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final trip report 11/28--12/12 #242453
12/13/2020 03:48 PM
12/13/2020 03:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
candj Offline OP
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candj  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
It was a good trip despite the COVID virus.

Getting the approval in time to travel that Thanksgiving week was a problem but we managed to get the tests and approval in time to make our Saturday flight.
The flight down only had 28 people on an A319 so social distancing wasn't a problem. Upon arrival we were ask for our approval letter and a copy of our test results that were both stamped. Everyday at about 6:15 AM we both received an email asking for our temperature which we submitted by link in the email.

The car rental was easy as we had already registered on-line with Thrifty and we pretty much had the pick of the litter. They gave us a little bigger new car at the same price as a small car. We always ask for French plates and there was no shortage of cars. We actually prefer an older car with dings in it so we don't have to worry about getting nicked or dinged and being charged.

We stayed at the Simpson Bay Resort in the M Building. Housekeeping came on Tuesdays and Saturday and we tipped them $10 every time. They gave us 4 beach towels every time we exchanged them. The room was very nice but we really didn't spend much time there.

We had bought the Magic of the Caribbean Card for our May trip, which was cancelled, but it was still good for this trip and they delivered the card to the Simpson Bay Resort desk and we picked it up when we checked in. It was good at a lot of the restaurants we used and it definitely paid for itself.

We eat breakfast every morning at Zee Best and they no longer provide a basket of pastries on the table. Carlene, who has been there a long time, said that they now have to deliver the pastries one at a time. The coffee was great there and we loved their fruit parfait; really good and healthy. After breakfast, on the way back to our room, we stopped at the Pelican sub shop (across from the old BBB parking area) and got their Italian sub and took it to the beach. The sub was only $6 and was really good; we always added green peppers.

The weather was fantastic, but cooler than in previous years, Several days were windy but not intolerable. We only had one day with passing showers but mostly sunny.

The traffic was no existent. Traveling from Simpson Bay to Orient Beach and back was an enjoyable drive averaging about 25 minutes each way. It appears that they have been working on the roads and installing what looks to be cables. There were significantly fewer cars on the road than in previous years. There was never a problem finding a parking space anyplace.

The restaurants (Greenhouse, Lee's, Topper's, 3 Amigos, Pineapple Pete's, Moulin Fou, and Isola) were all empty. The food was good but the service was always slow. The nights we were at Toppers, there was only one person tending bar and also waiting tables. At the Yacht Club, we sat down and waited 10 minutes and no one came to our table so we just walked out. The best service was at Pineapple Pete's and Moulin Fou. The best food was at Moulin Fou and 3 Amigos.

All the restaurants have hand sanitizers and require mask to enter and then take the mask off when you eat or drink.

The beach chair rental was pretty consistent at about $105 per week for an umbrella and 2 chairs at Club O. We rented from the guy right next to Club O, Collin, at $100 per week plus he added a able. His chairs were better than those at Club O but his umbrellas were smaller. I don't like the Club O chairs as I slip through the chair straps. The Perch got a new kitchen trailer (bright yellow) to expand their kitchen and they still have good ribs and a good BLT.

We walked down the beach to Chez Leandra several times for their conch chowder and it was very good. Zelman is a nice guy and a good host. We walked all the way down past LaPlaya and the beach was virtually empty all 12 days we were there. There were a few days in which he seaweed washed ashore but nothing in excess.

Drove down to the House of Jewels in Philipsburg to see Kevin and found that most stores have limited operating hours; theirs was from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday. We parked and walked up from the pond and there are not a lot of people walking the streets. I usually don't get uncomfortable, but the situational awareness said this was not a place to hang around.

We spent a lot of time at the Hollywood Casino and as expected, they won. They have remodeled the inside a little and the bathrooms are very nice .To enter, you have to have a mask on all the time, sanitize your hands, and have your temperature taken at the front door. By 11:00 PM the place was empty.

