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Arrived mahokid Yesterday at 11:24 PM Like most from northern east coast, start day with 2 am wake up for early flight out of Philadelphia

Plane delayed over an hour once we were aboard because of something about couldn't fill one side of plane with fuel.
With a tight connection American Airlines rebooked us on the later flight out of Miami

With a later arrival we breezed through the Airport only to have a new wait for the random customs scanning at the end just before exiting.
Something new yo us.

20 minutes from airport to Orient where we are renting Neptune for the third year. Our property manager Magali left us our key under the mat as requested and returned shortly later when we noticed our safe key was missing.
Her service is always appreciated.
Love the rental for the off season price.
4 cans of bug spray on the counter and fridge stock with some beers, bottle of rose and a large water to get started
Rental has everything else you could image in all the drawers and shelves

Unpacked and food shopping at Super U.
No fresh baked breads at all in the back.

800 pm reservations at Astrolab which we have made our first night tradition

Report to follow if not too sleepy or depending on how many glasses of wine on 3 hours sleep

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Le Taitu restaurant RonDon 08/21/2026 02:06 PM I'd heard a rumor that this restaurant sold. Can anyone confirm this? We love this place and wondered if sold is it the same.

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Dec Trip. bran 08/21/2026 01:09 PM Booked last night for 17 nights this December. Quite a few years since we have travelled to SXM as have been going there and Anguilla since the early 80's. Last time didn't have to form fill in advance but see plenty of threads on this here and hopefully not too complicated. Wife passed last year so it will be bitter-sweet(going down 40 plus year memory lane stuff which does concern me a bit) but a friend of hers has agreed to come along for part of the trip and basically make sure I'm ok as could not do this on my own plus nice to have company when eating. Always used to stay in the Terres Basses area and my usual villa not available so looking at Mirabelle, Giselle, Mongoose Run to Bamboo and even Jacaranda. First two/three are over the top with plenty of room and extra bedrooms that don't really need, down to more practical and certainly less pricey, but life is short and like my privacy and therefore at times have to pay for this if really worthwhile, so if some here know from experience any of these villas sure appreciate a heads-up. I don't much care for the old Caribbean dark brown furniture with bright tile bathroom look, more french and modern contemporary within Terrres Basses.

Do remember the kids steeplpan bands playing in 2019 I think in Maho around Dec 15th and so look forward to that again. Plus of course the restaurants and seeing all the changes including the airport, which perhaps has greatly improved. Note that over the years so many mention the Rendezvous Jazz on a Sunday and don't think I ever have been, so will give that a go plus any recs for where Soca, Ska, Carnival or Steel band might be played? First time in many years not going business class. Wow, the prices have sure jumped in 6 years and using Miles which I got for 20K return and 35K for my friend(due to different times)plus taxes and paid for better seating. Can't complain. Onwards. Cheers.

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IT's A PARTY!!! Colour1 08/21/2026 12:20 PM It’s a PARTY!!!
Leo Lotfi Boub ( managing director of Catch 21) and I am pleased to invite everyone from this forum to Catch 21 for a meet and greet on October 28th from 5:00 to 7:00 (if we run overtime, no worries) for great drinks at Happy hour prices and FREE apps!! Please sign up by leaving your full name on this thread. Name tags will be given out!!! You will love this new restaurant located in Port De Plaisanace!!! We’re looking forward to meeting everyone!!

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Olga's Fancy Alternative(s) CaptnAndy 08/19/2026 11:32 PM Just looking a availability at Olga's Fancy for March, and disappointed they were sold and closed!

We have had crew members stay a Olga's, Mafolie and Emerald Beach over the past several years.

What other hotel/B&B etc do you recommend for a night or 2 before or after a charter to the BVI?

Thanks, Andy

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JVD vs SXM Update Dirk Lovelace 08/18/2026 09:05 PM Tried to post a reply in the thread I started and says disabled so here is the update: Update we pulled the trigger on a cheap flight out of CLT-SXM via Jet Blue for $445. We will go back to JVD next year. I do get its a world apart and will miss the rustic vibes of Jost. This past June we stayed in a villa I rented off VRBO and we ran out of water. Had to pump out of the secondary cistern into the primary cistern and then had pump problems spent the evening working on it with the plumber while my wife was supervised at Foxy's with some of my local friends. Went back to get her and she had been bitten by the firewater. Always a good story on Jost!

