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Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 #285107
06/24/2022 09:04 AM
06/24/2022 09:04 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content OP
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jazzgal  Online Content OP
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Portland, OR
Even though I have recovered from Covid, my attitude toward being on island seems to have changed. I’m not sure if it’s just that my energy level isn’t what it was pre-Covid or what’s different. At any rate, I haven’t done much.

EXCURSIONS

No1SXM – This is always a favorite sail. I had had to reschedule from the prior week due to Covid so was super grateful to be able to go. It was a wonderful day of sailing with gorgeous weather. A single stop for swimming and snorkeling was at Friar’s Bay with the rest of the time enjoying pure sailing. Bliss.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

BEACHES

Coco Beach – Once I could get out again, my first beach day was at Coco Beach on Orient. This is really a high-quality beach bar with excellent food. It’s too bad the water is a little rough at that end of the beach and not really conducive to getting into; there was also a good bit of sargassum. I had a three-course prix fixe meal for 39 Euro that may be my best meal so far. Appetizer was marinated prawns with red snapper entrée and a chocolate cake dessert. Chair/umbrella rental includes a towel and bottle of water.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Anse Marcel – I love the beach here as the water is usually so calm; it was divine the day I was there. Lunch was a shrimp noodle salad that was good but not great.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

FOOD

While I was still having to mask, I did some takeout for dinners.

The Palms – I ordered the ribs, the first time since their new pricing, which is based on weight. They have two prices: $35 and $65. I ordered the $35 version and was stunned when I returned to the room to find that got me five ribs. That said, they were very meaty and flavorful, and five ribs provided two dinners.

Little Jerusalem – Having never ordered from them before, I wasn’t sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. The shawarma plate included delicious potatoes and a salad and was good for two meals. The second time I ordered from them, the shawarma was a little dry, but the potatoes were still good.

Bar Code – Ribs were on the menu, and I hadn’t had them before. I might have thought they were good if I hadn’t recently had the ribs from The Palms. They just didn’t compare favorably, and I was disappointed. Not nearly as meaty or flavorful as ribs from The Palms.

[Linked Image]

Balls and Wine – There are several new items on their menu since my last visit in November. One appetizer I especially enjoyed was Kanin Crunch, panko-breaded crab sticks with a spicy sauce. Yummy. I had the (meat)balls for the first time - a generous serving of six balls with four sauces. It was okay but I wasn’t overwhelmed. Service charge added.

[Linked Image]

Cambuci – This is a relatively new restaurant in Porto Cupecoy I hadn’t been to before, and it was an excellent experience from start to finish. I was greeted very pleasantly even though I didn’t have a reservation (which was not needed). Service was attentive and knowledgeable. My appetizer was grilled shrimp on toast points; excellent! Entrée was Duck Escondidinho; very good. Service charge was added to the bill.

[Linked Image]

Astra – I was intending to have breakfast at Reveil Matin one day, but parking was a bit of a problem so I headed to Astra. Service was quite welcoming and friendly. The eggs benedict were okay, and the view was really pleasant. Service charge added.

[Linked Image]

Cool Heure – This is a kind of a hole-in-the-wall place at the entrance to Happy Bay that I’ve heard great things about. I met some local friends for lunch and agree with what I’ve heard. The only negative is that there’s no menu in English and the server was difficult to understand so I wasn’t totally certain what I was ordering until it was served. It turned out to be a seafood cassoulet of white fish and prawns with bechamel sauce and was excellent. I will return.

MISCELLANEOUS

The night before the Strawberry Moon.

[Linked Image]

Random from Horny Toad.

[Linked Image]

Saba making a rare appearance.

[Linked Image]

I am having problems with my laptop and am unable to transfer any more photos from my phone to laptop. Thus there won’t be any more reports until I can get home and transfer photos to my desktop.


[Linked Image]
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Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285109
06/24/2022 09:17 AM
06/24/2022 09:17 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Thanks for the report! I was wondering how you were doing.

I'm sorry, I have never been a favorite of the Palms and the pricing for their ribs is really ridiculous. I cannot see paying $35 for ribs, let alone $65!!! We were only at Orient once, but the seaweed was really bad when we were there. Only had seaweed two days at Beachside. Hopefully that has continued. We saw Saba the day we arrived and then briefly on the Monday we left and that was it. I have hay fever problems and was looking forward to not having to take my Clairitin on island, but the sahara dust took care of that. I hope it has calmed down.

How much longer do you have on island? I truly hope you are able to enjoy your remaining time.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: Carol_Hill] #285110
06/24/2022 09:27 AM
06/24/2022 09:27 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content OP
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jazzgal  Online Content OP
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
In defense of The Palms, the rib meat is very high quality, and $35 for two dinners isn't bad.

I am here until July 6 so still have almost two weeks. A friend is arriving in a few days, and I suspect my activity level will increase.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285111
06/24/2022 09:28 AM
06/24/2022 09:28 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Central Florida!
Different strokes, but I just don't see it.

Enjoy the rest of your time.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285112
06/24/2022 09:30 AM
06/24/2022 09:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Ohio
Thanks for the report and pictures. I hope your energy returns. Enjoy the best you can.


