TravelTalkOnline

Saturday, June 22

“D” had a snorkeling trip scheduled with Capt. Alan this morning so I drove her to Oyster Pond and proceeded to Mr. Busby’s for breakfast. It was good although not at all extraordinary, but it’s in a beautiful setting. After breakfast, I rented a lounge chair until “D” was through with her excursion. I’m not sure what was different about the sun today, but despite SPF 30 (which I’ve been using generously all trip), I got some pink.



After returning from her excursion, “D” wanted to buy me lunch at the Westin as a thank-you for the chauffeuring. We enjoyed a very nice lunch at the outdoor portion of their restaurant.



We’ve been having a lot of wind this trip, and my usually stay-on-all-the-time sunhat hasn’t been cooperating. We headed to Rima where I was able to find something with an under-chin strap. Not the most elegant look, but sometimes practicality has to trump.

Karakter was the location for dinner. They weren’t busy at all, possibly since the music was recorded and not live. However, to the pleasure of both of us, it was jazz: Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto for those who may care. The food was very good as always, and all the lights from the Simpson Bay area made it a most pleasant atmosphere.

Sunday, June 23

We again attended the Divi orientation party, where “D” won a “two for one” sunset cruise on the Lord Sheffield. This ship has crossed paths with the Passaat on evening sails, but I haven’t been on it. We’re looking forward to scheduling this later in the week, weather permitting.

“D” decided she didn’t want the express manicure she won at last week’s party so gave me her coupon and returned the one I had given her. I was able to turn both of them in to apply toward a much-needed pedicure; the sun and sand really wreak havoc on nail polish. So for $10 plus tip I received a one and one-half hour pedicure; it was the best I’ve ever had! I was told not to walk in the sand for three to four hours so it was an afternoon at the Infinity Pool for me.

Dave and Kathy were planning to have dinner at Toucan’s so we decided to join them; this was my first meal at Divi this year. I had a wedge salad that was pretty good and a scallop appetizer that was OK. Toucan’s is without a chef at this time so I’m not sure who is doing the cooking. The one-year contract for the prior chef expired and he’s gone.

After dinner the four of us lounged on the beach and watched the Super Moon.



Monday, June 24

Kathy and Dave always go up to Fort Amsterdam once each visit. I have never been so we accompanied them; interesting viewpoints and history. Divi timeshare salesman Hank, a fellow jazz lover, tells me he used to lug his jazz records up the hill when one of the buildings was a radio station as he had a jazz show on the station.



On the way back down the hill, we saw what we think are baby pelicans on Divi’s lawn.



“D” has been wonderfully graceful and cooperative about going where I want to go and suggested we go to Baie Rouge today. Along the way, I was searching for a florist as we’re having lunch with Ruby Bute tomorrow and I wanted to give her some flowers. The florist in Cole Bay that was recommended to me had moved to Marigot. We stopped in Porto Cupecoy as I thought there might be one there, but no such luck. However, there are restaurants there and it was lunch time. Ernest & Fidel’s, which is on “the list,” is closed on Mondays. However, Aux Quatre Vents (The Four Winds), which was not on the list but should have been, was open. I had yet another steak tartare, and “D” had the goat cheese salad. We both thought our lunches were excellent. This is the restaurant that serves the dinner portion to the Celine’s pub crawl guests.

We finally arrived at Baie Rouge, and it has changed a lot since I was last there. There was only one little area without rocks where it appeared to be safe entry into the water.



Of course, we noticed that area only after we rented chairs from the “wrong” vendor. Eventually, we moved down in front of the area without rocks anyway and enjoyed the water. It was quite hot today, and we left when the beach guys started pulling up their chairs and umbrellas.

On the way back, we stopped at Boca Marina during happy hour, another location on “the list.” It’s a very nice setting, and we enjoyed our pina coladas. We were the only customers when we were there. The bartender was very nice but awfully chatty; she stopped talking to us only when she was mixing our drinks.

Upon returning to Divi, we thought it would be a stay-in evening, and we were tired from our exhausting day. However, Dave and Kathy had been told by another Divi guest that Mark’s Place was the best restaurant on the island (huh?) and wanted to go. They don’t rent a car so we went there for a late dinner. They thought it was good although Dave admitted the fish stew he had at FIG was better than the one at Mark’s Place.

Tuesday, June 25

Today was windy and rainy from the get-go.



We were to meet Ruby Bute at Enoch’s Place at 11 a.m. as we were treating her to lunch. Due to the Marigot traffic, we took the long way through Terres Basses and made it right at 11. It was a pleasant time getting to know her a little better. I learned that Enoch also owns “The Bridge” at the Marigot bridge. Enoch’s is good, local cooking. I think “D” and I were the only tourists there.

Our plan after lunch was to go to one of the shops next to Luiz Gomes and then hang out on the beach. We did get to the shop and both “D” and I acquired additional sun dresses which we really don’t need. We ran in to Scuba1Deb, who was visiting with Luiz. I did so as well and learned he has an eight-month-old daughter, of whom he’s exceedingly proud. Due to the school schedule of his son, his hours are now 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. on days he’s there.

Deb said it was a crappy beach day, and we couldn’t have agreed more. So we went to Kakao since it has cover and had BBCs, after which we were going to return to Divi.



I decided to take the “long way” through Oyster Pond. I’m glad I did as Marie Moine’s Les Exotiques gallery was open. “D” had never been there before and, upon seeing one of her pieces outside, said “Uh-oh, I’m in trouble.” We both made several purchases and finally returned to Divi.



After returning to Divi, we decided to stay in as this was another exhausting day. As I’m getting caught up on this trip report, it’s still stormy outside.

I hope to do two more reports: one for the rest of this week and another for the few days I’m here next week. This coming Saturday, I move to The Horny Toad for three days.