I will try to condense this as much as possible. Going to SXM for 3 weeks from Scotland was such a big deal for us and it took us 18hours to get there.Here goes,
28th. May= We left home at 4am. and sfter 2 great flights arrived on St Maarten at 4.30 (there is a 5 hour difference). Lesley from Kenny's car hire was not there to meet us, but after 10mins. wait ,he arrived.We drove to The Atrium, which was our first weeks stay.Our apt. was very nice overlooking the lagoon + mountainswith a corner balcony only problem was the traffic noise and the demolition of a house opposite.We were in bed early as we were exhausted.
29th. May= We woke early to enjoy beautiful sunshine, unlike the cold and rain that we had left in Scotland.After breakfast and orientation meetingwe headed for O/BWe pulled up 2 chairs + unbrella(15 dollars wow) and enjoyed our day on the beach. The sea was like a bath and the sea beautiful. We stuck our Scottish flags in the sand, but no-one came. In the evening we went to Lees for dinner,and Tony said isn't that tn couple from TTOL called Deb and Ron (we recognised them from their pic on TTOL, so we joined them for dinner ,how spooky is that!We ordered lobster thinking that it was 25 $ when the bill came we nearly died it was 25$ per lb. Ron kindly paid for the drinks. We enjoyed the evening with our new friends had a dance and left.
30th May= Today we had a tour of the Cruise club from Irish Mike, it was very informative and only took an hourof our timeand we received 60 $ towards dinner at Le Bec Fin, we were then able to recoup our losses from the previous night. After shopping at the supermarket we came back and had lunch on our balcony of fresh bread ,ham, cheese ,eggs crisps, and a bottle of wine.then the beach until 4pm. and then the TTOL party at 5 pm .Well this was a treat! , we were greeted by John Michael whose brother had just got married at Hasley's so the party continued. John Michael put on a lovely spread and we then met all the people from TTOL what a wheeze it was great putting faces to names on the computer.People of course new me as Scottish girl with the puntuation problem which I fould very funny. We met ED &Sandra TN couple Ella& Dave and many more. We then had a lovely dinner for only 39 $ great day.
31st. May=We went to philipsburgh today we were on the hunt for diamonds . We went to DK gems recommendation from this board and dealt with Raj(what a gentleman) The minute I mentioned TTOL I was given excellent service and advice. We purchsed 1.5 carat earrings, a 7 diamond rind and a 1 carat diamond for my ring. did't I do well!We then went to the Kangaroo Court for lunch, the crab salad was delicious. We got back about 4pm. and relaxed on the beach where I spotted Ellie getting off a boat., they had been on random Wind and and had a great time.Tony cooked dinner that night and we went to Bananas for a drink and met a very drunk Scotsman who lives on the islandand he had been there since 11am. We then went to Lees for a drink and a dance then bed ,good day.
1st. June=Went to O/B beautiful as usual had a crab salad which was excellent and stuck my flags in the sand but no-one came.We went on a sunset cruise on Lambadawhich was lovely, then went to LE BEC FIN for dinner I had seafood rissotto and Tony the duck it was great but it turned out I was allergic to the oysters and spent the next 4 days in pain with fish poisoning, anyway we met Ed & Sandra there and Barbara which was lovely, very nice people our meal came to 26$ with the voucher, should of been 87$
2nd. June=Went bach to Philipsburgh and DK Gems and to deal with Raj which was a pleasure ,I noticed a girl working there and asked if she new a good hairdresser she walked me along the street to her hairdresser, well I am a hairdresser and very fussy. She did not even section off my hair she just hacked into it until I looked like something from outer space, help it was a mess. I asked her to wash it again, I sat on the beach with a hat on, and recut it myself when I got back ,I managed to save the day as I had my scissors with me.Went to Lees and the water gave us 2 meals for the price of 1 because of the lobster misunderstanding, he said it was because we were nice and that he felt sorry for us.
3rd. June=Was decidedly ill today dut to the scallops, but went to the Islander for a presentationand got 100$ towards a sail to Anguilla, then went to ZEE Best for lunch, freshly baked croissants and buns and yummy things. At night as we were walking along the road from The Atrium 2 guys tried to stel my bag out of my hand ,they came along side me on a scooter with no lights on but they didn't manage to get my bag and sped away.We went to Lees and Lady C for drinks.
4th June=Transferred to The Towers, wonderful place best timeshare on the island in my estimation.Peace tranquillity laggon view, and they all remembered us from 3 years ago.We then went to Philipsburgh to pick up my jewellery and shopped at Le Grand bought red mullet and cooked it that night.
