TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin week 2

First, I've tried to post for several days now and it hasn't gone through.

Saturday we went into P'burg ate breakfast at Saveur de France in Old Street. Meandered down the boardwalk to see what had changed. Bought nothing.

Sunday we decided to have bkfst at Yacht Club and watch boats leave. Left in ample time to arrive before bridge opening. Just 200 ft from Divi we hit traffic. It was slow to the traffic circle at Indigo Bay (Tahoma area). Then we saw why---bike race. We followed them down the hill to the Cole Bay rotary. Police wouldn't allow us to turn left to Simpson Bay so we went to the causeway. Hubby felt they wouldn't block both ways to the airport. He was right. Turned toward Simpson to the bridge, over it and stopped by police again due to race.

Since it was after 9 am we decided to not wait and instead turned around and headed for Marigot thinking we'd stop at Sarafina's. Along the way we changed our minds and decided to go to Rainbow for more than just a croissant. Guess What? In Marigot we hit a detour---couldn't take the usual way to GC. Diverted into downtown towards the Ferry dock due to bike race. Followed that road around hugging the water to another rotary that joined road to GC.

Rainbow and the places left of it all have beach chairs & umbrellas set up. Wonder what happened to that law forbidding it? We had French Toast, Bacon and coffee. Each item was $4. Bill about $25. Though we'd stay until lunch but never was hungry so we left and went to GCBC to make a reserve. for 2017.

Leaving GC we were stopped again---racers. This time the police let us thru after the bulk had passed, told us to put on car flashers. Yet, motorcycles came up on us, passed then wove in & out of the cyclists causing one to fall. Ambulance came but he was okay. We followed the racers to the round about at the French border where they rounded and headed back. We drove on to our resort.

Along the way of our trip we passed many people awaiting transportation all dressed in finery going to church. I'm sure many didn't make it on time.

Back at report we decided to have a drink at Gizmo's. Since it was Sunday lots of locals on the beach. Struck up a conversation with a local at the bar. He said he was in construction and his body looked like it. He was there with his wife and 6 kids!

On another note. I know some do not like cats but we do. There are cats at Divi, well looked after, robust ones. Divi has feeding stations for them. Two are my favorites. They greet us on the lanai and sit with us when we're out there. Saturday, one of them wobbled, as if he were drunk, onto the lanai. At first I thought he'd been hit or kicked in the rear but soon I noticed no injury and it was all 4 paws. I gave him some water which he gulped down. Maybe that was the wrong thing to do,? I urged hubby to take him to a vet but he was against it. He kept telling me it's an island cat. For 3 years he's told me that everytime I suggest perhaps we could take this one home with us.

Left him on the lanai hoping for recovery yet I slept poorly because I was sure I'd find him dead by morning. But when I went out he wasn't thee. Spoke to the newly arrived neighbor and as we chatted at the wall he asked if that was "my" cat. I looked to see the other favorite staggering like the first. He said it appeared to be neurological. We spoke with Divi and rep said they had sprayed for ants yesterday. We have not seen either cat since. I fear all is lost!

Forgot to add that , sitting on GC beach, we've never seen the hill towards Marigot look so green & lush. In fact the whole island looks rich with vegetation from all the rain.

Enjoyed your report. I'm a cat lover also, how terrible for them.

I'm so sorry to hear about the kitties. I'm not sure they have feeding stations for them anymore.
When we were there in January, I managed to catch one of the cats to bring to the vet. He was struggling to eat the food I put out for him. He drooled and could only eat out of one side of his mouth.
Celine (the manager) let us borrow her cat carrier thankfully. Sadly, the story did not end well for the cat. He had a massive salivary tumor under his tongue which was blocking his breathing as well as his ability to eat. We had him euthanized to spare him any more trouble. The vet near Cole bay was excellent by the way. He was soooo wonderful with both us and the cats. And didnt think I was too crazy when I cried after deciding to euth the poor guy.
I HOPE that the spray for the ants is not causing this problem for the cats. Maybe it will be temporary? I HOPE!

You are breaking me heart but glad the island is dressed in its finery for you. Our time soon come...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

lcote thanks for the vet info. The white cat with a patch of color on her side was on my lanai this morning looking like nothing had ever been a problem. If I hadn't had witnesses to her staggering gate I would think I'm losing my mind. She waited patiently for the milk I put down and lapped greedily. Still haven't seen the black & white I wanted to take home so I don't know if he's alive or not. Sorry to hear your helpfulness didn't save that cat.

Were in unit 507 and there's a feeding station between our building and the next, where you can cross street to the pool and Seabreeze Cafe. It's a cement pad surrounded by lattice where there's a gas tank and one at the Fort that I've seen.