The check in at the airport went pretty well. There were very people there in comparison to last year. We got there at 11:30 AM for a 2:00 PM flight and we were sitting in the boarding area at 11:50 AM. A few food shops are open and of course there is a bar open down in the waiting area.

It was a great vacation. We have some pictures that we are trying to upload.

There is a new building in Mullet bay that I took pictures of, near the old Towers.




Attached Files Perch Lite.jpgKon Tiki.jpgChez Leandra.jpgEmpty Orient Beach .jpgNew Building Mullet Bay.jpghorses on the beach.jpg
Last edited by candj; 12/13/2020 05:43 PM.

Fair winds and following seas!
SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom!
SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
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Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242468
12/13/2020 05:35 PM
12/13/2020 05:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Thanks for the reports, sounds like a good trip. Glad to read that Zee Best has changed their basket policy.


J.D.
Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242469
12/13/2020 05:40 PM
12/13/2020 05:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report.


Carol Hill
Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: ruralcarrier] #242473
12/13/2020 06:00 PM
12/13/2020 06:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Thanks for the reports, sounds like a good trip. Glad to read that Zee Best has changed their basket policy.

About time.

Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242496
12/14/2020 07:56 AM
12/14/2020 07:56 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content
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boucharda  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
Great all encompassing report.....thanks

Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242497
12/14/2020 08:16 AM
12/14/2020 08:16 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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pat  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
It sounds like a good time was had and that’s exactly as it should be. After all the effort spent to get there I’m glad it went well and you enjoyed your island time. Time now to plan the next one.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242499
12/14/2020 08:33 AM
12/14/2020 08:33 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Thanks for a great report, and thank you also for your help before the trip in discussing where to get our tests.

Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242502
12/14/2020 09:31 AM
12/14/2020 09:31 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Offline
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o2bnsxm  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
Thanks so much for the detailed trip report. We hope to get back eventually, but as time flies by, the opportunity for a return trip seem further and further away. Nice pictures, but in the first photo of the yellow perch trailer I notice what appears to be Club O Beachfront studios in the background. Do you know if they are livable? I guess they belong to a private owner who repaired them? I doubt that Club O has them up and running again. Thanks again.

Last edited by o2bnsxm; 12/14/2020 09:32 AM.
Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: o2bnsxm] #242558
12/14/2020 06:12 PM
12/14/2020 06:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
candj Offline OP
Traveler
candj  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
Nothing is livable in Club O.


Fair winds and following seas!
SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom!
SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: candj] #242561
12/14/2020 07:05 PM
12/14/2020 07:05 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Offline
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o2bnsxm  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
Originally Posted by candj
Nothing is livable in Club O.


Thanks candj. It was wishful thinking on my part that things were slowly getting back to a near normal. I would "almost" rent that studio in the background- It doesn't look too bad

Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: o2bnsxm] #242568
12/14/2020 09:37 PM
12/14/2020 09:37 PM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 383
U
Uksimonusa Offline
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Uksimonusa  Offline
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U
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 383
Originally Posted by o2bnsxm
Originally Posted by candj
Nothing is livable in Club O.


Thanks candj. It was wishful thinking on my part that things were slowly getting back to a near normal. I would "almost" rent that studio in the background- It doesn't look too bad


Club O generated their own Water, Electricity and sewage disposal, all that infrastructure is gone, so even if an owner did repair their unit there would be no utilities

Re: final trip report 11/28--12/12 [Re: Uksimonusa] #242576
12/15/2020 07:21 AM
12/15/2020 07:21 AM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Offline
Traveler
o2bnsxm  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
Originally Posted by Uksimonusa
Originally Posted by o2bnsxm
Originally Posted by candj
Nothing is livable in Club O.


Thanks candj. It was wishful thinking on my part that things were slowly getting back to a near normal. I would "almost" rent that studio in the background- It doesn't look too bad


Club O generated their own Water, Electricity and sewage disposal, all that infrastructure is gone, so even if an owner did repair their unit there would be no utilities


True.


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