Back home in TN. Remaining trip report.

First a link to the beginning. Our first 4 days on the island for those who might have missed the beginning.

http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/s...part=1&vc=1

Sorry it took me so long write the remaining report. Our friends arrived on island from NY as planned on Saturday, January 3. Ed & I had breakfast at the St. Maarten Yacht Club while waiting for their plane to arrive. I had the eggs benedict, which was delicious. Ed had the western omlette, also very good. Loved watching all the big yachts come in; I have never seen so many yachts on the island before. Wow, just wow! Even got to see the Jobs' family yacht. Picked our friends up from the airport and checked into the Royal Palm. We all went to dinner at Pineapple Pete's. I can't remember what the others had, but I once again enjoyed the stuffed shrimp. I can't help myself, it's my favorite. We really enjoy PP's. The service and food is always reliable.

The trip report gets a bit confusing from here because I got pretty sick Saturday night and woke up Sunday morning with a terrible bronchitis-type cough, fever, and aches all over. Ed ended up taking me to the St. Maarten Medical Center ER where they examined me, gave me IV pain meds, an albuterol treatment, and prescription meds for fever and expectorant. I have to say that it's never fun to get sick on vacation. I also have to say that the SMMC treated me very well. I was brought back to the nursing station within minutes, then back to the treatment room, where a doctor came in, again within minutes. The male nurse who started my IV and took care of me was excellent. Upon checkout, we were shocked to get a bill of only $100 USD! I can't imagine what any of that ER visit and treatment would have cost someone in the USA without insurance. We paid it in cash and were on our way. I wasn't feeling much better by Tuesday, and after speaking with Elaine, we decided to pay a visit to her doctor, Dr. Deketh, with the Mullet Bay Clinic in Maho. What a nice man! At that point I felt so bad, I just really wanted to go home and be in my own bed, but he (rightfully) pointed out that it would be much better for me to recover in the sun and sea of SXM than it would for me to go home to the arctic air that was passing through East TN at the time. I did just that and though I lost a few days, I felt much better by Wednesday evening and was glad I stayed.

Since I didn't write down a day-by-day summary after that, I'll just tell you my impressions of our last week:

We weren't impressed by the Royal Palm. While the view was lovely and the unit okay, there was a constant smell of exhaust-like fumes coming from the vents the entire week. We complained to the management, but were told there was nothing they could do. Another person we met on island told us she had experienced the same smell and another long-time resident of Royal Palm told us she had been complaining of that exhaust-like smell for years. We also noted a musty, mildew-like smell from time to time upon entering the unit. We probably could have lived with that alone, if it hadn't been for the constant exhaust smell. We were in the back bedroom, so there was no screened balcony door to open to air it out. Ed finally ended up sealing off the vent in our bedroom with duct tape, which worked, but made it hot and stuffy in there at night. Let's just say it wasn't conducive to helping me get better any faster. And while some people love the location, we found it a bit too busy for us; though admittedly, it was very convenient to be able to walk to the Yacht Club for lunch when we wanted to. The beach was too rocky for me also. We probably won't stay there again.

Restaurants: We ate at Lee's again one night, but I was the only one who ordered fish and the only one who semi-enjoyed my meal. Our friends had the ribeye which was terrible, fatty, tough, and a LOT of gristle. Probably won't go back again unless it's for fish.

IZI was a standout meal, as usual. We had a very nice bruschetta and caprese appetizers to start with. I had the Shrimp ala vodka and it was delicious! The others had Chicken Parmigiana (also delicious), lasagna, and a NY strip steak. We were too full for dessert, but I managed to take a piece of Tiramisu back to the condo for a midnight snack. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" /> IZI remains one of our favorite places. They were crowded and busy that night and the waitstaff was hopping, but we still got decent service, great food, and that lovely limoncello shot they give you at the end of the meal. No complaints from any of us. We will definitely return on our next visit yet again.

The Greenhouse. We had another good meal here after our friends arrived. It was Prime Rib Thursday, so the other 3 each had that and were happy with their meal. I had the crab cakes with rice and plantains. The crab cakes were on the small side, but just right for me that night, and very tasty. Frosty, tall 2-for-1 happy hour drinks always makes the Greenhouse a winner.

Aloha on Orient: It was so good to see Natalie up and running again. The lunches at Aloha are always good and the quiche was quite special. The only thing we didn't care for was it now seems you need to reserve a beach/lounge chair there ahead of time. We had to rent from next door and it wasn't quite as nice. Some of the chairs were reserved, yet remained empty all day. It didn't make sense to us and I hope it's not going to last.

