Trip Report April 4-15, 2006:

Disclaimer: First time on a land-based holiday to SXM (‘discovered’ SXM as a cruise ship passenger;) first time at a naturist resort (hell, who am I kidding? I was a first time naturist period!) Also, single female traveller.

Worked Tuesday the 4th then drove from the lower mainland of British Columbia to Bellingham, WA to catch the 5:50 flight to Seattle (Horizon/Alaska Air.) Seattle to Miami on an overnight flight (Alaska Air,) then what was supposed to be a 4 hour layover in Miami turned into 5 hours. 20 minutes before the flight was due to leave (we were all on the plane) they decided they had to do a crew change (American.) Arrived in SXM (finally!) at 3:00 Wednesday; took “Mr. B’s Taxi” to Club O, checked in and was escorted by Security to Studio #32 by 4:30. 30 seconds to plunk my stuff down then hit the beach and dove in the ocean. There wasn’t a shower curtain in the studio shower stall so I had to get the travel stink off me somehow! At least, that’s the story I’ve built up in my head.

Had a light dinner at Papagayo’s (salad) then checked the Tiko Tiko sign up page. CPK arrived 2 days before me and signed me up for the 8th – also, that’s how I found what unit they were staying in. Grabbed an extra Tiko flyer, wrote them a note, and then on the way back to the studio slid it in their doorway.

Thursday (6th) I was on my way back from L’Orientique when CPK caught up with me; they told me where their chairs were and I found a single nearby to put my tag on.

By 9:00 a.m. Sand Gravity Effect (SGE) kicked in.

5:30 got ready for TTOL party @ the Gutside Bar and Grill (rode with CPK.) Richard Brooks and his wife own the place and are quite simply a fine example of why they call SXM “The Friendly Island.” Met Pan, Belair, and a host of others; nice to put a face to the names here ‘cause Lord knows I’ve milked all the information others have posted since I joined the board!

Friday (7th) did laundry so I wouldn’t have to think of travel clothes until it was time to leave; arranged for a shower curtain. SGE 9:00 to noon and got a mild sunburn on shoulders and back; napped ‘til 2:00 then more SGE. Angle fish swimming all over the place - apparently one bit a man a day or so before and a few days later a woman was splashing water on her face to cool off and they jumped out of the water at her. Aggressive little buggers!

Saturday (8th) Tiko Tiko day!!!

Best.
Day.
Ever!!

Met up with CPK, Mass Exodus, et al. at Papgayo’s at 9:00 then Phillipe took us out to the catamaran. I spent the day on the beach, only swimming back to the Tiko for lunch (superb meal!) then more SGE until Phillipe and Melanie came to the beach with the mud.

They did say the mud bath portion of the Tiko Tiko may come to an end soon as the environmentalists are saying the mud is part of an ecological reserve, or some such. While I understand that, I can’t help but think it’s not like I’m packing it in bottles and taking it home; we ARE giving it back to nature when washing it off. So if anyone is thinking of taking the mud bath, do it sooner rather than later!

CPK waited until the mud was totally dry then they did a Frankenstein-like walk to the water, as though attacking us. Yeah, I know it doesn’t sound like much, but at the time, with the dry, green-ish mud covering them from head to toe, it was hilarious!

Next day: EEK OW OW OW! Sun~burn, baby! Stayed inside most of the day to nurse my tender spots, though did take a stroll after lunch to “get some air.” Turned out someone ripped by beach chair tag off. Found the chair itself (identified by the broken strap at the foot) but the tag was gone. Got a new tag from the office and claimed a new chair the next day (I didn’t want to be in the sun this day.) At the office they told me this happens, tags being ripped off, but because the beach is considered public land, Security doesn’t have jurisdiction over the beach (other than stopping people from outright stealing Club O chairs and umbrellas.)

That night CPK hosted a BBQ with Pan and Mass Exodus in attendance. P (of CPK) cooked a mean steak and both are wonderful hosts. P’s saying for the whole trip when anything “labour-ish” was suggested: “That’s work!” Can’t help it, that phrase is now part of my mantra.

Monday (10th) More SGE. Mr. Mass Exodus rooked me into playing volleyball. I can’t play worth a damn but I love the game. Twisted up my knee diving in the sand (missed the ball every time) so I bailed after 20 minutes or so. Wine and Cheese party at Papogayo’s and met the Club O manager, Alain. Had an interesting chat with him as he explained the lack of attention and much needed upgrades to the resort that have been ignored for the past several years. He did say they were closing the resort for a month in August to upgrade the water desalination plant generators, plumbing, and a few other things. He did say the road leading into the resort was low on the priority list and that made sense as there no sense in having a good road in if the operational guts of the place are rotting away. It would become a road to nowhere.

Tuesday I went with my studio unit neighbours to Phillipsburg to do some shopping and take vacation pics. Bought lots of kitschy tourist stuff, a watch and a diamond tennis bracelet from Oro Diamante.

CPK came by to do what I’ve termed the “Phantom Grocery Drop.” (Where you give away all your extra groceries to whoever is staying a few more days.) I said my goodbye’s to them as they were leaving the next morning.

Wednesday (12th) Wind was very strong today, in fact I got a bloody nose from the whipping sand that took almost an hour to stop (I gave up on the SGE at this point.) I swear CPK took the good weather back home with them! Went back to the unit, napped then took a walk down to L’Orient Village shops. Oh, when I was coming back around 2:00 I hopped the fence to get back on to Club O grounds and was immediately challenged by Security to prove I was guest. I showed him my room key tag and he smiled and wished me a pleasant day.

Thursday (13th) with only one day to go I actively participated in SGE, settled my Papagayo’s and L’Orientique accounts, and packed up.

Friday (14th) WAA I don’t wanna gooooooo!!!! Spent about 2 hours on the beach before I had to get ready to leave then made my way to the airport. The ‘darkling shadows on the horizon’ rolled in and the rain started coming down. I didn’t feel so bad about leaving after watching the rain fall. Had lunch at the airport with Mass Exodus then (after a 1 hour delay on American – AGAIN!) went to Miami.

Saturday (15th) Overnighted at a hotel in Miami, then flew (6 hours!) to Seattle, then Bellingham, then drove home. Walked in the door around 4:00 p.m. PDT and was greeted by what I affectionately call “Velcro Kitty” who has been attached to by leg ever since.

After 9 days at Club O I can honestly say this was the best holiday I’ve ever had. As a single traveller, security was important and I felt very safe at Club O. There’s a group of us all planning on returning next April – to borrow from CPK, it doesn’t feel so bad coming home when you know you’re going back.

/Trip Report.

Leprchn

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