Our last full day.......so why, you might wonder, am I sitting here doing this? And I might respond, I really don't have a clue except I just can't seem to get out of my own way this morning. Been awake and up since six and had coffee and breakfast and typically I would already be on the beach, but not today.

Yesterday, that would be Thursday I think, we spent a long day at the beach at El Zafiro, and I'm amazed to hear myself say it, but this has become our new go-to beach this trip. The beach is basically all yours and the spacing of chairs and umbrellas is excellent. The beach service is very good as is the food that we've experienced. Yesterday we had four chicken Caesar Salads and drinks. Lots of drinks!, and when the day was said and done, our check per couple only came to eighty dollars with a gratuity included in that amount for the lovely young lady who took care of us. The water was a little rougher today and I was perfectly content to enjoy the sounds and the sights without going in, though our friends did and enjoyed and found it refreshing if a bit challenging getting out again. If I were to cite any problem with this beach venue, the only thing I can find any fault with at all is the very limited menu, and I'm hoping they decide to expand it down the road.

Our friends had gone very early into town to pick up their goodies at Caribbean Gems and ours as well, which was very nice of them and saved me having to go to town again. They had a series of their own adventures for the day: caught in a rain burst; parking lot closed for restriping; finally found a spot along Pond Fill Rd. and although it wasn't marked as such, they parked in a restricted spot and got blocked in as did a couple of other unsuspecting people: were rescued, so they thought, by a friend of ours but it turned out NOT to be our friend after all. By the time they got back to the Beach it was almost one o'clock, but in the end it was all good and the CG goodies were worth their efforts.

We left Zafiro about four and got back to the Towers just in time for a quick drink at happy hour and an equally quick dip in the pool to cool off and then up to our rooms to prepare for dinner.

We all thoroughly enjoyed our meals at LaRosa Too. This is such an unheralded island goodie. We had four different dinners and each one was delicious, including our friends gluten-free pasta meal. When all was said and done, from wine to dessert and everything in between, our dinner was $103.00 per couple with a bottle of wine and the gratuity included. The setting was nice and the service excellent. It couldn't get any better, or not in my book anyway.

We finished the evening off with a little bit of Christmas shopping and then home to lalaland - all in all, a very good day and an even better evening.

And a thought that has next to nothing to do with our day specifically but is merely an observation on my part.

Each day we've gone to Zafiro I have been totally blown away by the revelers at Maho Beach, all over the beach, but most specifically in the SSB&G area. The beach was packed and I do mean Coney Island-like packed. People were hanging off the airport fence and sitting on the wall that seperates the beach from the road. They were standing in the road in both lanes and walking in it like it was their private foot path. I just don't get it. I know the planes are a hoot to see as they pass so low overhead in their landing path, but there is so much potential for major accidents there, or even road rage if someone was so inclined, that I don't understand why people would put themselves in such a potentially dangerous situation. And that's not to mention one that is so annoying and inconsiderate to other visitors and residents alike.

End of rant! And I apologize but I had to get that off my mind!!

Pat--I am right there with you, with the people at Sunset. It is an EXTREMELY dangerous situation! And as you point out, road rage could be a real possibility. As we were on our way to the airport, coming home in June, we spent about 15 minutes stuck there, while the people walked in the road and the taxi drivers literally STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and loaded up their 12 passenger vans, blocking traffic BOTH ways.

You need to get out there and get to Mullet one last time today, huh?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Another nice day in paradise!

Your rant is also that of so many others. We get so annoyed by the behavior exhibited here. They have no respect for the safety of themselves or others! This needs to be stopped by perhaps getting the police involved before somebody gets killed here.I am hoping with the expansion of the beach bar that they will consider putting in a viewing area which might help to solve this problem. Of course if anyone gets injured there, it would be deemed the driver's fault!

Enjoy your last day whatever you decide to do.

How do you get to this place? It sounds like it is worth one of our precious 8 days.

Enjoy your last full day!!

You've convinced me to leave the French enclave for a day to go to El Zafiro. I expect it may be more crowded in the height of high season when I get there in Feb.

On the other hand you have kind of put me off visiting Sunset again. I went last year because my sons were with us, but as I do not like crowds, I think I can probably stay away. That said, maybe a quick stop in the morning on the way to El Zafiro - I am not sure my friends have ever seen the planes land.

Exactly--it is a mess near Sunset! Even with a new viewing area, there are still going to be people blocking the road---there's just too many!
It is a route we take at least twice a day, but more like six!

Pat, enjoy your day and welcome home to Connecticut--you can even wear your flip-flops tomorrow. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

sounds like you had a great vacation again!!!! Can't wait for March and our annual turn. Will have to try Zafiro this year. Was glad to hear that LaRosa 2 was good. Last March, for the first time, we were very dissapointed with it. Just wasn't as much ''on par'' as it was in previous years...and the portions were smaller than normal. After your reccomendation will probably give it another try this year...especially since it is so close to ''home''. The worst part of any vacation is the end..... safe travels.

People,

I fear I really need to clarify my thoughts on El Zafiro. We didn't look at the hotel rooms so no comment on that, but we really did enjoy the very laid back atmosphere there. I'm sure it's not for everyone - there's not much of a menu and I don't know if it will expand or not. It appears that Burt, formerly of Karakter, has bought into the operation and seems to be managing it, more or less. It's still under construction/remodeling at this time and it does have a few weaknesses. Today, no one had shopped so there were only three menu choices - a piece of poached grouper, a burger or a steak - fine for us but we're not looking for or expecting gourmet fare. It was all good but not much to choose from. Also, it's Simpson Bay Beach where the water typically seems to be a little bit rougher, and particularly down in that far corner of the beach. The lounges aren't fancy but they're doable and the umbrellas are big so all in all, since they cost you nothing to use if you eat and/or drink there, its a great little spot but please don't confuse it with Dreams Beach or The Restaurant at Anse Marcel - it's nothing like either place but it is a nice spot to chill without sharing the spot with the masses. That's my story and I'm stickin with it!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for sharing your trip- you can wear your sandals home this time -safe travels.

Pat, good reading as always. We are heading to Towers for Christmas, but will explore Puerto Rico for a week first. Are AMF invoices out yet?