The St. Maarten Yacht Club: We ate several breakfasts/lunch/brunches here during our 2-week stay and met Elaine for lunch here on Friday before heading over to Orient Beach. It was lovely to see Elaine, as always, and I owe her a special note of thanks for all her help during my illness. I'm not sure I would have known what to do or where to go without her. Also to Pat from this board who PM'd me the name of the doctor she has used throughout the years (same as Elaine's). Thank goodness for friends who care. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We spent our last night on island having dinner at Fig. We had made the necessary reservations, which was good because it is not a large restaurant and filled up quickly. We had heard so much about Fig and perhaps our expectations were too high. While it certainly was decent, it wasn't as good as we expected. Service was adequate, if a bit stiff. We started with an appetizer special of pork rolls which came with lettuce and mint leaves for wrapping and a dipping sauce. Tasty, but awkward to roll and eat and we weren't given any appetizer plates on which to roll them. Two in our party of four had the duck. They thought it was "good, but not great". The other two of us had the pork loin, which was "okay" for both of us. It was more like a thin pork chop - tasty, but nothing special. The usual suspects of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots accompanied a pile of boiled potatoes, which were flavored nicely, but a bit on the dry side. I had to add some of the dipping sauces to mine to make them more moist. We passed on dessert so we could stop at Carousel on the way back to RP, always a nice treat to finish up the evening.

Last day on island (Saturday, January 10), we ate brunch at the Yacht Club. It has become one of our favorite ways to start the day and the staff is always pleasant, the boats always special, and the food always consistent.

Beaches:

We spent most of our beach time on Orient. The seaweed was heavy and stinky during the first week, though the Club O end was fine. The 2nd week saw much improvement and most of the seaweed had been cleaned up and removed. There remained a slight 'rotten egg' odor at times, but it was tolerable. Our friends remained at the Royal Palm condo/beach on Friday due feeling very tired, so Ed & I spent the last day on the Club O section of the beach. We played simple by having burgers at the Perch and made the most of our last day. Trust me when I tell you that we had to force ourselves off those lounge chairs to go pack up for home.

We did spend one day earlier in the week at Mullet Bay Beach. The water was fairly calm and clear. The only thing that ruined it was when 5 (yes, 5 at once) catamarans pulled in with cruise passengers and we soon had hundreds of bobbing heads in the water in front of us. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Thank goodness they only stayed about 45 minutes! We wanted to return to Dreams so we could show our friends, but unfortunately we didn't find the time to get back over there. That's what they make 'next time' for. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Overall impressions:

Weather was beautiful, with only a small (short) amount of rain one day. It was breezy at times, but never where they couldn't put up the umbrellas.

We never felt in danger, always used common sense, and watched our surroundings. Watch out for the ever crazy scooters and the even-worse ATV's that THINK they're little motorcycles.

Lesley (Kenny's) is a breeze to rent from, always making it easy for his customers from start to finish. We simply left the car at the airport as instructed. No hassle at all. We have rented, and will continue to do so, from Lesley for years.

We did our usual phone rental from 'Queen of SXM' Sharon with no issues or problems whatsoever. A good deal, though I do wish her girls would smile a bit more. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> We always feel like we're bothering them a bit.

Traffic was definitely busy over the New Year's, but not horrendous. We did stay away from the Sunset Beach Bar area, which DID look horrendous most of the time.

We used Jeannie's service for the first time, for our first week. She provides a great service with a smile and it was wonderful to have cold beers ready and waiting upon arrival on the island.

US Airways trip home seemed to take forever. People are always more grumpy on the way home than they are on the way there. It was crowded and the plane seats felt like they had shrunk 3 sizes.....or perhaps it was just all the great food we ate on island. We were slightly delayed leaving, but not a big deal. Unlike the way down when they at least sold snack boxes, they only offered drinks on the flight home; not one snack. We were starving. Not to mention the constant hawking of credit cards and merchandise wore very thin. It gets a bit ridiculous. I was never so happy to get off a plane though, even if the temperature on this end had dropped something like 55 degrees. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> And even if US Airways took their sweet time getting our luggage on the carousel. It's all good. What better way to console ourselves for having to leave than to begin planning our next trip to paradise?! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

So sorry to hear that you were sick on vacation. Nothing worse. I have also used Elaines recommendation for Dr. Deketh's clinic and could not have been happier with the treatment and professional care I received. Just a note that I had to go to our local emergency room a few weeks ago and was there a total of 4 hours, including a CTscan and my insurance was billed $8000.00! By the way Dr. Dekeths bill was $50.00. Go figure!

Haha, he's gone up a whopping $25. We paid $75. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Worth every penny.

Sorry to here your meal at Lee's was not up to standard but I would not expect a good steak there. They are known for there ribs and fish which are usually outstanding.

You're right, Scubaman. I tried to talk my friends out of the steak, but they didn't listen. Hubby had the ribs and thought they were okay, a bit dry that night. My Mahi Mahi was very good.

