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trip report April 21 - May 2
#281751
05/05/2022 05:25 PM
05/05/2022 05:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 225 Shelton, Wash.
TANDP
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 225
Shelton, Wash.
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this was our 12th trip to the island but first since Irma. We rented a car from Michael at Unity and have no complaints. We stayed at Bruno's Paradise Bungalows and loved it. They are great hosts and the location and room are perfect for what our needs are. I mentioned this was our first trip since the hurricane and WOW have things changed. In all previous visits we had a good time and loved the time we spent on Orient beach (Club O Beach) and were very much looking forward to this trip. This trip we spent all our time on Club O beach except for the two days we drove around the island. These are our opinions - I know they may differ from many of yours but... First, the nice things about this trip: meeting up with like minded friends and spending time with them; the great location of the room; comfortable room; the opportunity to be nude on this beach; plenty of good restaurants for food especially in the Village; good massage by Fabien; and fun watching the finch birds on our deck. Second, the things we didn't like this time around: the terrible lines at Miami airport; no English speaking TV in our room only French; cost of food has gone sky high even on the island; too much traffic and lots more people; we loved Willie's happy hour at $5 now happy hour is $9; overall the vibe on the beach was poor (not exciting, an older crowd, no Club O, no restaurant, Perch food was poor (lots of choices but not tasty), weather was poor (windy, cool, rainy, rough water (few people in the water) , lots of sea weed for several days ( Cedrick had to call in a big front loader to clear it three days), bad people watching conditions (not much movement); and finally having to take a covid test to exit the island. Overall it was a very disappointing 12 days on the island. We probably won't be back because it has changed so much and in our opinion not for the better. For us it's not fun times on club O beach anymore. TandP
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: TANDP]
#281754
05/05/2022 06:08 PM
05/05/2022 06:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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Sorry you didn't enjoy your trip. We haven't eaten at the Perch for a while, but recent reports have generally been good there. I know that it is very difficult to enjoy your time when the weather is bad and/or lots of seaweed. I hope your next trip, wherever it is, is better!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: TANDP]
#281761
05/05/2022 08:13 PM
05/05/2022 08:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,276 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,276
Boynton Beach, FL
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Wind, rain, seaweed, are all things that NO ONE has any control over at any time. As for the ''older crowd'' on Orient. I find that funny, since the crowd is the same people year after year, and if there is any way to stop the aging process, i wish i knew what it was. Some people's expectations are ''over the moon''. We have been going for EVERY YEAR with the exception of two or three years due to storms, and have been doing this routine for almost thirty five years now. Prices for food and drink have gone up everywhere, not just on SXM, but overall, not as bad as compared to some other places, including right here at home in the States. The only thing, i think i can relate to in the original post, is that traffic has gone crazy. I think there must be two cars for every person. All i know for sure is that as long we are able, middle of March can't come soon enough EVERY YEAR. A rainy, overcast, windy day on SXM, is still better than a day at home. And as many know, i live in Paradise in Florida. Come on 44 weeks, but who's counting?
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: TANDP]
#281772
05/06/2022 09:19 AM
05/06/2022 09:19 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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It is different, not to have the people there, staying overnight on the property, for sure. But right now, it's pretty much all there is, as far as clothing optional on island, except for Cupecoy, which I don't really count. If you were expecting it to be anywhere near what it was before Club O was blown away, I can see where you would be totally disappointed..
Carol Hill
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: TANDP]
#281777
05/06/2022 09:57 AM
05/06/2022 09:57 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
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Not an OB denizen but a firm believer in the island being what you make of it. So many things change over time and sadly, that applies to St. Martin/Sint Maartenas well.
We thought our island world was done when we lost our much loved Towers 709 but we looked around and were able to find something we love as much and possibly more than we loved the Towers.
Good luck and happy searching TANDP. I sincerely hope you are able to do the same.🙂🙂
Edited to add: Totally agree about the transit through MIA. It really is crummy. Again, good luck in your persuit of your new paradise. I truly hope you’re able to find what works for you.
Last edited by pat; 05/06/2022 10:03 AM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: pat]
#281781
05/06/2022 10:27 AM
05/06/2022 10:27 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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Pat--Yes, Miami sucks. Was really hoping to avoid it this June, but at least SXM will be at the end of the journey.
Carol Hill
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#281783
05/06/2022 10:30 AM
05/06/2022 10:30 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,931 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,931
Auburn, WA
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Pat--Yes, Miami sucks. Was really hoping to avoid it this June, but at least SXM will be at the end of the journey. I'll be going through MIA tomorrow and again on our return in June.
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: TANDP]
#281865
05/08/2022 05:58 AM
05/08/2022 05:58 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037
Westchester /NYC
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We've stayed at Bruno's many times. You can find American channels. He has a printout of all the channels. In reading again mid April to August is the high season for the sargassum . Fortunately most of the beach fronts on Orient are on top of it. Yes, it stinks and it sucks to see it in the water. BUT, there are other beaches that don't get hit hard as Orient and Dawn beach. I will say this, we've traveled to other islands. I'm sorry, NO other island compares to St. Martin IMHO! Good luck finding it and the convenience getting there!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: Colour1]
#281886
05/08/2022 08:54 AM
05/08/2022 08:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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David--I thought he had American channels on the TV, although it's been a long time since we stayed there. It's pretty common, unfortunately, for even villas on the French side to have either no or only a couple channels in English.
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 05/08/2022 08:56 AM.
Carol Hill
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: MickeysDog]
#282417
05/15/2022 08:44 PM
05/15/2022 08:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,103
Central Florida!
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Mickey--sounds like you are on Jet Blue. They really screwed a lot of people, cancelling flights from FLL. We were able to re-book on AA on miles, which was pretty lucky for us, that we were able to book with miles, only two months out.
Carol Hill
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#282430
05/16/2022 07:31 AM
05/16/2022 07:31 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037 Westchester /NYC
Colour1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,037
Westchester /NYC
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Yes, Carol. ( American TV listings) He has them listed on a printout. I hate to say this, but it's been since spring of "17" . Since Irma Orient wasn't ready for visitors IMHO. We use to go every year twice, spring Bruno Orient, fall BSV. This year and last year for the spring, both were last minute and just wanted to have that BSV vibe. I'm hoping for next spring with Bruno. Orient is back!!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
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Re: trip report April 21 - May 2
[Re: GaKaye]
#282433
05/16/2022 07:41 AM
05/16/2022 07:41 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,931 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,931
Auburn, WA
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Probably not but being in FC with Global Entry we might swing it. We have GE, were in FC, and had no checked bags. With two hours on a Friday last December, we barely made it to our connecting gate. Good luck. 🤞Thanks
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