We're now having so much fun it's hard to keep posting on a regular basis. Anyone else have problems like that? LOL
Here are some musings and highlights:
The weather has changed for the better and it's beautiful. Let's hope the wet, crazy weather of the past weeks is over for the people who are about to come down in the months ahead. The last few days have been sunny, hot,a few clouds, hot, humid and hot. Did I mention it has been hot?
The island is a beautiful, verdant green with all the rain. The hills are filled with lots of foliage. There are a lot of bugs out and people are really talking about dengue and the new Chimmy-changa virus that are going around. I can't even spell the new virus that begins with a 'C' so Chimmy-changa will do for now. We ran into a medical student on Mullet beach the other day and even he couldn't pronounce it. I found Mosquito Milk and Off in the Maho Market and someone else posted that it's in all grocery stores now.
Speaking of Mullet, there isn't a lot of sand right now and there is a huge cliff going down to the water. There is barely room for three rows of chairs and they are jammed up against Rosie's. We had some ribs the other day and they we tender,tasty and finger licking good. Lou was off so a young guy was BBQing and he did a fine job.
Christmas has come to St. Maarten and all the merchants, hotels and restaurants are decorating now. There were a few places that were undecorated when we arrived including the Caravanserai. But all that's changed. The islanders decorate later than we do in North America and that was just fine with us. A couple of places to check out if you're coming for Christmas - we drove by the Blue Mall the other night and their big tree was outstanding. Porto Cupecoy has a pretty tree with the coolest lit up presents I have ever seen. They glow from inside with 3D stars and other shapes. Like I said they are really something else to look at.
Maho village has a HUGE tree lit up on the street as usual but they just took down all the lights they had strung up in rows down the street. Maybe they aren't working anymore but they are gone. Too bad because the lights sure were pretty no matter which month you were on the island.
We went back to L'Escargot and this time had lunch. Vernon and Paula were there but Joel had returned home to be with Sonya who wasn't feeling well. Hopefully it's just a passing bug and she will be better soon. I tell you, they have one of the. best. Caesar. salads.I have ever had in my life. Period. We had more Escargot and they were so good drenched in a killer garlic sauce. We're going to have to keep up with our breath freshners for the next few days that's for sure.
Went to Pineapple Pete's the other night and I had my favorite crab stuffed Shrimp. I just can't leave the island without having them at least once. As usual we loved the meal and service.
Traffic has been terrible and even the locals are complaining about it. We drove into Phillipsburg on Thursday and had a pleasant journey with NO traffic going through Simpson Bay and up the hill but all that changed once we got into the city. It was a zoo and parking was next to impossible. There were a lot of frustrated drivers and a lot of horn honking.
The causeway over the lagoon still isn't open. Someone said it was to be opened on Dec 15th but that date came and went. As we passed by on Thursday there was some construction workers doing a few things to it but nothing major. If they took down the barricades it looks like you could drive on it now. Not sure what the hold up is. It has spectacular lighting on it with a string of white lights and green ones for the bridge. I think it looks pretty but I'm still not sure if it will help traffic. Time will tell.
That's all for now. A little more work to be done today then we can go play in the sun and sand. It's hard to believe I'm going home to snowdrifts and minus 20 degree temps. Oh well, we'll just have to look forward to our next trip!
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