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Orient Beach #244823
01/13/2021 03:52 PM
01/13/2021 03:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content OP
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boucharda  Online Content OP
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
We haven't used the chairs/umbrellas since pre-Irma and decided to give it a try today. Very easy parking right in front of the destroyed villas. Of the 30 or so yellow umbrella/chairs combos there were maybe three available when we arrived...and soon all were filled ($15 for the combo). Comfortable experience....windy but minimized the baking effect. Happy hour (bell rung) from 130-230p...two fer's on drinks...a real happy "hour"

It started looking iffy around 230p so we bailed out before the rains hit....and they did

We will return.....easier than the Happy Bay mountain climb...but that also will have to be done

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Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244826
01/13/2021 04:09 PM
01/13/2021 04:09 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
BillDauterive Offline
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BillDauterive  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
I was there in August 2019. No happy hour bell.

Also, I noticed that EVERYBODY at the deck tables seemed to be "local." They were all dressed in street clothes, and all seemed to know each other. And they weren't drinking or eating. So it was more like a local hangout. Regardless, I'm more of a BYOB guy anyway. Costs a lot less and you don't have to get up for a refill. drinking

Just something I noticed, because I hadn't seen that type of crowd at any beach establishment on island in previous visits. Inland, yeah. That's actually the crowd that I look for when hungry/thirsty. Locals know the hotspots. But at the beach, I expect to see more tourists in beachwear than locals in street clothes.

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244848
01/13/2021 07:04 PM
01/13/2021 07:04 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content OP
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boucharda  Online Content OP
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
My error.... when I mentioned the parking in front of the destroyed buildings I meant we relaxed in the CO section with the yellow umbrellas. The only locals I saw were running the bar and collecting the chair money. Maybe one couple under the 'brellas were suited...everyone else was au naturel .

...and a totally different thought, We just (a tad before 7pm) walked around the Bay/Beach side of the Flamingo. It looks really nice and the beach looks huge with Topper's and the construction stuff gone. I should also add that I can't figure how the restaurants we walked by can exist....either zero patrons (Juliett's Bistro) or one table (Isola) or three tables occupied (La Patrona) ...Repay closed . No open hours posted anywhere

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244861
01/13/2021 10:38 PM
01/13/2021 10:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
S
SammyM Offline
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SammyM  Offline
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
You were referring to happy hour at the Perch, I assume. Unfortunately, not all drinks are two-for-one's, but that's okay. Still a great value. The challenge for me was how to keep my second bottle of Corona (no pun intended) cold while polishing off the first bottle of beer. BTW, it was two bottles of beer for $5. And, love the Happy Bay Beach mountain climb is one of the awesome experiences on the island! What a scene when you reach the end and it opens up into the lovely Happy Bay Beach. Plus, you'll meet a large iguana or two along the way. Just wear decent shoes or sneakers.

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244866
01/14/2021 07:47 AM
01/14/2021 07:47 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content OP
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boucharda  Online Content OP
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Last year we did the Happy Bay climb MANY times and the highest iguana count we got was 68...one way. We will give it a go again soon and yes it was the Perch but there was no sign so I wasn't sure of the name....still $5/two beers

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244868
01/14/2021 07:54 AM
01/14/2021 07:54 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content OP
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boucharda  Online Content OP
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
An addendum to my empty restaurant comment. The occupied table at Isola I saw yesterday was on the outside pizzeria deck. I walked by the main restaurant just now and it obviously is under construction...nothing inside except for plywood on the floor

Re: Orient Beach [Re: SammyM] #244887
01/14/2021 10:47 AM
01/14/2021 10:47 AM
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
SXMbeacher Offline
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SXMbeacher  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 656
Maine
The first time we did the Happy Bay walk, no one warned us about the iguana's. Not far onto the path a monster of an iguana moved in the trees and scared the crap out of us. BTW, we walked it in flip flops and it wasn't that bad if you watch where your walking real close.



Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244894
01/14/2021 11:55 AM
01/14/2021 11:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
B
bonsie Offline
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bonsie  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
Where do we park to do the Happy Bay walk?

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244896
01/14/2021 12:02 PM
01/14/2021 12:02 PM
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
BillDauterive Offline
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BillDauterive  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 157
Arlen, TX
Park at Friar's and walk up the hill on the far side.

Re: Orient Beach [Re: BillDauterive] #244897
01/14/2021 12:26 PM
01/14/2021 12:26 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
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bonsie Offline
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Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
Thx Bill

Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244914
01/14/2021 02:39 PM
01/14/2021 02:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Online content OP
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boucharda  Online Content OP
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
Gonna do the Iguana count tomorrow....

Should add a pic of Grand Case taken today after our great lunch of ribs....




Attached Files 20210114_142926.jpg
Last edited by boucharda; 01/14/2021 02:49 PM.
Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244978
01/15/2021 11:01 AM
01/15/2021 11:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
sxmbeachlover Offline
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sxmbeachlover  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
As far as I know, Iguanas are vegetarians, so you probably scared him/her. I've never heard of anyone getting bitten by their tiny teeth. Through the years, there have been occasional robberies on the walk, so we never take valuables when we go there, just some cash for lunch. Wish we were there now!!!


Famous Quote from SBHonline: The best moderation is the least moderation.
Re: Orient Beach [Re: boucharda] #244980
01/15/2021 11:01 AM
01/15/2021 11:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
sxmbeachlover Offline
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sxmbeachlover  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 721
Colorado
Oh dear!!!! Missing SXM!!!


Famous Quote from SBHonline: The best moderation is the least moderation.
Re: Orient Beach [Re: sxmbeachlover] #244987
01/15/2021 11:49 AM
01/15/2021 11:49 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
jenniboston Online content
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jenniboston  Online Content
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
Originally Posted by sxmbeachlover
As far as I know, Iguanas are vegetarians, so you probably scared him/her. I've never heard of anyone getting bitten by their tiny teeth.


Yes, Iguanas are 100% veggie and non-aggressive. However they do clim trees and have been known to, ahem, drop some bombs. I seem to be a favorite target and always have
to be looking up to make sure one of the scaly ones isn't sizing me up for target practice! grin

Re: Orient Beach [Re: jenniboston] #244990
01/15/2021 01:24 PM
01/15/2021 01:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,359
Cincinnati area
Cincinnati_Kid Offline
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Posts: 1,359
Cincinnati area
I was on Renaissance Island, Aruba, in a lounge chair, eating a hamburger, when a passing iguana leaped onto my chest and took a bite out of my hamburger. I grabbed it with both hands and threw it off of me. I then led it down the beach holding out the rest of my hamburger until it was too far down the beach to jump me again !!! True story. My hands bled just a bit from it tough skin. True story !!!


Paradise is an island in the Caribbean!
Re: Orient Beach [Re: Cincinnati_Kid] #244993
01/15/2021 01:28 PM
01/15/2021 01:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Mercy!! That's a scary tale!


Carol Hill

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