Trip Report Nov 6-20, 2016 part2( final)

The second week in SXM we move to the Simpson Bay Resort. Through an Interval International trade, we got a 1 bedroom unit(A 10) in the Allamanda building. The pool was right outside our door. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3987_zpsk3sisvqm.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3984_zpslusqezgv.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3986_zps7wrwtfon.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3985_zps5b8ghewd.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4003_zpsxi1ec0qv.jpg
Dinner –
Because of Betty’s recovery from the intestinal/stomach flu/virus, we didn’t eat a lot of big meals, just whatever sounded good to her.

Dinghy Dock – Oyster Pond and Simpson Bay –
At the Oyster Bay location I had their hamburger w/fries. It was a good burger with good seasoning. With a rum and coke the bill was $17.00
During the second week, we stopped at the Simpson Bay location. We split another cheeseburger. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4008_zpsw7uxv00.jpg While there, we talked to Seth, the owner. He’s looking for help if anyone is jobless, he's also planning some menu changes, and he’s planning a big concert at this location in the coming months.,
SMYC – Those that know Betty and I, know that our favorite meal(?) are the Grouper Fingers off the Yacht Club’s Appetizer menu. Even with Betty’s condition, we managed to enjoy them three times. This was our first serving by May , pronounced “Mi. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3956_zpsibbe943k.jpg
Here’s their Bar and Appetizer Menus. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3953_zpsdupjpm9f.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3954_zpsdbqdugsd.jpg
Our last meal was Grouper fingers also. Somehow the kitchen got them cooked even with no lights in the seating area. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4042_zpspmuawbtr.jpg Perfect last meal.
The Palm’s - Another favorite is the Lasagna served at the Palm’s.. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3963_zpsfi0qvsh3.jpg It was $20.00. There is no service charge at The Palm’s, also no credit cards.. Later in the trip after an evening at the Princess Casino, Betty and I had a sweet tooth attack. Originally we had planned to visit The Carousel for an ice cream,but that didn’t seem that that would satisfy the craving. I had always championed the Carrot Cake at The Palm’s, so when Betty suggested we stop there, I was “on board” real quick. What a wonderful twist of fate. Not only did we get a piece of Carrot Cake when got there, but we also found Joyce and Matt, Bill and Elaine, Jeff from DK Gems. It was the going away party for Greg’s parents who were retiring and returning to Canada in the next couple days. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4024_zpsaovuknr1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4023_zpsqbouwbw7.jpg
Also got to see the new Palm Tree lights that I brought them. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4025_zpsq5c9kdyd.jpg
Sorry there’s no Carrot Cake pic. It disappeared before I could get the camera out. We did come back on our last night and have another piece. It really is good. Here’s The Palm’s current menu.
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Pizza Galley – We love their thin crust pizza. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3968_zpsh19khshj.jpg They’ve made major changes in the layout of the pizza side plus added a huge bar called The Dock on the one side.
SkipJack’s - Consistantly good food, we like their Pan Fried Grouper. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3988_zpsnupfqgnk.jpg There is service charge at SkipJack’s. Our meal plus two teas, plus sc was $38.00.
Pineapple Pete’s - Always have a meal at PP’s because we like the Crème Brulee. This trip we had a Neptune Burger, which is a chopped grouper with spices and stuff made into a burger. And of course, we had a CremeBrulee. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4009_zpsjjbhfcvv.jpg
The Harbour Queen- This is their Rib Meal. Ribs are very tender, almost fall of the bone. You get one side. $18.95. Sadly, their Baked Beans were no longer available. We were there on a night when GEBE wasn’t providing electrical power, so everyone was on stand-by generators. Sadly, pretty noisy for diners, especially here.
Buccaneer Beach Bar – Still one of our favorite places for a Cheeseburger. We also met Ann and Steve and their friend Stan there to watch the Super Moon. While waiting , Betty and I split a bowl of Ribs off the appetizer menu $9.00. Very tasty and meaty. Here’s some of their menu. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3995_zpsogommgdj.jpg
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Rancho Del Sol – In the Orient area. Met John and Cyndi from Tijon there for dinner. Betty and I split a large filet dinner.$28.00. Cyndi had the Shrimp Kabob. It looked impressive. She had to do a little work before she could eat each one. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4027_zpsp0tppb7u.jpg
John had the Soul Fish(?). Said it tasted fine, but it looked a little strange. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4027_zpsp0tppb7u.jpg
during dinner Cyndi presented me with an envelope with proceeds from the sale of two pieces of glassware which are on display in their shop, Tijon.