J.D.
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285115
06/24/2022 09:54 AM
06/24/2022 09:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 796
Ontario Canada
Whale Tail Offline
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Whale Tail  Offline
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Posts: 796
Ontario Canada
Good to hear from you again, glad you're out and about. Love the pics, made me hungry.

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285117
06/24/2022 10:11 AM
06/24/2022 10:11 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
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Yonkers, NY
Glad you were able to resume your vacation even though not quite at the energy level you’re use to. Happy vacationing to you for the next two weeks.

Cambuci and Balls & Wine are on our radar for our Oct-Nov trip.

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285118
06/24/2022 10:18 AM
06/24/2022 10:18 AM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Connecticut
Great pictures.

I've heard the virus zaps your energy level for a while.
Having your friend arrive, might help out.

You mentioned Cool Heure, at the entrance to Happy Bay.
How did you get there-----just curious.

Enjoy your time....

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: The_Lurker] #285119
06/24/2022 10:35 AM
06/24/2022 10:35 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content OP
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jazzgal  Online Content OP
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Well, I drove. smile

Coming from Marigot, are you familiar with the "Paul Emmanuel School of Music" sign? It's on the corner at the second left after that sign. If you get to the basketball court, you've gone too far,


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285121
06/24/2022 10:57 AM
06/24/2022 10:57 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Auburn, WA
Glad to see you are able to be out and about. 35-65 for ribs. Ouch. Don't care how good they are. Not for me, but glad you enjoyed them.

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285181
06/24/2022 07:08 PM
06/24/2022 07:08 PM
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 248
Shelby2 Offline
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Shelby2  Offline
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Posts: 248
Always enjoy your reports and photos....Wishing you a continued, successful, quick recovery Thx for sharing😎

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285231
06/26/2022 10:39 AM
06/26/2022 10:39 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,580
M
MotownTim Offline
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MotownTim  Offline
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M
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Cool Heure is on the water then? Looks interesting.

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: MotownTim] #285232
06/26/2022 10:44 AM
06/26/2022 10:44 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
No, it's on the main road at the turnoff to Happy Bay closest to Grand Case


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: BillandElaine] #285234
06/26/2022 10:53 AM
06/26/2022 10:53 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,580
M
MotownTim Offline
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MotownTim  Offline
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Posts: 1,580
I was looking at the wrong photo then…

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: MotownTim] #285237
06/26/2022 11:20 AM
06/26/2022 11:20 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
The only thing posted from there is the menu.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285238
06/26/2022 12:51 PM
06/26/2022 12:51 PM
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
The_Lurker Offline
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The_Lurker  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,929
Connecticut
Originally Posted by jazzgal
Well, I drove. smile

Coming from Marigot, are you familiar with the "Paul Emmanuel School of Music" sign? It's on the corner at the second left after that sign. If you get to the basketball court, you've gone too far,


I Was confused, I thought that Happy Bay was only accessible from Friars or a boat.
I know there is a back road that we couldn't find to Friars.

Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: The_Lurker] #285239
06/26/2022 01:20 PM
06/26/2022 01:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content OP
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jazzgal  Online Content OP
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Same road and took me a long time to find it. Coming from Marigot, take second left after Paul Emmanuel School of Music sign. Once you turn left, go straight to get to Happy Bay, on foot. Turn left to drive to back entrance of Friar's. VERY pot-holey road.


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285240
06/26/2022 02:02 PM
06/26/2022 02:02 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 295
Lake Orion, MI
gomer36 Offline
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Posts: 295
Lake Orion, MI
Really enjoyed your report, thank you! If you plan to return in late November/early December hopefully we'll run into you again. I hear you regarding post-Covid. I had a serious case of just general malaise long after I tested clear. I'm not going to say "recovered" because it was probably 4 or 5 months before I felt like myself again, and even though it was all the way back in October of 2020 when I had it, I only just recently finally got what I would consider some semblance of my old taste and smell back. Enjoy your vacation!


"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." ~ John F. Kennedy
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: gomer36] #285251
06/26/2022 04:01 PM
06/26/2022 04:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content OP
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jazzgal  Online Content OP
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
Thank you, Gomer. I am really sorry to hear about the lingering malaise; not something I am looking forward to, for sure. Fortunately, I did not lose taste or smell.

Yes, I will be back all of November until December 7 so hope to see you then!


[Linked Image]
Re: Trip Report (Pt 2), June 14-22, 2022 [Re: jazzgal] #285270
06/27/2022 08:40 AM
06/27/2022 08:40 AM
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 21
A
Adventure123 Offline
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Adventure123  Offline
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Posts: 21
Thank you for providing such a detailed report.Was planning a trip in end December, so will make sure to head to these recommended places.As fare as COVID is concerned I lost my taste and smell for few weeks and use to feel very weak.The weakness persisted for 2 long months and not going to lie it took me time to feel completely alright.Though there was no sign of lingering malaise, but COVID affects every individual differently.Post COVID I definitely felt a greater need to travel and be myself again.

Will definitely visit Cambuci as I love shrimps.Thanks for the recommendation.


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