Returned Wednesday nite after 7 glorious days in Paradise - our first trip to SXM. Like so many others before us it was painful leaving but now we feel like we have joined a select club - those who call SXM our own... next year is already booked although we are stepping up to a luxory villa overlooking Dawn Beach... we will bring two other couples to make it affordable. To help ease the pain of leaving and fill the long hours flying home, we decided to make lists of our favorite things; from beaches to restaurants to .. will you will see. It was a lot of fun and we got a little silly with it but have decided to post the list as our trip report. Hopefully first timers will get some helpful info thru the eyes of these first timers. Remember, there is NO WAY we could even scratch the surface of what SXM has to offer so when we say the "Best" of anything, it really is the best that we experienced:<br><br>BEST BEACHES ALL THINGS CONSIDERED<br>1. Dawn Beach - Has it all. A little off the beaten path but even that is good. Strong Breezes keeps the temps moderate. Nice waves. Great snorkeling. Economical, good food (ribs, burgers) at Ms B's right on the beach. More extensive menu right next door at Mr. Busby's. Some topless. Only beach we went to twice. First day we were one of only a few people on the beach. The next the Disney cruise ship was in and there were lots of families.<br><br>2. Baie Rouge - Beautiful Water. Beach Bar served drinks and BBQ, not as good as Ms B's but still quite tastey. Good, not great, snorkeling. Swim around the bend through Devil's hole to a private beach. Loved Chez Raymond's 'HAPPY HOUR" calls. Fun Place<br><br>3. Orient - Actually we found Orient to be a compilation of many things. As you fac the beach to your far left is Boo Boo Jams (not sure you can walk there. we drove). Some topless but mostly families and children. All the way to the right of course Is Club O and all it has to offer. In between are lots of beach bars and restaurants offeringumbrellas and accessories ranging from jet skiing to parasailing to windsurfing. A little something for everyone but a little to commercialized for our tastes.<br><br>4. Cupecoy - In a word BREATHTAKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dont be intimidated when you arrive. Parking is almost in an alley. To the left is a stone wall; to the right are trees, shrubbery and some trash. Take a short path to the beach however and the awesome beauty explodes upon you. Small beach, lots of nudity. Umbrellas and drinks but no food. High cliffs surround you as the waves cascade in . Loved it.<br><br>MOST SCENIC BEACHES<br>1. Cupecoy - See above<br>2. Maho - Great sunsets from SSBB<br>3. Baie Rouge<br>4. Dawn Beach<br><br>BEST ACTIVITY BEACH<br>1. Orient<br>2. Dawn<br>3. Baie Rouge<br><br>BEST RIBS ON THE ISLAND<br>1. Ms B's on Dawn Beach<br>2. BBQ Under The Tree - Past Marigot coming from Grand Case and just after Princess Casino. Johnny has a shack and a grill in his front yard, Was a little intimidated by the setting at first but then said what the heck. Very good decision. Met many locals (they come into to purchase their own dinners). Had grilled lobster and ribs.<br>3. Texas BBQ - Just before BBQ Under The Tree. Very close in Quality and had a little band playing Sat nite. Met the owner and enjoyed his takes on life in SXM.<br><br>BEST BEACH BAR<br>1. Sunset Beach Bar - Everything you read is true. No contest.<br>2. Boo Boo Jams - Nice setting on Orient. Had a GREAT band Sunday nite.<br>3. Chez Raymond on Baie Rouge - He is a fun guy and makes his place a lot of fun.<br><br>Before we get away from beach talk a note on one we did not like. Drove into Friars Bay with high expectations. Didnt stay long. The smell from the back water was not very good. No one there at 1030. We looked around and decided to leave. Maybe a mistake but we just didnt care for it.<br><br>BEST PLACE TO GET NAKED FOR THE FIRST TIME<br>1. Cupecoy Beach - Very few people around and 90% naked. People seemed to be minding their own business so we did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br>2. We didnt get to Club O - but there is always next time.<br><br>MOST UNIQUE EXPERIENCE<br>1. BBQ under the tree - Meet the locals<br>2. Watching Air France lif OFF... Many have written about about it land and that is of course spectacular. But it takes off towards the mountains and away from the sea and SSBB. We were running late one evening (as if there is a schedule on SXM right??) and could see it taxiing. Stopped along the road parrallel to the runway near the rental car agencies. Hopped on the trunk with a cold Caribe. Seeing the thrust up close to get that monster off the runway was incredible.