I figured I need to finally do a trip report since the notes (napkins) for the April trip are<br>still next to the computer (which is not done yet). And I’m doing this one from memory<br>(which is short) so I bettter get cracking.<br><br>Getting there: Airfare was still too high with AA so we used some FF miles up. Left on a<br>Mon. morning at 5:00 AM for the 13 hour travel session. The couple sitting behind us was<br>on a first trip honeymoon to SXM staying at Nettle Bay. I gave them some pionters on<br>what to do and what to expect. Also they were needing a rental car so I told them about<br>Marius at St. Louis car rental.<br><br>Finally arrived. AA didn’t have any immigration forms so we filled them out in the<br>terminal anxiously wanting to get through immigration. Grabbed the luggage headed<br>outside to see Marius waiting for us. He had all the paperwork filled out since he had all<br>the information he needed form prior trips. Signed the forms and was off in just a couple<br>of minutes with a car full of gas. SSBB here I come. Had my first Heineken ,was soaking<br>up some SXM ambiance when I saw Neil pull in his 3 hour old Harley. I never seen a grin<br>like that on him before (I’ve seen quite a few others). BS’ed for a bit then off to supper<br>since where we stay is on the other side of Cole Bay Hill. Ric’s it was for some of his<br>great nachos. The place was full of people watching tennis. Then on to the villa.<br><br>Tues.<br><br>Up early to look down at the cruise ships at the pier while brushing my teeth. The Disney<br>“Magic” is a big boat. Also have a great view of St. Barts. Off to Don Carlos for<br>breakfast ( or so we thought) Don Carlos was closed (and so was Lynettes). What to do<br>what to do. Village Baker for some quiche. Back to SSBB for dessert. Then to OB to see<br>Elyse at Pedro’s and to Baywatch to see A&C. Great to see old friends again. OB was<br>very slow and the beach had really receded. Talked alot about what has happened since<br>last trip, lapped up a few Heine’s and worked on my sunburn. Did my Heineken<br>constutional down Club Orient part of the beach. Ran into Don & Linda from last year.<br>They said Paul & Maryann was also here (they were married this time last year here) Left<br>the beach about 4 and headed to Dawn Beach to see Alana but she wasn’t there then to<br>(you guessed it ) SSBB to watch the sunset. Decided to go to LaRosa II for dinner but it<br>was closed till the 16th. So circled till we stopped at Laguna. I had the Broccoli pasta and<br>Sheryl had the garilc chicken. The meal and service was great ( a new find). Then time to<br>say hi to everybody. Back to SSBB, to Mark’s, Greenhouse and to Chesterfields working<br>our way back to the villa.<br><br>Wed.<br><br>Up to see what cruise ships were in. Watch af few sail boats heading to St. Barts. Off to<br>Ric’s for b’fast, Eddie (bartender, who we first met a Bongo Byrons,Salsa, then Don<br>Carlos) was there . Did a little island catch up. Had a great meal. Peeked in Pegleg to see<br>how it was coming along. Off to SSBB. Off to OB. Ross was working today at A&C’s<br>Baywatch asked how his daughter was doing. Carlos and his new baby left and went back<br>to Antiguia .Killed alot of Heine’s and worked on my sunburn. Stopped a Bananas for<br>supper. I had the ribs and Sheryl had Pavarotti’s platter. Both had the famous garlic<br>mashed potatoes. Course for dessert back to SSBB for the one man band and on to<br>Mark’s for his one man band entertainment. Off to the villa I’m tired.<br><br>Thurs.<br><br>Up to see the ship in. Took an early morning dip in the pool. Went to Mark’s for b’fast,<br>for $22 for 2 it really wasn’t the best. Checked out P’burg. The streets were almost<br>deserted. On to OB. Worked on the burn. Left early to go back to the pool and to get<br>cleaned up for Grand Case. Ate at Il Nettuno. I had the Penne Calabrese and Sheryl had<br>the Fettucini Alfredo. Great meal as usual. There were only 2 waiters so they were pretty<br>busy. BTW I asked if the tip was included and was told NO. Then I said “I thought it was<br>a French law. I was told that the law didn’t include restaurants. Headed to Marigot to sit<br>at the Le Arawak to people watch. Problem was there was no people (it was very very<br>quiet in town) was served a Pina Coloda with Triple Sec in it. That was enough for me<br>back to the villa.<br><br>Fri.<br>No ships in today. B’fast at SSBB. Watched Neil circle on his Harley. Talked to Runway<br>about fleas for a while. Off to OB. Andy & Cheryl’s were closed. Ate ribs at Pedro’s<br>rented beach chairs at Bongo Byrons (I guess that is the name now). Talked to the owners<br>wife (well kinda) her English was as good as my French). Her & her husban has been on<br>the only for 9 months.<br>Back to SSBB for free pizza and to listen to the band. Left there went to Chesterfield’s to<br>look out at the bay and watch the boats. Nothing better than to watch the activity in<br>Great Bay and feel the warm breeze.<br><br>Sat.<br>No cruise ships in. B’fast at Ric’s. Locals watching tennis again. To SSBB and then to<br>OB. Planted it at A&C’s had a late lunch of Rib’s & fries and Sheryl had the Chichen<br>philly. Andy was wanting to close early but the people just kept coming in. BTW this was<br>the first time I’ve seen Pedro’s close (the bathrooms too). Eleise said in Nov. they should<br>reopen on Sat. Back to the villa for a dip in the pool. Cleaned up and headed to Port de<br>Plaisance to look around. What a gorgeous place. Back to SSBB for dessert and to talk<br>with Neil for a while.<br>Back to the villa.<br><br>Sun.<br>Last full day. No cruise ships in. Went to the Village Baker for b’fast. Found out about<br>their second location opening at the Alantis Casino. SSBB for refreshments then to OB.<br>Talked to Paul & Maryann. Andy cooked the Sausage & peppers for me & chicken<br>parmesian for Sheryl. Very low keyed day. Said our good by’s (never easy to do). Back to<br>the villa to get cleaned up for SSBB and listened to the band. Noticed a few first day<br>people. Checked the new Baywatch. Nice place for climbing I guess. Back to the villa to<br>do some prelimenary packing.<br><br>Mon. again<br><br>No ships in. Loaded the car. Headed to the airport to drop off the luggage. AA had a very<br>long line so we went to Ric’s for b’fast. Back to the airport (still had a line) off to SSBB<br>to kill a half hour. Back to the airport deceided to stand in line and get it over with. Back<br>to SSBB to watch our plane come in. Said our goodbyes to Neil.<br><br>Only took 3 pic’s this trip and I.ve already posted them. Already watching for some airfare<br>to drop.<br><br>The blacksocks and plaidsocks and the beersocks are coming!!!<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 7/23/01 01:06 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
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