This was a 10-day trip that was planned around the Heineken Regatta. Wendell joined in for 7 days. My dates were 3-1 to 3-11 and Wendell was 3-3 to 3-10
LODGING-We used cheapcaribbean.com for lodging. This was my 3rd time using them and Wendell had used them many times before. We had to do 2 weeks on their deal because of our arrival dates and our lodging was at Towers at Mullet Bay. The Towers is a very nice facility with several different room options. Other than the pool bottom needing some paint I saw nothing wrong with the place. We had to change units on Saturday but that posed no problem as the unit we moving into was cleaned and ready at 10:00am so we went directly to it.
HEINEKEN REGATTA-This event brought between 250 and 300 competing boats of various classes. It also brings a lot of people to the island, as I have NEVER seen so much traffic, traffic back-ups and people. The sailing event is Friday, Saturday and Sunday and parties are planned every night of the event. Friday and Sunday the party was between BBB and Royal Palm on Kim Sha Beach. Various entertainment, food and drink and other booths are on the beach. You must purchase tokens to buy anything at the party.
You can see the boats from many of the beaches and resorts or you can really see the even by taking a boat out amongst the boats that are competing. On Friday we went out on The Tango and motored in the area of the start/finish buoy for about 2 hours. This was in the Simpson Bay area. In the afternoon we went back out and stayed in the Great Bay area to see the boats as they came around the turn. It was very windy which made for some good sailing but also for several cases of seasickness The Tango was a good deal at $25 per person for each session that also included ALL you wanted to drink. This is a really good way to see the Regatta.
RESTAURANTS/BARS-Several of these places were visited more than once so I will just list where we went and not break it down by the day. Lee’s Roadside Grill, Rosie’s Ribs on Mullet Bay, SSBB, BBB, The Hideaway at La Vista, Peg Leg Pub, Bay Watch on Orient Beach, Ms. B’s at Dawn Beach, Jimbo’s, The Lady C, Pizza Galley, Hot Tomatoes, The Jerk and probably a few other places that serve food and alcohol. If you are into a BIG breakfast Ric’s Place is doing a buffet breakfast on Saturday mornings. It is $9.95 (including juice or coffee) and includes many of the items on the regular breakfast menu.
BEACHES-Mullet Bay was crowded everyday and is looking very good. The island was very windy so Mullet got a lot of people who would normally go to Dawn or Orient. Dawn Beach was crowded when the weather permitted, as was Orient. Maho was even crowded on several occasions.
PEOPLE-I will not even attempt to name all the TTOL people I met, as I know I would miss somebody. There were several informal and smaller gatherings at various places or resorts and a larger gathering at BBB on Tuesday. You always seem to meet the nicest people through TTOL and on St. Maarten.
We also took a look in Philipsburg at the new boardwalk. This is FIRST CLASS and has really added a lot of potential to town. If you have not seen it yet, take time to make a trip to town and check it out. Much nicer than I expected.
This was a great trip and I look forward to going back again on April 22. I would go for the Regatta again but would forewarn anybody attending to be prepared for traffic backups and slow movement.
Thanks to all the great people I met and who helped make this a very memorable trip.
J.D.
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