who he swore was giving him the eye. The resort area there is just beautiful. Britta made a wonderful lunch of fresh green salad, a chicken breast filleted and rolled up with a basil pesto, homemade mashed potatoes and a chopped peanut-parsley mixture for the chicken, finished with a lovely fresh fruit and cinnamon salad with fresh whipped cream. Yum. We also opened the Dom Perignon and toasted right proper to all our wonderful marriages - and for many more years to come. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
After lunch we motored over to Rendevous Bay. We swam ashore and rolled around in the talcum fine sand. Holger and his son played touch football on the beach, while we strolled around and peaked at the million dollar vacation models! Whatever they may be lacking, they certainly have a nice backyard! The crossing back in the afternoon was marked by great 5-10 ft swells, and the kids – Emilie never seems to mind the crossing back – were getting sprayed by the backsplash through the net as the big cat surged through the waters. As we neared St Martin I caught a glimpse off the bow of a big sea turtle who had surfaced, fluttered it’s front legs at us, and then gracefully glided away. It was so beautiful. A fitting end to the sailing day.
We made it back for Happy Hour. Afterwards, since we were still kind of pining for Bounty pizza, Judith said to try the pizzeria next to Spicy, which is le Pub, I think. So we ordered four different kinds and sat down to chat with the barman, a nice handsome young man from Paris. Had some chilled red (still weird for me! LOL) and waited for the order. The rain started as we went back to the car, and a local driver was emboldened to yell some rude thing out the window – but nothing came of that. Just keeping a watchful eye out, y’know? Their pizza was very good, and I recommend it. Yummy crust. We received a lot of sun, good food, a busy, busy day, and I fell asleep in mid lotion!

Day 10, mercredi, 13 août
Spent some Internet time this am to get my class syllabus, homework schedule, etc., The Internet at GCBC is just fine – quick enough – but I wouldn’t print many documents as it deducts 2 minutes per page from the card you buy. Then it was off to the Marketplace in Marigot. I love it there. It is so vibrant. Great place to practice my terrible and inadequate French. Saw a great comfortable-looking Jacobite-style cotton shirt and pant set – gauzy cotton – but Tammy vetoed that one. Then we found our favorite painter, Sylvie Charlot. She does these wonderful watercolors of all around the island. We have a collection at the house, that we can gaze upon dreaming we were back on island! So we got another two, and Rich decided to get a couple as well. Found the Dollar (Heineken) Store to refresh up, then everyone else said they were too hot. So we ended up just floating, swimming, and reading – which was perfect relaxation material!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" /> For dinner we all walked down to Spiga. It felt a little warmer than usual – less breeze – as we sat by the front door. I was happy to see Lara and her staff from last year. The menu had a fresh look to it, as Lara explained that she had made some recipe improvements (!). I had a pressed crab and shrimp appetizer with salad and fresh avocado, lobster & shrimp tagliotelle pasta with mushrooms & peppers & a spicy marinara-type sauce for entrée, tiramisu on a chocolate cake bed, 2 glasses of a very good Pinot Grigio, and a digestif of kahlua. Tammy had some of my appetizer, a jumbo prawn, scallop and baked salmon fillet with presto & vegetables for entrée, and 2 glasses of the Pinot Grigio. Young Kevin had a an ambitious choice of a lovely chicken breast wrapped in a smoked proscuitto, served over polenta and diced veggies (which he was able to take care of over half!), and a crème brulee w/ a raspberry confit and honey drizzle for desert. Emilie had what I have had twice before and what whe had the year before: a large serving of veal raviolis (each bigger than her fist) smothered in a veal ragu. Yum. Leslie had a pumpkin & sage ravioli appetizer, a large eggplant and risotto casserole, the tiramisu desert, and 2 glasses of Pinot Grigio as well. Finally Rich had a lobster ravioli appetizer with what looked like a carbonara sauce that he shared with Kevin, a lobster, shrimp, clam diavolo mixture over risotto for his entrée, 2 glasses of Merlot, a fruit cup with vanilla ice cream on top, and a melon grappa disgestif. The bill – remarkably 1:1 – was $275, + tip. In my mind, an extremely reasonable dinner fare (which was why I went into detail on the meal). This meal is always a highlight for us every year. I have heard people mention the service is hit or miss. We have never missed, though I do offer a couple of observations. None of the waitstaff spoke French openly and were very, very polite & reserved – they never interjected into the dinner and yet they were very attentive; and that Lara does present a rather calm – if not mistaken for cool – exterior. It remains that she is excellent at putting together flavors for a wonderful meal. We thanked her, and waddled back to GCBC (noting security on the way). Regrets, I did not have the lobster tomato bisque this time (which she said she tinkered with adding more lobster in the ratio - it brought tears of joy before!), and I think a scotch instead of kahlua. And it still amazes me when I can get Pyrat rum from Anguilla at home for $25, but here it is arm+leg.
After changing into our man-wraps we saw fish jumping so we went out on the point where a 3 foot – at least – barracuda prowling for dinner. He should have went to Spiga. We retired just in time for showers to start. Tropical Depression forming up tonight.

Day 7 & 8: http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...ge=2#Post884441