Forums39
Topics38,731
Posts313,278
Members26,578
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
35 registered members (PML, MKGrey, GeorgeC1, Husker, jaxon60, CaribbeanCanadians, Cleobeach, Todd, Zanshin, xrayman67, ChuckG, Jim_Laraine, taraavo, SteveH, NoelHall, jbutah, dolfer, Compskier, BarbyandLeo, eightzerobits, MrEZgoin, lcote, Billtjw, timnboston, Alltech63, CLIFFTOPS, 9 invisible),
1,279
guests, and 109
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32871
01/08/2015 09:59 PM
01/08/2015 09:59 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
|
Welcome to the world of St. Martin, and no, you don't need an international license for St. Martin/St. Maarten.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: jandbruce]
#32873
01/08/2015 11:44 PM
01/08/2015 11:44 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460 Estes Park, CO
Yana
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460
Estes Park, CO
|
You will need Anguilla issued Drivers License if you want to rent a car there. Taxi is available at ferry dock and will take you anyplace you want to go. They drive on left hand side just like USVI/BVI.
There is no place like SXM.
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32875
01/09/2015 08:09 AM
01/09/2015 08:09 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 215 Michigan
mprevo
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 215
Michigan
|
Sounds like you are in for a great trip. I am sure that you will get many suggestions on where to “stock up” when you arrive. Probably the best suggestion that I received here is to let Jeannie from Shop N Drop do it for you. http://www.shopndropgrocerysxm.com/All you have to do is place your order online before you leave and everything is waiting for you once you arrive in your condo (including the ice for the drinks). How perfect is that? Anyways another piece of advice you will get here is that if you stop for supplies on your way from the airport to your condo do NOT leave your car unattended with your luggage inside (even in the trunk). There has been a problem with getting your car broke into at this time. So it is best to just leave somebody in the car or use Jeannie with no worries. Hope you have a great trip.
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32878
01/09/2015 09:21 AM
01/09/2015 09:21 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
|
Beerman--as I told you, that beach is not a very good beach. Make sure you bring beach shoes.
As far as groceries, huhm, what day are you arriving? If you're arriving on Sunday after 2 PM, (and don't decide to use Jeannie at Shop N Drop) the answer is different.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32880
01/09/2015 10:35 AM
01/09/2015 10:35 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
|
Anse Marcel is kind of a different view than you will get most anywhere else, beautiful! You might like Oyster Pond also.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32881
01/09/2015 10:54 AM
01/09/2015 10:54 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220 self-quarantine
Rasputin
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220
self-quarantine
|
For groceries your first day, your best bet will be the Grand Marche at Porto Cupecoy. You will be driving right by it from the airport on the way to Baie Nettle.
There is also a small French Market (used to be called the Royale, I forget it's current name) located in Baie Nettle (Nettle Bay). Also in Nettle Bay, there is a French Bakery where you can get wonderful morning pastries or a baquette.
And you best bet for Pizza to go is a Pizza place on your way to Marigot that is at the entrance to Simply Market.
Rah Rah Rasputin They put some poison into his wine He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: Rasputin]
#32882
01/09/2015 10:57 AM
01/09/2015 10:57 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
|
Grand Marche at Porto Cupecoy will work unless they are coming in after 2 on Sunday. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />
As far as pizza, if you're talking about Drive Inn Pizza, island friends said they went there recently and it was NOT good.. When was the last time you were there? Inquiring minds...
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#32883
01/09/2015 11:00 AM
01/09/2015 11:00 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220 self-quarantine
Rasputin
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220
self-quarantine
|
He already said he is arriving on a Saturday.
No I haven't been to Drive In Pizza in the last few months. If it is the same owners, I can't imagine it being not good!?
Rah Rah Rasputin They put some poison into his wine He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: Rasputin]
#32884
01/09/2015 11:03 AM
01/09/2015 11:03 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
|
OK, sorry, missed that!
