I "planned" our vacation and this is the outcome...
Got to the island on time, no hassles. Rented car from Mohammed (now Rent-A-Wreck). Got to Mt Vernon around 4:00 pm (after a stop for beer at Tap 5 in Orient Village...total rip off.. $30 USD for 24pk of Carib). Linda and Hypolide were there to welcome us to Lena's Beachfront Studio, very clean and a wonderful view of Orient Beach (many ams and pms spent @ balcony). Finally, got our toes in the sand 'round 5pm <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> hung out at Boo Boo Jams and took a dip in the beautiful beach. Left at sundown, showered and went to dinner at Sol e Luna down the street. Leo had the lobster bisque and I had a salad for starters. Leo had a filet and I had shrimp. Nice food and place, but a little stuffy for what we wanted.
1st full day: Went grocery shopping at Grande Marche, with a detour for b-fast at Mr Busby's. Wonderful ambiance and beach...took a little dip. Also, did some sightseeing along the way at Oyster Pond (thought I saw somebody who I'd seen a pic of on this forum). Got back home, had lunch and off to beach!!! Great fun...walked to Waikiki with beer stops and dips along the way. Beers at $2 or $3 except for Coco's which charged us $11.75 for 2 beers! Back to room at sundown, dinner at room.
Day 2: B-fast at room. "Plan" was to go to Anguilla...woke up to our new waterproof camera purchased for trip not charging. Leo spent couple of hrs trying to "fix" it...finally decided to stop wasting time and go into Phillipsburgh and see what could be done. Purchasing another camera was the solution...which was an expensive fix. Walked Front St and boardwalk..couple of beers along the way and a quick swim at Great Bay (decidedly not my fav). Got back to Orient, went for a swim and came back to room to get ready for dinner at Ti Bouchon. Wonderful dinner, we felt like family. Momo was awesome! Reservations for 8:30 pm, seated promptly, but didn't leave to well past 11:30 pm (we closed down the place) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> I had the pre fix menu, but Momo would ask if you wanted from regular menu for appertive or dessert. Started with a soup and had the grouper for the main dish. Leo had salad and filet mignon (cooked medium well as ordered). My meal included dessert, I chose a pineapple dish, with a wine reduction which was awesome. Great dinner and Momo was soooo hospitable...he even offered his personal cel # just in case we needed any help during our stay.
Day 3: Went to Marigot Market, early lunch at Sarafina's (very good). Most of the fish market closed...so no fresh fish for me to cook that night. Got back to get swimsuits on...and off to beach hopping! 1st stop: Baie Rouge, loved it! Very different with the sand color and rocks. On to Maho to watch the planes land! Sunset Bar for drinks and dip in beach. Awesome!! Mullet Bay was next stop, beautiful and serene beach. Next, Cupecoy...very rustic. Not a great beach, but beautiful setting. Danny was just leaving as we got there, got 2 beers and on to enjoy. Only a couple and a group of guys/girls swimming. Drove back, got some more beach time at Orient. Had some sandwiches for dinner on our balcony....paradise!
Day 4: Pinel Isle...spent the day just chillin' at Up on the Key! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> Went to Grande Case for dinner at Sky's the Limit...we both had the ribs. Very good food, $25 for both, with 2 beers and tip inc. Can't beat that.
Day 5: B-fast @ room and off to Phillipsburgh to buy some gifts. Rimas was great...a one stop shop. Stopped at Fresh Market for some essentials we had run out of. Some problems with roads closed due to construction, took a little longer to get back, actually got frustrating. We were kinda lost, with a map...which we didn't have upon arrival. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Still got some beach and pool time into the day! Went to Grande Case for dinner, were going to Talk of the Town...but somehow ended up at Bistrot Caraibes. Might have been the lobster pool in front of the restaurant, as I did have the lobster thermidor. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Even though Le Cottage was also tempting...next time. I had escargots and Leo had . Of course, I had lobster (thermidor) and Leo had veal, very good. Great meal...a little expensive. Also, charged a 3% on credit card for usage. Done by neither Sol e Luna or Ti Bouchon ($1 to 1 euro @ Ti Bouchon).
Day 6: B-fast at room and spent the day @ beach <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />
Walked to the other end...close to Club O. Rented chairs and umbrella from Ethnics and just spent the day enjoying the beach. Rented a jet ski (for the first time, we're in our 50's) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Awesome...with a few twists! Got back to room and had bread, cheese and wine for dinner on balcony enjoying the evening view for the last night.
Day 7 (last): Got up and got ready to leave. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Turned our "home" over to Hypolide...and went on our way. Went to Karakter for lunch before taking off. Our luggage was in the car, but the parking attendant assured us it was fine to leave in car while in restaurant. Had a wonderful lunch there, Leo and I shared crab cakes...yummy! He had shrimp kabobs and I had the special of grouper sandwich (very good). I took one last swim before heading home (as suggested here).
Had a Great vacation!!!!!
Now "plan" versus done....
Didn't get to Aguilla, did not eat at Antoine's...but most on plan was done. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />
Upon return, my cousin and husband (who own a timeshare at Divi Little Bay) but have never used and "really" visited SXM came over and we were raving on our great time spent at St Martin decided to use their timeshare next year. And best of all...invited us to come along and stay with them. Sooooo...we will be back to SXM on week #41. I guess we can say we got bitten!!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
I hope you enjoy reading about our trip and we would like to thank all on TTOL for the help in planning our marvelous vacation <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />
Oh...almost forgot to thank Mother Nature for wonderful weather which made our vacation perfect!
