Having just returned from two wonderful weeks in Paradise, otherwise known by the un-romantic pseudonym of SXM, I suppose it's my turn to write a trip report.
My wife and I travelled with two close friends of ours who had never been to St. Maarten before. I, personally, was looking forward to 'showing them the ropes', as it were, since we are becoming old hands at experiencing "sand gravity" and the gastronomic delights of SXM.
We left on 3 April at 7:00 am.from Toronto. An uneventful flight and then that initial feeling of hot sun, when de-planing after a long hard Canadian winter, was absolute heaven. After collecting our baggage we were met at the gate by an agent of Unity Car Rental who hefted our, not inconsiderable, baggage into a van and took us to meet Saint Michael of Unity. He was efficiency personified and got us on our way with two cars in just about the same time it took to sign the credit card. Both cars went well for the two weeks and I can't say enough about Unity. Wonderful service.
Our friends followed us to Flamingo Beach Resort where we hold a time share and they rented via 'Cheap Caribbean' for two weeks. After settling in to our accomodations we took our friends to Bananas where we all enjoyed an excellent meal. Ann, my wife, told me the scallops were "to die for"!
On Sunday we went to US Supermarche in Sandy Ground to stock up on staples. I found a 15 year Johnny Walker single malt whisky which was to last me for the two weeks. Remarkable restraint, n'est-ce pas? Back to Flamingo for a free hamburger dinner. On Monday sand gravity really took over for the full day and we all had dinner round the pool. Ribs and whisky, and enjoyed the Limbo entertainment put on by the Flamingo management. Since it was the night of a full moon we left about 10:30 pm. to go to Friars beach for the lighting of the bonfire on the beach. Very Wiccan! I think I must have been the oldest person there and the fertility rites didn't have much effect on me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Anybody going there should take a case of beer and watch where they park!! Tuesday we had dinner at Hot Tomatoes which was very good. Wednesday, off to Marigot market and lunch at Hediards in the West Indies Mall. I had 'melt in your mouth' sweetbreads. which were absolutely superb. At 4:00 pm. I made a mistake and we all went to Turtle Pier for the Celeste pub crawl and found that it was 7:00 pm. So off to Sunset Beach Bar where we had some excellent chicken wings and fries a few beers and watched the 'planes land. At 7:00 we met Neil, the Captain of the Celeste, for our pub crawl cruise. He supplied some excellent rum punches to get us, very efficiently, in the mood (which we were already in, courtesy Sunset Beach Bar). First stop Lala's for Indian snacks then Peg Leg Petes where we met Jack, the current owner. More food and drink then back to Turtle Pier for drinks, music and a little dancing. Highly recommended to all for a fun evening.
Thursday a quiet day with dinner in. Friday we went to Anse Marcel where our friends wanted to see Meridien We ate dinner in Marigot at Bistro Nu. I had roast saddle of rabbit with gorgeous mushrooms. We always go to Bistro Nu at least once when we are in SXM. It's out of the way, unpretentious but the food is always good. Saturday we decided to splurge and booked at Citrus of Cupecoy. The four of us went to the wine tasting first at the Market of Cupecoy and then dinner. I had their tasting menu which was extremely good to say the least. Starter:- Scallop Carpaccio, so succulent with a glass of champagne followed by Pan Roasted Lake Victoria Perch with shrimp stuffed squash blossom and a glass of Chardonnay (Citrus own bottling) then Pan Roasted Yellowfin Tuna and Seared Foie Gras with a very nice Merlot. Desert was Pineapple Upside Down cake which was a little stodgy but a glass of Chateau Lafon 1999 sauterne made up for it. Congratulations to Chef Scott Clagett for a memorable dinner. Sunday was a beach day and we ate in that night. Monday we went to Orient beach and had lunch at Bikini Beach Bar. Back to Flamingo and dined in at our friends place-- then off to Cheries -- Casino Royale etc. etc. Tuesday was another sand gravity day and we ate in again that night. Wednesday, lunch again at Hediards with old friends we had met previously in SXM. This time I had smoked salmon and my wife had the sweetbreads. Another excellent meal. I bought a bottle of cask strength Abelour in the West Indies Mall and then we went to Philipsburg where I purchased a bottle of 12 year Caol Ila Islay whisky, both at a much reduced cost to Canadian prices. From this you will gather that I'm an afficionado of single malts! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> We then dined at Pineapple Petes - wholesome grub but not gourmet. Thursday my wife was determined to cook duck for our dinner with our friends. Unfortunately at US Supermarche the duck breasts were due to land (by 'plane from France) at 8 that evening so she had to settle for duck legs. These turned out to be quite tender due to some judicious marinating in wine, orange juice and a good slug of Mandarin Orange liqueur which she just happened to bring with her. We had collected some Sea Grape leaves from Mullet Bay, for garnishing the dinner plates, on the way back from the Supermarche and with slow cooking the duck and nice fresh beans it turned into another memorable meal. Friday was the first really cloudy day although the sun broke through occasionally. That evening we booked at Le Chanticlair in Marigot for a good bye dinner. I had the Discovery Menu while our friends had the Gourmet Lobster Special. The Discovery first course was a Champagne cocktail with Toast of gravelax Tuna. followed by Crab in a Mango Ravioli and Curry dressing. This was followed by roasted large Shrimp with sesame and crispy Lobster roll. After this came Breast of Duck and Pear cooked in a red wine sauce with spices. This was good but not quite as good as my wife's effort of the day before. Finishing with their traditional 'un-nameable chocolate dessert' it was an appropriate farewell meal from St. Martin. Saturday the 'plane left for Toronto with us on it, although we all said we would like another week or two or three.
I noticed, on this visit, the traffic is becoming almost unmanageable at times- too many cars. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> Also the Casinos are not paying out as much as they used to. Either that or my luck was not so solid as it has been before in SXM. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
I realize that this report is awfully long and if any of you reach the end I must congratulate you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
.