The last night we spent at Mary’s Boon in a Garden Unit. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4040_zpseji5mwo4.jpg
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News, Activities, Misc Pictures –
Here are a couple pics of the Oyster Pond area from the docks of the OBBR docks on the marina side.
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The entrance to The Big Fish restaurant in Oyster Pond area. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3944_zps0ssg77zs.jpg
Some views of the Orient area from Paradise View and Bernadine’s Island Liquor and Spice booth.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3949_zpszi5rd0ua.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3950_zpsw1i9wkb4.jpg She is recovering from having her thyroid removed plus some radiation treatments. She says she feels fine, but tires very easily. She said she had a follow-up doctor’s visit scheduled in about a week or so. She still takes care of about fourteen stray cats and a few dogs. I know there are several dog rescue organizations on SXM, but I don’t know of any cat rescues. If you can find time and maybe a few bucks, please stop by her booth on Paradise View and make a donation or buy something from her. And if you’re thinking of adopting a cat to bring home, I know she will gladly help.
Did take a day to enjoy the Dawn Beach. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3964_zpsvl4vfrsh.jpg
By chance we had a wind surfer fly over. Kind of neat. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3966_zpsf3d1iijp.jpg
We attended a SXM Get Together, sponsored by Jacky at Toppers. It’s always fun to put names with faces. Although we had traded messages on FB and various SXM forums in the past, this is the first time we have ever been on SXM at the same time.
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One day while Betty was feeling bad, I took a drive up to Orient Beach to check out the new places. Here’s some pics of the menus.
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Starting from the end closest to Pedros.
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All the places were fairly busy, although it was around 11:30am.
On the drive back to OBBR I stopped at the old Orleans bakery. It now has a new restaurant in it, called
P’s Cheese Cake Restaurant. The P’s stand for Pierre and Patricia, his wife. This is Pierre
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP3982_zps8qswzmxk.jpg Nice guy. Speaks good English. He’s waiting for a more permanent roof over his outside seating area.
Here’s his menu and they do make their own Cheese Cake.
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One of the things I like best is Steel Pan music. On Saturday, as people are checking in for their stay at OBBR has Steel Pan music. in the courtyard.
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One of the other musical treats in SXM in November is Susan Erwin playing at the Red Piano.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4002_zps0oorbqto.jpg The guy playing guitar, fiddle, is her fiancée. Red Piano is so much more enjoyable since they put in a no smoking policy last spring.
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On last February’s visit to SXM, Cyndi of Tijon in Grand Case invited me to bring down some of my fused glass pieces. I think I over-whelmed them with the fifteen pieces I brought, but they graciously cleared an area on the boutique side of the store and set up a third or so of the pieces. The others to come out as space allowed.
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As mentioned earlier in this report two sold during the two weeks I was on SXM. You can go to Norm’s Glass on facebook to see some of my other works.
One night we had drinks with Carter, formerly of Turquoise Shell Inn.
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Carter has been trying to sell TSI for several years. This past spring a local family who own the “Friendly Water” company on SXM bought it. The new owners have made some changes as you might expect. Of the ten units, the five upper floor units are now long term rentals. The lower five units have been gutted, repainted, retiled inside and also on their new enlarged porch.
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The pool deck has been retiled also as well as a railing to help get in and out of the pool.
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There is new furniture coming. Also the edge of the parking area has a little wall around it.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016G/IMGP4015_zpsikkekki1.jpg They also have built a new office just inside the gate.
Of course sitting at the SMYC lets you see some big yachts up close.
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This is kind of ordinary looking yacht,…..until you notice the helicopter on the back deck.
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Here’s the bridge schedule if you’re wondering.
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There’s a new lodging place in Simpson Bay called Commodore Suites. It’s located on the second floor right above The Garden Market and Burger King.
There’s something new going into the old Ric’s Place, that’s just before the drawbridge. Couldn’t find out what though.
We did get to see the “Super Moon”. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4001_zpskseiblm7.jpg
Went to town to DK Gems. Last February we dropped off one of Betty’s rings that had a loose stone. Kamil had it ready for us this trip……no charge. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/SXM%20Nov%202016/IMGP4007_zpsrxnaqxgm.jpg
We visited the casinos several times. Betty actually broke even or at least close, for all our visits. I was down a little. We prefer The Princess in Port d’Plaissance. They got nice chairs at Starz, but didn’t fit Betty comfortably.
Think that’s about it. It was a wonderful trip for me,….but then, every trip to SXM is wonderful. Betty’s flu stuff did kind of put a “crimp” in our activities and certainly her enjoyment.
One last food pic. An early arrival at airport precluded any sit down breakfast, however the airport has after check in and security, Johnny Cakes
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They were pretty good and reasonable.
Finally here’s some fly-away pics.
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Finally here's a sign from the times in SXM.
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Once again I would love to see your pictures but just don't have that kind of time to open each one.

Thanks for the report Norm. I also had trouble with some pictures not opening or taking a long time to open. Not sure if it is my computer or photobucket. I got a message saying the picture has been moved or deleted on some of them.

Thank you Norm. I always enjoy your reports and learn something new. I wish my husband liked to drive around the island like you do. To get him off the beach requires major effort. He just hates driving in SXM. We stay at SBR and he makes me walk as far as Pineapple Pete's for dinner. I'm glad there are so many dinner options close by.

Sorry about bad links to my pics. Will recheck them later today. I need a "posting guru" to guide me through the process of reducing the size of all of them so I can just post pic.

Thanks Norm always enjoy your reports.

Wendell

Once again and wonderful report. Very enjoyable. I had no problem with pictures. Nice job.

I thought it was just me. Some pictures came up instantaneously, others took a minute or two, until an ad popped up (I have pop-up blocker set on medium). I've never had this happen on Norm's excellent reports. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" /> But, thanks Norm, on a very cold day in the NE, these warmed me up.

Norm---I am curious, wondered what you thought about SBR, versus OBBR? I know OBBR is your 'home', but curious as to how you think it compares?

Some of the pictures came right up and some took forever, so I just exited out.

Carol, We have stayed at SBR back when it was the Pelican. In comparing to OBBR, it is, of course, much larger. We enjoyed having almost our own pool right outside our door. But they don't have a readily available beach. One bedroom units at OBBR are much larger than our one bdrm at SBR. Of course closeness of SBR to some of our favorite restaurants was a plus for them.
They each have their advantages. Not sorry I bought at OBBR, but also glad I can exchange for other parts of the island.

OK, thanks for your thoughts. SBR would be a lot more convenient to me personally than being in Oyster Pond. There is a beach at SBR, but I guess would be kind of a hike from where you were.

You're right Carol, There was a beach at SBR and it was an easy run down the hill to it,.....it was the walk back up that was a "killer".

Yup, I get ya...