I had every good intention of quickly posting a trip report when I returned and here it is 2 weeks later & I am just getting around to it. We were on SXM from 2/23 thru 3/11 – we travel on Delta on non-weekend days to try to minimize the hassle factor. Delta was Delta – we used FF tickets (we have never paid for an airline ticket to SXM since 1997), flights were on time or early. When we landed early in SXM I noticed there were no big jets at the jetways yet we parked way off to the side. When we left I asked how come – since we were leaving from the same tarmac space - I was told the airport determined who could use the jetways based on the size of the plane. Since Delta flies in a 737 it seems the jetway may not be used often. We beat in all other planes so made it thru immigration in record time; our luggage was waiting for us as was Unity. We made it to the Flamingo in about 45 minutes from when we walked off the plane.

We rented a not new Corolla from Unity that was just fine - they do have great service and we have been using them for years. Got the phone from Sharon on the way to the Flamingo & again great service, not to mention how easy it is to pick up & drop off. My mother remains not well so we used about $40 in minutes over the 2 ½ weeks & never had a problem with the connection.

We own a 2 bedroom villa at the Flamingo for weeks 9 & 10 – and rent a couple of extra nights at the Flamingo (naturally we got a lovely view of the laundry). That way they move all your stuff for you on Saturday to your unit & you don’t have to sweat a thing – we went to Mullet at 10 & when we came back at 4 everything was waiting for us in our unit. The resort itself is in great shape, they have spent some money upgrading the landscaping & small appliances, plus I think the outside of every building has been painted. The front desk personnel continue to be the resort’s major failure point – there is no warm and fuzzy feeling when you speak with any of them.

Groceries: Shopped at the Grand Marche in Cole Bay & at the roundabout – what we couldn’t find at one we found at the other. We also went to Market Fresh in Simpson Bay but we thought their prices were considerably higher than the Grand Marche, unlike last year. Also hit the Peli Deli for some of the small stuff.

Shopping: We actually did very little shopping this year – went to P’burg one afternoon, mainly to say hello to everyone at DK Gems. We didn’t plan to buy any jewelry this year and we didn’t despite being tempted. Walked thru the Marigot Market one Wed. & then onto the marina where I did buy some Murano glass jewelry at Laguna Blue. I did buy a bathing suit & sandals at Endless Summer in Simpson Bay. And we stopped at Rima’s just cuz there was a handy parking spot out front.

Beaches & Weather: You could find us at Mullet or Orient Beach or on the white sand by the pool at the Flamingo. The weather was decent, but I thought there were an awful lot of morning clouds. Orient was windy, rainy, & cold the 1st week, so we really didn’t make much of an effort to get up there the 2nd week – we had gotten into a different groove for this vacation. OB wasn’t very crowded & we had no trouble getting chairs – in fact I didn’t see a whole lot of the guest tags on the chairs around the Perch. They got new umbrellas which came in handy as we stood under them several times in the rain!

Casinos: Don & I play blackjack – he had no real luck this year – fortunately I did a bit better. While neither of us hit any jackpots (like someone we know!) we did OK. We went to the Hollywood Casino (dead cuz the pelican was closed at that time) & Atlantis. Believe it or not, I won quite a bit on a penny machine. I was bored waiting for Don who was still playing so threw in $5 & paid for our dinner with what I won.

Traffic & Driving & Misc. Stuff: Roads were in good shape & there was no traffic to speak of – except for P’burg and even that wasn’t as bad as we’ve seen in past years. We could drive out of the Flamingo & be parked at Pedro’s in 23 minutes – almost like 10 years ago. Island was very green cuz of all the rain. I used the Internet in the Flamingo Lobby which was slightly less expensive than the Internet Café at the Royal Palm. We stopped at Puerto Cupecoy just to check it out – very pretty setting but it was now gated & you couldn’t walk beyond the plaza. The Blue Mall looked monstrously large when we drove by it and so out of place. Regatta party at Kim Sha was lively – and for the 1st time they actually kept Billy Folly Rd open – usually we got blocked in with cars parked all over the road, but they towed or at least threatened to tow any parked car. Gas for the car was about $5/gal.

TTOL Party: Hats off to Sheila & Susan for another fine party at the Greenhouse. I like putting faces to names and met some new folks this year.

Restaurants: This is the pace to stop if you don’t want to read about where we ate. But I always find it helpful to read what other’s experienced so here goes. Breakfast was in the room, lunch usually consisted of a baguette & cold cuts on the beach. We do tend to go out at dinner & this year I actually took notes so here’s our experience…

Pineapple Pete’s: We really like this place – Pierre wasn’t there but Mark was running the show & he’s right up there with Pierre. Ronny Santana played & he is someone I really, really enjoy. We had the crab stuffed grouper & garlic shrimp, with soft drinks & ice cream for $63 which included a 12% tip & a 3% tax.

Mark’s Place continues to be a favorite stop – ribs & veal cordon blue with soft drinks for $37, including the tip we left – no TOT added.

