We stayed at LeFlamboyant on the French side. I booked the AI package, which worked out well for us. We're not overly spoiled, picky people - we really liked the place. It was clean, comfortable, and really easy to get to everything from.
First night the casino shuttle left without us from the hotel, and then left without us from the casino. It cost us 40 bucks in cab fare to get back and forth. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> In between, we went to the Casino Royale and Cheri's Cafe. Cheri's has really great live music - they had a band every night that we went there, actually. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
We did a great deal of poking around the shops in both Philipsburg and Marigot. We made some great finds for my boyfriend's pirate costume - horn drinking flask, leather flask, etc. in addition to a HUGE amount of pirate-themed booty to enjoy. The Guavaberry Emporium in Philipsburg had cannonball shaped bottles of rum - wax sealed with a rope wick. Loved it! Bought it! The open air markets were great - tee shirts 4 for $10 in Philipsburg - 3 for $10 in Marigot. Same shirts - not great quality, but good gifts for the babysitter, etc. True Parrothead that I am, we made a point to stop into Last Mango in Paradise to part with a bunch of my hard-earned.
The stranding at the casino cemented the idea of the rental car, which was arranged by the hotel. Gilles-Robert from Econocar came right to the hotel with the car and paperwork. The rental car saved the vacation. No power steering, teensy little donutlike tires - but it was WONDERFUL.
I really preferred the Dolphin Casino to the Casino Royale. Besides, there are three clubs right there - Bamboo Bernies, Bliss, and the Sunset Cafe. Oddly - none of them had live music on the Saturday night we headed down there. Disappointing.
We took the Voyager over to St. Barts from Marigot. WARNING! This was the most horrible boatride of my life. I, personally, do not get motion sickness. However, the atmosphere of OTHER people's motion sickness has been known to affect me. The little boy sitting facing us was the first one to lose it, roughly 15 minutes into the 1 1/2 hour ride. I affectionately call him Typhoid Tommy. I spent the next hour facing the window holding my nose. The trip back was 10 times worse - at least 40% of the people on board lost it then. Typhoid Tommy (same kid, what luck) was again placed in front of us to share his bounty. I believe that my BF and I should have received some type of pin or hat in recognition of our tummy control.
St. Barts itself was nice. I had lunch at LeSelect (again with the Parrothead thing). We bought the package with the island tour - which I didn't really enjoy. The guide asked if we spoke French - we said no - he continued mostly in French. Oh well - at least I got my Cheeseburger in Paradise.
We had dinner at Marcel's Repaire Du Pirate on Tuesday. Turns out he's closed on Mondays. GREAT place - GREAT guy - would recommend the place and the food to anyone! Definitely a St. Martin MUST. Creme Brulee was the best I've ever had.
We went up to Pic Paradise to the highest point on the island. Wonderful views of a beautiful place. On the way down, a bull was just hanging out on the side of the (narrow) road. Pretty cool - got a neat picture or two.
Fort Louis was another great view spot. Took a picture of the big, scary Crucifix at the bottom then headed on up to the ruins. Many gratuitous cannon shots were taken.
Spent New Years Eve at the hotel. Sadly, they didn't even do a real countdown. I missed out on my New Year's kiss - and rang in the New Year without Dick. (Clark you filthy minded person, you!)
January 2nd we flew Winair to St. Kitts for the day. Fresh off of the plane, we approached a local taxi driver and asked him about a tour. Rupert cost us 200 ECs, but it was a 4 hour trip around the island with the most knowledgable guide we could have found. We went to another ruined fort for cannon pictures, and saw many many fields of sugar cane. I picked up a FABULOUS parrot batik wallhanging at Romney Manor. Much cheaper than what you'll find in Marigot - and much better quality. OHHHHHHH....when the sun went down.....it was CARNIVAL last lap!!!!!!! I knew this in advance - it was a major point for going there, actually. The music, the dancing, the people - it was ALIVE! Of course most of the tourists went back to the cruise ships as soon as the music started - but not us. In fact, a strange islander in the parade dressed as a bull came over and humped me. No one was more surprised than him when I humped him back! Again - a teeshirt opportunity - "I was humped by a bull at Carnival" Whaddya think? My scrabble word for the week, btw - is MocoJumbie. That's what they call the guys dancing on stilts. SMALL AXE BAND was playing on a "float". Those guys ROCK. I bought their two CDs from the float, and I've been listening to them since I got back. A definite must-see band if you get a chance.
Buccaneer Beach Bar is another cool bar. Owned by the former owner of the Peg Leg Pub. Roz is the most happening bartender on the island, I think. If your back is to the ocean, look up. They have a little foreign currency collection tacked up - and I gave him the Russian Rubles.
We walked Orient Beach, saw blasted-out Mullet Bay, and in general had a great time. My five year plan is now to move down to a little latitude and open a bar. I'm looking for investors, if anyone's into it......... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pirate.gif" alt="" />
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