May 2018 Trip Report #3

Saturday 5/26

Any day that starts like this is a good day!


Knowing how blessed we are to have the ability to even visit St Maarten within 8 months of Irma, we wanted to help in some small way and assist those still struggling. Visiting and spending our dollars did not feel like enough. Thanks to Jeff Jhangiani for suggesting purchases for the COME Center in Philipsburg. Samaritan’s Purse helped them a lot in the immediate aftermath of Irma, and they were able to expand their kitchen. They received a new stove and larger refrigerator to help prepare and serve meals to those left homeless or jobless.

So, Saturday morning it was off to Prime Cash & Carry. Weekend shopping with all the locals and restaurant owners!
We loaded the carts with large bags of frozen chicken quarters, pork chops, hot dogs, beans, rice, bread and fresh eggs, apples, carrots, potatoes, and juice boxes. Delivering them downtown to the COME Center was a rewarding experience. They are still serving 100 people daily at lunch, and more when the Senior Citizens come on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Since the hurricane donations have dwindled, if you are on island and able to do so, please consider donating or taking food to these wonderful ladies.






We did some shopping in Town following our drop-off, and I selected something that would need to be kind of custom made and would have to be picked up another day.
Stopped for a drink with Fisherman. He is a hoot as always, right on the Boardwalk. Deadly Pain Killer’s!
Having worked up an appetite it was off to the Dinghy Dock for fish-n-chips & the special of roast beef sandwich.


Sunday would be a full day of sailing with Pieter and Marian on their new boat No1SXM. The new boat is gorgeous and FAST!
http://www.sailholiday.com/
We’ve known their dog Goof since he first came aboard as a wee puppy. He’s a big guy now. I call this picture PAWS…lol


I became a human pillow


La Belle Creole from the water




The Towers


But wait….THERE’S STILL MORE!!! 😉

Great pictures, Beachkitten! Thanks so much. I am really getting anxious for January to come around. Hopefully I can post my own pictures in January.
I quote your phrase many times about doing nothing all day & then rest, exactly what we do in St. Martin. Looks like you had a fabulous time.

Ha ha, oh gosh, you remember that? I picked that up on Anguilla one trip.....

What a wonderful thing you did directly helping out, you must have a great inner feeling.

Thanks for the report. Glad to see the dog.

Did you see the dog during Regatta JD? They went out as a watch boat.

My first and second sails on No1SXM are this week. I know it's going to be a very different experience. Congrats on your charity activity.

Beachkitten--I guess JD didn't see your question. He didn't get down for Regatta this year.

Thank you Linda. Let me know how your trip on the new boat goes.

The new sailing experience with them certainly is VERY different than Passaat. For us it wasn't in a bad way, I just feel they may be limiting themselves to only fairly able bodied people....who can manage getting in and out of a dinghy and climbing onto a boat. And in. And out. Not for the aging type of traveler to SXM they may be used to.

I know they are trying to avoid catering or even advertising with cruise lines.

There is limited shade on the new boat, and Pieter is talking about covering the two netting areas on the cat with plywood or something for seating...as people cannot sit there without getting wet. I just feel it'll slow her down, but still not supply any shade.

I'm sure they will figure it out, and make it a wonderful experience. I know we had a WONDERFUL day with them.

So it's more difficult getting into and out of than the Passaat???

That was my question! One of the reasons we never went on the Passaat was that I cannot climb a ladder because of my knees. Not sure how the new boat could be more difficult than that?

Hey Jazzgal, you weren't on Random Wind on Tuesday were you? We were at Mullet and took some pictures of it when it came in.

When we went out with No1SXM, Pieter picked us up at the Fish Market. We then went out to the lagoon and he had the dinghy alongside the quay. Depending upon the tide or what have you, it’s a matter of getting down into the dinghy. Same on the reverse trip getting out. I certainly needed the assistance of a strong arm. No ladders.
Once you reach the boat anchored in the bay, it is a bit easier being alongside and climbing onto the stern and then a leg over into the cockpit.
They then hoist the dinghy onto the back deck.
You may be able to get an idea from these pictures about what to expect…..

Carol and Leona - I was on Random Wind on Sunday and No1SXM today. And also was on Neil's new boat for a tour today. But you are just going to have to wait for my trip report for any more details.

OK!!!

Thanks for the wonderful thing you did for Come.