Pizza Gallery – we stopped there twice – it’s just convenient to the Flamingo when we don’t want to go too far but need something to fill us up. We got the Meat Lover’s pizza (Don is a carnivore), 2 salads & soft drinks came to $37.

Baywatch – only stopped in once cuz we didn’t get to or stay at OB all that much. Mussels in red sauce & the garlic shrimp salad with soft drinks was $43 with tip included. It seemed the prices were raised a bit from last year, but I couldn’t swear to it.

Greenhouse in Simpson Bay – Decent food – nothing spectacular but decent. For $57 we had a salmon in the lemon garlic sauce & the grouper in the same sauce, with soft drinks.

La Belle Epoque is a traditional stop for us at lunch. We love the pizzas & the people watching. They were the only full restaurant in the marina area which says something. We shared a shrimp pizza and salad for $38 – don’t ask me what the exchange rate was – I totally ignored it.

3 Palms was a new restaurant for us & I don’t think we’ll be returning. All the dining is on the deck – the inside is set up with a bar & a lounge area – very contemporary. The dining on the deck was quite elegant, tables were nicely set & not too close, but the intermittent unpleasant odor of sewage really ruined it for me. The food was 50/50 – my blackened snapper was excellent, Don thought his pork tenderloin was good but not anything special. They did have someone playing an acoustical guitar during dinner & he was excellent – unfortunately I do not remember his name. A theme that remained consistent throughout our stay is that the restaurants were not very crowded. We arrived at 7:30 and were the only ones there – a bit disconcerting. They have an extensive wine list & I did have a martini before dinner & wine with dinner – with a chocolate lava cake for dessert – and the entire bill was $81 not including the tip.

Fusion in Maho – I loved this place last year and was disappointed this year. Don had the File au Poive which he enjoyed once he scraped off a ¼ inch of peppercorns, and I had a Snapper in a curry coconut sauce – the sauce overwhelmed the fish. I love the concepts on the menu but the execution failed for my dish. The salads &sides were really good as was the dessert - a chocolate volcano cake. Their bread & dipping sauce is outstanding. I had 2 martinis & the entire meal came to $129. And now for the reason I will not go back next year – there was a 20% gratuity (and the TOT) added to the bill – I spoke to the wait staff about it to no avail.

Buccaneer Beach Bar had a fireball one night so we stopped in for burgers & beer. Good food & service. Will be back.
Bonita Cantina will be passed by next year also. We had the pulled pork & rack of ribs. The pork was dry, the ribs were dry & tough, they no longer offer WiFi, & they were so impressed with themselves they were taken aback when I spoke to them about the quality of the meal. It’s too bad cuz I like to sit out back & watch all the activity on the lagoon.

Izi was another new restaurant we both enjoyed. I kinda knew what it was all about & we were walked thru the menu so we really understood how to order. And when we ordered something that didn’t quite work together the wait staff gently suggested a different approach. I liked that. We both had whole wheat pasta – Don had an Alfredo with shrimp & I had the Seafood something in marinara – it had a goodly amount of calamari, shrimp & mussels – a couple of glasses of wine along with an awesome volcano cake came to $81 with the 15% tip added onto the bill. There were 2 people there at 7:30 & the place was full when we left at 10.

Batjusu is a place we do not miss on our trips to SXM. We’ve been going there since it opened & we always ask for a booth in the back – and Anthony is always our server. We both had a filet, I had some martinis, there was a dessert but don’t ask me what it was cuz the martinis were that good – they were almost empty at 7:30 & full when we left. The total was $139 with the TOT on the bill and a tip which we added.

Temptation was a 1st stop for us, based on Deepti’s recommendation. Awesome experience with excellent service & both of us had an outstanding meal. The Onion soup (a Deepti recommendation), lobster bisque, the Osso Bucco, the Snapper in tempura, and Wet Chocolate Cobble (another Deepti recommendation) were thoroughly enjoyed. They had a Raspberry Rage martini I loved and loved and loved. Can’t believe we never made it there till this year. A definite return next trip.

Another find was Rare, which we decided needed to be on our agenda since we enjoyed Temptation so much. I actually enjoyed the whole experience at Rare more than at Temptation. The ambiance was elegant & we dined at one of the tables with the high backed chairs which were so comfortable. Temptation & Rare share the same specialty drink menu – and also some of the appetizers. I again had the onion soup (it was that good) and Don had the Tempura coconut shrimp with a curry sauce. We both had a filet that was melt in your mouth, and the desserts were excellent – Don had some sort of chocolate cookie concoction that sounds simple but was anything but – I had an apple pie that was unlike any apple pie I ever had before. Total was $169 & worth every penny – another definite return.

Last Impressions: An excellent trip – Don & I got to spend some uninterrupted time together and there we no major stressors to deal with. We decide that next year we are going for 3 weeks – and that we would try to slip in a trip sometime in Nov. Airfare may do us in but life is short and St Martin is calling my name…