A lazy day..

Tuesday was a lazy day. We did nothing. We went nowhere. Didn't even start up the car. We have had a busy and difficult few months, so doing nothing is a good thing!. Just about perfect! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />


After staying at a couple of dozen places all around the island over the years, we find that Beachside Villas has what we want. To me, the best beach on the island



The best SEAT for viewing it..



..that's my seat, on the right...

And a fantastic view, second to none!


Of passing sailboats





and cruise ships



..and the world at large...





The weather was somewhat changeable all day. We had about 5 or 6 HEAVY downpours for about 5 minutes each




and then it would clear off and be fairly sunny



and then another round would come through. It didn't really bother us much, as we hadn't intended to go anywhere much anyway.


I did venture down as far away as the pool. There are now chair pads on the chairs around the pool and on many of the chairs on the beach.



I had intended to take pictures from there of the KLM taking off, but it looked like it was going to come another downpour, so I scurried back to the house and sent Eric out to take some pictures from the viewing steps.




It always amazes me, being able to see the 747 so close.

Meals today were a simple thing. Ham and cheese omelette for breakfast, along with the obligatory mimosa!

[img]http://www.info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv2016/omelette.jpg[/img]

Then a homemade pasta salad with lots of veggies and cheese and ham for lunch and a chicken breast stuffed with cheese and ham for dinner. Sorry, no pictures of those! We did have a slight disaster, as we broke one of our wine glasses as we were doing the dishes.. Hopefully we won't have to make another trip to Ace to finish up our week!

Other than going to the pool, my other big excursion of the day was going over to the office to exchange out a couple of books, since I have read two books by now. I didn't really pay that much attention, but there is a laptop and a printer sitting there in the reception area now, so I guess that is for the use of guests, a nice touch for those who don't bring their computer along, as we do.

Well, that's it, a pretty boring day overall. But we did what we came here to do...


[img]http://www.info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv2016/relax.jpg[/img]

This sign is above one of the doors in our villa.

Everyone's idea of a vacation is different. None are wrong. A vacation is what YOU make it to be. Years ago, we stayed on the French side, spent ALL day ont the beach, went to Grand Case to a French restaurant every night, most nights drove over to a casino and usually came back through Marigot at 1:30 in the morning, usually getting caught behind the garbage truck. Just thinking about that schedule now makes me tired!! (...although I confess we are a few years older now... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />)

I guess what I'm trying to say is let's not be so critical of what other's choices are in vacations. If someone wants to go visit three different other islands over the course of a week on SXM or do a different excursion every day, more power to them! If someone wants to go out every meal to eat and go to the casino every night, hey good for them! If someone wants to bring a huge cooler, or a small one, full of meat down with them on the plane, that's cool. So long as it doesn't affect YOUR vacation, it's all good. For us, now, a day like Tuesday, sitting watching the waves and the water and the sailboats and the cruise ships, reading a book, eating some simple food, maybe taking a little nap in the afternoon, it's all good..

My seat is on the left, Carol. You have described a perfect day especially when staying at BSV. How's the beach restaurant next door doing?

There is nothing like all the different colors of blue in SXM. Thanks for sharing those pictures. It makes me sigh just looking at them.

Louise--I honestly don't know. Any time we have gone past, there have been maybe two cars there.. We haven't been over there.

As far as the seating, I always turn that armchair around to face the ocean. I'm sure the maids get really tired of me!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

By the way, not a big deal at all to me, but the maids are here every day now. I'm not sure if they both still work 6 days, or whether they now work 5 days and have two days off, but one maid cleans the whole complex when the other is off. I'm not sure how many empty units there are, although the one next to us has definitely been empty the whole time. I think that 9 is empty also.

Agreed, there truly MUST be a million different colors of blue in SXM, all fantastic!

Sounds like a good day.

So, this is what I have to look forward to when I get old like you guys??

Smarta$$!!!

Watch out for the strawberry daiquiris, remember what happened the last time!

Hope today was good also as is the rest of your time there.

Sounds like perfect day to me! Sometimes it's good to slow down, and be lulled into total relaxation listening to the waves. And looking at the incredible colors of the water. Good for the soul! Ahhh.........

