BEERMAN Trip Part 4-1

SXM Trip Part 4-1 (Tuesday, February 24th)

Once again after I looked through my photo's I couldn't fit what I wanted into one post, so here's how we spent part of our Tuesday.

We were awake bright and early as usual. The sunrise was right on time, it was brilliant and accompanied by a nice gentle trade wind. With good coffee in hand we took our morning walk along NBBC’s beach... by the way, was it just our villa or does St Martin have something against large coffee mugs? I’m used to my VENTI size cup!! My wife continued her sea glass harvesting while I tried not to spill my precious mini cup of joe. She brought home a LOT of colorful glass that was nicely polished by Mother Nature. I think her trophy piece was a brilliant blue nugget. Our temporary family pet would pay us another visit, I like her.







Each time we drove into or through Marigot our eyes were of course drawn to historic Fort Louis, circa 1789, with its French colors flying high atop Marigot. We assumed the view must be outstanding from that perch. Our goal was to climb that hill this morning, so we securely wrapped up the toe and drove into town. We found an easy parking spot on the edge of town and walked over to Rosemary’s LoLo again, this time we tried her breakfast! Rosemary is a very nice lady and her restaurant operates like a well oiled machine. From our Market side table we could clearly see Fort Louis in all its glory as we enjoyed omelette's with avocado salad and a Johnny cake, nice. Small salads came with a couple of my breakfast and apps on this trip, unusual where I'm from, but I liked that!




The walk up to the fort is an easy one even with the toe. The walk from town starts as a gradual incline passing the Eglise Catholique de Marigot. This is where I would pray, "Please Lord, give me the strength, focus and precision to properly raise my tender toe over each uneven step along this journey, amen." This beautiful church has island charm and surprisingly it's relatively young at only 74 years old. Once at the base of the forts hill the stairs become a bit steep and the elevation increases quickly. On our way back down we did see some older folks holding the handrail and taking short breaks during their trek, slow and easy will get you there! Once at the fort we found only 2 other early birds walking around, which was nice! What an amazing 360 degree panoramic view including Anguilla, Marigot, Simpson Bay, the valley and mountain tops and we could actually see Nettle Bay Beach Club, cool. The fort’s stonework has been restored to some extent complete with several cannons. As I looked out over the marina at Marigot I let my mind wander…..imagining what it was like defending this well provisioned port from the English who inhabited Anguilla back in the day. We were fortunate on this day to have the most amazing clear blue skies punctuated by bright white clouds. We had this gorgeous perch basically to ourselves for an hour except for the other couple. The nice German couple took our photo’s and we took theirs, funny how we made that happen when neither spoke the others language, simply gesturing and saying “photograph?”, “yes?”, “good?” Then Merci! With a chuckle. Glad we took the time to walk up that hill, it really is breathtaking on a big blue sky day.


















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I don't recommend hanging on this flag pole like my wife did....but I love her crazy side!

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We took our time walking back down into town. We wanted to take a look at Marina Royale, so we walked through the side streets in search of this hidden lagoon. We really liked the architecture and colors found on these streets. We walked just a couple of blocks and we saw a few tall masts with rigging sticking up above some shops, if you don't look up you could miss the marked entrance!

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One regret from this trip was running out of time to return and dine at one of the restaurants here. The marina is small, but the walkways around the horseshoe shaped bulk head are nice. There are several shops here that my wife really liked, everything from bikini shops,cigar shop, clothing shops, jewelry, charter companies, wonderful looking outdoor bars and restaurants and local artists selling their work along the waters edge. Again it's not a large complex, but it has a really nice feel.

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After spending a little money we exited the back of one of the shops and found ourselves on a non-descript side street with dreary store fronts. You would probably not find this lagoon if you weren't looking for it. We had really worked up a thirst looking through all those stores, so we required a beverage, but where? we walked from street to street looking for the perfect place...why didn't we stay in the lagoon?? eventually we found ourselves back at the market and grabbed a tall table right on the street at Le Bistro De La Mer, perfect! My Presidente was ice cold and my wife had an awesome Mango Mojito, so good in fact she had 2! We decided to eat lunch here before choosing a beach. I had a very good but boring burger and fries and she had the special which was the largest portion of mussels we've ever seen! They were perfectly steamed in a heavy pot with white wine and she said the broth was very very good, she was in heaven dipping her fresh baguette and sipping her mango mojito.

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After our leisurely impromptu lunch, which hit the spot! we headed back to the villa to drop off our purchases and grab our beach stuff. We decided to head over towards Simpson Bay, however we had no idea where we would actually end up.................


To be continued in Part 4-2<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Great report and great pictures !! Thanks for sharing <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Great, great photos once again!
I think Marina Royale always looked better at night, especially when they had entertainment and lights.

I think you have seen more in one trip than I have in my 10 trips. If my newly replaced hip allows in April I'm going to make it a point to go off the beaten path. Very inspiring. I hope there's more.

