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Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. #200585
07/21/2019 03:03 PM
07/21/2019 03:03 PM
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bran Offline OP
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AA from Miami arrived about 15 minutes early and was out quickly to car rental awaiting. Went straight to Carrefours at Cupecoy and picked up some much needed wine to get the party rolling and onto Villa in Terres Basses that we had only previously left some 16 days before and that was after spending three weeks there and that's because my wife wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday on the 28th and I told her if Villa available, we could get a reasonable deal, that's where I would like to go, life is short and we made it happen. Dinner was at Tropicana and they really laid on a show of food, just a shame that I didn't this time take pictures of every single meal I had, but in a separate post, will endeavor to show a fair bit. For those that are worried about going to this area, you are missing out. Couple of new restaurants opened up in the Marina plus quite a few new fashion stores and if you just walk in brightly lit areas at night you will be fine, plus lunches are really excellent and to get a place outside even out of season, you have to book as by 12pm they are already have seats filled. What a birthday start to the added vacation but don't remember too much the next day dance

The idea was to shop, eat and rest(not necessarily in that order) but spend more time at the villa which we did. It was relaxing, great weather, albeit a little windy at times which my wife doesn't like but I do, as without some breeze one would simply fry but she appears to take heat like some martian alien. Always has and good for her as she needed the rest and relaxation after the health problems she has had. Anyway, wanted to also check out new restaurants in the Simpson Bay Area plus others nearby and give Philly another chance as we rarely travel out of the french side having our favs and so set in our ways as if if keeps on working for us, why go elsewhere!

Skipjacks...................Service from this great Dutch Lady. Worth mentioning..Crab and corn soup, a meal in itself. Lunch only. 8/10

Nowhere Special.....BBC's from Devon. Interesting food, well priced specials, although think I had a bad lobster meal and should of complained. Went several times. Lunch and Dinner. 8/10

Roxxi on the beach. Opp Skipjacks. A bit pricey for drinks and too Miami Beach for us but might give this another go sometime. 6/10

Yacht Club. 4 lots of Breakfast...Smoke salmon, poached eggs dripping in dill sauce on English muffin, Called a Norwegian I think. free coffee!! Great Service. Excellent. 9/10

Lals Indian. Owner last year sold then brought it back......which was awful when he sold, but back to reasonable standards. For Indian fix, its decent. 7/10

Frenchy Ludos. Must now be my third visit from the last time. Good service and unusual presentation of food. 8/10

Marks Place. Finally made it plus saw where the main Carreffour is. May have picked a bad day for lunch. A bit off they were. Food though was OK and reasonable but wouldn't eat there again. 6/10. To each their own though as I know most here have said very favorable things, but I just think what was on the menu was simply not to my taste.

Mary's Boon Restaurant.....Liked it and the position. Service was a bit slow as appeared to be serving everyone on the beach first and we were the only ones in there but what a great view. in the end food, albeit basic was good, reasonable and the guy who looked after us very nice indeed. But giving this a 9/10 because I asked if they could make my wife a cauliflower soup which was not on the menu and they did. Anyone who goes out of there way to do this, gets full marks in my book and that's probably why it took so long, but couldn't care less as loved the position we had and people watching. Will definitely go again and walk the beach as well, provided the shelving isn't too high.

El Zafiro. Went for Breakfast. A little slow with service but good, apart from being charged $7.00(again) for water after being told they don't serve tap water!! Enjoyed the experience though. 7/10. Barman there made some good drinks and will return again but don't need water anyway for breakfast, will bring our own or order some drinks again, which we did. Not the price but the principal as what do they wash the dishes with then? On second thoughts, might not return for breakfast but would try lunch, as the Yacht club takes some beating. So that's it I think in that part of the world on the Dutch side apart from our worst meal, I already mentioned in a past post was Altro's. Set Menu was poor. Enough said. Also The Greenhouse in Philly for some I thought, overpriced drinks and very slow service but did park outside which was great and was able to meander about the town, more on that later.

Restaurants. French Side. I have mentioned these several times before and possibly because I am personally into French classical cooking without too many twists and frills, and got to know the owners well over the years and they cater for my wife who basically can only eat light as in soups plus certain veggies and will make exactly what she wants. Very rare and most appreciated. They all receive a 9 plus out of 10.
Tropicana......perhaps went 8 times..for Lunch and dinner. Highlights. Souffle, Dover Sole and daily specials. Very French. Desserts are outstanding. Ask for their hot and cold. Pastry Chef previously worked at 3 Mich star Restaurant in Menton France.

L'Aubergex5..highlights. Rack of lamb. Ask what you really like and they will try to assist. Carol, give it another go and let me know beforehand and will ensure you get the very best. Also purchase their homemade rum drink that they and all the restaurants give out for free after your meal. Its very subtle and good for coffees and adding on cakes etc. I just swing the thing back like a good Russian, usually first thing in the morning.

