We just returned from our third restful week in SXM. Breaking with the tradition of writing a long trip report with day by day activities described, Im only going to comment on a few pleasant surprises.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />Our first surprise was that SXM does not have to be expensive to be enjoyable. Due to a struggling US economy, a weak dollar against the Euro, and growing kids with educational, orthodontic, food and fashion needs (left the kids at home, by the way) and an SXM habit that has moved into other than the once in a lifetime vacation, we decided to go on the cheap. Club O ran a 3 for 2 summer special that made accommodations very reasonable (about $130 per night for waterfront beach chalet). Airfare was with Deltas complements due to zillions of FF miles. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> Food was in room mostly thanks to Rams and Supermarche. While this aspect did not support waterside romance at unique Grand Case restaurants, the quality was still excellent as vintage wines and unique liquors are available at a fraction of the cost of what is provided tableside. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> A little creativity in food preparation and choice of ingredients made the in-room option quite satisfactory; plus we ate those meals only steps away from the beach.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />Which segues into surprise number two. THE BEACH IS BACK! Its really dramatically improved at Papagayos, Pedros and in front of Baywatch. Elsewhere, it was little different than last year. The sad footnote to this was that the beach was past its peak and was on the retreat again. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" /> Cheryl at Baywatch commented wistfully that it was beginning to slip away again and in fact, during our week we saw evidence. The minor tide fluctuations sent the high water within only a few feet of the piles at Kon-Tiki by Thursday of that week. Now after our third trip, we understand that this comes and goes and should not spoil the experience.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />Surprise number three was the weather. Despite the reputation of August - the end of the year being the hurricane season we found (from resources linked to this web site) that August is actually traditionally a low season for hurricanes (analysis from the last 100 years or so). A mid week tropical depression took aim at the island and worried a few, but resulted in only 10 minutes of intense rain, half a day of gray skies and a good excuse to explore and shop. We were blessed with two or 3 days of very low humidity and light winds allowing crystal clear view of the surrounding mountains and great snorkeling. Reports of lots of early summer rain are true, and the island is overall lush and green.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />Number four is a minor surprise in that Delta and other airlines are including the departure tax in the ticket price. Since they wouldnt take our money and it was still in our sweaty hands, we felt compelled to spend it on the elite lounge at Julianna. We highly recommend this if you find yourself at the airport with more than an hour to spend. It really gets you out of the pandemonium of the departure gates. They really need to increase the size of that airport. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> Its standing room only and people yell, babies cry and everyone sweats. In the lounge, one can find complementary wine and soft drinks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drinking.gif" alt="" />(they charge for beer and hard liquor) and hot snacks. But mostly you find cool peace and quiet and a nice place to sit. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Twenty a head seems steep, but we were glad we did it.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />A final plug. I made a recent trip to Orlando before SXM and had to rent a car. I arrived at this huge airport waited a long time for luggage to arrive and went off to search for the rental car companies. Despite there only being 2 people in the queue ahead of me, it took nearly 30 minutes of standing to finally get to the counter to get a car. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/impatient.gif" alt="" /> Who knows what the representatives are doing in those computer screens, maybe writing their novel? Then I had to take the luggage to find the car, load the luggage, do final checks and search for my way out of the airport. This was with full support of computers, bar code scanners and every other type of technology available.
Contrast this with SXM rental car experience. We used Michael at Unity. We got luggage, walked 50 feet or so where we saw our name on a sign. They loaded our luggage, drove us to the lot, filled out the paperwork, loaded the luggage into the rental car and within 15 minutes we were driving down the road! All done with professionalism, speed and a Friendly Island smile. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Returning the car was even easier in that we didnt unload luggage till we got to the airport. Yes, I understand that there is a considerable size difference between SXM and Orlando, but it seems that technology isnt necessarily all its cracked up to be. I highly recommend Michael, Joseph and the gang at Unity. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />
OK, one more plug. Sharon Harris and the cell phone deal cant be beat! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />We rented the phone for $30 for the week (including $20 worth of phone calls - yes that means essentially renting the phone for $10 for the week - a steal!). Service was quite good and easy to use. Driving up to the Royal Palm we found Sharon waiting at the door with a stack of cell phone packages waiting for delayed travelers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> She's great lady!
A tip to pass on. We have been looking for an effective dry box to hold keys and cash while swimming, snorkeling, beaching, etc. I tried the cheap-o brightly colored box thing and the more sophisticated Pelican Box for divers.. Both leaked to some extent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" /> This year we found a small Nalgene water bottle with a wide mouth. I think its the one that holds 12oz or so. I stole the lanyard from the leaky Pelican box and tied it to the cap holder for the Nalgene bottle. It stayed perfectly dry in all water activities! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> The mouth was big enough for credit cards (had to bend them slightly to get in), keys, cash and even the Sharon Harris cell phone (give you an idea of how small they are). A great solution, and only about $6 at the sport and backpacking store.
In conclusion: we've now been 3 times to SXM and are totally hooked. It's an island where you can do as much or as little as you feel like and still go away feeling rested and re-centered. We're already counting the days until our next trip!
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