We are just home a day or two and still in the glow from our trip and though I am not much on writing trip reports, will give the highlights of our fantastic 14 days <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> we were with another couple who have traveled with us before to SXM and we had a blast <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Travel USAir nonstop from PHL which was over 2 hours late going down <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> and almost as late coming back which would not have mattered except Deepti(of DK Gems more on that later)was traveling on our flight and missed her connector in PHL and had to spend the night in PHL <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Argue.gif" alt="" /> we felt so bad for her. USAir has gotten very unreliable which is one reason we like the nonstops <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />
Accomodations were at Ocean Club Villas and were fine. We had heard about the small tower unit studios but I guess we are easy to please as they had plenty of room for us except of course the amazingly small shower <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> Our only problem was the wild dogs that lived in the field between us and Cupecoy who were busy at night <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> howling and barking. Mgmt called to have them picked up but it never happened <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> My husband finally resorted to some poorly aimed rock throwing in the dark which seemed to at least make them move around and quiet down.....Hopefully, they will take care of that eventually as we enjoyed the place and would definitely go back.
Transportation as usual was with Alain at Triple A and had no problems, and even though our flight was so late they were there waiting.
Beaches We spent our time mostly on Cupecoy as we have always loved the cliffs and small crowds, though this time the far west end was very small and we used the beach closest to Ocean Club which at times this year was pretty crowded <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> but we also went to Orient of course(though its soo crowded this time of year) and Happy Bay and Bay Rouge. Happy Bay was wonderful as usual but my goodness its been discovered, lots of people and some sort of local youth group!!
Bay Rouge was new for us but we loved it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
Restaurants We didn't eat out much as this is not high on our list but enjoyed the Oasis Bar at Ocean Club run by Bert and Jill for happy hours <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> and good food <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" />
Bert and Jill host a party on thursdays with fabulous ribs and live music... Bert got Karen and I up on stage singing Sunshine with him <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> don't think he'll do that again <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Hot Tomatoes for happy hours, Sunset Beach bar, Turtle Pier has excellent breakfast, Il Nettuno's which was average food but lovely view of Grand Case Bay and our favorite place to eat of course Baywatch <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />Best food, best view and Andy and Cheryl <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> who we wished our best to for coming event <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Of course we love the chickens at Bounty and tried Citrus chickens and salads which were very good too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Activities Full Moon Party for the first time we made it.. had good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> very lively, fun night, beautiful moon made it perfect <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
Loterie Farm concert with Bankie Banx and Third World Band was great, though you need to be on island time waiting for these things to start...so we relaxed and enjoyed a beautiful evening <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />
we had missed the Moonsplash in Anguilla the week before because of sand gravity and <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> so we were thrilled they made a spur of the moment decision to
come to SXM and recommend seeing Bankie to anyone who enjoys reggae <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Spent one Sunday evening <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> at Boo Boo Jams to a fun Salsa type band and gave all the locals who were very good <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> something to laugh at <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Harmony Nights was enjoyable with lots of music and marching <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> and one street band was such a hoot we laughed so hard at the performers doing some form of charades to the lyrics <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />
great time...hope they do it again next year <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
Took the ferry to see Anguilla finally(I have wanted to see it since staring at it every night when we stayed in Grand Case a couple years ago), the flat island as they say and learned that though it has some lovely beaches IMHO its really best viewed from Grand Case <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
Comments Our weather was perfect <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> I mean really perfect...the best of our 4 times to SXM. French side was very expensive <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> due to exchange rates except at some Grand Case restaurants who gave 1 to 1. Met Deepti and her brother Kamal at DK Gems who were so friendly, knowledgable and genuinly helpful in my purchase of a gift for my sister....I would recommend them to anyone. I felt they were very honest and had wonderful quality pieces...
Know that some will not agree but every one has their own opinion...and I felt that Orient Beach has gotten very, very commercialized and crowded, of course this was Easter and a very busy time, but have gotten to where I enjoy some other beaches more. Also, this was our first time staying on the Dutch side and found the stores more user friendly and felt the people were friendlier...no surprise there...you know the french <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />
This turned out so long, hope I haven't bored anyone too much <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/typing.gif" alt="" /> if anyone has any questions let me know...we have learned so much from this board since starting to visit SXM I want to give back if I can.
We had an absolutely fantastic trip and cannot wait till November to come back <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
Corinne and Roger
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