Forums39
Topics38,699
Posts312,854
Members26,573
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
36 registered members (GeorgeC1, Sandsailsun, jbutah, lcote, LINNY, Zanshin, NumberCruncher, davidandsusannj, onlymedication, lhbsurf, anet_scot, MKGrey, BillB42, StMartinFan, deliveryskipper, dolfer, WLE, eightzerobits, timnboston, IWIWSE, 2forBVI, Time Will Tell, MrEZgoin, alecu7, VirginGordaResident, KirkB, RickinAtlanta, Manpot, 8 invisible),
1,439
guests, and 115
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: boucharda]
#39331
02/10/2015 03:01 PM
02/10/2015 03:01 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863
Central Florida!
|
That's what I was going to say also. Saturday will be trashed, with arriving, so you will only have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as full days, and would hate to waste a day going off island when there is so much you can't see in a couple of weeks, let alone three whole days!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: DblJ369]
#39333
02/10/2015 03:07 PM
02/10/2015 03:07 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863
Central Florida!
|
Divi is a bit isolated from most of the places to eat, etc., so glad you have a car. As far as grocery shopping, my recommendation would be the Grand Marche by Mark's at the roundabout. And grocery stores in SXM sell wine and liquor, so no need to go somewhere else to buy wine if you don't want. However, you could try out Booze it Up store, a TTOL sponsor, as they have lots of selections of wines, liquors, etc. You didn't say how old you are, so not sure what type of dancing you are interested in. Prive is a night club which is in Simpson Bay. You also have Tantra, which is another nightclub, more for the younger crowd than I am though. For dinner, mercy there are a million places, what type of food do you like? As far as massage, you can probably get one through your hotel.
Enjoy!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: DblJ369]
#39334
02/10/2015 03:09 PM
02/10/2015 03:09 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,863
Central Florida!
|
Up to you, but once you arrive on island, you may change your mind. I personally never really understood the attraction. It's a beautiful beach, but that's about it for me. A lot of people love it there though!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: lcote]
#39344
02/10/2015 07:46 PM
02/10/2015 07:46 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Everyone has a different idea of what works.....we love AXA and find it to be a totally different vibe than most of SXM. No traffic to speak of and I think of it often as the place where the folks who used to make up the 'Friendly Island's' population have gone. They seem to have a little laugh in their voice and a kindly approach towards those in need of assistance and a brand of patience towards visitors that used to be the norm on SXM and which is not as prominent there these days, IMO.
If the OP is so inclined, even if time is short, I say "go for it....." At that point, even if I hate it - which I highly doubt will happen - it's one more thing to be scratched off their bucket list.
We had been visiting SXM for about twenty-five years before we ever got around to visiting Saba and we discovered, even without any beaches, it's a great place to visit and one that suits us perfectly, particularly when we feel the need to escape from reality and totally chill. My first thought is why did we wait so long, and the other would be, I'm thinking we're fast approaching the need for another stay-over there. <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: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: pat]
#39345
02/11/2015 03:13 PM
02/11/2015 03:13 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 97
DblJ369
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 97
|
Thanks, everyone! We are actually going to celebrate my 40th birthday We would like one "fun" night for dancing and a few drinks, but not with 20 somethings (no offense to them, but at 40 it will just be depressing!). As far as food tastes, honestly we are pretty open. We do love Steaks, Italian and Japanese, but that being said we can get those here. Would love to have someplace with some "island flavor", maybe one night of a fancier dinner for a true bday celebration. I appreciate all of the comments so far and will be looking into them all. Glad to hear the Divi beach is nice. We may end up just staying there, but it is nice to have some options. We want to relax and catch up on rest as all of us going have young kids. At the same time, we want the option to have some fun one of the nights we are there! For those who went to Anguilla - what is the best quiet beach with a good beach bar. Also, do either of the two islands have speciality drinks that are specific to them? For instance, when we went to BVI it was Bushwhackers and pain killers. Thanks!!
