This was my 20th visit to SXM and while all trips are great this had some special meaning as part of the purpose was to attend my godchild's (Aiesha Bruney) 1st birthday. Carol and Eric being there was also an incentive to go but who really needs an incentive to go to SXM!!
AIRLINE: Delta was the airline of choice this time as they offered a good connection and USAir seemed to be booked as I only booked this trip about 2 weeks out. There was a mechanical problem in DAY so I switched to another flight and due to a ground delay and heavy traffic in ATL I barely made the connection to SXM. My luggage did not make it but did come the next afternoon. While the flights were fine I would be remiss if I did not point out that the mechanical problem was a locked restroom door. This aircraft had over-nighted in DAY so they knew of it the previous evening but chose to do nothing about until AFTER they boarded the plane, sat for 20 minutes and then decided to address it. I saw the writing on the wall and was able to get on another Delta flight and finally make it. This all falls in line with the inept manner in which all airlines seem to run. This aircraft should have been repaired the previous evening or NOT been boarded that morning.
LODGING: La Vista is where I stayed, it was my 2nd time there and while I was not in one of the new units it was fine as they have a nice pool there, a restaurant and bar and it is run by very nice people.
CAR RENTAL: Kenny's Car Rental was whom I contacted but Lesley told me he might be out of cars since I was booking late. He arranged my rental (same price) thru Fortuno and there were no problems there. It was the same great service I would have gotten thru Lesley of Kenny's and I will continue to use Kenny's in the future.
BEACHES: Dawn beach continues to look great and with the 3 options for restaurants there it is one of my favorite beaches. Ms. B's has now added a shower and a real flush toilet and continue to offer the same great service and food that Joan and her staff have offered the last several years. Orient was visited twice as was Mullet Bay. I think Mullet Bay is still one of the nicest beaches on the island. It offers really clear, calm water and is pretty laid back. There are a couple of beach bars there and chairs and umbrellas are available. Once you get past the ugliness of what is left of Mullet Bay Resort and just concentrate on the beach it really is a nice spot.
RESTAURANTS: Various restaurants visited this trip were Lee's Roadside Grill, Hideaway at La Vista, Ric's, Le Fish Bar, Bisto Caribes, Le California, Peg Leg Pub, Sunset Beach Bar, Buccaneer Beach Bar, Ms. B's and The Boathouse. I would like to thank Carol and Eric and Eric's parents for inviting me to dinner with them as it gave me company and a chance to try a couple of places I had never tried before. While all meals were good I would have to say dining at Le California was my favorite but I would return to all the places mentioned.
ANGUILLA: As Carol mentioned in her report, we did a day trip to Anguilla. I have been to Anguilla many times and have never seen it this slow. The island was virtually shut down and had it not have been for daytrippers from SXM they probably could totally shut down. We did an island tour and then Shoal Bay for some beach time. I always rent (and recommend) from Raymond of Skyline Beach Rentals. He has very fair prices and will take good care of you. Lunch was at Uncle Ernie's and is always good and you have a great view. Shoal Bay is truely one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen.
PEOPLE: This will be the tough part as I am sure I will forget somebody. There were two TTOL gatherings while I was there. Ric's Place was the site of the Monday night gathering. Ric and Kathy Hetzel are truely nice people and they were very hospitable to our group. La Vista Beach Tiki Bar was the site of the Tuesday night party. Both were well attended by TTOL members, sponsors and locals alike. It is always great to see the locals get a chance to get out and mix with TTOL people and enjoy what we all come to the island for. I have a family of friends on the island, the Bruney family, and I usually spend a lot of time with them. They hosted a birthday party for Aiesha Bruney on Friday night so that was another chance to meet locals and party with them.
Besides Carol and Eric and Eric's parents there was Carl and Jill, Jim and Tina, SXM Dee and Jim, Chris and Paul and I know many others I am forgetting to mention. Locals or others that were around were Max and Barry of Caribbean Gems, Deepti of DK Jewlers, Jean-Marie Garard, Neil Rooney, the staff at La Vista, Ric and Kathy Hetzel, John and Judy and the staff at Horny Toad (I arranged a tour of this place for Carol and Eric and Jim and Tina), Jack, Linda and Shawn from PLP and others I know I have forgotten. Jim and Tina are from Ireland and had never been to SXM before. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of days with them and acting as "tour guide", I really enjoyed showing them around and even called them upon my return home to see how they were doing since they were on the island for another week. They will be returning!!
PHONES:I know this question gets asked a lot so I will add what I know on this. I have the luxury of borrowing a local (SXM) cell phone while on the island. I give the number to anybody in the states who might need to call me and it allows me to keep in touch with my extended family on the island BUT, I can not call home on that phone. I use a local SXM (Dutch) phone card. If you are in the Simpson Bay area you can buy a UTS phone card at the office in the new building where the movie theatre is. They now have phones in the lobby where you can use the card to call the states and the rate is 33 cents per minute. There are other phone cards on the island and I think this is the most economical way to make calls back to the states. The key is making sure there is a phone near where you are staying that will accept the card you have. This option works great for us and I had to use it frequently this trip as one of our dogs needed emergency surgery while I was away and it allowed my wife and I to communcate at a very reasonable price.
All in all it was a great trip and I don't think I will ever tire of SXM. The wonderful family of locals I know there makes it very special to me and the continuing number of people I meet from TTOL adds to that. I have been going since 1991 and getting to know some of the business owners and more of the locals is always fun also. It was great to see old friends again and to also make some new ones. John, Diana, Patty and Denise, where were you? Thanks to all who made this another memorable trip!
Wear your TTOL logo clothing to BBB and Neil will "remind" the bartender you get 2 for 1 on most drinks. Neil, Are you ready for Wendell?
Thanks. J.D.
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