<br>3. And of course seeing it land with your friends at SSBB is as good as advertised. In true SXM style it arrives anywhere from 1530 to 1830.<br><br>BEST PLACE TO "AMERICANIZE" YOUR TRIP.<br>If too much "native" is getting to you or you just need a sports fix, Ric's sports bar is the place. We stopped in for a burger and brew. Very modern amenities contrast the island around you. Good place but just seemed out of place to us. Nice veranda overlooking the bay(not sure which one).<br><br>BEST CASINO<br>1. Princess - Hands down. Treated us as if we were big gamers. Comped a meal, gave Bob a cigar. Strolling singer and good music. Fun place. And by the way, we lost money so they didnt buy this note..lol<br>2.Dolphin - Good gaming but little else. No atmosphere. Close to SSBB.<br>3. STAY AWAY FROM THE PHILLIPSBURG CASINOS.<br><br>OUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.<br>Many thanks to Don Camellas in Marigot. Went there for our anniversary and they treated us like royalty. Met the owner's daughter.. talked about SXM and Sicily and how her family came to settle in SXM.Fabulous stuffed artichoke, pastas to die for, wine,and on and on. A special nite for us.<br><br>IF I HAD ONLY ONE DAY AND -0- CHILDREN - I would go to Cupecoy Beach.<br><br>IF I HAD ONLY ONE DAY AND HAD CHILDREN WITH ME - I would go either to Dawn Beach or Boo Boo Jams.<br><br>THINGS THAT I DID THAT I WISH I HAD NOT DONE<br>1. Spent a FULL DAY at Boo Boo Jams. We did not have our kids with us. Better to have showed up around 1530 . The band was great and the food was as well but a full day around kids when you dont have any is a bit much...lol<br><br>2. French dinner in Grand Case. OK OK before everyone rips our heads off this is just our opinions ok???? LOL... Had dinner at L'Alabama. Service was fine. no complaints but we are from Cajun Country and maybe our tastes are different.. Just was not as good as advertised. Sorry Guys!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh Liz says the desert was fabulous....<br>3. Philipsburg at nite. Only repeat ONLY time we felt threatened in any way.Had a good day shopping but will not go at nite again.<br><br>THINGS I DIDNT DO THAT I WISH I HAD.<br>1. didnt have time to go to any other islands. Everyone we meet said to do so but again time just didnt allow. A must next time<br>2. Pic Paradis - road by the turn off many many times but like the island thing never found the right time to turn in.<br><br>THINGS I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND ABOUT SXM (with tongue in cheeck)<br>1. Why is there so much unfinished construction??<br>2. Why is Grand Case pronounced Grand Caz?? <br>3. Why are people voicing concern over crime?? Except for Philipsburg, never, repeat NEVER felt threatened in any way. Quite the opposite. <br>4. WHY DOES ANYONE EVER LEAVE THIS PLACE????????????<br><br>NICEST PEOPLE WE MET<br>1. Mickey at Tropical Rental Cars. Plane arrived at 2230 and there he was with a big smile waiting for us.<br>2. Chez Raymond 2 Baie Rouge<br>3. Owner and Maitre'D at Don Camellas<br>4. Pit bosses and dealers at Princess<br>5. Johnny at BBQUTT<br>6. Texan at Texas BBQ.<br>7. EVERY ONE ELSE THAT WE MET<br><br>BEST VALUES<br>1. 75 cents Caribes at Mr Busby's on Dawn Beach<br>2. BBQ and Lobster Under the tree<br>3. Full Dinner at Texas BBQ<br><br>THINGS TO BE WARY OF<br>1. Changing flight schedules. Wont go into the horrors of the trip home because I dont want negative vibes here..<br>2. Hotels honoring Web deals. Had to be just a little firm to get the price I was guaranteed. Bring your confirmation<br><br>WHICH SIDE TO STAY ON??? - Very Simple decision<br>1. Early to bed/Early to rise?? - French side - After 2100 pretty much dead.<br>2. Nite life and Casinos??? - Dutch side<br>3. Great thing about SXM though is that gettin g around is so easy (sure some traffic jams) that it dosent matter. We stayed on Orient and were out every evening till at least midnight and made it home with no problem.<br><br>Well thats about it. How to sum up SXM?? Its the spirit. the relaxed atmosphere. An anecdote to illustrate. Ordered lunch and Pina Colada's at Chez Raymond. He handed me my order and then moved on. Being Americanized I stood there money in hand as he moved on. finally he said, can I get you anything else?? I said no but I havnt paid you..His repsonse.."Is Ok Man.. come back later and tell me what you had and pay me then>" At that point I knew I was home!!!!!! Thanks to all who have guided us here..<br><br><br><br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 5/31/01 03:07 PM.</EM></FONT></P>