Got to reflecting during our flight back home why we so totally enjoy our SXM trips and why in the world are we already promising our island friends a trip back next year. Beaches are great, water & surf is delitefull, food is fantastic, shopping is wonderful and sometimes scay, booze is cheap - mixer not, scenery is georgeous - but that all can be had alot of places. It's the people, the wonderful diversity of open friendly people all there to have a great time. So, on with the report...............
Flights were on time and boring, not complaining. Had planned on eating at the SanJuan airport as we were getting in at 7PM - not. Found most everything closed other than the small snack/sandwich shop in the Am Eagle gate area. Suffered through a cold sandwich and beer knowing there were better meals to come.
The 9:20 Am Eagle flight boarded and left on time <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> and after a bit we began chatting with couple sitting in front of us. They were a lovely retired couple from Canada who were headed down for the winter at their Club O "chalet". Imagine, 5 months of living on the beach <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />
Had a very nice conversation and did see them briefly again our last day. On arrival our was the only plane in so immigration was a snap and luggage appeared 3 minutes later <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Caught a taxi and arrived at Mary's Boon earlier than expected <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Marlin the nite manager, a wonderful young fellow, was right there to help with our luggage, quickly checked us in, showed us our upstairs studio overlooking the beach, and helped us get settled. From there it was back downstairs to the honor bar to do the honorable thing <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />
Mary's Boon is a delightfull place, would definitely stay there again. Our room had a vaulted cieling which made it appear very large. Only problem at all was the on again off again water. Furnishings were nice with a bed one had to climb into. Next morning it was a early walk on the beach which was almost all to ourselves as there were few people there yet. I did note that the building/resort immediately east of Mary's Boon was being refurbished/rebuilt apparentley to be ready for hi season. We rented from Michael at Unity and he was there spot on at the agreed time, a very nice young fellow.
We went out to Ric's for b'fast and then a bit of local shopping followed by an afternoon at Baie Rouge. The water and surf there was nice but the jellyfish were rather abundant so water time was minimal. Good sand gravity there. After a day at the beach we cleaned up, re <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> the honor bar, then headed to Indiana's for a round with friends from last year - Chris & Paul, Sal & Susie - and to kick over plans for the upcoming daysail. From there it was off to Banana's for a great meal.
The next morning we did a full length walk of Simpson beach, more shopping, and a late b'fast at the health food store in the plaza. Then off to Cupecoy beach for the afternoon - no jellyfish and mild swell so lots of water time. For the evening we did the creole dinner at Mary's Boon - I thought ok, wife loved it, then to Sunset bb for an early evening. Alas, it's true, there were a couple of young ladies at the bar getting alot <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> of free drinks.
Sat morning we did our usual walk, still very few people, and packed up for an early check-in at L'Hoste. We had time for the beach at LaPlaya (best sand gravity yet) and then headed back to Sunset for our first sailig group gettogether. Met for first time Bob & Mitzi and Laura & Vince plus Barry & Sharon from last years sail. After a few rounds a return trip to Banana's for another great meal. The big fuzzy faced bartender there is a real hoot, don't know who was mixed up more - him or my wife in getting her order figured out.
The next day was our planned beach party at Dawn/Scavangers. Met up with Clem & Paulette for first time and most of the group was there for a nice beach time and good meal, Oh - those ribs. Lots of people at Dawn that day. On getting back to L'Hoste that afternoon we found that Ron & Becky, who we had been chatting with during b'fasts and on the beach, were also going to join us on the sail.
Monday it was an early up for us, an easy drive, and to Turtle Peir by 7:20 am. All in all we had 8 couples signed up for the sail. Got the financials out of the way and on-board just after 7:40. Neil had a nice continental b'fast spread ready for us as we motored up thru the lagoon toward the north drawbridge. Thru the drawbridge just after 8 and shortly after up with the sails. The first leg up to about Marigot was fairly calm with little wave splash. After that it got a bit rougher and those sitting too far foreward discovered it was wise to move back a bit.
The sail up to Tintamarre took about 2 1/2 hours with anchorage at the south end of the beach. There were no cruise ships in that day so, other than a small group that used a water taxi, we had the beach all to ourselves. We swam ashore and Neil ferried in our beach gear, cooler with drinks, and later set up a very nice lunch under the trees. Lunch consited of very tasty bbq ribs and chicken with a nice selection of salads plus lots of beer and wine. We even did a bit of sharing with the lizards, chickens, and a lone peacock. We had a good deal of beach & water time and then the mud bath - smooth.
On the return leg Neil even let Clem steer for awhile <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/titanic.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Hairy.gif" alt="" /> with a stopover at Happy Bay where Clem did his death defying <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" /> to the beach. Back thru the drawbridge about 5:30 and to Turtle Pier at 6. What a day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> and what a great time. We made some new friends and our hats off to Cptn Neil for putting on a great trip <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
At this point I'll have to pick up the balance of the trip report at a later date. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/impatient.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sorry.gif" alt="" />
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