TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos Trip Report, June 16-22, Week 2

Saturday, June 16

Slept in a bit, followed by breakfast on the deck. Had planned to go to a beach, but it started raining. So I started working on my trip report and downloading pictures. The rain didn’t last long, but I was engrossed in the computer work, which was quite enjoyable on my deck. When finished with the trip report, spent a few hours by the Infinity Pool. Was a bit disturbed to overhear two (very young) female guests talking with three male locals (I think). Girls were asking guys where you could get drugs and describing effects of some of their favorites. I gave them a dirty look, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. Thankfully, they didn’t stick around too long.

Then it was time to head over to Grand Case, where I was meeting friends for dinner at Piazza Pascal. I arrived early and took the opportunity to visit some of the shops. Quite by chance, I happened upon a gallery where Stephanie Tihanyi was sharing space with a couple of other artists. Most of the work she was displaying there was quite different from the gorgeous florals she was displaying in Ruby Bute’s studio on the art tour with SXMNorm in February 2011, and not particularly to my liking. Dinner at Piazza Pascal was delightful, and Donna is such a lovely person.



I had a seafood risotto; nice flavor, but some of the fish were quite chewy.



After dinner, I had planned to go hear Orange Grove at Porto Cupecoy; by the time I would have gotten there, it would have nearly been over. So back to Divi for some time with my Kindle, which is always good company.

Sunday, June 17

Divi was advertising a Fathers’ Day buffet at Toucan’s for $20 so decided to give it a try. The buffet included an assortment of cereals, fruits, pastries, hot dishes, and an omelette station, which I thought was pretty slooow. There was really nothing interesting about the buffet; it was just breakfast.

Then it was off to Emilio Watson Park to meet Elaine/Bill for a cook-off. When I arrived, it was clear they hadn’t even started to set up, and any cooking would be a long time coming. So I started driving around, and became somewhat lost in the St. Peters area. While I was trying to find my way back to a main road (Kaprowski map wasn’t in the car, unfortunately), Elaine called and said the cook-off still wasn’t ready for prime time. So I headed to Kakao for the afternoon and spent a relaxing few hours on the beach. Elaine and Bill did go back to the cook-off, and I’m hoping she’ll report about it here.

Then I went to Dinghy Dock to meet a group for happy hour.



The sports bar next to DD was fairly empty when I walked by it, but I think they had more patrons as the evening wore on. Sorry, but I didn’t really pay attention to any particulars about the bar. Then it was off to La Bamba to hear Bob/Craig and perhaps run in to the Hills. Rock and roll isn’t my thing, but I did used to listen to it before becoming interested in jazz so knew and enjoyed the tunes. But the volume was really unbearable. You had to shout in the other person’s ear if you wanted them to hear your conversation; I think the music might be more enjoyable if you are sitting off to the side. Anyway, Carol and Eric were there so we sat with them for a little while; then home and to bed.

Monday, June 18

I decided this would be a day for exploring.



Headed through Simpson Bay, where the traffic was quite backed up. Stopped at Mullet for pictures; still a significant sand bank.



On to The Summit; I had not been there before so decided to have lunch. The meat in the hamburger was good, but there was nothing else about the lunch to recommend it; doubt I’ll be back. Stopped at Cupecoy. The first two stairways had virtually no sand at the bottom.



Went by Porto Cupecoy and on through the lowlands and to check out Baie Longue



and Baie aux Prunes,



neither of which I’d been to before. I passed a lot of villas with lovely gates and took some pictures of the interesting gates.



Baie Longue had a high sand bank so I went on to Plum and took more pictures. I would have liked to stay at Plum for awhile, but it was hot and I didn’t have an umbrella. Also, I wasn’t sure how safe it would be to stay there by myself although there were others there.

Then it was on through Nettle Bay to Sandy Ground; I was looking for Le Shore but wasn’t sure where it was. I stopped in front of Layla’s (closed on Mondays) and called Elaine, who directed me to Le Shore. Thank you, Elaine. Le Shore is upscale and quite attractive. Stayed for a couple of hours, reading and having a drink. It was pretty windy on the beach so eventually drove back to Divi.



I decided to have a late dinner and intended to try Santara. But Fusion drew me in, and I’m so glad as I had the best dinner of the trip so far there. It started with a miso shooter, followed by a goat cheese spring roll salad (to die for), and then freshwater prawns. I wasn’t familiar with the latter, and they are sort of a cross between prawns and lobster.

