TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day 3

With a view and villa like we have at Beachside we often stay by home and today was no exception. We spent the day swimming in the ocean or by the pool. Breakfast and lunch was on the balcony.

David bought a boogie board from The Scuba Shop on Airport Rd and was having fun riding the waves. We moved to the pool early afternoon to read and float while going to the observation deck BSV built a few years back. The airport was really busy today with lots of arrivals. Many flights throughout the afternoon.

Headed to Bar Code for a drink. Happy Hour is 4-6. Very chic decor, nice bar and owner Ivan was friendly. Dinner was at Pineapple Pete’s who is now open 7 days a week. He offers both Pineapple Pete’s normal menu as well as a separate menu of sushi and other Asian appetizers and meals. He closed Wasabi.

We started with a new menu item, Oyster Rockefeller which was divine. Very good. David had the lamb shanks which they do extremely well. Two fall off the bone shanks in a reduced wine sauce with mashed potatoes and house salad. I ate the whole red snapper with creole sauce, rice & peas and house salad. Finished meal with brown sugar rum cream brûlée.

Returning back to our villa Airport road was packed with people walking along the road, restaurants and bars were full. Good to see.

Oysters


Lamb shanks


Whole fried red snapper with creole sauce


Cream Brûlée

Looks great, Louise!! How about those pictures of Beachside?? Please??

Wow, the food looks delicious!

It's good to hear that the island is getting busy, but not so great that some are not wearing masks, especially preparing your food.
Hopefully they will change their minds about the vaccine.

I also had a hard time, after the second dose, but I didn't say anything, so not to discourage others from taking it.
It's certainly better than getting the virus!

Thanks again for posting.....

We commented this morning that all the locals in restaurants, bars and markets, stores are wearing masks. Most have sanitizing dispensers when you walk in which require you to use upon entering. We've observed a very high percentage of people entering and exiting the restaurants with their masks on.

That sounds much better, Louise.

That is not what I've observed from pictures posted on various Forums and Facebook. Wish it was true.

Well, we are here and this has been our experience thus far.

Louise, I totally agree with your observations. People also post about quiet beaches and half empty restaurants. It's very easy to avoid the places in the party pictures, we do.

That's good for you. Hope that experience holds up throughout your stay.

Elaine--what are the places to avoid?

Crowded ones! LOL Beaches on Sunday, places with loud music, later night venues.

An example. Every week people post wonderful pictures at The Pub on Monday evenings. Good musicians, big band with horns, guest musicians. Luckily, there is tons of outside area, but there are a lot of people there, but not us. However, on Tuesdays it's pretty much acoustic with two guitarists. Quieter and (sadly for the proprietors) very few people. That's when you'll find us there.

Yacht Club crowd can turn on a dime. Been at The Palms for HH and our small group are the only ones there visiting with Greg and Jo. Turn around and the place is almost full.

So, can't really name places, as it changes. Sometimes you just have to keep your mask on and go elsewhere if you are not comfortable. I imagine it's much like that in the US.

OK, thanks.

I have a video of BSV on Facebook. I can send you a link via email. Send me a private message

Just some still pictures would be great, and I'm sure there are others here that would love to see pictures.

Curious why you'd want to avoid places if you're vaccinated?

If they are over crowded and not practicing covid protocol to protect others I would avoid it too. Being fully vaccinated, as we are, isn't a guarantee you won't get infected.

Your choice. I'm not going to succumb to the fear mongers. I don't like crowded places anyway, so I'm just happy to be free to enjoy the places where I want to go without concern.

Your call. I'm just not about to let my guard down just because I'm vaccinated.