This was my 3rd trip to SXM this year but had a very special purpose. I had been asked to be a godparent to a local friend’s new baby. It was requested I be present for the christening/baptism, be dressed properly and participate in the ceremony. I considered this an honor and told the friend I would make it if at all possible. I was able to get airfare for the time of the christening and with a very understanding wife was going to make the event alone. We had just been to SXM in late October and they had explained all the details to her, due to her career, being off in December is not an option.<br><br>Dates of the trip were Saturday December 14 to Saturday December 21.<br><br>Transportation: See separate report on this. Thanks<br><br>CAR RENTAL: Kenny’s Car Rental and Lesley Bruce, great service, as always. Had car R-16. Your typical Corolla with a/c that had one setting, ice cold! I highly recommend Kenny’s Car Rental. Meets you at the airport and you are off in 5 minutes. On departure day he was very busy so he instructed me to just leave the car in the parking lot. No problems at all.<br><br>LODGING: Used cheapcaribbean.com for the 2nd time this year. Had a unit at La Vista, it was a 2 story, penthouse-type unit, very nice and a great view. No problems with the unit other than the location of the toilet. It was not a problem for me but with another couple or with your spouse it might be. There were 2 nice bathrooms with showers, hairdryers, sinks, everything one would need but there was only one toilet in the unit and it was downstairs and not in a bathroom. It was near the circular staircase on the lower level, just inside the entry door. I am told this is a Dutch way of doing things but it didn’t make a lot of sense to me. I would stay there again, the pool is very nice and Peter and Andrea (the owners) are very good hosts. Another old friend is also the evening bartended at The Hideaway restaurant, which is on the premises. Although La Vista is a timeshare there was no pressure and I asked to tour one of the La Vista Beach units, very nice also. I am told La Vista is about 17 years old and the beach units are brand new.<br><br>SATURDAY: Transportation day…..see separate report as I would like to forget this day.<br><br>SUNDAY: I arrive on SXM at 10:45 and am off immediately to the church for the christening. I do not attend any church on a regular basis and had very little idea as to what to expect on SXM at a christening. I get caught by the drawbridge, which allows me time to put on my tie. I get to the church 30 minutes after service started but my local friends had saved a seat for me. I am not dressed properly but have little choice at this time. After church there are about 10 babies to be baptized. This is a rather long (3 part) ceremony and I participated when needed. After the christening it is picture time. The whole ceremony (and church) were very interesting as the islanders were mostly dressed in their finest and took it all very seriously. So seriously in fact, the priest asked all to turn off cell phones after several went off during church. Somehow, that didn’t surprise me on SXM. I am quickly informed that one of my first duties as “godfather” is to host (pay for) the lunch afterwards. The group chose The Pink Pearl, it is the restaurant in The Sea Palace hotel on Front street. I was very pleasantly surprised as the food and service were both very good. There were 2 sets of godparents so the cost was split between 2 of us. These friends are like family so I had no problem doing this for them, I just didn’t know what to expect. Surprisingly, not the whole family attended but I guess when there is work, you work.<br>I finally checked in La Vista in late afternoon (with minimal luggage), showered and went back to the airport to see if by chance I had luggage. It was there and had never been transferred from USAir to Delta. Now I had my suit, even though it was a day late and I didn’t need it now. After getting my luggage I hung with some taxi driver friends at the little bar in the airport. A LOT of Heineken was consumed. <br>Back to La Vista and a phone call from Wayne (Tex) who wants to go for dinner. We eat at Lee’s Roadside Grill and have great mahi and ribs. Since Tex had just ridden in and was new in town I gave him a tour through the lowlands, Sandy Ground, Marigot and back to his place, Flamingo. A very long day and the bed felt great.<br><br>MONDAY: A morning walk around the area of La Vista and a nice chat with Peter and Andrea. We had talked via TTOL but had not met yet. Met my friends wife at their place and took her to Orient Beach for a few drinks and to meet Junior Bruney ( my very 1st SXM friend). We met at Pedro’s, the beach was not crowded but there were ships in so he was doing tours. He has an extra cell phone so when I am on the island he allows me to borrow it so we can stay in touch and set up what we are doing. Lunch was at Pizza Yo Yo. I really like their pizza, it is thin crust and the prices are great. Back to La Vista to get ready for the TTOL gathering at Mary’s Boon. Dicky is the consummate host and the meal was great. This has been discussed already but there was a very nice showing and it was great to meet fellow TTOL people. I think it was Tex that found Mr. SXM, Jack Rinaldi, at SSBB and brought him to the party. We had drinks after dinner and then back to La Vista. Many thanks to Dicky and Bette for organizing this evening.