Le Cottagex1. Great Service, classic cooking and consistently good.

Arahwak. Great for BBC's(made only by one particular person) and omlette breakfast.

Observations.
Not as many bikers this time but still see accidents just waiting to happen everyday. For whatever reason they seem to think its just the coolest thing to ride with one wheel up in the air. Why???

French side still way behind the Dutch side construction wise since Irma and could take another 2 years plus..........some areas really bad and just nothing has been done in nearly two years now.

Never really liked Downtown Philly and even worse since Irma. However was suitable impressed this time. Money been spent, shops re-opening. New appearing.

Traffic from Airport to way past Simpson Bay and god knows where to. Finally got stuck in traffic(heard for years how bad it can be) and took one hour to get to Nowhere Special which is probably less than one mile away. Was told it started at lunchtime that day and some have to start at 6 in the morning just to get to work but NEVER make plans to go to that area from around 4-30 to 6.30 in general. They blame it on the fact that banks openly shower money to all and sundry(assets, no assets) for owning a car, be it beat up or new. Some families run three cars and the Island just cant cope. ask for a mortgage though on a property, forget about it.

Finally Carol, we made it to Orient Bay. Yes, its really only 8-10 minutes away from GC. Had drinks at Bikini. Lots of seaweed (sargassum) on the beach and very windy I thought. Possibly a little too touristy for my taste, however, very impressed with all the restaurants, parking facilities, the general ambience and layout and certainly will give a few eateries a try next time, but not an area we would personally stay at.

That's it folks...Apart from stuffing and some good shopping in Marigot plus a great store we found in Philly, it was swimming in the pool, a few short beach trips, relaxing, getting up early and going to bed reasonably early. Got some great overall tans and as always SXM is the only place we want to travel to from now on. Apart from a trip to the UK in Sept/Oct(cancelled the French part of the trip as just too much) back again in Dec if all goes well.

Now, the hard part...later, going to try and post pics in a separate post..so hope they all come out.

Best to you all and thx as always for all the valuable info you give, most is what I have found through your recs in the first place.

Cheers. Bran.

p.s. Breeze through Customs at airport as got wheelchair assistance and the same in Miami.

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Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200589
07/21/2019 03:17 PM
07/21/2019 03:17 PM
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Thanks for the report! Looking forward to those pictures!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200595
07/21/2019 03:59 PM
07/21/2019 03:59 PM
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Hope these come out ok...............

Attached Files IMG_3686.JPG28.JPG32.JPG33.JPG39.JPG52.JPG201.jpg203.jpgIMG_3551.JPGIMG_3686.JPGIMG_3676.JPGIMG_3533.JPGIMG_3533.JPGIMG_3534.JPG
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200597
07/21/2019 04:39 PM
07/21/2019 04:39 PM
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More pics....The beautiful beach pic is from Anguilla.

Attached Files IMG_0018.jpgIMG_5805.JPGIMG_5609.JPGIMG_5875.JPGIMG_5874.JPGIMG_5625.JPGIMG_5473.JPGJust-in-Paradise-Villa-615-7.jpgJust-in-Paradise-Villa-615-36.jpgJust-in-Paradise-Villa-615-26.jpgSt Martin 2017 030.JPG
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200606
07/21/2019 06:03 PM
07/21/2019 06:03 PM
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Maryland/DC Metro
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OMG, the pictures are great! NOT what I need to be looking at as I am starving doing colonoscopy prep. frown

So glad you and your wife got a "re-do" on your trip. And Happy Belated Birthday.

Thanks for sharing.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: BeachKitten] #200607
07/21/2019 06:11 PM
07/21/2019 06:11 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Well that doesn't sound like fun.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200616
07/21/2019 07:19 PM
07/21/2019 07:19 PM
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Loved the pictures! I would have enjoyed a description of some of the food though. That villa sure looks amazing!!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200618
07/21/2019 07:27 PM
07/21/2019 07:27 PM
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Nice report. Yummy looking deserts. I may have gained a few pounds just from looking at them. We have stayed at Just In Paradise in the past. What did you think of it?

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200619
07/21/2019 07:28 PM
07/21/2019 07:28 PM
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Thanks for the report and great you got another trip in so soon.

Sorry you did not care for Mark's Place as it is one of my longtime favorites.

Great pictures also.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: Maranjo] #200623
07/21/2019 08:14 PM
07/21/2019 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Maranjo
Nice report. Yummy looking deserts. I may have gained a few pounds just from looking at them. We have stayed at Just In Paradise in the past. What did you think of it?