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A different taste, but good. I can’t say enough about the service at this place; it’s just perfect. And to top it off, they do not add a service charge. A lovely experience.

Tuesday, June 19

Breakfast on deck, followed by errands at Rima and Grand Marche; Carol Hill was leaving GM as I was arriving. On the way to Grande Marche, law enforcement was stopping cars on Long Wall Road and checking, I assume, identification. I was not stopped and think it was because of the “R” license plate. Back to Divi for an afternoon at the Infinity Pool. The weather today was just about perfect.

I planned to go to Le Moulin Fou for dinner tonight because Cheri’s is closed. In the Divi parking log, I ran in to Divi owners Tony and Linda who, coincidentally, were also going to Le Moulin Fou so we went in one car and had an enjoyable dinner together outside. I had the hot goat cheese salad

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followed by orange duck. Very good, and there were enough leftovers for lunch later this week.

On the way back to Divi, Tony and Linda introduced me to The Taste Factory. I purchased a yummy dessert to bring back to eat in the room. To return the favor, I introduced them to Café on the Bay. It’s closed on Tuesdays, but at least they now know where it is. Interestingly, they are the ones who first introduced me to Fusion when it was on Front Street, and they have already eaten twice at Fusion’s current location this trip.

Wednesday, June 20

Off to the Marigot Market. I was searching for Les Tissus du Soleil and was pleased to find Patricia is back at the market with lovely linens from Provence.

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I purchased another tablecloth for myself plus some smaller items as gifts. The traffic in Marigot was horrible with huge tour buses clogging up traffic. I went to the Marina and noted that Le Petite Auberge was open for lunch so stopped in for a delicious seafood salad.

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During my first stay on the island six years ago, I took a boat from Simpson Bay to Le Petite Auberge for dinner; liked it so well I went back for a second time that trip and have had a soft spot in my heart for it ever since. I had intended to go to Friar’s Bay for the afternoon, but it was now mid-afternoon. So I headed back to Divi for a couple of hours in the Infinity Pool, which was more crowded than usual; the word must be getting out! I decided on an evening in; had leftovers and did laundry.

Thursday, June 21

Up early to be at Skipjack’s by 7:30 to board the Celine for an all-day sail. It was just a great day with Ann (AnnandSteve); Elaine (BillandElaine); Larry and Gretchen (Larry); Deb (Scuba1Deb, who organized the trip – thanks, Deb!) and her friends Jean, Lisa, Richard, David; and Denise (bartender at Marty’s Dream Bar) and Bill. The hostess on the Celine is Denise’s daughter, Tamara. The first stop was at Tintamarre

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for a couple of hours; while on the island I was making some adjustments to my camera and accidentally reformatted my disk. Thankfully, I had downloaded all the pictures the night before but lost the ones from departure to Tintamarre. My bad. During this stop, Neil was preparing his famously good lunch. After beach and swim time, we got back on the boat to eat. What a feast!

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Then on to Creole Rock for a little snorkeling, followed by a stop at Happy Bay for mud, this time on the boat. Tamara told us about seeing several cows on Happy Bay the day before, but we saw only one on this trip.

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We enjoyed a BBC prior to returning through the French bridge, and returned to Skipjack’s at 6 p.m. A very fun day.

I then went to White Flag with Elaine and Ann. Bill and Steve joined us. We had tapas of a meat platter and ham rolls with pear and cheese. Both were very good, but I especially enjoyed the ham rolls. White Flag has been reported on before, but it’s a very nice rooftop bar run by the lovely Nathalie. It’s nice to see the view from a few stories up.

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A full day in the sun can be really draining so back to Divi for a much-needed shower and then bed.

Friday, June 22

Off to Orient for a day at the beach; a very good beach day. Since it’s so close, I had planned to have dinner at Paradise View. I arrived right at 6 p.m., when it is supposed to open for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. I was very disappointed that everything was closed up and it was clear they wouldn’t be opening that night. Back to Divi for a shower and pondering my list as to where to go. Elaine had sent me a message about Jim Specter playing at Vino Pasta tonight. Googled for its location to no avail. So went back to Fusion for the goat cheese spring roll salad and a duck entrée. Very good.


One more week left……