5th. June=O/B met Kevin, John, Bill. S at night went to Atlantis casino, bet 20$ came out with 43$which went towards Bella Napolinawhich was 83 $, very expensive my veal was just ok Tony's seafood rissotto was excellent., but not value for money.
6th. June=Walked to Maho and to The Sunset Bar and sitting there was lovin 2 some they had mailed me before I left and we recognised them from their pic on TTOL. What a smashing couple we did love their company, they invited us to the Ocean Club for a b/b/q night which was very nice of them
7th June=Went to the pharmacy for medicine for my tummy as the cramps were bad , I got tablets and it cleared up very quickly. We stayed by the pool and bought food at Cupecoy Inn very nice ,I had chicken salad. Went to the managers coctail party and daced the night away,then went to Pineapple Pete's good jazz band then went to The Sopranos, good singer we all sat round the piano enjoying the relaxing atmosphere feeling much better.
8th June= Went to Philipsburgh and The Kangaroo Court I love that place, at night went to the Ocean Club to meet Don & Linda (lovin2some) what hospitality this was the best night so far great company , food and dancing and Don paid for us which was so kind. great night We even met May and her husband that we had met 3 years earlier unbelievable.
9th June=Checked out Cupecoy beach was not impressed, the building work that is going on is quite intense but it will be nice when it is finished. Decided to go to Mullet Bay beach I love this beach and had gret b/b/q chicken and salad with mango excellent.At night went to the Montmarte french restaurant near the Atlantis casino this was delicious11o$ but worth it.10th. June=Last day at The Towers,we love it here,went for lunch to Marigot to the Fish Pot I had red snapper and Tony the fish stew it was lovelythe dessert was panna cotta with fresh berries and champagne ice mmmmm. At night went to the casino and played match play I bet 20$
on the tables for blackjack first card was an ace 2 nd crd was a jack yee ha I won then I played again and I won we walked out with 96$
11th JuneWent to O/B met Kevin & Carlaand Joe and some other people and had lunch at Baywatch very good.My Scottish flags became a talking pointand by this time we were quite well known.Dinner was at Bananas which was excellent, I had stuffed mahi mahi with crab and a white wine sauce .
12th June=Sail to Anguilla on Lambada. What a day it was brilliant! I was dropped off on a deserted island called sand island only a closed bar a hammock and a shipwreck for company ,unforgettable. Lunch on Anguilla then the sail home dancing all the way this trip usually costs 172$ but we paid 54$ as we had a voucher.
13th June=We went to Bai Rouge beach today quite nice not as nice as Mullet Bay though. Dinner at Peg Legswhen we went in all I heard was SCOTTISHGIRL Kevin and Carla were in the house and about 20 friends how nice that was. The meal was deliciousI had petite filet mignon ,Kevin is a great guy.
14th June=Went to O/Band the butterfly farmwhich was beautiful and worth a visit.Those species are delightful, met more people on the beach, then at night went to Q club to watch a video being madeby a guy called Rich can't remember his first name.
15th June=Stayed at Flamingo todaytotally relaxing dined at Hideaway, I had the lobster thermador, Tony the lamb ,but we were not impressedwith the food but the dancing was good.
16th June=Went to Philipsburgh more shopping. I felt sorry for Tony so I left him sitting in the shade under a tree, near the cruise ship jetty. Afamily sat down next to himand then left.Tony noticedthat they had left 2 bags of jewellery hanging from the tree and ran after them. Their faces were a picture, they were truly grateful.
17th June=Today is our last day, we stayed at Flamingo and later went to The Towersto meet up with people that we met 3 years ago and have stayed in touch via email. Jean &Jim Sulima I took them to my heart 3 years ago they are such special people and that was them just arriving on the island that day at 3.30pm. I took them a Scottish present and Jean presented me with a parcel. It was a framed picture ot Tony &I that was taken 3 years ago and she had got it enlarged and frmed and in the frame stuck on was St Maarten sand and shells I was overwhelmed. They then took us out to dinner to Peg legs. What a way to round off a holiday
In conclusion, we mwt so many lovely people especiallt through TTOL. Strangers becoming friends. Dined in style in good restaurants. Enjoyed great weather, a truly memorable holiday. On the down side, I felt a lot of the Caribbean people sullen and unfriendly, not like the last time.
Kenny's cars., late to meet us and cost much more than stated, even although I organised it from the UK to include all taxes this was not the case.
Flamingo who afterswiping my credit card on arrival as normal put through the transaction and charged me 400$ which is very naughty and now I have the hassle of getting it back
Thankyou to everyone who contributed to informing me of all the things I needed to knowabout St Maartin. Your help and advicewas invaluable. It is a great board for noviceslike me which made our holiday the success that it was and I returned after 24hours of trvel to hot sunny weather yee haa
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