TravelTalkOnline Forums Trip Reports (Read Only) SXM Trip Reports and Photos Long Trip Report, June -7-15: Week 1, Part A

Flights were booked on the first date they were available using Alaska miles on Alaska and American. This was before American announced its merger, and first-class, frequent-flyer seats were (and still are) hard to come by. The ultimate result was that I had to fly in to SXM a day earlier than my timeshare was available and stay three days later (poor me!) plus an overnight stateside.

Routing was PDX to SEA on Horizon, a redeye from SEA to MIA, and finally MIA to SXM after a six-hour layover in MIA. Horizon has no classes; the SEA – MIA leg was first class. The last leg from MIA to SXM was coach until three days before departure, when American released a first-class seat to Alaska. That made me a very happy camper!

Friday, June 8

I have decided I’m too old for redeyes as I didn’t sleep a wink and was tired and grumpy upon arrival in MIA. To feel better, I purchased a day pass to American’s Admiral Club, where they have several lovely, private showers. I took one and changed clothes, which made me feel somewhat refreshed. The rest of the layover was spent reading, having a continental breakfast, and people-watching in the Admiral Club. The flight from MIA to SXM was early and otherwise uneventful.

We had a jetway at Princess Juliana; customs was very quick, and baggage came out relatively soon thereafter. Lesley Bruce was waiting outside the terminal, and paperwork was efficient. My phone and Privilege card were in the car, and I was off to Turquoise Shell Inn for my first night.



Carter was there to get me checked in, and I was settled in my room by 2:45 PM (2:15 scheduled arrival on AA). I had planned to be at Karakter to watch the sunset but decided to rest on the bed for a few minutes first. Big mistake! Woke up after a nap and made it to Karakter around 8 PM. Music was in full swing; Connis and a female vocalist were performing. I had four tapas for $20 – delicious! Still weary from no sleep on the overnight flight, I went back to the Inn and crashed.

I came to SXM this year with a list of 36 places to eat that I wanted to try. Since I’m here for 25 nights, you can see my dilemma. One of those places was Hilma’s Windsor Castle, which is right out front of the Inn. I ordered two johnny cakes: one stuffed with saltfish, the other with ham and cheese. I can’t say I loved either one, but being there was a first and something I could cross off the aforementioned list. Hilma was a delight to talk with.



I had arranged a late checkout with the Inn as I was picking up a friend who was arriving on the same flight I came in on the day before. I will NEVER again offer to pick someone up at the airport – what a ZOO! I a##-u-med that the influx of people out front of the airport was the 2:15 AA flight and circled several times, enduring frowny looks from security for having the audacity to slow down to look for my friend. Since my luggage was in my car, there was no way I could park to go in to look for her. I finally decided she was smart enough to take a cab when she couldn’t find me, and I headed to Divi to check in for three weeks.

Another zoo at Divi check-in. There was a large wedding party checking in before me so getting to the front desk took awhile. And then all of them were waiting for the same few golf cart drivers to take us and our luggage to our rooms. I spied my favorite cart driver, Russell, at the same time he saw me. He came over and gave me a big sweaty hug and we were off to my car to get my luggage. (Sorry, wedding party!) When he came in to my room with my luggage, we saw the same thing at the same time: water on the floor everywhere! Sheesh!

I called the front desk, which amazingly answered right away, and they said they would send maintenance. Well, you know how swift that would be so I went to a unit a couple of doors down where housekeeping was still at work. Turns out it was the same housekeeper I have tipped well in the past (Veronica) and who has left me flowers / bed art after she has cleaned my room. Bless her heart, she came to my room as soon as she finished the one she was on and attempted to mop the water up. It was obviously going to be too much for one person with one mop/pail, and she solicited a helper who used a dust pan to “swoosh” the water toward her. Ultimately, they got it all mopped up. About an hour later, maintenance finally shows up. I learned there had been a leak the day before two floors up that had also affected the middle floor. Wouldn’t you think they would check to see if it affected my floor? I guess that’s too much to expect; I will let the manager know about this later.

During all this drama, my friend “D,” who was now at Divi’s front desk, called. Her plane had been half an hour late so the influx of folks I saw was from another flight; so much for assuming. She, too, hadn’t slept much on her redeye so a low-key, close-by dinner was in order. We headed over to Mark’s Place and both of us ordered the snapper filet with sides. Very, very good. No 15% charge added. We did some grocery shopping at Grande Marche and then back to Divi to crash.

