Yes, this one was a “quick” trip – only five days, due mainly to travel restrictions and other commitments (such as meeting our friends for a sailing trip in the BVI’s on November 20). Folks, let me tell you, five day’s on SXM isn’t NEARLY long enough, but you take what you can get at the time.

Travel

Flew into St Thomas this time on Delta (because that was closer to where we were meeting the boat after leaving SXM). Then hopped onto Liat and flew over to SXM - a couple of anxious moments when Liat tells us that the flight is “late” and “may be cancelled”. Couldn’t get any more information from them as to what was going to happen. Waited around and were finally told that the flight WAS coming and would arrive / depart about one hour late. So, in the end, made it into SXM only about an hour late.

BTW, I notice, quite often, that the airline fares into St Thomas (STT) are sometimes a couple of hundred dollars less than into SXM (at least from New Orleans and Denver). As I write this today, the fares on Travelocity indicate a N.O. to SXM fare of $765 and a N.O. to St Thomas fare of $523. Then you can jump on Liat and fly over to SXM for about $99 round trip. Just something you may want to consider at times when the fares are significantly different. Plus, we couldn’t get out of SXM on the dates we needed to, but could do it out of St Thomas. It’s sometimes an alternative to get where you want to go on the dates you want.

It was St Louis Car Rental again for us. Marius was there to meet us (even though we rolled in at almost 9:45 PM that evening on our delayed flight). Great little Kia four door that was almost new served us well during our stay. Marius and St Louis Car Rental are also high on our list in SXM.

Accommodations

Again, stayed at L’Hoste. There is nothing else I can add about L’Hoste that I haven’t said in previous trip reports. Everything was “perfect” (at least for our taste) – courteous, efficient staff, clean room, great breakfasts under the pavilion near the pool each morning, excellent maid service each day and a great location near the beach. L’Hoste stays “high on our list” of places to stay on O.B.

TTOL Party <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

“Nautical Joe” had put this one together and selected the SSBB as the “spot” for the festivities. We got there early and shortly thereafter, spotted Bill & Karen wearing their TTOL T-shirts and immediately hit it off with them with drinks and conversation. Then others began to show up and included Joe & Lynn, Lou & Debbie, Bob & Dee, John & Terry, Steve & Kimberly, Mike & Linda, Chuck & Sheila, Kerstin, Randy & Connie and others. Hate to leave out names but I know I’m doing so. I had made up some blank TTOL nametags, and, of the 28 I had, only two were left so guess we had 26 people there that evening. There was a good little three-piece band playing and, from what I could see, all had a great time. Thanks Joe for putting this one together. We really made some new friends, as did everyone, I think. Quite a few of us are talking about coming back around the same time next year (or in the spring) and renewing acquaintances. Hope that can come to pass.

Beach Time

Stayed ONLY on O.B. this trip. With all of the great folks we met at the TTOL party on Tuesday evening, hanging mostly there, why go anywhere else! I’d say the crowd was about “normal”. A bunch of cruise ship passengers arrived on one day and crowded up down around LaPlaya and adjacent spots, but nothing really crowded. We spent every day at Club “O”. A couple of rain showers chased us in to Baywatch for lunch one day, but, other than that, the weather was OK, although, Friday was overcast and very windy but certainly not a washout by any means.

Food <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Don’t think we missed a day having lunch at Baywatch. The scallops were HUGE and wonderfully sweet – both beer battered and grilled in the salad. What a pleasure to hang there for lunch and talk with Andy, Cheryl, Russ and Adrian – all great folks.

Ate at Le Fish Bar after leaving the TTOL party since we were pretty tired and just wanted to catch something “quick”. The smoked salmon pasta along with a bottle of a French white just “hit the spot” for the two of us. Good food for a very reasonable price.

Went to Spiga again another evening (which we had enjoyed so much on our last trip). The food was good and the service excellent, but the food just didn’t have that certain something that set it up as very good. Somewhat disappointed this time but will try it again.

California was the “winner” this trip. Wonderful food, great service and a perfect setting overlooking the water. We shared the evening and our table with Bill and Karen (whom we had met at the TTOL party) and had a most enjoyable time. As almost everyone has said in previous reports, put California on your list as a “must”.

Joe & Lynn, Lou & Debbie and Jim invited us to join them at their villa above O.B. for dinner one evening. Everyone bought their own steaks, etc. and we had a wonderful evening partying with these new friends from the TTOL party.


Tiko Tiko Cruise

We had been “threatening” to do this for a couple of years now. Joe & Lynn and Lou & Debbie invited us to go along with them on Wednesday morning so we decided to do so. Walked down and talked to Philippe on Wednesday morning but he told me that the trip was booked up. But, as luck would have it, I went back and checked with him about 9:00 AM and there had been a couple of cancellations so we were able to get on (along with Joe & Lynn, Lou & Debbie, Jim and David & Linda). It was a beautiful day – bright sunshine and blue skies. Once there, Jim took us on a “tour” of the old airport – interesting stuff. Enjoyed a lazy morning on the beach then Philippe sounded the horn for lunch and back to the Tiko Tiko for a wonderfully prepared lunch, complete with Champagne, wine, tablecloth, glassware, etc. Hadn’t expected such a nice setting. Yes, did the mud bath thing that afternoon and had a blast. Then it was back to O.B. and partial reality again. Philippe and Melanie were wonderful hosts. We recommend the trip.

Luis

This trip, Luis was there, and Joan got fitted for a swimsuit. Great suit that looks wonderful on her (at least in my opinion :>). Luis is a “kick” to deal with. Friendly and courteous and good at what he does. When Karen saw Joan’s suit, she decided to pay a visit to Luis also and bought a great-looking suit for herself. Joe and Lou told us that they had ordered suits from Luis and when I saw those, I ordered one also. Luis is so accommodating as to your times and schedule and had it made up the same day for me (as it was our last day on O.B.).

Additional Comments

Left SXM on Saturday, November 20 and headed over to meet our friends on their sailboat for some sailing in the BVI’s. As I’ve said, five days on SXM isn’t nearly long enough. This is the second time we’ve been invited to join our friends on their boat out of Tortola and the second time we’ve been able to combine that trip with a “side trip” to SXM. Somehow, we just can’t get that close to SXM without sneaking over for a few days at least :>).

Getting ready to leave New Orleans and head back home to Colorado tomorrow and begin skiing (but wanted to get this posted first). Some folks would consider this a less than optimum choice after a return from SXM, but, as skiers, we’re looking forward to it. Looks like a good early season snowfall for Summit Country and hope it bodes well for a good year of skiing. Plus, we REALLY need the moisture. If any of you are up skiing Copper, Keystone, Breckenridge, etc. give us a call and maybe we can ski some runs together.

I do have some pictures from the November 16 TTOL party that I will post once we get back to Colorado and onto a better computer with a broadband connection. Look for those next week sometime.

Be looking for everyone in SXM in May / June and/or next November / December.

Jerry & Joan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />