Before we begin our trip report, we want to thank all those kind TTOL members who offered suggestions to us before we left on vacation. You’re sound advice paid off. Thanks.

Flights: We departed San Diego at 10:30 PM bound for Charlotte on US Airways and arrived at 5:42 AM without incident. Once we landed we had a six hour layover in the airport. What made it more bearable was the fact that we met up with another couple that we were vacationing with us in SXM. We were to depart for the Princess Juliana International Airport at 11:30 AM but our flight was delayed by one-half hour due to a passenger boarding luggage onto the 757 but then missing the flight, so their luggage was taken off the flight and we taxied down the runway at a little after Noon. We arrived without problem at 4:00 PM and breezed through Customs and Baggage Claim within 25 minutes.

Our trip home was uneventful. We arrived two hours early for our Delta Airlines return flight on Friday afternoon at 3:25 PM and arrived a few minutes early into Atlanta’s Hartfield Jackson International at 7:52 PM. We cleared US Customs & Immigration about an hour later and headed to the Marriott Airport Hotel for our layover. Yesterday, we awoke at 6:00 AM for our 8:15 PM departure to Lindbergh Field in San Diego. That came off without problems and we arrived home at 10:20 AM.

Villa Belle Mer: Part of our party was picked up by Randy (aka handle “Rastaman”) in his Jeep Cherokee at the curb and we were welcomed with a big smile and frozen cool wash clothes and ice cold Caribe’s. We drove through the Lowlands through Sandy Ground, Marigot and Grand Case on our way to Villa Belle Mer in Orient Beach. We skipped the mid afternoon traffic and arrived to this beautiful villa shortly after 5 PM. We were greeted by his lovely wife Dany with appetizers and wine and given the grand tour of this gorgeous property. (The second wave of our party arrived the next afternoon.)

The villa itself is located 25 yards above the Esmeralda Resort with panoramic views of Orient Bay and St. Barts. The property is approximately 150 yards from the Coco Beach Bar at Esmeralda Resort. It features 4 spacious bedrooms each with their own bathroom. Three of the master bedroom bedrooms over look the pool and Orient Bay. The pictures featured on their website (a TTOL sponsor) don’t to it justice as everything was larger than we expected! The kitchen has recently been remodeled with new GE appliances – range, microwave, dishwasher, double wide refrigerator freezer with filtered water dispenser and ice machine. The counter tops had been redone with granite. There is also a very large flat screen HD television in the living room and a stereo system featuring SIRUS music channels to die for. Outside the two French doors from the living room and breakfast area is a Mediterranean Terra Cotta tile color surrounding the large pool area. There is also an outdoor shower to cool off after coming from the beach and six comfortable lounge chairs, outdoor bar with ice machine under a covered patio. Simply, the property is gorgeous and the online website photos don’t do the property true justice.

The property was well cared for during our stay by Louvie, the housekeeper, Alex, the poolman and Adrian, the handyman (also of Baywatch Restaurant). It was a first rate staff who helped with every little detail. Also, Rastaman Randy and Dany, called us during our stay from their home in the USA to see how we were getting along.

Car Transportation: During our nine day visit to the island, we used the services of Marius and Arlene of St. Louis Car Rentals http://www.stlouis-cars.com/index.htm to pick up our two other couples coming in from Miami and to drive us around the island for dinners. Marius was very reasonable, attentive and most importantly reliable.

Chefs de France Catering: Our wives did not want to prepare meals while on this birthday celebration and our friend’s 29th wedding anniversary, nor did they want to clean up after husbands who were barbecuing and making messes. Therefore, we relied on the Nicholas Granier and his Silver Chef & Butler Service at Chefs de France http://www.catering-saint-martin.com/ in Sandy Ground. He did all the shopping, preparation, setting tables, servicing meals and cleaning up for 10 meals while we were on the island. He and his staff were very polite and prepared wonderful gourmet meals. We would highly recommend Chefs de France for your next gourmet dinner party on SXM. They are not the cheapest but they are the very best and certainly cheaper we found that eating out every evening.

Tiko Tiko Cruise: We were treated by one of our villa guests for my husband’s 50th birthday to the Tiko Tiko cruise for a day sail from Club Orient beach to Tintamarie Island and back. Capt. Philippe and his First Mate Nellie served wonderful drinks throughout the day and prepare a yummy lunch of curry chicken skewers, steak, baked potato, and a delicious green salad. Champagne was a nice touch to the table clothed table in the cockpit. The afternoon mud bath ritual was also a treat. It was a great sunny day and all 12 guests on the cruise enjoyed the trip immensely.

Beach Bars & Restaurants:

Le Cottage: Laurent and Bruno did a magnificent job hosting my husband’s 50th birthday celebration. Our group of eight enjoyed delicious dishes like lobster, lamb chops, sea bass, Cesar salads, Grand Marnier soufflé and crème brule. The food, wine selections and service was superb. Dinner for eight with wine and martinis was a bit less than $750 in Amex traveler’s checks.

The Blue Martini: We read about this one in Caribbean Travel & Life which gave it a very good review. It’s really casual with seating outside. Our meals ranged from Ribeye steaks to pizzas and pasta. The cocktails were great and the portions were generous.

L’Astrolabe at Esmeralda Resort: We wanted to stay close to our villa and still enjoy a wonderful evening of dancing for our good friend’s 29th wedding anniversary. We took the recommendation of Rastaman and his lovely wife & Indi and went to dinner in Orient Beach. The atmosphere was fun and Jojo, the jazz musician was great fun and we got all of our group up dancing. Give this one a try on Friday or Monday evenings!!

Baywatch: An institution on Orient Beach. It was our first time here and Cheryl and Andy do a great job. Our group enjoyed the Mussel’s ala Andy, clams with linguine, French dip sandwiches, Manhattan clam chowder to name a few. The drinks provided by Ross and service provided by Cheryl and Adrian were top notch and fun! We enjoyed breakfast and lunch there.

Papaguyo Restaurant: Our group enjoyed a yummy American breakfast there at Club Orient before departing on the Tiko Tiko cruise. We enjoyed everything from Eggs Benedict, to scrambled eggs and sausage links, Western Omelets and Mimosas. The food and prices were very good.

The Perch: Our first time to enjoy Willie and Jean Pierre’s concoctions at The Perch Bar at Club Orient. We enjoyed the Happy Hour most days. One afternoon, we enjoyed a cheese burger at The Perch and found it to be very tasty. We wish we could do Willie’s Lemon Breezes.

Massages: We also can highly recommend Ana, Natalie and Emma at the Dolphin Watersports at Club O. They are all excellent and very professional and caring.

Crime: None while we were there in Orient Beach. We walked together down the beach early in the morning. We walked as a group in the evenings around the Orient Village and Grand Case. The gals did not wear a lot of expensive jewelry either. We used common sense.

Weather: Absolutely beautiful during the day (except Friday June 20 when we departed the island). That Friday morning, it rained long and hard most of the morning. Otherwise we enjoyed 85 to 90 degree temps and some mild trade winds blowing which kept those mosquitoes at bay while on SXM. Used plenty of SPF 50 sunblock and our NLS group got golden tans poolside and at Club Orient.

Well that about concludes our nine days in paradise. Again, we would like to sincerely thank all the TTOL folks who made our 50th birthday celebration so successful and relaxing. Without your recommendations, it just would not have turned out the way we wanted it. We would also like to thank Randy and Dany who opened there fine villa to us and we made new friends with. Thanks also to the NLS group would helped celebrate Rez's 50th birthday bash and thanks for the great gifts that went with it!! We would love to plan to return to SXM in 2009.

Cheers! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Mary Kay & Rez