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: DblJ369]
#39346
02/11/2015 04:39 PM
02/11/2015 04:39 PM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
JohnandBev
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Hi, just back from 2 ½ weeks. We went to Anguilla for the day early Feb on a day SXM was to have 5 cruise ships, one of which was the Allure, previous trip was 2013. Went with another couple, one of whom was a little squeamish about the trip so we splurged and took the GB Express. Lovely – 9am or 10 am to and 4:30 or 5:30 back. Leaves from near the airport – you need to book in advance. Not inexpensive, $90 pp rt plus $13 Anguilla depart fee [apparently only the French side from Marigot charges a depart fee from SXM]. About 25 minutes to, but it was exactly 20 minutes back – twin 300hp Yamaha’s. No parking at the Ferry terminal, you either park at the airport and walk or use a cab [which is what we did] Cabbed to Shoal Bay East – lots of cab options when you get to Anguilla, but we used the cab driver we used before – “Tall Boy” – we reserved with him by email - he knows the island well. He told us when he would be back to get us to the ferry at the time GB said to. Sure enough at the time, a beach boy came by to say Tall Boy was there. Turns out the beach concession person and the lounger person were also related to Tall Boy! Camped out on Shoal Bay east in front of Madeariman’s – 2 chairs and an umbrella were $10 – the chairs are not associated with any resto Another beach bar – Hanks?, had a sign no charge for chairs if you eat there Liked the Madeariman food and free wifi if you ate there – not a basic burger bar, we enjoyed our lunches. Shoal Bay was lovely, walked it end to end. Gwen’s has moved and was rebuilding up the beach, seemed to serve drinks and had chairs but no food and they were obviously building so not so peaceful if you camped there Note gigantic house – villa - being built a bit from the beach down from Gwen’s giant observatory pods atop – was told one pod is for a telescope, the other two are bedrooms?? Note, not an inexpensive day, bring dollars – cost per person for a party of 4 - $190 – includes cab to and from the Ferry dock in SXM, GB Express, depart fee, Anguilla cab, lunch and loungers. Had we used the Marigot Ferry, would have been closer to $135pp
You are not on SXM for long - to me I would not go, lots of great suggestions for your limited time - but if on your bucket list, go for it
J&B
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: DblJ369]
#39347
02/11/2015 05:17 PM
02/11/2015 05:17 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,430 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,430
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
|
For your birthday dinner, one of the French restaurants in Grand Case would be perfect. My suggestions, in this order, would be L'Estaminet, Le Pressoir, and L'Auberge Gourmande. None of these is waterfront, but the quality of the food more than makes up for the lack of a water view (which you can't really see anyway as it's dark by the time you eat dinner). All will offer gourmet French cuisine.
There is a flavored rhum made on the island called Ma DouDou. You will see it in handpainted bottles in all of the grocery stores, and will probably be served some after your meals in most French restaurants. Some restaurants serve their own version of flavored rhum. It's served in a shot glass, but imo it's better sipped to enjoy the full flavor.
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: GaKaye]
#39348
02/11/2015 05:30 PM
02/11/2015 05:30 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 772
phillygirl7
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 772
|
If this is the only trip you can plan on going for the next couple of years, then yes, go to Anguilla and enjoy it, knowing that like people are saying, it costs a pretty penny. If you can book another trip in the next year or two, try staying overnight in Anguilla to start the trip for a day or two, then moving over to SXM for the balance of the trip. Your group would likely have fun at The Red Piano in SXM, but it is a distance away from the Divi. I am partial to Monday nights there, but note that it is smoky in that place. If we want a place to sit, we might get there around 8, but the action starts after 9. Very attentive cocktail waitresses there. Our groups have shared many a bottle of champagne there. I am sure you will enjoy your birthday, whatever you choose.
|
|
|
Re: Trip Planning - First time to SXM
[Re: biglar]
#39351
02/12/2015 09:25 AM
02/12/2015 09:25 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US
candj
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
|
You will want to visit Grand Case for sure and just walk down the main street and pick a restaurant. We happen to like Spiga and Piazza Pascal but there are numerous restaurants to pick from.
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
|
|
|
|