I had wanted to order groceries from Jeannie, but due to Divi’s not allowing her in rooms prior to guest check-in, I would have had to make an appointment. Because of the water drama and uncertainty of my friend’s arrival time, I’m glad I didn’t set a time. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give her some business.

Sunday, June 9

The day started with attending the welcome party at Divi, where I won a manicure at Divi’s Indulgence by the Sea. I gave it to “D” as I have acrylic nails. Then we headed to Orient Beach and settled in. The weather started clouding up, and then it sprinkled. Finally the sprinkle became a downpour with everyone huddled inside at The Perch. After the rain stopped, we went back to our chairs. But Mother Nature wasn’t finished, and we ultimately left to return to Divi.

For dinner, we met Scuba1Deb and Jean at The Palms. What a nice surprise to learn that Sunday is jazz night there! I had the goat curry for no other reason than I’d never had goat before; “D” had ribs which she said were good; and Deb and Jean both had the now-famous lasagna. The wait staff (Greg and his sister) were just lovely. While I thought the food was good, it wasn’t great (to me).

Bob/Craig was in full swing at La Bamba by the time we arrived. We stayed for a couple of sets, which I really enjoyed. Bob was asked if Cover to Cover was still playing at Peg Leg Pub. The answer is yes, but they each perform solo on alternate Wednesdays.



Monday, June 10

“D” has accompanied me to SXM twice before and shared my studio room, sleeping on the sleeper sofa, which is less than ideal. We’re both independent single women and live alone at home so she opted for her own studio this year, and it’s working well for both of us. She’s in the unit next door to mine so we can talk to each other from our decks. She expressed a desire to have her own key to the car so I contacted Lesley. We also were having trouble with being unable to open or close the windows on the passenger side of the car. We made arrangements to meet Lesley at SSBG, where he was going to switch cars with us (he was too much of a gentleman to tell me I was an idiot and had pressed a button that prevented the windows from being opened or closed). Once I realized the operator error, we kept our original car and accepted a second key from Lesley. What a nice guy!

Initially we had planned a day at Anse Marcel. En route, I saw the sign for Dreams (also on my list), and we quickly readjusted our plan. What a spectacular place this is! The purple and white décor is beautiful against the sand and ocean. I had not had the privilege of meeting Bruno before and introduced myself.



After we were settled in our beach chairs, Bruno came over to offer us a welcome drink. It was a multi-colored fruit punch that was simply yummy. Eventually it was time for lunch, and I ordered the steak tartar based on Todd’s recommendation. Server David mixed the mustard, egg, and spices at the table, then mixed that with the beef and plated it. So attractive, and so delicious!



We returned to our beach chairs after lunch, but it wasn’t to be for long, unfortunately. During lunch, strong winds had come up, and David and Bruno were retrieving chair cushions that had blown off the chairs. We endured the wind but left the beach after the rain started. We then sat for awhile in the very fun white, inflatable chairs that are under cover…and they rock! Literally. Eventually it was clear that there wasn’t going to be any more beach time so back to Divi we went. Dinner “at home” was leftovers. Another checkmark on the list.

Tuesday, June 11

The morning started out at the Infinity Pool, but the darn weather still wasn’t cooperating. We decided to go in to Pburg for lunch at 12 Metre Bar, another entry on the list. We had the appetizer sampler plate, which could have fed a small army! It was good, but most of the items were deep fried. While we were eating, our appetizers received a dusting of cement from the workers putting down stone blocks in front of the bar. Lovely. We and our ample leftovers returned to Divi to get ready for the party hosted by DonLinda at The Summit.

Don had received a request from a gentleman who said he was staying at The Summit during the time of the party, and could he attend? Of course, Don said yes. Turns out, Bruce is the owner of The Summit! Very personable guy.



The new owner at the Ocean Club restaurant, Sal, also attended, and it was nice to meet him. Sponsors Jeannie (Shop ‘n Drop) and Dave and Adrianna (LovingSXM), along with their dog, Tequila, were also in attendance. The remainder of attendees was a mixture of Ocean Club owners and TTOL members. A fine time was had by all; rain broke up the party.

Jeannie, Deb (Scuba1Deb) and Jean, and “D” and I decided to go to Fig for dinner. “D” and I thought this was the best dinner of the trip so far! Wonderful place, excellent food, attentive service. I had an Asian shrimp salad full of spices that was remarkably flavorful.



Two checkmarks on the list today (12 Metre Bar and Fig).

This report is too long to post the whole week in one thread so Part B of Week 1 follows.