Ah...so that's what it looks like from the top. I must admit in our 20+ trips, we've never climbed it. Thanks for showing us that great view and (possibly) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> inspiring a hike next trip.

I am so very happy to see you explored so many of these out of the way sites along with the little nitches and spots that so many will never take the time to see. This island has so much more to offer than just beaching, though theres nothing wrong with that either, but even allowing for all our years of annual visits, it amazes me that almost every trip we manage to find or see or do something new-to-us. We've already got one or two ideas for our next trip, thank you very much. But you sure have done an incredible job of exploring and sharing your wonderful vacation. <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 the ongoing report! It's been years since we climbed to the fort. Really outstanding views from there! Also unfortunately been a few years since we've been to Marina Royale. It is a lovely area that I wish I felt safe going to in the evening.

We always wanted to climb up to the fort, but I recall several years ago a couple were robbed up there. I guess there's always safety in numbers, so you probably don't want to be the only ones up there!!

Thanks for sharing. Your first trip sounds like ours so many years ago. We tried to do and see everything as we were not sure when we might return to this island. It turns out we have visited once or twice every year since and still enjoy doing many of the same things. It is definitely our favorite island!

Great report and pics!

I heard a year or two ago that the french government was putting a bunch of money into refurbishing the area and into security. It sounds like maybe they did the refurb but the promise of ongoing security was not so evident, as Beerman said they were alone up there except other tourists..

Another great trip report and photos. I love your puppy! You deserve a margarita courtesy of MY bar <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />



My contribution to Fort Louis



And finally, a not so good shot taken in St. Barts

Beerman, no it's not just your villa. I have never stayed at a place in SXM that had large coffee mugs! I decided to look for an insulated mug on Orient Beach and they're non-existant! Well I did finally find an insulated glass at the Club O store, L'Orientique. (I think they had weird cheap plastic insulated mugs too but I don't want one of them.) So now on my "bring from home" list is a large insulated coffee mug. It's apparently a cultural thing.

People have been murdered on the Appalachian Trail, I still hike and sleep in the woods alone. I refuse to live in fear and avoid beautiful places because of what ifs. Be aware of your surroundings, if it doesnt feel right, certainly remove yourself. Travel with a group if that makes you comfortable, but the day I avoid that fort on a beautiful day like that because I felt unsafe? Is the day I give up on everything and double lock my doors and pull down the blinds.

Very well said!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Amen to that Beerman. In my case it's always sand gravity that stops me. Maybe this year will be diffetent

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. I drink too much coffee anyways, the extra effort kept my intake down! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />

Birdwatcher thanks for the drink idea, don't mind if I do! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Beerman- Having read most of your trip reports, I'm guessing that St. John will always be your favorite.

Having said that, do you feel you made a good choice for a change of pace in St. Martin?
Also, your pictures of NBBC seem to show a beautiful setting. Would you stay there again if you returned?

I've been to both St Martin and Virgin Gorda several times in the last few years. Love them both. Thought I would get your insight.

Thanks,

Scott

Insulated non-spill coffee mugs can be found at Ace Hardware in Cole Bay. They are small, compared to what we use at home.
That is the most beautiful hardware store I have ever seen. Whenever my husband discovers a need for a new kitchen item that is not supplied by The Towers we can always find it there.

Funny thing, Janice - same thing here. We usually buy chair glides at Ace almost every trip for our dining room chairs. The scraping noise always drives me crazy....... Ace really is my favorite place for the little incidentals.

Thanks for another enjoyable report and especially the pics.
The Fort is a wonderful place to survey that part of the Island.

lol! Are they wearing out every year Pat?

It's the people upstairs (well, not when we are on 8, but if we are on 7) and next-door that I wish would have the dang chair glides!

Hey ScottW, I recognize your name from the BVI side! As I mentioned our daughter is away at school and this was our first Caribbean trip without her. SXM was a great island choice for us! I can't really compare St John and SXM because to us they were totally different and we assumed that from our research. We were pleasantly surprised by the "International Feel" to steal a Todd Rundgren song title! NBBC was perfect for the 2 of us and yes we would stay there again, it was a beautiful setting. Our unit was clean, well equipped and even though the beach there was not as soft as others and signs warn of sea nettles in certain areas, there were sections that we saw families with kids easily accessing the water. I think the center 2 sections of the complex had the best sand and water access, I believe those units were numbered in the 2000-3000's and we were in 4000 closest to Marigot. We have discussed returning with additional people and perhaps take over a complete quad or pod. However, after visiting Anse Marcel and Orient we would have to look at villas in those areas as well. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Wow! First trip, and you "get it"

Marvelous!!

Thanks for the great trip reports, and the great pictures.

Way more interesting than one more thread about rental cars, best LoLos, or what a beach chair rental costs....or, my very favorite....the best way to take frozen meat to SXM.

Can't wait for Trip#2 reports.

btw, never stayed at Nettle Bay, but you can do way worse than being a stroll away from Ma Ti, Dreams, Le Sand (did I get those names right?) and Laylas. Faves, one and all.

Thanks again....lovely reports.