Nice report Robin! Sorry you were not well for part of your vacation as it really is a pain when sick on vacation. We stayed at the Royal Palm in 2013 for 10 days and did not encounter any problems, so I guess we were lucky. Hopefully they will get the exhaust fumes remedied soon as that could definitely be a serious problem and not too environmentally friendly.We also enjoy most of the restaurants you mentioned and have always enjoyed the food at IZI, Pineapple Pete, the Greenhouse and the Yacht Club. They are always on our list. We felt exactly as you did about FIG.

Thanks, Elizabeth! It would appear we would do great on the island at the same time, except for the accommodations that we both like. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Hope you are feeling better.

Regarding Royal Palm, are you sure it was exhaust you were smelling? Not doubting your assessment but having stayed there many times over the years and in many different units we have never encountered that smell. If by chance they had exterminated the units (which is done on a fairly regular basis), that does produce an unpleasant odor but it usually subsides in a day or two.

Lee's is decent for fish but anything else there would be hit or miss.

Izi is very consistent and they usually do a good job on food and service.

Thanks for your report.

Thanks for the report.

Sorry that you were ill on island. I have been there and it is not fun. It is kind of a shame when all those big cats come in at Mullet, but as you said, they only stay a short time. I am surprised at the smell at Royal Palm also. While I've not stayed there nearly as many times as JD, I've never encountered that smell there either.

Robin,

Sorry to hear your trip was fraught with illness - but look at it this way, the doctor was good and at least you weren't camping if you get my drift!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It's always interesting to read other peoples' trip reports and find the things we agree and disagree on.

Having read several glowing reviews on IZI we tried it once and were totally unimpressed with all aspects of our evening (except the company, that is...) and beyond saying the food itself was 'okay' it definitely did NOT make our list of places we'd opt to return to; yet at the same time, we've enjoyed each trip we've made to FIG (which we liken to our favorite local Greek restaurant - nothing 'special' but very enjoyable for what it is as well as being conveniently situated and reasonably priced, too......) but as we've said so often, we all have very different expectations, and if we all enjoyed the same thing, we'd never get served!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Glad to learn the doctor helped and you were able to feel better and enjoy the latter days of your trip, and as you said, you can't plan your return until you've come home, so get crackin' my friend!

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--I've only been to Izi once and while it was good, I didn't find anything there that makes me want to rush back. I don't normally want Italian on SXM though, so I am probably not a good test case on that. But if everyone liked all the same things, you could never get in to one restaurant and all the others would be empty! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Agreed. I rented from Sharon last year and it felt like they would have rather been doing *anything* other than renting me a phone. I had no issues at all and the entire process went smoothly but I'm not inclined to do business with them again.

Carol,

Right there with you.

Italian restaurants, after the demise of Sebastiano's Restaurant in Grand Case so many years ago, is something generally NOT included in our SXM game plan but in December we tried both Basilico (sp?) at Atlantis and Cugini's in Simpson Bay (Cole Bay? - I never can figure out where one ends and the other starts....) and thought the meals we enjoyed at both were very good. Basilico has more of an upscale feeling to it and Cugini was very noisy but the offerings at both were excellent. Or was it the company we were with? In any event, we would return to either of these in a heartbeat if the desire for Italian should hit. I think I would describe Basilico as a place I'd like to get dressed up and enjoy on my very best behavior, where Cugini's was a place I'd like to go to and have a lot of laughs, and maybe a lot of wine? Does that make sense? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for both trip reports. I thoroughly enjoyed them. So glad you fought through the illness & enjoyed the rest of your vacation. We stopped going to Lee's because it was just too inconsistent, too many other places to try. Was thinking of trying Fig next month. As Carol said, we are lucky everyone doesn't like the same places.

Thanks for the reports-sorry re your illness-have been there too & rec'd excellent care at a clinic in Phils'burg across from the library.

It was definitely exhaust and we could smell it each time the unit clicked on. Smelled like car or machinery exhaust. When hubby taped up the back bedroom vent, it unfortunately made the smell stronger in the other rooms, but at least I could breath at night. I spoke with Queen Sharon and she said she's been complaining about it for a number of years. Something to do with the roof vents not being insulated properly apparently....or something like that. It was awful but might not be present in all the units or on both sides of the building, I don't know. But it was sure present in ours. Someone else told me they had noted the same smell during their stay in 2013.

Thanks for the report. Certainly not the usual kind. Glad you recovered without having to go home. It is Amazing that health care in SXM is so cheap compared to USA. I also had to visit a doctor on one trip. The meds he prescribed cost me $57. at drug store on French side. Would have been over $100. at home. The office visit was maybe $20.. Can't remember exactly.

Last year, we really enjoyed Lee's, but this time around it wasn't good. Too many restaurants to try -- with me getting sick, we didn't get to go to a few we wanted to try this time around. And that, folks, is why we simply have to go back! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Funny you should mention that- was there in Nov. & I love dry ribs & this time Lee's were even too dry for me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/boohoo.gif" alt="" />

When I commented to the doctor how reasonable, he came back with "Yes, but you can't sue me!" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />