St. Martin 2004 Trip Report – Part 1

4th Trip to St. Martin
Dates – May 24 – June 3
Flights – US Airways
Car Rental – Kenny’s Car Rental
Hotel – Green Cay Village – Studio #2

Lunch Restaurants (out of a possible 5 stars)
Baywatch (4x) * * * * *
Pedro’s *
La Playa * * *
Le Gout (Marigot lolo) * * * *
Mrs. B’s * * *
Lolo in Marigot (next to Le Gout) * * * *

Dinner Restaurants
L’Amandier *
Mario’s Bistro (2x) * * * *
Don Camillo’s * * * * *
Bistrot Caraibes (2x) * * * * *
Calmo’s Café * * *
Mai’s * * * * *
Spiga * * * *


Monday:
FlightLine airport transportation picked us up bright and early at 4:30am and got us into Logan Airport by 6:00am. We used the e-ticket self-service check-in at the airport for the first time and we had our luggage checked and tickets in hand in no time! Security checkpoint was a breeze and our flight to Charlotte, NC was uneventful… just the way we like it! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Our flight from Charlotte to SXM was delayed by 2 hours due to some thunderstorms in the Pittsburgh area. Yes, we were waiting for the plane to come in from Pittsburgh before heading to SXM. When we arrived in SXM around 4:30pm, Lesley Bruce from Kenny’s Car Rental was there as usual, sign in hand awaiting our arrival. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> After two minutes of paperwork and a quick inspection of the car, we were off to our studio villa for 10 days! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

We stayed at Green Cay Village again this year for the third time. We have stayed in both villa #16 once and studio #2 twice. We keep going back to Green Cay annually because of the service they provide, the cost effectiveness of the studio, and the proximity to Orient Beach! Our studio is just what we need for ten days in paradise. It is equipped with an outdoor kitchen area with everything except an oven (who needs that anyway?), an air conditioned bedroom with safe, bathroom and a private deck with outdoor Jacuzzi.

After checking in and unpacking, we decided to give Paul & Julie a call at Cap Caraibes. They were on their honeymoon and had been on the island already for a week. In no time, we were in their room having our first of many cocktails <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> this trip. We chatted about the weather during the last week and unfortunately it was not in their favor. It had been cloudy and had rained <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" /> off and on for 15 days prior to our visit. We decided to head into Grand Case to Calmos for dinner as planned. We figured that Calmos would be a great first meal on the island as it is so laid back and informal. Well, we got into Grand Case only to find Calmos closed on Mondays! C’est L’avie. It was now starting to get late and we needed to land somewhere soon so we ended up choosing L’Amandier for a light dinner and drinks. The restaurant was very empty… there were only 2 other couples dining. We ordered a bottle of champagne to toast to the newlyweds and when we mentioned that to the waiter… He gave us a look as though he could care less. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" />That was rather disappointing, because in 2001, when we were honeymooning – We were treated first class all the way at L’Amandier! (wine bottle decanted, given much attention to and the waiters even brought us complimentary after dinner drinks and lawn chairs to sit on the beach!). We ordered appetizers and some entrée’s. Aside from his unfriendliness, we made the best of it. Although, we concluded mutually that there are MANY restaurants on the island that provide SUPERIOR service and a better overall dining experience, than what we had received this year at L’Amandier. One might chalk it up as a lazy waiter, on an off night.

