I’m here for three weeks and one report would be impossibly boring and long so I’ll do three installments. This is the first. Photos will have to wait until I’m back in Portland at a desktop.
Day 1 Friday: Left PDX for DFW at 8:25 AM on AA, using Alaska miles and flying first class. Mentioned in another thread about landing problems but we finally got on land. Scheduled for a two-hour layover before flying to MIA for an overnight. Unable to board due to mechanical problems; no idea when they would be fixed. After this went on for a couple of hours I was starting to get nervous as my roommate (RM) was on other flights in order to use her miles and we weren’t planning to meet until boarding for SXM in Miami; AA was unable to confirm if/when we’d be able to fly out. There was a good-sized group of folks who were scheduled to be on this flight who had been waiting to get on a plane for 24 hours as their flight the previous day had mechanical problems that didn’t get fixed. I had all the paperwork for car rental, checking in to Divi, etc. so was concerned about what RM would do if she arrived and I wasn’t yet there. Fortunately, we were able to board after a 3-hour wait. Getting luggage took about another hour (I heard someone say they couldn’t get the plane door open to get the luggage out; no idea if that was the issue or not). Checked in to the adjacent Miami International Hotel in a room smaller than some of my handkerchiefs. But it was clean, mattress was good, and I slept well.
Day 2 Saturday: Met roommate at gate; arrived SXM about 2:30. Customs took about 20 minutes, and bellcap assisted with taking our luggage across street where we were met by Tropicana representative. We got into our slightly dented Getz and were off. First stop was to drop off a deposit for the cooking class we are taking next week. Next stop was Tropicana on Billy Folly Road to do paperwork. Our luggage took up all the space in the car so had no room to get groceries at the new Market Garden. Checked in at Divi and unpacked. Had a cocktail on the deck and to Mark’s Place for dinner, which was a first. I had tilapia, which was a special, and RM had ribs. Don’t remember price or whether or not service charge was included.
Divi now has wifi so I got my netbook set up on that. The amount is $50 per week per room per device. RM has an iPad so each of us had to pay $150 for our three weeks here. This is a corporate decision so I will be telling Divi what I think about that upon my return, especially after learning Beachside Villas has free wifi.
No beach time today but we have plenty of time for that.
Day 3 Sunday: Attended the Divi welcome party in the AM. Didn’t win any raffle items but heard presentations about some additional excursions we want to try out. Off to Fresh Market for groceries--good-looking fruits and vegetables. Back to Divi to unload groceries and have breakfast/lunch at SeaBreeze Café; too tired to make any lunch ourselves. Had a great chicken and walnut salad in a pineapple shell. Waitress said she gets some of the 15% added to the bill. How the heck does one know how much extra to leave so waitress gets what you want her to get? Frustating.
Little bit of time at Infinity Pool, then left for Skipjack’s to go on Celine sunset cruise which was free as a JMBCommunications member benefit. Most pleasant although Capt. Neil didn’t come talk to us about what we were seeing until toward the end. Saw several homes allegedly owned or previously owned by celebrities. I didn’t particularly like the lack of seating on the catamaran; we just found a place on the hull or wherever. Wasn’t overly comfortable.
Then for the highlight of the day: dinner at Toppers by the Sea, another first. What a lovely setting! Service was excellent and prompt. We both had “drunk shrimp” salad, where the shrimp had been marinated in Topper’s rhum. $16. What was very nice about this bill was that no service charge was added but there was a note at the bottom of the bill what the tip would be at 15%, 18%, and 20%. Thumbs up on this approach. James was singing songs of the crooners (Perry Como, Frank Simatra) to recorded background music, and he also played some trumpet. Back to Divi deck for computer time and a nightcap.
Day 4 Monday: This was a beach day at Divi. Went to another welcome party and again no raffle winnings. Divi was having its lobster night. Since I’m not particularly fond of Caribbean lobster, we went next door to Belair, which was having its BBQ night at half the price of Divi’s Thursday BBQ; also half the selection (ribs and chicken plus a few salads). Cost was $20.70 including 15% service charge.
Day 5 Tuesday: Up early for an 8:30 pickup to take us to Bobby’s Marina for an around-the-island sail on Golden Eagle. This was another first for me; it’s great seeing the island from a different perspective. Stopped at Tintamarre for beach time, then on to Creole Rock for snorkeling. Had lunch with toes in sand at Calmos Café (choice of mahi mahi or chicken; I thought mahi mahi was a bit dry but the dessert of Etna ice cream sort of made up for that). Then a lazy sail to La Samanna for swimming with a floating bar. Partied back to Bobby’s Marina. Rum was flowing freely all day, and several folks were quite exuberant on the bus back; I was glad Divi was the first stop! It was a great day, but that much sun was exhausting. I liked this sail but do wish the folks had made more announcements about what we were passing. I had intended to take my map with me but forgot and had to ask the staff which beaches were which as we were passing.