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JVD every year something different this year Dirk Lovelace 08/17/2026 08:20 PM Hi Everyone,

My wife and I go to JVD every year on island and have met so many people who we are friends with to the point where we are invited to school functions and know lots of the locals and we are going back this year...maybe. I keep hearing how cool SXM is and it seems worlds apart from JVD. We love the shabbiness of Jost but feel we are in a rut. Need to make some decisions quick as I have found cheap flights to EIS and SXM. The food and scene looks great on SXM with beuatiful beaches. Any perspective from anyone who has done both and pros/cons? Thanks in advance.

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Scrub Island dockage/marina rates ggffrr11 08/17/2026 02:00 PM I am showing Scrub Island overnight dockage rates with resort fee for our '50 mono hull charter in Feb at $350 per night. Do I get 10% ownership of the island plus future stock shares for that price?

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Upcoming agenda mahokid 08/17/2026 12:26 PM Will be arriving this Saturday with a week in Orient followed by 10 days at Royal Islander resort.
This will be our last time staying at Neptune rental as they are switching from Blue Ocean Villas rentals to air B&B and will not have single room pricing.
It is a fully appointed three bedroom overlooking Wai beach bar.
It had everything you could possibly need or forget including a fully stocked bar.
We enjoyed the two pools but really don't eat in the village as we find better restaurants elsewhere.

Keeping in mind restaurant closures, this is our line up for the first week but hopefully aren't missing a hidden gem.
First night is always Astrolab as it is very close and always enjoy the food and especially the service.
Filling in the week will be La Villa, Le Pressior, Cosmos Cafe for a first time visit, Bona Momma for a inexpensive casual carry out.
Possibilities for two open night include Bistro Caribes, Java, Ocean 82 (haven't been for a long time), and Ti Palm.
Maybe even something a bit more casual since we are eating less food now because of food noise if you know!!
Also considering Big Fish in Oyster Pond.

The following restaurants are closed for vacation L'Auberge Gourmand, Les Galets, L' Altier and Le Cottage.
Restaurants in the village are ruled out since none have warranted a return visit.

Someone mentioned a new casual restaurant on road near Gran Case airport.
Open for suggestions.

We tend to chill once we get to Maho but certainly have more options.

On the list are Mario's which is offering a $50 prix fix, Altro at least once (very good value but absolutely love Sammi our server), Pizza Italy, Spices of India, Roma / Mr Chow happy hour at least once (walk across the street and great appetizers at bar), Pardon my French for first time, Dingy Dock bar happy hour and the best nachos, big lobster thermidor at Pineapple Petes. Jai Contemporary Indian
Two nights we will drive back up to Le Cottage and Les Galets which open back up September 1st.

A wild list of possibilities include prime rib night at the greenhouse, Dom's Pizza or Izi (enjoyed last years visit although a bit cheesy (not the food)), Coquette in Cupecoy,
Mexican food in Jordan Village,

Lunches so far include Little Jerusalem, Driftwood, Rosie's, a trip back up to Cool Heure as they don't reopen until September and is worth the trip, Bacchus if a cloudy day, Gutside to see Richard and Lourdes and the whole red snapper and of course jazz brunch at Rondevous. Also Orange Fever to see JC and Luke and hopefully Florence.

some lunches we eat in as we are mostly pool people and stay by pool. Also enjoy leftovers for lunch.
Also will be visiting new Vellor caviar in Simpson bay

While I always want to try new places, it is hard not to visit restaurants we have good meals at.

Should be interesting since we have definitely been eating less and have a new life style, almost always no fried food and eat mostly proteins.
Will be ordering a lot of tar tars, crudos and ceviche's as they are very healthy

With all this said, we will be visiting Le Suciere, Sebastion's, Chez Ferdinand and Zee Best for almond croissants.

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