I was shocked when she said it wasn't good, as they are long time Drive Inn Pizza fans.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32887
01/09/2015 04:05 PM
01/09/2015 04:05 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
JohnandBev
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Our free advice Use Jeannies ShopnDrop for intial unit stocking, you only have a wk, saves time the 1st couple of days If you go out at night and want to cab - try Wilfred Brooks a sponsor, nice man, and dependable Get the SXM nights booklet at the airport, has a map, as will your rental. I would not go to Anguilla, you only have a week, eventually you'll go, but instead I suggest a round island boat trip. You'll see / go to beaches from a different perspective - lots of good tour operator choices for sail or power. Beaches - Orient, Mullet, Friars Bay, Anse Marcel, all different SMYC for happy hour, go the their web site to get the bridge causeway times so you can keep the info in the car so you don;t get caught in the lineups Marigot, coffee and croissant at a bakery, walk around the market, we go the french linen lady, there is local jewellery, but double check some is local as in sold on island, some is local as made on island! - Note the Marigot Marina is not by the ocean - our 1st time we kept walking around thinking we had missed the resto we wanted to go to, until someone directed us the marina which is on the lagoon side, duh .... Tons more won't even start a resto debate Read the trip reposts in the archives and have fun J&B
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!t
[Re: jandbruce]
#32892
01/10/2015 10:17 AM
01/10/2015 10:17 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
|
Beerman has visited USVI and the BVI often, so the driving on the 'wrong' side doesn't bother him.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: cindik]
#32896
01/14/2015 07:22 PM
01/14/2015 07:22 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
|
Thanks for the info. This is a fairly last minute trip and not having been there before we are kinda wing'n it! We are the type to gravitate away from the crowds and the bigger resorts so our online searches of beach front resulted in few options. We searched hard for Grand Case based on a TTOL'ers recommendation, found some very cool looking villas on the beach there that were unfortunately booked. We don't have high expectations, but we do want clean and safe accommodations with a view for our base camp and I think we'll get that! I like writing detailed trip reports and I will report on what I find!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
Edited to include our family motto borrowed from a USVI bumper sticker "POSITIVE IS HOW WE LIVE"!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by BEERMAN; 01/14/2015 07:34 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32897
01/14/2015 07:35 PM
01/14/2015 07:35 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
|
As a seasoned Caribbean visitor, if not a SXMer yet, you'll be fine. It is what it is and while it may not be the top pick of the island resorts or of the vast majority who visit, if you're willing to go with the flow you'll do just fine! We went tent camping on St. John once and people said we were nuts, but we used it as our base and had a ball on St. John, St. Thomas and Virgin Gorda. As a seasoned island visitor, What's not to like about the Caribbean as long as your accommodations are clean and convenient? Enjoy the island and the vacation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: Eric_Hill]
#32901
01/14/2015 09:30 PM
01/14/2015 09:30 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460 Estes Park, CO
Yana
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 460
Estes Park, CO
|
If you need Half&Half for yout coffe get it at Maho Market or Porto Cupecoy Grand Marche. French grocery at NB and Simply at Sandy Grounds have no reliable supply. Anse Marcel is worth the trip, it has very nice beach and it is an adventure to drive there over very steep hill.
There is no place like SXM.
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32902
01/14/2015 09:37 PM
01/14/2015 09:37 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
|
Okay, even on our stateside camping trips we've never felt the urge to mix our drinks in a garbage can but I can imagine a guys camp out group doing so. I've even heard of them lining their pick- up truck beds with a heavy duty plastic liner and filling it with water and using it as their private splash pool. Nope! Haven't done that one either although at least one of the young men who used to hang with my kids did and lived to tell us about it and laugh about it after the fact.
We 'camped' at Maho Bay and, aside from the steps, we loved it and we absolutely loved the peace and tranquility found there. But I hated those steps and I figured out on day one you didn't want to forget any beach items and have to go back up for them.
I guess I'm in the small minority here but I really do think with the right mindset, i.e. "it doesn't have to be a palace as long as it's clean" and "I will make my own good time regardless of what others have experienced" and you will have a great time.
My suggestions - on Sunday morning get up early and dress for beaching and take an around the island ride staying on the main road and you'll get a great over-sight as to what and where things are for future reference.
Check out as many beaches as you can - they're all different and all have different personalities. We love Mullet, Simpson Bay Beach, Friars Bay Beach and Ans Marcel Beach. But not to be missed are Cupecoy, Rouge, and Orient, to name but a few others.
If you can squeeze it in, I'm one who would do the Anguilla trip just to say you did and to catch a glimpse of some of the most beautiful and environmentally natural beaches in the Caribbean.
Bring lots of money, several bathing suits, and don't get too hung up on dress clothes......it really is a relatively casual island.
Don't leave anything in your car, not even locked in the trunk or the glovebox and do ask your car rental company about how he wants the "lock it/don't lock it" issue handled and finally, use the same precautions you would take in the VIs and the chances are it will be a good and incident free trip.
And lastly, a huge dollar saver if you're planning on visiting some of the more remote beaches, or even on the main beaches if you're of a mind, is to consider renting chairs and umbrellas and even a beach cooler if you think you might use one - from Pack-lite. Their weekly price is not much more than two days of chair rentals on the popular beaches and then you are free to eat wherever you want - even picnic style if you're of a mind to and you aren't locked into using the more expensive eateries that include their chair rentals in the restaurant prices.
Have a wonderful time and take pictures, lots of them. But why do I think this may just be the first if many trips to come.... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: pat]
#32903
01/14/2015 09:56 PM
01/14/2015 09:56 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220 self-quarantine
Rasputin
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,220
self-quarantine
|
First trip to island, and only 7 days, I'd say there is more to do than one can fit in, so I'd suggest skipping Anguilla (and yes, I've been there). But everyone has a different opinion.
<sub>However, mine is the only correct one.</sub> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
Rah Rah Rasputin They put some poison into his wine He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
|
|
|
Re: Decision Made for 1st trip!
[Re: BEERMAN]
#32905
01/14/2015 10:08 PM
01/14/2015 10:08 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,653
Brookfield, CT.
|
There is room for every mode of dress though I recall reading somewhere, perhaps here?, that one of the casinos won't permit sandals on men.
DH always wears shorts and a nicer shirt for dinner in the more upscale places, and a sundress or nice dress shorts/capris and top would take your wife anywhere. There are many places where beach shorts and a tee shirt might not be appropriate but there are plenty more casual places where it would be fine. It's basically no different than what you're used to doing in the VIs.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|