Easy for the wife, few steps to contend with. We nearly brought a place nearby in July of 2017 and possibly Irma did us a favor as was close in negotiations and I know it cost them way way more even after insurance paid out to fix it back to what it was. They came back to us last year with a hell of a price reduction, but with health issues and karma, said no. C’est la vie.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200626
07/21/2019 08:29 PM
07/21/2019 08:29 PM
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Meant to also say that we checked out La Samanna for our friends and was shown some rooms. Well, they will love it, but we would not stay there. Starts at around 500 a night without taxes and all the way up to about 3K a night. Beach difficult to walk and rocky and at the end of the day, it’s a hotel with high end clients. Did have breakfast there though and have to admit the selection of food was simply amazing with great views eating outside but had more fun seeing so many altered women in their 60’s trying to look 20 and it didn’t work. Unfortunately had 2 couples that wouldn’t leave us alone and wanted to know all about SXM. One lady her lips were so obviously altered and recently as her face was badly bruised that my fruit selection just didn’t taste right and the other couple well he was in his late 70’s and she was in her early 20’s and swigging a bottle of champagne from the bottle itself. Rather uncouth. His eyes didn’t leave her ample 44d’s. Mind you also had difficulty where to look myself at times as they were simply tumbling out of a nothing B-kini. Good for him i say as I nearly went blind.
Made for a very amusing and interesting morning.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: Carol_Hill] #200627
07/21/2019 08:34 PM
07/21/2019 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
Loved the pictures! I would have enjoyed a description of some of the food though. That villa sure looks amazing!!


Sorry Carol, perhaps next time.. memory just not what it was, well that’s my excuse but nobody can compare with your reports. That’s a novel mine is just a short story. Will get better.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200628
07/21/2019 08:48 PM
07/21/2019 08:48 PM
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for your report and pictures. Sounds like a lovely birthday celebration! Has your wife recovered from her illness? I remember things were a little difficult on your previous trip.




Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: islandgem] #200630
07/21/2019 09:57 PM
07/21/2019 09:57 PM
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Originally Posted by islandgem
Thanks for your report and pictures. Sounds like a lovely birthday celebration! Has your wife recovered from her illness? I remember things were a little difficult on your previous trip.


Thx IslandGem, better indeed. Not totally out of the woods but step by step perhaps.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200633
07/22/2019 01:04 AM
07/22/2019 01:04 AM
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Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Good news Bran. Hope every day things get better.




Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200644
07/22/2019 10:05 AM
07/22/2019 10:05 AM
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St Louis, MO
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Thanks for taking time to post your report, ratings, and pics. Enjoyed the read.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200677
07/22/2019 01:11 PM
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a few more pics..some of our trip to Anguilla....the one with the alley full of plants was a lovely side alley we discovered for the first time in Philly leading to the boardwalk.

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Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200678
07/22/2019 01:18 PM
07/22/2019 01:18 PM
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Nice pictures! It's funny, I've never heard anyone other than you refer to Phillipsburg as "Philly".. smile


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200682
07/22/2019 01:35 PM
07/22/2019 01:35 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Been down that floral path many times in "Philly". LOL

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: Carol_Hill] #200694
07/22/2019 03:01 PM
07/22/2019 03:01 PM
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I was also going to comment on the use of "Philly." Makes me think it's Philadelphia being discussed. LOL


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200699
07/22/2019 03:13 PM
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Told u, brain going. Think it was because could never remember how to spell
Phillipsburg.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200702
07/22/2019 03:37 PM
07/22/2019 03:37 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Looks like you figured the spelling out.

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: SXMScubaman] #200706
07/22/2019 04:17 PM
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Not quite. There is only one "L" in Philipsburg.


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Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: jazzgal] #200708
07/22/2019 04:34 PM
07/22/2019 04:34 PM
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Correct. Didn't see the double L. I do have an appointment with my optometrist in 3 weeks. Much needed I see. LOL

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: jazzgal] #200710
07/22/2019 04:41 PM
07/22/2019 04:41 PM
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LOL! I guess I've always spelled it wrong, as I've always put two L's in it!!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200711
07/22/2019 04:56 PM
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oh boy................so now you know why I call it Philly....

Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200714
07/22/2019 06:01 PM
07/22/2019 06:01 PM
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Don’t feel bad about the spelling issue, Bran. That’s why I usually refer to it as P’berg but Philly is really easier to key in......😊😊


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: pat] #200717
07/22/2019 06:49 PM
07/22/2019 06:49 PM
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I always call it P'burg!! LOL!!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: bran] #200864
07/24/2019 02:06 PM
07/24/2019 02:06 PM
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That makes me think of Pittsburgh

We were heading to Simpson Bay from BSV on the night Bran was speaking about. Traffic started around Bobby’s Marina or maybe a bit further back if I remember. We were heading back to Sale e Pepe for our final meal. We made it to the bridge and went around the circle heading back. Decided on Mario’s as a last night dinner.


Rick and Grace
Re: Trip Report. June 28th for two weeks. [Re: RICKnGRACE_LI_NY] #200903
07/24/2019 07:45 PM
07/24/2019 07:45 PM
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Sux when you can't get to where you want to go because of the traffic.

Thankfully we've never experienced it where it kept us from something, but I remember Louise (Fabila) having a heck of a time with traffic on her last visit.


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink

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