Carol,

Your trip sounds perfect to me....... No agenda and no must-do list to get bogged down with. Just do what you want when you want and if that all adds up to reading a book on the patio (or in our case, the balcony.....) go for it.

I hope the rest of your stay is as pleasant as it's been so far.

And I loved your closing comments. EXACTLY!!

Oh, reading a book on vacation is my perfect go-to day, for sure!

We did get over to ParrotVille today. It was a lovely little excursion. Need to look at the pictures and hope to post some of those tomorrow. As of now, probably going out to dinner, somewhere. No plans yet!

Strawberry daiquiris?? I don't drink strawberry daiquiris!!!

Outstanding trip report Carol! and I really like the photo's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> I especially like your closing comments. Believe it or not chilling is one of my favorite hobbies, but my current Utah reports may not show that <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> and FYI now that the hands better and photobucket is back to being awesome I posted Swiss-Italia part 6 in the world wide! Shameless plug for readership AGAIN! Love trip reports! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

A "day off" in SXM surely beats a day off at home!!! Especially with that view!!!! I would never want to leave the apartment.

You're doing a great job with the pictures and write-ups. I'm pretty sure that the condo complex at the end of the beach was featured on one of the International House Hunter shows, and I think that is where they bought (but not sure). However the view from there was stunning.

I think you should stay there 365 days a year and post a report every day.

edit - PS I really like my Kindle for books, and it is so easy to download new ones (for free).

Lazy days are GREAT vacation days and you seem to be doing a good "job" of that!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> and mimosas to start the day?! Just doesn't get better than that...tho I will only drink REAL champagne and don't bother with the oj <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> but adding oj to prosecco is fine...enjoy!! Love your home away from home!!

Sorry, I just love BOOKS! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. Will check out the worldwide board soon!

What did you have at Mullet Bay at Rosie's?

It's nice to have "lazy days". Thanks for the pics.

Strawberry MARGARITAS!!! Big difference!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Hey, it was red and it worked! Too well!

Thanks Norm. Always good to see your pictures!

By the way, we went to the Yacht Club this evening, and Eric had the (in)famous grouper fingers! I had a burger. They hit the spot!

Both are very good at Yacht Club.

Every day is a good day in SXM! Some days it is just nice to do nothing and enjoy each others company. Glad to hear you are having a vacation tailored to your needs.

BSV is my personal favorite as well. Had BSV fever for three days and didn't leave the unit for three days!!!! Just spent 8 days on island, trying to find time to post report, but really love BSV, did not stay there this trip.

Us old-timers love to read and do absolutely nothing also. Carol read 12 books and I managed 6 this past vacation. Mostly while sitting under an umbrella on the beach. Some days we got to Orient at 9:00 am and left when the sun dropped behind the hill to the west. I must admit I probably slept about 6 books worth or I would have caught up with my wife. Isn't vacation fun!

Quality sleep is underrated. As much as I love reading, I would cheerfully swap some reading time for quality sleep time. A solid 7+ hours at night and a good daytime nap make my day.

We read a lot as well & with arthritis in my hands the Kindle is easier to hold. Also fits in carryon & no extra weight to have in suitcases. We used to haul around 10 paperbacks in checked bags. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

I'm an avid reader, too, and love my kindle all the time but particularly when traveling. We were boarding at JFK one year and I was having difficulty putting my carry-on in the overhead so my DH stepped over to help. He couldn't believe the weight of that little bag and when we finally arrived at the Towers, he counted ten paperbacks I'd packed for myself for our two week plus trip. That's when I purchased my kindle...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Your pictures are gorgeous, and it sounds like a perfect day!

Can't think of a better place to have a lazy day than SXM ! Enjoy !!

kerrymarcie--BSV fever!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> By jove, I think you've got it!!

You have to do that report and soon! It's the only way folks make it through to the next trip!

I don't sleep well at home--too much stress. Here, I sleep beautifully!

Jazzgal--I just saw your ticker--are you not coming to SXM in June this year?

I think it's the sound of the waves over the airco that lulls you soundly into lalaland, or at least, it sure worked for me when we were there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Not sure why I sleep so well here, but grateful for it!

