Just after checking in we sat down at the LaPlaya bar and remarked "wow, a whole two weeks to go". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />
Fastest two weeks ever.
After the Monday daysail we turned into real beach bums, venturing to P'burg only twice, Clem & Paulette's "resort", Wed into Marigot, and one evening trip back to the Cleine for a paella dinner at the dock. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
Capn Neil cooks up a pretty mean dish and has lots of island stores to share <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/noevil.gif" alt="" /> All of our plans to do this, then this, then that went right out the window.
FRIENDS - Besides meeting Ron & Becky, who joined in on the daysail, early in the week we bumped into Dennis & Karen (TTOL'ers whom we had briefly met last year) and their friends Sir David and the Lady Gwen. Chatted with them frequently during our stay. Also early in our stay we met the lovely Sharon (GAPeach) and MA (TTOLer). Mad at myself for not spending a bit more time getting aquainted with them - she has the most wonderful GA accent. Later that week Doc Holliday (Bob) and his delightfull sidekick Midge arrived. Seems that somehow we were booked into the Doc's favorite room (2nd floor closest to beach) but they did get a free upgrade to the 3rd floor. One afternoon Doc made an unexpected swaray into our room - <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> but that's his story which I'm sure will be well embellished and retold many times. Saturday afternoon we journeyed on down to Paul's (Chris and Paul) b'day party and saw Bob & Emily (winna winna winna) and, of course, many from our sail group.
Beginning the next week, Monday, was the TTOL party at Bikini. A number of us were seated toward the south end of the bar area <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> and wondering where the rest of the expected group were. They were <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> just the other side of the central bar where we couldn't see each other <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />. Finally, Kathleen was clever enough to walk around and find us. We relocated and finished a nice group evening. Besides Kathleen & Paul, met Dave & Ann (DaveL??), Pete (PeteK), and other wonderful folk that had me on name overload.
Later that week we got aquainted and shared a few <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> with Tom & Jan from TN. Our last day on the beach our friends from last year, Dave & Sue (VA couple), were on a cruise stopover and came by with their friends Dave & Jayne for a couple hours sun time. We also were on the beach when a very fortunate <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/greendog.gif" alt="" /> English Setter "Orient" was adopted by a Boston?? couple. Lucky dog but what's he gonna think of snow?? That eve., as we were bar-hopping up thru Bikini bb, we met Mac & Bev who were staying nearby and leaving the next day also. Ended up in quite a conversation with them.
Somewhere in there we did get out to Clem & Paulette's palace at the Nettle Bay Beach Club. They put on quite a nice cheese and snack party.
DINING - Most of our meals were on the beach or at the square. We did get to Sol e Luna once for a very nice dinner.
Our most frequented establishment was Baywatch. Everything they had was great - burgers, ribs, fish, eggplant parmason, lasagna - everything. They had quite a crowd too, often had to wait for seating. Cheryl sure knows how to play the crowd. Also ate at Kon Tiki, Bikini, and LaPlaya - along with bar-hopping in early eve's. The Fish Bar on the corner of the square was very good with reasonable prices. Did the curry shark twice. Frequented Cote Plages in the square 3 - 4 times with very good meals, good service, and fair prices. Our last meal there we were joined by PeteK, a very fine gentleman, and had an enjoyable evening visiting with him. One nite they had a jazz group just outside the restaurant that was quite good.
BEACH - I was suprised at the amount of erosion during our stay, especially the last 4 - 5 days which saw higher surf action. Besides the loss of beach along Club O, there was some loss from Kon Tiki up to Coco's. From Coco's rocks up to Mt Vernon there was very noticable loss of beach area. Just hope the latest storm pushed more sand back.
We did drive over to LeGalleon (sp?) one morning. Much calmer there than Orient but didn't stay due to rain storms.
SHOPPING - Yes, shopping was as scary as I remembered. Everyone has a favorite jewelery store. We definitely did our part to boost the earnings of ours. I'm afraid to think of next years "upgrades".
It was a wonderful trip for us, already planning for next one. We hated leaving but did get out before the bad <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />
We had great experiences, met alot of wonderful people, made some new friends, and hope to see many again next year.
What a wonderful place
.