After leaving L’Amandier, we strolled down the strip in Grand Case. We passed by Bistrot Caraibes, only to be greeted by the wonderful Thibeault and Aumery with warm hugs and kisses! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> That would have been our dining choice for the evening, however, the newlyweds had requested something on the water. Besides, we knew that we’d end up there (the 2 of us) at least 2 times during the trip! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
It dawned on us as we left that we hadn’t picked up any rhum and had wanted to share some digestif’s prior to heading out to Cohibar. We sent Zach back to Bistrot Caraibes to request a bottle of their FABULOUS homemade rhum. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" /> Minutes later, Zach emerged from their establishment with a bottle of rhum in hand!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> (Thanks Thibeault & Aumery!!!) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We headed to our friend’s hotel (Cap Caraibes) for some imbibing and catching up. An empty bottle later, SXM glow’s on all of us… We were ready for the next destination of the evening; Cohibar in Sandy Ground. Unfortunately, while the music was great at Cohibar and the people that were there were incredibly friendly… the ‘people’ were few. It’s amazing the difference a month makes in the islands, when it’s low season. The last week in April, last year, it was bumping… this year – the last week in May, it was dead. We danced for a bit and decided to head back to Orient Bay and relax for the rest of the night.

Tuesday:
We awoke to a beautiful day… not a cloud in the sky! We had joked with Paul and Julie about bringing the sun with us from Boston, and this ended up being the nicest day the island had seen in at least two weeks! We headed down to Orient for our first beach day of the trip. We camped out at La Playa, where we received free beach chairs & an umbrella. Paul and Julie also received free chairs and umbrella here as well so it worked out fine. Besides, our usual Club O crew (you know who you are!) wasn’t on the island at this time of the year. By noontime we still hadn’t heard from Paul and Julie yet, so Renee sent Zach up to their room with guavaberry colada’s in hand. Ah… to wake up everyday like that would be a treat! Zach knocked on their door and Julie answered… all sleepy headed. Zach went in, presented the colada’s and drew open the large drapes, letting the sun fill the room. A half an hour later Paul and Julie were on the beach, ready to take in some sun!

For whatever reason, Baywatch had been closed when Paul and Julie had tried to visit earlier in their trip. We decided to give it a try and see if they were open. Voila! Baywatch was open and also busy. We said our hello’s and gave our congratulations to Cheryl and Andy on their wedding, and sat down for our first of many Baywatch lunches on this vacation. We enjoyed the mussels a la Andy, Chili and a garlic shrimp Caesar salad, which were to die for! Not sure what the heck Paul and Julie got, because we were so consumed with the Mussels. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> After lunch the guys hung out at La Playa and the girls walked the beach.

We had heard so much about Mario’s Bistro the past year that it was on our list of things we must do. So, we made a reservation for dinner before we even left for the island. We were greeted upon our arrival to the restaurant and offered a waterfront table for four. The staff went out of their way to make sure that a great time was had by all. The ambiance was perfect, as was the food. Renee had a scallops dish and Zach enjoyed a special of the evening… a Vietnamese dish that had just the right kick to it! Paul had the Chilean sea bass special and Julie tried the flank steak. Everything was prepared perfectly. We were so full from dinner that we skipped desert and decided to dance off some of the calories.

From Mario’s it was off to the Greenhouse for 2 for 1 Tuesday specials. We had never experienced the Greenhouse in any of our other trips. To sum it all up: Good drink specials, top 40 hip-hop music, and a very diverse crowd mixed of locals & tourists. We weren’t into the music so we decided to check out Bliss. The music was much better at Bliss, although the entire island seemed to be at Greenhouse. So, we danced for awhile at Bliss before heading over to the Dolphin Casino. The casino was much better to us this year than in previous years. Paul & Zach played roulette and won a little money while Renee and Julie hit the slots. The girls had a team strategy going and hit for about $80 on a machine. It was getting really late, so we headed back to Orient. Back at Orient, we figured that if we just hung out a little while longer, we could watch the sunrise. So, we waited it out at Cap Caraibes until the sun to began to come up. We ended up walking down to Orient to experience the most beautiful sunrise ever!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Love.gif" alt="" /> …AND the beginning of another wonderful day in paradise. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Wednesday:
Since the day had already unfolded with such spectacular beauty we decided that it was time to take a brief siesta, before letting sand gravity claim us for the day. We all headed back to our rooms. After a few hours of rest, we headed down to Orient. Staked out a couple of white beach chairs on La Playa, waved hello to Jerome (Jeronimo) and
lamped under the umbrella, listening to the surf and the subtle sounds of island reggae.
When hunger finally struck us, we opted for some nourishment from Pedro’s.
We both ordered a couple of Caribs and two orders of ribs. Based on previous reports we had read, we noted that some people claimed the ribs were rather cold (or maybe the sauce was) – we certainly noticed that was the case, this time around.
We decided it was time to finally stock up on some wine and cheese at Le Bounty. We had heard that there is a larger grocery in Grand Case, right next to the police station… however, we didn’t get around to visiting that store. Gathered the necessary items and headed back to the room for a nap.
Around 8pm, we joined forces with Julie and Paul and drove to Marigot to find Don Camillo’s, a popular italien restaurant that we had read so much about and never tried. Don Camillo’s was great! The décor, staff, and food were perfect! Thorbien was our waiter and he was one of the best waiter’s we’ve met on the island – if we might add! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> He not only made our dining experience an entertaining one… he was the type of waiter that brought laughter and delight with each dish delivered to the table. We enjoyed complimentary bruschetta to start, which was delicious! Renee had an eggplant special and Zach had a dish of porcini mushrooms rolled in chicken… both were extraordinaire!!! We all shared in the Tiramisu, which OMG was one of the best we’ve ever sampled.
Following our dinner, we partook in the ‘Grappa’ (sp?)… an Italian liquor made from grapes. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Boy! Was that stuff potent!!! We also sampled some Lemoncello, which was much more pleasant to the palate and much less harsh. Thorbien spent quality time with us and made sure that our evening was a memorable one. At the end of the meal, Thorbien brought us the bill and a coupon for 50% of our bill in complimentary chips to use at Dolphin casino. Zach played the chips and won $50! We will most certainly be returning to Don Camillo’s on future visits to St. Martin.

Thursday:
We woke early and headed down to La Playa on Orient. Notice a pattern here yet? Today was a holiday on the island, where they were celebrating the abolishment of slavery. Around noon time, Paul and Julie came down to the beach after packing to say their goodbye’s <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> and have their last guavaberry colada and round of rum shots with us.

We had an issue with the car that arose the night before. I contacted Lesley Bruce by phone and suggested that we swap our car with Paul & Julie’s car when they left. He was fine with that. So, Paul and Julie took our car to the airport and we kept theirs for the remainder of our trip. It turned out to be a problem with one of the rotors.

For lunch we headed back to Baywatch for round 2. We enjoyed the mussels and shrimp salad again. After lunch we let sand gravity take hold of us and around 4pm headed back to our room for a nap before dinner. Dinner tonight was at Bistrot Caraibes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Thibeault and Aumery continue to out do themselves. They treat us like we are family year after year. This is really one first class operation and continues to be one of our favorites. Renee had a shrimp and scallops dish in a cream sauce (maison special), while Zach had the lamb (maison special). Both were outstanding! For desert we shared the vanilla crème brule… ooooh la la, magnifique! Then the brothers brought out the complimentary rhum which we truly enjoyed. We also made them partake in some of the drinking that was going on that night! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /> We ended up getting another bottle of their homemade rhum to go. (bottle #2)

After dinner, we headed back to Bliss to dance the night away. A good DJ was pumping some techno, hip-hop, reggae and house music. We danced quite late that night! We also tried our luck again in the Dolphin casino where Zach used the chips that Thorbien had given us the coupon for.

It was getting quite late again… notice a pattern yet? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" /><img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> We decided to head back to Orient and see the sunrise again (sunrise #2). Back on Orient, we were laying on the beach just before sunrise when Renee noticed headlights down near the Club O section of the beach. Before we knew it, the headlights were tearing down the beach and heading right toward us! It sounded like a bunch of drunk idiots ruining the beach. We quickly picked up our belongings and ran into the brush. As the jeep got closer we took off, running in and out of the bushes to get away from them! The funny thing is that we have the whole episode on video tape! That was enough action for one night, so we headed back to Green Cay to crash.

…to be continued in part two