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Cheal flights to SXM BillDauterive 19 minutes ago Yesterday I got a cheap flight alert for summer travel. I jumped on a $383 flight from CMH (Columbus, OH) to SXM in July. And that's main cabin, not basic economy. I don't check a bag and I like to choose where I sit.

I realize that's near the peak of hurricane season, so I'm rolling the dice. I'm considering purchasing travel insurance, which I've never done in the past.

Decided to book a one-bedroom apartment on the French side (Cul de Sac) for this stay. Under $900 for seven nights. Car rental also cheap, $226 including liability. Once I did the total-cost math, it was difficult to pass up. Fingers crossed regarding weather.

BTW, other airports included in this alert were ALB, ATL, BUF, BTV, MDT, and ISP. Maybe I'll see you down there.

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Day 5 Wed Small World ruralcarrier 37 minutes ago A quiet day for our group. Other than a quick run to Carrefour (heavy traffic going and not bad returning) and dinner at The Palms, we spent the day lounging around the beach here with several dips in the water.

The others are avid readers, so they did a lot of that as well. Other than reading the DH and keeping up with things on here and at home, I like to just relax and observe and if other guests staying here are open to talking and having a pleasant conversation.

We noticed a couple came in on bicycles and were asking about staying here. The place is full, so there was no vacant unit to show them. We offered to Debbie to show them our unit, they gladly accepted. Upon meeting them, they indicated she had grown up near where I live and went to school. It turns out she had an uncle in my high school class. They were repeat guests at Mary's Boon but were very disappointed in their unit and stay overall this trip.

I noticed another newly arrived couple who appeared friendly, so we chatted for a bit. When I asked where they were from, they indicated near the DAY (Dayton, OH) airport. It turns out they are about 10 miles from us, and both went to school near us. They are second-time visitors but the first to The Horny Toad. Their previous stay was in Nettle Bay, and they indicated staying here is much better.

Dinner was at The Palms. A couple orders of lasagne, a chicken dish, and a salad and appetizer (and dessert) for my wife. The chicken dish was excellent, according to Karen and Andy and I enjoyed the spicy lasagna. I think my wife was underwhelmed. They were out of a couple of menu items and no burgers last night either. They were very slow, and traffic made some of the staff show up late. Jo greeted us when she arrived and said things had really slowed down the past couple of weeks. We were there early, so perhaps they got busier as the evening went on, but the other times we drove by, they were not busy either. No SC added and a 5% discount when paying cash,

With the two new big buildings going up in Simpson Bay, I can only imagine the extra traffic headaches and parking problems.

We have not been out much in the evenings, but the cycle/scooter antics seem to be fewer, but the ones who are out still drive very recklessly.

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Marks tonight SXMScubaman 9 hours ago Not as good as in the past. Service was good except for the grumpy gal that's been there forever. Wifes fish was overcooked and other couples too along with my dish. Not sure if I want to go back after being there many times over 27 years. They are now adding a SC. I asked our server why they are now charging and was told it was because the locals aren't tipping very much. I said that's too bad as I would have probably given more but wasn't inclined too at that point.

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Lal’s Restaurant pburke40 Yesterday at 01:38 PM I just read on fb that Lal’s is permanently closed. Is that correct and does anyone know details?

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La Terrasse Rooftop Restaurant In Marigot CaribLee Yesterday at 01:22 PM We had a lovely dinner at La Terrasse last night. Food and service were spot on and the setting is beautiful. We started with the french onion soup which was very good. Entrees were sea bass and salmon. Both were excellent with very tasty sauces. I believe it may be my wife's new favorite. A great date night location.

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Day 4 Tuesday Anguilla ruralcarrier Yesterday at 10:23 AM We have always used GB Ferries when not going on the public ferry from Marigot. Much more convenient, faster, and a nice experience. I had contacted Cara with GB and mentioned what days we were considering. A quick response, but when I attempted to confirm and pay, I got no response to emails or phone calls. I did finally get a call back Monday afternoon, but it was not her, The agent instructed me to be at the ferry terminal for 8:45 check-in. Due to the traffic issues Scubaman encountered, we left early but had no problem getting to the terminal. We saw no GB boat after checking in, even though there was a GB agent there. I sensed something was not right, it turns out the GB boat was out of service for some reason, and we were transferred to Calypso ferries. No problem, but zero communication until it was time to board.

A smooth trip over on a larger boat than GB, with refreshments served. Lots of waves, but we stayed dry as the cabin was enclosed and had a/c. Rajesh from Caribbean Gems lined me up with a taxi driver he knows. We messaged a few times, and he was waiting for us when we arrived. Off to Shoal Bay for the day. We have always rented chairs from Raymond and eat at either Uncle Ernie's or Maderiman. Uncle Ernie's had a couple of guys working the beach for drinks and food. We chose Maderiman for lunch, I had the mahi sandwich, my wife had a burger, both were good but not inexpensive. 15% SC added, but unlike last year, no additional 15% tourist tax was added. When I asked about it, I was told the people voted it down. The water was calm with just a touch of seaweed on certain areas of the beach. It was a great beach day.

We were picked up by the same driver and taken back to the ferry terminal. We had agreed upon a fare, which was less than I anticipated after checking AXA taxi rates. He had a nice new van and was a pleasure to talk to. We checked in for the return and waited to board. We were on a smaller Calypso boat that held about 20 people. A little rougher ride back, and as we neared SXM, they again offered refreshments. AXA is a nice diversion from SXM but it is not inexpensive by any means. The departure tax alone for daytrippers going back to SXM Dutch-side is $19 each.

Our longtime friend, Grace, stopped by after her shift at the airport. She and my wife had not seen each other in a long time. We enjoyed a nice visit with her. I then got a call from Junior Bruney, who was on his way to visit with us as well, He also had his wife, Monique, and their two daughters, Luciella and Stanlika. Stanlika was just a few months old when we first met her in 1993. We had talked about pizza, so we decided to try Catch 21 at PDP. We used to take the two girls to the beach and lunch when they were little so we had some good times to reminisce about

Catch 21 is a big open sports bar type place with a massive wall of TV's. They were not busy. Our group had some salads, appetizers (the mahi/crab cakes were said to be some of the best our local friends had ever had) a mahi dish and 3 different pizzas, along with wine and some cocktails. The mahi meal was sent back as it was slightly undercooked, but everything else was good. The pizzas appear to be about 13 inches and are done in a brick oven. I hope this place makes it, but it was not at all busy. One thing I found odd is there is a 15% SC added and then at the bottom of the bill a suggested "tip" amount also. That will get some unsuspecting people.

CATCH 21

All in all, a good day on AXA and with SXM friends in the evening.

Shoal Bay Beach. Junior, Monique, Stanlika, Luciella, my wife, and I are in the picture.

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Pardon My French tonight SXMScubaman Yesterday at 02:24 AM Great service and food. Wife ordered ala cart and I opted for the prefix. Wife had a lobster pasta which she thought was a little dry and tough. I had the escargot, duck and cream brulee. No SC added. Sorry no pictures as didn't take phone with me.

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Electronic payment apps mez 05/12/2026 11:43 PM Do restaurants an/or shops on Dutch side or French except electronic forms of payments? i.e pay pal, venmo, apple pay, or zelle etc.

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BVI Help to St Johns Watermelon Cay BVIIsland2026 05/12/2026 07:09 PM We (US citizen) are heading to the BVI's again and are chartering a Cat. During our expedition around the BVI's we wanted to swing by Watermelon Cay. How much of a no no is this to swing over just to snorkel the cove?
I'm starting to read up about the (ROAM) app.Any idea what would be the $ to clear customs pp just to do the Watermelon?
Let me know your thoughts.

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IAD or PHI? timnboston 05/12/2026 03:16 PM For a return flight, I'm looking at either connecting through and clearing customs (with GE) at Dulles or Philly. They seem pretty comparable in most aspects - looking for any input

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