The reason is simple and the reason why the beach is so good for our health - negative ions.

http://negativeionscience.com/page1/page1.html

It sounds perfect! I am enjoying your reports and photos so much. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
You always asked me why we left BSV and went off to other beaches--mostly Mullet---well in April and last October/November, we spent a lot more time at BSV. We even did more dinners in and we enjoyed it. My only issue was the umbrellas for the beach. We managed a couple of days, but if they are not anchored properly they will fly off.....
I ended up with the worse case of sun poisoning the first day. I saw others sitting out and said I could do it for a short time with lots of lotion----NO didn't work.

Another thing about staying at BSV is if you are not feeling well there is no better place to be. You have everything right there.

Thanks ---waiting for more <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I had open-heart surgery in late March to repair a leaky mitral valve and wasn't sure I'd be 100% yet by June as there are "sternal restrictions" as to pushing, pulling, and lifting. The way I feel now, it probably would have been fine. But I'm still going to cardiac rehab so should be finished with that, as well as being 100%, by late Nov. I'm going to miss my June friends but am looking forward to meeting new people in my Nov/Dec time frame.

Sorry for the thread drift, but I guess you started it in your own thread. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Carol,

The best part of any vacation is going slow enough to enjoy it. It is even easier to do with the proper stemware. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Truly enjoying your stories and pictures - keep them coming.

We rent an umbrella from Craig at Packlight. Have not really had a problem with them flying off. I don't ever sit out in the sun, basically..

Thanks Tom! We went to Parrottville yesterday and have to sit down and go through the pictures, as they need quite a bit of tweaking. However, we are headed out to Dreams here in a bit, so it will have to wait until later, I think.

Selfishly, I was hoping that you would pick up with the posting pictures when we leave to go home! Guess I will have to wait until November then for one of your fabulous reports!

We will be at BSV for the first time the end of July. Does BSV have umbrellas, or do I need to rent from packlight? How many lounges are there for each unit?

We are enjoying you posts! Your pictures very nice.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday

Dave and Cyndi

Sorry <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> and thanks!

As Carol said you can rent umbrellas from Packlight. There are two very comfortable lounges on the deck and four in the sand below. Sometimes they may have an umbrella there in storage. It would be good if you brought or asked packright for one of those screw in pieces for the umbrella to secure the umbrella in the sand. I think there are different sizes.

Hope this helps.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As said, they may be available at BSV. We have never asked one way or the other, we just rent from Packlite. Delivered along with the coolar that she wants (it is specific!!).

Never had a problem with flying away, but know how to put them in. It is in the room AND it just happens. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

As far as loungers, no problem! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

You will be really hard pressed not to be happy here!!! Take it from all of the satisfied customers..... but on the other hand..... do not spread it around or we will not be able to get a room!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Ok, you will have a terrible time!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> Does that make you happier??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Never mind all of the great reports..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

There are three of us and wanted to make sure there are enough loungers and umbrellas. We will contact Packlite for the umbrellas.
Thank you, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Dave and Cyndi

Eric,
Your secret is safe with me. So many recommendations for BSV, that me thinks the secret may be out!
We hope that that this becomes our go to place every year.

Regards, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Dave and Cyndi

Three loungers on the beach is no issue. I'm not sure you have room for three loungers on the DECK, but the beach, no problem. Enjoy your stay!

We are so looking forward to our stay there! Other than a day trip over to Saba, we are looking forward to "chill out" vacation like you and Eric. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

Dave

I'm sure you will enjoy it. Really, the only thing one can complain about here is that there is no a/c in the living room. If there was a/c, I'm sure the prices would be a lot higher though, as electric in the Caribbean is very expensive!! In the summer it can become warm. So far this trip it really has been very comfortable inside. The weather has been somewhat changeable the whole time, and a very nice breeze, not bright sunshine any day, really, so it has not been that hot. If the breeze goes away, usually we have been able to get a box fan from the office..

I'll keep that in mind about the box fan.
We'll be in paradise. I'm sure we will cope <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

If you're out on the beach or in the pool, then it's no problem. Also, there is a shower right on the back porch, so you can cool off any time, if you have your swimsuit on..