It was a lovely day.......but this is high season and I learned two things that usually aren't a problem for us during our December and April visits. 1- Traffic is nonstop everywhere and 2 - Saturday night dinner reservations in the more popular Simpson Bay spots are a necessity. But I'm getting ahead of myself.....

We arose early to a beautiful daybreak and sunrise and soon followed by coffee and pastries on our balcony. Such a great way to start the day. Anywhere this would be good but in SXM? - it just doesn't get any better!!

We spent some time yesterday morning at our pool and then we were off to the only point where we knew for sure we'd find our friends before they were lost to the island. We waited in the sun for about 45 minutes and we're starting to get nervous, fearing perhaps we'd already missed them when finally, we saw them arrive. The look on his face was priceless and made the trip worth while. He was as surprised to see US as we were the night before when our kids showed up at our doorstep. So we made quick arrangements for meeting today and we were off in our separate directions.

By now it's the height of the afternoon - too late to head out to the beach and too early to join the kids at their condo, so a little respite on our balcony was in order followed by cocktails and before we knew it it was time to head out again to visit our kids at the Cupecoy Beach Club. Their unit was ocean view and we wanted to catch the sunset from their patio. The property itself is one of the older places - no modern high rise here - but the units are lovely and totally modern, the grounds are beautifully kept and the cliffside oceanfront views are spectacular. I can't believe in all our island years and visits we'd never been there before - incredible spot for watching the sun set with the waves crashing below us and tontop it all off, the beach was "in" and deserted. A few glasses of wine later and we all headed out to Buccaneer Beach Bar where I think we got the second to last table to be had. The music was good and the place was hopping. BBCs and hors d'oerves and then we were off to Skipjacks without reservations. What were we thinking? There was a half hour wait but it was worth it. I think this is one of the most consistently good restaurants on the island in every way - pleasant staff, good service and great seafood.

By the time we filled our little bellies and headed home it was almost 11:00 and way past our bedtime. Another beautiful St. Maarten day draws to a close........ <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

And I almost left out the best thing ......... while Kim and Ken were showing us around the Cupecoy Beach Club, we were looking out at a sailboat in the distance and suddenly saw a sight we've never, in all our 43 years and Lord knows but maybe 60 to 70 visits, seen before. A school, or is it a pod?, of whales. At first we couldn't believe what we were seeing but as they began blowing off their own individual water spouts, we were mesmerized. And before long, they were done and submerged again. Unbelievably beautiful and of course, at that moment, the camera was in Kim's condo and our binoculars were back in ours....... it was pretty awesome!

How special it must have been to share that special moment with family!

Looking for thec'like' button. It really was spectacular and then done! But what a memory!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Glad this short trip is creating some really lovely memories! We visited Cupecoy Beach Club several years ago when friends were staying there and the location was quite special, for sure!

How exciting to see the whales!!

We use to stay at Cupecoy Beach Club many years ago and it is a great location. We rented a unit from one of the owners and use to walk down to Mullet. Before CBC, we stayed at Treasure Island. Loved both locations--but I don't think we were disappointed in anyplace we've stayed.

I have to mention this. I hope I don't can't bombarded with comments, but we have never had any luck at SkipJacks. Happy that your experience was good.


We are suppose to get some weather here in Ct., so enjoy your winter escape!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Other than one year at Regatta, when they were absolutely slammed, we've always enjoyed Skipjacks.

Thanks for the details, Pat. I read another great day for you on the island.

Spectacular! So glad you are having fun! My heart longs to be there.

Sat on Cupecoy beach from 8:00-10:30, then back at 11:00 (finally heard back that we could stay in the unit until 2:00), left at 1:15, and kept my eyes out and camera ready - no whales!!!! Probably the coolest thing I have ever seen down there!!!

Great experience with the whales. Never seen them here...eyes on the lookout..

I think Treasure island may have owned or had a major interest in that property once upon a time. I'm thinking back in the very late 70s or very early 80s we stayed at TI on a package deal that included breakfasts and one morning we had breakfast at that property. We walked down the stairs from our unit at TI up on the hillside, and through the parking lot that once was home to a courtyard with a pool and shops and eventually out by the casino and across the main road and entered the CBC property via the sidewalk that once lead to Cliffside Bar. There was a small breakfast spot on the left hand side well before you got to the area where Cliffside was. A long, long time ago.

Sorry to hear your Skipjacks experience wasn't a good one. We've never been disappointed and we really do enjoy their baked Caribbean lobster. But that will be another trip - no time this trip. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Kim,

Glad you were able to stay the extra few hours and sorry there were no more whales. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

A few years ago I heard there was a whale watching excursion here at certain times of the year but never having seen or heard of this being a natural habitat for them I honestly thought it might be a gotcha excursion, or at least we did until someone from here said they were here occasionally. We had already seen dolphins in the water by the Cliffside area of Mullet Resort a long, long time ago and now we can add whales to the list. It really was an experience of a lifetime and there had to have been a bunch of them, judging by the number of water spouts we saw. WOW!!

Never saw whales but had several sailfish swim and break water next to our boat coming back from Eustatia.

Loving your posts, as always, Pat. I've only witnessed whales while sailing on cruise ships, never in St. Maarten or New England. What a beautiful sight!

Enjoy the rest of your trip! xoxo

Thanks for the update. Glad things worked out for your surprise(s)!

My goodness, you described it perfectly! What a memory!

I think this quick trip was worth it just to see the whales!

We tried SkipJacks 3 times before I commented. I think the lobster is one of the dishes they do do well. I saw most people eating them on all our visits.
I don't know, maybe we will try again in April.