Trip report 5/19 – 5/27
We left JFK on AA at 8:15am and arrived to brilliant sunshine and turquoise water at 12:15pm with no problems other than a bumpy air flight. Ahhhhhhhhhh…….. the sunshine, the warm air…paradise.
Again we rented our car from Kenny’s and we cannot say enough of how good the service is. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Leslie was there waiting for us and came over to greet us as soon as we walked out of the airport door. Highly recommend his service. Never a problem. Off we were in about 5 minutes to get some groceries. We went to the Lido Express in Maho. They had everything we needed. After picking up our cell phone from Sharon, we made our way to the Grand Case Beach Club. Traffic was not a problem at all and we were at our hotel by 2:30.
This is our second time at Grand Case Beach Club. A great place, quiet, beautiful scenery, a fantastic view from our bedroom looking over Creole Rock. We like it there for the walks to restaurant row in Grand Case and it is also but an 8 minute drive to Orient Beach. We did discuss this year about the possibility of staying at Club O next year but in all honesty I do love GCBC.
Weather was perfect. On our first day on Orient beach we had a brief shower that lasted about 10 minutes and then we never saw rain the rest of our vacation. In fact, the sky was the bluest I have ever seen with hardly a cloud in the sky for our entire trip. For some reason the mosquitoes liked me this year. Although not bad I did have a few bites on my legs that drove me crazy. No one else we were with seemed to be bothered…hmmmmmmm
Beaches:
Most days were spent on Orient beach at Club O. We had a list of things we wanted to do…….. but of course the sand gravity set in…..you know what happens then……
The beach was in fine shape and no evidence of any erosion. We paid our $20 daily and got our chairs and umbrellas. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Umbrella.gif" alt="" /> This worked out very well. There was never any problem finding chairs even when we didn’t get there until noon.
We did manage to make the “happy hour” at the Perch Bar every day we were there…what can I say……”great drinks” <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> and the burgers (first time we ate there) were to die for….very very good.
It wasn’t a busy week for cruise ships so the “traffic” from the cruisers at Club O. wasn’t too bad. We did not take any nude strolls past Club O during the middle of the day. After 4pm there never seemed to be a problem strolling the beach nude.
The best thing about hanging out at Club O. is the people you meet. Patty and Howard, Steve and Barb, Faye and David and of course Rick and Sue, who we met last year, all TTOL’ers helped make this years trip the best ever. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
We did spend a very nice day on Pinel Island. We have never been there before. We took the ferry over ($6 round trip), packed a champagne lunch and hung out on the other side of the island enjoying au natural. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> We happened to bump into Barb and Steve on the ride over and hung out with them for a while. We practically had the whole beach to ourselves. Would definitely go back there again…I think this time we would bring an umbrella….even if you brought just a small rain umbrella….you definitely need it at some point since there is absolutely no shade. Beach big enough for privacy and we had plenty enjoying our champagne lunch.
We took the Tiko cruise once again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Tikotiko.gif" alt="" /> Unfortunately, it was a holiday and Tinnamarre was very crowded that day. Seems like there was 10 or more boats moored on the island, but Philippe and Melanie did their usual first rate job and the meal was excellent and the people were great. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Restaurants:
We ate two dinners at the Sunset Café at the Grand Case Beach Club. Rick and Sue joined us one night. We found the food to be very good and relatively inexpensive. You can’t beat the view either. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
We also ate at Cote Plages in Orient Bay with Rick and Sue and David and Faye. We all met last year on the Tiko cruise. Since this area was new to us, it provided a nice alternative to Grand Case. The food like everywhere else was delicious and the area was happening even later at night. David and Faye had suggested this place since they had been there before. We would venture to this area again and next try the Tai Chi restaurant that they also recommended.
Another new restaurant we tried was L’California. Highly recommend this place. And of course at night next to the water dinning is an unforgettable experience. Wish we could do this back in New England!
Old favorites on restaurant row we enjoyed were Il Nettuno and L’escapade. Il Nettuno was the only place we went that did not offer one to one on the currency. However, the veal and pasta dinner we had was too good to pass up.
We ate once in Maho, at Pizza Pasta with Patty and Howard and Lee and Kate. Inexpensive meal in a busy area. Parking was difficult but the meal was fine.
We had lunch on Orient beach usually with Rick, Sue and Howard and Barb. We ate at the Pirate twice, the above mentioned Perch and once at Baywatch. Can’t beat Andy’s mussels. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
The only time we had breakfast out was at Zee Best in Marigot. Joanne loved the crepes and the pastries. Our first time there……….we will be back. Well worth the trip!
Shopping:
We went to the market in Marigot on Wednesday. Purchased some jewelry and nick knacks. We got there early before the crowds and the heat.
We did not venture into Phillipsburg this trip and wished we had. Joanne got her first Luiz bathing suit, which was a highlight, at least for me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />
On our last day we did find Mou Dou Dou over in Ansel Marcel and bought some rum to take back home.
TTOL Party:
Thanks to Kristen for putting this together. It was held at the Buccaneer Beach Bar. Got to meet many TTOLers, it was nice to put a face with a screen name. The drinks were flowing and the bar provided pizza. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />
Other:
We had drinks at the Calmos Café one night. Sat in beach chairs right on the sand.
The traffic was not bad. The only time we got caught in that was our last day on the way to the airport. Speaking of the airport, check in was a breeze; it wasn’t more than ten minutes from the time we got there until the time we were ticketed.
We felt safe at all times. The gendarmes were visible at night in and around Grand Case. Our travels from Maho at night back to the Grand Case Beach Club was good and had no worries. Of course we made it back before midnight.
Summary:
All in all, an excellent time, even better than last year. Perfect weather, plenty of R&R and excellent meals, all contributed to a great vacation. What made this trip so special were the friends we made. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Now we are home again <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> We can’t wait until we return to paradise......were counting the days........
Rich & Joanne
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