This was our 2nd time to SXM ( LaPlantation 2004) and 1st time to Club O this year.
Stayed in Studio 22, only steps from the beach. It was so nice to get drinks, snacks or AC for a nap only a short walk away. When doing the math to decide if Club O is too expensive, remember the luxury of not wearing clothes from arrival to departure if you choose and having your room within short walking distance of your beach chairs. I have done it both ways now, from now on I won’t stay anyplace else on OB. The room was clean and contained everything needed for a week or two stay. The only needed maintenance I could find was a small rotten piece of wood in the shower, otherwise everything was perfect. We met the manager and asst. manager along with most of the guest at the managers wine party on Monday night. We were told there were only 35-40 units occupied and the rest of OB seemed very sparse also.
We had Michael (a very accommodating taxi driver) pick us up at the airport with a phone from Sharon Harris. The phone worked fine every place we used it, which was to call our kids in the US for .30/min. Michael also picked us up for the ride back to airport and to return phone.
It rained on our arrival and one morning early. Most days were partly cloudy to sunny and very hot in the 87-88F range. There was very little wind at any time of the day or night so the gnats and mosquitoes were a problem at times. They were no match for DEET and rum/coke.
Our new friends in studio 21 had a rental car so we did some island exploring with them: Philipsburg supper at Da Livio, the lasagna and clam linguine were good, the service was poor and not very friendly. I think I read where they closing or changing ownership. We also went to Fort Louis, a great place to take pictures overlooking Marigot. We went to Pic Paradise, there is broken glass in the parking area that reminded us of the reports of vandalism, the views are awesome. The one lane road to top is hairy and I don’t know what we would have done had we met another car, there is very little room for passing. Lastly, we did some shopping in Marigot and Philipsburg. It was a slow week for cruise ships so we had both towns pretty much to ourselves and the locals.
We ate breakfast twice, 1 lunch and 2 suppers at Papagayos, the service and food was good, and no more expensive than other comparable restaurants on the island. The kids that work in Papagayos are as friendly and personable as I have ever met.
We also had ribs and burgers at Pedro’s and Baywatch. Also breakfast and lunch at Baywatch. It took Andy a while to find the Louisiana plate; he said he doesn’t get many people from Nawlins.
We ate once at Kangaroo Court – the grilled chicken and steak was good.
I walked and jogged each morning between 0600-0700am down to Mt Vernon aunatural. There were only 3-5 other couples per morning taking a nude stroll.
There were only 3 nights at Papagayos that had any entertainment. This seems like a loss of opportunity and imagination. We heard people saying if they just had a sound system with a stack of cd’s, the guest would be their own DJ and Papagayos would sell food and booze.
Each night all the guys in the surrounding studios, 4-8 couples, would meet on the beach around 9:30pm for an “Almost Full Moon Party”. The real full moon party was on the 24th and we were all leaving on the 23rd. No problem mon! We would put our candles on an inflatable raft with our bottles of wine, rum and beer and stood in waist deep water looking up at the moon and agreeing that we had found paradise. We found being out late on Club O’s beach to be very safe; the security guy is around at all times. We stayed in the water until midnight each night.
There were 4 ships on Wed, with very few gawkers. We all noted a few occasions of couples loosing their tops about mid-beach and the bottom at Dolphin watersports. Hopefully a few will become converts, we need a larger constituency if we are to gain more public nude opportunities in the states.
An NYU Psychology Prof with a class of 12-15 20 something students were staying at CO. Their energy and enthusiasm made the karaoke night and DJ nights enjoyable and entertaining. It was good to see young naturist experiencing CO and enjoying themselves.
We grocery shopped at Bon Marche and L’Orientique for booze and snacks. We didn’t cook even though the CO kitchen is very adequate, just being lazy.
A young couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the beach by renewing their vows one evening. Complete with a palm frond alter, brides maids, groomsman and best man. Everyone on the beach at CO became their wedding guest. Pretty neat idea.
We met some awesome new friends and made some great new memories. We are already planning our return next year and the return of the “Almost Full Moon, Inflatable Floating Raft Bar”.
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