<br><br>TUESDAY: Another morning walk and then spent the morning by the pool. The mother of the baby, Grace Bruney, was coming over for lunch. We had lunch at La Vista and spent the afternoon visiting and watching the baby. The baby’s name is Aiesha Bruney. It was cocktail hour this night at La Vista, I won a bonus week but since I am not an owner it was exchanged for a $100 casino chip. It had no cash value but I later turned it into $50 at Dolphin casino. Not a bad deal. After cocktail hour I teamed up with Tex (Wayne) for drinks at Uncle Harry’s, dinner at Hot Tomatoes (not all of this is clear as Tex was kicking up his heels and I was having trouble keeping up) and then on to Texas Pit BBQ for live blues music. Nice crowd there and I don’t remember much after that. I think we started out looking for Dicky but never found him.<br><br>WEDNESDAY: Breakfast at Ric’s Place and a chat with Kathy and Jerry. Quick trip into town and then to Dawn Beach with my friends two kids, ages 14 and 8 and both girls. They are locals so they were last at the beach in October when we took them. They love this and love the food at Ms. B’s. I had a nice chat with Joan, the owner of Ms. B’s. Not sure what the real story is with this place but what she told me was not what I had been informed of before. Bottom line: great food, service and a nice day at the beach. The girls had not had enough so we went back to La Vista and spent time by the pool. Bette and Al stopped by to pick up Kenny’s shirt. We had seen Gretchen and Kenny on Dawn Beach and Kenny left his shirt. Nice visit with Bette and Al and then I took the girls home as I had been invited to a party at Royal Palm. It was hosted by Mr. SXM, Jack Rinaldi. A very typical, local party as we have had in the past. Local food prepared by local people and it is to die for. Also got to meet John Rinaldi, Jack’s son, whom I had done business with in the past. Killer Captain Jack Specials flowed freely from Jack. Thanks to Jack and John for inviting me. I then went to Uncle Harry’s for a steak, I am still not sure why but it was good and then to Hollywood casino when I ran into Wayne again, making it another late night.<br><br>THURSDAY: A quiet morning by the pool and then to lunch with Junior and Monique. Lunch was at the airplane restaurant, Air Lekkerbek. All meals were good and very reasonable with some “local” dishes that left one wondering what they might be eating. A little liquor shopping and then a stop by Ric’s Place to talk with Ric as I had not seen him yet. Wayne had called regarding dinner so La Petite Auberge des Iles was chosen. We enjoyed a very nice meal and service from Bruno and his wife. I called it a night but Wayne was going to the Full Moon Party, even in the rain.<br><br>FRIDAY: Breakfast at Ric’s, a stop by The Horny Toad Guesthouse to visit with Betty and her Lab, Boozer and picked up the friends kids again to spend the day at the pool. It had rained the last couple of nights and the wind had picked up so I thought the beaches might be a little rough. Lunch was burgers at Uncle Harry’s, decent but not the best I have had on the island. Dinner that night was at Mark’s Place, very good and reasonable. It was then time to pack and start the journey home the next day.<br><br>SATURDAY: Final packing and a run to Divi to chat with Gretchen and Ken, thanks for the hospitality. The airport was extremely busy with the usual flight but also an extreme number of locals leaving and private jets arriving. I chose to check in around noon for a 4:00 pm flight. Nothing would have worked this day as the computers at the USAir counter were down. Thanks again USAir. Got checked in, called Lesley Bruce of Kenny’s and then met Junior for lunch and drinks at SSBB. I was amazed at the number of private jets coming and going. I think this is part of the reason for the delay with arrivals and departures of the major carriers. Had one of the best pieces of swordfish I have ever had at SSBB. It is still slow service with an attitude there but the food was good and the beer cold. Left SXM about an hour late and the rest of the flight information is on the flight trip report.<br><br>GENERAL OBSERVATIONS: A very slow week but traffic seemed to be heavy. Two major jams, both stemming from the bridge backed traffic up for about an hour. The island looks good and is green and pretty clean. The Grand Marche (formerly Food Center) is very nice. Buccaneer Beach Bar was open 1 or 2 days and then closed, not sure what was going on and it resembles SSBB quite a lot. Several cruise ships were in each day and the merchants seemed busy. Never saw any crime and saw a lot of security. Several businesses have come and gone but that is normal anymore.<br><br>Great meeting all the TTOL people and I hope to meet more in the future.<br><br>Thanks. J.D.<br><br><br><br>
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