Had a quick dip in the oh-so-relaxing Divi Infinity Pool. Then off to Chesterfield’s (another first I’ve been meaning to try for a couple of years) for dinner. RM had grouper (a special), and I had the stuffed mushrooms and coconut shrimp appetizers, which were $8.95 each. Again, 15% was added to the bill; server said she really didn’t know how much of that she receives, but apparently she gets something every Saturday. They were doing a good business and service was quite good.
I had a troubling email from the proprietress of the cat retreat where I’m boarding my two felines, both of whom are in kidney failure. One of them was vomiting and not eating much; her appetite had been great the last few months. Proprietress was talking with my vet, who was prescribing an anti-nausea med. Was on pins and needles awaiting daily reports about effectiveness of the meds.
Day 6 Wednesday: Off to Paradise View, a stop on my first-ever trip to SXM via cruise ship many years ago. I’ve always been fond of these little shops and was not disappointed this trip either. Found some swim suit cover-ups and RM found a couple of sun dresses. I was disappointed that Bernadeen of the MaDouDou stand wasn’t there and the stand was closed. She was expected back later in the afternoon but we’ll have to save that for another day. The restaurant next to Bernadeen’s stand is now open. I went in to have a look-see; apparently they’ve been open about three months. Looks like a cute little place if you are hungry and in the area.
Then off to Orient Beach where I was hoping to connect with Scuba1Deb. I walked up and down the first row where she was supposed to be and assume I was considered a Black Soxer (there were also lots of those as 2 cruise ships were in today, one being Oasis of the Sea). When we couldn’t find her, we decided to settle in front of Zen Café Concept, next door to Orange Fever. Very nice, thick beach-chair cushions (gray and white); service was most excellent. Apparently the owners of Zen also own Le California. While the beach looked pretty busy to me, the owner was commenting about how slow it was. I had a disappointing goat cheese salad: shredded greens, a few tomato sections, and two slices of toast spread with goat cheese and what tasted like honey. $13. RM had a shrimp salad, which she liked.
As we were leaving, we walked by Luiz, who was putting his samples away for the day. I told him I had heard great things about him on TTOL. He promptly reeled me in, told me what he thought my bra size was (he was correct), and the rest is history. I will pick up my 3 pieces on Sunday. I was just amazed at his professionalism and sensitivity; can’t wait to see the finished product.
Dinner in (snacks, really) on the deck. As I go to bed, the sound of very hard rain can be heard.
Day 7 Thursday: A lazy day at Divi snorkeling, beaching, and pooling. Then off to my very first TTOL party hosted by the very gracious Don&Linda at Ocean Club Bar & Grill. Met quite a few folks, and had their fabulous drink of the day, a mango rum concoction. Was so disappointed that Elaine went off island that morning as I’d been looking forward to meeting her (a fellow purchaser of wonderful cloths from Le Tissues du Soleil), but Bill was there. I think JoeFitz and Scuba1Deb were going to Bonita’s Cantina after the party, but RM and I wanted something light so we headed to Karakter; I needed to introduce myself to Jorritt anyway. It was about half an hour before the kitchen closed, and we both had goat cheese quiche (a special) while our toes were in the sand. Wonderful view across the water to lots of lights at the Pelican area (see Carol Hill’s photoshow for similar views). Service good. Quiche was $12; no SC added. Can’t wait to go back to spend a day at Karakter.
Day 8 Friday: Snorkeled in Little Bay, then back to unit or breakfast. RM was doing a scuba excursion so I took the opportunity to just drive around the island. Did the obligatory Rima stop, then off to Paradise View. Bernadeen’s MaDouDou shop was open so spent time catching up with her. The man she had been living with died a couple of months ago and she’s still recovering from that loss. His children will be selling the house so she’s looking for another place to live. I bought a couple of bottles of MaDouDou and then had lunch at the Paradise View Restaurant. The restaurant has taken over what was the viewpoint. Good salad and bottle of water, $20.
Continued driving and took a gander at Le Galion beach, which I’d like to spend time on. Happened upon Ti Bouchon and Sol e Luna, so now I know where they are. Traversed other side streets while meandering through Lowlands and Cupecoy.
Back to Divi. RM was hungry but I was not. My Kindle and I hung out on my deck; RM went to the now-completed beach bar at Divi, where it was karaoke night. I could hear it from my deck and was glad I wasn’t any closer.
I’m thrilled to still have two weeks ahead in which to unwind and do more exploring.
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